Halo TCG - Halo - The Covenant (9/22: Not your everyday pack of Jackals)

[Thranduil]

For a Shadow player I strongly contest that toil 1 is useless, especially when it comes to minions. Just keeping that small amount of twilight by reducing minions' mostly unimportant vitality often makes a crucial difference in a Shadow phase.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Alright, I tweaked all of them: reducing costs, upping toil, and switching around keywords where appropriate. Hope everyone is satisfied now.

Alright, let's start getting to our named Elites. Nearly all of these will come from the novel Halo: The Flood, though a few appear (unnamed) in the game Halo: Combat Evolved as well.

We'll start with two of the top dogs, commanders of scores of Covenant forces. Enjoy!

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, remove a threat.
Each time an Elite minion wins a skirmish, you may make another Elite minion strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Ship Master [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
Each [Covenant] ship is weapons +1.
When you play Orna ‘Fulsamee, you may play a [Covenant] ship; that ship's twilight cost is -2.
"‘Load four transports with troops, and launch another flight of fighters. Neutralize the interloper's weaponry before the boarding craft reach their target.'"

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Very Dangerous Warrior [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
While bearing a vehicle or staffing a ship, Orna ‘Fulsamee is strength +1.
Skirmish: Exert Orna ‘Fulsamee and discard a [Covenant] card from hand to make an Elite strength +2.
"‘The culprit will be found and put to death at once, Exalted.'"

And I suppose this makes now as good a time as any to introduce our first [Covenant] vehicle, and one of the simplest vehicles in the game:

Ghost Recon Vehicle [Covenant]
Possession • Vehicle • Ghost
Strength +2
Site -1
Crew: Gunner.
To play, spot a [Covenant] character. Bearer must be an Elite, Grunt, or Spartan II.
If bearer is a minion, bearer is fierce.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses fierce.
"The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected."

Just like the Ghost in the games: nice and simple, but very effective.

[lem0nhead]

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, spot 2 Elites and remove a threat.
Each time an Elite wins a skirmish, you may make an Elite strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."

2 elites and a threat is one hefty requirement, other than ok.

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Ship Master [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
Each [Covenant] ship is weapons +1.
When you play Orna ‘Fulsamee, you may play a [Covenant] ship; that ship's twilight cost is -2.
"‘Load four transports with troops, and launch another flight of fighters. Neutralize the interloper's weaponry before the boarding craft reach their target.'"

I would make that first ability only apply when hes is piloting the truth.

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Very Dangerous Warrior [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
While bearing a vehicle or staffing a ship, Orna ‘Fulsamee is strength +1.
Skirmish: Exert Orna ‘Fulsamee and discard a [Covenant] card from hand to make an Elite strength +2.
"‘The culprit will be found and put to death at once, Exalted.'"

Cool.

Ghost Recon Vehicle [Covenant]
Possession • Vehicle • Ghost
Strength +2
Site -1
Crew: Gunner.
To play, spot a [Covenant] character. Bearer must be an Elite, Grunt, or Spartan II.
If bearer is a minion, bearer is fierce.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses fierce.
"The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected."

OK, doesnt have the greatest ghost feel about it but as a card its fine.

[Thranduil]

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, spot 2 Elites and remove a threat.
Each time an Elite wins a skirmish, you may make an Elite strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."

Not sure he needs to spot any elites - he's only strength 10. I do think that his ability though should be "Each time an Elite wins a skirmish, you may make a different Elite strength +1 until the regroup phase".

Thranduil

[sickofpalantirs]

Alright, I tweaked all of them: reducing costs, upping toil, and switching around keywords where appropriate. Hope everyone is satisfied now.

Alright, let's start getting to our named Elites. Nearly all of these will come from the novel Halo: The Flood, though a few appear (unnamed) in the game Halo: Combat Evolved as well.

We'll start with two of the top dogs, commanders of scores of Covenant forces. Enjoy!

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, remove a threat.
Each time an Elite minion wins a skirmish, you may make another Elite minion strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."
cut a keyword or a vitality.

