Canon

Unggoy: Difference between revisions

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{{ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{quote|Leader dead! Run away!|A frightened Unggoy soldier}}
{{Species infobox
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|CH|UP|HGN|FA}}
|name=Unggoy
{{Covenant Species Infobox
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Kafv|content1=[[File:HINF-Unggoy Conscript.png|250px]]|title2=Ritrit|content2=[[File:H5G-Render-Grunt.png|275px]]|title3=Zimzib|content3=[[File:StormUnggoy.png|250px|right]]}}
|name=Unggoy (Grunt)(Latin, ''Monachus frigus'')
|latin=''Monachus frigus''
|image=[[Image:Balaho.jpg|350px]]
|classification=Xenoarthropod
|subspecies=[[Ritrit]], [[Kafv]], [[Zimzib]]
|diet=
|height={{Convert|138.4|cm|ftin}}–{{Convert|167|cm|ftin}}<ref name="waypointarticle">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/unggoy '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Unggoy'']</ref>
|weight={{Convert|112.6|kg|lb}}–{{Convert|118|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}}
|distinctions=Short, stocky, round-headed, endoskeletal and exoskeletal, vertebroid and arthropoidal, wrinkly skin, high-pitched voices, stubby limbs.
|lifespan=121+ years<ref>[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]], p. 456</ref>
|homeworld=[[Balaho]]
|homeworld=[[Balaho]]
|height=1.67 meters (5' 6")
|techlevel=Native [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 6: Industrial|Tier 6]]/Adopted [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 2: Interstellar|Tier 2]]<ref name="Bestiarum">'''[[Halo 3]]''', ''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref>
|weight=118 kg (260 lbs)
|notable-person=*[[Bipbap]]
|skincolor=Grey-blue/Brown
*[[Briglard]]
|eyecolor=Red/Black
*[[Dimkee Hotay]]
|distinctions=Short, round head with a squeaky voice.
*[[Gudam Keschun]]
|equipment=[[Methane Environmental Suit]]
|types=*[[Ultra Grunt|Ultra]]
*[[Special Operations Grunt|Special Operations]]
*[[Gunner Grunt|Gunner]]
*[[Major Grunt|Major]]
*[[Minor Grunt|Minor]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], [[Heretics (Faction)|Heretics]], [[Covenant Separatists]]. [[Covenant Loyalists]].
|notable=*[[Cowardly Grunt]]
*[[Dadab]]
*[[Gagaw]]
*[[Kwassass]]
*[[Kwassass]]
*[[Linglin]]
*[[Stolt]]
*[[Mehmep]]
*[[Yabda]]
*[[Thirsty Grunt]]
*[[Yapyap]]
*[[Yayap]]
*[[Yayap]]
*[[Zawaz]]
*[[Dibdib]]
*[[Final Grunt]]
|othernames=*Chimp
|othernames=*Chimp
*Crab
*Crab
*Crybaby
*Gas-sucker
*Grunt
*Grunt
*Lobster
*Lobster
*Monkey
*Pig
*Pig
*Punk
*Punk
*Runt
|languages=
*Gas Sucker
}}
}}
The '''Unggoy'''<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 191 - "Unggoy: the Elite name for the Grunt race".</ref> (Latin, ''Monachus frigus''<ref name="beast"/>, meaning "cold monk") are a species of subordinate warriors in the unified conglomerate races of the [[Covenant]]. The [[Humans]] have termed such warriors '''Grunts''', because of their speech patterns<ref>, as they make odd squeaking and grunting noises. They constantly make these noises, and the Grunt will usually run from you unless their is an [[Elite]] with them.[[Halo 1 Orange Grunt Action Figure]]</ref> and their status in [[Covenant]] society. Also, as of the early 21st century, snipers, Ops personnel, and many armed forces members would refer to the basic infantry fighter as a "Grunt."
{{Quote|When in doubt, flee.|Unggoy philosophy<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 144''</ref>}}
'''Unggoy'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 191 - ''"Unggoy: the Elite name for the Grunt race."''</ref> ([[Latin]], ''Monachus frigus'', meaning "cold monk"), also known as '''Grunts''' by many individuals, are a [[sentience|sapient]] species of squat bipedal xeno-arthropodal vertebroid lifeforms{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}}<ref name="THB 5.9.12">[http://halo.bungie.org/halobulletins/49 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin - 5.9.12'']</ref> from the planet [[Balaho]]. In [[2142]], the Unggoy became the fourth species to be assimilated into the [[Covenant]]. During their tenure in the hegemony, Unggoy were always the lowest-ranking species in general terms, and were frequently mistreated by members of almost every other race, especially the [[Kig-Yar]], [[Jiralhanae]], and [[Sangheili]].


Grunts are the lowest-ranked species of the [[Covenant]] hierarchy, forming the bottom-most of all the castes. They are often pressed into combat and manual labor.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> Furthermore, they are typically poor and cowardly warriors, are physically diminutive, wear minimal armor and most of them are tactically inept and poor shots. However, what they lack in ability they make up for with sheer numbers, as they breed in large numbers, and at least among the higher ranks, sheer tenacity.
Unggoy were primarily used by the Covenant as laborers or—in combat situations—cannon fodder. They are commonly referred to as "Grunts", mainly because they are considered weak compared to other former Covenant species and because they performed the majority of the labor required by the empire.<ref name="ENC143">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 143''; ''pages 150-151'' (2011 edition)</ref>


They are unusual in the way they breathe [[methane]] rather than oxygen. Their combat armor/harness is even integrated with a methane re-breather system, as Grunts appear to be unable to survive long without methane due to asphyxiation much like [[Humans]] without oxygen.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref>. They act very stupid and cowardly when in danger. They are the comic relief through most of the Halo series, as quite often they will say something completely unexpected, and are liked by Halo fans much more than any other [[Covenant]] species.
==History==
===The Ark and reseeding===
Unggoy are believed to have evolved from smaller amphibious primates.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} Prior to the activation of the [[Halo Array]], the Unggoy had managed to achieve a [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 4: Space Age|Tier 4]] society on their homeworld, [[Balaho]]. However, the planet and the Unggoy civilization was devastated by the collapse of its biosphere due to massive global over-industrialization.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}


The Unggoy were one of many species indexed by the [[Librarian]] for [[Conservation Measure|preservation]] on [[Installation 00]] from the firing of the Halo Array. They were subsequently returned to their homeworld Balaho, where they began re-building their culture.<ref name="origins">'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[Origins]]''</ref>


== Culture ==
===Induction into the Covenant===
[[File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy join Covenant.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Unggoy join the Covenant.]]
In [[2142]], the Unggoy and their defenseless homeworld were discovered by the [[Covenant]]. Most species of the Covenant became incorporated due to faith or mutual beneficence, however the Unggoy were forced into lowly positions within the Covenant through force and aggressive conversion.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}}<ref>'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 10]]''</ref> The Unggoy were quickly conquered with little resistance and were the fourth species to be inducted into the empire. The species was quick to become one of the most devoted followers of the [[Covenant religion]] and the Great Journey.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 187''</ref> It even became a popular notion among the Unggoy, thanks to the theologian, [[Ang'napnap the Enlightened]], that the Forerunners' pre-ascension forms were akin to their very own.<ref name="buzz">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-buzz-generating '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating'']</ref> By the time of their discovery by the Covenant, the Unggoy homeworld was still recovering from its ecological collapse over a hundred millennia earlier, and the Unggoy's [[Technological Achievement Tiers#Tier 6: Industrial Age|Tier 6]] civilization had yet to return to its former state.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}


Grunts were one of the first alien races integrated into the [[Covenant]], serving as the basic soldiers, laborers and more-or-less "cannon fodders" in all different fields. They joined the [[Covenant]] due to fear of the [[Elites]]. Their original culture was mostly expunged by their incorporation into the [[Covenant]], which occurred 3,517,192 hours (about 402 years) before the events of [[Halo 3]], roughly coming to their re-indoctrination in [[2142]] on the [[Military Calendar]]. Before joining the [[Covenant]], the Unggoy had to attain [[Technological Achievement Tiers|Tier 4 technology]] on the [[Forerunner]] charts. While not overly intelligent or creative, they are one of the most cordial and sociable of the [[Covenant]] races as they possess a strong pack mentality, often associating with each other in groups, instigating them to present a danger when encountered in large numbers, exposing their tenacity and ferocity in battle.
[[File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy Rebellion.jpg|thumb|250px|Unggoy rebel on High Charity.]]
Being the lowest-ranked species of the Covenant, they are bitter rivals with the [[Kig-Yar]], who are also low-ranked. The higher-ranking races of the Covenant have often ignored this rivalry. The growing Unggoy population on [[High Charity]] forced Kig-Yar to relocate their homes to accommodate the Unggoy. The move put stress on Kig-Yar females, which led to an increase in infant mortality, while Unggoy that were forced to share habitats with the Kig-Yar occasionally trampled their nests, inadvertently. The breaking point came when [[Prophet of Truth|a junior staffer]] in the [[Ministry of Concert]] discovered evidence of the Kig-Yar planning to poison [[Infusion|recreational narcotics]] the Unggoy enjoyed, which would have left them sterile. However, the [[Minister of Concert]] and the [[High Council]] refused to investigate the matter, as they were willing to accept several thousand sterile Unggoy rather than risk upsetting the Kig-Yar. The rising tensions with the Kig-Yar and the general disinterest from the other Covenant races led to the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] in [[2462]]. While the rebellion was ultimately put down thanks to [[Arbiter]] [[Heki 'Gibadee]] partially [[glassing]] Balaho, the Unggoy proved that they were not the cowards they had been long deemed, and could indeed be vicious fighters when provoked. After the uprising's conclusion, as was their tradition, the Sangheili forgave the surviving Unggoy and allowed them to enter the [[Covenant military]] as armed infantry units, rather than the unarmed cannon fodder as which they had previously served.<ref name="ch150">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 150-151''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''pages 142, 153''</ref> The Unggoy rebelled several more times in Covenant history, including the [[Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience]], which was quickly ended by the [[Ministry of Preservation]]'s [[Ripa 'Moramee]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 10''</ref>


[[Image:Halo-3-20061220042119414.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Brute Captain]] leads a pack of [[Unggoy]] in an [[Earth]] building.]]
Despite the low place they have in the Covenant hierarchy, the true irony is that the Unggoy's entry into the Covenant has ensured their species' survival. Membership in the Covenant granted the Unggoy freedom from risk of extinction during Balaho's two winters, as they now have access to sufficient supplies of food. Infant mortality has decreased to below fifty percent, and [[Wikipedia:Senicide|geronticide]] is no longer a necessity for survival. The average life expectancy for non-combatant Unggoy has doubled.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''', ''page 143''</ref> Their incorporation into the Covenant likely also alleviated the threat of the [[Blue Death]], which Unggoy typically fear.<ref name="goo237">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 237''</ref>
Grunts are essentially a slave race, who obey the other [[Covenant]] races out of fear, not will, because they have no political power in [[Covenant]] society. However, within the Grunt community there is a strong hatred of other species, especially [[Jackals]]. It has been indicated that at some time in the [[Covenant]]'s history, in one of the nine ages, there was a [[Grunt Rebellion]], which was quelled, thanks in part to an [[Arbiter (rank)|Arbiter]] who was called upon during that period for that purpose. This fear also leads to a lack of political loyalty during the [[Covenant Civil War]], the Grunts did not ally with a particular side and stayed with whoever was commanding them, most likely out of subservient fear to their masters, however, many held support for the [[Elite]]s and still revered [[The Arbiter (character)|The Arbiter]]. <ref>"As for some general things, there was a lot of combat banter. The Grunts were always screaming about the [[Arbiter (rank)|Arbiter]], telling him to "get away while he still could" and to "save himself" (shaky loyalties... a sign of things to come, maybe?), and going on about "How could the [[Demon]] be here?!" "The [[Demon]] is alive?", and all around Grunt banter" —[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=827114 Halo 3 IMAX preview write up] by Avalon Drew.</ref>


Due to their low status, Grunts are not permitted by the [[Elite]]s to possess family names; their names instead consist of one or two syllables, usually with a repeating group of letters.  They do value their ties to their offspring, but are usually separated from their families at an early age by the requirements of their military service to the [[Covenant]]. The Grunts resent this greatly, but due to their social status in the [[Covenant]] are unable to muster any response. It is also interesting to note that Grunts do appreciate many of the luxuries presented to them in their service to the [[Covenant]], one of them being heat, as stated by the Grunt [[Kwassass]].
===Human-Covenant War===
The Unggoy were one of the first races in the Covenant to encounter [[Human]]ity.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 95''</ref> During the [[First Battle of Harvest]], [[Jiralhanae]] forces had Unggoy secure [[Harvest]]'s orbital [[Tiara]] station. Most of the Unggoy present on the planet were killed in the battle; some were even killed by Jiralhanae and [[Yanme'e]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 374''</ref> In [[2535]], the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] allowed Kig-Yar [[Reth]] to amass an army of thousands of Unggoy on the [[moon]] of [[Metisette]] to use to invade the human [[Earth|homeworld]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 214''</ref> Reth's plans were foiled by the [[Insurrectionists]] of [[the Rubble]], {{UNSCShip|Midsummer Night}}, and a team of [[Sangheili Zealot]]s that believed the Unggoy and Kig-Yar to be heretics, unaware of Truth's orders. Most of the Unggoy on the moon were killed during the [[Battle of Metisette]].<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 328''</ref> The Unggoy's large numbers and fast breeding proved to be a pivotal asset to the Covenant during the Human-Covenant War, as they were able to overwhelm human forces with their sheer numbers, and were even known to have massacred an entire [[105th Drop Jet Platoon|platoon]].


