Captain (Covenant)

This article is about the military rank used by the Covenant. For the officer rank in the United Nations Space Command, see Captain (NAVCOM).

A standard Jiralhanae Captain wearing leader power armor.

Captain is a command military rank for warriors serving in the armed forces of the Covenant empire and its remnants. Although it was held by other species such as Yanme'e and Mgalekgolo, the role has been most-widely adopted and known as a Jiralhanae title.

Overview[edit]

Covenant Captains are seasoned veteran warriors, and are more heavily armed and armored than standard infantry.^[1] Captains are commands groups of infantry. They will hold their ground more often, making them far more effective killing machines. Their combat effectiveness is due to their superior experience in the field and the heavy weapons they carry.^{[citation needed]}

Ranks and organisation[edit]

Captain-class warriors, at least for the Jiralhanae and Yanme'e, have their own internal ranking structure, with status denoted by the colour of a given individual's battle harness.

By species[edit]

Sangheili[edit]

Several Sangheili held Platoon Captain and Wraith Captain roles within the Spartan-IVs' Warzone simulations after the Human-Covenant War, to which they are seemingly sub-ranks related to the Captain role.^[2] The Wraith Captain is most likely the title below Tankmaster and above the Wraith Officer. In the Warzone simulation, Re'gish Wamik held the Captain role and piloted a D'nomlhe-pattern Banshee, despite his higher Field Master title during the Human-Covenant War.^[2]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Jiralhanae Captains are seasoned veteran Jiralhanae, selected to lead detachments of their fellows and lesser races. They and are more heavily armed and armored than standard Jiralhanae infantry, which they lead with a more controlled ferocity.^[1] The Banished also employ Jiralhanae Captains, which operate with a higher level of autonomy than their Covenant counterparts. They often lead large numbers of troops, even Sangheili, and perform missions that smaller warrior-led groups would not be entrusted with. Like in a typical Jiralhanae clan, Banished Jiralhanae captains serve directly under a chieftain. Many ambitious captains keep their eyes on the chieftain's position and are always looking for opportunities to overthrow their leaders. The very best Jiralhanae captains in the Banished are elevated to the position of Warlord. Chosen captains will typically command the Elite of a given clan or Legion.^[3]

Like most Jiralhanae armors prior to the Great Schism, Captains wore standard partial body armor rather than a full-body armor, although based on different skeins; Rh'tol Captains were identified by a small holographic red flag attached to their harnesses extending from their back,^[4] while Vheiloth Captains wore a gold helmet and more resilient armor than their Rh'tol counterparts.^[5] During the Schism, after the Jiralhanae were given elevated status in the Covenant military, they were issued with iridescent leader power armor, equipped with energy shields.^[6] Jiralhanae Captains serving within the Banished are equipped with a red energy field, along with a helmet and full body armor with a jump pack that helps them maneuver around the battlefield^[7] or perform melee attacks

Jiralhanae Captains favor grenade launchers. Their standard and iconic armament of the Covenant Jiralhanae Captain is the Jovokada Workshop Brute Shot, almost exclusively wielded by them. Captains are considered experts at wielding the Brute shot.^[1] Still, they were seen to handle different weapons, such as gravity hammers and Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifles.^[8] Banished Captains encountered during the Battle for Zeta Halo were most often found armed with Veporokk Workshop Ravagers (those donning helmets reminiscent to that of brute captains serving the Covenant) or MLRS-2 Hydras (those donning fanned out helmets with bladed face lines and equipped with energy shielding).

Rh'tol Jiralhanae Captain with leader Rh'tol armor.
Vheiloth Jiralhanae Captain with leader Vheiloth armor.
Three different Banished Captain variants.

Regular Captain[edit]

"Brute military doctrine states that to lead, one must be seen."

— Jiralhanae Captain's mantra^[9]

The regular Jiralhanae Captain is a low-tier command rank and the lowest of the three known Jiralhanae captain ranks. It is subordinate to higher-ranking Captain Majors and Chieftains. During the Schism, they were issued with iridescent purple-red power armor, equipped with energy shields.^[6]

Regular Jiralhanae Captain with leader power armor.

Captain Major[edit]

"To be effective, officers need to inspire fear and respect."

— Jiralhanae Captain Major's mantra

Higher-ranking Jiralhanae Captain Major wear golden power armor. They are the second-highest Jiralhanae Captain rank, though they are deployed more often than the other captain ranks.^[1] Captain Majors often lead lower-ranking Jiralhanae, as well as lances of Kig-Yar and Unggoy. A Jiralhanae Captain is promoted to the rank of Captain Major for his ability to rally and inspire other Covenant forces, although the inspiration usually is due to physical threats. Their armor is much more resilient than that of standard Jiralhanae Captains.^[1] Jiralhanae Captain Majors can be seen commanding troops on the Deutoros-pattern Scarab walkers.^[6] The leader power armor of a Jiralhanae Captain Major is bright gold, making them easily recognizable.^[6] A Captain Major's shields are significantly stronger than that of lower-ranking Jiralhanae.^[1]

A Jiralhanae Captain Major

Captain Ultra[edit]

Captain Ultra is the third highest attainable rank a Jiralhanae can achieve,^[10] next to Honor Guardsman and Chieftains. Captain Ultra is the highest Captain rank in the Jiralhanae ranking system.^[1] They seem to be the Jiralhanae equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel or Commander as well as a Sangheili Ultra and can command larger packs than their lesser ranks.^{[citation needed]} They are stronger and more experienced than other Jiralhanae infantry and Captain ranks. Jiralhanae Captain Ultras are trained to be immensely strong and agile.^[1] On the battlefield, Captain Ultras are often in command of Jiralhanae packs and files or lances that are made up of lower-ranking species like Kig-Yar or Unggoy.^[6]

Captain Ultras wear cyan leader power armor, which signifies higher rank than the gold Captain Majors.^[11] The armor offers very high resistance from most weapons to protect its user.^[1] Captain Ultras are armed with a wide assortment of weapons.^[6]

A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra

Captain Warlord[edit]

Main article: Jiralhanae Warlord

Banished Captains that distinguish themselves among their peers may be granted the rank of Warlord. They are commonly outfitted with extremely resilient silver armor and armed with Forerunner Heatwaves.