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Ship Master [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
Each [Covenant] ship is weapons +1.
When you play Orna ‘Fulsamee, you may play a [Covenant] ship; that ship's twilight cost is -2.
"‘Load four transports with troops, and launch another flight of fighters. Neutralize the interloper's weaponry before the boarding craft reach their target.'"
fine

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Very Dangerous Warrior [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
While bearing a vehicle or staffing a ship, Orna ‘Fulsamee is strength +1.
Skirmish: Exert Orna ‘Fulsamee and discard a [Covenant] card from hand to make an Elite strength +2.
"‘The culprit will be found and put to death at once, Exalted.'"
fine

Ghost Recon Vehicle [Covenant]
Possession • Vehicle • Ghost
Strength +2
Site -1
Crew: Gunner.
To play, spot a [Covenant] character. Bearer must be an Elite, Grunt, or Spartan II.
If bearer is a minion, bearer is fierce.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses fierce.
"The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected."

can't brutes ride em too?

[DáinIronfoot]

Ghost Recon Vehicle [Covenant]
Possession • Vehicle • Ghost
Strength +2
Site -1
Crew: Gunner.
To play, spot a [Covenant] character. Bearer must be an Elite, Grunt, or Spartan II.
If bearer is a minion, bearer is fierce.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses fierce.
"The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected."

can't brutes ride em too?

Eventually, yes. But as well as Halo: Combat Evolved is concerned, there are no Brutes in the storyline yet, and thus there won't be any in Halo TCG until the third (and last Halo CE-based) set, when we get our first peek at them thanks to the novel Halo: First Strike. In the first Halo 2 set, where Brutes, Drones, and others make their grand entrance, there will be new versions of Ghosts, plasma weapons, and other items to make sure the new races can get in on the fun as well.

So stop skipping ahead!

[MR. Lurtzy]

These are fine.

[Thranduil]

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, remove a threat.
Each time an Elite minion wins a skirmish, you may make another Elite minion strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."

Unfortunately, "another" can be misleading, which is why I suggested "different". Does it mean a different minion to the minion who won or a minion other than Noga?

Thranduil

[Elf_Lvr]

•Noga ‘Putumee, Wily Field Officer [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 10
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. To play, remove a threat.
Each time an Elite minion wins a skirmish, you may make another Elite minion strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"Though known for his bravery, and his leadership in the field, ‘Putumee was also famous for his blunt, confrontational, and paranoid ways."

Awesome.

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Ship Master [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
Each [Covenant] ship is weapons +1.
When you play Orna ‘Fulsamee, you may play a [Covenant] ship; that ship's twilight cost is -2.
"‘Load four transports with troops, and launch another flight of fighters. Neutralize the interloper's weaponry before the boarding craft reach their target.'"

Neat.

•Orna ‘Fulsamee, Very Dangerous Warrior [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Star: Gold
Commander: Truth and Reconciliation. Fierce.
While bearing a vehicle or staffing a ship, Orna ‘Fulsamee is strength +1.
Skirmish: Exert Orna ‘Fulsamee and discard a [Covenant] card from hand to make an Elite strength +2.
"‘The culprit will be found and put to death at once, Exalted.'"

Awesome! Can't wait to see his ship.

Ghost Recon Vehicle [Covenant]
Possession • Vehicle • Ghost
Strength +2
Site -1
Crew: Gunner.
To play, spot a [Covenant] character. Bearer must be an Elite, Grunt, or Spartan II.
If bearer is a minion, bearer is fierce.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses fierce.
"The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected."

Pretty cool.

[DáinIronfoot]

Alrighty, let's get to some less beatdown-worthy Elites and move briefly to a couple that may not seem as bad up front, but can be very, very dangerous nonetheless. Enjoy!

•Bako ‘Ikaporamee, Tiresome Assistant [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
When you play Bako ‘Ikaporamee, you may add a threat for each Prophet you can spot.
Each other Elite skirmishing a Man is strength +1.
"‘Though primitive by our standards, the creatures are sentient, and like all sentient beings, they are unconsciously drawn to the glory of the ancients' truth and knowledge.'"

