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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{seealso|Honor Guard}}
{{Seealso|Sangheili Honor Guardsman}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
{{Unit infobox
|name=Honor Guard Ultra
|variant=Cov
|image=[[Image:Honor guard Ultra0111.jpg|300px]]
|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]]  
|armament=*[[Energy stave]]
*[[Plasma Rifle]] (usually dual wield)
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*Honor Guard's Spire
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
|equipment=[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
|equipment=*[[Sangheili harness]]
|vehicles=
*[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
|missions=Guard
|role=Protecting important individuals and places, Commanding lower [[Honor Guard Elite|guards]]
|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]]. This rank is still equal to the rank of [[Brute Honor Guard]] since the Brute Honor Guard only has one rank within it.
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>


They are likely more skilled than their subordinates, with many years of experience in the Covenant Honor Guard, which is particularly impressive considering the prodigious combat abilities of any in the Honor Guard.  
==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}}


== Description ==
===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}}


These Honor Guard Elites sport the same ornate 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.
===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>


On the level [[Gravemind]], many Ultra Honor Guards are seen without their helmet, as seen on the cutscenes
==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}}


== Combat ==  
==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.


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 Councilor]].
==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>


Five 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. One is seen giving his helmet to another [[Brute]].
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''


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.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


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 years of combat experience.
{{Sangheili Ranks}}


==Trivia ==
[[Category:Covenant military units]]
*There are corpses of them scattered throughout the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] with only [[Energy Swords]] and they are seen in some of the [[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 [[Honor Guard Councilor]] glitch at the end of the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] which, of course, should not be considered a real Honor Guard Ultra.
 
{{Elite Ranks}}
 
 
[[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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