Sangheili Major

This article does not have enough inline citations and/or does not adhere to the proper citation format. You can help Halopedia by adding citations.

This article does not meet the wiki's general standards and/or standards on layouts. You can help by cleaning this article.

Template:Covenant Rank Infobox

"Station and Salvation both command a heavy price."

— Sangheili Major's mantra.^[1]

Major, also referred to as Officer,^[1] is a Sangheili rank used by the Covenant and later by the Covenant Separatists. They are directly superior to Sangheili Minors.

Background

Majors are veteran warriors whose rank is directly above that of Sangheili Minors. They command groups of Minors as well as other Covenant races in ground combat situations. Additionally, the Majors also serve as the second-in-command positions aboard Covenant ships.^[2]^[3]

Only Majors can obtain the temporary rank of Ossoona, mainly due to the fact that a more seasoned warrior prefers combat, not stealth, and a Minor is too inexperienced to become an Ossoona.Template:Fact

Physical appearance

Majors are clad in shades of red combat harnesses, comparable to the red armor of Unggoy Majors. In Halo: Combat Evolved, the color scheme of the harness is simply crimson. This color scheme has been extended to two variable colors in Halo 2, which featured bright-red and crimson, and in Halo 3, which featured metallic crimson and metallic maroon. Like the Minors in Combat Evolved, there are two differently shaped variations of the helmet for the Majors. The Forerunner symbols featured in Combat Evolved is absent in Halo 2 but is available in Halo 3.

The color scheme and the designs of the harness underwent some significant changes in Halo: Reach; the color scheme now covers at least three color variables (gold, orange and red). The Major in Reach now has its own unique armor design to differentiate the Major from other Sangheili ranks; the helmet differs greatly from the design of the Minors and is more decorative and elongated, and the pauldrons are slightly larger and more pronounced at the separated tips.

Combat

Majors are most commonly seen in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo: Reach on the Heroic and Legendary difficulties. On Easy and Normal, their presence is very minimal to none. They can be seen leading lances of Unggoy, Kig-yar and Minors. Equipped with stronger energy shielding (approximately 50% stronger), Majors are forceful warriors capable of overpowering their opponents, namely UNSC Marines and ODSTs although not neccesarily. They are less likely to perform tactical errors when compared to the inferior Sangheili Minors; Majors would seek more cover to provide itself the tactical advantage over its opponents and would fire their weapon with great accuracy and faster rate of fire.

Like the Minors, Majors usually wield plasma rifles, occasionally dual wielding them. In some scenarios, Majors would wield the Carbines and Needlers.

Trivia

As seen in a Halo: Combat Evolved original 2000 teaser trailer, the Majors were originally supposed to have a point defense gauntlet.
Majors' Combat Harness, referred to as the Sangheili Officer Harness, is available as a Sangheili armor permutation in multiplayer as a reward for buying the Halo: Reach Limited or Legendary editions.^[4]
Halo: Ghosts of Onyx makes a reference to a "Major Domo Sangheili".^[5] It is unknown whether this is a rank separate from the regular Major, or possibly a specific position held by Majors, although the Sangheili referred to as Major Domos are later simply called "Majors".^[6]
A Halo Reach concept art image of a Sangheili Major, specifically the headpiece, bears some resemblance to the curved helmets of some Elites in Halo CE. These different helmets have had no canonical or working explanation, since it appears to be an aesthetic difference. It may be that it indicates status or higher responsibility in the field, since the concept art slightly resembles said helmet in Combat Evolved.

Gallery

A group of Sangheili Majors and Unggoy Majors in Halo: Combat Evolved
A Major in Halo 2.
A Major in Halo 3.
This image shows the color differentiation of the Major harness.
The Sangheili Officer armor permutation available with the purchase of the Limited and Legendary editions of Halo: Reach.
Two Army troopers firing upon an Officer as it is being assassinated by SPARTAN-B312.
A Halo: Reach pre-alpha image of a white Major.
ReachConcept EliteOfficer.png

Concept art of a Sangheili Major in Halo: Reach.
ReachConcept-Elite Major.png

Another concept of a Major in Halo: Reach.