Editing Sangheili Zealot

{{Era|Covenant|HCW|Post}}

{{Redirect|Zealot|the Halo: Reach multiplayer map|Zealot (map)}}

|image=[[File:H5G-Sangheili Zealot.png|300px]]

|role=*[[Supreme Commander]]{{Ref/Reuse|Succor}}

*[[Shipmaster]]{{Ref/Reuse|TToR}}

|notable=[[Sangheili Zealot#Known Zealots|See Known Zealots below]]

**[[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|HE15}}

{{Quote|The true devotee honors our name with actions, not words.|Sangheili Zealot's mantra.{{Ref/Reuse|Reach}}}}

The '''Sangheili Zealots''' are a military order of high-ranking [[Sangheili]] warriors in the [[Covenant]], as well as some of its [[Covenant remnants|splinter factions]] during the [[Blooding Years]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Clarity|D=08|M=11|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-clarity-grace|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Clarity & Grace}} They were supervised and deployed by the [[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]],{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|Halo: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=60}} with their organization divided into multiple chapters.{{Ref/Reuse|Clarity}}{{Ref/Reuse|Fighting}} Zealots were among the most devout worshipers of the [[Forerunner]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc zealot|Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|Page=134}} After the [[Battle of the Citadel|dissolution]] of the Covenant and the abandonment of [[Covenant religion|its religion]], some continued Forerunner worship.

 

{{Quote|The Path is strict, Jora — it brooks no deviation, no remorse. We are zealots. We serve the Way. These are our orders. We do not question them.|[[Thel 'Vadamee]] to [[Jora 'Konaree]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=tcp thel|Halo: The Cole Protocol|Page=142}}}}

Zealots are greatly experienced and unparalleled in combat skill. Equipped with advanced armor systems and equipment, they are also among the most resilient and powerful Sangheili fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Although all Sangheili males are trained in the arts of combat from a young age, Sangheili believe future Zealots are born with an innate desire to kill.{{Ref/Reuse|enc zealot}}

Zealots may serve in a variety of command roles ranging from [[Shipmaster]]{{Ref/Level|Id=TToR|CE|The Truth and Reconciliation}}{{Ref/Reuse|tcp thel}} to [[Supreme Commander]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=Succor|HGN|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor}} The rank of [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]] is exclusive to the Zealot class. Field Marshals hold supreme authority over Covenant land forces, effectively making them the groundside counterpart to a [[Fleet Master]] or Supreme Commander; Field Marshals are also occasionally tasked with leading Zealot strike teams.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc field marshal|Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|Page=135}} [[Sangheili Zealot Assassin]]s are specialists who operate with teams of [[Stealth Sangheili|stealth troopers]].{{Ref/Book|[[Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide]] (Collector's Edition)|Page=320}}

====Organisation in the Covenant====

Unlike the majority of the Covenant's [[Covenant military|conventional military forces]], which fell under the authority of the [[Ministry of Resolution]], the Zealots were a separate group that reported to the Ministry of Fervent Intercession. Within the Ministry existed a number of chapters (such as the [[Devoted Sentries]]), many of which adhered to particular interpretations of ancient codes of honor or debt-packs.{{Ref/Reuse|Fighting}} Some of these chapters traced their lineage back to long before the rise of the Covenant.{{Ref/Site|D=08|M=11|Y=2020|URL=http://www.ultra-combo.com/arbiters-colors-accessories/|Site=Ultra Combo|Page=Arbiter’s Colors & Accessories}} The Zealots' internal structure, rankings, and equipment varied from chapter to chapter and from fleet to fleet.{{Ref/Reuse|Clarity}} The ministry deployed small teams of Zealots during all significant engagements to locate, analyze, and amass intelligence regarding [[reliquary]] sites, as well as to recover [[Forerunner]] artifacts or otherwise important data.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=tcp team|Halo: The Cole Protocol|Page=138-139}} During the [[Human-Covenant War]], many Zealots were assigned to battlefield duties in order to directly partake in the destruction of a species the Covenant viewed as heretical.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

