Covenant Leaders

Arbiter

Background Details

The Arbiter is a force to be reckoned with. After serving time in a maximum-security Covenant prison for crimes against the Covenant, he became the Prophet’s choice to lead the battle against the human race and was anointed “Arbiter.” He has killed people who serve under him for failing their tasks or bringing ill news, and he has no compunction about sending troops to their deaths if he thinks it will lead to a gain. Though extremely effective, this military savageness is what led him to jail.

The Arbiter’s temper is also something of legend, and in mad fits of rage, he can summon strength and speed like no other. However, this rage is directed at enemy and ally alike, and there are several accounts of him being the lone survivor in skirmishes and that he murdered everyone while enraged.

Privilege

For him, there had never been peace, not a moment without rage. His life had been hard and difficult, and his path always murky and dark. Regret stared down at him in the cell. The plasma grid holding him back was the only light in the room, but he sat, unbeaten but purposeless.

“Have you lost your way? Does the path not illuminate your life with purpose and joy? Ripa ‘Moramee, answer me. Your very life depends on these next few seconds.”

‘Moramee looked up; his thoughts were not of his own life but of how easily he could end this noisemaker that disturbed his penance. He focused on the Prophet, standing up and straining against the roof of the cell.

“I do not believe the Journey includes one such as I. I will be left here to rot like garbage.”

Regret backed away a little, not because he was fearful but because he wanted to take in the Elite as he stood. His hulking figure was large and imposing.

“The Journey calls for one such as you.”

Regret moved back in closer to ‘Moramee, their faces inches apart. In the shadows behind Regret, the Honor Guards grew nervous, and their weapons rustled.

“We have need for a leader, one both cunning and savage enough to defeat a great threat to those on the path.”

‘Moramee thought for a second. “I have served before, and this has been my reward. Nothing has changed.”

Regret laughed. “Ripa ‘Moramee, you act as if you have a choice in the matter! Your fate is already decided. Your name, it is gone, expunged from the records of this facility. Rise up. I name you Arbiter.”

The Honor Guards muttered and whispered. They had no knowledge of this plan.

Regret shouted, “Silence! I need not explain what the Journey demands! Now what say you, Arbiter?”

The Arbiter moved his stance. “I live only to serve Holy One. What task awaits your Arbiter?”

Leadership Qualities and Tactical Notes

Unique Troop Type: Suicide Grunt

These units are extremely specialized and expensive, compared to other leaders’ unique units. They are not usually utilized on the battlefield, as Hunters can fill a similar role without the problem of exploding themselves in a greasy mess of chemicals and body bits.

Leader Power: Rage

The Arbiter’s Rage ability really comes into its own once you upgrade to Defiant Rage, which allows you to regenerate Hit Points for each kill during Rage mode. The Rage ability is exceptional against massed armies, but you must be careful against the UNSC, as a Disruption Bomb can quickly hamper your progress.

When fighting against the Arbiter as the UNSC, it is preferable to engage a large force that has a strong Arbiter only after you have a Disruption Bomb ready. However, you can also use counter-infantry units (such as the Flamethrower) to deal large amounts of damage to the Arbiter. If you’re playing as the Covenant against an Arbiter army, massed Jackals can help to snipe down the Arbiter before he can inflict too many casualties on your forces.

Tactical Notes

The Arbiter is more than capable of massacring an entire army by himself if the enemy is unprepared. By utilizing his Rage ability, along with the Defiant Rage upgrade, the Arbiter can constantly regenerate his Hit Points every time he slays a foe. Fortunately, slaying is what he does best, making the Arbiter a considerable force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, as the Covenant has a generally weaker economy compared to the UNSC, you must use your leader as effectively as possible to overcome this disadvantage, or you may soon by overrun by superior troops.

Brute Chieftain

Age: Unknown

Background Details

As part of the assault on Harvest, he has grown to respect humans in battle for both their savage nature and perseverance against incredible odds. Death in battle against the humans would not be without honor. The Brute Chieftain is a fearsome warrior on the battlefield. Revered by his fellow Brutes, he lives for the chaos of war.

Attacks

For just a second, the Spirit of Fire bridge was in chaos. Information was coming in too fast from the surface, and everything seemed to be falling apart. Crewmembers were running between stations. Even Blake looked flustered and confused.

Cutter stood from his chair. “All right, let’s take this one step at a time. Serina, report.”

Serina moved from the holopad near Blake to the one right next to Cutter, cocking her head slightly. “Sir, Alpha and Bravo teams report they are under fire by unknown combatants; satellite scans show a large number of ground-based units approaching their positions. Our remaining forces were outflanked by the Covenant.” She paused. “Also, Sergeant Forge reports that they are Brutes.”

Cutter grimaced. “Get him online, Serina.”

“I had a sneaky feeling you would want to chat, sir. He’s onscreen now.”

Forge’s image crackled onto the screen, a thick cloud of billowing black smoke behind him. “Captain, little busy down here. These Brutes are well organized, smart even. We’ll get our asses handed to us unless Alpha and Bravo can get over here.” Cutter’s tone became even more serious. “Sergeant, Alpha and Bravo are under attack. I need you to secure your position ASAP. More troops are inbound to your position.”

“Understood, sir. We’ll improvise somehow. Forge out.”

