- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
There's been a lot of speculation as to what these things are. Personally, I don't think it's a new species. Not just because Bungie wouldn't reveal one now, but it wouldn't fit anywhere in the story line to adopt a new species just as the Covenant is breaking apart and finding what they've sought after for so long.
I had compared this image to the action figure model of the Ranger Elite, and, while they do look similar, I still can't make any defining connections. My next guess is that they're Brutes in airtight armor with Covenant thruster packs. It only makes sense. The Covenant need a warrior who can venture into comprimised atmosphere since the Elites disbanded from the Covenant, taking their Rangers with them. Just like the Brutes took the honor guard position, they took the Ranger position as well. Even if these characters we're debating aren't "Ranger Brutes", I'd be willing to bet that there are some in the game.
In addition, I think the reason these look nothing like what we're used to seeing is because Bungie was able to redo a lot of things with the '360's amped up processing power and whatnot.
Just a theory, mind you.