Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman

Honor Guardman
Function:	Protector of important individuals
Species:	Jiralhanae
Affiliation:	Covenant
Group:	Covenant Honor Guard

This article is about Jiralhanae members of the Covenant Honor Guard. For other uses, see Honor Guard.

Rtas 'Vadumee: "This is unprecedented. Unacceptable."

High Prophet of Truth: "Recommissioning the Guard was a radical step. But recent events have made it abundantly clear that the Elites can no longer guarantee our safety."

— Conversation between Special Operations Commander Rtas 'Vadumee and High Prophet of Truth during the Changing of the Guard.

The position of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman was a notably high Covenant Jiralhanae rank. Jiralhanae that occupied this rank served as protectors for the Covenant's Hierarchs and other political figures during the Great Schism.^[1]

Overview

The Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen took the place of the Sangheili Honor Guardsmen as the loyal Protectors of the Hierarchs after the assassination of the High Prophet of Regret by John-117.^[2] This Changing of the Guard was the beginning of the Great Schism. The Sangheili were incensed that their role of protecting the San'Shyuum, which they had faithfully executed for millennia, had been revoked and delegated to their rivals, the Jiralhanae.^[3]

The then-new (and seemingly short-lived) Jiralhanae role was largely ceremonial, unless a San'Shyuum's life was being threatened.^[1]

Equipment

Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen wore the same armor as the their predecessors, but with slightly different plating. These plates had a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern was also seen on the thrones of the High Prophets. The helmet also had a yellow/red alternating pattern. It was upgraded and made larger, since Jiralhanae have larger heads overall than Sangheili. Guardsmen also sported a red holographic Jiralhanae Captain flag mounted on one shoulder.^[1]

Honor Guardsmen, both Sangheili and Jiralhanae, used the energy stave for ceremonial purposes.^[4] In combat, Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen were often armed with Brute plasma rifles, Brute shots and sometimes the Covenant carbine. They were willing to use M90 shotguns if necessary.^[5]

The main difference between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae guardsmen combat harness is that Jiralhanae harness does not possess energy shielding, while Sangheili harnesses have it equipped, rendering Jiralhanae guardsmen more vulnerable to damage.

Gameplay

Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen in Halo 2 fight with their own weapons, which include the Brute plasma rifle, the Brute shot and sometimes the Vostu-pattern carbine. They can also use the M90 shotgun. They always work in Pairs or Packs of two to three Jiralhanae and will go berserk when all but one are killed. Unlike their Sangheili counterparts, the Honor Guard helmet worn by Jiralhanae Honor Guards prevents them from receiving Headshots. This may be due to the fact that they wear their original Jiralhanae helmets underneath, and since together, these greatly strengthen protection. It's completely impossible to headshot an Honor Guard Jiralhanae.

Jiralhanae Honor Guards are the highest rank of Jiralhanae seen in Halo 2 aside from Chieftain of the Jiralhanae, and are noticeably more difficult opponents than Jiralhanae Majors or Jiralhanae Captains. Their indestructible helmets render them immune to headshots and thus they must be killed with body shots, which can be a difficult task considering a Jiralhanae's enormous durability. Effective ways to kill these Jiralhanae include to Dual wield plasma rifles, unleash a full round of needler fire, use the Covenant carbine, use the beam rifle, or simply kill them with a plasma grenade as they are somewhat slow. Fuel rod guns and Brute shots are also effective.