Editing Kig-Yar/Gameplay

In battle, '''Jackals''' share many similarities with [[Unggoy|Grunts]], but are far more intelligent. Like the Grunts, they are a weak subordinate race and are somewhat cowardly. Despite their efforts to assure the Covenant of their superiority over the Grunts, they often cower in battle and retreat with their [[Point Defense Gauntlet|shield]]s up in the air.

Jackals with shields in the original trilogy are mainly seen wielding [[Plasma pistol]]s, though in subsequent games other weapons became more commonplace, like the [[Needler]]. Until [[Halo: Reach]], they were the only enemy that utilized the pistol's ovecharge function, and though other enemies now do that as well, they are still the primary employers of this technique. The Jackal's Point Defense Gauntlet is almost completely impervious to all kinetic firearms, such as [[human]] and [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] weapons, but if a [[plasma]] weapon is fired at it for an extended period of time it will easily deplete the shield. There are a few ways to approach them:

* The main way to deal with shielded Jackals is to get an accurate weapon, such as a [[Battle Rifle]], and then fire at their exposed hand; the Jackal will recoil in pain and move the shield away, leaving the body defenseless and letting the player perform a [[head shot]]. A similar effect can be achieved by shooting the Jackal's feet.

*The second way is to overcharge a Plasma Pistol and fire it at their shielding, deactivating it, giving the player the time to fire at them or melee them. Jackals will usually flee when their shield is down, and if left alone, they will reactivate it.

*Meleeing the Jackal will end up deactivating the shield or make it flinch, sending the alien fleeing. This is not guaranteed though, as sometimes the Jackal may stand its ground and attempt to kill you.

*Lastly, the shield hinders the Jackal's movement, making them vulnerable to [[grenade]]s thrown behind them.

[[Sniper Jackals]] appear starting with ''[[Halo 2]]'', where they are equipped with the [[Particle beam rifle]], and from ''[[Halo 3]]'' onwards they can also be encountered with the [[Vostu-pattern carbine|Carbine]] (or other mid-range weapons depending on the game). Sniper Jackals are best countered by defeating them at their own game. Find a headshot-capable weapon, then survey the area, looking for the signs of their presecence. Depending on the game, snipers will have a glowing helmet, a laser sight, or a different coloration. In absence of these, follow the trail of their shots, as they tend to stay in one place. When you find them, shoot their head before they have time to notice you.

[[File:H2ACampaign SniperAlleyMarines.jpg|thumb|200px|Jackal snipers are extremely deadly in ''Halo 2'']]

*Be especially wary of them in ''Halo 2'' on the Legendary difficulty, as they are incredibly quick shots, and even a single hit from a Beam Rifle will result in death. While they drop their rifle and flee if approached, there are rarely occasions to do that.

*In ''Halo:Reach'', given the absence of the Beam Rifle, jackal snipers use the {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}} as a way to disrupt the player, blinding them and depleting their shields.

*In ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', snipers use the {{Pattern|Elutuzem|stalker rifle}}, firing in three shot volleys, which are usually enough to kill if they all connect. They will aim at the player for a few seconds with a laser sight, giving away their position but also increasing their accuracy.  

In ''Halo Wars'', Jackals play a powerful anti-infantry role, having been given the capability to inflict a number of casualties upon regular enemy infantry that are disproportionate to their own numbers, much like the [[UNSC]] [[Hellbringers]]-though having the advantage of longer range weapons. They are deployed in groups of two, and their default armament is the medium range {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}. However, being geared towards a single role, the effectiveness of Jackals against armor and aircraft is highly limited, and will easily fall victim to vehicles. However, Infantry do, generally, defeat aircraft and the Jackals, in groups, will easily destroy enemy aircraft. Like all units in [[Halo Wars]] (Excluding the [[Vulture]] and [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]]), Jackals have multiple upgrades as listed below in the precise order researched:

*{{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}: 400 supplies, 2nd tech level ([[Age of Doubt]]). Replaces all Covenant Carbines with Beam Rifles, which provide superior range and power to attack.

===Changes from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' to ''Halo 2''===

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Jackals wore more armor, often had helmets, had shorter, stubbier beaks, more jewel-like eyes, and came in two skin color variations: black and orange. In ''Halo 2'', they are more avian looking and have only an orange skin color. Also they have pink reptile like eyes which flicker off and on when dead, but still stay pink. They also have larger biceps and chests. It is unknown why these changes happened, and if the Halo 2 Jackals are a different variety/race of Jackals than the ones in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' or if the changes were mostly just graphical. Besides the aesthetic differences, there have also been changes in the way the Jackal Personal Arm Shield works and looks, and the addition of a sniper rank. In neither game do Jackals utilize [[Plasma Grenade]]s, although they do carry grenades in ''Halo 2''.

*In ''Halo 2'', on rare occasions, Jackals wield [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifles]].

 

=== Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 3''===

*Jackals now naturally wield the Covenant Carbines (although they could be given carbines in ''Halo 2'', they did not spawn with them.)

*Jackals in ''Halo 3'' appear to no longer require the armored boots they wore in the previous ''Halo'' games. They feature huge talons on their feet.

*Sniper Jackals wear a visor-like device on their heads that covers their left eye. It can be assumed this enhances their vision to allow for greater accuracy on the field of battle. When Jackal snipers sight a target, this visor emits a purple light; this functions both to warn the player and reveal the sniper's position. The visor, along with the now-slower targeting time for the creatures' Particle Beam Rifles, can best be described as an effort to balance the snipers out after [[Bungie]]'s realization that they were too deadly in ''Halo 2''.

*On [[Heroic]] difficulty or lower, Jackals can now be killed with a single Sniper Rifle or Particle Beam Rifle shot to the torso or limbs, compared to requiring 2 shots in ''Halo 2''. 2 torso shots are required to kill a Jackal on [[Legendary]] difficulty, however.

*Jackal Snipers no longer drop their sniper rifles when running away, instead carrying their weapons over their head.

===''Halo Wars''===

*They are capable of wielding both shields and rifles at the same time.

*They are capable of being outfitted with an indestructible shield.

*Jackal [[Flood combat form]] are introduced.

 

===Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo 3: ODST''===

*Some Jackals wield weapons that they haven't used before in the series such as Needlers.

*Jackals are more difficult to kill with melee attacks, since melee damage is noticeably less when playing as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] than when playing as a [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]].

===Changes from ''Halo 3''/''Halo 3: ODST'' to ''Halo: Reach''===

*Jackals wear their shield gauntlets on their left arm instead of their right arm. Thus, their weak spot is now on the right hand.

 

 

 

 

*Jackal snipers have a laser sight that tracks the player before shooting.