Special Operations Officer: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 07:00, December 4, 2024

A standard Special Operation Officer Sangheili employing the Gheocin-pattern combat harness.

"Out of darkness, these blades will light our way."

— Special Operations Officer Sangheili's mantra^[1]

Special Operations Officer is a title held by select Sangheili serving within the Covenant and the empire's remnants.^[2]^[3] Within the Covenant military, Special Operations Officers served in the Special Operations group.^[4] In the post-war era after the Covenant fell, many of the group's veteran ex-members have sought to establish similar special operations units within other factions, including the Banished and the Swords of Sanghelios among others.^[5]

Overview[edit]

Roles and responsibilies[edit]

Special Operations Officers are the Sangheili members of the Special Operations division of the Special Warfare Group. Sangheili of this rank are picked from the most elite warriors of the regular Covenant military, with personnel selected to serve in Special Operations requiring exceptional skills in close-quarters combat and marksmanship.^[6] When Sangheili troops are brought into the Special Operations division, any Unggoy under their command will also be unwillingly recruited into the organisation too.^[7] The bridge of a starship (such as Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette) was sometimes seen to be crewed mainly by Special Operations Sangheili under the command of a shipmaster.^[8]

Dress[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

A Special Operation Officer with a Gheocin-pattern combat harness.
A Special Operation Officer with an Infiltration harness.
A Banished Special Operation Officer with another chassis of the Infiltration harness.
A Special Operation Officer with an Assault harness.

History[edit]

Special Operations Officers were widely utilized by the Covenant during its genocidal campaign against the human race. When the Hierarchs betrayed the Sangheili, casting them out of the Covenant, many Special Operations Officer Sangheili along with the rest of their species fought against the now Jiralhanae-led Covenant forces on High Charity.^[9] After the war, some Special Operations Officers became mercenaries and joined the Banished. Some were privately employed by individual Banished commanders to eliminate rivals and quell uprisings.^[10] Other Special Operations Officers joined the Swords of Sanghelios.^[11]

Known Special Operations Officers[edit]

Covenant[edit]

Officers

Huki 'Umamee – Killed during the Battle of Installation 04.
Zuka 'Zamamee – Part of the Fleet of Particular Justice; killed by John-117 during the Battle of Installation 04.

Sub-commanders

Bero 'Kusovai – Sub-commander and blademaster within the Seeker of Truth part of the Fleet of Particular Justice, and subordinate to Rtas 'Vadumee; infected by the Flood and later killed by Rtas 'Vadumee during the Skirmish on Infinite Succor.

Commanders

Rtas 'Vadumee – Commander of all Special Operations units within the Fleet of Particular Justice; later assumed the titles of Shipmaster of the Shadow of Intent and Fleetmaster of the Fleet of Retribution during the Great Schism, and eventually joined the Swords of Sanghelios.

Banished[edit]

Okro 'Vagaduun – Experienced blademaster in service of the Bloodbrave Guardians of Suban within the Banished; killed by John-117 during the Battle for Zeta Halo.

Swords of Sanghelios[edit]

N'tho 'Sraom – Part of the Fleet of Retribution; later commanded the Mayhem.
Usze 'Taham – One of deadliest Special Operations commandos and part of the Fleet of Retribution.
Orim 'Kasaan - A SpecOps Sangheili in service to the Arbiter. Led a joint strike team during the Battle of Suban.

In-game information[edit]

Main article: Elite Spec Ops

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Production notes[edit]

In Halo: Combat Evolved, Special Operations Sangheili are clad in a glossy black Combat harness^[12]; in Halo 2 a deep purple combat harness^[13]; in Halo 3 a steel Assault harness^[14]. In Halo: Reach, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and Halo Infinite they wear an Infiltration harness in dark maroon^[15], black^[16], and purple^[17] respectively. In Halo 2, Halo: Reach, and Halo Infinite their harness is embedded with active camouflage.

