Editing Unggoy

{{Era|Forerunner|Covenant|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{References}}
{{Species Infobox
|name=Unggoy<br/>(''Monachus frigus'')
|othernames=
*Grunt
*Chimp
*Crab
*Monkey
*Gas-sucker
*Crybaby
|image=[[File:StormUnggoy.png|300px]]
|homeworld=[[Balaho]]
|height={{Convert|168|cm|ftin}} (aprox. average)<ref name="ENC142">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 142''</ref>
|weight={{Convert|118|kg|lb}} (aprox. average)<ref name="ENC142"/>
|distinctions=Short, stocky, round head, exoskeleton with wrinkly skin, high-pitched voice, stubby limbs.
|lifespan=
|notable-group=
*[[Covenant]]
*[[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]]
*[[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]]
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction]]
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[Merg Vol's Covenant faction]]
|notable-person=
*[[Dadab]]
*[[Yayap]]
*[[Flipyap]]
*[[Yapflip]]
----
*[[Cowardly Unggoy|Cowardly Grunt]]
*[[Final Grunt]]
*[[Grunt with toys|Playing Grunt]]
*[[Thirsty Grunt]]
}}
{{Quote|When in doubt, flee.|Unggoy philosophy<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''': ''page 144''</ref>}}

The '''Unggoy'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 191 - ''"Unggoy: the Elite name for the Grunt race."''</ref> (Latin, ''Monachus frigus'', meaning "cold monk") are a species of squat bipedal vertebrates, (commonly misidentified as arthropods),<ref name="THB 5.9.12">[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/09/The-Halo-Bulletin-5912.aspx ''The Halo Bulletin - 5.9.12'']</ref> in the unified races of the [[Covenant]]. They are the lowest-ranking species in the hierarchy, and are frequently mistreated by almost every higher-ranking race ([[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]]). Unggoy are primarily used as laborers or, in combat situations, cannon fodder. They are one of the later races to be introduced into the Covenant, and were either the second or third Covenant species to be encountered by [[human]]s. They are referred to as '''Grunts''' by humans, mainly because they are considered weak compared to their superiors and also because they perform the majority of the labor required by the Covenant.

==History==
===The Ark and reseeding===
[[File:Ancient Grunts.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ancient Unggoy being reseeded on [[Balaho]] by [[Forerunner]] machinery.]]

Prior to the activation of the [[Halo Array]], the Unggoy had managed to achieve a [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 4]] society on their homeworld, [[Balaho]]. However, the planet and the Unggoy civilization was devastated by the collapse of its biosphere due to massive global overindustrialization.<ref name="Bestiarum">'''[[Bestiarum]]'''</ref>

The Unggoy were one of many species indexed by the [[Librarian]] for [[Library Project|preservation]] on [[Installation 00]] from the firing of the Halo Array. They were subsequently returned to their homeworld Balaho, where they began re-building their culture.

===Induction into the Covenant===
Grunts were the sixth client race to be integrated into the Covenant, not including [[San 'Shyuum]] and Sangheili, about 411 years before the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]], roughly coming to their indoctrination in [[2142]] on the [[Military Calendar|military calendar]]. By the time of their discovery by the Covenant, the Unggoy homeworld was still recovering from its ecological collapse over a hundred millennia earlier, and the Unggoy civilization had yet to return to its former state.<ref name="Bestiarum"/>

