Kig-Yar

Summary


The Kig-Yar, or Jackals, serve as snipers and scouts within the Covenant due to their exceptional senses of sight, smell and hearing. They were the first Covenant race that the Spartans encountered.

They use plasma pistols, plasma rifles(rarely), needlers, covenant carbines(very rarely), beam rifles and carry a strong, handheld energy shield to compensate for their physical weakness; a well-positioned Jackal can hold his own against several Marines. The most effective way of killing them is throwing a grenade behind their shield or sniping them through the gun-holes in their shields.They stand approximately 5'8" tall.

In Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, the Jackals are always first encountered during the second level. The Jackals are never found on human ships.

Culture
Jackals have little status in the Covenant hierarchy, and are subservient to all but the Grunts. Although they technically stand as equals with the Grunts, the reality is that Jackals are usually in an elevated position. While the other races consider the Grunts beneath notice, the Jackals are often purposefully cruel to them in order to assure themselves of their own superiority.

Jackals are not permitted by the Elites to have more than one name, but Jackal society had never placed a premium on such things, so they don't care. Examples of Jackal names include Yeg, Jak, and Bok. The ranking authorities in Covenant society have been known to feed prisoners to Jackals, perhaps indicating that the Jackals are more bloodthirsty and cruel than previously seen in combat.

The higher ranks of the Covenant (or at least the Elites) seem to think that the Jackals and the Grunts are on quite friendly terms, as given by their description in the Arbiter's report. However this is is clearly not the case - this is exemplary of the Elites's ignorance toward the lower ranks.

Rank Structure


The Jackals ranks include:


 * Jackal Minors are signified by a blue energy shield and serve as general infantry.


 * Jackal Majors are slightly more elevated and are signified by an orange shield. Not much is different about their appearance other than their shield color.


 * Sniper Jackals do not carry energy shields, as both their hands are used to operate beam rifles, the Covenant long range sniper weapon. However, if sufficient distance is closed, they may drop their Beam Rifle and bring out a Plasma Pistol as they retreat from an advancing opponent.

It should also be noted that Jackals actually do wear metal armor on their bodies along with their energy shields, some even have helmets attached to their heads, though it is not known if this signifies rank. Helmeted Jackals are not seen in Halo 2, only the mohawked Jackals.

Physiology
Jackals are vaguely birdlike in appearance, with feather-like "hair" on their heads, arms, and feet. They have three fingers on each hand, and beak-like teeth. ONI scientists have noted a great variance in skin tone and color between Jackals, and they have discovered some kind of spots or patterns that cover their bodies. Some colors of Jackal skins include dark orange and dark green. Although the Jackals vary in skin color, their blood is always purple in color.

Trivia
'Kig-Yar' is Breton for 'chicken'.

Jackals were the first Covenant species encountered by UNSC ground forces

Related Links

 * Jackal Personal Arm Shield