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{{Disambig header|the rank used in the original [[Covenant Empire]]|the rank used in [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]|Supreme Leader}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|Covenant|HCW}}
[[File:HFB-Rho.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Rho 'Barutamee]], Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]].]]
{{Unit infobox|variant=Cov
'''Supreme Commander''' was a [[Covenant rank structure|military rank]] within the [[Covenant military|armed forces]] of the [[Covenant]] empire and its [[Covenant remnants|successor factions]], roughly analagous to the rank of [[Fleet Admiral]] within the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Book|Id=WF92|HWF|Page=92}} In the Covenant, they consisted of [[fleetmaster]]s selected by the [[Hierarch]]s to lead [[Covenant fleet|ministerial fleets]] on major expeditionary missions.{{Ref/Reuse|WF92}}
|name=Supreme Commander
|image=[[File:HFB-Rho.jpg|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]  
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
|branch=
|mission=Commanders of entire [[Covenant fleet|fleet]]s and armadas
|armament=
|equipment=
|notable=*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee
*[[Luro 'Taralumee]]
*[[Rho 'Barutamee]]<ref name="orders">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-taking-orders '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Taking Orders'']</ref>
*[[Ophon 'Qaram]]<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 78</ref>
}}
{{Quote|Within the Covenant military regime, the sight of a Sangheili leader striding across the battlefield in a gleaming gold combat harness simultaneously stoked the fires of victory within the hearts of the surrounding forces, and struck fear within the hearts of their enemies.|Supreme Commander description.<ref>[http://www.ultra-combo.com/arbiters-colors-accessories/ '''Ultra Combo''':''Arbiter’s Colors & Accessories'']</ref>}}


'''Supreme Commander''' was a rate used in the [[Covenant]] [[Covenant military|military]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 9]]''</ref> Within the original Covenant, the rate was given to [[Fleetmaster]]s explicitly appointed by the [[Hierarchs]] to lead major military expeditions.<ref name="WF92">''Halo: Warfleet'', Glossary - p. 92</ref>
==Overview==
===Role and responsibilities===
Within a given armada, a Supreme Commander served as the lead fleetmaster among the several present, with each subordinate fleetmaster tasked with maintaining their own fleet forces. Within these formations, the word of the Supreme Commander was law, and only the actions of their sponsoring [[ministry]], the [[High Council]], or the Hierarchs themselves could countermand their orders.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=239}} As such, they held extremely large amounts of power and independence - even moreso than their [[United Nations Space Command]] counterparts.{{Ref/Reuse|WF92}} The political machinations of the Supreme Commander allowed them to outfit and service their own ships, and they served as the sole senior officer to a [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=240}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=135}} To assist in their duties, Covenant fleets often assigned a [[Precentor]] - a [[San'Shyuum]] official tasked with reporting directly to [[High Charity]] and serving as a mediator for the Supreme Commander among other duties.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=269}} These officials were often the only officials within the fleet with authority capable of challenging the Supreme Commander's decrees.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


The title of Supreme Commander was above the authority of Fleetmaster and below the authority of [[Imperial Admiral]]. It is roughly equivalent to the [[UNSC]] [[UNSC rank structure|rank]] of [[Fleet Admiral]], though with considerably more autonomy.<ref name="WF92"/>
Within the Covenant's successor factions, the warlord [[Jul 'Mdama]] has adopted the title of Supreme Commander{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=27}} - though this title is sometimes used interchangeably with the title of "Supreme Leader".{{Ref/Book|Id=SupremeLeader1|Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide|Page=23,25,56}}{{Ref/Level|Id=SupremeLeader2|H5G|Osiris}}{{Ref/Note|The title of "Supreme Leader" is only ever mentioned within the dubiously-authoritative ''[[Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide]]'' and as a throwaway reference within the game's first mission. As such, this page assumes that the Supreme Leader verbiage is simply an alternate reference to the title of Supreme Commander explicitly given for Jul 'Mdama in ''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''.}}


