Editing Mgalekgolo

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Species infobox

|image=[[File:HINF-Hunter.png|325px]]

|height=12'1" (368.7 cm)-12'3" (373.4 cm)<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 141''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|wp lekgolo}}

|weight={{Convert|10000|lb|kg}}-{{Convert|11000|lb|kg}}{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}{{Ref/Reuse|wp lekgolo}}

|notable-group=*[[Covenant]]

*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]

*[[Joyous Exultation Covenant]]

*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]

*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]

*[[Banished]]

{{Quote|They're all scary and angry and they like to smash things.|[[Bungie]]<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_081409 '''Bungie.net''', ''Bungie Weekly Update 08/14/09'']</ref>}}

The '''Mgalekgolo'''<ref name="Bestiarum">'''[[Bestiarum]]'''</ref> (''Ophis congregatio'', meaning "serpent union"),<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865756 '''HBO Forums''': ''Bestiaium Latin names translated'']</ref> is a gestalt of [[Lekgolo]], which are small worm-like creatures that group together to exponentially increase their intelligence, strength, and maneuverability. Of the myriad Lekgolo collectives, the best known is the Mgalekgolo or '''Hunter''', a bipedal form that is used for heavy assault. Ironically, the Mgalekgolo is among the least common Lekgolo configurations, but due to their formidable combat capabilities they are most commonly fielded by the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} While the term "Mgalekgolo" is formally limited to this particular type of Lekgolo gestalt with the other forms having different names,{{Ref/Reuse|wp lekgolo}}{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} it is sometimes applied to other Lekgolo colonies as well, such as that used to operate the {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}, or the [[Goliath]]s employed by the [[Banished]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 163''</ref>

{{Quote|The Hunters have come to our aid, Arbiter. They will fight by our side.|A [[Special Operations Sangheili]] during the [[Battle of Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|TGJ}}}}

[[File:H2A Terminals - First Hunters.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Jeht facing off against naked Mgalekgolo in their natural unarmored form.]]

Enraged by the Lekgolo's "desecration" of Forerunner relics, the Covenant began a military campaign against the Lekgolo. After facing considerable difficulty eradicating the creatures,{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}{{Ref/Reuse|ch}} [[Arbiter]] [[Jeht 'Lcmutee]] was sent to study the Lekgolo for a full year on [[Rantu]], one of Te's moons. It was there that the Arbiter witnessed the Lekgolo combine into Mgalekgolo to battle him, forming around a series of rocks to support their bipedal forms.{{Ref/Game|H2A|Detail=''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 8]]''}} Recognizing the potential of the gestalts, 'Lcmutee returned to ''[[High Charity]]'' and suggested that the Lekgolo be inducted into the Covenant. However, the Lekgolo initially resisted, leading to a conflict between them and the Covenant. While the Mgalekgolo won most of the time on the ground, they faced extinction and were forced into the Covenant by the superior starship technology of the Sangheili.<ref name="HCESGuide">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]''</ref> This event later came to be known amongst the Covenant as the "[[Taming of the Lekgolo]]". The Covenant may have used [[Sharquoi]] armor designs for the Mgalekgolo armor.<ref name="Envoy186">'''[[Halo: Envoy]]''', ''page 186''</ref>

The Mgalekgolo gestalts, armed with thick armor plates and [[assault cannon]]s, would come to serve the Covenant as shock troops. Numerous Mgalekgolo participated in the [[Human-Covenant War]]. During the [[Great Schism]], most Mgalekgolo pairs sided with the Sangheili, though others remained with the [[Prophet of Truth]] and the main body of the Covenant.<ref name="TGJ">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> There is no known reason for the split in loyalty.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}

During the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|further conflicts]] in the wake of the [[Human-Covenant War]] many Mgalekgolo would fight on behalf of [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|new Covenant order]] against humanity and [[Swords of Sanghelios]]. These Mgalekgolo participated in the battles of [[Requiem]], [[Nuusra]], [[Sunaion]], and [[Genesis]].{{Ref/Game|Id=H4|H4}}{{Ref/Game|H5G|H5}} Others would remain loyal to [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and his Swords of Sanghelios.<ref>[https://www.halowaypointstore.com/p/halo_swords_of_sanghelios_premium_tee.html ''Halo Waypoint Store'' - ''Swords of Sanghelios Tee'']</ref> Several would join [[Vata 'Gajat]]'s [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary group]] and partake in the [[Battle of Ealen IV]].<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue 2''</ref> Mgalekgolo that were a part of the [[Banished]] were unusually aggressive and may have been forced into service.<ref name="log hunters">''Halo Wars 2'', ''Phoenix Logs - Hunters''</ref> These Mgalekgolo would be deployed by the Banished against the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} during the [[Second Ark Conflict]].{{Ref/Game|HW2}} During [[Operation: SPEARBREAKER]], a Banished Mgalekgolo known as [[Colony]] led an effort to destroy the ''Spirit of Fire'' with a Forerunner {{Class|Despair|fighter}}.{{Ref/Game|HW2|Detail=[[Halo Wars 2: Operation: SPEARBREAKER|Operation: SPEARBREAKER]]}}

