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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{era|HGN}}
[[File:HFB-Rho.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Rho 'Barutamee]], Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]].]]
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
'''Supreme Commander''' was a [[Covenant rank structure|military rank]] within the [[Covenant military|armed forces]] of the [[Covenant]] empire and its [[Covenant remnants|successor factions]], roughly analagous to the rank of [[Fleet Admiral]] within the [[UNSC Navy]].{{Ref/Book|Id=WF92|HWF|Page=92}} In the Covenant, they consisted of [[fleetmaster]]s selected by the [[Hierarch]]s to lead [[Covenant fleet|ministerial fleets]] on major expeditionary missions.{{Ref/Reuse|WF92}}
|name=Supreme Commander
|image=[[Image:Supremecommander.jpg|300px]]
|species=[[Sangheili]] later [[Jiralhanae]]  
|weapons=Unknown, most likely [[Energy Sword]]s and maybe [[Plasma Pistol]]s as sidearms
|equipment=
|vehicles=[[Flagship]]
|missions=Space Operations such as Naval Battles, Blockades and [[Glassing|Orbital Bombardment]]
|role=Commanders of Entire [[Fleet]]s and Armadas
|notable=[[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]  
|affiliation=[[Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]]
}}


'''Supreme Commander''' is a very high [[Covenant]] [[Elite (Sangheili)]] [[rank]].  
==Overview==
===Role and responsibilities===
Within a given armada, a Supreme Commander served as the lead fleetmaster among the several present, with each subordinate fleetmaster tasked with maintaining their own fleet forces. Within these formations, the word of the Supreme Commander was law, and only the actions of their sponsoring [[ministry]], the [[High Council]], or the Hierarchs themselves could countermand their orders.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=239}} As such, they held extremely large amounts of power and independence - even moreso than their [[United Nations Space Command]] counterparts.{{Ref/Reuse|WF92}} The political machinations of the Supreme Commander allowed them to outfit and service their own ships, and they served as the sole senior officer to a [[Sangheili Field Marshal|Field Marshal]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=240}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=135}} To assist in their duties, Covenant fleets often assigned a [[Precentor]] - a [[San'Shyuum]] official tasked with reporting directly to [[High Charity]] and serving as a mediator for the Supreme Commander among other duties.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=269}} These officials were often the only officials within the fleet with authority capable of challenging the Supreme Commander's decrees.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Background==
Within the Covenant's successor factions, the warlord [[Jul 'Mdama]] has adopted the title of Supreme Commander{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=27}} - though this title is sometimes used interchangeably with the title of "Supreme Leader".{{Ref/Book|Id=SupremeLeader1|Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide|Page=23,25,56}}{{Ref/Level|Id=SupremeLeader2|H5G|Osiris}}{{Ref/Note|The title of "Supreme Leader" is only ever mentioned within the dubiously-authoritative ''[[Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide]]'' and as a throwaway reference within the game's first mission. As such, this page assumes that the Supreme Leader verbiage is simply an alternate reference to the title of Supreme Commander explicitly given for Jul 'Mdama in ''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''.}}
For most of the Covenant's history, this rank was held by the Elite race, but was gradually mixed then replaced completely by [[Brutes]] after the [[Great Schism]]. They now command [[Fleets]] and Armadas.


==Rank==
===Dress===
Supreme Commander is the rank which commands a [[Covenant Fleet]], such as the ''[[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'' formerly led by the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]]. Their armor color is usually purple.
[[File:HGN ThelVadamee Cloak.png|100px|thumb|[[Thel 'Vadamee]] in a unique helmet and cloak.]]
The typical garb for a Sangheili Supreme Commander was a golden-coloured [[combat harness]], of various styles.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.ultra-combo.com/arbiters-colors-accessories/|Site=Ultra Combo|Page=Arbiter's Colors & Accessories|D=25|M=09|Y=2022|Quote=Within the Covenant military regime, the sight of a Sangheili leader striding across the battlefield in a gleaming gold combat harness simultaneously stoked the fires of victory within the hearts of the surrounding forces, and struck fear within the hearts of their enemies.}} During fleet command operations, they, like other [[shipmaster]]s, often donned a purple-coloured cloak alongside this armour.{{Ref/Game|H2A|Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals}}{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Chapter=22}}{{Ref/Tabletop|HFB|Detail=Rho 'Barutamee artwork ([[:File:HFB-Rho.jpg|File link]])}} However, this was not always the case, with some Supreme Commanders electing to forgo the cloak during engagements,{{Ref/Film|HLeg|Episode=The Package (animated short)}} or even during formal ceremonies in front of the High Council.{{Ref/Level|H2|The Heretic}}


