Sangheili Point Defense Gauntlet

A Sangheili Major with a Energy Shield in an early development version of Halo: Combat Evolved.

Rtas 'Vadumee deflects enemy fire with an Energy shield.

A Point Defense Gauntlet is a protection orientated device carried by the Sangheili of the Covenant and later, the Separatists .

Operational Use

While the Point Defense Gauntlet has never been encountered by UNSC forces, it was used by Commander Rtas 'Vadumee during the infiltration and then destruction of the Infinite Succor. Instead of the triple-layered shield that at least one Sangheili has been seen with, this was a diamond-shaped shield with only one layer, it was also seen to be able to absorb attacks, making the shield highly resilient so the shield could probably take a lot of damage before it is overwhelmed, unlike the Kig-yar shield. These shields are very similar to the Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlet, except the Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlets produce round and deep shields while the Sangheili version is flat and less practical in a battle.

The shield would have provided additional cover and protection for the Elites, who already carry their Sangheili Personal Energy Shield, so if it had made it into the games it would have made things even harder for the UNSC.

Trivia

• This item was going to be used in Halo: Combat Evolved by Sangheili soldiers, it was replaced by the Sangheili Personal Energy Shield and was given to Jackals instead.
• The shield protects most of the Elite's user body because of its size and diamond shape.
• The only UNSC encounter with it is in the Halo E3 2000 Trailer.
• Although this was intended in the three games, Bungie stated that an energy shield is enough for one.
• Rtas 'Vadum activates it when he duels against Kusovai in the Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor story; the shield is active along with the Energy Sword on the same arm, indicating it's probably attached to the user's wrist.
• It seems much more resistant than the Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlet, in fact, it absorbs damage even from an Energy Sword effortlessly, while the other wouldn't stand after a hit from such a weapon.
• It has been said that "Elites with Energy Sword and these shields look rather like "KNIGHTS."
• In Ghosts of Onyx, Sangheili warriors find it dishonorable to use Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlets, perhaps the reason why the Sangheili sheild variant remains relatively unpopular among Sangheili.

Related Articles

• Sangheili
• Sangheili Personal Energy Shield
• Kig-yar Point Defense Gauntlet