While they are essentially a slave race, the Unggoy have managed to largely retain their cultural identities, and have [[Unggoy Rebellion|rebelled in the past]] [[Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience|more than once]]. Being the lowest-ranked species of the Covenant, they are bitter rivals with the [[Kig-yar]], who are also low-ranked. The higher-ranking races of the Covenant have often ignored this rivalry. The breaking point came when [[Prophet of Truth|a junior staffer]] in the [[Ministry of Concert]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 150''</ref> discovered evidence of the Kig-yar planning to poison recreational narcotics the Unggoy enjoyed, which would have left them sterile, but the [[High Council]] refused to investigate the matter. The rising tensions with the Kig-yar and the general disinterest from the other Covenant races led to an [[Unggoy Rebellion]] in [[2462]]. While the rebellion was ultimately put down thanks to an [[Arbiter]] and the near-[[glassing]] of the [[Balaho|Unggoy homeworld]], the Unggoy proved that they were not the cowards they had been long deemed, and could indeed be vicious fighters when provoked. After the uprising's conclusion, as was their tradition, the Sangheili forgave the surviving Unggoy and allowed them to enter the [[Covenant military]] as armed infantry units, rather than the unarmed cannon fodder as which they had previously served.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''pages 142, 153''</ref>

Despite the low place they have in the Covenant Hierarchy, the true irony is that the Unggoy's entry into the Covenant has ensured their species' survival. Membership in the Covenant granted the Unggoy freedom from risk of extinction during Balaho's two winters, as they now have access to sufficient supplies of food. Infant mortality has decreased to below fifty percent, and [[wikipedia:Senicide|geronticide]] is no longer a necessity for survival. The average life expectancy for non-combatant Unggoy has doubled.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''',  ''page 143''</ref> Their incorporation into the Covenant likely also alleviated the threat of the [[Blue Death]], which Unggoy typically fear.<ref name="goo237">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 237''</ref>

===The Great Schism===
The Unggoy obey other Covenant races out of fear more than religious faith.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', '''[[Sierra 117]]''' - ''Arbiter'': "The Grunts' newfound courage is but fear."</ref> They have next to no political power in the Covenant; the highest political rank available to an Unggoy is [[Deacon]]. Within the Unggoy community there is a strong resentment of other species, especially the Kig-Yar. The low rank of the Unggoy, as well as the aforementioned war, also led to a lack of political loyalty during the [[Great Schism]], as the Unggoy did not ally with a particular side, and stayed with whoever commanded them, most likely out of subservient fear to their current masters. However, many of those serving under the Jiralhanae still held support for the Sangheili and revered the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]], pointing out to their comrades that they once served under him.

===Post-war===
After the Human-Covenant War, at least some of the Unggoy continued working for the Sangheili as farmers on Sanghelios, while others continued to work in the military under either their Sangheili or Jiralhanae commanders.<ref> '''Halo: Glasslands''' ''page 90''</ref> A number of Unggoy joined—or were drafted into—the various [[Covenant remnants|splinter groups]] that upheld the Covenant's religious beliefs after the war, most notably [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction]]. [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] surveys record no off-planet transport from Balaho since "Solipsis"<!--Presumably this was an ONI operation. However, the report does not specify what Solipsis was.--> and seem to indicate that Buwan has been abandoned, though both remain under observation. Moderate Unggoy populations have been observed in Sangheili systems at various intervals.<ref>[[Codename: SURGEON's post-war analysis]]</ref>

==Description==
Unggoy are, in general, poor soldiers in terms of skill and combat ability. They are poor shots when not focused, are physically weak, and are tactically inept as a rule. If their commanders are eliminated during combat, they frequently panic and scatter in random directions. However, what Unggoy may lack in individual skill, they make up for with tenacity and sheer numbers. The [[Covenant]] used the high breeding rate of the Unggoy to their advantage in the [[Human-Covenant War]], where squads of Unggoy frequently overpowered [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] personnel through force of numbers. A group of renegade Kig-Yar on the moon [[Metisette]] also took advantage of the Unggoy's prodigious reproductive rate, breeding an army with which they hoped to invade Earth.

Unggoy are the only Covenant species to breathe [[methane]] rather than [[oxygen]]. Their combat armor/harness has an integrated methane re-breather system, as Unggoy are unable to survive for long periods of time without methane due to asphyxiation. Due to this, if the player manages to [[melee]] their [[methane tank]] off, they rapidly suffocate and die.

