However, Brutes do have considerably more health. Brutes generally aren't shielded like Elites are, and if they do have shields, they won't be nearly as effective as the shields used by Elites. The Brutes lead the Banished faction, making them much more of a focus than before, except perhaps in the final waning days of the Covenant. They have as much health and shielding as an Elite Major and use special lunging attacks with their Energy Swords.

Spec Ops EliteĪ specialized Elite variant that uses active camo cloaking and Energy Swords. They wear golden armor and have the strongest health and shields of any Elite, and also frequently make use of Heatwaves, Sentinel Beams, and Energy Swords. These are the strongest Elites you'll encounter on the battlefield. They use Heatwaves more commonly, and they also carry an Energy Sword as a backup weapon that they'll pull out if you get close. Elite UltraĮlite Ultras wear silver armor and have even more health and shields. They're also smarter than regular Elites and will use cover more often. These Elites wear red armor and have slightly stronger shields and more health. Compared to Brutes, Elites are more defensive and agile but don't have as much health. Notably, Elites who aren't aware of their presence will have their shields disabled, giving you a chance to take them out with a headshot before they can react. These blue-armored and energy-shielded warriors commonly use the Pulse Carbine, but will sometimes also use a Ravager or a Heatwave. JackalsĮlites aren't as big a presence in the Banished as they were in the former Covenant, but they're still a common sight on the battlefield. These unique Grunts carry two random power weapons on their back that nearby Elites and Brutes can equip during combat, essentially giving them the ability to act as a mobile resupply unit. These Grunts require more damage to take down due to their more durable armor. Grunts clad in durable shielded silver armor that use the same weapons as normal Grunts.

They also have slightly more health than normal Grunts. Grunts that wear red armor and exclusively use the Disruptor, a shock weapon that can EMP vehicles and does moderate damage when your shields are down. They are also more often equipped with Needlers instead of Plasma Pistols. These Grunts wear blue armor and have slightly more health than normal Grunts. Grunts are more dangerous when they go suicidal, igniting twin Plasma Grenades and rushing towards you in an attempt at a glorious death. Grunts are individually rarely a threat, carrying less-powerful weapons like the Plasma Pistol, though the Needler-wielding variant can be more dangerous. They come in squads, usually running for cover whenever their commanding Brute or Elite is killed. Grunts are the iconic, often-hilarious pint-sized backbones of the various Covenant factions, with the Banished being no exception.

Jackal art