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Summary
- Height: Approximately 5 feet
- Strength: Weak
- Covenant Name: Unggoy
The Unggoy, or Grunts as humans have named them, are the cannon fodder of the Covenant military.
Weapon compatibility
- Plasma Pistol
- Needler
- Plasma Rifle
- Brute Plasma Rifle
- Fuel Rod Cannon
- Plasma Cannon
- Shade
- Large Plasma Turret
And possibly human dual weild weapons and the rocket launcher.
Vehicle Compatibility
Physiology
Grunts are approximately 5' tall and relatively weak compared to other Covenant species, but they are relatively strong for their size. They have a basic bipedal structure, but sometimes walk on all fours. they also wear a respirator, or a "rebreather", due to the fact that they breathe a supercooled methane atmosphere. Their blood is a mottled light blue, due to high methane content. They have three toes, and seem to have a claw of sorts on their elbows, although they never appear to use it in combat.
Culture
Grunt culture has largely been erased by their incorporation into the Covenant. They are essentially a slave race. Their homeworld is a cold, swampy planet with a methane atmosphere and naturally occurring pillars of fire.
Grunts obey the other Covenant races out of fear, because they have no political power in Covenant society. However, within the Grunt community there is a strong hatred of other species, and a belief that someday a dynamic Grunt leader will lead them to freedom on a methane-rich paradise world. It is very likely the crystal-like substances rather than plasma in the Needler mean it could be used on the Grunt homeworld with methane. So it is also likely the Needler came from the Grunt race as it is the only weapon the Heretic Grunts use (or their ability to be reused and reloaded).
Due to their low status, Grunts are not permitted by the Elites to possess family names. They do value their ties to their offspring, but are usually separated from their families at an early age by the requirements of their service to the Covenant. The Grunts resent this greatly, but are unable to muster any response.
Rank Structure
Grunts have several classes:
- Orange armored Minor Grunts are basically used as cannon fodder.
- Red armored Major Grunts are veterans that are sometimes seen commanding a few other lesser Orange Grunts.
- Black armored Special Ops Grunts who are commanded by the Special Ops Elites, and have been known to wield Fuel Rod Guns more frequently than the other Grunt types. It should be noted that they are less likely to panic in combat situations than other grunts.
- White armored Ultra Grunts seem to be field commanders for other Grunts, but have no control whatsoever over the other Covenant races. Three are seen in Halo 2.
- The green armored Gunner Grunts' main purpose seems to be to set up and use mounted plasma cannons and fixed turret emplacements (and the occasional fuel rod gun).
Other Information
Grunts have certain characteristics that make them difficult to classify scientifically. They have behavior similar to that of simians, but this does not reflect their appearance. They have hooves on their four-toed feet, their skin is leathery and purple-gray, and they have thick, light-blue blood (possibly because of the chemicals they breathe and the chemical reaction within their bodies). Even though they are small and not very agile, they are surprisingly strong--they can carry and fire a Fuel Rod Gun or a Rocket Launcher on their shoulder without toppling over. They also have to carry tanks of methane in their armor to breathe, and without it they will suffocate.
Reports have been received about Grunts communications, and that have high-pitched tones in their voices (possibly due to the methane they breathe). Also, there are several Grunts referring to something called a "food-nipple". At this time it is not known what this device does, though it is probably some kind of ration. Since they breathe methane, they are mostly seen wearing rebreather apparatuses on their backs, but they have been seen habitating in large environment domes that have airlocks and methane filters for them to breathe while not in armor. Grunts also aren't ones to skip a nap, as they are found napping around the Control Room on Installation 04 during day light hours.
Trivia
- In Tagalog, the language spoken in the Phillipines, "Unggoy" means "monkey".
- In Halo CE, there was a "curl-back" design for the Grunt life support system that occured on all ranks. This variation is not in Halo 2.
Known Grunts
More Info
Grunts were one of the original races of the Covenant, serving as soldiers and labors in all different fields. Grunts are obedient, loyal, and hard working, though not overly intelligent or creative. It has been indicated that at some time in the Covenant's history, there was a Grunt Rebellion, which was quelled, thanks in part to an Arbiter who was named during that period for that purpose.
They appear to be simian, easily walking either upright on two legs, or in the manner of a quadruped. While carrying arms, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands. While trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they will use their oversized arms as forlegs to add speed or stability to their gait.
Their homeworld is a cold and swampy planet blanketed in a thick methane atmosphere. For this reason, Grunts are seen carrying around a large life-support system on their back which appears nearly as large as they are, forming a conical protrusion upwards and outwards. Due to their bodies acclimation to breathing methane gas, their voices are high-pitched and squeaky, which sounds comical to other races. Also due to the chemicals they breath and the climate of their atmosphere, their blood has evolved into a semi-luminous blue fluid, and they have developed a very thick leathery bluish skin.
Grunts feel safe when in large numbers or led by an Elite, though if the Elite or most of the squad dies, or if a superior enemy gets too close, they tend to panic and flee. This exposes a vulnerable backside, where a single melee attack with any weapon will kill them. Also, in the original Halo, hitting a Grunt in the face with a grenade would outright kill it, even before detonation. The Grunts are the species which created Needlers (their only significant contribution to the Covenant's armaments), which use sharp homing crystals that can only be found on the Grunt's home world.
The Grunts make common enemies in both Halo games. They are armed with a variety of weapons, from plasma pistols to cannons. Grunts also come in many different classes, which can be easily distinguished visually due to the color of their armor and life-support apparatus.
During the Covenant Civil War, sparked by the replacement of the Elites by the Brutes as the Guardians of the Prophets, the Grunts have sided with the Hunters and Elites. This greatly bolstered the rebels' numbers.