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Each of these alien species is fascinatingly unique — and sometimes horrible — in their right and substantially varied in their degrees of usefulness to the Covenant’s affairs throughout the Halo games. Anyone who has wondered which ones are the toughest and what makes them tick has come to the right place. Below they can find all eight Covenant species ranked from the lowest of the low to those that give even the most skilled Spartans a challenging time.
Updated June 15, 2022, by Christopher Anaya: The Covenant is undoubtedly one of the greatest threats the UNSC has ever faced, and understandably so. This coalition of varying species fights under a theocratic hegemony that allows them to cooperate with deadly efficiency to achieve the impossible. The relentlessness and conviction of the Covenant have fueled the fires of war between it and the UNSC for twenty-eight years, and initially, its victory was seemingly inevitable. While the technological advancements and beliefs of the Covenant contributed much to its success, its real power comes from its diverse assortment of alien species.
Alone, each alien species could not achieve the numerous triumphs of the Covenant. Only together, fighting under a single banner, could they pose a significant threat to humanity and hold such influence over the universe. The several alien species each carry their strengths and weaknesses that, when united under the coalition of the Covenant, balance out and grant much flexibility. However, while every creature of this alliance serves a purpose, some species stand above others in power, whether represented as sheer might or beguiling influence. Understanding the Covenant’s hierarchy is the key to comprehending its effectiveness.
The Covenant
The Covenant Empire, commonly known as the Covenant, is a union of various alien species united under a theocratic hegemony. This alliance consists of eight alien species led by the San’Shyuum or the Prophets. The Covenant aims to initiate an ascension using the knowledge of the Forerunners, named the Great Transcendence, through the Halo Array. Unbeknownst to the Covenant, the interpreters of this transcendence — the Prophets — incorrectly deciphered the true purpose of the Halo Array, which is a device meant to counteract the Flood by causing universe-wide genocide.
The truth of the Great Transcendence’s outcome would significantly divide the Covenant during an event known as the Great Schism, which resulted in the forced removal of the Sangheili. Such a splintering would be the leading factor in the Covenant’s defeat during their genocidal war with humanity, weakening their forces and causing the Sangheili to side against it. This loss would, in turn, cause the main branch of the Covenant to fall, leaving countless remnants in its place. Now, numerous splinter-factions exist, each claiming to be the successor to the long-forgotten Covenant. But, in truth, no such inheritor lives and likely never will.
8 Grunts (Unggoy)
The diminutive Unggoy, colloquially known as Grunts, is likely the first Covenant species that most Halo players will have ever encountered. Grunts are comparatively short, angry, and surprisingly hilarious but far from intimidating as they can hardly hold their own against the UNSC’s lowliest forces — unless they are charging with Plasma Grenades hand-in-hand. Despite their inferior standing in the Covenant’s hierarchy, Grunts boast fearlessness and even a surprising amount of confidence as of recently.
Grunts’ lack of discipline, clumsiness and apparent ineptitude in combat cause many to lower their guard. Fortunately, being underestimated is their greatest strength that proves surprisingly effective. In numbers and under the leadership of more militaristic Covenant forces, they can offer a tactical advantage against unsuspecting foes. This edge in combat becomes far more effective when Grunts equip themselves with explosives, whether Plasma Grenades or a Fuel Rod cannon.
7 Drones (Yanme’e)
The arthropod Yanme’e, or just Drones, are essentially an insect-like species of aliens, which might at first seem to be the lowest tier of the food chain and the Covenant’s soldiers. Drones’ flight capabilities and tendency to be deployed in massive swarms even up the odds when comparing them to other Covenant species, though, if only by the narrowest of margins possible.
Drones’ combat mobility can make it difficult for a conventional sharpshooter to land a clean shot. This strength with their hive-mind mentality and overwhelming forces can often result in countless UNSC forces becoming victims to withering fusillades of molten plasma. Even exceptionally skilled Spartans have trouble combating an incalculable swarm of Drones as their numbers prove too great.
6 Jackals (Kig-Yar)
As anyone who has attempted a Legendary difficulty run through Halo 2 will be aware, the Kig-Yar or Jackals are the worst, not just due to their deadly and unerring accuracy with the ludicrously overpowered Covenant beam rifle. These gangly, ugly creatures are spiteful and inexplicably itching for new ways to express it, preferably with an uncannily well-placed shot to the head of any unknowing UNSC soldier or any that are not of the Covenant. Not surprisingly, they tend not to get along well with other species or their own.