 

==Description==

Mgalekgolo almost never associate or communicate with other species other than the [[Sangheili]]. They are dismissive, scornful, and arrogant to the "lesser" species, and are contemptuous to their foes.{{Ref/Reuse|HCESGuide}}

[[File:Mgalekgolo back.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Lekgolo]] worms on a Mgalekgolo's exposed back.]]

A Mgalekgolo is not a single organism, but rather a collective of small, orange, eel-like creatures called [[Lekgolo]]. In order to form a Mgalekgolo, dozens of individual Lekgolo bond with one another both physically and neurologically to form a single "hive-minded" community.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 267''</ref> The Mgalekgolo is the most common form seen in combat during the [[Human-Covenant War]], but is actually one of the rarer and smaller forms in the Lekgolo society, used primarily in interaction with the Covenant hierarchy.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} Their primary combat tactic is an approximation of a hunter-killer formation, hence the name "Hunter".<ref name="wp lekgolo">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/lekgolo-mgalekgolo-hunter '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Lekgolo/Mgalekgolo'']</ref> Because of their combined neural nets' sensitivity to their surroundings, Mgalekgolo can think and work as an effective combat unit without even using verbal communication. They can also locate their enemies even without directly "seeing" them, such as when they are facing the opposite direction.

Mgalekgolo usually stand between twelve to thirteen feet tall, but during combat they hunch themselves over to protect their vulnerable neck and midsection, reducing their height to roughly eight feet. They fight using [[assault cannon]]s integrated directly into their armor, and they carry an enormous two-ton pavise shield made of an alloy derived from the same [[Nanolaminate hull plating|material]] that forms Covenant warship hulls.{{Ref/Reuse|wp lekgolo}} Mgalekgolo body armor is eight centimeters thick, with the shield being even thicker.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 218''</ref> Their shields and armor protect them from almost every form of [[plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] or ballistic weaponry available to Covenant and human infantry alike, and the shield is a powerful [[melee]] tool capable of crushing anything in its path and allowing the Mgalekgolo to neutralize most enemies in close combat. However their heavy protection is inadequate against dedicated anti-tank weapons, with [[M19 surface-to-surface missile|102mm HEAT warheads]],<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 183''</ref> [[M149 Magellan|105mm recoiless rifles]],<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 363''</ref> and [[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon|90mm high-velocity tank cannons]] taking them out with ease.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 242''</ref> The [[M149 Magellan]] 105mm recoiless rifle is even capable of over-penetrating both the pavise and the armor with a delayed fuse round.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''': ''[[Prototype]]''</ref> There are a few weak spots in the armor however, such as the lower back where they are vulnerable to regular weaponry. However, due to their sheer size and speed, it is difficult for enemies to hit these spots. Their arm-mounted shield was the basis for an avenue of [[UNSC]] research which produced an [[UNSC shield|early prototype]] shield of human origin.{{Ref/Game|H2V|Easy difficulty shield ([[:File:H2V EasyDifficulty.png|File link]])}}

The assault cannon the Mgalekgolo wields operates in two modes; one firing a single explosive capsule of incendiary fluid,{{Ref/Reuse|H4}}<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'''</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|ODST}} the other spraying the fluid out like a beam.{{Ref/Game|Id=H5G|H5G}}<ref name="H2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref><ref name="H3">'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref>

When a single Mgalekgolo becomes too big, the colony will divide in half to create two independent Lekgolo colonies. These colonies will share an extremely close and mysterious bond, referred to only as being "bond brothers", or "mates".<ref name="Halo: The Flood">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''"Chapter ??"'', ''page ??''</ref> Mgalekgolo that have split into "bond brothers" are recognized by spiked appendages that rise from their shoulders, which means that they are bonded to another Mgalekgolo.{{Ref/Reuse|ch}} Bonded Mgalekgolo colonies are dropped into battle together by the Covenant, as the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartans]] learned: where you find a Mgalekgolo, there is always another close by. If one of the bonded colonies is killed, the other will go into a frenzied state, much like the berserk state of a [[Jiralhanae]], or the suicidal charge of a desperate Unggoy. If left alone for a long period of time, however, they will adopt a "tactical split personality" of shooting followed by melee attacks. On one occasion a Mgalekgolo whose bond brother was killed went berserk killing its allies aboard the crashed ''[[Radiant Perception]]'' and eventually became suicidal.<ref name="SAS">'''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''', ''page ???''</ref>

*The personal name is given at their "birth".{{Ref/Reuse|HCESGuide}}

*The line name represents the genetic heritage, being the name of the most successful Mgalekgolo of its ancestors. If one reaches a certain level of status, its offspring will have its personal name as their line name.{{Ref/Reuse|HCESGuide}}

[[File:ODST TayariPlaza06.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Edward Buck]] fighting a [[Mgalekgolo Flak|golden Hunter]] on [[Tayari Plaza]].]]

