Editing Sangheili Zealot

{{Era|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post|FA}}
{{Cleanup}}
<center>'''''Zealot''' redirects here. For the Halo: Reach multiplayer map, see [[Zealot (level)]].''</center>
{{Unit infobox|variant= Cov
|image=[[File:HReach - Sangheili Zealot.png|300px]]
|authority=[[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]]
|branch=
|mission=Apostolic delivery and coercion, reliquary acquisition
|role=
|size=
|armament=Energy Sword, Plasma Rifle, Needle Rifle, Concussion Rifle
|equipment=[[Sangheili combat harness]]
*[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
|notable=
}}
{{Quote|The true devotee honors our name with actions, not words.|Sangheili Zealot's mantra}}

'''Zealot''' is a category of high-ranking [[Sangheili]] warriors in the [[Covenant]].<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 60''</ref> Less of a rank than a philosophy, Zealots are among the most devout followers of the [[Covenant religion]].<ref name="enc zealot">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia|Halo Encyclopedia (2011)]]''', ''page 134''</ref>

==Background==
{{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 'Vadam]]ee to [[Jora 'Konaree]]<ref name="tcp thel">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 142''</ref>}}

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 infantry.<ref name="vis"/> It has been said that although most Sangheili males are trained to kill as soon as they can hold a weapon, future Zealots seem to be born with an innate desire to kill.<ref name="enc zealot"/>

Unlike the majority of the Covenant's [[Covenant military|conventional military forces]] which fall under the authority of the [[Ministry of Resolution]], Zealots are a separate group that reports to the [[Ministry of Fervent Intercession]], which deploys Zealot squads during all significant engagements to locate, analyze and amass intel regarding [[reliquary]] sites, as well as to recover [[Forerunner]] artifacts. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, though it usually involves apostolic intervention by force, or in humanity's case, the eradication of a species the Covenant view as heretical.<ref name="vis"/> Zealots can also serve in other roles, occasionally assuming positions of command within the Covenant military. For example, as a Zealot, [[Thel 'Vadam]] served as a [[Shipmaster]] and later a [[Fleet Master]]. By [[2535]], he also led a small team of Zealot warriors on several missions.<ref name="tcp team">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 138-139''</ref>

The rank of [[Sangheili Field Marshal]] falls under the Zealot class. Like regular Zealots, Field Marshals are outside the chain of command of the regular Covenant military, and their orders supersede all others on the battlefield. Zealot strike teams are usually led by a Field Marshal.<ref name="enc field marshal">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia|Halo Encyclopedia (2011)]]''', ''page 135''</ref>

==Physical appearance==
Though Zealot special operations teams wear maroon armor, most Zealots who serve with regular Covenant military forces appear to wear gold armor, distinguished from a [[Sangheili General|General]]'s armor by being less elaborate in design.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref>

In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' Zealots wear solid gold armor,<ref name="vis"/> a pointed helmet and shoulder pauldrons (signifying rank), blue lights running on their armor,and a [[Forerunner]] glyph on their back. Their [[Sangheili personal energy shield|shields]] are much more powerful than those of their subordinates, and wield either an Energy Sword or Plasma Rifle (They fire much faster than other Elites and with greater accuracy). In ''Halo 2'' Zealots wear the standard armor of all Elites, with orange lights running on their armor, but this time wear gold and tan armor. Zealots do not appear in ''[[Halo 3]]''. In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the Zealot wears a more ornamental helmet, with blue lights running on their helmets and shoulder pauldrons and also a little bit on their body and thighs. Zealots have a maroon color, similar to the [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]].