Serina crossed her arms. “My previous analysis of Brute tactics is that they are very poor ground troops, disorganized and relatively easy to contain. What do you think changed?”

“I suspect like any army, the better the leader the stronger the force. We’ve been lucky up until now.”

Serina moved pads, back next to Blake. “Yes, because they would send their dumbest as the leading invasion forces when they attacked Harvest. All makes sense now.”

Blake looked up at Serina and whispered, “How the heck do you get away with that, Serina?”

Serina smiled. “It’s easy, really—he knows I control the oxygen valves.”

Leadership Qualities and Tactical Notes

Unique Troop Type: Brute and Brute Chopper

Brute infantry units are extremely effective at garrisoning hooks and defending them against enemy vehicles and air units. This gives the Brute an early advantage on many maps with these building types. A good example is Blood Gulch; if you garrison one of the supply elevator hooks and the Sniper Towers around them with Brute infantry, the enemy has a difficult time taking that elevator from you. Brute Choppers are also available, taking the place of Ghosts and manufactured in the Factory. They are tough and can inflict greater damage, but they cost twice as much to build.

Leader Power: Vortex

The Vortex power is an all-encompassing attack that is useful in a variety of situations. Explode the Vortex when you have enemy units that are close to death and you need to finish them off. There is no incorrect way to utilize this attack; however, proficient use makes the Vortex a lot more effective, as you’re dealing damage in a short time. When you’re attacking a base crowded by foes and many are wounded, let this attack rip! As with the Arbiter, counter the Brute Chieftain with the Disruption Bomb, long-range troops, or massed Jackals if you’re playing as the Covenant.

Tactical Notes

The Brute leader is the least effective of the Covenant leaders in large combat. This is because the Chieftain’s attacks savage only enemies in immediate melee combat, and the Chieftain must stand motionless when casting his Vortex power. This makes him very vulnerable to enemy units in many situations, as this is the best time to strike. However, the Brute Chieftain is no pushover; this beast is merciless in close-quarter combat and has more impressive Scout and infantry units than either of the other two Covenant leaders.

Prophet of Regret

Background Details

Regret’s recent rise to power has propelled the Covenant’s quest for the fabled Halo rings into the spotlight. After the disastrous first contact with humanity, Regret has pressed hard to ensure humankind’s extermination. The Prophet of Regret leads the Covenant alongside the Prophets Truth and Mercy.

The Day Before

Regret looked out over the world rolling before him. His plans, his dreams, and his secrets were all tied to this place. This world had been found many years earlier but lay dormant and still, its treasures locked in place and unreachable with Covenant technology. But now the need for a fleet to battle the humans and find a way to unlock the world had taken precedence over all other tasks, even the search for the rings....

“This world, it is secure from the infection?”

“Yes, Hierarch, the interior is sealed. The surface outside, though, is another matter, and the Flood are nothing if not persistent.” The Arbiter bowed his head slightly toward the Prophet as he talked, but he watched him carefully, like prey. His armor had been fitted properly, but it still did not feel comfortable. The prison he had been sentenced to before being anointed to Arbiter had not been kind to his body, and the armor was sharp and unforgiving.

“The treasures here and the bounty they will bring are part of a larger plan. We must not waiver.”

The Prophet watched for a moment, his hand clawing at the control panel in front of him, the controls snarled reddish and faded as his hand swept over them. He quickly moved away, not wanting the Arbiter to question the limit of his knowledge. “And what of your search for the key?”

“Hierarch, we scour tirelessly. Just today I have heard word that the human planet we set ablaze has a temple hidden under the ice. I have dis—”

“You have not deemed such a find important enough for your own eyes to see? Do you fear the humans? Do you tremble at the very thought of battle with them?”

“No, Hierarch. It did not seem necess—”

“Not necessary? NOT NECESSARY?! You bask in the glow of the ancients and yet you do not understand where and what you are! You are the Arbiter. Go to the temple; bring me my key. Do our bidding!”

The Arbiter clenched his fists and reached down for his weapon but pulled back. “I will leave at once.”

Leadership Qualities and Tactical Notes

Unique Troop Type: Elite Honor Guard

Elite Honor Guards suffer, as they have no long-range attack and can therefore be struck from the air with impunity. However, once they receive the Cloak upgrade, they can be an excellent sneak force, accompanying the Prophet, moving behind enemies and bases, and ambushing foes, especially those fleeing the battlefield. Keep them close and send them in to melee combat when you can.

Leader Power: Cleansing

The Cleansing attack works in a similarly devastating manner to Captain Cutter’s MAC Blast. Utilize it in the same way, following the tactics presented in Cutter’s section. The Cleansing is excellent against larger, slow-moving or stationary targets such as tanks and buildings. It is very difficult to use against moving targets.

If you’re facing the Prophet, be sure to keep your troops agile and on maneuvers so the Prophet can’t target your units. Spread your units out to limit the Cleansing’s area-of-effect damage.

Tactical Notes

The Prophet is a ruthlessly efficient and excellent leader early in a battle. He is best used to harass and destroy small enemy armies using hit-and-run tactics. Employ his Cleansing power against buildings, especially those currently under construction. The Prophet has few deficiencies, aside from those that all Covenant forces suffer from—susceptibility to the Disruption Bomb and the slightly weaker units compared to the UNSC.