===Psychology and behavior===
While not overly intelligent or creative on the battlefield, Unggoy are one of the most gregarious and sociable of the Covenant races and possess a very strong pack mentality, often associating with each other in groups. This numerical superiority and pack mentality allows for their sense of cultural identity to remain, despite a number of hardships, including their extreme subservience to the other races of the Covenant, as well as [[the dark time]] following [[reintroduction]] after the activation of the [[Halo Array]].<ref name="Bestiarum"/>

Although they are quite capable of handling weaponry and operating vehicles and machinery such as [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Shade|Shades]], Unggoy are generally rather simple-minded. There are exceptions to this rule, however: the Unggoy [[Deacon]] [[Dadab]], for example, was noted as being quite intelligent for an Unggoy, as demonstrated by his ability to learn and communicate in [[Huragok]] sign language. An inherent psychological advantage possessed by the Unggoy are their unburdened neural pathways, which allows Unggoy to absorb knowledge more freely compared to the other Covenant species. As such, they are often tasked with monitoring space for traces of human communication. In addition, many Unggoy have developed a clear understanding of two or even three [[human]] languages. This advantage serves as a river of confidence in times of great stress for them.<ref name="Bestiarum"/>

Unggoy generally follow a few short, simple guidelines given to them by the Sangheili; for example, ''"When in doubt, shoot"'' or ''"Stay out of the way, live another day."'' Despite being held in low regard by the Covenant, many Unggoy appear to be strong followers of the Great Journey. Their Deacons will often hold sermons onboard ships to boost the morale and teach the Unggoy onboard about the Covenant. For instance, a Deacon named [[Dadab]] gave sermons and taught the Unggoy on board a Jiralhanae cruiser about the Covenant and its religions. The [[Jiralhanae]] allowed Dadab these teachings because they believed that it would help the Unggoy become more competent and helpful.

Unggoy often gamble with each other and often play games; one in particular, [[hunting rock]], involves two Unggoy competing to kill the most [[scrub grub]]s.

Unggoy were also known to take recreational narcotics called [[Infusion]]s by adding them to their portable methane tanks.<ref name="CH">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 150-151''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''pages 186 and 187''</ref>

===Anatomy and physiology===
[[File:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An Unggoy's luminous blue blood]] 
[[File:1215436858 Images.jpeg|thumb|The face of an Unggoy Minor]]
The taxonomic classification of the Unggoy has been a source of some confusion for the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Because they possess exoskeletons, they have been identified as being analogous to Earth arthropods; despite this, the Unggoy are actually a vertebrate species. The UNSC misclassified the species as arthropodal due to their physiological similarities to terrestrial arthropods; among other differences, the Unggoy circulatory system is apparently closed as opposed to the open systems characteristic of many arthropods.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> More accurately, the species should be considered xeno-arthropodal vertebrates which possess substantial (albeit hypothetical) genetic influences from primate-like amphibians that once dwelt in Balaho's [[Wikipedia:Aphotic zone|aphotic zones]]. This taxonomically incorrect nomenclature persists as late as [[2557]] as an ''ad hoc'' identifier, though the pressures of the Human-Covenant War and reconstruction have made such concerns trivial at best.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/>

Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on [[Earth]]. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their oversized forearms. However, their bodies are armored with a hard exoskeleton as with crabs and insects. Their mouths have a set of small, pointed teeth, much like reptiles. Unggoy are on average about four to five feet tall and are relatively weak compared to other Covenant species. Although they can easily walk upright on two legs, they may often use their arms to move in a quadrupedal fashion. While carrying armaments, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands, but while trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they use their over sized arms as forelegs to add speed or stability to their gait. Their eyesight<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> and hearing are average, and seem to have a very well developed sense of smell, sometimes sniffing the air to detect traces of foes or hidden enemies.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks.

