Jiralhanae War Chieftain

War Chieftains are one of the highest Jiralhanae rank that seem higher than a regular Chieftain. The rank is featured in Halo 3, with War Chieftains playing a significant role in the Covenant's occupation of Earth and defense on the Ark. It is observed that most War Chieftains carry powerful ranged weapons, rather than Gravity Hammers.

Role
War Chieftains seem to be higher in rank than regular Chieftains and are responsible for commanding much larger packs than even a Chieftain. Despite being higher in rank than normal Chieftains, War Chieftains are more often seen guarding a small outpost or commanding a Scarab rather than being warlords of the packs. War Chieftains are believed to be the equivalent of a Sangheili Zealot.

Appearance
Instead of the lucid red-clad armour of a Chieftain, a War Chieftain wears a similar suit in golden bronze, with equally powerful shields. Their head crests are also more ornate, with a large forehead spike featuring a split "V" shape with jagged spikes lining the edges and a smaller V further forward on the helmet. This makes the War Chieftains more recognizable in battle, and intimidates enemies, so they know who they are facing.

Tactics
War Chieftains usually carry Plasma Cannons or Fuel Rod Guns into battle and Spikers as sidearms, striking their enemies from afar while their subordinates close and engage. This gives them considerable ability to suppress their enemies, allowing their own forces to move freely. In close, they will often deploy a Power Drain to eliminate the player's shields or throw a Flare to blind their opponents, and can use their weapons to devastating effect. War Chieftains are the only NPC in Halo 3 (also the Arbiter in Halo 3 single player) that can melee while still holding a Plasma Cannon without dropping it. There also have been some instances where the Chieftain goes berserk in which it can leap great distances and kill an enemy with a single blow.

It is advised that the player use long-range weapons against a War Chieftain, such as the Battle Rifle or Sniper Rifle, using cover effectively and firing highly accurate shots to knock their helmet off. If you manage to get up close to a chieftain, meleeing it will prevent it from firing long enough for you to kill it with melee attacks. Incendiary Grenades, along with sticking Plasma Grenades or Spike Grenades if you are close enough, are a good way to kill a War Chieftain, although on Legendary the Incendiary Grenade and Spike Grenade is not a guaranteed one hit kill, especially as their armour prevents the grenades from sticking. However, if you follow up with a headshot using an accurate weapon, that will usually take them down.

Trivia

 * It is believed that in Contact Harvest, Maccabeus, and later Tartarus, wore this armour. It signified at a higher rank than the red and black armour of a regular Chieftain in Halo 3, which Tartarus wore prior to killing Maccabeus and becoming the Chieftain of the Jiralhanae. It's also possible that Tartarus' red armour was the Halo Wars variant.
 * In the Halo 3 Legendary Campaign, War Chieftains can survive a direct hit from a Spartan Laser.
 * In the Halo 3 Official Guide, it shows a War Chieftain holding a Gravity Hammer, though, they never actually use one in the game.
 * Brute War Chieftains are the only brutes that don't go on rampages.