Elite (Halo)

General CVG character
name= Sangheili


caption=An Elite as seen in "Halo 3".
series="Halo" series
firstgame="" (2001)

Elites are a fictional alien race in the "Halo" series by Bungie Studios. Until a civil war in "Halo 2", they serve as one of the two primary commanding species in the caste system of the Covenant, an alliance of alien races. The species, called Sangheili in the Covenant language, is portrayed as physically strong and capable of brilliant military strategy; they serve as one of the player's most dangerous enemies in both "" and "Halo 2". Learning that their leaders have actually betrayed them all along, the Elites ally with their one-time enemies, humanity, during "Halo 3". Borne of a fierce and proud warrior culture, Elites are promoted for their kills on the battlefield, and wear armor denoting their rank.

Elites were one of the first enemies to appear during development of "Halo: Combat Evolved", and players experience almost half of "Halo 2"'s campaign through the eyes of an Elite known as the Arbiter. In "Halo 3", the third and fourth players in cooperative mode play as two new Elite characters, N'tho 'Sraom and Usze 'Taham. The creatures were originally more conventional-looking, with simple jaws and horns, before later concepts added personal energy shields and made the Elites less animalistic.

In addition to marketing, Elites have been featured in two different action figure series, produced by Joyride Studios, as well as a collectible figure in the Halo ActionClix game. The Elites have been favorably received as both enemies and allies, although their role replacement in "Halo 3" by the Covenant Brutes was not universally appreciated, nor was the removal of the Elite's side-story.

Character design

The Elites were one of the first enemies to be developed during the production of "Halo: Combat Evolved", and underwent numerous cosmetic changes during their development. Bungie artist Shi Kai Wang developed numerous concept sketches of the characters before settling on a final design; early Elites had more conventional jaws, arrow-shaped heads and horns. [cite web |url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=prexboxhistory040904 |title=One Million Years B.X. |author=Bungie|date=2006-02-10 |publisher=Bungie.net|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060210224125/http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=prexboxhistory040904 |archivedate=2006-02-10 ] A pre-release trailer video of "Halo: Combat Evolved" was presented to the public on E₃ 2000, included an early model of the Elite.Bungie Studios, 2005. Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack (Xbox Extras: "Halo E3 2000". (in English).] Minor changes were still made to the characters after E3, including the addition of a personal energy shield. An early design for the Major Domo-class Elite is seen wielding an Energy Sword and carrying a triple-layered energy shield, which did not make it into the final game.

In "The Art of Halo", Bungie concept artist Shi Kai Wang noted that project lead Jason Jones had, at one point, been insistent on giving the Elites a tail. [cite book |last= Trautmann|first=Eric|title=The Art of Halo|year= 2004|publisher= Del Ray Publishing|location=New York |isbn=0-345-47586-0 |pages=37] While Wang thought it made the aliens look too animalistic, the idea was eventually dropped due to practical considerations, including where the tail would go when the Elites were driving vehicles. "At one point, we considered just having the Elites tuck their tails forward, between their legs," Wang noted, "But [we] abandoned that... for obvious reasons."cite book |last= Trautmann|first=Eric|title=The Art of Halo|year= 2004|publisher= Del Ray Publishing|location=New York |isbn=0-345-47586-0 |pages=38] According to Paul Russel, when Bungie was bought by Microsoft and "Halo" was turned into an Xbox launch title, Microsoft took issue with the design of the Elites, as the Japanese felt that they looked too much like cats.cite video |people=Jarrard, Brian; Smith, Luke, &c |date2=2008-08-21|title=Bungie Podcast: With Paul Russell and Jerome Simpson |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/d/c/4dcc4b82-fee5-4570-b28f-b573a1ad1631/Bungie_Podcast_082108.mp3|format=MP3 |medium=Podcast |publisher=Bungie |location= Kirkland, Washington|accessdate=2008-08-27 |time= |quote= ]

Attributes

ociety

Elites are the main fighters of the Covenant from ', up until the events of "Halo 2", serving also as the sole protectors of the Covenant Hierarchs. [Arbiter: We have always been your protectors. - cite video game| title = Halo 2| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| date = 2004| platform =Xbox| version = | level = The Arbiter] The race has a strong warrior culture, fighting for the glory of combat and to uphold the 'Covenant Oath'. [Rtas 'Vadumee: On the blood of our fathers. On the blood of our sons-we swore to uphold the Covenant. Covenant Troop: Even to our dying breath. Rtas 'Vadumee:"' Those who would break this oath are heretics. Worthy of neither pity nor mercy. Even now they use our Lords' creation to broadcast their lies. - cite video game| title = Halo 2| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| date = 2004| platform =Xbox| version = | level = The Arbiter] Elites are promoted on the number of enemies they have killed and casualties inflicted on the opposing force. All Elites wear armor, the color of which serves to indicate rank; [cite web| url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=697| title=The Covenant Primer| publisher=Bungie| date=2004-04-29| accessdate=2007-10-31] this armor contains a built-in, recharging energy shield, and occasionally an active camouflage system.

