Sangheili harness refers to a wide variety of armor systems used by the Sangheili soldiers of the Covenant during its time and its splinter groups. The differences between harnesses depend on rank, function, or style. Some harnesses are used by Sangheili of many ranks, while others are more restricted.[1] High-ranking Sangheili may choose between a standard or ornamental design.[2][3] Gold coloration is universally associated with field command authority.[4][5][6] The Sangheili harness is almost always equipped with energy shielding, with some variants featuring enhanced shields.[7] It also boosts the speed and strength of its user, though it remains less effective than the human-made MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.[8]
The Covenant Empire originally applied a fairly structured coding for both combat and ceremonial roles—with Sangheili-derived livery choices subsisting on the margin.[1] After the empire's collapse, the armor color coding loosened significantly.[6]
Though the combat harness is only one variant among many other Sangheili harnesses, the term "combat" is sometimes used off-handedly in a synecdochical manner when referring to other Sangheili harnesses, as the combat harness is the most basic, well-known, and widespread armor variant.[9][10]
Sangheili harness variants
Arbiter body armor
- Main article: Arbiter body armor
The Arbiter armors were an extremely rare type of harness only donned by ancient Sangheili judge-kings, and by specific Sangheili appointed by the Hierarchs during the Covenant era.[11][12]
Artifact retrieval harness
- Main article: Heretic Sangheili § Equipment
This harness was used to recover Forerunner artifacts. It has a breathing apparatus that enables breathing in hazardous environments. Sesa 'Refumee's detachment used this set.
Ascetic harness
- Main article: Ascetic harness
The Ascetic harness is an ancient design utilized by a religious order that was reactivated during the Great Schism. It features a traditional bladed mandible guard.[13]
Assault harness
- Main article: Assault harness
The Assault harness is an ancient type of armor that is fully sealed. Formerly restricted by the Covenant, dissident Sangheili decided to reuse it during the Covenant civil war.[14]
Ceremonial battle harness
- Main article: Sangheili Zealot § Ceremonial battle harness
The ceremonial battle harness refers to an ornamental armor used by some chapters of Sangheili Zealots.[3][12][15] A variation is also used by the Field Marshal subclass.
Combat harness
- Main article: Sangheili combat harness
The combat harness is the ubiquitous armor system available to Sangheili of all ranks. The armor exists in a wide range of colors, and there are slight funtional and aesthetic variations.[2][12]
Commander-class harness
- Main article: Sangheili Commander § Armor
The Commander-class harness is fielded by Sangheili who were experienced officers of the Covenant.[12][16] It has an ornate helmet very similar to that of the Officer variant.[17]
Commando harness
- Main article: Commando harness
The Commando harness is a lighter and sturdier variant. It is equipped with hardened communications gear and uplink capabilities, for use by Commando Units.[14]
Flight harness
- Main article: Flight harness
The Flight harness is a sealed armor destined for pilots of space fighters, such as the Tarasque heavy fighter and the Gigas fighter-bomber.[14]
General harness
- Main article: Sangheili General § Armor configuration
The harness used by Generals is golden, signifying their role as field masters. It features a command helmet.[18]
Hesduros Zealot-class harness
- Main article: Sangheili Zealot § Hesduros-inspired design
The harness's design is used by Zealots and Kaidons who originate from Hesduros. This traditional armor has a very organic, irregular surface.[19]
High Councilor harness
- Main article: Sangheili High Councilor § Equipment
The High Councilors were equipped with a large, ornamental helmet.[2] A similar but highly stylized version of this armor was also in use for Imperial Admirals.[20]
Honor Guard harness
- Main article: Sangheili Honor Guardsman
The harness was a highly ornamented, ceremonial equipment issued to Sangheili Honor Guardsmen.[2][21] The elite Lights of Sanghelios wore a bright-white base armor variant, instead of crimson red.[22]
Infiltration harness
- Main article: Infiltration harness
The Infiltration harness is an armor equipped with active camouflage technology.[23] As such, it is commonly used by Special Operations and Stealth Sangheili.[3][15]
Invader harness
- Main article: Invader harness
The Invader harness was a ceremonial armor used by Sangheili hunting lodges. Since the dissolution of the Covenant, it has been modernized for combat against the Jiralhanae.[24]
Kaidon harness
- Main article: Kaidon harness
The noble Kaidons have donned a variety of ceremonial battledresses with different styles and colors throughout Sangheili history.[12][25][26]
Officer harness
- Main article: Sangheili Major § Officer
Contrary to standard Majors who use the combat harness, the Officer subclass is equipped with a more ornate harness and helmet.[27] It exists in dark golden red and matte burgundy.[3][15]
Outrider harness