Unggoy also have thick, bioluminescent,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', page 59: ''Phosphorescent blood pooled beneath their prone forms.''</ref> light-blue blood,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 27''</ref> possibly a result of methane-based proteins in the blood to facilitate methane-based respiration. Like Earth's Horseshoe Crabs, it is possible that their blood is blue due to high copper content.

Unggoy have over-sized forearms, while their upper arms and thighs are seemingly small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers. Spiny protrusions on their elbows help them scale rocky surfaces and may also be used to add force to their melee attacks. They also have an astonishingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] at almost the same rate a Sangheili can with a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|plasma rifle]].

[[File:Grunt Air Mask.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The standard methane rebreather apparatus]]

The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. While they are small, stocky, and lacking in agility, they are quite sturdy; most may be weak, as they seem to be unable to carry a weapon heavier than a plasma pistol, although certain Unggoy of higher ranks appear to be surprisingly strong, able to carry an undeployed [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannon]] or fire a fuel rod gun with one hand without toppling from the recoil. However, physical strength may not actually go along with rank; the types of weapons available to them may be a part of a "trust" issue with the other Covenant. As rank-and-file Unggoy are clumsy and tactically inept, more powerful weapons are likely only issued to those who are more disciplined and experienced.

Although they require an atmosphere to breathe, Unggoy are capable of surviving in the vacuum of space without sealed, full-body gear. Unggoy carapaces apparently can withstand the chilling cold and airless environment of EVA conditions, but they must employ sealed face masks in order to breathe, as well as presumably to protect their facial tissues. This tolerance of vacuum is apparently not shared by the less-armored Unggoy subtype encountered in the post-war years, as they require full-body gear to survive in a vacuum.

====Subtypes====
Some Unggoy, commonly seen among bands of Covenant remnant forces in the mid 2550s, have exoskeletons that cover only patches on their bodies, leaving most of their skin exposed; the paucity of chitin means that the elbow and knee spikes of these individuals are less pronounced.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> Unlike other Unggoy, which have a chitinous protrusion that covers the groin and posterior, these Unggoy are unarmored in this area, exposing their primate-like buttocks.<ref>[http://mcfarlane.com/toys/media.aspx?product_id=4573&type=photo&file=halo4s1_stormgrunt_photo_03_dp.jpg '''McFarlane Toys''' - ''Halo 4 Storm Grunt'']</ref> Their necks are also several times longer than normal, (Unggoy typically have almost nonexistent necks), and their heads are set farther forward; folds of loose skin hang down from their necks and chins, likely due to the relative lack of chitin.  Their eyes are reddish orange and feature black, cross-shaped pupils, unlike the solid red or yellow eyes of their kin. Their mouths are set farther inward and house larger, more pointed teeth. These specimens have much stouter legs and have longer and thinner fingernails than the rest of the species, and they possess claws on their feet instead of the more common hoof-like digits. It is unclear what sets these Unggoy apart, (morphologically speaking), from the rest of their kind, though it has been theorized that they belong to a different species, that they are the result of natural mutation, or that they came about due to selective breeding and genetic experimentation; in any case, such morphological variation can be likened to the differences among dog breeds.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/>

===Reproduction===
Unggoy breed prodigiously, with large egg clutches and short childhood periods.<ref name="Bestiarum"/> This combined with the large number of young per clutch and rapid sensory-motor integration development was one of the primary reasons why the Covenant cleverly used the breeding habits of the Unggoy to their advantage in battle, deploying the Unggoy as cannon fodder (this would play a key-role in their war against humanity). Overpopulation is a serious problem and in non-war times, strict laws are placed on Unggoy breeding.

Unggoy do value their ties to their offspring, but are usually separated from their families at an early age by the requirements of military service to the Covenant. They resent this greatly, but because of their low social status in the Covenant, they are unable to muster any response.

