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{{seealso|Honor Guard}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
{{Seealso|Sangheili Honor Guardsman}}
|name=Honor Guard Ultra
{{Unit infobox
|image=[[Image:Honor guard Ultra0111.jpg|300px]]
|variant=Cov
|name=Lights of Sanghelios
|image=[[File:H2 Honor Guard Ultra.png|300px]]
|authority=[[Covenant]] [[High Council]]
|authority-title=Affiliation
|branch=[[Covenant Honor Guard]]
|mission=Protection of important individuals
|role=Specialized unit of Honor Guard
|size=
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|weapons=[[Energy Sword]], [[Plasma Rifle]]
|armament=*[[Energy stave]]
|equipment=[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
|vehicles=
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
|missions=Guard
|equipment=*[[Sangheili harness]]
|role=Guarding important individuals, commanding lower [[Honor Guard Elite|guards]]
*[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
|notable=
|notable=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
}}
}}
'''Honor Guard Ultra''' is a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] (Elite) rank. This rank commands the 'lower' [[Honor Guard Elite]]s of the [[High Prophets]]. It is equal to the rank of [[Honor Guard Captain]] of the [[Brute Honor Guard]], and to the [[Zealot]] in the standard [[Elites|Elite]] military. These Elites, though never seen in actual battle, are believed to have the same shields as an [[Ultra Elite]], with maybe slightly stronger shielding than an Ultra Elite.


They are likely more skilled than their subordinates, with years of experience in the Covenant Honor Guard, which is particularly impressive considering the prodigious combat abilities of any in the Honor Guard.  
The '''Lights of Sanghelios''', sometimes referred to as the '''Honor Guard Ultras''' or the '''"Helios"''' for short,<ref name="enc134">'''[[Halo: Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 134'' (2011 edition)</ref> was a distinctive unit of [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] in the [[Covenant]]. The name "Lights of Sanghelios" is a reference to a [[Wikipedia:Globular cluster|globular cluster]] of stars near the Sangheili [[Urs system|home system]].<ref name="CH">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 153-154''</ref>


== Appearance ==
==Overview==
===Roles and responsibilies===
The Lights of Sanghelios represented the most adept and highest-ranking combat units within the [[Covenant Honor Guard]], consisting solely of [[Sangheili]]. Members of the elite unit were often given the privileged duty to protect the [[San'Shyuum]] of the [[Covenant]].<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant-honor-guard '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant Honor Guard'']</ref> High-ranking San'Shyuum politicians hand-picked Honor Guardsmen within the Lights of Sanghelios to serve as their personal guards for their living quarters. The [[Ministry of Fortitude]]'s tower was protected by at least two of these Sangheili, who were chosen by the [[Minister (title)|Minister]]s for their combat abilities.{{Ref/Reuse|CH}}


These Honor Guard Elites sport the same ornamented armor as the rest of the Honor Guard, with the exception that the under armor they wear is white instead of crimson. This color is consistent with the [[Ultra Elite]]s of the regular Covenant army, hence their title.
===Organisation===
The Lights of Sanghelios were frequently given command of standard [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] in numerous battles and engagements.{{Ref/Reuse|enc134}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Despite their stoic nature, Sangheili within this unit would gladly have given their lives to protect a San'Shyuum.{{Ref/Reuse|enc134}}{{Ref/Reuse|CH}}


== Combat ==  
===History===
On [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]], following the death of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], the remaining [[Hierarchs]] recommissioned the Honor Guard and [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]]. The Lights of Sanghelios were likely disbanded as the former Sangheili within the unit handed down their weapons and armor to the Jiralhanae, as they were forced to step down from their position.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> Shortly after, at the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], the remaining Sangheili serving within the Lights of Sanghelios attempted to lead Sangheili and standard Honor Guardsmen against the Covenant.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>


Honor Guard Ultras have never been ''directly'' seen in combat. Many players believe that one appears at the end of the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] but this Elite is actually the glitch known as the "[[Honor Guard Councillor]]" (see below).
==Equipment==
The Lights of Sanghelios sported the same ornate [[Sangheili harness|armor]] as the regular [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]], with the exception being that the base armor they wear is a distinctive bright-white instead of crimson red.{{Ref/Reuse|CH}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} This color is consistent with the [[Sangheili Ultra]]s of the regular [[Covenant military]], hence their title. The Sangheili within the unit typically wielded [[energy stave]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|CH}} though the weapon was mostly ceremonial and was rarely used in actual combat.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 349'' (2011 edition)</ref> In most engagements, the Lights of Sanghelios armed themselves with {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}s or a [[Type-1 energy sword]] for close-quarter combat.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}


Two Honor Guard Ultras are seen in the cinematic of [[Sacred Icon (Level)]] when they, along with regular [[Honor Guard Elite]]s, are stripped of their position, giving it up for the new Honor Guard Brutes and their [[Honor Guard Captain]]s. One is seen giving his helmet to another [[Brute]].
==Trivia==
* The Lights of Sanghelios depicted in ''Halo 2'' in the beginning cutscene for the level ''[[Sacred Icon]]'' are instead depicted as regular Honor Guards in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
* In the final section of the level ''[[Gravemind]]'', one of the possible variations of the glitched [[Honor Guard Councilor]], which was intended to be a [[Sangheili Zealot]], takes on the appearance of a member of Light of Sanghelios.