[[Artisan-armorer]]s of the Covenant sometimes allied themselves particularly with the Zealot orders, and would produce specialty equipment such as the {{Pattern|Suspa Al|Individual Assault Carapace|drop pod}} specifically for only the most pious of commanders. When deploying into battle, only warriors from within the Zealot ranks, or those seeking to aspire to join them, would be permitted to employ these insertion pods.{{Ref/Book|Id=WF66|Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Insertion Pods|Page=66-67}}

After their betrayal by the High Prophets, some worshiped the Foreurnners without belief in the Great Journey, while others forsook the religion all together. The role had become a more general rank of combat specialization, similar to how [[Sangheili Honor Guardsmen|Sangheili Honor Guard]]s forsook their original purpose after the Prophets had betrayed them.{{fact}} By [[2558]], some Zealots continued to serve within various [[Covenant remnants|Covenant remnant factions]], including those which remained religiously devoted to the Forerunners following the hegemony's collapse. Despite still having a combat niche, these Zealots served in political and social leadership positions (at least within [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]), filling all roles previously occupied by the [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Site|D=08|M=11|Y=2020|URL=http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 Interactive Guide}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4:EVG|Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=49}} Zealot loyalties remain divided amongst the Covenant successor states, and now exercise less discretion in judging the worthy to join their ranks.{{Ref/Reuse|WF66}}

===Armors===

Zealots have access to a variety of [[Sangheili harness|armor]] types and styles, including the [[Ceremonial battle harness]] or even the [[Infiltration harness]] (which is used by [[Special Operations Sangheili|Special Operations]] and [[Stealth Sangheili]]),{{Ref/Novel|Id=Cole|Halo: The Cole Protocol|Pages=197-198}} and reflecting the multiple roles encompassed by those who hold the title.{{Ref/Site|Id=Fighting|D=08|M=11|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fighting-words|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Fighting Words}} The armor worn by a Zealot can be reflective of his chapter or fleet assignment.{{Ref/Reuse|Clarity}} Their suits have also variety of coloration, including blue,{{Ref/Film|Id=HN|HN|Episode=1}} although Zealots most commonly wear ornate maroon armor that, while intricate, is more subdued in design than the suits worn by Sangheili of lower ranks.{{Ref/Game|Id=Reach|HR}}  By [[2558]], the [[Ultra-class armor|silver-white]] color scheme (with black trim) may have been also worn by [[Sangheili Ultra|Ultras]], although whatever this color configuration is used as the Ultra variant for the Zealot-class internal ranking structure is unknown.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE15|HE|Issue=[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|#15]]}}

Zealot [[Field Master]]s in command positions,{{Ref/Book|Halo: Combat Evolved: Prima's Official Strategy Guide|Page=16}} including those attached to regular Covenant military forces, wore armors distinguished by their gold coloration (indicating a command role){{Ref/Book|Halo 2: The Official Strategy Guide|Page=141}}{{Ref/Book|Halo: The Great Journey - The Art of Building Worlds|Page=52}} and the nearly peerless durability of their [[energy shields]], like the suits worn by lower-ranking [[Sangheili General|Generals]].{{Ref/Game|Id=CEA|CEA}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H2|H2}} Despite the availability of specialized armor styles, many Zealot Field Masters wore gold-colored typical [[Combat harness|combat harnesses]] during the war with humanity.{{Ref/Game|Id=H2A|H2A}}  Like harnesses worn by Special Operations and Stealth Sangheili, Zealot armors are equipped with [[active camouflage]].{{Ref/Game|Id=H2At|H2A|Part=[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 2]]}}{{Ref/Level|Id=TOTS|HR|Tip of the Spear}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H4|H4}}

File:H2A Zealot HQ Transparent edited-1.png|A Zealot Field Master wearing a combat harness.