== Physical Appearance ==
During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee wore purple armor with a purple ornate helmet, draped in his purple [[doarmir]] cloak while commanding the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=Voyage|HGN|Story=Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor}} His cloak served a purely sentimental purpose, as it reminded him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.
When commanding a Fleet, Supreme Commanders wore violet [[armor]] with a cloak that wraps around and over the armour piece of their shoulders.<ref>''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''</ref> In fact, the Supreme Commander's unusual helmet looks very similar to the ''[[Halo 3]]'' Elite combat helmet when compared closely.


However, when the Arbiter was being trialed for the destruction of Halo, he wore golden [[Zealot]] armour,<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', [[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]]</ref> which means that the rank of Supreme Commander is a rank that can be obtained by a Zealot.  
==Known Supreme Commanders==
===Pre-Covenant===
*[[Ophon 'Qaram]] - An ancient Sangheili Supreme Commander during the [[War of Beginnings]], famed for his refusal to join the Covenant.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=78}}


The fact that the Arbiter wore the golden armour of a Zealot yet wore an unknown violet pigmented armour is quite odd. It could also prove that the creators/creator of that particular story part was exaggerating the Supreme Commander's appearance to allow the story to become a bit more interesting. Alternatively, it might be used for separate occasions, such as his hearing or a military objective. To prove this theory generally in [[HGN|Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]], the Elites (Sangheili) and their weapons appear to be exaggerated also. The Sangheili [[Energy Sword]]s are pink and [[Plasma Rifles]] shoot green beams opposing to the fact that the original Plasma Rifles seen shoot cyan/blue repeater-type bolts.
===Covenant-era===
*[[Rho 'Barutamee]] - Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-taking-orders|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Taking Orders|D=07|M=04|Y=2019}}
*[[Luro 'Taralumee]] - Supreme Commander of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=Adjunct|Detail=WORD FROM THE THIRD FLEET OF GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCE}}
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee - Supreme Commander of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]].


== Appearances ==
===Post-Covenant===
The particular Supreme Commander in the aforementioned text was a friend of, and yet superior to, [[Rtas 'Vadum|Rtas 'Vadumee]] and would later become the Arbiter.
*[[Jul 'Mdama]] - Supreme Commander of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|his remnant forces]],{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} also dubbed "Supreme Leader" in his faction.{{Ref/Reuse|SupremeLeader1}}{{Ref/Reuse|SupremeLeader2}}
During the [[Civil War of the Covenant]], it is possible the Brutes took these positions from the Elites. But even so, some Supreme Commanders escaped to fight the Brutes.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level [[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]] last cut scene</ref>


==Trivia==
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
*The future [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] was a Supreme Commander, yet he was seen clad in [[Zealot]] armor when questioned by the [[Prophets]], however, he could have been demoted in rank by that time. Another theory is that he wore this armor to show the [[Prophet]]s they still had superiority and control over him or it might have been due to the ceremonious atmosphere.
===Silver Timeline===
*[[Var 'Gatanai]] - Former Supreme Commander of the [[First Fleet of Solemn Accord]] until stripped of both title and fleet and became the [[Arbiter]] at some point after the [[Battle of Raas Kkhotskha]].{{Ref/Film|Id=Aleria|TV|Episode=[[Aleria (TV Series)|Aleria]]}}
{{Clear}}


== Sources ==
==Gallery==
<references/>
<gallery>
File:HGN ThelVadamee SupremeCommander.png|Front view of a unique Supreme Commander helmet.
File:H2A Terminals - SupremeCommanderThel.png|Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee commanding his fleet.
File:H2A Terminals - Thel and Prophet.jpg|Thel 'Vadamee converses with a Prophet at [[Installation 04]], complete with the formal cloak signifying his rank.
File:H2A-Thel SC2.jpg|Thel before the [[High Council]].
File:Fleetmaster.jpg|[[Luro 'Taralumee]] in command of the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]].
</gallery>


{{Elite Ranks}}
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach#2010 bonus content|Adjunct]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}


[[Category:The Covenant]]
==Notes==
[[Category:Elites]]
{{Ref/Notes}}
[[Category:Ranks]]
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Sangheili Ranks}}

Latest revision as of 21:53, February 29, 2024

Illustration of Rho 'Barutamee.
Rho 'Barutamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence.