- Main article: Outrider harness
The Outrider harness is an upgraded armor destined to improve survivability and effectiveness for its user, especially during risky missions on frontier worlds.[24]
Ranger harness
- Main article: Ranger harness
The Ranger harness is a sealed armor used for extra-vehicular activity. There are many variations, including some derived from the Assault or Storm platforms.[28][29][30]
Storm harness
- Main article: Storm harness
The Storm harness is a variant produced by Lodam Armory originally for specialized shock troopers who operated on frontier worlds. The Storm variant gained prominence during the Sangheili civil war.[12][30]
Ultra-class armor
- Main article: Ultra-class armor
The armor is mostly worn by Sangheili Ultras, though it is not restricted to them. It is typically of a glistening white.[31] Some feature secondary red markings and a crested helmet.[3]
Warrior-class harness
- Main article: Sangheili Warrior § Armor
The Warrior-class harness is reinforced with a shield-bolstering pauldron system. It also has an accentuated helmet design.[32] The armor is typically golden, signifying a command position.
Human derivatives
After the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC, ONI and various private corporations started developing a number of armor permutations based on Sangheili armor technology for the MJOLNIR (GEN2) platform. This was done either by cooperating with human-allied Sangheili—like those from the Swords of Sanghelios—, or by independent research, testing, and reverse-engineering, sometimes bordering on disrespect for safety protocols.
The ANUBIS-class helmet's enhanced sensor suite was developed in collaboration with Sangheili, though ONI security paranoia has slowed technology integration.[33] The COPPERHEAD's external appearance and heads-up display bear Sangheili features, though it was not built from Sangheili technology properly. This Mjolnir variant is for militarized anthropology, including xenoanthropology.[33] The FREEBOOTER's seamless nanofabricated armor panels hint at a Sangheili trade link. It is produced by Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme.[33] The VALKYRIE-class Mjolnir is fully compatible with all known human and Covenant flight systems alike.[33]
Sangheili-sourced high-tier nanolaminates and scanning elements make the Dauntless sensor grid and faceplate outrageously expensive even by Watershed Division standards.[33] The Saturnine VISR hardware is fully compatible with Sangheili combat harness power and data feeds, leading some to believe it is intended for export.[33]
The HELIOSKRILL was developed by a Sangheili artisan-armorer prodigy who managed to crack through the MJOLNIR platform thanks to her skill. This Mjolnir variant is produced by Kolaar Manufactorum. The name comes from a predatory creature from Sanghelios.[33]
Gallery
Concept art of a Sangheili Minor's combat harness.
- HR EliteCommando Concept.jpg
Concept art of a cut Sangheili armor permutation bearing resemblance to the Commando harness.
Concept art of various cut designs for the Sangheili.
Early design for the Special Operations Sangheili.
Concept art of a Sangheili "nemesis".
Concept art of a Sangheili "sword master".
The techsuit in Halo 4.
The techsuit in Halo 5: Guardians.
Atriox holding a spiked Sangheili helmet in Halo Wars 2.
Banished Sangheili wearing Storm-like harnesses in Halo Wars 2.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Clarity & Grace
- ^ a b c d Halo 2: Anniversary
- ^ a b c d e Halo: Reach
- ^ Halo 2: The Official Strategy Guide, page 141
- ^ Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds, page 52
- ^ a b Halo Archive: Canon Fodder Thread GrimBrother One's comment
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, pages 57, 60
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 131 (2011 edition)
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, pages 56, 60
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, pages 28, 48
- ^ Halo 2: Anniversary: Terminals
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Fighting Words
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 56
- ^ a b c Halo 3
- ^ a b c Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 47
- ^ Halo 4
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 57
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, pages 27, 49
- ^ Halo: Fleet Battles
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 95
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Covenant Honor Guard
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 59
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Marching On
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Arbiter Thel Vadam
- ^ Ultra-Combo.com: Arbiter’s Colors & Accessories
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 135 (2011 edition)
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 58
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Brute Force
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Fury's Road
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Hints and Heroes
- ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, pages 29, 48
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo 5: Guardians