==Known Zealots==
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]<ref name="tcp thel"/> - [[Supreme Commander]] of the ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]''; later became the [[Arbiter]].
*[[Luro 'Taralumee]] - [[Supreme Commander]] of the ''[[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]]'' <ref name="TP">'''Halo Legends''', ''The Package''</ref>
*[[Jora 'Konaree]] - A Zealot warrior who fought in Thel 'Vadamee's Zealot team.<ref name="tcp team"/>
*[[Saal]] - A Zealot in Thel 'Vadamee's team.<ref name="tcp team"/>
*[[Veer]] - One of the Zealots in 'Vadamee's team.<ref name="tcp team"/>
*[[Zhar (Sangheili)|Zhar]] - One of the Zealots in 'Vadamee's team.<ref name="tcp team"/>
*[[Thon 'Talamee]] - Shipmaster of the ''[[Clarity of Faith]]''.
*[[Re'gish Wamik]] - A Field Master during the [[Harvest Campaign]].
*[[Noga 'Putumee]] - A Field Master during the [[Battle of Installation 04]].
*[[Lat 'Ravamee]] - Shipmaster of the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.

==Gameplay==
Zealots are significantly more challenging to fight than other [[Elites]]. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', Zealots are known to wield [[Energy Sword]]s and [[Plasma Rifle]]s. They are much tougher than regular Elites as they shoot faster and tend to actually pursue to hunt and kill their target, rather than just shoot at the closest one. They also have extremely strong shields that are twice as strong as those of a [[Major Elite]], (In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', they can survive a rocket on [[Easy]]). They are much faster than lower ranking Elites and can jump farther as well. They are much harder to hit and they constantly duck behind obstacles to avoid fire. Zealots wielding an Energy Sword are extremely dangerous in close quarters and should be dealt with quickly and preferably while they are still reasonably far away, due to their extensive experience with melee combat. They are a powerful, smart, and very dangerous foe to be reckoned with, especially on higher difficulties.

The best way to deal with a Zealot is to either use a [[Plasma Grenade]] or to attack it from long range, as they are deadly in hand-to-hand combat because of their [[Energy Sword]] (and in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' can kill the player with one hit from an Energy Sword in anything higher than Easy difficulty). In ''Halo 2'', it is possible to side step and assassinate a Zealot, or any sword wielding Elite. Due to their strong [[shields]], it is advisable to use heavy weaponry, such as the [[Sniper Rifle]] or Rocket Launcher, if they are available. The [[M6D pistol]] is only moderately effective, taking 16 head shots to kill a fully shielded Zealot on [[Normal]] difficulty. The [[Needler]] is both common and extremely effective, due to the fact that [[List of "seven" references in Halo|7]] rounds will kill most enemies and the weapon's large magazine.

In ''[[Halo 2]]'', they do not use [[Overshield]]s and their shields are as strong as those of a Major Elite and [[Special Operations Elite]], but they are a lot smarter and tougher. They are still very deadly in close-quarters, however in ''Halo 2'', their sword animation has been changed to being "more realistic" in the sense that in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', a sword swing had a huge area of effect, and it was impossible to dodge a swing. In ''Halo 2'', it is possible to sidestep, and assassinate a Zealot, or any other elite with a sword. When the Zealot is swinging, quickly step to the side and behind him, than melee him, which results in an assassination, and an instant kill. This is the quickest and most effective way of dispatching Zealots, or other sword wielding Elites. It is also more risky however. Their armor without [[Energy shields|Energy Shields]] are much thicker (although it makes it slower) than that of Major and Minor and can sustain more damage. In addition to the tactics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, dual [[M6C Magnum]]s can be very effective at close ranges so long as you stay outside of their sword's reach. Dual Needlers are also effective. Also, Zealot AI is noticeably different in ''Halo 2''; Zealots are always found wielding Energy Swords, ceremonial weapons befitting their high rank.

Another fact that should be known is that Zealots will never, under any circumstances, ride in or drive a vehicle for religious purposes; they do not believe it is honorable to kill their enemies with vehicles instead of hand to hand combat.{{Citation needed}} If a player tries to give them a chance to get in one, such as in Uprising, their animation will glitch and they will start to walk toward the vehicle and turn around, they will then keep doing this. They will continue to follow the player, however.