In the meantime, the Grunts generally follow a few short, simple guidelines given to them by the [[Elite]]s; namely "When in doubt, shoot" or "Stay out of the way, live another day."  
The Unggoy obeyed other Covenant races out of fear more than religious faith.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Sierra 117]]'' - ''Arbiter'': "The Grunts' new-found courage is but fear."</ref> During the [[Great Schism]], as the Unggoy did not ally with a particular side, and stayed with whoever commanded them, most likely out of subservient fear to their current masters. However, many of those serving under the Jiralhanae still held support for the Sangheili and revered [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], pointing out to their comrades that they once served under him. The [[Minister of Discovery]] believed that the Unggoy would follow the strongest side in the civil war.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''page 509''</ref>


Grunts feel safe when in large numbers or led by an [[Elite]] or in the case of [[Halo 3]], a [[Brute]], though if the [[Elite]] or most of the squad dies, or if a superior enemy gets too close, they tend to panic and flee. This renders them extremely vulnerable as they are rather sluggish and weak, but given the time, they will turn around and once again attempt to fight back against the enemy. Higher-ranking Grunts typically have superior morale and are less likely to panic and flee combat.
===Post-war===
[[Image:Grunt.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Two Major Grunts fighting in the jungle.]]
{{Quote|It's so shiny! Me seem to member things looking preeeeeetty bleak there for a while, with me an' all the other Unggoy spendin' years just mostly running away from green [[demons]], or mean [[Sangheili|boss flappy-mouths]] who just wanted to make sure we got shotted at first. But now… well now the [[Cortana|blue lady]] helps us. I meen, it's weird and confusing and all because she used to help the [[John-117|green guy]] be mean to us, then she was mean to the green guy, then nice to us… I don't know, she's definitely the most confusing blue lady I've seen – I mean, she's really the ONLY one I've seen, but whatevers. Anyway, she must have feeled bad for us getting' kicked around all the time cause now she sends us stuff to eat and things to be builded…|[[Hamyap]] on the [[Created]] occupation of Balaho<ref name="Hog Wild">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/the-hog-wild-req-drop '''Halo Waypoint''' - Hog Wild REQ Drop'']</ref>}}
[[Image:Heretic grunts.jpg|left|thumb|A Heretic Grunt with a needler.]]
After the Human-Covenant War, at least some of the Unggoy continued working for the Sangheili as farmers on [[Sanghelios]], while others continued to work in the military under either their Sangheili or Jiralhanae commanders.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''' ''page 90''</ref> Many Unggoy returned to Balaho after the war.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} A number of Unggoy joined—or were drafted into—the various [[Covenant remnants|splinter groups]] that upheld the Covenant's religious beliefs after the war, most notably [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant]]. [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] surveys record no off-planet transport from Balaho since "Solipsis"<!--Presumably this was an ONI operation. However, the report does not specify what Solipsis was.--> and seem to indicate that facilities on Balaho's primary [[Natural satellite|satellite]] [[Buwan]] has been abandoned, though both remain under observation. Moderate Unggoy populations have been observed in Sangheili systems at various intervals.<ref>'''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]''', ''#3''</ref> The Office of Naval Intelligence speculates that several independent vessels and colonial facilities are under the control of Unggoy factions, yet no significant populations of unaffiliated Unggoy are known to exist among the [[human colonies]].<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'']</ref> By [[2558]], some Unggoy had taken up residence in the city of [[Paxopolis]] on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Trevelyan]].
It should be noted that the [[Heretic Grunt]]s, unlike their mainstream brethren, will not flee in combat if the enemy approaches. It is unknown why [[Heretic Grunt]]s have better morale than other Grunts. One possible explanation could be that their enemy is the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]], and the Grunts have had experience with the [[Elites]]. This can be ruled out because in [[Halo 3]], Grunts will run from the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]]. Another way they could have obtained a higher morale than the [[Covenant]] Grunts could be that they are allowed more freedom or a higher status, since they are not bound by the same caste system in the [[Covenant]]. They could also have found heresy as a good cause to fight for, and therefore drawn their strength from that, or a combination of this and the fact that they are not constrained by [[Covenant]] society. Alternately, they could be better trained and disciplined than rank-and-file Grunts, or their behavior could simply be the result of their situation. This could be possible as the team that had to research the facility was part of a Special Operations team, which are known for their combat effectiveness and higher confidence and drive. Yet another possibility is that [[Sesa 'Refumee]], the leader of the [[Heretics]], is a particularly charismatic individual (given that the [[Prophet]]s deemed his heresy to be such a threat) and that he is able to inspire the Grunts to be more dedicated combatants.  


It is also important to note that in [[Halo 3]], the Grunts are more courageous than beforehand; fighting more ferociously and are seemingly more hostile to the enemy. In the level [[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]] a [[Marine]] comments on the fact that even the Grunts weren't pushovers when led by the [[Brutes]]. The [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] replies that their newfound courage is a result of fearing their new [[Brute]] masters, who are more cruel and primal than the [[Elites]]. Another idea is that the [[Brutes]] mixed a gas into the methane tanks to make the Grunts more aggressive, as suggested by a [[Marine]]. The Grunts also have tendencies to ignite two [[Plasma Grenade]]s and become kamikazies, in this case they let out a strange continuous battle call, and start running towards an enemy with two plasma grenades in-hand. These Grunts are known as 'Suicide Grunts' to many gamers and are one of the most irritating ways to die.
Some Unggoy would find themselves in more respected positions in the post-war years. Within the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], they were treated as equals and two of them, [[Bibjam]] and [[Stolt]], were known to have even had command over Sangheili.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Guardians]] [[Mission Intel]]''</ref>


After [[2558#October|October 28, 2558]], the Unggoy on [[Balaho]] allied themselves with [[Cortana]] and the [[Created]], and they were granted with nearly limitless resources: ships loaded with advanced technology arrived, new agricultural support stations appeared in orbit, awaiting eager workers to feed the desperate masses below. This gave the chaotic conditions of Balaho a semblance of stability and order, as well as a new purpose. With their pressing requirements – food, shelter, medicine – met, Balaho's finest designers and crafters set out to work tirelessly to build their future.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134241/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-driving-force'''Halo Waypoint''': ''Driving Force'']</ref>


After the events of [[Halo 3]], Grunts were freed as [[Covenant]] thralls and allowed to return to their worlds, but still remained in the [[Covenant]] under the leadership of the Elites. Ironically, the surviving Grunts that still fought for the [[Brutes]] and [[Truth]] during the [[Covenant Civil War]] got exactly what they wanted: Freedom from the [[Covenant]].
==Description==
[[Image:1 grunt.jpg|left|thumb|A Grunt as depicted in Halo 3.]]
Unggoy are, in general, poor soldiers in terms of skill and combat ability. They are poor shots when not focused, are physically weak, and are tactically inept as a rule. If their commanders are eliminated during combat, they frequently panic and scatter in random directions. However, what Unggoy may lack in individual skill, they make up for with tenacity and sheer numbers. The [[Covenant]] used the high breeding rate of the Unggoy to their advantage in the [[Human-Covenant War]], where squads of Unggoy frequently overpowered [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] personnel through force of numbers.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 20'' (2010 edition)</ref>
The intelligence of Grunts has often been hotly debated as much of the source material contradict one another.


In the [[Eric Nylund]] novels they have been described as dog-like and animalistic but at rare moments, intelligent, such as the Grunt that inadvertently activates the [[Nova Bomb]]. In [[Halo: The Flood]] Grunts are shown to be much more intelligent, pulling off military maneuvers and other actions, such as their attempting to put a grenade into [[Master Chief]]'s suit and [[Yayap]] who has a higher than normal intelligence for a Grunt (though he may have been one of many not mentioned in the novels or games). In game, their battlefield tactics are rather simplistic, but they are more than capable of using a variety of weapons and in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] pilot vehicles such as the [[Ghost]]. It is also worth considering that as a slave race, they are most likely purposely left untrained and uneducated to make them easy to control. Grunts seem to outnumber the other races to a large degree and might offer impressive resistance if properly organized. Grunts have been called "cannon fodder" because their [[Elite]] or [[Brute]] leaders will often send them out to serve as a distraction, rather than actually having them effectively engage an enemy in combat.
Unggoy are the only Covenant species to breathe [[methane]] rather than [[oxygen]]. Their [[Unggoy combat harness|combat armor/harness]] has an integrated methane re-breather system, as Unggoy are unable to survive for long periods of time without methane due to asphyxiation.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} Unggoy could be afflicted by [[Wikipedia:Barnacle|barnacles]]; the removal of barnacles leads to deep, oozing pores in their chitinous skin.<ref name="ch307">'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 307''</ref>


==Nomenclature==
===Psychology and behavior===
Grunts often have simple, easy to pronounce names with repeated sounds common. The most common names will start with a consonant, then a vowel, then a consonant, then the first, and second letters repeated (e.g. [[Dadab]],[[Yayap]]). Other names are much simpler, consisting of a single vowel and three consonants (E.G. [[Flim]]). Some exceptions have occurred where the name will have more consonants then usual, although if the letters were not repeated, they would be the same as the first method of naming (e.g. [[Kwassass]]). Most Grunt names are a combination of the same sounds:
[[File:H2A Terminals - Unggoy.jpg|thumb|250px|A group of Unggoy.]]
*Short A.
Although other species generally regard the Unggoy as a dim-witted race, many have proven to be very intelligent, resourceful, and knowledgeable. Indeed, the general perception of the Unggoy being inherently unintelligent is almost certainly a result of their poor education and training within the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} Unggoy are one of the most gregarious and sociable of the Covenant races and possess a very strong pack mentality, often associating with each other in groups. This numerical superiority and pack mentality allows for their sense of cultural identity to remain, despite a number of hardships, including their extreme subservience to the other races of the Covenant, as well as [[the dark time]] following [[reintroduction]] after the activation of the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}
*Short I.
*Y used as a consonant.
*The consonants D, F, L, K, S, and W.


As mentioned above, Grunts do not have family names. Instead they identify themselves by famous ancestors, [[Balaho|their homeworld]], and where on that planet they lived.
Unggoy develop sensory-motor integration relatively rapidly, and possess unburdened neural pathways which allow them to absorb knowledge more freely compared to the other Covenant species. As such, they were often tasked by the Covenant with monitoring space for traces of human communication. In addition, many Unggoy have developed a clear understanding of two or even three [[human]] languages. This advantage serves as a river of confidence in times of great stress for them.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} The Unggoy [[Deacon]] [[Dadab]] was also able to learn and communicate in [[Huragok]] sign language.


== Anatomy and Physiology ==
On the battlefield, Unggoy are generally not very creative, although they are quite capable of handling weaponry and operating vehicles and machinery such as [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Shade]]s.
[[Image:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|left|Grunts bleed a luminous blue blood when wounded.]]
Grunts are approximately 4 feet tall and are relatively weak when compared to other [[Covenant]] species. Although they can easily walk either upright on two legs, they are often seen using their arms as legs and moving quadruped-ally. While carrying armaments, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands, but while trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they will discard their weapons and use their over sized arms as forelegs to add speed or stability to their gait.


Grunts' forearms are incredibly over-sized, as are their calves, while their upper arms and thighs are incredibly minute. This has allowed them two be quite excellent climbers, as seen in [[Halo:Contact Harvest]]. The only way for them to even be able to move like this is if their biceps and triceps are in their forearms and calves, although why they would evolve like this is unknown. This may, however, have to do with the claws that protrude from some of their joints, as the extra mass would add to the force used when melee-ing with the claws.
===Anatomy and physiology===
[[File:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|170px|left|An Unggoy's luminous blue blood.]]
The taxonomic classification of the Unggoy has been a source of some confusion for the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Because they possess exoskeletons, they have been identified as being analogous to Earth arthropods; despite this, the Unggoy are actually a vertebrate species. The UNSC misclassified the species as arthropodal due to their physiological similarities to terrestrial arthropods; among other differences, the Unggoy circulatory system is apparently closed as opposed to the open systems characteristic of many arthropods.{{Ref/Reuse|THB 5.9.12}} More accurately, the species should be considered xeno-arthropodal vertebrates which possess substantial—albeit hypothetical—genetic influences from primate-like amphibians that once dwelt in Balaho's [[Wikipedia:Aphotic zone|aphotic zones]]. This taxonomically incorrect nomenclature persists as late as [[2557]] as an ''ad hoc'' identifier, though the pressures of the Human-Covenant War and reconstruction have made such concerns trivial at best.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}}{{Ref/Reuse|THB 5.9.12}}


Grunts have hooves on their three-toed feet, and their skin is leathery and purple-gray, although [[Contact Harvest]] describes them as having a tough exoskeleton. They have a single claw that protrudes from each elbow and knee, but its function is unknown, since there are no known instances where it was used in combat. While they are small, stocky, and are not agile; they are quite sturdy, and most may be weak, as they seem to be unable to carry a weapon heavier than a [[Plasma Rifle]], although certain Grunts of higher ranks appear to be surprisingly strong, able to carry an un-deployed [[Plasma Cannon]] or fire a [[Fuel Rod Cannon]] without toppling from the recoil. However, physical strength may not actually go along with rank; the types of weapons available to them may be a part of a "trust" issue with the other [[Covenant]]. As rank-and-file Grunts are clumsy and tactically inept, more powerful weapons are likely only issued to those who are more disciplined and experienced.
[[File:H2A Terminals - Sad Grunt.jpg|thumb|250px|The face of an Unggoy.]]
Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on [[Earth]]. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their oversized forearms. However, their bodies are armored with a hard exoskeleton as with crabs and insects. Their mouths have a set of small, pointed teeth, much like reptiles.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} Unggoy are on average about four to five feet tall and are relatively weak compared to other [[sentient|sapient]] species. The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. Although they can easily walk upright on two legs, they may often use their arms to move in a quadrupedal fashion. While carrying armaments, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands, but while trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they use their oversized arms as forelegs to add speed or stability to their gait. Their eyesight{{Ref/Reuse|THB 5.9.12}} and hearing are average, and seem to have a very well-developed sense of smell, sometimes sniffing the air to detect traces of foes or hidden enemies.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks. Unggoy have oversized forearms, while their upper arms and thighs are relatively small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers over rocky terrain, although they are rather clumsy when walking upright. Their large arms help the Unggoy in hand-to-hand combat and scaling heights, but make movement around tight corridors or manipulation of small, delicate objects difficult. To protect themselves from the voracious predators of Balaho, the Unggoy have a rigid exoskeleton that is lined with sharp barbs that covers large portions of their backs, arms, and legs.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} They also have an astonishingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistol]] at almost the same rate a Sangheili can with a [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifle]].