Tactically brilliant,cite book | year=2001 | editor=Bungie | title="Halo: Combat Evolved" Instruction Manual: The Elites | pages=19 | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios] the Elites nonetheless value integrity and honor, even in their foes. In the Conversations from the Universe booklet that comes with the "Halo 2" Limited Edition, Elites openly admire the tenacity of the humans they fight, and wonder why the Prophets do not admit them into the Covenant; according to "", the Elites consider the best opponents to be worth taking as allies. [cite book |last= Staten|first= Joseph|title=|year= 2007|publisher= Tor|location=New York |isbn=0-7653-1569-6 |pages=151]

Little is explained about the non-military aspect of the Elites; according to Bungie's backstory of N'tho 'Sraom, Elites begin compulsory military service at the end of adolescence, and remain unmarried with no close ties outside their family. cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack |title = The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3 |accessdate = 2007-08-02 |author = Smith, Luke |date = 2007-07-31 |publisher= Bungie.net ] The Elite homeworld is mentioned as Sanghelios in "Halo 3"; it is intimated that in their tours of duty Elites rarely return home.Rtas 'Vadum: Things look different, without the Prophets' lies clouding my vision. I would like to see our own world. To know that it is safe. / Arbiter: Fear not. For we have made it so. - cite video game| title = Halo 3| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| date = 2007| platform =Xbox 360| version = | level = Halo]

Appearance

The average Elite stands at eight feet, six inches (2.6 m).cite web| url=http://the-junkyard.net/characters-halo.php?action=viewcharacter&game=halo&id=18| title=the Junkyard: Character Viewer Elites| publisher=The Junkyard|publisher=the-junkyard.net| accessdate=2007-10-31] They have a quadruple-hinged jaw, with an upper jaw and four mandibles lined with sharp, pointed teeth. Elites have hands with only four digits; two middle fingers and two opposing thumbs on the outside for grasping. Their legs are digitigrade, allowing them to run very quickly and jump large distances. It is stated in ' that their knees bend in the opposite direction to that of humans. Finally, they are extremely strong, able to match the strength of a Spartan-II equipped with the powered exoskeleton present in the MJOLNIR battle armor. Little is known of their internal anatomy, although it is mentioned in the book ' that Elites have multiple hearts and purple blood. [ cite book |last= Nylund|first= Erc|title=|year= 2006|publisher= Tom Doherty Associates|location=New York |isbn=0-765-31568- |pages=372]

Appearances

"Halo" series

The Elites are introduced as one of the primary enemies in 2001's '. They are imposing, both to enemies and allies; if their Elite commander is killed, Covenant Grunts and Jackals will panic and flee from the player. [cite book | year=2004 | editor=Bungie | title="Halo 2" Instruction Manual | pages=4 | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios] In the 2003 adaptation of the game, ', it is revealed that Elites serve not only as commanders of infantry and ships, but also as liaisons to Covenant Prophets (although Ship Masters view these Elites with contempt.) [cite book |last= Dietz|first= William|title=|year= 2003|publisher= Ballantine Books|location=New York |isbn=0-345-45921-0 |pages=6]

Elites return in "Halo 2", occasionally allies when the player assumes control of the Arbiter. During the game, the Prophets replace the old Elite guards with the Elite's rivals, the Brutes. Covertly, the Prophets give the Brutes ' to massacre the Elites, [Tartarus: Excellent work Arbiter. The Hierarchs will be pleased. Arbiter: The Icon...is my responsibility. Tartarus: Was your responsibility. Now it is mine. A bloody fate awaits you and your incompetent race. And I, Tartarus, Chieftain of the Brutes, will send you to it. Arbiter: When the Prophets learn of this they will have your head. Tartarus: When they learn? Fool. They ordered me to do it. - cite video game| title = Halo 2| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| date = 2004| platform =Xbox| version = | level = Quarantine Zone] sparking a civil war in the Covenant; the Elites ultimately join forces with the humans on the ringworld Delta Halo in order to stop the Brute Tartarus from activating the ring. Eric Nylund's book ' elaborates on the schism; after the events of "Halo 2", Brute and Elite ships clash over Delta Halo, attacking not only each other but any Flood attempting to escape the ring.

In "Halo 3", the Elites journey to Earth after the loss of the Covenant city, "High Charity", to the Flood's leader Gravemind. There, they glass the City of Voi in a costly but ultimately successful bid to prevent a Flood infestation of Earth. [Rtas 'Vadum (arrogantly): Did you not hear? Your world is doomed. A Flood army, a Gravemind, has you in its sights! You barely survived a small contamination. / Lord Hood: And you, Ship Master, just glassed half a continent! Maybe the Flood isn't all I should be worried about. - cite video game| title = Halo 3| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| date = 2007| platform =Xbox 360| version = | level = Floodgate] The Elite fleet, along with allied humans, then travel through a Slipspace portal to the Ark; there, they fight both Flood and the High Prophet of Truth's forces. In the resulting conflict, Truth is killed and the Flood are destroyed; the war with humanity ends. The Elites under the Arbiter's command pay their respects to the fallen on Earth, then proceed to head for their homeworld.

