Editing Codex - The Covenant (section)

==Info on Covenant Infantry==

[[File:Covenant_Stancei.jpg|350px|thumb|center|A Covenant artistic propaganda poster incorrectly depicting the Unggoys and Kig-Yars as more grotesque and fearsome then in real life, this was meant to frighten and scare the Civilian population and make the local Imperial Guardsmen feel nervous and intimidated in the Ultima Segmentum regions. A perfect psychological weapon.]]

===Light Infantry===

'''Unggoy Lance:''' The lowest of the low in the Covenant's religious hierarchy, the xenos species known as the Unggoy are used as cannon fodder by the Covenant. They are smaller and weaker than an average Imperial Guardsman, and must be employed in large numbers to have any effect on enemy troops. Their morale is fragile unless they are being led by an Elite or Deacon, and they are prone to panicked retreats when the tide of battle shifts against them. Cheap and rapidly reproducing, the Unggoy are typically armed with a plasma pistol; the per-shot damage of these weapons is comparable to an Imperial "Hotshot" lasgun. Like Imperial plasma weapons, these pistols can be overcharged to fire a more powerful shot, which increases the weapon's damage and causes an electromagpulse capable of disorienting machine spirits and damaging sensitive electronic components. Some Unggoy carry a Needler, an exotic solid-projectile weapon that bears little resemblance to the Imperial weapon of the same name. The Covenant needler fires explosive crystalline "needles" which home on their targets and inflict heavy damage. Unggoy lances are also equipped with plasma grenades. These grenades, through some technosorcerous means, are capable of adhering to their target once armed and thrown. When led by a Deacon, they receive the ability "Zeal" , which allows the Unggoy to embark on a suicide attack in which they charge the enemy with an armed plasma grenade in each hand. This move sacrifices a few models, but the effects can be devastating to opposing infantry or light vehicles.

'''Unggoy Heavy Weapons Team:''' Some Unggoy are trained in the employment of Covenant heavy ordnance, such as fuel rod guns. Every Grunt in this team goes into battle carrying a heavy weapon of some sort. However, despite their formidable arsenal, these are still Unggoy and are thus prone to flee if the battle does not go their way as intended. 

'''Kig-Yar Lance:''' Used as scouts and reconnaissance, these birdlike xenos carry portable energy shields. Unlike the Elites' personal shielding, these shields are carried in the hand, similar to Imperial storm shields. Kig-Yar can be either armed with a plasma pistol or needler. They are very good shots and are best employed against light infantry. Occasionally in situations that force the Kig-Yar to fight in CQC, they may trade their ranged weapons for an energy cutlass, an energy blade made from the same exotic material as the needler's ammunition, which in turn causes any unfortunate victim to violently explode if slashed. They are, however, vulnerable to flanking and have low toughness.
*'''T'vaoan Squad:'''Also known as "Skirmishers", these cousins of the more common Kig-Yar are faster, stronger and tougher. Used as scouts and assassins, these xenos are fast, accurate, and ruthless. Armed with a needle rifle or focus rifle, the T'vaoan Squad can be upgraded to a T'vaoan Commando, boosting their BS by one. They are a very good anti-infantry squad and have Move Through Cover and Stealth. However despite these benefits they lack the shields carried by their cousins, therefore they are one of the most vulnerable units in the Covenant army.

'''Yanme'e Swarm:''' As weak as Grunts but equally numerous, with the addendum of flight and Fearlessness. Each Yanme'e swarm is led by a Yanme'e Patriarch, which can be identified by its more regal colors and horns. These Patriarchs act as the commanding officer or leader of an entire swarm. Yanme'e swarms can choose from a range of weapons, including plasma pistols, plasma rifles, and needlers, and are naturally armed with razor sharp claws.

'''Thanolekgolo Swarm:''' The weakest form of Lekgolo is the Lekgolo themselves. These meter-long worms, while individually weak on their own, makes up for their disadvantages by overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers. These forms are called Thanolekgolo. Their unstoppable appetite for metals, plastics, and technological objects makes them a threat to the machinery and vehicles of their opponents; a hungry Thanolekgolo swarm can make short work of vulnerable wiring or components and even chew through armor plating, given sufficient time. Once inside a target vehicle, they are capable of causing it to malfunction in a variety of ways. They can even take complete control over their unfortunate targets, causing chaos and mayhem within the enemy's ranks. These swarms have a special ability called "Technological Consumption" which grants them either the ability to cause significant damage to a targeted machine. However, they are vulnerable to flame and melta weaponry and are completely useless against aerial units.

'''Sangheili Squad:''' Cocky, arrogant and naive. These youngbloods are sent into the thick of battle to hone their skills at warmaking. But don't let their age fool you. A single Sangheili Minor is still a worthy adversary. Akin to an Eldar Guardian, the Sangheili are slower than the Guardians, but stronger in melee range. Can be armed with a wide variety of weapons such as Plasma Pistols, Plasma Rifles, Needlers, Needle Rifles, Concussion Rifles, Fuel Rod Cannons and many more.