[[Image:Grunty.PNG|250px|right|thumb|A Grunt without its methane respirator in Halo 3.]]
Unggoy also have thick, bioluminescent,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', page 59: ''Phosphorescent blood pooled beneath their prone forms.''</ref> light-blue [[blood]],<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 27''</ref> possibly a result of methane-based proteins in the blood to facilitate methane-based respiration.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} Like Earth's [[Wikipedia:Horseshoe crab|horseshoe crabs]], it is possible that their blood is blue due to high copper content. They also possess yellowish-green colored viscera, visible in an unused texture seen when an Unggoy is decapitated via glitches.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved'''</ref>
Grunts have been described as breeding prodigiously<ref>[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]</ref> in many instances, with large egg clutches and short childhood periods<ref>[[Bestiarum]]</ref>. This might explain why there are so many Grunts on the battlefield. This combined with the large number of young per clutch and rapid sensory motor integration development was one of the primary reasons why the species were given the role of disposable cannon fodder. Their unburdened neural pathways allows them to absorb knowledge more freely compared to their peers. As such, they are constantly monitoring the void for traces of [[Human]] communication and have developed an understanding of one or two [[Human]] languages. This was both a source of pride and stress to them. [http://imagewtf.com/644/free-image-hosting/]


Grunts also have average eyesight and hearing, but they seem to have a very well developed sense of smell, sometimes sniffing the air to detect traces of foes<ref>''[[Halo 2]]''</ref>.  This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks.
Although they require an atmosphere to breathe, Unggoy are capable of surviving in the vacuum of space without sealed, full-body gear. However, they must employ sealed face masks in order to breathe, as well as presumably to protect their facial tissues.<ref>''Halo: Reach'', "[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]"</ref>
[[Image:Grunt Air Mask.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The standard methane breathing apparatus.]]
There are notable differences between the Unggoy of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]], and the Unggoy of [[Halo 3]]. Some of the differences of the [[Halo 3]] Grunts are elongated heads, the lack of the elbow claws, red eyes, and a leaner torso. This may be attributed to different races of Grunt. [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] is the only game to feature "curl back" armored Grunts. [[Halo 3]]'s Grunts have grey mottled skin rather then the black, porous skin of the previous games' Grunts. Also, if the player manages to knock off the gas mask worn by the Grunts, a set of whitish-grey teeth can be seen that is somewhat similar to that of [[Humans]]'.


Grunts seem to be physically stronger than unaided [[Marines]], and are capable of carrying extremely heavy equipment, such as the [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Plasma Cannon]] and the [[Fuel Rod Gun]], when [[UNSC]] [[Marines]] have trouble. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Grunts can be seen carrying [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s with one arm, as well as [[Plasma Cannon]]s, although they do not use the latter the way [[Spartan]]s, [[Brute]]s and [[Elite]]s do, instead they try and find a place to mount the gun.
To humans, Unggoy are known to have a distinct smell of vomit, or manure, associated with their presence.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - Grunt|D=25|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Archive:Bungie.net/Halo 3: ODST: Field Guide#Enemies}}


==Homeworld==
====Subtypes====
{{Main|Balaho}}
Some Unggoy, commonly seen among bands of [[Covenant remnants|Covenant remnant]] forces in the mid 2550s, have exoskeletons that cover only patches on their bodies, leaving most of their skin exposed; the paucity of chitin means that the elbow and knee spikes of these individuals are less pronounced.{{Ref/Reuse|THB 5.9.12}} Unlike other Unggoy, which have a chitinous protrusion that covers the groin and posterior, these Unggoy are unarmored in this area, exposing their primate-like buttocks.<ref>[http://mcfarlane.com/toys/media.aspx?product_id=4573&type=photo&file=halo4s1_stormgrunt_photo_03_dp.jpg '''McFarlane Toys''': ''Halo 4 Storm Grunt'']</ref> Their necks are also several times longer than normal (Unggoy typically have almost non-existent necks) and their heads are set farther forward; folds of loose skin hang down from their necks and chins, likely due to the relative lack of chitin.  Their eyes are reddish orange and feature black, cross-shaped pupils, unlike the solid red or yellow eyes of their kin. Their mouths are set farther inward and house larger, more pointed teeth. These specimens have much stouter legs and have longer and thinner fingernails than the rest of the species, and they possess claws meant for climbing and digging<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 39''</ref> on their feet instead of the more common hoof-like digits. What sets these Unggoy apart—morphologically speaking—is that they are sourced from specific breeding zones. This indicates either prolonged genetic drift in [[Wikipedia:Refugium (population biology)|refugia populations]] or induced selection.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postst248247p37_Catalog-Interaction.aspx '''Halo Waypoint Forums''': ''Catalog Interaction'' (post 248247)]</ref> In any case, such morphological variation can be likened to the differences among Earth's dog breeds.{{Ref/Reuse|THB 5.9.12}}
The homeworld of the Grunts [[Balaho]] is a cold, swampy planet with a methane atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire. The cold nature of their planet makes them highly covet of any source of warmth and light they can find, mainly due to the blue death. <ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''.</ref>
 
===Reproduction===
Unggoy breed prodigiously, with large egg clutches and short childhood periods.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} Unggoy spend their childhood in a larval stage.<ref>[[Halo Infinite]]</ref> Adulthood is reached between the ages of 5 and 8 years.{{Ref/Reuse|LoO}} This combined with the large number of young per clutch, which could range from 5 to 12 Unggoy,{{Ref/Reuse|LoO}} and rapid sensory-motor integration development was one of the primary reasons why the Covenant cleverly used the breeding habits of the Unggoy to their advantage in battle, deploying the Unggoy as cannon fodder—this would play a key-role in their war against humanity. Overpopulation is a serious problem and in non-war times, strict laws are placed on Unggoy breeding.{{Ref/Reuse|ch150}}
 
Unggoy do value their ties to their offspring, but are usually separated from their families at an early age by the requirements of military service to the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} They resent this greatly, but because of their low social status in the Covenant, they are unable to muster any response.
 
===Lifespan===
 
Unggoy possess a long life-span. [[Yapyap]] was 121 years old in 2559.<ref>[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]</ref>
 
==Culture==
[[File:Ancient Grunts.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ancient Unggoy being reseeded on [[Balaho]] by [[Forerunner]] machinery.]]
Although the Unggoy culture has been largely wiped out as a result of constant indoctrination by the Covenant, they do retain a degree of their cultural identity as a result of their inherent tenacity. Of what is known, the Unggoy generally live in small, tribal societies which are typically defined as being matriarchal.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} Unggoy family structure is polyamorous, with several male and female Unggoy living together.<ref name="LoO">'''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''', ''chapter ??''</ref> On Balaho, Unggoy had to constantly produce food to ensure that they had enough stocked during the planet's winter seasons. On a near-daily basis, the corpses of those that succumbed to Balaho's plagues had to be burned to further prevent infections. Both of these problems were solved when the Unggoy were discovered by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} Unggoy universally agree that their species is embodied by three pillars: ruggedness, agility, and lethality.{{Ref/Reuse|buzz}} The wise [[Ang'napnap the Enlightened]], the charismatic [[Awlphhum Who Became Tolerable]], and the strategist [[Yayep the Archdeacon of Indolence]] are revered as historical heroes by the Unggoy.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/haze-of-glory '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Haze of Glory'']</ref>
 
Many Unggoy are interested in [[human]] culture. During their service with the Covenant, Unggoy enjoyed trading human communication files, such as [[Wikipedia:Soap opera|soap operas]] and [[Wikipedia:Sitcom|sitcoms]], through their own [[black market]].{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} Unggoy often gamble with each other and often play games; one in particular, [[hunting rock]], involves two Unggoy competing to kill the most [[scrub grub]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''pages 89-90''</ref> Unggoy were also known to take recreational narcotics called [[infusion]]s by adding them to their portable methane tanks.{{Ref/Reuse|ch150}}<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''pages 186-187''</ref> The chemical [[Wikipedia:Benzene|benzene]], referred to as "Lovely lung gold" and a "sacred aromatic", is also considered a recreational drug by Unggoy.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 237''</ref>


[[Image:BestiarumGrunt.jpg|250px|right|thumb|A Grunt, as depicted in the Bestiarum.]]
===Role within the Covenant===
Since their natural environment is methane-filled, they have to carry tanks of methane in their environment suits to breathe. Without this breathing apparatus, they will suffocate in an atmosphere which is made up of gases they are unable to breath.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref> They have also been seen inhabiting large [[Methane Tank|environment domes]] that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe while not in armor<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 60</ref> or restocking their methane reserves at [[Battlefield Methane Tank]]s. Grunts also have high-pitched and squeaky voices, possibly due to acclimation to prolonged methane gas exposure. These voices are commonly regarded as humorous by other races.
{{Quote|But they are among the Covenant's most devoted seekers after the Great Journey, sacrificing themselves in great numbers on the battlefield, so prolific that more always seem ready to throw themselves under the altar of war.|From the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]]'s ''[[Notes on the History of the Covenant]]'', referring to the Unggoy<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 187''</ref>}}
Believed to be rather unintelligent by the [[San'Shyuum]], Unggoy were generally forced to serve in laboring positions or deployed into battle as cannon fodder. During engagements, they were often deployed as the first wave of attack in ground campaigns or Unggoy were deployed in high numbers to undertake various types of operations.{{Ref/Reuse|waypointarticle}} Most Unggoy that served aboard Covenant [[warship]]s were tasked with monitoring human communications, leading to most members of the species having a better grasp on [[English]] than other species.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} The [[lower districts]] of [[High Charity]] housed a massive Unggoy population;<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 261''</ref> the Unggoy-inhabited portion of the districts was methane-rich so the Unggoy did not require [[methane tank]]s to breathe.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 149''</ref>


Grunts also have thick, luminescent, light-blue blood,<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 27</ref> possibly a result of methane-based binding proteins in the blood to facilitate methane-based respiration.  
The Unggoy's lowly position within the Covenant was based on racial bias rather than the species' inherent abilities.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} The Unggoy were not represented on the Covenant [[High Council]] but were instead vetted by the [[Ministry of Concert]], albeit poorly.{{Ref/Reuse|ch150}} The Unggoy were mistreated by nearly every client species of the Covenant, except the [[Huragok]]. They were often treated as second-class citizens within Covenant society.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} The Unggoy had a particularly tense relationship with the [[Kig-Yar]], a race only ranked slightly higher in the Covenant hierarchy. Despite both species holding similar standings, the Kig-Yar were granted more independence and often favored over the Unggoy by other individuals in the Covenant. Unggoy were expected to revere [[Sangheili]] as the near-divine protectors of the San'Shyuum, however many Unggoy despised the Sangheili for mistreating their race.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''pages 35-36'' (2010 edition)</ref> While they were essentially a [[Slavery|slave race]], the Unggoy have managed to largely retain their cultural identities, and have [[Unggoy Rebellion|rebelled in the past]] [[Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience|more than once]]. Before the Unggoy Rebellion of [[2462]], Unggoy were not given the right to use weapons in battle. When the rebellion proved to the Sangheili that Unggoy could be determined and competent fighters, they were given better training and weaponry, and integrated into formerly Sangheili-only units. Within the Unggoy community there is a general strong hatred of the other Covenant species, due to the fear they face. This causes many Unggoy to believe that someday a dynamic grunt will lead them to freedom on a methane-rich paradise world.<ref>[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]</ref>


Furthermore, Grunts are known for their frequent naps, even sleeping in high-risk combat environments, sometimes even in open daylight or immediately after an enemy has retreated.<ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''</ref> Whether this is a product of their methane-based metabolism is unknown.
Unggoy generally followed a few short, simple guidelines given to them by the Sangheili; for example, "''When in doubt, shoot''" or "''Stay out of the way, live another day''".<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 162'' (2010 edition)</ref> Despite being held in low regard by the Covenant, many Unggoy were strong followers of the [[Covenant religion]] and the Great Journey. Their [[Deacon]]s would often hold sermons onboard ships to boost the morale and teach the Unggoy onboard about the Covenant. For instance, a Deacon named [[Dadab]] gave sermons and taught the Unggoy on board a [[Jiralhanae]] [[Rapid Conversion|cruiser]] about the Covenant and its religion. The Jiralhanae allowed Dadab these teachings because they believed that it would help the Unggoy become more competent and helpful.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 226''</ref>
{{Listen|title=Example 1 of Unggoy speech
|filename=Grunt look lngtme8.ogg}}


Their [[Balaho|home planet]] was nearly glassed during the [[Grunt Rebellion]].
===Language===
Their native language is composed of dog-like barks, squeaks, and grunts. Though largely unintelligible to most humans, translation software is able to decipher the meanings of these.<ref>''[[Conversations from the Universe]]''</ref> The word "Unggoy" itself is not a word from their vocabulary, rather, it is the Sangheili name for their species.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 191''</ref> Unggoy are also fully capable of speaking a variety of human languages, a fact in which they take great pride.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}


== Rank ==
===Naming conventions===
[[Image:Grunts Pack.jpg|150px|left|thumb|A Pack of [[Grunt Minor]]s and [[Grunt Major]]s.]]
{{Listen|title=Example 2 of Unggoy speech
[[Image:Grunt.jpg|thumb|right|100px|A Minor Grunt without his mask, showing the species' sharp teeth.]]
|filename=Grunt look lngtme11.ogg}}
=== Overall ===
Unggoy often have names which reflect a language of very simple phonics. Common names, such as [[Yayap]] and [[Dadab]], begin with a reduplicated consonant and consist of two syllables. Other names typically consist of a single syllable with clusters of consonants, such as "[[Flim]]". Some exceptions have occurred of which a name has more consonants than is usual while following the first method of naming, as in [[Kwassass]]. Often, their names are palindromes, such as [[Zawaz]].
The Grunts are the lowest tier of the [[Covenant]] rank hierarchy and, with a few exceptions, are bitter rivals with [[Jackal]]s as they are both on the bottom of the social hierarchy<ref>In the Halo novels, the narrators emphasize this point and the game dialog in general also suggests this but in [[Halo 2]] a [[Jackal]] and Grunt are seen sharing a fire just prior to their noticing [[Master Chief]] and [[ODST]]s land</ref> and from a political and military standpoint, are expected to obey the commands of [[Elites]] without hesitation. This unwavering faithfulness is enforced by the threat of punishment, although on the battlefield, such social protocols are often ignored, where as the Grunt will run in fear as to seeing the [[Master Chief]] or the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] <ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref>


The Grunts are subdivided into sub-rankings, lower-ranked Grunts are typically poor combatants, while higher-ranked Grunts may be formidable adversaries in combat and even show signs of leadership capability as well as bravery. In groups they can be deadly, especially if they have an [[Elite]] commander.
The Sangheili did not permit the Unggoy to retain family names during their service in the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC143}} Instead, they formally identified themselves by the names and birthplaces of famous patriarchs within their family. This patriarch could be the Unggoy's uncle, grandfather, or even a mythical [[Wikipedia:Pater familias|paterfamilias]] that was revered by their ancestors. An example of this identification method would be "''Yayap, son of [[Pum]]. Of Balaho's blasted scablands.''"{{Ref/Reuse|ch307}} Following the end of the Human-Covenant war, individual Unggoy serving under the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction]] have begun to use family names to identify themselves, such as [[Dimkee Hotay]].