Supreme Commander was a military rank within the armed forces of the Covenant empire and its successor factions, roughly analagous to the rank of Fleet Admiral within the UNSC Navy.[1] In the Covenant, they consisted of fleetmasters selected by the Hierarchs to lead ministerial fleets on major expeditionary missions.[1]

Overview[edit]

Role and responsibilities[edit]

Within a given armada, a Supreme Commander served as the lead fleetmaster among the several present, with each subordinate fleetmaster tasked with maintaining their own fleet forces. Within these formations, the word of the Supreme Commander was law, and only the actions of their sponsoring ministry, the High Council, or the Hierarchs themselves could countermand their orders.[2] As such, they held extremely large amounts of power and independence - even moreso than their United Nations Space Command counterparts.[1] The political machinations of the Supreme Commander allowed them to outfit and service their own ships, and they served as the sole senior officer to a Field Marshal.[3][4] To assist in their duties, Covenant fleets often assigned a Precentor - a San'Shyuum official tasked with reporting directly to High Charity and serving as a mediator for the Supreme Commander among other duties.[5] These officials were often the only officials within the fleet with authority capable of challenging the Supreme Commander's decrees.[2]

Within the Covenant's successor factions, the warlord Jul 'Mdama has adopted the title of Supreme Commander[6] - though this title is sometimes used interchangeably with the title of "Supreme Leader".[7][8][Note 1]

Dress[edit]

A dripped-out Thel 'Vadamee in his fleetmaster getup aboard Seeker of Truth in The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor.
Thel 'Vadamee in a unique helmet and cloak.

The typical garb for a Sangheili Supreme Commander was a golden-coloured combat harness, of various styles.[9] During fleet command operations, they, like other shipmasters, often donned a purple-coloured cloak alongside this armour.[10][11][12] However, this was not always the case, with some Supreme Commanders electing to forgo the cloak during engagements,[13] or even during formal ceremonies in front of the High Council.[14]

During the Battle of Installation 04, Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee wore purple armor with a purple ornate helmet, draped in his purple doarmir cloak while commanding the Fleet of Particular Justice.[15] His cloak served a purely sentimental purpose, as it reminded him that he could make grave mistakes if he let his guard down.

Known Supreme Commanders[edit]

Pre-Covenant[edit]

Covenant-era[edit]

Post-Covenant[edit]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The title of "Supreme Leader" is only ever mentioned within the dubiously-authoritative Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide and as a throwaway reference within the game's first mission. As such, this page assumes that the Supreme Leader verbiage is simply an alternate reference to the title of Supreme Commander explicitly given for Jul 'Mdama in Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: Warfleet, page 92
  2. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 239
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 240
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 135
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 269
  6. ^ a b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 27
  7. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians Official Game Guide, page 23,25,56
  8. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Osiris
  9. ^ Ultra Combo, Arbiter's Colors & Accessories: "Within the Covenant military regime, the sight of a Sangheili leader striding across the battlefield in a gleaming gold combat harness simultaneously stoked the fires of victory within the hearts of the surrounding forces, and struck fear within the hearts of their enemies." (Retrieved on Sep 25, 2022) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary, Terminals
  11. ^ Halo: The Cole Protocol, chapter 22
  12. ^ Halo: Fleet Battles: Rho 'Barutamee artwork (File link)
  13. ^ Halo Legends, episode The Package (animated short)
  14. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
  15. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor
  16. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 78
  17. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Taking Orders (Retrieved on Apr 7, 2019) [archive]
  18. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, Adjunct: WORD FROM THE THIRD FLEET OF GLORIOUS CONSEQUENCE
  19. ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Aleria

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