====Hesduros-styled Zealot harness====

Another armor type is derived from traditional designs worn on [[Hesduros]], and bears some similarities to the Infiltration harness.{{Ref/Reuse|H4:EVG}} This style was in use by [[2526]],{{Ref/Film|Id=FUD|FUD|Episode=4}} though the prevalence of its issue relative to other wartime models is unclear. This suit has a very organic, almost chitinous appearance, reflecting its origin on Hesduros.{{Ref/Reuse|H4:EVG}} The helmet, which encompasses most of the wearer's face, vaguely resembles those worn by the [[Ascetics]] and Covenant Special Operations forces. A cross-shaped pattern of purple, or blue, insets faces outward from a central point on the helmet; the helmets worn by [[Merg Vol]] and Jul 'Mdama emit distinctive holograms, perhaps produced by their aforementioned insets. A blade-like "talon", derived from the armor worn by [[kaidon]]s on Hesduros, is located on the inner toe of either boot. The harness also has protective hand-armor, and raised foil-arcs on its back.{{Ref/Reuse|H4:EVG}} It is commonly worn by Zealots serving various [[Covenant remnants|remnant factions]] in the wake of the Covenant's collapse, most notably the [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|body]] led by [[Jul 'Mdama]], which was formed on Hesduros. In addition to the standard maroon coloration, this version is also produced in blue{{Ref/Game|Id=SO|H4|Part=Spartan Ops}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE14|HE|Issue=[[Halo: Escalation Issue 14|#14]]}} and gold.{{Ref/Game|Id=HSA|HSA}}{{Ref/Reuse|HE15}}

File:Halo4-SangheiliZealot-Unarmed.png|A Zealot with a Hesduros Zealot harness.

Sangheili Zealots were typically armed with [[Type-1 energy sword]], although in some instances, they made use of other weapons, such as at least one [[Type-25 plasma rifle|plasma rifle]], a [[Type-50 concussion rifle|concussion rifle]], a [[Type-33 fuel rod gun|fuel rod gun]], or a [[Type-51 carbine|carbine]].{{Ref/Reuse|CEA}}{{Ref/Reuse|Reach}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4}} Various Zealot veterans also did often pilot gold-colored specialized vehicles, such as ornate Temple variants of [[Temple Wraith|Wraith]], [[Type-54 Ghost#Variants|Ghosts]] and [[Type-54 Banshee#Variants|Banshees]], with the latter used by [[Sky-chevaliers]].{{Ref/Game|H5|Detail=[[List of REQ cards/Vehicles|Temple Wraith, Temple Ghost, and Temple Banshee REQ cards descriptions]]}}

==In-Game Information==

*In ''Halo: Reach'', the Zealot armor is available as an [[Armor customization (Halo: Reach)|Armor Permutation]] once the player has reached the rank of [[Rank (Halo: Reach)|Captain]]. The game features a loadout called "Zealot" which gives the player a [[Type-31 needle rifle]], a plasma pistol, and two plasma grenades. There is another loadout available only in the third phase of Invasion called "Royal Zealot". This loadout is an improved version of the standard Zealot loadout. It provides a needle rifle, a [[Type-33 Needler]], and three plasma grenades, although once the player uses the third grenade, they will be able to carry only two.

*One of the loading screen tips in ''Halo Infinite'' makes a reference to Sangheili Zealots, leading many to initially believe the sword-wielding purple armored Elites in the game are Zealots. However, according to Halo Waypoint's January 2022 Cannon Fodder, the purple armored Elites in ''Halo Infinite'' are canonically classified as Spec Ops, not Zealots.{{Ref/Site|Id=Cannon Fodder|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-foundations|Site=Halo Waypoint|Quote=Those rad-looking purple Sangheili in the sleek armor? They’re classified canonically as Spec Ops, not Zealots. It’s important to remember that oftentimes enemy or character tags that you might find within game files are development shorthand and not necessarily final.|D=12|M=1|Y=2022}}

===Concept art and artworks===

File:Dual wield.jpeg|A Zealot dual-wielding [[Type-25 plasma rifle]]s in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.

File:HE15 Found.jpg|A golden Hesduros Zealot part of [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant faction]] is incapacitated by Prometheans during the [[Battle of Aktis IV]].

File:H5G - Zealot Assassin 2.png|A Zealot Assassin firing a [[Type-55 storm rifle]].

*''[[Halo Mythos]]''