Editing Sangheili Honor Guardsman

{{Ratings}}
{{Era|HW|FS|H2|}}
{{seealso|Honor Guard}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
|name=Honor Guard
|image=[[Image:HonorGuard07.jpg|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|weapons=*[[Energy Stave]]
*[[Plasma Rifle]]
*[[Energy Sword]]
*[[Covenant Carbine]]
|equipment=[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
|vehicles=[[Honor Guard Wraith]] 
|missions=Guard
|role=Guarding important places and individuals 
|notable=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatist]]s
}}

The '''Elite Honor Guard''' is a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] [[rank]].

== Rank ==
Honor Guards protect the [[High Prophets]] and other high ranking officials, in the [[Covenant]] [[High Council]]. The highly ornate armor of the [[Honor Guard]], is a glowing red and orange colored combination of jutting spikes and designs indicates that the Honor Guard is not only meant for combat, but is also a great position of pride and honor. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the [[High Prophets]], as well as members of the [[High Council]], from any danger. In addition, they also keep order during important meetings within the [[High Council]]. Although a great honor, it is seen by some [[Elites]] as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly, in the [[Human-Covenant War]].

It is unknown how an [[Honor Guard]] ranks in comparison to the normal chain of leadership, but it is assumed they are equivalent to an [[Ultra Elite]], or slightly below the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]]. It seems that wherever a [[High Prophet]] is present, the Honor Guard are as well. There could be as many as 300 Honor Guard Elites for each [[Prophet]], as the [[Step of Silence]] seems designed to hold 300 Honor Guards but only one [[Prophet]].<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', page 339</ref> They are commanded by the more skilled [[Honor Guard Ultra]]s.

== Combat ==
Up until the [[Changing of the Guard]], seen before the level [[The Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]] in [[Halo 2]], these Elites were the personal bodyguards of the [[High Prophets|Prophet Hierarchy]]. The [[Brutes]] replaced them after the death of the [[Prophet of Regret]], in what many viewed as a carefully planned coup that devolved into the [[Civil War of the Covenant]]. Honor Guard Elites' armor could take as much damage as that of an [[Ultra Elite]]. They carry ceremonial pikes, but in combat they often make use of the [[Energy Sword]], [[Plasma Rifle]] or [[Carbine]]. More wary and agile than the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Brute Honor Guards]], their speed and quick reflexes with the [[Energy Sword]] paired with their skill with [[Plasma Rifles]] rapid fire made them quite formidable foes.

Although their armor was removed from them during the Changing of the Guard, it seems several of the [[Elites]] were able to regain their armor from fallen enemies, as they wear them during the start of the [[Covenant Civil War]] on ''[[High Charity]]''.

==Appearances==
[[Image:Brutesarbiter.jpg|thumb|250px|Honor Guard Procession.]]
[[Image:halo2xbox024yv.jpg|thumb|250px|Honor Guard Elites stand on guard during the judgment of the Arbiter.]]

Elite Honor Guards were ''never'' shown in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' or ''[[Halo 3]]''. They only appear in a few levels within ''[[Halo 2]]'', some being playable.

*''[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]]'' - (cinematic only) When [[Thel 'Vadamee]] was questioned, there were many Honor Guards guarding the Hierarchs, inside the [[Council Chamber]].
*''[[The Arbiter]]'' - (cinematic Only) When [[Tartarus]] brought [[Thel 'Vadamee]] to the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiters]], it was guarded by many Honor Guard Elites.
*''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]'' - Four Honor Guards Elites attack the [[Master Chief]], in the final structure.
*''[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]'' - Six Honor Guard Elites challenge the player in the underwater structure; also they come in unlimited waves inside the main temple where the [[Prophet of Regret]] takes refuge in.
*''[[Sacred Icon (Level)| Sacred Icon]]'' - (cinematic only) Many Honor Guards and a few Honor Guard [[Ultra Elite|Ultra]]s are seen surrendering their armor to the [[Brutes]] at the beginning of the level.
*''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]'' - As mentioned above, some Honor Guard Elites took back their armor and are encountered in ''[[High Charity]]'' while fighting the Brutes.

In addition, it seems that Elite Honor Guards are a playable unit in [[Halo Wars]], possibly unlocked by playing as the "Prophet of Regret Faction" of the Covenant.<ref>http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/20150</ref> it's in-game description for the 2008 E3 demo version of the game, for some reason, is "cool on a stick."

==Tactics==
As with all Elites, the most efficient means of killing them is via the [[Noob Combo]]. Simply overcharge a [[Plasma Pistol]] and then [[Battle Rifle]] / [[Covenant Carbine]] headshot them.  For closer ranges, use the Battle Rifle (more damage dealt); for father ranges, use the Carbine to avoid the spread effect. [[Brute Shot]]s also work to some extent, but, in Legendary, are ultimately overpowered by the incredible rate and power of fire of the [[Plasma Rifle]]. Specifically, for the instance at the end of the level [[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]] in the cramped space, the easiest means of killing them is the [[Energy Sword]], as the Elites can easily hide behind all the cover. Be wary though, as some of them have swords of their own.

== Trivia ==
*By pre-ordering the Limited Edition version of Halo Wars, one can obtain the Honor Guard Wraith as a playable unit.
*A [[Minor Elite]] with [[Honor Guard]] armor can be seen on page 110 in the [[Halo 2: The Official Game Guide|Halo 2 Official Strategy Guide]].
*Taking into account both the large number of Honor Guards killed in the initial actions (excluding pre-hostile actions) of the [[Covenant Civil War]], plus the [[First Battle of High Charity|Flood infestation]] that then occurred, it is likely that, during and post ''[[Halo 3]]'' that few, if any, Honor Guards remain. However, there are only two levels in ''Halo 3'' where the [[Covenant]] are your allies, and a good number of other [[Elite]] ranks were not seen, the possibility exists that some Honor Guards may survive.
*The Honor Guards can be heard saying some very humorous things in the ''[[Halo 2]]'' level [[Regret (Level)|Regret]] when the player enters the temple containing the [[Prophet of Regret]].
*They were eventually replaced by the [[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman|Brute Honor Guard]] just before the [[Great Schism]].
*Honor Guard armor is one of the most wanted ''Halo 3'' armor permutations wanted by gamers including the [[Councilor]] headdress, [[Ranger]] armor and [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] armor.
*The Honor Guards are set to be featured in [[Halo Wars]] as Anti-Infantry melee units.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gwbji_9nmY&feature=related</ref>
*In the level [[Regret (Level)|Regret]], it is impossible to kill all Honor Guards in the main temple. There are infinite Honor Guards in the main temple which will not stop attacking you until you kill [[Prophet_of_Regret|Regret]].
*There is a glitch in which a Honor Guard appears to be a mix between a [[Councilor]] and an Honor Guard, with the power of a [[Zealot]] (see [[Honor Guard Councilor]]).
*If anyone pulls out a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch, the Honor Guard's immediate response is to defend the Prophets; meaning eliminating the threat.<ref>Halo: The Cole Protocol</ref>

== Related Links ==
*[[Honor Guard Ultra]]
*[[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman]]
*[[Honor Guard Councilor]]

== Sources ==
<references/>

{{Elite Ranks}}

[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Elites]]
[[Category:Ranks]]