==Description==
===Dress===
A Supreme Commander is responsible for a fleet or a contingent of fleets and leads blockades, naval battles, or [[orbital bombardment]] operations.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 135'' (2011 edition)</ref> Supreme Commanders command large Covenant fleets, such as the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], which was formerly led by [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee before he was stripped of his rank due to his [[Battle of Installation 04|failure]] at [[Installation 04]].<ref name="heretic">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]]''</ref>
[[File:HGN ThelVadamee Cloak.png|100px|thumb|[[Thel 'Vadamee]] in a unique helmet and cloak.]]
The typical garb for a Sangheili Supreme Commander was a golden-coloured [[combat harness]], of various styles.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.ultra-combo.com/arbiters-colors-accessories/|Site=Ultra Combo|Page=Arbiter's Colors & Accessories|D=25|M=09|Y=2022|Quote=Within the Covenant military regime, the sight of a Sangheili leader striding across the battlefield in a gleaming gold combat harness simultaneously stoked the fires of victory within the hearts of the surrounding forces, and struck fear within the hearts of their enemies.}} During fleet command operations, they, like other [[shipmaster]]s, often donned a purple-coloured cloak alongside this armour.{{Ref/Game|H2A|Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals}}{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Chapter=22}}{{Ref/Tabletop|HFB|Detail=Rho 'Barutamee artwork ([[:File:HFB-Rho.jpg|File link]])}} However, this was not always the case, with some Supreme Commanders electing to forgo the cloak during engagements,{{Ref/Film|HLeg|Episode=The Package (animated short)}} or even during formal ceremonies in front of the High Council.{{Ref/Level|H2|The Heretic}}


In addition to commanding naval forces, Supreme Commanders have authority over the ground troops attached to their fleet. For example, Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee ordered part of his fleet's [[Covenant Special Operations|special operations]] contingent to conduct a mission to the [[Covenant agricultural support ship|agricultural support ship]] ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' during the Battle of Installation 04.<ref name="Voyage"/>
During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee wore purple armor with a purple ornate helmet, draped in his purple [[doarmir]] cloak while commanding the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=Voyage|HGN|Story=Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor}} His cloak served a purely sentimental purpose, as it reminded him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.


==Dress==
==Known Supreme Commanders==
When commanding a fleet, Supreme Commanders sometimes wear purple or gold armor featuring an ornate helmet; at least two Supreme Commanders, [[Thel 'Vadamee]] and [[Rho 'Barutamee]], chose to wear a purple-colored cloak as part of their ensemble. In the case of Thel, his [[doarmir]] cloak served a purely sentimental purpose, as it reminded him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', Chapter 22, ''page 159''</ref> It is unknown if there is a ceremonial significance to these cloaks.<ref name="Voyage">'''Halo Graphic Novel''', ''Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor''</ref> These were not permanent additions to their attire, however, as Thel chose not to wear it when he appeared before the [[High Council]].<ref name="heretic"/>
===Pre-Covenant===
*[[Ophon 'Qaram]] - An ancient Sangheili Supreme Commander during the [[War of Beginnings]], famed for his refusal to join the Covenant.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=78}}


While commanding the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]], Supreme Commander [[Luro 'Taralumee]] wore armor that resembled that of most [[Sangheili Zealot]]s, though it was more ornate, possessing prongs similar to those on 'Vadamee's helmet.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''</ref>
===Covenant-era===
*[[Rho 'Barutamee]] - Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-taking-orders|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Taking Orders|D=07|M=04|Y=2019}}
*[[Luro 'Taralumee]] - Supreme Commander of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=Adjunct|Detail=WORD FROM THE THIRD FLEET OF GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCE}}
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee - Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]].


==Trivia==
===Post-Covenant===
In the ''[[Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide]]'', the title is constantly referred to as "Supreme Leader".<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide (Collector's Edition)''', ''pages 23, 25, 56''</ref>
*[[Jul 'Mdama]] - Supreme Commander of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|his remnant forces]],{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} also dubbed "Supreme Leader" in his faction.{{Ref/Reuse|SupremeLeader1}}{{Ref/Reuse|SupremeLeader2}}
 
