Terran Federation vs. Covenant

[DudeGuyMan]

Is it ever explained why they simply didn't nuke Klendathu from orbit with their nova bombs?

Yeah, relatively extensively too. They didn't have nova bombs yet, and nuking the surface was unlikely to kill the queens and brains, which were deep underground. (While presumably making it a lot harder for anyone to go in and get them.) Also, I believe there were prisoners they hoped to rescue.

[Night_stalker]

Yeah, but getting back on topic I would have to say that on land my money is on the Terran Federation. Space, though I can't say due to the real lack of knowledge of how the TF's space weaponry works.

[Jusu]

I guess that its pretty much decided. Starship Troopers was written primarily for the infantry stuff (although a Jiralhanae-Mgalekgolo hybrid would fit the MI more than any SPARTAN in Mjolnir suits), and with the sparse snippets of information provided here, show not much was given to the Navy. The Halo series on the other hand have a whole and fascinating universe (one I admit is the main selling point of the series for me since I haven't played any game past the second one) where the 'science' of the universe is explained.

It could be, with the numerous references to Heinlein in the UNSC, such as the powered armor and orbital insertion via pods, it can be safe to say that the T.F. could be a more...militaristic version of the UNSC. Although from what I gathered form numerous articles in the Halo wiki, the UNSC ends up being the de-facto Earth government, so it may not be far from it.

If space combat is to be measured purely in the Halo universe, we can expect brilliant commanders who make use of the strengths of their ships compared to the nearly dogmatic method of fighting style of the Covenant, who seem to rely too much on their reverse engineered Forerunner ships, although that isn't exactly true, but I guess humans could put up a good fight against Sangheilli, and probably more against Jiralhanae, since the Battle of the Ark's naval campaign had the Covenant Separatist fleet outnumbered three to one, and the UNSC vessels survived, possibly showing that Sangheilli control of the skies was enough that the human frigates could operate over the Ark with basically some impunity.

Ground wise, it'll be an interesting fighg. Brutes and Elites with Jump/Jet packs, fuel-rod guns from Grunts and Hunters, merciless sniper fire from Jackals. Combined arms in the form of Ghost scouts, Banshee aircraft, Wraith tanks, Phantom/Spirit dropships, and the ever-increasing militarization and fielding of Scarab ultra-heavy assault platforms could help give the Covenant an advantage in land combat. And if an MI locked horns with a Sangheilli, well, he'd be a damned fool for not flaming him, and his mistake can come in the form of decapitation via a quick and nimble warrior using a plasma sword. In open fields, it's a toss up, in close quarters, the MI better be wary of Jiralhanae packs and Sanghelli warriors. But that's my point of view.

Long winded, yes, but I thought I'd start my posting here trying to not look like a fool.

[adam_grif]

Eh, on the ground the Covenant aren't anything spectacular. An MI trooper carries tactical nuclear weapons on a semi-regular basis, and although resiliant to conventional assault rifles and the like, Brutes/Elites will bite the dust if they take sustained fire from anything heavy. The MI troopers don't carry anything as weak as an assault rifle, so they can be expected to shred anything that gets into their line of sight. Their main drawback is lack of survivability and small numbers.

But really, it doesn't matter, because this war will be decided purely in space. Both sides have shown a capability and willingness to obliterate planets rather than waste resources trying to secure them, so whichever side wins the space battle will win the war.

[jamsy42]

Slightly off-topic but this match-up seems remarkably similar to the actual war between the USNC and the Covenant. I suppose this is because the heavy influence Heinlein put upon the Halo universe.

Back on topic, yes the war would be decided in space but it's difficult to determine the firepower of the Federation navy as little info is given but we can assume they have a significant number of nukes.

[Sarevok]

I guess that its pretty much decided. Starship Troopers was written primarily for the infantry stuff (although a Jiralhanae-Mgalekgolo hybrid would fit the MI more than any SPARTAN in Mjolnir suits), and with the sparse snippets of information provided here, show not much was given to the Navy. The Halo series on the other hand have a whole and fascinating universe (one I admit is the main selling point of the series for me since I haven't played any game past the second one) where the 'science' of the universe is explained.

WTF is a Jiralhanae-Mgalekgolo ?

[Jusu]

I guess that its pretty much decided. Starship Troopers was written primarily for the infantry stuff (although a Jiralhanae-Mgalekgolo hybrid would fit the MI more than any SPARTAN in Mjolnir suits), and with the sparse snippets of information provided here, show not much was given to the Navy. The Halo series on the other hand have a whole and fascinating universe (one I admit is the main selling point of the series for me since I haven't played any game past the second one) where the 'science' of the universe is explained.

WTF is a Jiralhanae-Mgalekgolo ?

Eh, visual imagery I got while remembering how the MI suit was described as, as well as its functions. More simple to say Brute-Hunter, but I've started calling the covie aliens by the covie names rather than the human designations.

@ jamsy:

Yeah, I did see that. Heck, Heinlein made mention of a Nova Bomb. There is the Nova bomb that destroyed the Covie Seperatist staging area/HQ/significant colony Joyous Exhaultation.

Although I guess it's more closely associated with Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb's famous last words. The whole 'nice day in Hell' bit.

[Sarevok]

What ? How does a Hunter pronounce "Mgalekgolo" ? It does not even having a fucking mouth. How can it be a genuine Covenant name ?

[Setzer]

Maybe it doesn't communicate through normal speech. Maybe it's what the other alien races call it. Anyway, I thought it was Lekgolo.

[jamsy42]

What ? How does a Hunter pronounce "Mgalekgolo" ? It does not even having a fucking mouth. How can it be a genuine Covenant name ?

It was probably the name given to it by the Prophets or the Elites.

[Black Admiral]

What ? How does a Hunter pronounce "Mgalekgolo" ? It does not even having a fucking mouth. How can it be a genuine Covenant name ?

It's the Elite name for them, and in any event, they can speak, although it's described as being "a subsonic rumble", "more felt than heard".

[Kuja]

Maybe it doesn't communicate through normal speech. Maybe it's what the other alien races call it. Anyway, I thought it was Lekgolo.

It is. I have no idea how he got 'Mgalekgolo'. Mega-Lekgolo, perhaps? A hunter the size of Godzilla?

Get that in the games right damned now.

MEGA LEKGOLO VS GIANT SPARTAN

[Jusu]

Maybe it doesn't communicate through normal speech. Maybe it's what the other alien races call it. Anyway, I thought it was Lekgolo.

It is. I have no idea how he got 'Mgalekgolo'. Mega-Lekgolo, perhaps? A hunter the size of Godzilla?

Get that in the games right damned now.

MEGA LEKGOLO VS GIANT SPARTAN

From my understanding, it came from the Beastiarum that was bundled with the collectors and legendary edition versions of Halo 3. The Mgalekgolo, from the wiki, refers to the colony being, while Lekgolo to the individual worms.

So unless the Halo Wiki is an untrusted source, it's where I got that. This whole misunderstanding is my fault, I admit that.