Unlike most Covenant forces, Mgalekgolo seem to possess presumably no visible rank. As they are deployed more like equipment or weapons platforms rather than conventional troops, rank may simply not apply for them.{{citation needed}}

 

During the [[Battle of Mombasa]], Mgalekgolo appeared in two different forms in two different colors: the normal blue-armored Mgalekgolo that are armed with an [[assault cannon]] that fires a continuous stream of radioactive incendiary gel, and a [[Mgalekgolo Flak|gold-armored Mgalekgolo]] armed with an assault cannon that fires a single bolt of radioactive incendiary gel.<ref name="ODST">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref>

Several Mgalekgolo under the command of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] were given the leading rank of [[Swarmlord]], and their prowess led them to be employed as simulated enemies in UNSC [[War Games]].{{Ref/Mode|Id=H5G|H5G|Warzone}}

By 2559, the Banished also utilized two specialist Mgalekgolo ranks, the defensive [[Mgalekgolo Ironclad]] and the aggressive [[Mgalekgolo Scarred]]{{Ref/Mode|Id=HW2|HW2|Blitz}}, in addition to the standard Mgalekgolo. The Banished Lekgolo forces on the [[Ark]] were also found to be directed by powerful [[Mgalekgolo Captain]]s, under the command of the pair known as "Colony". These Captains are linked directly to "Colony" and Banished Lekgolo colonies operate at full efficiency while Captains are on the field.<ref name="LML">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/leggo-my-lekgolo '''Halo Waypoint''' ''Canon Fodder - Leggo my Lekgolo'']</ref> During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], the Banished also deployed the red armored, more aggressive rank of [[Ardent Mgalekgolo]].{{Ref/Mode|Id=HI|HI|Campaign}}

|fr={{Tooltip|''Les Hunters''|(Anglicism)}} in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.<br>

{{Tooltip|''Les Chasseurs''|The Hunters}} in all media since ''Halo 2''.

|es={{Tooltip|''Los cazadores''|The Hunters}} in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.<br>

{{Tooltip|''Los Hunters''|Anglicism}} in all media since ''Halo 2''.

*At first, Mgalekgolo were meant to comprise the whole of [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|Heretic]] forces on the [[Threshold gas mine]].<ref>'''[[Halo 3 Essentials]]''': ''Disk ??''</ref>

*The Mgalekgolo was inspired by the [[marathongame:Pfhor|Pfhor]] [[marathongame:Hunter|Hunter]] from the ''[[Marathon]]'' series, as well as by the [[marathongame:Drinniol|Drinniol]], or Hulk, from the original ''Marathon''. However, the Pfhor Hunter is actually a class of power armored soldier with a shoulder-mounted cannon rather than an arm-mounted cannon. The Drinniol also inspired the creation of the [[Sharquoi|Drinol]], Covenant species that was designed for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' but was cut during development.  

*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', Mgalekgolo are not harmed by [[Unidentified fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]]s. This may be because you're not supposed to have fuel rod guns in campaign, or it may be a precaution meant to prevent Mgalekgolo from injuring each other when fighting.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', a single shot from a [[M6D Magnum|pistol]] or [[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle|sniper rifle]] to any unarmored section will kill a Mgalekgolo; this is because Bungie programmed the Mgalekgolo's exposed flesh as a "head."

*In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', a Mgalekgolo's shield can deflect projectiles that would almost always kill them in previous games, like [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] Mortars and shots from the [[M808B Scorpion]]'s main cannon.

*Although the Mgalekgolo present in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' use the ''Halo: Reach'' skin, they are almost half the size of their ''Halo: Reach'' counterparts due to the much smaller skeleton frame used in the original game. Their abdomens also appear to be armored, though this armor doesn't protect from damage and it's purely cosmetic.