<br clear="all"><br />
==Homeworld and colonies==
{{Main|Balaho}}
[[File:H2A Terminals - Balaho.jpg|250px|thumb|Balaho, the Unggoy homeworld.]]
The Unggoy homeworld of [[Balaho]] is a temperate, swampy planet with a [[methane]] atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire. The planet is orbited by two [[natural satellite]]s: [[Buwan]] and [[Padpad]]. A cold planet, temperatures on Balaho range from -33&nbsp;°C to 5&nbsp;°C (-27&nbsp;°F to 41&nbsp;°F).{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}} The cold season of their planet makes them highly covet any source of warmth and light they can find, mainly due to the "[[Blue Death|blue death]]".{{Ref/Reuse|goo237}} The planet is still in process of recovery from a global ecological collapse before the activation of the Halo Array due to over-industrialization caused by the Unggoy at the time.{{Ref/Reuse|Bestiarum}}


=== Rank Structure ===
Since their natural environment has a methane atmosphere, Unggoy require [[methane tank]]s and breathing apparatus with them whenever they travel into areas without high levels of methane in the air. Since all the other races of the [[Covenant]] (as well as [[human]]ity) breathe [[oxygen]], the Unggoy find themselves wearing breathing masks more often than not.<ref name="Flood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page ???''</ref> They sometimes inhabit large [[Atmosphere pit|environment domes]] that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe while not in armor,<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 60''</ref> while those in military service often restock their methane reserves at [[methane recharge station|battlefield recharge station]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 303''</ref> Unggoy have high-pitched and squeaky voices, possibly due to the different resonating properties of methane gas.
 
Unggoy populations also inhabit colonies of the former [[Covenant]]; a number of such worlds have fallen under the control of the [[Banished]]. On Balaho, the harsh environment of the planet typically weeds out psychologically aberrant individuals. On more hospitable worlds, however, Unggoy populations are able to grow without this natural culling process. The Banished take advantage of this, drawing psychotic and fanatical Unggoy specimens from these colonies to serve in their [[Suicide Unggoy|suicide squads]].<ref name="CFI96">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/the-art-of-war-s '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder Issue 96 - THE ART OF WAR(S)'']</ref>
 
==Military structure==
===Ranks===
{| cellpadding="5" border="1" style="clear: both;"
! '''Rank'''
! '''Image'''
! '''Description'''
|-
! colspan="3"|'''Unggoy Leaders'''


Grunts have several classes, which are easily identifiable by the color of their armor:
{{clear}}
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" width: 100%; border: 1px solid #999; margin: 0; ont-size: 95%; background-color: #000; ext-align: center; order-collapse: collapse;
|-
|-
| '''Rank''' || '''Image''' || '''Description'''
|'''[[Unggoy Imperial]]'''
|[[File:UnggoyImperial.png|80px]]
|The Unggoy Imperial rank is a rank that is mostly comprised of veteran Unggoy that served in the Human-Covenant war. They often will lead groups of Unggoy Storms into battle, and are sometimes accompanied by Unggoy Heavies.
 
|-
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Leaders'''
|'''[[Unggoy Ultra]]'''
|[[File:Halo Reach - Unggoy.png|80px]]
[[File:Halo2AnniversaryUnggoyUltra.jpg|80px]]
| These Unggoy serve as field commanders to their comrades, and wear distinctive white-lilac armor (reminiscent of the [[Sangheili Ultra]]s). While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked Unggoy, they have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. They are stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenades]] often, and wear heavier armor and a helmet that is required to be shot off first before an enemy can headshot them.
|-
|-
! colspan="3"|'''Grunt Specialists'''
|-
|-
| '''[[Grunt Ultra]]''' || [[Image:Grunt Ultra H3.jpg|60px]] || [[Grunt]]s that appear to be field [[commander]]s for other [[Grunt]]s, and wear distinctive pearlescent white armor reminiscent of the [[Ultra Elite]]s. While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked [[Grunt]]s (besides [[Special Operations Grunt]]s, who are of a different jurisdiction), they have no control whatsoever over the other [[Covenant]] races. [[Grunt Ultra]]s are also stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw [[Plasma Grenades]] often, and have heavier armor, making them able to sustain more damage than most other [[Grunt]]s. They very rarely run, and, when present, other Grunts do not run either. [[Grunt Ultra]]s mostly sided with the [[Covenant Separatists]].
|'''[[Unggoy Ranger]]'''
|[[File:UnggoyRanger.png|80px]]
|A specialized group of Unggoy fully trained and armored for extra-vehicular activity.
 
|-
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Specialists'''
|'''[[Special Operations Unggoy]]'''
|[[File:HReach - SpecOps Unggoy.png|80px]]
[[File:Halo2AnniversarySpecialOperationUnggoy-Needler.jpg|80px]]
[[File:Halo2AnniversarySpecialOperationUnggoyUltra.jpg|80px]]
|These Unggoy are experienced and specially-chosen, usually commanded by the [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations Sangheili]], and are given distinctive jet-black armor. They are part of the [[Covenant Special Operations]] division of the [[Special Warfare Group]]. Just like the special operations Sangheili, they are able to use [[active camouflage]]. They are extremely skilled in warfare compared to their lower-ranked counterparts, and won't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They usually can be seen wielding fuel rod guns, and throw plasma grenades with great accuracy. Though some of them chose to side with the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]] during the Great Schism many remained within the Jiralhanae-led units loyal to the Prophets, wearing white armor similar to the Unggoy Ultra. Though Special Operation Unggoy Minors and Majors have no armor distinction (both wearing a jet-black or dark purple Combat Harness) Special Operation Unggoy Ultras are distinguished from their Unggoy Ultra counterparts by how their combat harnesses feature the 2-pronged methane tank, while other Unggoy Ultras feature the standard white point-tank version.
|-
|-
| '''[[Special Operations Grunt]]''' || [[Image:Spec-Ops grunt.gif]] || Experienced and specially-chosen Grunts that wear distinctive jet-black armor and are commanded by [[Special Operations Elite]]s. They are part of the [[Covenant Special Operations]] division of the [[Covenant Separatists]] [[Special Warfare Group]]. They also have an [[Active Camouflage]]. [[Special Operations Grunt]]s are extremely skilled in warfare compared to the Grunt species, and don't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They are sometimes seen wielding [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s, and they throw [[Plasma Grenade]]s more often than lesser Grunt ranks, as well as throwing them more accurately. Almost all, if not all of the [[Special Operations Grunt]]s sided with the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] and [[Covenant Separatists]] during the [[Covenant Civil War]], although some were seen during the [[Battle of Installation 00]].
|'''[[Unggoy Heavy]]'''
|[[File:H4-UnggoyHeavy.png|80px]]
[[File:HReach - Heavy Unggoy.png|80px]]
|Heavies are specialized Unggoy that wear green colored armor and are often deployed for defensive actions.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref> Their primary purposes are to deploy plasma cannons and man them, although they are occasionally seen wielding fuel rod guns, plasma rifles, and even Spikers.
|-
|-
| '''[[Grunt Heavy]]''' || [[Image:Heavy grunt.gif]] || Specialized Grunts wearing green armor often deployed in defensive actions<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Gravemind (Level)]]''</ref> whose primary purposes are to deploy [[Plasma Cannon]]s and man them, but occasionally wield [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s as well. Additionally, they also have been seen operating/driving [[Ghost]] vehicles and [[Shade|Shades]].
! colspan="3"|'''Grunt Infantry'''
|-
|-
| colspan=3 | '''Grunt Infantry'''
|'''[[Unggoy Major]]'''
|[[File:HReach-GruntMajor.png|100px]]
|Majors are more experienced than Unggoy Minors, and wear crimson colored armor. They command several Unggoy Minors and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous, though this difference is not always substantial.
 
|-
|-
| '''[[Grunt Major]]''' || [[Image:Major grunt.gif]] || Veteran Grunts that wear crimson armor. They sometimes command several [[Grunt Minor]]s and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous than [[Grunt Minor]]s, though this difference is not always substantial.  
|'''[[Unggoy Storm]]'''
|[[File:H5G-Render-Grunt.png|100px]]
|Storm Grunts are specialized shock troops.
|-
|-
| '''[[Grunt Minor]]''' || [[Image:Minor grunt.gif]] || The lowest-ranked Grunts, these wear orange armor. They are often the least dangerous and most cowardly, and are often inaccurate marksmen. When their commanding [[Elite]] or [[Brute]] is killed, they will often break formation and flee. It is to be noted that Grunts under the command of [[Brute]]s are substantially more agressive.
|'''[[Unggoy Minor]]'''
|[[File:H2A Unggoy.png|80px]]
|Unggoy Minors are the lowest ranking Unggoy. They wear orange colored armor and are often the least dangerous, most cowardly, and inaccurate marksmen of all the Unggoy. When their commanding officer is killed, they routinely break formation and flee; however, they will regroup and start firing at their target again. As is fitting for Jiralhanae behavior, Unggoy under the command of the Jiralhanae are substantially more aggressive.
|}
|}


=== Other titles and roles ===
[[Deacon]]ship is the only position open to the Unggoy in the [[Ministry of Tranquility]]. Unlike many other roles available to the Unggoy, this rank does not often involve combat or hard manual labor, though they have been known to carry around [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistols]] and [[Type-33 Needler|Needler]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 50''</ref>


==== Other ranks ====
Some Unggoy are also known to serve as merchants and are well-respected in the Covenant hierarchy. During the [[Ascension (ceremony)|ascension]] ceremony of the Covenant's last triumvirate of [[Hierarchs]], a [[Yanme'e]] [[Yanme'e Queen|queen]], Kig-Yar Shipmasters, and Unggoy traders were present. It was also said that their harnesses were adorned with large jewels.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 381''</ref>


'''[[Deacon]]''': The only position open to the Grunts that doesn't involve combat or hard manual labour, possibly meaning it is the lowest position on the [[Covenant]] hierarchy. But as seen in [[Halo: Contact Harvest]] the [[Deacon]] ordered around other Unggoy whenever it came to matter of religion.
While regular Unggoy infantry occasionally choose to employ [[suicide attack]]s out of desperation, the Covenant were also known to purposefully assign [[Suicide Unggoy|select fanatical Unggoy squads]] to use such attacks as their primary offensive tactic against the enemy.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 350''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Exodus]]''</ref> The [[Banished]] later adopted similar tactics.{{Ref/Reuse|CFI96}}


'''Curl-Back Grunts''': In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], there was an alternate suit for the Grunt Infantry. It was a slightly larger mask that covered more of the face and a methane tank that curled upwards instead of sticking out. The reason for this is unknown, as this variation is only seen in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]]. It is possible that the curl-back design would denote that the wearer was a [[Grunt Heavy]]. This could have been used before an actual rank and suit were made for the [[Grunt Heavy|Heavies]]. This is supported by the fact that most [[Shade|Turrets]] in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] are controlled by curl-backs (on higher difficulties), and that there are screenshots depicting them on turrets in [[Halo Wars]]. Also some people think that the methane tanks on the "Curl-Back Grunts" could have not been refilled unlike the other grunts' methane tanks in the Halo series. Thid curl-back design could also be a type of out-dated suit that was slowly being removed from the Grunt military.
The [[Heretic Unggoy]] followed their [[Sangheili]] organizers in [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|a rebellion]] against the Covenant's Prophets. They started as members of an artifact retrieval group led by the Sangheili [[Sesa 'Refumee]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref>
[[Image:gruntybomb.PNG|150px|right|thumb|A [[Kamikaze Grunt]] charging his [[Human|foes]].]]


== Combat ==
[[Unggoy jockey|Jockeys]] operate Unggoy-manufactured {{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} [[Powered exoskeleton|battlesuits]] or other vehicles,{{Ref/Reuse|buzz}} such as {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s or {{Pattern|Karo'wark|Ghost}}s.
=== Weaponry ===
Grunts are often armed with the ubiquitous [[Plasma Pistol]], although they are sometimes seen wielding [[Needler]]s and [[Plasma Rifle]]s. Grunts are never seen equipped with two-handed weapons like [[Covenant Carbine]]s, [[Brute Shot]]s, [[Energy Sword]]s, etc. Gunner Grunts can carry folded [[Plasma cannons]] and [[SpecOps Grunt|Special Operations]] and Gunner Grunts are occasionally seen bearing [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s. In [[Halo 3]], they can be seen carrying [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]s with one arm but they use both hands most of the time since it is such a powerful weapon, as well as the [[Plasma Cannon]], but they do not use them in that manner, and instead they run and try to find a place to put it so they can get out of the fight quicker. On [[The Storm]] and [[The Ark]], a Grunt can be seen with a [[Brute Spiker]]. On [[The Ark]], it is a [[Grunt Heavy]] that is walking alone on the top of the tunnel which the [[Human]] vehicles, including 3 [[Scorpion Tanks]], come out of just before the [[Scarab]] battle.