A Jiralhanae Warlord Captain

Yanme'e[edit]

Yanme'e Captains^[12] are one of the highest castes of the Yanme'e infantry. They can be denoted by their red-coloured carapace and - unusual for Yanme'e - energy shielding.^[12]

A Yanme'e Captain

Main article: Yanme'e Hiveward

Among the typical Covenant rank scheme, Yanme'e Hivewards hold the rank of Captain Major,^[13] and are the highest rated Yanme'e protector caste and have one of the highest Yanme'e military ranks in the Covenant military.^[14]

A Yanme'e Hiveward/Captain Major

Mgalekgolo[edit]

"The Captains themselves exhibit individual peculiarities and attitudes, though none could be said to be personable."

— Jeff Easterling on Mgalekgolo Captains.^[15]

Within the Banished, Mgalekgolo Captains are "officers" deployed by Colony to locations which require more direct involvement and supervision. Captains make sure Lekgolo colonies and gestalts operate at full efficiency during battles. Each Captain is linked directly to Colony and its distant bond-brother over a specially modified battlenet relay, often going into battle without its bond-brother.^[15] Unlike other Mgalekgolo, Captains are equipped with energy shielding, making them perhaps the strongest known Mgalekgolo warriors.^[16]

A Mgalekgolo Captain.

Known Captains[edit]

Covenant[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Captains

Shipmasters

Lepidus

Banished[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Captains

"Battle Officers/Commanders"

Zeretus

Jovus' clan[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Captain Ultras

Buca

Keepers of the One Freedom[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Captains

Orsun

Captain-deacons

Krelis

Voice of Maardoth[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

Captains

Terrillus

In-game information[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Production notes[edit]

A red-colored Jiralhanae Captain as it appears in the early development of Halo 3.

In the early development of Halo 3, crimson-colored Jiralhanae Captains were originally going to be used for this position, but were scrapped and replaced with violet coloring during production of Halo 3 and later in the final game for unknown reasons. A render of a red-colored Brute leader can be found in the Halo 3 Instruction Manual and the Bestiarum, and the design used in the form of Lepidus in Halo: Uprising. Tartarus also wore this armor before becoming Chieftain following the First Battle of Harvest.

Jiralhanae Captains assigned to the Banished wear red-colored power armor in Halo Infinite.^[7]

Gallery[edit]

Jiralhanae[edit]

A Rh'tol Captain in Halo 2 wear blue armor and helmets with a red flag on their back.
A Rh'tol Jiralhanae Captain going berserk in Halo 2.
A red-colored Jiralhanae Captain in the Halo 3 Instruction Manual and Bestiarum.
A Jiralhanae Captain in Halo 3.
Gold Armour of a Jiralhanae Captain Major.
A Jiralhanae Captain Major holding Reynolds.
A Jiralhanae Captain Major on the level Sierra 117.
A Captain Major standing with his weapon on his back in Halo 3.
A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra leading a pack of Jiralhanae during the Battle of Kenya in Halo 3.
A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra leading several Unggoy.
A Jiralhanae Captain in Halo 3: ODST.
A Jiralhanae Captain Major seen in Halo 3: ODST on the campaign level Uplift Reserve.
A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra in Halo 3: ODST.
A Jiralhanae Captain wielding a Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol to the right of the picture during the Battle of Kholo in The Return.
A Captain Major engaging with a Sangheili during the Great Schism.
A Vheiloth Jiralhanae Captain throwing a plasma grenade during the Siege of New Alexandria.
A Vheiloth Jiralhanae Captain with a Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater.
Patterns on the Vheiloth's captain armor in Halo: Reach.
A Vheiloth Jiralhanae Captain as shown in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)
A Captain Major during the Attack on Ealen IV.
A Sangheili and Captain Major locked together in combat.
High-poly render of the Captain in Halo 2: Anniversary.
High-poly render of the Captain in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A model of a Rh'tol Captain for Halo 2: Anniversary.
A model of the Halo 2: Anniversary captain, with fur.
A Rh'tol Jiralhanae Captain on Installation 05 in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Tartarus (far right) wearing leader power armor during the First Battle of Harvest.
Concept art of the Banished Jiralhanae Captain for Halo Infinite.
A Banished Jiralhanae Captain on Installation 07 in an early build of Halo Infinite.
A Banished Jiralhanae Captain with Jiralhanae Warriors in Halo Infinite..
Both variants of the Brute Captains in Halo Infinite.
A Captain with an MLRS-2 Hydra in Halo Infinite.
A Captain using his jump pack in Halo Infinite.
Close up of the unshielded variant of the Captain, without energy shields in Halo Infinite.
Close up of the shielded variant of the Captain, without energy shields in Halo Infinite.
A cut-out of the shielded variant of the Captain.
Banished Jiralhanae Captain with unshielded armor.
The Brute Rock backdrop in multiplayer feaures a Banished Jiralhanae Captain in Halo Infinite.