•Isna ‘Nosolee, Eye of the Prophet [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 3
Star: Silver
SpecOps. Ambush . Damage +1.
Isna ‘Nosolee may not take wounds (except during skirmishes involving him).
Assignment: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to assign him to a companion (except the Hero).
Regroup: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to discard a condition or AI.
He was aboard the Pillar of Autumn on a stealth mission to capture the ship's AI. Unfortunately, Captain Keyes found him first.

He's a stealthy assassin, basically, so he strikes hard and fast, leaving no room for the normal Elite fierceness. It DOES, however, mean that he gets to choose his targets and strike them hard with his damage bonus, or if he's clever enough to survive until the regroup phase, he can really wreak some havoc on your opponent's support cards.

[lem0nhead]

•Bako ‘Ikaporamee, Tiresome Assistant [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
When you play Bako ‘Ikaporamee, you may add a threat for each Prophet you can spot.
Each other unique Elite skirmishing a Man is strength +1.
"‘Though primitive by our standards, the creatures are sentient, and like all sentient beings, they are unconsciously drawn to the glory of the ancients' truth and knowledge.'"

Most of the other unique elites fall into 1 of 2 categories that ive seen, they are either costly or weak. Neither of which makes his gametext that beneficial. The threat thing is cool though.

•Isna ‘Nosolee, Eye of the Prophet [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 3
Star: Silver
SpecOps. Ambush . Damage +1.
Isna ‘Nosolee may not take wounds (except during skirmishes involving him).
Assignment: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to assign him to a companion (except the Hero).
Regroup: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to discard a condition or AI.
He was aboard the Pillar of Autumn on a stealth mission to capture the ship's AI. Unfortunately, Captain Keyes found him first.

Love him, captured a great feel for his character. Surprised you couldnt find better lore as he was referenced quite a few times before keyes blew his brains out.

[MR. Lurtzy]

Those both are awesome.

[sickofpalantirs]

isna should cost 3, the first guy the strength bonus should apply to anyone...and again we need tos ee these guys weapons to properly evaluate them...plasma rifles, needlers, covenant carbines, SWORDS!!!!!!!!

[Thranduil]

•Bako ‘Ikaporamee, Tiresome Assistant [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
When you play Bako ‘Ikaporamee, you may add a threat for each Prophet you can spot.
Each other unique Elite skirmishing a Man is strength +1.
"‘Though primitive by our standards, the creatures are sentient, and like all sentient beings, they are unconsciously drawn to the glory of the ancients' truth and knowledge.'"

It would not at all be too good if he said "Each other Elite is strength +1."

•Isna ‘Nosolee, Eye of the Prophet [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 3
Star: Silver
SpecOps. Ambush . Damage +1.
Isna ‘Nosolee may not take wounds (except during skirmishes involving him).
Assignment: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to assign him to a companion (except the Hero).
Regroup: Exert Isna ‘Nosolee twice to discard a condition or AI.
He was aboard the Pillar of Autumn on a stealth mission to capture the ship's AI. Unfortunately, Captain Keyes found him first.

You don't need "involving him", but apart from that he looks good. Ambush might be too much.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Now, we come to the mac daddy of the Halo block Elites. The versatile and volatile "prophet-blessed" assassin himself. Oh, and a certain hand weapon some of you might have been waiting on. Maybe. If I'm in the mood.

•Zuka ‘Zamamee, Prophet-Blessed Assassin [Covenant]
Minion • Elite
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Star: Gold
SpecOps. Ambush . Damage +1. Fierce. Hunter 1.
Yayap is strength +1.
While skirmishing a Spartan II, Zuka ‘Zamamee is strength +1.
While at a battleground, Zuka ‘Zamamee is strength +1.
"‘Once I receive authorization, you and I will find this human. Then, we will kill him.'"

Changed my mind about the hand weapon. Check back in for that tomorrow.