All Grunts are equipped and often use [[Plasma Grenade]]s and sometimes [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|Spike Grenades]], although [[Ultra Grunt]]s, [[Special Operations Grunt]]s and [[Major Grunt]]s throw grenades in combat more often, and they throw a lot of them.  [[Special Operations Grunts]] also use [[Fuel Rod Guns]] in combat. They have been known to "'nade spam" Plasma Grenades on the [[Legendary]] level of difficulty, which means that in a group of 10 Grunts, as many as 8 of them will throw [[Plasma Grenade]]s, one after the other, making them annoying and cheap-shot enemies. In [[Halo 3]], Grunts who are startled or possibly see their allies get killed, will arm 2 [[Plasma Grenade]]s and rush to the player, causing a nicely sized explosion after a few seconds. This is an action of desperation or fear, and Grunts using this choice of action are preferably "last-minute Kamikaze". If there are more than one charging at you, shoot the first one; as the other Grunts run past, the dead Grunt's grenades will detonate, killing the rest. As mentioned earlier, most Grunts are inaccurate shooters, with the exception of [[Ultra Grunt]]s and [[Special Operations Grunt]]s, which pose more of a threat with their very accurate marksmanship and their tendency to throw grenades accurately. They are never limited in skill when using heavy duty weapons either.
Post-war, many Unggoy were forced into or joined the [[Banished]] mercenary faction. During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], [[Unggoy Conscript]]s, [[Unggoy Assault]]s, and [[Unggoy Mule]]s were utilized. Similar to their roles in the Covenant and its remnants, they were used as simple foot soldiers and cannon fodder.


The weapon most commonly used by Grunts seems to be the [[Plasma Pistol]], however, the [[Needler]] is a close second. Grunts prefer [[Needlers]] over [[Plasma Pistol]]s and [[Plasma Rifles]], the standard weapons issued to them. A [[Grunt]] will usually resent being given a weaker weapon in place of the one they are currently wielding, and this will cause the Grunt to get very upset; they will pound their "fists" on the ground in a temper tantrum and might say something opposed to switching out the weapon. For example, if you give a Grunt a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] it will say "me not worthy" and bow. This comical behavior can also be associated with impatience or excitement.  
==Gameplay==
{{Main|Unggoy/Gameplay}}
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
Overall, the Unggoy in gameplay are very weak in combat; often fleeing when their leader has been killed. However, in larger numbers, they can be more of a threat, especially in higher difficulties. If their leader is killed, Unggoy may sometimes activate two plasma grenades and rush to the player in an attempt to suicide-bomb them.


On the level [[Uprising]], Grunt teammates can be equipped with the [[Human]] [[Rocket Launcher]], but the size of the [[Rocket Launcher]] shrinks a little.
In ''Halo Wars'', the Unggoy serves as the main infantry unit, serving as the Covenant equivalent to the Marine. They start with a plasma pistol and three in each squad, but they can be upgraded to wield needlers.


A single Grunt is also seen using an [[Assault Rifle]] in the [[Halo Graphic Novel]].
A melee attack can kill a Grunt instantly, so when you face no more than 5 of them, don't waste your ammo and just punch them. For large groups use the Gravity Hammer, unless the catch skull is on meaning you have to stay outside their range, as even in close-range the Grunts will not hesitate to spam-grenades at the enemy.
==Overall in Combat==
All in all, the Grunt can use any sort of weapon that is designed to be help in one hand and can also use heavy artillery weapons, such as the [[Fuel Rod Gun]]. So, on higher difficulties, the Grunt can prove to be a dangerous asset to the Player and his/her allies.


=== Turrets/Vehicles===
==Trivia==
[[Image:grunt-turret.jpg|thumb|right|A Grunt Minor using a plasma turret on board a [[Scarab]].]]In Halo: Combat Evolved, Minor and Major Grunts are the primary operators of the stationary [[Shade]] turrets, although the turrets are open to use by other races if a turret is vacant. In ''[[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]]'', it is the specific task of [[Gunner Grunt]]s to man [[Plasma Cannons]] or [[Shielded Plasma Turret]]s, yet if no [[Gunner Grunt]]s are available, [[Minor Grunt|Minor]] or [[Major Grunt]]s will often man the turret instead.
{{Other languages
 
|fr={{Tooltip|''Les Grunts''|(Anglicism)}} in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.<br>
In both ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', if a turret operator is killed, nearby Grunts will move to man the unmanned cannon.
{{Tooltip|''Les Grognards''|The Grunts}} in all media since ''Halo 2''.
 
|es={{Tooltip|''Los peones''|The Grunts}} in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.<br>
Grunts are also surprisingly capable with vehicles, and can man a variety of [[Covenant]] ground vehicles:
{{Tooltip|''Los Grunts''|(Anglicism)}} in all media since ''Halo 2''.
 
}}
*[[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]] (''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'')
{{Linkbox|quote=yes|gallery=yes}}
*[[Shadow]] (Seen in ''[[Halo 2 E3 Demo]]'', have animation but not used in ''[[Halo 2]]'')<ref>http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive24.pl?read=698700</ref>
*In [[wikipedia:Tagalog|Tagalog]] and [[Wikipedia:Filipino language|Filipino]], ''Unggoy ''means "monkey". [https://translate.google.com/?source=dict-chrome-ex&q=unggoy&sl=tl&tl=en&text=unggoy&op=translate]
*[[Shade]] (''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 3]]'')
*In real life, "''Grunt''" is a slang military term for infantrymen.<ref>[[Wikipedia:Grunt|''Grunt'' on '''Wikipedia''']]</ref>
*[[Shielded Plasma Cannon]] (''[[Halo 2]]'')
*The Unggoy were ranked #5 in Game Informer's "''Top 5 Video Game Punching Bags''" list.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/blogs/members/b/8_bit_ike_blog1/archive/2010/03/03/top-five-video-game-punching-bags.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Top five video game punching bags.'']</ref>
*[[Plasma Cannon]] (''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Halo 3]]'')
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', there is a chance that a female Army trooper will say that she heard someone said grunts taste like lobster.
*[[Heavy Machine Gun]]
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Unggoy voices were changed. Instead of their original high-pitched and squeaky voices, they sound more deep and mechanical, possibly because of their breathing apparatus. However, they are still being voiced by [[Joseph Staten]].<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=25654 Bungie.net : Bungie Weekly Update 4.16.10]</ref>
*[[Chopper]] ([[Halo 3]])
*In ''Halo: Reach'', if an Unggoy's [[methane tank]] is shot or meleed it may fall off, causing the gas to launch said Unggoy into the air and eventually explode. Many players consider this a great hazard, especially on higher difficulties.
 
*The redesigned Unggoy that appear in ''Halo 4'' bear a great deal of resemblance to the [[gearsofwar:Wretch|wretches]] from the ''Gears of War'' series.
=== Combating Grunts ===
*The Grunt appeared in [[Wikipedia:Konami|Konami]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Super Bomberman R|Super Bomberman R]]'' as one of the three exclusive characters in the Xbox One version. He is known as Grunt Bomber, a specie of the Covenant from Planet Halo. He is a speed typed bomber and his special ability is the [[Plasma Pistol]].
Grunts are possibly the most commonly encountered enemy in the series, with possible exception of [[Flood]] [[Infection Forms]], but Grunts are lightly armored and lack any form of additional shielding. In battle, they are easily dispatched by most weapons. Weapons such as the [[M6D Pistol]] and [[BR55 Battle Rifle]] are very effective in executing head-shots. Like many other unshielded enemies, a single headshot from any gun on any difficulty will kill them (though there are some guns that for reasons unknown cannot execute headshots). Grunts are also easily killed with brief bursts of automatic fire from weapons such as the [[MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]], [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|SMG]], and the [[Plasma Rifle]]. If just out of melee range, the player may fire a quick burst, as the Grunt reels from the hit, the player can melee the Grunt. Some players prefer to melee Grunts to death, and save ammo for [[Brutes]], [[Elites]], and any other foe. [[Ultra Grunt|Ultra]] and [[Special Operations Grunt]]s have stronger body armor and can withstand more damage than lower-ranking Grunts. Melee attacks generally kill [[Grunt]]s in one or two blows. They can prove to be stealthy choices of action when clearing out sleeping Grunts, especially if you are wanting to avoid detection. In [[Halo 3]], an attack will sometimes blow off the flimsy cover of a Grunts methane tank, and may rupture the tank inside. The respirator can also be knocked off. This is fatal after a certain amount of time, but they will continue to fight. A leakage of methane gas can turn a situation perilous in the presence of a flame.
**He also appears in [[Wikipedia:Epic Games|Epic Games]] and [[Wikipedia:Mediatonic|Mediatonic]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Fall Guys|Fall Guys]]'' as one of the characters in the Spartan Showdown event.
 
*In ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Unggoy can be seen carrying [[Type-57 Carbine]]s for the first time in the first cutscene of Mission 12 Battle of Sunaion.
Because Grunts often fight in tight formations, [[Grenades]] and [[Rocket Launcher|Rockets]] can be used to great effect. However, when stuck with [[Plasma Grenade]]s, Grunts will panic and start running in random directions, posing a threat to both the player and the ally.
 
===Suicide Grunts===
 
A '''Suicide Grunt'''<ref>[[Halo 3: The Official Guide]], page 30</ref> is like a "berserk" mode for the Unggoy in ''[[Halo 3]]''. Occasionally, an Unggoy will prime one [[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|Plasma Grenade]] in each hand while screaming in rage and charge towards enemy forces. You can sometimes hear them scream, "For the [[Great Journey]]!" which is an indication that they deeply believe and follow the [[Prophets]] and the [[Covenant]] religion. They can also be heard shouting cries in their [[Balaho|native language]]. This mode can be achieved by any Unggoy, so it is most likely a parallel to the [[Brute]] berserk mode, though they do not do it nearly as often as [[Brutes]] do. It tends to happen mostly when their [[Brute|leader]] is slain.


====Combat====
==Gallery==
Suicide Grunts can be dangerous if not taken care of quickly. To locate and avoid being killed by them it is advisable to take the following three precautions. First, keep an eye out for them - they are usually quite easy to spot since they have a blue glow on each side of them. Second, listen for the Kamikaze Grunts' distinctive screams. This is helpful when you are not using your [[Motion Tracker]]. Finally, do not wait for them to explode on their own. Once the Grunt is killed, the [[Plasma Grenade|grenades]] will fall to the ground and detonate, destroying anything in the blast radius of the [[Plasma Grenade|grenades]]. This can often be used to your advantage. If there are enemies near by, they may be caught in the blast radius. Be careful though, for the explosion may set off stray [[Plasma Grenade|grenades]] lying around on the floor. Often Kamikaze Grunts can be a threat if you are sniping and don't hear the screams. Often, these Kamikaze Grunts' are, on higher difficulties, lower ranks, such as the [[Grunt Minor]]. It is unknown as to why this is, possibly the fact being that higher ranking Grunts on higher difficulties can prove to be even more dangerous when they don't Kamikaze you and simply use the weapons and tactics they already have, or maybe the lower ranking Grunts do this thinking that this is their only chance of stopping the player from advancing any further.
<gallery>
File:HCE GruntFace_Concept.png|Concept art of an Unggoy's face for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:HCE Grunt_Concept_1.png|Concept art of Unggoy.
File:HCE Grunt_Concept_2.png|More concept art of Unggoy.
File:Grunt Comparisons.jpg|A comparison among Unggoy in the ''Halo'' Trilogy and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:CE Cutout GruntCurlback.png|A cutout of an Unggoy Major in ''Halo: CE''.
File:HCE - GruntArmorVariant.png|Armor variants for the Unggoy in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Halo2-GruntMinor-EarlyRender2.jpg|An Unggoy without his mask in the ''Halo 2 Official Strategy Guide'', showing the species' sharp teeth which make them slightly intimidating.
File:Heretic grunts.jpg|A Heretic Unggoy, clad in unique gold armor, with a Needler in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Halo2-GruntMinor.png|An Unggoy Minor in ''Halo 2''.
File:Succor.JPG|A cylindrical-backed Unggoy as seen in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
File:Halo-3-20061220042119414.jpg|A [[Brute Captain]] leads a pack of Unggoy in the Earth bunker [[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]] in an early build of ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3 A lone grunt.jpg|An Unggoy in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Unggoy maskless face.jpeg|The face of an Unggoy Minor.
File:H3_Scarab_GruntGunner.jpg|An Unggoy Minor firing a plasma turret on board a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]].
File:HW_Blur_Grunt_Concept.jpg|Concept art of an Unggoy for the Blur cinematics in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW_Grunt_CinematicModel_Render_1.jpg|An unused cinematic model of a Grunt developed for ''Halo Wars'', back when the game was intended to have in-engine cinematics.
File:COVENANT Grunt.jpg|Another look at the ''Halo Wars'' cinematic model.
File:Halo Wars Grunt.jpg|A cinematic model of an Unggoy in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Covenant grunt.gif|In-game model of an Unggoy squad in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HaloLegends-GruntswithPlasmaRifles.png|Unggoy single and dual-wielding plasma rifles in ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''.
File:HBL-HappyGrunts.png|Three happy Unggoy Minors in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.
File:HReach - Unggoy.png|An Unggoy Minor in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:Halo Reach - Unggoy.png|An Unggoy Ultra in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HCEA-GruntMinor-crop.png|An Unggoy Minor in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:Grunt Storm face.jpg|Concept art of an Unggoy's face for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4 UnggoyAnatomy Concept.jpg|Final modelsheet concept art for the Unggoy in ''Halo 4''.
File:StormUnggoy.png|An Unggoy Storm in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2A UnggoyArmy.jpg|The Unggoy join the Covenant in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''{{'}}s [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]].
File:H2A-UnggoyMinors-Screen.jpg|Unggoy Minors in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:Chief groundpound grunts.jpg|An Unggoy Imperial and Unggoy Storm in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
File:H5G-Campfire.png|Swords of Sanghelios Unggoy Storm standing around a fire on [[Sanghelios]].
File:H5G-TrappedUnggoy.png|Unggoy trapped by [[031 Exuberant Witness]] on [[Genesis]].
File:HW2-cannon fodder 01 concept.png|Concept art of Unggoy for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2-hero grunt 01 concept.png|Concept art for an unused Unggoy cyborg for ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2B Banished Grunt unit.png|A Grunt Squad with Brute leader in the ''[[Halo Wars 2 Open Beta]].''
File:HW2-CrabUnggoy.jpg|[[Blitz]] card of one Unggoy phenotype in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-SharkUnggoy.jpg|Blitz card of another Unggoy phenotype.
File:HW2-Cryo.jpg|Blitz card of both phenotypes being frozen by [[cryo]].
File:HW2-EliteGrunts.png|Grunt squads with Elite leaders in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-BrutevsElite.png|Grunt squads led by Brutes and Elites respectively fight in ''Halo Wars 2'' multiplayer.
File:HINF Concept UnggoyCommander.jpg|Concept art of a Banished "Unggoy Commander" for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:Snapchat Monster Energy - Grunt.jpg|A Banished Unggoy on Snapchat.
File:HTV-Reckoning Grunt Taxi.png|A Kafv Unggoy attempting to drive a Warthog in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:FallGuys-GruntPanic.png|Grunt Panic emote in ''Fall Guys''.
File:Grunt bomber.jpeg|Grunt bomber description
</gallery>