'''Jiralhanae Pack:''' These thuggish, savage xenos are often described as "like Orks, but hairier". This has earned them several epithets from Imperial Guardsmen who have faced them in battle, such as "bearded Ogryns", "hairy Orks", and "Brutes", the last of which has become their common name. Due to their viciousness and love of violence, they have earned a place in some Ork societies, often used as mercenaries and bodyguards among famous Ork Warbosses.

===Heavy Infantry===

'''Mgalekgolo Pack:''' These heavily armoured walking behemoths are the Covenant's answer to the likes of Space Marine Terminator squads and Eldar Wraithguard. Standing at 13 feet tall and weighing 5 tons, they easily dwarf any enemy short of a main battle tank. They are remarkably fast and agile for their size, and are armed with an Assault Cannon which is a heavily modified Fuel Rod Cannon. This Assault Cannon has three modes, a single shot blast, a concentrated anti-armour beam and a rapid-fire mode.

'''Sharquoi:''' Standing around 5 meters and weighing around 10 tons, this is one of the biggest infantry in the Covenant, second to that of a Khantolekgolo Behemoth. Armed with two massive "Spike Fists" that can [[Rip and Tear|demolish]] most heavy vehicles with ease, coupled with its incredibly tough hide, Sharquoi are capable of enduring and dealing out tremendous amounts of damage, but is slow and stubborn.

[[File:Drinol_Fight_Pose.png|250px|thumb|right|A Sharquoi in action, sketched by an Imperial Xenobiologist.]]

'''Sangheili Heavy Weapons Team:''' Like their Unggoy brethren, these specialised Elites are trained in the use of heavy weapons. They carry Concussion Rifles, which can be swapped for a Plasma Launcher or a Fuel Rod Cannon. The powerful nature of such weapons make the Sangheili Heavy Weapons Team a formidable opponent.

'''Shade:''' A stationary gun that can either be equipped with a Heavy Plasma Cannon, Fuel Rod Cannon or an Anti-Air Plasma Charge. Cannot move but is tough and has heavy suppressive firepower.

===Specialized Infantry===

'''Spec-Ops Team:''' A group of highly trained "Special Operation" Sangheili and Unggoy. These squads are employed on high-risk mission with low survival rates, and employ a wide range of Covenant weaponry to execute their job in the most efficient way possible. They are easily identified by their black armour. Spec-Ops Sangheili are skilled enough to give Astartes a challenge, and their Unggoy are comparable to the Tempestus Scions of the Imperial Guard.

'''Sangheili Rangers:''' Specialized groups of Sangheili that are equipped with jump packs, enabling them to cross distances quickly; these squads are armed with Plasma Repeaters, which can be swapped with a Focus Rifle.

'''Sangheili Stealth Squad:''' These Elite squads trade their energy shielding for a specialized cloaking ability known as "active camouflage". Though their lack of shields makes them more vulnerable than a line Sangheili trooper, their cloaking fields allow them to strike and fade before an enemy knows what hit them. They are all armed with Energy Swords, which restricts them to melee combat only, but their attacks are devastating since they have the same stats as a Power Sword.

'''Jiralhanae Jump-Pack Squad:''' Highly trained Jiralhanae that are masters of jump-pack assault. These flying Brutes soar through the air, and crash down upon the enemy with vengeful fury. Armed with Brute Shots, these beasts are trained in both psychological and physical warfare. They are however, lightly armoured for a specialized unit.

'''Jiralhanae Stalker Squad:''' These squads are the Jiralhanae answer to the Sangheili Stealth Squad. Since they are Jiralhanae, they share their stats with their brethren. However, they are equipped with active camouflage technology, enabling them to become invisible. They are usually armed with two Maulers which makes them [[Twin-Linked]] and can carry Firebombs which ignore cover saves and count as offensive grenades. However, they are quite expensive for a specialised unit and their weapons are incredibly short-ranged. The Mauler has a range of 12" and the Firebomb has a range of 8".

'''Kig-Yar Snipers:''' When veteran Kig-Yar are promoted, they are trained as snipers and armed with the accurate and lethal Covenant beam rifle. These Kig-Yar are ruthlessly efficient killers, capable of picking off entire squads of infantry and in some cases, shooting pilots out of their aircraft.

'''Huragok Squad:''' A very useful support unit. These unusual xenos are known as Engineers in Low Gothic, and they are an anomaly among the bellicose species of the Covenant. Xenological analysis has shown that Huragok are created artificially, despite their appearance. Each specimen is a living computer and a natural engineer, capable of repairing nearly any technological item given sufficient time. Although weak and fragile, these units are a vital part of the the Covenant army. They have two unique abilities called "Mechanical Harmony", which allows them to repair vehicles, and "Protection of the Hierarchs" which gives ALL units a powerful energy shield, granting or improving their invulnerable save.

===Elite Infantry===

'''Zealots:''' Highly ranked Sangheili, whose skills and mastery of weaponry and warfare makes them a threat to even the toughest of Space Marines. These Sangheili are easily distinguished on the battlefield by their golden armour. All of them are armed with Energy Swords which counts as power weapons, making them incredibly deadly in Melee, even when faced with enemies such as the infamous Khorne Berzerkers.

