Halo: All 8 Covenant Races Ranked By Strength

In simpler terms, Halo is a collection of science fiction video games where humans frequently find themselves battling against various alien species. One notable group of these extraterrestrials is known as the Covenant, who are at odds with the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) during the initial stages of the Halo narrative. Although there are numerous alien beings in Halo, the Covenant stand out as the most memorable among them.

It is essential for people to understand that the Covenant is not just one alien species; instead, it is a unified group of eight distinct alien races, all bound together by their shared fanatical religious beliefs. In this context, let’s take a look at each of these eight Covenant races and rank them according to their strength.

8. Prophets (San’Shyuum)

Many individuals might question why we placed the Prophets, the spiritual leaders of the Covenant, as its least powerful members, given their status within the religious group. Essentially, the San’Shyuum, their species, lack combat abilities and are not particularly strong in battle. Instead, they serve as leaders and symbolic figures for the Covenant, much like political leaders who may not excel in physical conflict but hold prominent positions in any government.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my disdain for the San’Shyuum, who embody the darkest traits within the Covenant. They exploit their power and manipulate their religious teachings, selectively applying them to serve their own interests. This makes them the epitome of deceit and treachery within the Covenant, willing to betray even their fellow races if it aligns with their agenda. Truly despicable beings.

In the Halo video game series, it’s clear that even prophets are not faithful to each other, often displaying hostility towards one another. This makes us, as players, feel a strong dislike for them and wish we could engage in a real battle against them. Regrettably, in the entire Halo series, you can only fight one Prophet character.

7. Engineers (Huragok)

The Huragok, often referred to as Engineers, are rarely recognized for their heroic contributions within the Covenant. This is primarily due to their instrumental role in aiding the Prophets in manipulating ancient Forerunner technology. It’s essential to note that these beings were designed and created by the Forerunners themselves, making them artificial lifeforms. Since they serve as tools, Huragok are not typically involved in combat and can usually be found working discreetly behind the scenes to ensure the Covenant has access to the advanced technology of their creators.

Essentially, these characters are unrecognized heroes because we rarely witness or hear about them, yet they play a crucial role behind the scenes throughout the Halo series, contributing significantly to the Covenant’s objectives. They are prepared to go to great lengths to ensure the Covenant’s victory, even resorting to self-sacrifice as suicide bombers in battles when necessary. Alternatively, they often protect their stronger allies by placing themselves in harm’s way.

6. Drones (Yanme’e)

In the Halo series, the drones – aptly named due to their function – frequently appear as secondary characters within the Covenant. Known alternatively as Yanme’e, these insect-like beings may not be physically formidable, but they can engage in combat on behalf of the Covenant. Typically, however, they serve more as mechanics within this alien race.

When dealing with a solitary Drone, destruction can be straightforward; however, the challenge lies in the fact that they seldom operate independently. Consequently, it’s essential to be prepared to neutralize multiple Drones simultaneously whenever encountered. Additionally, these mechanical adversaries demonstrate proficiency in wielding their preferred weapons, making them formidable opponents. Therefore, always remember not to underestimate the abilities of these Covenant aliens.

5. Jackals (Kig-Yar)

Jackals occupy a moderate position within the Covenant’s power spectrum, neither the weakest nor the strongest. They can be considered as versatile members who hold more value than Grunts but aren’t as exceptional as Brutes or Elites. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t make them ineffective in their roles.

Referred to as Kig-Yar, these creatures are often referred to as Jackals. In combat, they prove their worth, with some of them possessing exceptional skills as snipers, capable of taking you out from a distance using their beam rifles. As the game’s difficulty level rises, it becomes all too easy to fall at the hands of a Jackal sniper. Therefore, always remember not to underestimate these Covenant members due to their deadly accuracy.

Jackals are known for their ability to harass you effectively from short distances due to their agility and speed, making it challenging to land accurate blows while avoiding their attacks. This swift maneuvering can lead to difficulties in landing kills, all the while exposing you to potential damage from the Jackals during combat. Despite not being particularly strong or durable, they can still prove fatal if you’re not cautious.

4. Grunts (Unggoy)

The Grunts, fittingly named, occupy the bottom rung in the Covenant military hierarchy due to their disposable nature within the collective. Their alternate name, Unggoy, which translates to ‘monkey’ in Filipino, is quite apt as it accurately portrays their role.

In the heat of battle, grunts may seem like playful monkeys due to their simplicity in combat and goofy demeanor. On the field, they stand out not just because of their sheer numbers, but also because they serve as the Covenant’s beacons of light – a term that humorously underscores their vulnerability in battle.

Although Grunts might seem insignificant due to their low status, a large number of them can prove to be formidable opponents for any player. Therefore, it’s crucial not to underestimate these simian-like extraterrestrials, as they can indeed pose a threat. However, let’s admit it, taking down Grunts in the game is always an enjoyable experience!

3. Hunters (Mgalekgolo)

In the world of Halo, the Hunters are indeed hunters, but with a twist. Known as Mgalekgolo, which translates to “many” in Filipino, these formidable adversaries possess long-range cannons capable of causing damage from afar. What makes them particularly challenging is their dual capability: they can use shields for defense and close combat offenses, making them versatile opponents within the Halo universe.

However, what sets the Hunters apart is their tendency to operate in twos, making them formidable adversaries. Each Hunter presents a significant challenge on its own, thus rendering them exceptionally hard to defeat. This is the reason they hold a dominant position among the alien species that make up the Covenant’s strength hierarchy.

Absolutely, experienced gamers understand that Hunters from the Halo series are heavily fortified with armor, possessing only a limited number of vulnerable areas. Consequently, defeating these adversaries can be quite challenging.

2. Brutes (Jiralhanae)

The Brutes, who reside near the summit of this hierarchy, deserve their position due to their exceptional strength among the Covenant species. They frequently assume commanding roles in combat and enjoy a position of trust alongside the Prophets as their most reliable lieutenants. This superiority can be attributed to their physical characteristics, resembling the offspring of apes and bears, which are inherently powerful.

As a devoted admirer, I must admit that while the Brute may not boast the intelligence of other Covenant alien races, they more than make up for it with their raw combat instincts. It’s like facing off against a gorilla and a grizzly bear in a fight – something no one wants to experience, and that’s precisely what encountering a Brute feels like.

Although Brutes appear formidable, they’re not the most potent combatants within the Covenant, as they often seem less intriguing and less powerful in terms of fighting ability compared to the Elites.

1. Elites (Sangheili)

The Sangheili are known as “Elites” due to their high status within the Covenant, serving as the Prophets’ top-tier allies until the Brutes assumed control. Despite being usurped by the Brutes, Elites remain the most formidable members of the Covenant, demonstrating superior intelligence and adaptability compared to their counterparts. These honorable warriors take great pride in their valor on the battlefield and uphold their dignity at all times.

Leading figures, or elites, often take the front line in conflicts due to their exceptional skills as both tacticians and fighters. This makes them highly skilled adversaries who can expertly handle a wide variety of weapons.

Absolutely, Elites stand out among the Covenant as the sole members who wield energy swords. This makes them particularly skilled not just at eliminating enemies with their rifles, but also adept at dealing deadly blows in hand-to-hand combat.

2025-06-06 07:14