== Trivia ==  
==List of appearances==
Quotes can be found here:[Unggoy/Quotes]]
{{Col-begin}}
*Despite the fact that Special Operations Grunts are the Grunts that are classically seen with [[Fuel Rod Gun]], the Fuel rod gun is first seen being carried by some air defense Grunt Majors' on the level [[Two Betrayals]].
{{Col-2}}
*In [[Halo:Combat Evolved]] when you're meleeing a sleeping Grunt, the rest of them occasionally scream as if they have spotted the enemy, even though they're still sleeping.
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*If you MOD to play as a Grunt on the level [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved Level)|Halo]] and fall off onto a cliff (onto the land below), on rare occasions, it will survive.
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''  
*Very rarely in [[Halo 2]], if you give an Unggoy a [[Fuel Rod Cannon]], the Unggoy will go insane and repetitively fire it; often killing most of the surrounding enemies, allies and eventually itself along with them, although sometimes, it will drop and take out a [[Plasma Pistol]] and cower.
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*If you give a Grunt a [[Fuel Rod Cannon]], or any other weapons that are better than the last one it had, it will dance; this is only applicable in some instances, and if you give it a worse weapon it will throw a tantrum.
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*There are three special Grunts called ''[[Talking Grunts]]'' in the Halo Series. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' on the level ''[[The Maw]]'' you can find it  while in the last bit of the level. This particular Grunt is called the ''[[Thirsty Grunt]]''.  This Grunt keeps talking about a dead friend and how he is thirsty. In addition, there is the [[Cowardly Grunt]] or 'Bouncy Grunt' on [[Halo 2]] level, [[Uprising]]. He pretty much just cowers away from you. Although he will 'bounce' like a ball if you hit him right with a [[Brute Shot]] melee.  And finally, there is the talking Grunt in [[Halo 3]] on the level, [[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Halo]], called the [[Final Grunt]]. He talks about your childhood.
*''[[Halo 2]]''
[[Image:Halo-grunt2.jpg|right|thumb|176px|A "curl-back" Grunt.]]
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*In Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines, "Unggóy" means "monkey".
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', there was a "curl-back" design for the Grunt life support system that occurred on all ranks. This variation is not in [[Halo 2]] or [[Halo 3]]. It could have been a traditional difference between male and female Grunts. Possibly a suit was made by the time of [[Halo 2]] that accommodated both genders. Another possibility is that the 'curl back' design was an older design not fully phased out by the time of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] but fully replaced by the 'shark fin' tank design by the time [[Halo 2]] took place. The differentiation between the two appearances has never been stated officially. However,in a recent [[Halo Wars]] screenshot in the January '08 issue of OXM, the "curl-back" can be seen operating a turret,which may lead to the fact that that was the old Heavy suit before they formed a color rank.
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*In ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', a group of Grunts coordinate a well timed attack against the [[Master Chief]]. A group of them dropped onto him and tried to remove his helmet while another lit a [[Plasma Grenade]]. Their goal was to drop the [[Plasma Grenade]] into the [[Master Chief|Chief]]'s suit, though they failed. This is particularly noteworthy as Grunts are typically shown as unintelligent cannon-fodder; incapable of functioning like a military unit without the presence of a higher ranked [[Covenant]] race.
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*During the [[Covenant Civil War]], Grunts, having the lowest status in [[Covenant]] society and were too afraid to openly pledge support for one side. Thus, allied Grunts in [[Halo 3]] are not present in gameplay.
**''[[Bestiarum]]''
*In the level [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]], a single Grunt is the protector of the hidden skull. This Grunt is one of the most dangerous enemies in the game because he is completely invisible and fires a [[Fuel Rod Cannon]]. Your best chance of killing him is a lucky headshot, especially by [[Covenant Carbine]] and [[Beam Rifle]].
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*Much has been made in the novels of the fact that the methane gas tanks are explosive but only [[Halo 3]] demonstrates this in-game. [[Halo Wars]] has Grunts being propelled many meters (even across maps) by exploding gas tanks.<ref>http://forums.halowars.com/Media.aspx</ref>
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*In [[Halo 3]], enemy Grunts have mottled, greenish-black skin and red eyes, giving them a more menacing, hostile appearance.
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*In [[Halo 3]], you can sometimes see Grunts walking with their hands placed on the back of their head, almost as if it was being taken hostage. This is usually seen if you kill the other enemies in the area.
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*A Grunt was seen in the announcement trailer for [[Halo 3]] on a crossing sign. This easter egg has been dubbed the "Grunt Crossing" Easter egg.
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''Monachus'' means monk. ''Frigus'' means cold, coolness, cold of winter/dullness, indolence. A rough translation would mean "Cold monk", perhaps alluding to their cold homeworld, [[Balaho]]. "Monk" can also be related to the fact that they look like monkeys, as in "Cold Monkey".
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*In [[Halo 3]], when you melee a Grunt in the back, its methane tank will pop off along with a mist of aqua-looking methane. However, no matter what the color is of the Grunt you hit, it's tank will always show as orange. Rarely, you can even melee the mask itself off, revealing their teeth. However both the tank and the mask being meleed off at the same time has  been proven.
**''[[Homecoming]]''
*If you take a Grunt's [[Plasma Pistol]] and replace it with a [[Plasma Rifle]] it will throw a tantrum, even though it is a much more useful weapon.
**''[[Origins]]''
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], Grunts wear the Grunt Symbol upon their chests. But they do not bear it in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]]. However, it is available as a player emblem for use in multiplayer matches.
**''[[Prototype]]''
*In [[Halo 3]], very rarely, brown Grunts can be seen. These are not known whether to be a rank or an alternate version of [[Minor Grunts]], or maybe even to be the new [[Special Operations Grunt]], due to the disputes of the Silver-Armored Grunts in [[Halo 3]].
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*A United States Army Infantryman is known as a 'grunt'.
**''[[The Duel]]''
*Of all the [[Covenant]] races and the [[Marines]], Grunts are the ones with more dialogue than any other species (with the exception of cut scenes).
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*Grunts look forward to primarily two things in Halo, a place to sleep and a [[Food Nipple]], which distributes food into their gullet.
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*Due to the many comical lines and humorous appearance, Grunts are popular with fans of the Halo series.
**''[[Dirt]]''
*When you are fighting the [[Flood]] and [[Covenant]] if you lead an [[Infection Form]] to a Grunt it will leap on the Grunt until they die and then hop off again, but they cannot be infected.
**''[[Headhunters]]''
*Unggoy in [[Halo 3]] are much more angry and vicious than in the previous games. A result of this anger is a suicidal attack with [[Plasma Grenade]]s.
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]'' {{Mo}}
*The only time Grunts have been known use [[Active Camo]] in the Halo games is in the [[Halo 2]] levels, [[The Arbiter (Level)]], [[The Oracle (Level)]] and the level [[Regret (level)|Regret]], They are seen in regret in a room in one of the stuctures along with camouflaged [[Elites]].
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''
*If you throw a [[Grav Lift]] under a sleeping Grunt it will float in the air, and stay asleep. When the [[Grav Lift|Lift]] cuts off it will slowly float to the ground.
**''[[The Return]]''
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] if you melee a dead Grunt blood will continue to spill out as with all other [[Covenant]] species.
**''[[Wages of Sin]]'' {{Mo}}
*Most players say that [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]] Grunts are very cute. However, almost all claim that the [[Halo 3]] Grunts are "ugly and creepy looking".
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*Sometimes, in [[Crow's Nest (Level)| Crow's Nest]], near the elevator, there is a [[Major Grunt]] without a respirator by default on [[Legendary]].
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*[[Food Nipple]]s (Grunts food source) are said to smell like moldy socks wrapped in rotting cheese.
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
*In the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'' the Grunts can be seen wearing a methane tank almost reminiscent of the original design which was never used, it is possible this is a space version of the ordinary methane tank.
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
*Even though [[Halo 3]] is said not to have the "f" word, when the [[IWHBYD]] Skull is on a Grunt will say "F*cking monkeys!".
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*The children heard shouting when a Grunt is shot in the head with the Grunt Birthday Party Skull on is from the game "Viva Pinata!".
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Mo}}
*In the book [[Halo: The Flood]], the Grunt [[Yayap]] were promoted to an [[Ultra Grunt]] after saving an [[Zuka 'Zamamee]]'s life.
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*[[Heretic Grunt]]s never flee.
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*In [[Halo 2]], when the [[Covenant Civil War]] happens some Grunts are allies and some were enemies joined with the [[Brutes]] which you can't have Grunt allies in [[Halo 3]], so maybe it means that the Grunt allies in [[Halo 2]] against the Brutes are the rebel Grunts with the [[Elites]].
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*On extremely rare occasions, sleeping Grunts will say "Mmmm, [[Jackal]] stew...".
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*Grunts, like [[Humans]], have discovered that inhaling certain fumes and/or chemicals can act as a stimulant or depressive and one of their favorites is [[Benzene]]. Benzene has been described as "lovely lung gold."<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''</ref>
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*A popular Unggoy game is [[Hunting Rock]], a game where the goal is to kill any local pest.<ref>[[Halo: Contact Harvest]] pg. 90</ref>
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[What Remains]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Breaking Strain]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Knight Takes Bishop]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
**''[[Awakening the Nightmare]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Recruit]]'' {{C|Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite: Memory Agent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
**''[[Emergence]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
**''[[Halo (TV Series)|Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireside]]''
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Whispers from the Pyre]]'' {{Mo}}
{{Col-end}}


== Sources ==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


<references />
{{Navbox/Species}}


[http://www.haloeastereggs.net/eastereggs.php?gamename=Halo%203 Halo 3 Easter Eggs]
[[Category:Unggoy| ]]
{{Covenant}}
[[Category:Sapient species]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Covenant species]]
[[Category:Covenant Species]]
[[Category:Host species]]
[[Category:Grunts]]
[[Category:Living Organisms]]
[[de:Unggoy]]

Latest revision as of 15:11, December 18, 2024

Unggoy
Kafv
Render of an Unggoy Conscript.
Ritrit
H5G-Render-Grunt.png
Zimzib
StormUnggoy.png
Biological overview

Latin name:

Monachus frigus

Classification:

Xenoarthropod

Subspecies:

Ritrit, Kafv, Zimzib

Physical information

Avg. height:

138.4 centimetres (4 ft 6.5 in)–167 centimetres (5 ft 6 in)[1]

Avg. weight:

112.6 kilograms (248 lb)–118 kilograms (260 lb)[1]

Distinctions:

Short, stocky, round-headed, endoskeletal and exoskeletal, vertebroid and arthropoidal, wrinkly skin, high-pitched voices, stubby limbs.

Avg. lifespan:

121+ years[2]

Sociocultural information

Homeworld:

Balaho

Technology level:

Native Tier 6/Adopted Tier 2[3]

Notable individuals:

Also known as:

  • Chimp
  • Crab
  • Crybaby
  • Gas-sucker
  • Grunt
  • Lobster
  • Monkey
  • Pig
  • Punk
 

"When in doubt, flee."
— Unggoy philosophy[4]

Unggoy[5] (Latin, Monachus frigus, meaning "cold monk"), also known as Grunts by many individuals, are a sapient species of squat bipedal xeno-arthropodal vertebroid lifeforms[1][6] from the planet Balaho. In 2142, the Unggoy became the fourth species to be assimilated into the Covenant. During their tenure in the hegemony, Unggoy were always the lowest-ranking species in general terms, and were frequently mistreated by members of almost every other race, especially the Kig-Yar, Jiralhanae, and Sangheili.

Unggoy were primarily used by the Covenant as laborers or—in combat situations—cannon fodder. They are commonly referred to as "Grunts", mainly because they are considered weak compared to other former Covenant species and because they performed the majority of the labor required by the empire.[7]

History[edit]

The Ark and reseeding[edit]

Unggoy are believed to have evolved from smaller amphibious primates.[1] Prior to the activation of the Halo Array, the Unggoy had managed to achieve a Tier 4 society on their homeworld, Balaho. However, the planet and the Unggoy civilization was devastated by the collapse of its biosphere due to massive global over-industrialization.[3]

The Unggoy were one of many species indexed by the Librarian for preservation on Installation 00 from the firing of the Halo Array. They were subsequently returned to their homeworld Balaho, where they began re-building their culture.[8]

Induction into the Covenant[edit]

The Unggoy join the Covenant.

In 2142, the Unggoy and their defenseless homeworld were discovered by the Covenant. Most species of the Covenant became incorporated due to faith or mutual beneficence, however the Unggoy were forced into lowly positions within the Covenant through force and aggressive conversion.[1][9] The Unggoy were quickly conquered with little resistance and were the fourth species to be inducted into the empire. The species was quick to become one of the most devoted followers of the Covenant religion and the Great Journey.[10] It even became a popular notion among the Unggoy, thanks to the theologian, Ang'napnap the Enlightened, that the Forerunners' pre-ascension forms were akin to their very own.[11] By the time of their discovery by the Covenant, the Unggoy homeworld was still recovering from its ecological collapse over a hundred millennia earlier, and the Unggoy's Tier 6 civilization had yet to return to its former state.[3]

Unggoy rebel on High Charity.