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When Jackals are not stealthily sniping holes through anything they can lay their uncomfortably bulging eyes on, they are equipping themselves with bulletproof defensive shields for maximum frustration. Thankfully, however, they are not at all durable and will crumble at the first sign of a stiff breeze. So, once a Jackal’s shield is down, they are left at the mercy of whomever they regrettably angered.
5 Engineers (Huragok)
The Huragoks, known as Engineers, merit as a species is questionable, as they are more Forerunner fabrications than organic lifeforms. Though, Engineers look the part and, despite their complete and utter lack of direct combat capabilities, their usefulness to the Covenant and its forces is unquestionable.
Engineers, as their name suggests, are technological virtuosos unparalleled in the Covenant and beyond. They can innately interface with any computer system and repair any mechanical structure or vehicle they encounter, regardless of familiarity. This utility that Engineers possess allows the Covenant a significant advantage against enemies. So, while they boast no power in the conventional sense, Engineers’ capabilities are extraordinary enough to warrant their placement among the Covenant.
4 Hunters (Mgalekgolo)
The Mgalekgolo, aptly named Hunters, are among the most formidable and distinguished species within the Covenant’s roster and possibly the universe. Rather than a singular, comprehensive entity, a Hunter consists of dozens of individually small, serpentine creatures known as Lekgolo that bond together to form a conglomeration of various beings functioning as a single entity. With an impossibly thick set of armor and an enhanced arm-mounted Fuel Rod cannon, the meek and fragile Lekgolo become the feared Hunters.
If a single Hunter was not challenging enough, these hulking behemoths typically work in pairs, granting them advantages of sheer power and numbers. Together, a duo of Hunters boasts enough firepower to make a Spartan sweat or at the very least cause them to rethink their strategies. However, the numerous gaps in the thick plating of a Hunter expose their incredibly susceptible Lekgolo insides, which are so vulnerable that a single, well-placed shot can put them down for good.
3 Brutes (Jiralhanae)
The Jiralhanae, or the fittingly titled Brutes, deserve their name because their brutality is unprecedented among the Covenant’s forces and many other species. Visually resembling a humanoid amalgamation between a canine and an ape, Brutes’ imposing physicality is every bit as intimidating as the barbaric weaponry they employ. Among their vast arsenal, Brutes famously utilize bladed grenade launchers known as the Brute Shot, a devastating bludgeoning weapon aptly named the Gravity Hammer, and SMG-like spike lobbing carbine designated the Spiker.
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Even without their famously savage weaponry, Brutes are more than capable of tearing apart just about anything with their bare hands. However, their ability to think tactically and exercise caution is somewhat questionable. Brutes are quick to anger and, should they face a particularly frustrating foe or situation, will forgo any practicality, instead choosing to forfeit their arms and charge headlong into combat. This untempered savagery is easily exploited and prevents these otherwise deadly combatants from being among the Covenant’s finest.
2 Elites (Sangheili)
The Sangheili, best known as Elites, are — or were, depending on where one is in the timeline — the backbone of the Covenant’s military forces, and for more than a few good reasons. These honor-bound warriors wield Covenant technology with deadly proficiency, entering battle equipped with a vast array of tactically selected weaponry and energy shields that are more or less equivalent to those employed by Spartan MJOLNIR armor. The skills and gear utilized by the Elites make them a match for even the finest Spartans.
Where the Brutes rely on — as one may guess — brute strength, Elites temper their might with tactical cunning and battlefield ingenuity, making them the more deadly adversary when placed on even footing with their rivals. They vary in rank and prowess, but the most skilled Elites are extraordinarily dangerous and best fought with impressive gear, terrifying strength, and superior cunning. Failure to meet an Elite blow for blow will result in a swift and brutal death that many a Spartan met on countless occasions.
1 Prophets (San’Shyuum)
The San’Shyuum, revered as the Prophets, are not physically imposing, nor do they hold their own in combat. In truth, the Prophets are embarrassingly frail, if not outright decrepit, but their might is not akin to that of many of the Covenant’s forces. Their power comes from their position and influence as they are the ruling caste of the Covenant. The Prophet’s ability to keep a motley and antagonistic assortment of various species in line should speak volumes about the costly mistake of underestimating them.
Even the enigmatic 343 Guilty Spark regards the Prophets as masterful manipulators that can effortlessly bend most to their will. They possess the innate gift of being able to get the other, more martially capable races to do their fighting for them, which essentially means their strength is the sum of the Covenant — being equivalent to the UNSC and then some. While they lack proficiency in combat, the Prophets are not without protection, generally commanding the most advanced and deadliest technologies within the Covenant’s arsenal, giving them a much-needed edge against even Spartans.
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