Editing Sangheili Honor Guardsman

{{Ratings}}
{{Era|HCW}}
{{References}}
{{seealso|Honor Guard}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
|name=Honor Guard
|image=[[File:Sangheili HG 01.png|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|weapons=*[[Energy Stave]]
*[[Plasma Rifle]]
*[[Energy Sword]]
*[[Covenant Carbine]]
|equipment=[[Sangheili Personal Energy Shield]]
|vehicles=
|missions=*Escort and guard
|role=*Guarding important sites and individuals - usually the Prophets 
|notable=
|affiliation=[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
}}
{{Quote|We have always been your protectors!|[[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam|Thel 'Vadamee]] talking to the [[Prophet of Truth]]}}
The '''Sangheili Honor Guardsman''' is a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] position, serving as elite protectors to the [[San 'Shyuum|Prophets]], particularly the [[Hierarchs]].

==Description==
Sangheili Honor Guardsmen are among the most skilled of all Sangheili warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets and other high ranking officials in the Covenant [[High Council]]. The highly ornate armor of the [[Honor Guard of the Covenant|Honor Guard]] is colored a combination of glowing red and orange. It features jutting spikes and pauldrons, indicating that the rank of Honor Guard is not only meant for combat, but is also a great position of pride and honor.

If anyone pulls out a weapon in the presence of a Hierarch, the Honor Guard's immediate response is to defend the Prophet by eliminating the threat no matter the odds. This can be seen slightly when the Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] ignites his [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Swords]] in front of the [[Prophet of Regret]], and also when [[Zhar (Sangheili)|Zhar]] attempts to kill Truth.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'''</ref> 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 a member of the Honor Guard ranks in comparison to the normal chain of leadership, but it is assumed they are equivalent to a [[Sangheili Ultra]], or slightly below the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]]. It seems that wherever a High Prophet goes, the Honor Guard accompany them. There could be as many as 300 Honor Guard Sangheili for each Prophet, as the [[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]] can hold 300 Honor Guards.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 339''</ref> They are commanded by the more skilled [[Honor Guard Ultra|Lights of Sanghelios]].

Until the [[Changing of the Guard]], seen before the level [[Sacred Icon]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'', these Sangheili were the personal bodyguards of the [[High Prophets|Prophet Hierarchy]]. The [[Jiralhanae]] replaced them after the death of the Prophet of Regret, in what many viewed as a carefully planned coup that devolved into the [[Great Schism]].

== Trivia ==
*Although in ''Halo 2'' they are seen wielding energy staves, they are never seen using them in-game.
*Honor Guard Sangheili are a playable unit in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', and are the leader-specific unit of the [[Prophet of Regret]]. They wield Energy Swords, and deal a tremendous amount of damage to infantry. They are trained directly from the [[Citadel (Covenant)|Citadel]]. In ''Halo Wars''' cutscenes, Sangheili Honor Guardsmen are clad in red [[Sangheili Combat Harness|combat harnesses]] akin to those of Sangheili Majors, yet they wear their ''Halo 2''-style armor in-game. It is possible that this represents a different class of Honor Guards. It should be noted that the Sangheili troops who aid Ripa 'Moramee during the [[Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience]] and during his attack on [[Decided Heart]], as seen in ''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]'', wear armor of an almost identical appearance to those seen in Halo Wars; thus, it is possible that the Honor Guards seen in ''Halo Wars'' comprise 'Moramee's personal guard.
*It is unknown what became of the Honor Guards after the events of the Great Schism. According to ''[[The Return]]'', two of them killed themselves out of shame for protecting the [[Prophet of Conviction]]. It is possible that other Sangheili Honor Guards did the same once the truth of the [[Halo Array]] was revealed.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HonorGuard render.png|
File:Brutesarbiter.jpg|Honor Guard Procession.
File:halo2xbox024yv.jpg|Honor Guard Elites stand on guard during the judgment of the Arbiter.
File:HW6.png|Honor Guards attacking [[Red Team]] in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW3.jpg|The Honor Guards in Halo Wars, protecting the High Prophet of Regret.
File:Convenant elite honor guard.gif|A render of an Elite Honor Guard in Halo Wars.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Return]]''

==Sources==
<references/>

==Related links==
*[[Sangheili Honor Guardsman/Gameplay|Gameplay suggestions on Sangheili Honor Guardsman]]
*[[Honor Guard Ultra]]
*[[Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman]]
*[[Honor Guard Councilor]]

{{Elite Ranks}}
[[Category:Elites]]
[[Category:Covenant ranks]]