In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Zealots had a "flaw" that made killing one much easier. It would do some form of "roaring" animation (similar to the Elite berserkers in ''Halo 2''), or pointing out the player and yell. This animation makes the Zealot's body more open and gives the player a precious few seconds to snipe, fire a rocket at, or damage the shields of the Zealot. This Elite is the only Elite that will only spawn when scripted to, unlike Minors to Ultras, whose chances depend purely on difficulty.

==Trivia==
*The Zealots featured thus far have not had a black or steel secondary color like lower-ranking Elites. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', they are solid gold. In ''[[Halo 2]]'', they have a tan secondary color.
*Zealots will never ride or drive in a vehicle, nor will they board an enemy vehicle if one is near them.
*The plasma rifle-wielding Zealots of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' will not melee. This is due to the fact that they are programmed to berserk when they see you, and have no provisions to melee while in berserk mode.
*On the [[Legendary]] difficulty in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', it takes two to three [[plasma grenade]]s to kill a Zealot.
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee appeared before the Council in the golden armor of a Zealot, although he wore ceremonial armor while commanding [[Fleet of Particular Justice|his fleet]].
*Some Zealots in ''Halo 2'' have glitches, including running back and forth, teleporting from one spot to the other, disappearing, and saying two things at once.{{citation needed}}
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Zealots (as with all Elites), will usually jump out of the way to avoid a grenade: when near a ledge, they will jump over and will fall to their deaths. However, on [[Legendary]], the Zealots will sometimes charge through the blast and try to kill the player.
*Zealots have only the shields of a [[Sangheili Major]] in ''Halo 2'', but what they lack in shields they make up for in skill. Their armor is stronger than normal, but they can still be killed by a single headshot.
*Zealots' gauntlets are blue in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', (the same color [[Special Operation Sangheili|Spec Ops]] have), but in ''Halo 2'', they wear the usual orange gauntlets of all other Elites.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Zealots can deflect plasma grenades with their energy sword.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', there is a loadout called Zealot, which gives the player a [[Type-31 Rifle|needle rifle]], a plasma pistol and two plasma grenades. There is also 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 Guided Munitions Launcher|needler]], and three plasma grenades, although once the player uses the third grenade, they will only be able to hold two.
*The real-time strategy game ''[[w:c:StarCraft:StarCraft|StarCraft]]'' features a Protoss unit known as the [[w:c:StarCraft:Zealot (StarCraft)|zealot]]; these warriors also wear golden armor and wield powerful energy blades.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', the Zealot armor is available as an [[Armor Permutations (Halo: Reach)|Armor Permutation]] once the player has reached the rank of [[Rank (Halo: Reach)|Captain]].
*There are a total of [[List of "seven" references in Halo|7]] Zealots that appear to fight Noble Team: 2 in [[Winter Contingency]] towards the end (not counting the [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]]), 1 in [[Tip of the Spear]] who can be killed for an [[Your Heresy Will Stay Your Feet|achievement]], 3 in the end of [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]] (again not counting the Field Marshal), and 1 in the final cutscene in [[Lone Wolf]] during Noble Six's Last Stand.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', the Zealot encountered in the level [[Tip of the Spear]] is able to use [[Active Camouflage]] once he jumps down the gap in the floor while trying to escape. The Zealot is also able to switch from his Concussion Rifle to his Energy Sword once he is close enough to the enemy.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Scrn 067.jpg|A Zealot standing triumphant over its foe, a dead [[Flood]] [[Flood Combat Form|combat form]], on [[Installation 04]].
File:Zealot attack.jpg|A Zealot issuing orders to its [[lance]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Cartographer Zealot.jpg|A Zealot brandishing an energy sword in the campaign level ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]'' of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:GoldSword4.jpg|A Zealot from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Sangheili FieldM 01.png|A render of the Sangheili Zealot in ''Halo 2''.
File:FearlessLeader26001200.PNG|A Zealot issuing orders to its lance in ''Halo 2''.
File:Arbiter & Zealot.jpg|[[Re'gish Wamik]], a Zealot in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Elite Zealot.png|A close-up of an Elite Zealot in ''Halo: Reach''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Elite Ranks}}
{{Sangheili Armor}}
[[Category:Elites]]