Special Operations Sangheili are similar to Stealth Sangheili, as they both possess active camouflage technology. However, the two are different and should not be confused: Stealth Sangheili have armor that has little or no shielding, and they are permanently cloaked until they are killed, whereas Special Operations Sangheili have stronger shielding and can appear both cloaked and uncloaked.

In Halo Infinite, Spec Ops Sangheili are armed exclusively with energy swords and plasma grenades.

Trivia[edit]

Banished Spec Ops Elites are referred to as Zealots in Halo Infinite's game files.^[18]

Gallery[edit]

Concept art and illustrations[edit]

A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor.
Concept of the Special Operations Sangheili from the Silent Shadow wearing a heavily modified Infiltration harness in Headhunters.

Halo: Combat Evolved[edit]

Render of a Special Operations Sangheili.
A Special Operations Sangheili with his Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle aboard the Truth and Reconciliation.
A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
Close-up of a Special Operations Sangheili
Special Operations Officer Zuka 'Zamamee with a SpecOps Unggoy.

Halo 2[edit]

A Special Operations Sangheili wielding an energy sword.
A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle.
A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in a Kez'katu-pattern Phantom.
A squad of Special Operations Sangheili gather around Rtas 'Vadumee.

Halo 3[edit]

A Special Operations Sangheili with an Assault harness in the Battle of Voi.
A trio of Special Operations Sangheili.
A Special Operations Sangheili throwing a plasma grenade at incoming Flood.
Special Operations Sangheili in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3: ODST Firefight.

Halo: Reach[edit]

Concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
Another concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
Halo: Reach concept art for a number of Sangheili ranks, with Spec Ops featured under the name "Infiltrator".
A Special Operations Sangheili jumping in an attack.
A group of Special Operations Sangheili using active camouflage, with one also possessing Overshield.
A Squad of Special Operations Sangheili equipped with Nahle'hax-pattern needlers and Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifles.
A Special Operations Sangheili firing a needler.
A Special Operations Sangheili firing a M'tara-pattern focus rifle.
A Special Operations Sangheili being assassinated with an energy sword.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary[edit]

Special Operations Sangheili in the Library.

Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

Profile view of a Special Operations Sangheili.
Rtas 'Vadumee speaking to a group of Special Operations Sangheili.
Two Special Operations Sangheili on the Threshold gas mine.
A Special Operations Sangheili dual wielding plasma rifles.
A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle.
Two Special Operations Sangheili in combat.
Two Special Operations Sangheili in the quarantine zone.
A Special Operations Sangheili on Installation 05.
A Special Operations Sangheili and a Sangheili Zealot on Installation 05.

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

A Special Operations Sangheili, as they appear in Warzone. The same model and colour is used for almost all Sangheili bosses.

Halo Infinite[edit]

Concept art of the Banished Special Operations Sangheili for Halo Infinite.
More finalized concept art of the Spec Ops Elite.
A render of a Banished Spec Ops Elite.
Render of a Banished Special Operations Sangheili for Halo Infinite.
Frontal view of a Banished Spec Ops Sangheili with an energy sword.
Profile view of a Banished Spec Ops Sangheili.
A Banished Special Operations Sangheili activating his active camouflage.
A group of Banished Special Operations Sangheili.
A Banished Special Operations Sangheili up close.
A Banished Special Operations Sangheili throws a plasma grenade.

