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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{seealso|Honor Guard Elite}}
{{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]]
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*[[Energy Stave]]
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
|equipment=[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
|equipment=*[[Sangheili harness]]
|vehicles=
*[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
|missions= Personal guards of the [[Prophets]]
|role=Protecting important individuals and places
|notable=
|notable=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
}}
}}


'''Honor Guard Ultra''' is a [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]] rank. This rank commands the 'lower' [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guard Elites]] that protect the [[High Prophets]]. This rank is equal to the rank of [[Brute Honor Guard Captain]]. They are part of a special unit called the [[Light of Sanghelios]].
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. Although they may be the same unit as the standard Honor Guard Elites. In the cutscene The Sacred Icon, a Honor Guard Elite is seen giving a crimson Honor Guard helmet to a brute while wearing white armour, that of a Honor Guard Ultra. Also in the same cutscene, only Honor Guard Ultras are scene leaving the room. The reason is unknown, but the helmet may cause the color change between the two.
==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}}


== Class ==
===Organisation===
These Honor Guard Elites sport the same ornate armor as the rest of the Honor Guard, with the exception being that the base armor they wear is white instead of crimson red. This color is consistent with the [[Ultra Elite]]s of the regular Covenant army, hence their title. Because of their skill in close combat and rank over the rest of the Elites, they were likely killed first at the start of the [[Great Schism]], similar to what happened to the [[Councilor]]s.
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===
Honor Guard Ultras have never been directly seen in combat. A lot of 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]]", although the Elite will sometimes spawn without a Councilor helmet.
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>


Five Honor Guard Ultras are seen in the cinematic of [[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]] when they, along with regular [[Elite Honor Guard]]s, are stripped of their position, giving it up for the new [[Brute Honor Guard]]s. One is seen giving his helmet to a [[Brute]].
==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}}


In addition, possibly three Honor Guard Ultras are seen to be killed fighting the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] around the middle of the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]. They wear Honor Guard armor but without helmets, as they no longer held that position when they were killed. They seem easy to kill, likely getting shot in their head.
==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.


{{Elite Ranks}}
==Gallery==
[[Category:The Covenant]]
<gallery>
[[Category:Elites]]
File:Honor Guard Ultra Helmet.jpg|A Helios handing down his armor to a Jiralhanae during the Changing of the Guard in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
[[Category:Ranks]]
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Sangheili Ranks}}
 
[[Category:Covenant military units]]

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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