Being the lowest-ranked species of the Covenant, they are bitter rivals with the Kig-Yar, who are also low-ranked. The higher-ranking races of the Covenant have often ignored this rivalry. The growing Unggoy population on High Charity forced Kig-Yar to relocate their homes to accommodate the Unggoy. The move put stress on Kig-Yar females, which led to an increase in infant mortality, while Unggoy that were forced to share habitats with the Kig-Yar occasionally trampled their nests, inadvertently. The breaking point came when a junior staffer in the Ministry of Concert discovered evidence of the Kig-Yar planning to poison recreational narcotics the Unggoy enjoyed, which would have left them sterile. However, the Minister of Concert and the High Council refused to investigate the matter, as they were willing to accept several thousand sterile Unggoy rather than risk upsetting the Kig-Yar. The rising tensions with the Kig-Yar and the general disinterest from the other Covenant races led to the Unggoy Rebellion in 2462. While the rebellion was ultimately put down thanks to Arbiter Heki 'Gibadee partially glassing Balaho, the Unggoy proved that they were not the cowards they had been long deemed, and could indeed be vicious fighters when provoked. After the uprising's conclusion, as was their tradition, the Sangheili forgave the surviving Unggoy and allowed them to enter the Covenant military as armed infantry units, rather than the unarmed cannon fodder as which they had previously served.[12][13] The Unggoy rebelled several more times in Covenant history, including the Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience, which was quickly ended by the Ministry of Preservation's Ripa 'Moramee.[14]

Despite the low place they have in the Covenant hierarchy, the true irony is that the Unggoy's entry into the Covenant has ensured their species' survival. Membership in the Covenant granted the Unggoy freedom from risk of extinction during Balaho's two winters, as they now have access to sufficient supplies of food. Infant mortality has decreased to below fifty percent, and geronticide is no longer a necessity for survival. The average life expectancy for non-combatant Unggoy has doubled.[15] Their incorporation into the Covenant likely also alleviated the threat of the Blue Death, which Unggoy typically fear.[16]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

The Unggoy were one of the first races in the Covenant to encounter Humanity.[17] During the First Battle of Harvest, Jiralhanae forces had Unggoy secure Harvest's orbital Tiara station. Most of the Unggoy present on the planet were killed in the battle; some were even killed by Jiralhanae and Yanme'e.[18] In 2535, the High Prophet of Truth allowed Kig-Yar Reth to amass an army of thousands of Unggoy on the moon of Metisette to use to invade the human homeworld.[19] Reth's plans were foiled by the Insurrectionists of the Rubble, UNSC Midsummer Night, and a team of Sangheili Zealots that believed the Unggoy and Kig-Yar to be heretics, unaware of Truth's orders. Most of the Unggoy on the moon were killed during the Battle of Metisette.[20] The Unggoy's large numbers and fast breeding proved to be a pivotal asset to the Covenant during the Human-Covenant War, as they were able to overwhelm human forces with their sheer numbers, and were even known to have massacred an entire platoon.

The Unggoy obeyed other Covenant races out of fear more than religious faith.[21] During the Great Schism, as the Unggoy did not ally with a particular side, and stayed with whoever commanded them, most likely out of subservient fear to their current masters. However, many of those serving under the Jiralhanae still held support for the Sangheili and revered Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, pointing out to their comrades that they once served under him. The Minister of Discovery believed that the Unggoy would follow the strongest side in the civil war.[22]

Post-war[edit]

"It's so shiny! Me seem to member things looking preeeeeetty bleak there for a while, with me an' all the other Unggoy spendin' years just mostly running away from green demons, or mean boss flappy-mouths who just wanted to make sure we got shotted at first. But now… well now the blue lady helps us. I meen, it's weird and confusing and all because she used to help the green guy be mean to us, then she was mean to the green guy, then nice to us… I don't know, she's definitely the most confusing blue lady I've seen – I mean, she's really the ONLY one I've seen, but whatevers. Anyway, she must have feeled bad for us getting' kicked around all the time cause now she sends us stuff to eat and things to be builded…"
Hamyap on the Created occupation of Balaho[23]

After the Human-Covenant War, at least some of the Unggoy continued working for the Sangheili as farmers on Sanghelios, while others continued to work in the military under either their Sangheili or Jiralhanae commanders.[24] Many Unggoy returned to Balaho after the war.[1] A number of Unggoy joined—or were drafted into—the various splinter groups that upheld the Covenant's religious beliefs after the war, most notably Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. ONI surveys record no off-planet transport from Balaho since "Solipsis" and seem to indicate that facilities on Balaho's primary satellite Buwan has been abandoned, though both remain under observation. Moderate Unggoy populations have been observed in Sangheili systems at various intervals.[25] The Office of Naval Intelligence speculates that several independent vessels and colonial facilities are under the control of Unggoy factions, yet no significant populations of unaffiliated Unggoy are known to exist among the human colonies.[26] By 2558, some Unggoy had taken up residence in the city of Paxopolis on the Forerunner shield world of Trevelyan.

Some Unggoy would find themselves in more respected positions in the post-war years. Within the Swords of Sanghelios, they were treated as equals and two of them, Bibjam and Stolt, were known to have even had command over Sangheili.[27]

After October 28, 2558, the Unggoy on Balaho allied themselves with Cortana and the Created, and they were granted with nearly limitless resources: ships loaded with advanced technology arrived, new agricultural support stations appeared in orbit, awaiting eager workers to feed the desperate masses below. This gave the chaotic conditions of Balaho a semblance of stability and order, as well as a new purpose. With their pressing requirements – food, shelter, medicine – met, Balaho's finest designers and crafters set out to work tirelessly to build their future.[28]

Description[edit]

Unggoy are, in general, poor soldiers in terms of skill and combat ability. They are poor shots when not focused, are physically weak, and are tactically inept as a rule. If their commanders are eliminated during combat, they frequently panic and scatter in random directions. However, what Unggoy may lack in individual skill, they make up for with tenacity and sheer numbers. The Covenant used the high breeding rate of the Unggoy to their advantage in the Human-Covenant War, where squads of Unggoy frequently overpowered UNSC personnel through force of numbers.[29]

Unggoy are the only Covenant species to breathe methane rather than oxygen. Their combat armor/harness has an integrated methane re-breather system, as Unggoy are unable to survive for long periods of time without methane due to asphyxiation.[7] Unggoy could be afflicted by barnacles; the removal of barnacles leads to deep, oozing pores in their chitinous skin.[30]

Psychology and behavior[edit]

A group of Unggoy.

Although other species generally regard the Unggoy as a dim-witted race, many have proven to be very intelligent, resourceful, and knowledgeable. Indeed, the general perception of the Unggoy being inherently unintelligent is almost certainly a result of their poor education and training within the Covenant.[1] Unggoy are one of the most gregarious and sociable of the Covenant races and possess a very strong pack mentality, often associating with each other in groups. This numerical superiority and pack mentality allows for their sense of cultural identity to remain, despite a number of hardships, including their extreme subservience to the other races of the Covenant, as well as the dark time following reintroduction after the activation of the Halo Array.[3]

Unggoy develop sensory-motor integration relatively rapidly, and possess unburdened neural pathways which allow them to absorb knowledge more freely compared to the other Covenant species. As such, they were often tasked by the Covenant with monitoring space for traces of human communication. In addition, many Unggoy have developed a clear understanding of two or even three human languages. This advantage serves as a river of confidence in times of great stress for them.[3] The Unggoy Deacon Dadab was also able to learn and communicate in Huragok sign language.

On the battlefield, Unggoy are generally not very creative, although they are quite capable of handling weaponry and operating vehicles and machinery such as Ghosts and Shades.

Anatomy and physiology[edit]

An Unggoy's luminous blue blood.

The taxonomic classification of the Unggoy has been a source of some confusion for the United Nations Space Command. Because they possess exoskeletons, they have been identified as being analogous to Earth arthropods; despite this, the Unggoy are actually a vertebrate species. The UNSC misclassified the species as arthropodal due to their physiological similarities to terrestrial arthropods; among other differences, the Unggoy circulatory system is apparently closed as opposed to the open systems characteristic of many arthropods.[6] More accurately, the species should be considered xeno-arthropodal vertebrates which possess substantial—albeit hypothetical—genetic influences from primate-like amphibians that once dwelt in Balaho's aphotic zones. This taxonomically incorrect nomenclature persists as late as 2557 as an ad hoc identifier, though the pressures of the Human-Covenant War and reconstruction have made such concerns trivial at best.[1][6]

The face of an Unggoy.

Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on Earth. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their oversized forearms. However, their bodies are armored with a hard exoskeleton as with crabs and insects. Their mouths have a set of small, pointed teeth, much like reptiles.[1] Unggoy are on average about four to five feet tall and are relatively weak compared to other sapient species. The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. Although they can easily walk upright on two legs, they may often use their arms to move in a quadrupedal fashion. While carrying armaments, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands, but while trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they use their oversized arms as forelegs to add speed or stability to their gait. Their eyesight[6] and hearing are average, and seem to have a very well-developed sense of smell, sometimes sniffing the air to detect traces of foes or hidden enemies.[31] This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks. Unggoy have oversized forearms, while their upper arms and thighs are relatively small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers over rocky terrain, although they are rather clumsy when walking upright. Their large arms help the Unggoy in hand-to-hand combat and scaling heights, but make movement around tight corridors or manipulation of small, delicate objects difficult. To protect themselves from the voracious predators of Balaho, the Unggoy have a rigid exoskeleton that is lined with sharp barbs that covers large portions of their backs, arms, and legs.[1] They also have an astonishingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a plasma pistol at almost the same rate a Sangheili can with a plasma rifle.

Unggoy also have thick, bioluminescent,[32] light-blue blood,[33] possibly a result of methane-based proteins in the blood to facilitate methane-based respiration.[7] Like Earth's horseshoe crabs, it is possible that their blood is blue due to high copper content. They also possess yellowish-green colored viscera, visible in an unused texture seen when an Unggoy is decapitated via glitches.[34]

Although they require an atmosphere to breathe, Unggoy are capable of surviving in the vacuum of space without sealed, full-body gear. However, they must employ sealed face masks in order to breathe, as well as presumably to protect their facial tissues.[35]

To humans, Unggoy are known to have a distinct smell of vomit, or manure, associated with their presence.[36]

Subtypes[edit]

Some Unggoy, commonly seen among bands of Covenant remnant forces in the mid 2550s, have exoskeletons that cover only patches on their bodies, leaving most of their skin exposed; the paucity of chitin means that the elbow and knee spikes of these individuals are less pronounced.[6] Unlike other Unggoy, which have a chitinous protrusion that covers the groin and posterior, these Unggoy are unarmored in this area, exposing their primate-like buttocks.[37] Their necks are also several times longer than normal (Unggoy typically have almost non-existent necks) and their heads are set farther forward; folds of loose skin hang down from their necks and chins, likely due to the relative lack of chitin. Their eyes are reddish orange and feature black, cross-shaped pupils, unlike the solid red or yellow eyes of their kin. Their mouths are set farther inward and house larger, more pointed teeth. These specimens have much stouter legs and have longer and thinner fingernails than the rest of the species, and they possess claws meant for climbing and digging[38] on their feet instead of the more common hoof-like digits. What sets these Unggoy apart—morphologically speaking—is that they are sourced from specific breeding zones. This indicates either prolonged genetic drift in refugia populations or induced selection.[39] In any case, such morphological variation can be likened to the differences among Earth's dog breeds.[6]

Reproduction[edit]

Unggoy breed prodigiously, with large egg clutches and short childhood periods.[3] Unggoy spend their childhood in a larval stage.[40] Adulthood is reached between the ages of 5 and 8 years.[41] This combined with the large number of young per clutch, which could range from 5 to 12 Unggoy,[41] and rapid sensory-motor integration development was one of the primary reasons why the Covenant cleverly used the breeding habits of the Unggoy to their advantage in battle, deploying the Unggoy as cannon fodder—this would play a key-role in their war against humanity. Overpopulation is a serious problem and in non-war times, strict laws are placed on Unggoy breeding.[12]

Unggoy do value their ties to their offspring, but are usually separated from their families at an early age by the requirements of military service to the Covenant.[7] They resent this greatly, but because of their low social status in the Covenant, they are unable to muster any response.

Lifespan[edit]

Unggoy possess a long life-span. Yapyap was 121 years old in 2559.[42]

Culture[edit]

Ancient Unggoy being reseeded on Balaho by Forerunner machinery.

Although the Unggoy culture has been largely wiped out as a result of constant indoctrination by the Covenant, they do retain a degree of their cultural identity as a result of their inherent tenacity. Of what is known, the Unggoy generally live in small, tribal societies which are typically defined as being matriarchal.[3] Unggoy family structure is polyamorous, with several male and female Unggoy living together.[41] On Balaho, Unggoy had to constantly produce food to ensure that they had enough stocked during the planet's winter seasons. On a near-daily basis, the corpses of those that succumbed to Balaho's plagues had to be burned to further prevent infections. Both of these problems were solved when the Unggoy were discovered by the Covenant.[7] Unggoy universally agree that their species is embodied by three pillars: ruggedness, agility, and lethality.[11] The wise Ang'napnap the Enlightened, the charismatic Awlphhum Who Became Tolerable, and the strategist Yayep the Archdeacon of Indolence are revered as historical heroes by the Unggoy.[43]

Many Unggoy are interested in human culture. During their service with the Covenant, Unggoy enjoyed trading human communication files, such as soap operas and sitcoms, through their own black market.[7] Unggoy often gamble with each other and often play games; one in particular, hunting rock, involves two Unggoy competing to kill the most scrub grubs.[44] Unggoy were also known to take recreational narcotics called infusions by adding them to their portable methane tanks.[12][45] The chemical benzene, referred to as "Lovely lung gold" and a "sacred aromatic", is also considered a recreational drug by Unggoy.[46]

Role within the Covenant[edit]

"But they are among the Covenant's most devoted seekers after the Great Journey, sacrificing themselves in great numbers on the battlefield, so prolific that more always seem ready to throw themselves under the altar of war."
— From the Prophet of Clarity's Notes on the History of the Covenant, referring to the Unggoy[47]

Believed to be rather unintelligent by the San'Shyuum, Unggoy were generally forced to serve in laboring positions or deployed into battle as cannon fodder. During engagements, they were often deployed as the first wave of attack in ground campaigns or Unggoy were deployed in high numbers to undertake various types of operations.[1] Most Unggoy that served aboard Covenant warships were tasked with monitoring human communications, leading to most members of the species having a better grasp on English than other species.[7] The lower districts of High Charity housed a massive Unggoy population;[48] the Unggoy-inhabited portion of the districts was methane-rich so the Unggoy did not require methane tanks to breathe.[49]

The Unggoy's lowly position within the Covenant was based on racial bias rather than the species' inherent abilities.[3] The Unggoy were not represented on the Covenant High Council but were instead vetted by the Ministry of Concert, albeit poorly.[12] The Unggoy were mistreated by nearly every client species of the Covenant, except the Huragok. They were often treated as second-class citizens within Covenant society.[7] The Unggoy had a particularly tense relationship with the Kig-Yar, a race only ranked slightly higher in the Covenant hierarchy. Despite both species holding similar standings, the Kig-Yar were granted more independence and often favored over the Unggoy by other individuals in the Covenant. Unggoy were expected to revere Sangheili as the near-divine protectors of the San'Shyuum, however many Unggoy despised the Sangheili for mistreating their race.[50] While they were essentially a slave race, the Unggoy have managed to largely retain their cultural identities, and have rebelled in the past more than once. Before the Unggoy Rebellion of 2462, Unggoy were not given the right to use weapons in battle. When the rebellion proved to the Sangheili that Unggoy could be determined and competent fighters, they were given better training and weaponry, and integrated into formerly Sangheili-only units. Within the Unggoy community there is a general strong hatred of the other Covenant species, due to the fear they face. This causes many Unggoy to believe that someday a dynamic grunt will lead them to freedom on a methane-rich paradise world.[51]

Unggoy generally followed a few short, simple guidelines given to them by the Sangheili; for example, "When in doubt, shoot" or "Stay out of the way, live another day".[52] Despite being held in low regard by the Covenant, many Unggoy were strong followers of the Covenant religion and the Great Journey. Their Deacons would often hold sermons onboard ships to boost the morale and teach the Unggoy onboard about the Covenant. For instance, a Deacon named Dadab gave sermons and taught the Unggoy on board a Jiralhanae cruiser about the Covenant and its religion. The Jiralhanae allowed Dadab these teachings because they believed that it would help the Unggoy become more competent and helpful.[53]

Example 1 of Unggoy speech
SoundQuote.png Trouble with the audio sample?