List of appearances[edit]

Halo: Combat Evolved (First appearance)
Halo: The Flood
Halo: First Strike
Halo 2
Halo Graphic Novel
- The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
Halo 3
Halo 3: ODST
Halo Legends
- Prototype
Halo: Evolutions
- Headhunters
- Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian
Halo: Reach
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

Halo 2: Anniversary
- Terminals
Halo 5: Guardians
- Warzone
Halo: Tales from Slipspace
- Hunting Party
Halo: Silent Storm
Halo: Oblivion
Halo: Shadows of Reach
- Sacrifice
Halo Infinite
Halo: Outcasts
Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon

Sources[edit]

^ Halo: Reach
^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 133
^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 8
^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 242
^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 429
^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Elite
^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Grunt
^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
^ Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 429
^ Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon
^ Halo: Combat Evolved
^ Halo 2
^ Halo 3
^ Halo: Reach
^ Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
^ Halo Infinite
^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Foundations: "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." (Retrieved on Jan 12, 2022) [archive]

[HR-1] Halo: Reach

[Enc11-2] Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 133

[TF8-3] Halo: The Flood, chapter 8

[Enc22Cov-4] Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 242

[Enc22Banished-5] Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 429

[LibraryElite-6] Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Elite

[LibraryGrunt-7] Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Spec Ops Grunt