[[File:Elite.jpg|235px|thumb|right|A Sangheili Zealot, suppressing a minor Jiralhanae uprising.]]

'''Sangheili Field Marshal:''' Sangheili Field Marshals are the commanders of entire Covenant armies and often lead groups of Zealots on the battlefield. They are the Zealot of the Zealots, the same way the Zealots are to Unggoy. Very few enemies can come close to a field marshal's sheer martial prowess, and even fewer survive their first encounter with them.

'''Jiralhanae Captains:''' These war-leaders of the Jiralhanae display exceptional skill at warmaking and a level of brutal cunning that impresses even Ork Kommandos. Glimmering in gold and bronze armour, these Brutes inspire their lower-ranked brethren to fight more violently, giving them a Feel No Pain save or improving it by one if they already have it. Armed with a Brute Shot, Spike Grenades, Fire Bombs and the infamous Gravity Hammer, these lieutenants can break infantry squads and vehicles alike.

===HQ Infantry===
'''Deacons:''' Only a very few Unggoy are given the honour of calling themselves Deacons. Although still regarded as the lowest position in the Covenant hierarchy, these Unggoy are sent into the battlefield to inspire other Covenant troops. Lacking the firepower and health to be on the front lines, they instead serve as missionaries or preachers, spreading the word of their heretical "Great Journey". Standing out among Covenant troops with their white garments, these Unggoy have an ability called "Zeal" which turns normal Unggoy lances into suicidal assault units.

'''San'Shyuum Enforcers:''' These low-ranking San 'Shyuum do not take to the battlefield as warriors. Instead, they use their faith and inspiring aspect to rally shaken warriors and encourage the Covenant troops around them to fight to the death. Frail and fragile, these preachers are protected by an entire squad of Honor Guards, making them incredibly costly and expensive. However they are worth the cost, as these Enforcers are equipped with powerful support abilities: "Instrument of the Gods", which allows Covenant units to use his leadership for morale tests, and Prophet's Grace, which grant nearby units the Relentless and Preferred Enemy special rules. Armed with only a Prophet Staff and Covenant Holy Codex, these are one of the best support units in the Covenant Army.

'''San'Shyuum Prelates:''' While most San'Shyuum are weak and frail, certain remarkable individuals are noted for their physical and martial prowess. Such is the case of the Prelates, gifted San'Shyuum children given the honour of having their bodies augmented by holy Forerunner machinery within the Sacred Promissory. Trained in martial combat since childhood, these elite warriors are unlike their fragile brothers and sisters. Equipped with specialized power armour that comes with an anti-grav belt to glide along the battlefield, energy shields of superb strength, and a Forerunner hardlight projection on their arm that doubles as a shield and a melee weapon, these magnificent soldiers of holy virtue can strike fear among lesser mortals and even match Space Marines in combat.

'''Sangheili Councillors:''' These Sangheili are the elite of their race; they have reached the apex of the Covenant hierarchy and sit in council with the Prophets themselves. Despite their exalted political position, they will take to the battlefield without hesitation when the the need arises. They are easily identified by their elongated headdress and elaborate armour, and are armed with energy shields so powerful that current Imperial tactical doctrine recommends employing concentrated heavy weapons fire to bring them down.

'''Honour Guards:''' Comes in both Sangheili and Jiralhanae forms. The Honour Guards are the chosen protectors of the High Prophets themselves, and they are the gateway and barrier between a lowly Unggoy to the highest San-Shyuum. Possessed of martial skill that very few can match, these guards have been seen to defeat Space Marine Terminators, Tau Riptide squads, Eldar Wraithguard, and Tyranid Carnifexes. Their intelligence, strength, skill, cunning and tactical brilliance make them a force to be reckoned with.

'''Honour Guard Ultras:''' Often called the "Light of Sanghelios", these Sangheili have risen above the already impressive status of a typical Honour Guard by virtue of their dominance on the battlefield. These mighty guardians carry an Energy Stave; they are so skilled with these weapons that multiple eyewitnesses have reported seeing a lone Ultra dispatch an entire Astartes squad with single strikes through their helmet lenses, shattering their reinforced skulls with ruthless precision.

'''Jiralhane Chieftains:''' These mighty Brutes are the apex of the pecking order in Jiralhanae society. Their authority is unquestioned, for they have earned their rank through victory on a hundred battlefields. Their raw martial skill and savage cunning is such that even an Astartes might think twice before confronting a Chieftain. Strong and immensely powerful in both close and ranged combat, it is quite common for these monsters to rip apart vehicles with their bare hands. They are powerful enough to challenge almost any other individual combatant in the galaxy, and some Jiralhanae Chieftains have managed to acquire Ork retinues after defeating their Warboss on the field. These Patriarchs can be either armed with a Light Plasma Cannon, Fuel Rod Cannon, or a Gravity Hammer.