Kig-Yar Major

Major
Function:	Ground assault, infiltration, defense
Species:	Kig-Yar
Affiliation:	Covenant
Other role(s):	Infantry, support

"Pecking order is earned via survival instincts alone."

— A Kig-Yar Major's philosophy

Major is a rank attainable by Kig-Yar in the Covenant military. They are characterized by their orange point-defense gauntlets, and have moderately greater stamina than Kig-Yar Minors.^[1]^[2]

Description

Similar to their less experienced brethren, Majors constitute a large part of the Covenant's mainstream infantry. They are seen in almost every engagement alongside other types of Covenant forces. Although higher in rank than Minors, they are still subject to the command of a lance leader, typically a Sangheili or Jiralhanae. Majors represent the highest rank within the standard infantry of the Kig-Yar contingent, often assuming leadership positions and specialized roles. Sometimes, a Kig-Yar Major leads a lance of low-ranking Kig-Yar and Unggoy.^[3]

Generally, Kig-Yar Majors operate better in small groups or in scouting parties. However, they can play the role of a precision marksman if it is deemed necessary.^[4]

Equipment

Kig-Yar Majors are better armed than their Minor subordinates. Since they are more experience in combat, Majors are given better supplement equipment.^[4] They are mostly armed with plasma pistols, plasma rifles, and Needlers.

Majors wield point-defense gauntlets of greater energy output than those used by the Kig-Yar Minors. The energy emitted by a Major's shield is typically shifted into the red spectrum, glowing orange, violet or red and shifting to blue as it takes fire. Majors occasionally sport additional armor as well, such as forearm gauntlets on both arms.

Gameplay

Kig-Yar Majors are known for wielding plasma pistols as their standard weapon of choice, though canonically they have also been known to utilize Needlers. When engaging an enemy, they tend to overcharge their plasma pistols to eliminate enemy SPARTAN's energy shields and release volleys of plasma bolts to quickly eliminate them. When engaged by an enemy, a Major will use its personal arm shield to block enemy fire.

When engaging a Kig-Yar Major from afar, it is best to use a precision weapon such as an M6 pistol, Battle Rifle, or Covenant Carbine and aim at their exposed left hand. From medium range, weapons such as the plasma rifle, the SMG and the Assault Rifle provide good suppressive fire against the Major, as a hit on their body will cause the Kig-Yar to stumble, momentarily exposing it to a melee or headshot. Alternatively, one can eliminate the Kig-Yar's personal arm shield by firing a volley from a plasma rifle or an overcharged shot from a plasma pistol. Once the personal arm shield collapses, the Kig-Yar Major is open to all attacks.

On higher difficulties, it is advisable for players to utilize either long-range firing technique using a precision weapon or the overcharged plasma bolt.

Trivia

In the PC Halo: Combat Evolved, it looks like the textures, coloring and all-out graphics were never completed or they didn't transfer from the Xbox to the PC very well. This causes Kig-Yar Minors and Majors to have the same shield color (turquoise). In the Xbox version, the Kig-Yar Majors have orange shields while Minors have turquoise shields.
In Halo: Combat Evolved, Kig-Yar Majors are not only differentiated from Kig-Yar Minors by the color of their shields, but also the color of their skin. Majors have orange skin, while Minors have grey-green skin.
In Halo 2, Kig-Yar Majors have an orange combat suit, rather than the grey ones seen in the other games.
In Halo: Reach, Kig-Yar Majors appear to have bright red shields and wear added armor on the forearms and shoulders.
In the Halo 2 level 'Delta Halo', several Kig-Yar, including a Major, can be found wielding Type-25 plasma rifles. Also, near the end of Halo: Reach, the player encounters a single Kig-Yar Major wielding a plasma rifle. These are the only instances, in any game, of non-sniper Kig-Yar wielding something other than a plasma pistol or Needler by default.

Gallery

Render of a Kig-Yar Major in Halo 3.
A Kig-Yar Major protecting itself with its energy shield in Halo 3.
Kig-Yar Majors in Halo 3.
Kig-Yar Majors in Halo: Reach, alongside Unggoy and Kig-Yar Minors.
A Kig-Yar Major on Beachhead.
A Kig-Yar Major on Corvette.
A Kig-Yar Major and a Mgalekgolo on Installation 04 in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
Kig-Yar Majors and Unggoy Imperials under fire from Jiralhanae.
A Kig-Yar Major with its shield deactivated on Installation 05 in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A Kig-Yar Major with a T-51 carbine