In addition, three Honor Guard Ultras are seen killed fighting the [[Brutes]] around the middle of the level [[Gravemind (Level)]]. They wear Honor Guard armor but without helmets, as they no longer held that position when they were killed.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Honor Guard Ultra Helmet.jpg|A Helios handing down his armor to a Jiralhanae during the Changing of the Guard in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
</gallery>


It is theorized that Honor Guard Ultras are more likely to withstand the Brute onslaught than regular Honor Guards, due to their superior shielding and combat experience.
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''


As recently found out the "[[Honor Guard Councillor]]" glitch, found at the end of the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]], can sometimes have the body of the Ultra and the ornate armor pieces of an Honor Guard, including the helmet. This fortunately creates an in-game image of the Honor Guard Ultra. However, it is not truly representative of an Honor Guard Ultra, given that it is actually a [[Zealot]] in terms of statistics, and Honor Guard Ultras are likely to have ornate headdresses like other Honor Guards. Although on easy difficulty the elite will always be an Honor Guard Ultra. But on other difficulties it is a glitch.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


== Trivia ==
{{Sangheili Ranks}}
There are corpses of them scattered throughout [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] with [[Energy Swords]] and they are seen in [[Halo 2]] cutscenes, but you do not seem to combat against a Honor Guard Ultra at all in [[Halo 2]], with the exception of the glitch at the end of the level, [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]].


{{Elite Ranks}}
[[Category:Covenant military units]]
 
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Elites]]
[[Category:Ranks]]

Latest revision as of 14:14, December 6, 2023

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Lights of Sanghelios
H2 Honor Guard Ultra.png

Function:

Protection of important individuals

Species:

Sangheili

Affiliation:

Covenant High Council

Group:

Covenant Honor Guard

Other role(s):

Specialized unit of Honor Guard

 

The Lights of Sanghelios, sometimes referred to as the Honor Guard Ultras or the "Helios" for short,[1] was a distinctive unit of Sangheili Honor Guardsmen in the Covenant. The name "Lights of Sanghelios" is a reference to a globular cluster of stars near the Sangheili home system.[2]

Overview[edit]

Roles and responsibilies[edit]

The Lights of Sanghelios represented the most adept and highest-ranking combat units within the Covenant Honor Guard, consisting solely of Sangheili. Members of the elite unit were often given the privileged duty to protect the San'Shyuum of the Covenant.[3] High-ranking San'Shyuum politicians hand-picked Honor Guardsmen within the Lights of Sanghelios to serve as their personal guards for their living quarters. The Ministry of Fortitude's tower was protected by at least two of these Sangheili, who were chosen by the Ministers for their combat abilities.[2]

Organisation[edit]

The Lights of Sanghelios were frequently given command of standard Honor Guardsmen in numerous battles and engagements.[1][3] Despite their stoic nature, Sangheili within this unit would gladly have given their lives to protect a San'Shyuum.[1][2]

History[edit]

On November 2, 2552, following the death of the High Prophet of Regret, the remaining Hierarchs recommissioned the Honor Guard and replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae. The Lights of Sanghelios were likely disbanded as the former Sangheili within the unit handed down their weapons and armor to the Jiralhanae, as they were forced to step down from their position.[4] Shortly after, at the outbreak of the Great Schism, the remaining Sangheili serving within the Lights of Sanghelios attempted to lead Sangheili and standard Honor Guardsmen against the Covenant.[5]

Equipment[edit]

The Lights of Sanghelios sported the same ornate armor as the regular Sangheili Honor Guardsmen, with the exception being that the base armor they wear is a distinctive bright-white instead of crimson red.[2][3] This color is consistent with the Sangheili Ultras of the regular Covenant military, hence their title. The Sangheili within the unit typically wielded energy staves,[2] though the weapon was mostly ceremonial and was rarely used in actual combat.[6] In most engagements, the Lights of Sanghelios armed themselves with Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifles or a Type-1 energy sword for close-quarter combat.[5]

Trivia[edit]

  • The Lights of Sanghelios depicted in Halo 2 in the beginning cutscene for the level Sacred Icon are instead depicted as regular Honor Guards in Halo 2: Anniversary.
  • In the final section of the level Gravemind, one of the possible variations of the glitched Honor Guard Councilor, which was intended to be a Sangheili Zealot, takes on the appearance of a member of Light of Sanghelios.

Gallery[edit]

  • A Helios handing down his armor to a Jiralhanae during the Changing of the Guard in Halo 2.

    A Helios handing down his armor to a Jiralhanae during the Changing of the Guard in Halo 2.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Encyclopedia, page 134 (2011 edition)
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo: Contact Harvest, pages 153-154
  3. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint: Covenant Honor Guard
  4. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
  5. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Gravemind
  6. ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 349 (2011 edition)

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