Sangheili personal energy shield

A Sangheili's energy shield flickers and pops.

Sangheili combat harnesses are equipped with a personal energy shield^[1] generated by multiple emitters that when activated will add an extra layer of protection from enemy attacks. These energy shields are white and blue unlike their gold MJOLNIR equivalents.

Function[edit]

The Elite's armor generates a recharging energy shield that protects against both ballistic fire and plasma weaponry; however after taking enough damage the shields will collapse and the Elite will be vulnerable to further attacks. Like MJOLNIR shields, this shield recharges after being depleted and can be enhanced by the Covenant's overshield technology. There appear to be differences in the strength of the shields, and different ranks of Elites have different amounts of power and recharge capacity in their shield. For example, a sniper rifle headshot will kill a Sangheili Minor, but a Sangheili Ultra's shield can withstand up to four headshots.

Gameplay[edit]

Strengths[edit]

Sangheili shields can resist low caliber munitions like that of an assault rifle. Sometimes the bullets bounce off of the Elite's shields, but still cause damage. This is also true with the M6D magnum, sometimes on harder difficulty levels, if you shoot an Elite with the pistol and don't hit him directly (for example his shoulder), the bullet may bounce off and hit the ceiling. Also, as mentioned above, the Covenant have the ability to create extremely resilient energy shields such as the ones featured on Zealots and Ultra Elites, which can even withstand a direct hit from an M41 SPNKR.

Weaknesses[edit]

These shields have weaknesses however, as they are susceptible to damage received from plasma-based weapons. An overcharged shot from a Plasma Pistol, a punch from a Spartan-II, or a slash from a Type-25 Brute Shot or Type-1 energy sword can completely drain an Elite's energy shields. The shields can also be completely bypassed by using a Needler in Halo CE, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4. Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifles are very effective in quickly reducing the Elite personal energy shielding. Additionally a Anskum-pattern plasma grenade or spike grenade will stick to an Elite even if the shield is fully charged.

Trivia[edit]

The Elites in Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction had personal shields that glow a flamboyant purple. Apart from the peculiar shield-color it also sparks an amethyst-tinted color.
Elites were originally supposed to wield a personal triple layered arm shield in-game, similar to a Jackal's. This appears, however, in the Halo Graphic Novel's story The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor.
Early Halo: Combat Evolved screenshots show that the Sangheili energy shields were originally going to be a constant "bubble" around the user.

Gallery[edit]

A Major Sangheili's shield protecting him from enemy fire in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A Sangheili Minor's shield flickering from gunfire in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
An Ultra Sangheili's energy shield in Halo 2.
A Sangheili's personal energy shields flicker from taking melee damage in Halo 3.
A Sangheili's personal energy shield flickers from taking damage in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta.
A Sangheili's shields flickering in Halo: Reach.