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===Silver Timeline===
*[[Var 'Gatanai]] - Former Supreme Commander of the [[First Fleet of Solemn Accord]] until stripped of both title and fleet and became the [[Arbiter]] at some point after the [[Battle of Raas Kkhotskha]].{{Ref/Film|Id=Aleria|TV|Episode=[[Aleria (TV Series)|Aleria]]}}
{{Clear}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HGN_ThelVadamee_Cloak.png|Thel 'Vadamee, Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]], wearing a unique helmet and cloak.
File:HGN ThelVadamee SupremeCommander.png|Front view of a unique Supreme Commander helmet.
File:HGN ThelVadamee SupremeCommander.png|Front view of a unique Supreme Commander helmet.
File:H2A Terminals - Thel Commander.jpg|Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee commanding his fleet.
File:H2A Terminals - SupremeCommanderThel.png|Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee commanding his fleet.
File:H2A Terminals - Thel and Prophet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee converses with a Prophet at [[Installation 04]], complete with the formal cloak signifying his rank.  
File:H2A Terminals - Thel and Prophet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee converses with a Prophet at [[Installation 04]], complete with the formal cloak signifying his rank.  
File:H2A-Thel SC2.jpg|Thel before the [[High Council]].
File:H2A-Thel SC2.jpg|Thel before the [[High Council]].
Line 54: Line 51:
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
Line 60: Line 56:
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Sangheili Ranks}}
{{Sangheili Ranks}}

Latest revision as of 21:53, February 29, 2024

Illustration of Rho 'Barutamee.
Rho 'Barutamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence.

Supreme Commander was a military rank within the armed forces of the Covenant empire and its successor factions, roughly analagous to the rank of Fleet Admiral within the UNSC Navy.[1] In the Covenant, they consisted of fleetmasters selected by the Hierarchs to lead ministerial fleets on major expeditionary missions.[1]

Overview[edit]

Role and responsibilities[edit]

Within a given armada, a Supreme Commander served as the lead fleetmaster among the several present, with each subordinate fleetmaster tasked with maintaining their own fleet forces. Within these formations, the word of the Supreme Commander was law, and only the actions of their sponsoring ministry, the High Council, or the Hierarchs themselves could countermand their orders.[2] As such, they held extremely large amounts of power and independence - even moreso than their United Nations Space Command counterparts.[1] The political machinations of the Supreme Commander allowed them to outfit and service their own ships, and they served as the sole senior officer to a Field Marshal.[3][4] To assist in their duties, Covenant fleets often assigned a Precentor - a San'Shyuum official tasked with reporting directly to High Charity and serving as a mediator for the Supreme Commander among other duties.[5] These officials were often the only officials within the fleet with authority capable of challenging the Supreme Commander's decrees.[2]

Within the Covenant's successor factions, the warlord Jul 'Mdama has adopted the title of Supreme Commander[6] - though this title is sometimes used interchangeably with the title of "Supreme Leader".[7][8][Note 1]

Dress[edit]

A dripped-out Thel 'Vadamee in his fleetmaster getup aboard Seeker of Truth in The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor.
Thel 'Vadamee in a unique helmet and cloak.

The typical garb for a Sangheili Supreme Commander was a golden-coloured combat harness, of various styles.[9] During fleet command operations, they, like other shipmasters, often donned a purple-coloured cloak alongside this armour.[10][11][12] However, this was not always the case, with some Supreme Commanders electing to forgo the cloak during engagements,[13] or even during formal ceremonies in front of the High Council.[14]

During the Battle of Installation 04, Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee wore purple armor with a purple ornate helmet, draped in his purple doarmir cloak while commanding the Fleet of Particular Justice.[15] His cloak served a purely sentimental purpose, as it reminded him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.

Known Supreme Commanders[edit]

Pre-Covenant[edit]

Covenant-era[edit]

Post-Covenant[edit]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The title of "Supreme Leader" is only ever mentioned within the dubiously-authoritative Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide and as a throwaway reference within the game's first mission. As such, this page assumes that the Supreme Leader verbiage is simply an alternate reference to the title of Supreme Commander explicitly given for Jul 'Mdama in Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Warfleet, page 92
  2. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 239
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 240
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 135
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 269
  6. ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 27
  7. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide, page 23,25,56
  8. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Osiris
  9. ^ Ultra Combo, Arbiter's Colors & Accessories: "Within the Covenant military regime, the sight of a Sangheili leader striding across the battlefield in a gleaming gold combat harness simultaneously stoked the fires of victory within the hearts of the surrounding forces, and struck fear within the hearts of their enemies." (Retrieved on Sep 25, 2022) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary, Terminals
  11. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, chapter 22
  12. ^ Halo: Fleet Battles: Rho 'Barutamee artwork (File link)
  13. ^ Halo Legends, episode The Package (animated short)
  14. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
  15. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
  16. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 78
  17. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Taking Orders (Retrieved on Apr 7, 2019) [archive]
  18. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, Adjunct: WORD FROM THE THIRD FLEET OF GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCE
  19. ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Aleria

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