==Culture==
The Unggoy culture has been largely wiped out as a result of constant indoctrination by the Covenant, they do retain a degree of their cultural identity as a result of their inherent tenacity. Of what is known, the Unggoy generally live in small, tribal societies which are typically defined as being matriarchal.<ref name="Bestiarum"/>

===Naming===
Unggoy often have names which reflect a language of very simple phonics. Common names, such as ''[[Yayap]]'' and ''[[Dadab]]'', begins with a reduplicated consonant and consist of two syllables. Other names typically consist of a single syllable with clusters of consonants, such as "[[Flim]]". Some exceptions have occurred of which a name has more consonants than is usual while following the first method of naming, as in [[Kwassass]]. Often, their names are palindromes, such as [[Zawaz]].

Unggoy names encountered so far consist of these phonemes:
* The vowels short A and short I.
* The consonants D, F, K, L, M, S, W, P, Y and Z. 
Unggoy do not have family names, possibly because the Sangheili did not allow it. Instead, they identify themselves by famous ancestors, [[Balaho|their homeworld]], and where on that planet they lived.

==Homeworld==
[[File:BestiarumGrunt.jpg|200px|right|thumb|An Unggoy, as depicted in the Bestiarum.]]
{{Main|Balaho}}
The Unggoy homeworld of Balaho is a temperate, swampy planet with a methane atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire. The cold season of their planet makes them highly covet any source of warmth and light they can find, mainly due to the "Blue Death".<ref name="goo237"/> The planet is still in process of recovery from a global ecological collapse before the activation of the Halo Array due to overindustrialization caused by the Unggoy at the time.<ref name="Bestiarum"/>

Since their natural environment has a methane atmosphere, they would need to carry methane tanks and breathing apparatus with them whenever they travel into areas without high levels of methane in the air. Since all the other races of the Covenant, and their human enemies, breathe oxygen, the Unggoy find themselves wearing breathing masks more often than not.<ref name="Flood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''</ref> They have been revealed to be inhabiting large [[Atmosphere pit|environment domes]] that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe, while not in armor<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 60''</ref> or restocking their methane reserves at [[battlefield methane tank]]s. They seem to have high-pitched and squeaky voices, possibly due to the different resonating properties of methane gas. The high-pitched voices are commonly regarded as humorous by most other races, since they tend to sound like frightened children trying to sound intimidating.

==Rank==
===Rank structure===
The Unggoy have five classes which are easily identified by the color of their armor and/or the type of armor.
{| cellpadding="5" border="1" style="clear: both;"
! '''Rank'''
! '''Image'''
! '''Description'''
|-
! colspan="3"|'''Unggoy Leaders'''

|-
|'''[[Unggoy Imperial]]'''
|[[File:UnggoyImperial.png|80px]]
|The Unggoy Imperial rank is a Covenant remnant rank that is mostly comprised of Unggoy that served in the Human-Covenant war.

|-
|'''[[Unggoy Ultra]]'''
|[[File:Halo_Reach_-_Unggoy.png|100px]]
| These Unggoy serve as field commanders to their comrades, and wear distinctive white-lilac armor (reminiscent of the [[Sangheili Ultra]]s). While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked Unggoy, they have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. They are stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw [[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|plasma grenades]] often, and wear heavier armor. 
|-
! colspan="3"|'''Grunt Specialists'''
|-
|'''[[Unggoy Ranger]]'''
|[[File:UnggoyRanger.png|80px]]
|A specialized group of Unggoy fully trained and armored for extra-vehicular activity.