Language[edit]

Their native language is composed of dog-like barks, squeaks, and grunts. Though largely unintelligible to most humans, translation software is able to decipher the meanings of these.[54] The word "Unggoy" itself is not a word from their vocabulary, rather, it is the Sangheili name for their species.[55] Unggoy are also fully capable of speaking a variety of human languages, a fact in which they take great pride.[3]

Naming conventions[edit]

Example 2 of Unggoy speech
SoundQuote.png Trouble with the audio sample?

Unggoy often have names which reflect a language of very simple phonics. Common names, such as Yayap and Dadab, begin with a reduplicated consonant and consist of two syllables. Other names typically consist of a single syllable with clusters of consonants, such as "Flim". Some exceptions have occurred of which a name has more consonants than is usual while following the first method of naming, as in Kwassass. Often, their names are palindromes, such as Zawaz.

The Sangheili did not permit the Unggoy to retain family names during their service in the Covenant.[7] Instead, they formally identified themselves by the names and birthplaces of famous patriarchs within their family. This patriarch could be the Unggoy's uncle, grandfather, or even a mythical paterfamilias that was revered by their ancestors. An example of this identification method would be "Yayap, son of Pum. Of Balaho's blasted scablands."[30] Following the end of the Human-Covenant war, individual Unggoy serving under the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction have begun to use family names to identify themselves, such as Dimkee Hotay.

Homeworld and colonies[edit]

Main article: Balaho
Balaho, the Unggoy homeworld.

The Unggoy homeworld of Balaho is a temperate, swampy planet with a methane atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire. The planet is orbited by two natural satellites: Buwan and Padpad. A cold planet, temperatures on Balaho range from -33 °C to 5 °C (-27 °F to 41 °F).[3] The cold season of their planet makes them highly covet any source of warmth and light they can find, mainly due to the "blue death".[16] The planet is still in process of recovery from a global ecological collapse before the activation of the Halo Array due to over-industrialization caused by the Unggoy at the time.[3]

Since their natural environment has a methane atmosphere, Unggoy require methane tanks and breathing apparatus with them whenever they travel into areas without high levels of methane in the air. Since all the other races of the Covenant (as well as humanity) breathe oxygen, the Unggoy find themselves wearing breathing masks more often than not.[56] They sometimes inhabit large environment domes that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe while not in armor,[57] while those in military service often restock their methane reserves at battlefield recharge stations.[58] Unggoy have high-pitched and squeaky voices, possibly due to the different resonating properties of methane gas.

Unggoy populations also inhabit colonies of the former Covenant; a number of such worlds have fallen under the control of the Banished. On Balaho, the harsh environment of the planet typically weeds out psychologically aberrant individuals. On more hospitable worlds, however, Unggoy populations are able to grow without this natural culling process. The Banished take advantage of this, drawing psychotic and fanatical Unggoy specimens from these colonies to serve in their suicide squads.[59]

Military structure[edit]

Ranks[edit]

Rank Image Description
Unggoy Leaders
Unggoy Imperial UnggoyImperial.png The Unggoy Imperial rank is a rank that is mostly comprised of veteran Unggoy that served in the Human-Covenant war. They often will lead groups of Unggoy Storms into battle, and are sometimes accompanied by Unggoy Heavies.
Unggoy Ultra Halo Reach - Unggoy.png

An Unggoy Ultra on the level Uprising. Minor brightening of image to make it easier on the eyes (should be replaced with an un-altered image).

These Unggoy serve as field commanders to their comrades, and wear distinctive white-lilac armor (reminiscent of the Sangheili Ultras). While they appear to have some authority over lesser-ranked Unggoy, they have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. They are stronger opponents than their subordinates, and are more accurate with firearms, throw plasma grenades often, and wear heavier armor and a helmet that is required to be shot off first before an enemy can headshot them.
Grunt Specialists
Unggoy Ranger UnggoyRanger.png A specialized group of Unggoy fully trained and armored for extra-vehicular activity.
Special Operations Unggoy HReach - SpecOps Unggoy.png

Halo2AnniversarySpecialOperationUnggoy-Needler.jpg Halo2AnniversarySpecialOperationUnggoyUltra.jpg

These Unggoy are experienced and specially-chosen, usually commanded by the special operations Sangheili, and are given distinctive jet-black armor. They are part of the Covenant Special Operations division of the Special Warfare Group. Just like the special operations Sangheili, they are able to use active camouflage. They are extremely skilled in warfare compared to their lower-ranked counterparts, and won't panic too often in combat situations, if they do at all. They usually can be seen wielding fuel rod guns, and throw plasma grenades with great accuracy. Though some of them chose to side with the Sangheili during the Great Schism many remained within the Jiralhanae-led units loyal to the Prophets, wearing white armor similar to the Unggoy Ultra. Though Special Operation Unggoy Minors and Majors have no armor distinction (both wearing a jet-black or dark purple Combat Harness) Special Operation Unggoy Ultras are distinguished from their Unggoy Ultra counterparts by how their combat harnesses feature the 2-pronged methane tank, while other Unggoy Ultras feature the standard white point-tank version.
Unggoy Heavy H4-UnggoyHeavy.png

HReach - Heavy Unggoy.png

Heavies are specialized Unggoy that wear green colored armor and are often deployed for defensive actions.[60] Their primary purposes are to deploy plasma cannons and man them, although they are occasionally seen wielding fuel rod guns, plasma rifles, and even Spikers.
Grunt Infantry
Unggoy Major HReach-GruntMajor.png Majors are more experienced than Unggoy Minors, and wear crimson colored armor. They command several Unggoy Minors and are slightly more skilled in combat and courageous, though this difference is not always substantial.
Unggoy Storm H5G-Render-Grunt.png Storm Grunts are specialized shock troops.
Unggoy Minor H2A Unggoy.png Unggoy Minors are the lowest ranking Unggoy. They wear orange colored armor and are often the least dangerous, most cowardly, and inaccurate marksmen of all the Unggoy. When their commanding officer is killed, they routinely break formation and flee; however, they will regroup and start firing at their target again. As is fitting for Jiralhanae behavior, Unggoy under the command of the Jiralhanae are substantially more aggressive.

Other titles and roles[edit]

Deaconship is the only position open to the Unggoy in the Ministry of Tranquility. Unlike many other roles available to the Unggoy, this rank does not often involve combat or hard manual labor, though they have been known to carry around plasma pistols and Needlers.[61]

Some Unggoy are also known to serve as merchants and are well-respected in the Covenant hierarchy. During the ascension ceremony of the Covenant's last triumvirate of Hierarchs, a Yanme'e queen, Kig-Yar Shipmasters, and Unggoy traders were present. It was also said that their harnesses were adorned with large jewels.[62]

While regular Unggoy infantry occasionally choose to employ suicide attacks out of desperation, the Covenant were also known to purposefully assign select fanatical Unggoy squads to use such attacks as their primary offensive tactic against the enemy.[63][64] The Banished later adopted similar tactics.[59]

The Heretic Unggoy followed their Sangheili organizers in a rebellion against the Covenant's Prophets. They started as members of an artifact retrieval group led by the Sangheili Sesa 'Refumee.[65]

Jockeys operate Unggoy-manufactured Pnap-pattern Goblin battlesuits or other vehicles,[11] such as Karo'etba-pattern Ghosts or Karo'wark-pattern Ghosts.

Post-war, many Unggoy were forced into or joined the Banished mercenary faction. During the Battle for Zeta Halo, Unggoy Conscripts, Unggoy Assaults, and Unggoy Mules were utilized. Similar to their roles in the Covenant and its remnants, they were used as simple foot soldiers and cannon fodder.

Gameplay[edit]

Main article: Unggoy/Gameplay

Overall, the Unggoy in gameplay are very weak in combat; often fleeing when their leader has been killed. However, in larger numbers, they can be more of a threat, especially in higher difficulties. If their leader is killed, Unggoy may sometimes activate two plasma grenades and rush to the player in an attempt to suicide-bomb them.

In Halo Wars, the Unggoy serves as the main infantry unit, serving as the Covenant equivalent to the Marine. They start with a plasma pistol and three in each squad, but they can be upgraded to wield needlers.

A melee attack can kill a Grunt instantly, so when you face no more than 5 of them, don't waste your ammo and just punch them. For large groups use the Gravity Hammer, unless the catch skull is on meaning you have to stay outside their range, as even in close-range the Grunts will not hesitate to spam-grenades at the enemy.

Trivia[edit]

  • In Tagalog and Filipino, Unggoy means "monkey". [1]
  • In real life, "Grunt" is a slang military term for infantrymen.[66]
  • The Unggoy were ranked #5 in Game Informer's "Top 5 Video Game Punching Bags" list.[67]
  • In Halo: Reach, there is a chance that a female Army trooper will say that she heard someone said grunts taste like lobster.
  • In Halo: Reach, Unggoy voices were changed. Instead of their original high-pitched and squeaky voices, they sound more deep and mechanical, possibly because of their breathing apparatus. However, they are still being voiced by Joseph Staten.[68]
  • In Halo: Reach, if an Unggoy's methane tank is shot or meleed it may fall off, causing the gas to launch said Unggoy into the air and eventually explode. Many players consider this a great hazard, especially on higher difficulties.
  • The redesigned Unggoy that appear in Halo 4 bear a great deal of resemblance to the wretches from the Gears of War series.
  • The Grunt appeared in Konami's Super Bomberman R as one of the three exclusive characters in the Xbox One version. He is known as Grunt Bomber, a specie of the Covenant from Planet Halo. He is a speed typed bomber and his special ability is the Plasma Pistol.
  • In Halo 5: Guardians Unggoy can be seen carrying Type-57 Carbines for the first time in the first cutscene of Mission 12 Battle of Sunaion.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Waypoint: Unggoy
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), p. 456
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo 3, Bestiarum
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 144
  5. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 191 - "Unggoy: the Elite name for the Grunt race."
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint: The Halo Bulletin - 5.9.12
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 143; pages 150-151 (2011 edition)
  8. ^ Halo Legends, Origins
  9. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary, Terminal 10
  10. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 187
  11. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating
  12. ^ a b c d Halo: Contact Harvest, pages 150-151
  13. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), pages 142, 153
  14. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 10
  15. ^ Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe, page 143
  16. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 237
  17. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 95
  18. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 374
  19. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 214
  20. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, page 328
  21. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Sierra 117 - Arbiter: "The Grunts' new-found courage is but fear."
  22. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "Wages of Sin", page 509
  23. ^ Halo Waypoint - Hog Wild REQ Drop
  24. ^ Halo: Glasslands page 90
  25. ^ Eleventh Hour reports, #3
  26. ^ Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction - Page 14
  27. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Guardians Mission Intel
  28. ^ Halo Waypoint: Driving Force
  29. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 20 (2010 edition)
  30. ^ a b Halo: Contact Harvest, page 307
  31. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  32. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 59: Phosphorescent blood pooled beneath their prone forms.
  33. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 27
  34. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved
  35. ^ Halo: Reach, "Long Night of Solace"
  36. ^ Bungie.net, Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - Grunt (Retrieved on May 25, 2013) [local archive] [external archive]
  37. ^ McFarlane Toys: Halo 4 Storm Grunt
  38. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 39
  39. ^ Halo Waypoint Forums: Catalog Interaction (post 248247)
  40. ^ Halo Infinite
  41. ^ a b c Halo: Legacy of Onyx, chapter ??
  42. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)
  43. ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Haze of Glory
  44. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, pages 89-90
  45. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, pages 186-187
  46. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 237
  47. ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 187
  48. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 261
  49. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 149
  50. ^ Halo: The Flood, pages 35-36 (2010 edition)
  51. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets
  52. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 162 (2010 edition)
  53. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 226
  54. ^ Conversations from the Universe
  55. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 191
  56. ^ Halo: The Flood, page ???
  57. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 60
  58. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 303
  59. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder Issue 96 - THE ART OF WAR(S)
  60. ^ Halo 2, level Gravemind
  61. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 50
  62. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 381
  63. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 350
  64. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Exodus
  65. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
  66. ^ Grunt on Wikipedia
  67. ^ GameInformer: Top five video game punching bags.
  68. ^ Bungie.net : Bungie Weekly Update 4.16.10