So here are some reasons why I think the Halo 2 Anniversary designs for the Elites are nearly perfect, save for a few minor details that result from me being a chronic nit-picker. This post, in actuality, turned out to just be an in-depth description of how I think the perfect Sangheili design can be made.
A major problem that I dislike about the Sangheili as they have evolved over the years is how bulky they’ve become. In Halo 1 and 2 they were quite slender and agile, but in later games like 3 and Reach they became quite slouched and their movements were heavy and exaggerated. On the other hand, one thing I do like about the Reach Elites is their feet. I DESPISE the foot design for Halo 1 and 2, and 3 to a lesser extent, because I think their bulky “hooves” are unfitting of their agile nature. Hooves are more representative of prey animals like cows or goats, but the Sangheili are very noticeably predatory in nature. I don’t think that the Halo: Reach feet are perfect, but they’re a step in the right direction. Something more malleable than the unmoving hooves is needed.
The armor is another thing to question, and I think Halo 2: Anniversary does it fairly well. The armor is a bit bulkier than the original designs, but the undersuit is what I believe to be a perfect rendition of what it was meant to be if the graphic technology was up to par in the original Halo games. I did like the “flair” of the Halo: Reach armor, but I do believe that it was a bit overdone when you look at the overall bulkiness of the armors, and specifically the chest piece of the zealot and the… well everything of the general. I don’t think they were ever meant to be “scaly”, and the small hexagonal pattern works perfectly. The think the Reach armors look good for ceremonial pieces, but not for actual combat harnesses and the classic designs should probably be preserved as best as possible, though some variation for their ranks other than color would be nice. Might give some nice customization for playable elites in Infinite… if they decide to add them…
I don’t believe the head shape is of too much importance, as long as nothing resembling Halos 4 or 5 is shown, but I do believe that Halo 2: Anniversary did it very nicely as I’m not too attached to their shark-like appearance. The Sangheili have long been described as “saurian”, and the Kig-Yar, to me, has always been much more avian or bird-like than reptilian – though they do have leathery skin. This brings me to another point and that’s skin. I think that the skin of the Halo 2: Anniversary elites (pictured here: Halo 2: Anniversary Elite Design - Album on Imgur) is a wonderful rendition that adds to their reptilian nature without making it too leathery or too scale-like. It is a meld of the Halo 4 designs with the older designs that I think allows 343 to show a bit of their own creativity without ruining something that the fans already like. The claw-like hands are a point that I don’t think needs much attention, as most could probably take it or leave it, but I do like the H2:A design for them. Though they primarily hunted with their mouths in the past, claws on the hands and feet are usually always seen in predatory species – though perhaps it is a bit unbecoming of such a sophisticated race to have large claws. The mandibles are a point that I won’t try to argue on, they’re far too spaced out and brutish, even for a predatory species. The classic design was much nicer and I hope to see a return there. The skull-shape is something that I personally liked about H2:A, though I see why there might be a need for a change and a blend of the new and original design would be a decent compromise. I like the strong eyes especially, but everything else could honestly be changed as others see fit.
The movement is another point that I cannot argue, and the elites have gotten far too brutish since their conception. The hunched backs that they have been given don’t lend themselves well to agile dodges and weaves and their steps are far too heavy-handed. I can’t think of anything else that I’d like to give my opinion on at the moment, so feel free to tell me how wrong I am!
