A powerful enemy and existential threat to humanity in the Halo Series, the theocratic Covenant Empire were an alliance who were set on starting something called "The Great Journey."

Related: Halo: Best Character Designs

Though they operate as a monolith, the Covenant is actually a myriad of races, with their own cultures, motives, and methods to the point that sometime in Halo 2, this leads to "The Great Schism," fracturing of the Covenant. While they all serve their purpose within the Covenant and the story of the Halo series writ large, some of them, either through their role within the plot, their personalities, or their combat roles, are much more interesting than the others.

8 Prophets

Halo Infinite Strong Villains Ranked 6 the prophets

Species Name: San'Shyuum

The Prophets are the highest religious and political leaders in the Covenant, using their mastery of both religious dogma and the revered Forerunner technology to guide the other races in the Covenant to the path of the Great Journey. They're also the worst, and it's all lies and misinterpretations.

Less high priests and more politicians who scheme with the help of the Covenant religion, the Prophets embody the worst abuses by those in power, selectively applying their religion where they see fit and betraying other races when it's convenient, like when they discarded the Elites in favor of the Brutes.

They're not even loyal to each other, as shown by the Prophet of Truth in his treatment of the Prophet of Mercy. You only fight one in the series, the Prophet of Regret in Halo 2, who, other than being able to take a surprising amount of punches from a fully Mjolnir-armored Master Chief, has no redeeming qualities, and this is likely a product of gameplay rather than canon.

7 Drones

One drone is a pest. A swarm is a problem.

Species Name: Yanme'e

A race of insectoid beings who function as mechanics and specialist combatants for the Covenant. Though physically weak, with individuals taking as many hits as the average grunt, Drones are not to be underestimated.

They're rarely alone, and their skill in flight means that you'll need careful aim to take them out, not to mention that they use their weapons, usually Plasma Pistols and Needlers, to devastating effect should a swarm of them focus fire on one target. Their origins, personalities, and motivations beyond killing enemies and making hives aren't expanded on in the games.

6 Engineers

Rarely seen, the Huragok is a valuable part of the Covenant, though they are treated more like tools than people.

Species Name: Huragok

The actual reason for the Prophet's mastery over Forerunner tech, the Engineers are a race of artificial lifeforms created by the Forerunners to be used as tools. For the most part, they stay out of combat and are rarely seen at all, working in the background to make sure that the Forerunner tech that the Covenant has commandeered stays in working order.

When they do take to the field, it tends to be in a support role, shielding their allies and at times operating as unwilling suicide bombers. Their rarity means you rarely see their personalities, but it is heavily implied that they are unwilling participants in the Covenant-Human wars with some defecting to the human side.

5 Brutes

Halo Infinite: The Banished Brutes In Full Armor With Signature Grav Hammers

Species Name: Jiralhanae

Commanders on the field and usurpers of the Sangheili Elite's place at the right hand of the Prophets, the Brutes are not to be trifled with in the field of combat. Physically, they're somewhere between an ape and a bear, but somehow far more muscular. They levy their physicality in combat with their high health pools and devastating melee attacks, living up to their moniker.

Related: Things You Never Knew About Brutes

However, treating the Brutes as raging simpletons would be a mistake. Though they seem less sophisticated than some other races, their brutish appearance belies an animal cunning and a surprising capability to scheme. Still, they tend to be shortsighted in their motivations and less interesting than the Elites in both combat and in the story.

4 Jackals/Skirmishers

Kig-Yar - Jackals (left) are long ranged specialists with a big shield and Skirmishers are mid-close range specialists with two smaller shields.

Species Name: Kig-Yar

The unsung heroes of the Covenant war effort, the Kig-Yar serve the middle ground between the more powerful Elites and Brutes and the expendable Grunts. Their roles on the battlefield are split into two types: the Jackal and the Skirmisher.

Far more common is the former, who snipe enemies from afar with the powerful and precise Beam Rifle. On Legendary difficulty, encountering a Jackal sniper means getting sent back to your last checkpoint before you even know what hit you. Should you get in close, Jackals can still be a threat, wielding an energy shield and a Plasma Pistol at close range.

Skirmishers are mid-to-close range harassers, using their agility for hit-and-run attacks while sporting smaller energy shields, which keep them more mobile than their Jackal cousins. While their personalities aren't explored much in the games, they provide interesting wrinkles to the gameplay, and often the pace of a fight is controlled by how the Kig-Yar are deployed.

3 Hunters

Halo 3: Pair Of Hunters Charging Up Their Fuel Rod Gun Attack

Species Name: Lekgolo

One of the most formidable enemies in the series, Hunters are a sight to behold, using powerful long-range Assault Canons to attack and defending themselves with a shield, something they can also leverage to smash nearby enemies thanks to their huge size. One Hunter is a threat, but they're always deployed in pairs, essentially making every encounter with them a boss fight.

They're heavily armored with weak points in the head and torso, but even taking advantage of them is tricky thanks to their shields and tendency to protect each other.

More interesting is their physiology, since each Hunter is a colony of worm-like creatures, which gives them exponentially more strength and intelligence than any one of them. When these colonies get big enough, they split into another colony, which is why they only show up in pairs. These bond brothers care for each other deeply, and should one die, the other enters a frenzied state of suicidal despair, making them that much more dangerous.

2 Elites

Halo Wars 2: Banished Elites Under Fire Whilst Wearing Signature Red Armor

Species Name: Sangheili

Noble warriors who, until the Brutes supplanted them, served at the right hand of the Prophets and were the first race to join the Prophets, which led to the founding of the Covenant. Like Samurai, the Elites value honor and martial might above all else, which puts them at odds with the opportunistic Brutes and the morally flexible Prophets, which was likely a contributing factor in the Great Schism that saw the Covenant split and some of their former forces side with humanity.

Related: Things You Never Knew About Elites

In the field, Elites are commanding officers and specialists. Formidable foes, they can wield most weapons expertly, though they tend towards Plasma Rifles and the Energy Sword, the latter of which is unique to the Elites in the Covenant and can one-shot you if you don't have your own Energy Sword or a Shotgun at close range. They also use full-body energy shields, same as Master Chief, which makes them extra-difficult to defeat in combat.

1 Grunts

Four Grunts with grenades running towards the screen

Species Name: Unngoy

Rank and file cannon fodder of the Covenant armed forces, they're as numerous as they are easy to kill, and yet, they have a certain charm about them. Perhaps it's because they're so common, but out of the whole Covenant, you see their personality the most.

They're equal parts zealots and cowards, often scattering and yelling in despair and fear at the sight of the Master Chief, and yet when it comes down to it, they will secure their place on The Great Journey by priming two plasma grenades in hand and attempting to take you with them. Plus, they're kinda cute in a grotesque way, like a cross between a monkey and a dog.

If you ever feel bad for mowing them down in droves, find and activate the Grunt Birthday Party skull so that every time you headshot one, you at least get confetti and cheering.

Next: Best AI Characters In The Halo Series