Appearances in other media

The addition of an Elite model in "Halo 2" multiplayer has led to Elites being used in a variety of machinima productions; for example, "This Spartan Life" features an Elite named "DJ Octobit" who spins tunes, [cite web|url=http://www.happynews.com/news/this-spartan-life.htm|title=A talk-show in a virtual war-zone|publisher=happynews.com|author=Staff|date=2005-08-19|accessdate=2007-11-01] as well as the "Solid Gold Elite Dancers". [cite news|author=Staff|date=2006-10-22|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article604292.ece|title=Put yourself in the director’s chair|work=Times Online|accessdate=2008-08-23] Elites, known as "aliens", also play an important role in the plot of "Red vs. Blue"; the character Tucker's alien child, "Junior", turns out to be the messiah of his race, and becomes embroiled in a plot to control the alien's religion. [Rooster Teeth Productions (2007-06-09). "Red vs Blue" episode 99: "Repent, The End is Near".]

Cultural impact

Merchandise

The Elites have been featured in several action figure series. One of these being a series based on "Halo 2" and published by Joyride Studios. The default version of the figure was described as having good stability and complementing other figures in the series; this was the first of two designs produced, with the second being an Elite Major model. [cite web| author=Staff|url=http://www.armchairempire.com/action-figures/elite.htm| title=Action Figure Reviews: Elite (Halo)| publisher=The Armchair Empire| date=2004-01-17| accessdate=2007-10-25] Reviews of this model criticized it for having loose articulations and for lacking the ability to stand on its own, but praised its paint job. [cite web| author=J' Tonallo| url=http://www.armchairempire.com/action-figures/elite-red-halo.htm| title=Action Figure Reviews: Elite, Red (Halo)| publisher=The Armchair Empire| date=2004-12-07| accessdate=2007-10-25] A second series of Elite figures were released after the release of "Halo 2". [cite web| url=http://www.armchairempire.com/action-figures/ranger-elite.htm|title=Ranger Elite (Halo 2)|publisher=The Armchair Empire|author=Staff|date=2005-09-25|accessdate= 2007-11-01] The character was also included as a collectible figure in the Halo ActionClix board game, which was released as promotional material before the release of "Halo 3". [cite web| author=McElroy, Justin| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/halo-actionclix-take-shape-due-in-september/| title=Halo ActionClix take shape, due in September| publisher=Joystiq| date=2007-06-05| accessdate=2007-10-25]

Critical reception

The Elites have been well-received as both villains and allies. The artificial intelligence of the Elites in "Halo: Combat Evolved" was positively noted upon the game's release; [cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/halo/review.html?page=2|title="Halo: Combat Evolved" for Xbox|author=Fielder, Joe|date=2001-11-09|publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=2007-11-08] different ranks of Elites would behave differently towards the player. The designer Shi Kai Wang said that the final design of Elites was the aspect of "Halo" he was most proud of. [cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/themakers2.htm|publisher=Microsoft|title=Shi Kai Wang, Bungie Artist|accessdate=2008-05-03|first=Violet|last=Leigh] The ability to experience the storyline of "Halo 2" from the Covenant perspective was described as a "brilliant stroke of game design". Allowing the player to assume the role of an Elite was described as providing an unexpected plot twist, and allowing the player to experience a "newfound complexity to the story". [cite web|author=Kasavin, Greg|date=2004-11-07|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/halo2/review.html?page=2|title="Halo 2" for Xbox Review|publisher=Gamespot|accessdate=2007-10-25] In addition, some reviewers thought that this provided the series with a significant plot element- IGN referred to it as the "intriguing side story of the Arbiter and his Elites"- and its elimination in "Halo 3" was pointed to as responsible for reducing the role of the Arbiter within the series plot.cite web| author=Goldstein, Hillary| url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/821/821911p1.html| title="Halo 3" Review|publisher=IGN| date=2007-09-23| accessdate=2007-10-25] In addition, Elite were often considered superior to human Marines as allies, as the alien characters have the ability to take large amounts of damage, having a personal shield and superior default weapons.cite web| author=McLain, Alex | year=2007|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/spotlight14.htm| title=The Big One| publisher=Microsoft Corporation| accessdate=2007-10-25] They were also described as reducing the amount where the player has to play without backup characters, and increasing the amount of tactical combat. With dependable allies, the human player has more time to react, based on the actions of their comrades.

References

External links

* [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Elite Elite article] at [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Halopedia] , a "Halo" wiki