[hr_solace-8] Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace

[9] Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind

[EN-10] Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 429

[blood-moon-11] Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon

[12] Halo: Combat Evolved

[13] Halo 2

[14] Halo 3

[15] Halo: Reach

[16] Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

[17] Halo Infinite

[CFFoundations-18] Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Foundations: "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." (Retrieved on Jan 12, 2022) [archive]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ==Gallery==
-{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
+{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Special Operations Sangheili}}
-===Concept art===
+===Concept art and illustrations===
 <gallery>
+File:HGN SpecOpsTeam.png|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
 File:Headhunters - Elite concept.png|Concept of the Special Operations Sangheili from the [[Silent Shadow]] wearing a heavily modified [[Infiltration harness]] in ''[[Headhunters (story)|Headhunters]]''.
-File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_2.png|Concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo: Reach''.
-File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_1.jpg|Another concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo: Reach''.
-File:HR_EliteRanks_Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art for a number of Sangheili ranks, with Spec Ops featured under the name "Infiltrator".
-File:HINF-Zealot.jpg|Concept art of the Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
-File:HINF-Specopsconcept.jpg|More finalized concept art of the Spec Ops Elite.
 </gallery>
-===Screenshots===
+===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
+<gallery>
+File:SpecOps Officer.png|Render of a Special Operations Sangheili.
+File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with his {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]''.
+File:HCE - CovSpecOps.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
+File:HCE ZukaZamamee CF.jpg|Close-up of a Special Operations Sangheili
+File:HCE Zuka&SpecOpsGrunt.png|Special Operations Officer [[Zuka 'Zamamee]] with a SpecOps Unggoy.
+</gallery>
+===''Halo 2''===
 <gallery>
-File:SpecOps Officer.png|A Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
+File:H2-SpecOps-Elite-Portrait.png|A Special Operations Sangheili wielding an [[energy sword]].
-File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with his {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}} aboard the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
+File:H2 Elite SpecOps.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a needler.
-File:H2-SpecOps-Elite-Portrait.png|A Special Operations Sangheili wielding an [[energy sword (fiction)|energy sword]] in ''Halo 2''.
+File:H2 SpecOps Elite Beam Rifle.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a [[Sulok-pattern beam rifle|particle beam rifle]].
-File:H2 Elite SpecOps.png|A Spec Ops Sangeili in ''Halo 2''.
-File:H2 SpecOps Elite Beam Rifle.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with a [[Sulok-pattern beam rifle|particle beam rifle]] in ''Halo 2''.
 File:Spec-Ops Elites.jpg|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili in a {{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom}}.
-File:Halo 3 Spec Ops Elite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with an [[Assault harness]] in the [[Battle of Voi]] in ''Halo 3''.
+File:H2 Rtas Vadumee Rally.jpg|A squad of Special Operations Sangheili gather around Rtas 'Vadumee.
-File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili.png|A trio of Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo 3''.
+</gallery>
-File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili-ThrowingGrenade.png|A Special Operations Sangheili throwing a plasma grenade at incoming Flood in ''Halo 3''.
+===''Halo 3''===
+<gallery>
+File:Halo 3 Spec Ops Elite.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili with an [[Assault harness]] in the [[Battle of Voi]].
+File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili.png|A trio of Special Operations Sangheili.
+File:H3-SpecOpsSangheili-ThrowingGrenade.png|A Special Operations Sangheili throwing a plasma grenade at incoming Flood.
 File:HTMCC-H3ODST-Specopsbuddies.png|Special Operations Sangheili in the ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' version of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' [[Firefight]].
+</gallery>
+===''Halo: Reach''===
+<gallery>
+File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_2.png|Concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
+File:HR_EliteSpecOps_Concept_1.jpg|Another concept art of a Special Operations Sangheili.
+File:HR_EliteRanks_Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art for a number of Sangheili ranks, with Spec Ops featured under the name "Infiltrator".
 File:HReach - SpecOps Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili jumping in an attack.
 File:HR SpecOpsElites.jpg|A group of Special Operations Sangheili using active camouflage, with one also possessing [[Overshield]].
-File:Ceaspecops.png|Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
+File:HR Sangheili Spec ops Squad Screenshot.jpg|A Squad of Special Operations Sangheili equipped with {{Pattern|Nahle'hax|needler}}s and {{pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}s.
-File:Special Operations Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
+File:HR Sangheili Spec ops Needler Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili firing a needler.
-File:H2A-SpecOpsSangheiliBeamRifle.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
+File:HR Sangheili Spec ops focus rifle Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili firing a {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}}.
+File:HR Sangheili Spec ops assasination Screenshot.jpg|A Special Operations Sangheili being assassinated with an [[energy sword]].
+</gallery>
+===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''===
+<gallery>
+File:Ceaspecops.png|Special Operations Sangheili in the [[Library (feature)|Library]].
+</gallery>
+===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
+<gallery>
+File:Special Operations Sangheili.png|Profile view of a Special Operations Sangheili.
+File:H2A-Rtas&Co.jpg|Rtas 'Vadumee speaking to a group of Special Operations Sangheili.
 File:H2AMLGSpecopsElite&Friend.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili on the [[Threshold gas mine]].
 File:H2AMLGSpecopsElite.png|A Special Operations Sangheili [[dual wielding]] plasma rifles.
+File:H2A-SpecOpsSangheiliBeamRifle.png|A Special Operations Sangheili with a particle beam rifle.
+File:H2A SpecOpsVsHereticElite.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili in combat.
+File:HTMCC-H2A SacredIconSpecOps.png|Two Special Operations Sangheili in the [[Quarantine zone (location)|quarantine zone]].
 File:H2A SpecOps Sangheili.png|A Special Operations Sangheili on [[Installation 05]].
-File:H2A-Spec Ops and Zealot.png|A Special Operations Sangheili and a [[Sangheili Zealot]] on [[Installation 05]].
+File:H2A-Spec Ops and Zealot.png|A Special Operations Sangheili and a [[Sangheili Zealot]] on Installation 05.
+</gallery>
+===''Halo 5: Guardians''===
+<gallery>
 File:H5G-WarzoneSangheiliWarrior1.png|A Special Operations Sangheili, as they appear in [[Warzone]]. The same model and colour is used for almost all Sangheili bosses.
+</gallery>
+===''Halo Infinite''===
+<gallery>
+File:HINF-Zealot.jpg|Concept art of the Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
+File:HINF-Specopsconcept.jpg|More finalized concept art of the Spec Ops Elite.
 File:HINF Banished-Spec-Ops-Elite.jpg|A render of a Banished Spec Ops Elite.
 File:HINF-PurpleElite.jpg|Render of a Banished Special Operations Sangheili for ''Halo Infinite''.
@@ Line 114: / Line 154: @@
 *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
 *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
+{{Col-2}}
 *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
 **''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
 *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
 **''[[Warzone]]''
-{{Col-2}}
 *''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
 **''[[Hunting Party]]''