|-
|'''[[Special Operations Unggoy]]'''
|[[File:HReach_-_SpecOps_Unggoy.png|80px]]
|These Unggoy are experienced and specially-chosen, usually commanded by the [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations Sangheili]], and are given distinctive jet-black armor. They are part of the [[Covenant Special Operations]] division of the [[Special Warfare Group]]. Just like the special operations Sangheili, they are able to use [[active camouflage]]. They are extremely skilled in warfare compared to their lower-ranked counterparts, and won't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They usually can be seen wielding fuel rod guns, and throw plasma grenades with great accuracy. Many of them chose to side with [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|his Covenant separatists]] during the Great Schism. However, many remained within the Jiralhanae-led units loyal to the Prophets, wearing white armor similar to the Unggoy Ultra. Some loyalist Unggoy were seen during the [[Battle of Installation 00]].
|-
|'''[[Unggoy Heavy]]'''
|[[File:H4-UnggoyHeavy.png|80px]]
|Being similar to the rank of UNSC [[Corporal]], these specialized Unggoy wear green colored armor and are often deployed for defensive actions <ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>. Their primary purposes are to deploy plasma cannons and man them, although they are occasionally seen wielding fuel rod guns. They can be seen wielding a brute spiker on [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]].  Two or three are seen wielding plasma rifles during the attack on Sword Base on Reach.
|-
! colspan="3"|'''Grunt Infantry'''
|-
|'''[[Unggoy Major]]'''
|[[File:HReach-GruntMajor.png|100px]]
|Similar to a UNSC [[Lance Corporal]], they are more experienced than Unggoy Minors, and wear crimson colored armor. They command several Unggoy Minors and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous, though this difference is not always substantial. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', two [[Sniper Rifle]] shots in the chest is required for one to die on [[Legendary]] (they have roughly the same health as the player in the game).

|-
|'''[[Unggoy Storm]]'''
|[[File:Halo4 Grunt.png|80px]]
|Storm Grunts are the Covenant remnant's version of the Grunt Minor.

|-
|'''[[Unggoy Minor]]'''
|[[File:HReach_-_Unggoy.png|80px]]
|The Covenant equivalent of a UNSC [[Private (UNSC)|Private]] or Private First Class. They wear orange colored armor and are often the least dangerous, most cowardly, and inaccurate marksmen of all the Unggoy. When their commanding officer is killed, they routinely break formation and flee; however, they will regroup and start firing at their target again. As is fitting for Jiralhanae behavior, Unggoy under the command of the Jiralhanae are substantially more aggressive.
|}

=== Other titles and roles ===
The [[Deacon]] is the only position open to the Grunts in the [[Ministry of Tranquility]]. Unlike many other roles available to the Unggoy, this rank does not often involve combat or hard manual labor, though they have been known to carry around plasma pistols and [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]]s.

Some Unggoy are also known to serve as merchants and are well-respected in the Covenant hierarchy. During the [[Ascension]] ceremony of the Covenant's last triumvirate of [[Hierarchs]], a [[Yanme'e]] [[Yanme'e Queen|queen]], Kig-Yar Shipmasters, and Unggoy traders were present. It was also said that their harnesses were adorned with large jewels.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 381''</ref>

While Unggoy infantry occasionally choose to employ [[suicide attack]]s out of desperation, the Covenant are also known to purposefully assign select fanatical Unggoy squads to use such attacks as their primary offensive tactic against the enemy.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 350''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Exodus]]''</ref>

The [[Heretic Unggoy]] followed their [[Sangheili]] organizers in [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|a rebellion]] against the Covenant's Prophets. They started as members of an artifact retrieval group led by the Sangheili [[Sesa 'Refumee]].

==Gameplay==
{{Main|Unggoy/Gameplay}}
Overall, the Unggoy in gameplay are very weak in combat; often fleeing when their leader has been killed. However, in larger numbers, they can be more of a threat, especially in higher difficulties. If their leader is killed, Unggoy may sometimes activate two plasma grenades and rush to the player in an attempt to suicide-bomb them.

In ''Halo Wars'', the Unggoy serves as the main infantry unit, serving as the Covenant equivalent to the Marine. They start with a plasma pistol and three in each squad, but they can be upgraded to wield needlers.