*In ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', Mgalekgolo are far more lethal than their predecessors. Their melee strikes are now nearly impossible to dodge. They also utilize both firing modes of their assault cannons. They also appear to be far more durable than their predecessors. In addition, when one is killed, the remaining Mgalekgolo will go into a "rage", start emitting green electrical sparks, move faster and more aggressively, and will fire its assault cannon's close range attack twice in each volley.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', players can avoid Hunters at certain points during [[Assault on the Control Room]] and [[Mombasa Streets]], where some Hunters are "asleep" despite ostensibly being in their combat stance. The Hunters will not notice if the player is nearby unless the player attacks them or makes noises near them, similar to the way sleeping Grunts can be awakened by noises. In the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level [[Assault on the Control Room]] on the lower level of the control room, the player can score a double-kill with one shot from a sniper rifle if they manage to catch a pair of "asleep" Hunters off-guard.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', when engaging [[Pod infector]]s at close range, Hunters will often try to shoot rather than melee them, killing themselves in the process. This could be due to their size making it difficult for them to aim properly.

*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Hunters are far more vulnerable than they are in later games. On any difficulty (even Legendary), they can be killed with a single shot to any unarmored part of their bodies. They are so vulnerable that even a single pistol shot can kill them.

*In later games, the best strategy for dealing with Hunters when there is no access to a weapon such as a [[M41 SPNKR|rocket launcher]] is to stick them with a {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}. The explosion will blow the back of their armor above the weak spot off, giving the player a wider area to target with their weapons. However, they still remain difficult to kill due to the need to dodge their attacks while aiming for the weak spot.

*In ''Halo 3: ODST'', Hunters are fairly easy to deal with compared to the later games in the ''Halo'' series, likely reflecting the fact that the player is no longer controlling a Spartan and is instead controlling weaker ODSTs. On lower difficulties at least, a good strategy is to blow off the back of a Hunter's armor with a {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} and then rake their exposed back with fire. In that game, it doesn't take much fire to kill one once their back is fully exposed, especially compared to ''Halo: Reach'' when in a similar situation, Hunters are extremely hard to kill.

*A good weapon to use against Hunters when a rocket launcher or [[fuel rod gun]] is not available is a shotgun, particularly after a Hunter's armor has been blown off in the back. Ideal for close-range combat, shotgun blasts inflict more damage than weapons such as an assault rifle. In order to get a Hunter to expose their weakness, a player typically needs to get close enough to make the Hunter charge, generally ending with them in close proximity even when the Hunter is vulnerable. At this kind of proximity, a shotgun is ideal for its stopping power and close-combat effectiveness. In the ''Halo: Reach'' levels ''[[ONI: Sword Base]]'' and ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]'', shotguns can be found in close proximity to where the player encounters and fights Hunters.

File:HCE Hunter Concept 1.png|Early concept art of a Hunter for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.

File:HCE Hunter Concept 2.png|Concept art of a Hunter for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.

File:HCE Hunter Concept 3.png|Concept art of a Hunter for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.

File:HCE EarlyHunters Screenshot.jpg|A pair of Mgalekgolo in an early build of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.

File:HCE-IgidoOgado.png|Bond Brothers Igido Nosa Hurru and Ogado Nosa Fasu in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.

File:H3_Hunter_AssaultBeam.jpg|A Mgalekgolo firing its assault cannon.

File:HW Hunter Render.jpg|A pair of Mgalekgolo from ''Halo Wars''.

File:HW Hunter Model.png|The Mgalekgolo's final model from ''Halo Wars''.

File:HTMCC-H3ODST GoldHunters 1.png|A pair of gold Mgalekgolo in ''Halo 3: ODST''.

File:HLHunters.png|A larger form of Mgalekgolo in the ''The Duel''.

File:Hunter99.jpg|A Mgalekgolo on [[Corvette (map)|Corvette]].

File:H4 profile - Mgalekgolo.png|A Mgalekgolo in ''Halo 4''

File:H4-Campaign-MasterChief-Vs-Hunter.jpg|[[John-117]] battling a Mgalekgolo during the [[Raid on Ivanoff Station]].

File:H2A Render Mgalekgolo.png|A render of the Mgalekgolo in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.

File:H2A Terminals - First Hunters.jpg|Pre-Covenant Mgalekgolo in [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|''Halo 2: Anniversary''{{'}}s terminals]].

File:H5G-MgalekgoloHunter.png|A Mgalekgolo in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.

File:H5G-Hunterforming.png|A Mgalekgolo being formed aboard the ''[[Argent Moon]]''.

File:H5G-BerserkHunter.png|A Hunter going berserk aboard the ''Argent Moon'' as their bond has been broken.  

File:Brave warrior.png|An enraged Mgalekgolo and a Swords of Sanghelios Sangheili Storm dueling.

File:H5G Marketing E32015HE ElderHunter.jpg|A hologram of an Elder Mgalekgolo.

**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''

{{Ref/Sources|2}}  

{{Lekgolo}}

{{Navbox/Species}}