A melee attack can kill a Grunt instantly, so when you face no more than 5 of them, don't waste your ammo and just punch them. For large groups use the Gravity Hammer, unless the catch skull is on meaning you have to stay outside their range, as even in close-range the Grunts will not hesitate to spam-grenades at the enemy.

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|quote=yes}}
*In [[wikipedia:Tagalog|Tagalog]], ''Unggoy ''means "monkey".
*In real life, "''Grunt''" is a slang military term for infantrymen.<ref>[[wikipedia:Grunt|''Grunt'' on '''Wikipedia''']]</ref>
*Unggoy enjoy trading human communication files, such as soap operas and comedies, through the black market.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 143''</ref>
*The Unggoy were ranked #5 in Game Informer's "''The Top 10 Most Pathetic Enemies''" list.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/blogs/members/b/8_bit_ike_blog1/archive/2010/03/03/top-five-video-game-punching-bags.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Top five video game punching bags.'']</ref>
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Unggoy voices were changed. Instead of their original high-pitched and squeaky voices, they sound more deep and mechanical, possibly because of their breathing apparatus. However, they are still being voiced by [[Joseph Staten]].<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=25654 Bungie.net : Bungie Weekly Update 4.16.10]</ref>
*In ''Halo: Reach'', if an Unggoy's [[methane tank]] is shot or meleed it may fall off, causing the gas to launch said Unggoy into the air and eventually explode. Many players consider this a great hazard, especially on higher difficulties.
*The redesigned Unggoy that appear in ''Halo 4'' bear a great deal of resemblance to the [[w:c:gearsofwar:Wretch|wretches]] from the ''Gears of War'' series.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Unggoy concept.jpg|Early concept art for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
File:Grunt Concept.jpg|Early concept art of an Unggoy [[Flood combat form]].
File:Succor.JPG|A cylindrical-backed Unggoy as seen in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
File:Grunt Comparisons.jpg|A comparison among Unggoy in the ''Halo'' Trilogy and ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HCE - GruntArmorVariant.png|Armor variants for the Unggoy in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Halo2-GruntMinor-EarlyRender2.jpg|An Unggoy without his mask as depicted in the '''''Halo 2''' Official Strategy Guide'', showing the species' sharp teeth which make them slightly intimidating.
File:Heretic grunts.jpg|A Heretic Unggoy, clad in unique gold armor, with a Needler in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2-GruntMinor.png|An Unggoy Minor as depicted in ''Halo 2''.
File:1 grunt.jpg|An Unggoy as depicted in ''Halo 3''.
File:grunt-turret.jpg|An Unggoy Minor firing a plasma turret on board a [[Type-47 Scarab|Scarab]].
File:Halo-3-20061220042119414.jpg|A [[Brute Captain]] leads a pack of Unggoy in the Earth bunker [[Crow's Nest]].
File:Halo Reach - Unggoy.png|Another variant of the Unggoy harness.
File:HReach - SpecOps Unggoy.png|SpecOps Unggoy in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Covenant grunt.gif|In-game model of an Unggoy squad in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Covenant suicide grunt.gif|In-game model of the Suicide Grunts in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Halo Wars Grunt.jpg|A cinematic model of an Unggoy in ''Halo Wars''.
File:COVENANT Grunt.jpg|Model concept art of an Unggoy Minor in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HaloLegends-GruntswithPlasmaRifles.png|Unggoy single and dual-wielding plasma rifles in ''Halo Legends: The Package''.
File:Grunt Storm face.jpg|Concept art of an Unggoy Storm's face.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
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*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' 
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
**''[[Bestiarum]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
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*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[Headhunters]]''
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]'' {{mo}}
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
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==Sources==
<references/>

==Related pages==
*[[Unggoy/Gameplay|Unggoy in gameplay]]
*[[Unggoy/Quotes|Unggoy quotes]]

{{Covenant}}
[[Category:Covenant Species]]
[[Category:Living Organisms]]
[[Category:Host Species]]