Spanning over two decades, the Halo franchise has continued to enthrall (and inflame) old and new fans alike. Combined with an interesting premise, fascinating worldbuilding, as well as accessible and fun gameplay in both single and multiplayer, Halo has cemented itself as a gaming zeitgeist.

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Though the fanbase may be divided over the current state of the game, the franchise has created some of the most enduring and interesting characters in video game history. It’s no surprise since a story is only as good as its characters. With multiple books, comics, and even a television adaptation, the Halo universe continues to expand and also build on the backstories of its celebrated characters and their great journeys.

10 Thomas Lasky

Thomas Lasky from Halo 4

Introduced in Halo 4, Lasky is a UNSC naval officer involved throughout the Human-Covenant war and subsequent conflicts. In the series Forward Unto Dawn, a young Lasky was sent to the prestigious Corbulo Academy of Military Science to become an officer. Lasky emerged as a promising leader but after learning of his brother’s death on the frontlines, he began to view his training with contempt. Coupled with declining health, Lasky was to be medically discharged from the UNSC.

However, the academy soon came under attack by Covenant forces resulting in the deaths of everyone on the planet except for Lasky and a few squadmates who were saved by the Master Chief. Lasky lost the love of his life and bravely volunteered to be a decoy against a pair of Hunters before he was evacuated.

9 Captain Jacob Keyes

Captain Jacob Keyes holding Cortana from Halo Reach

A living legend, Keyes was considered one of the best strategists and commanders within the UNSC fleet. Known for his bravery and ability to keep a secret, he was chosen by the then, young Catherine Halsey to select potential candidates for the Spartan-II project. As he learned more about the nature of the project, he was reassigned back to the navy and there, demonstrated his talents and strategic insight, especially against the Covenant.

Keyes participated in daring missions which garnered him universal acclaim. His defining moment came when he anticipated a Covenant assault on a human colony. Outmanned and outgunned, Keyes performed what became known as the ‘Keyes Loop’ and scored an unprecedented victory, annihilating three Covenant ships with his single destroyer.

8 Sergeant Avery Johnson

Sergeant Avery Johnson from Halo 2 Anniversary

Hardcore and easily one of the coolest characters in the franchise, Johnson was born in Chicago and attended church before enlisting in the UNSC corps. Known for his gung ho attitude and excellent sniping skills, Johnson was also present at the very start of the Human-Covenant war on the planet Harvest. Leading a rag-tag group of militia, Johnson was able to repel enemy forces long enough for most of the planet’s population to escape.

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Johnson would continue to demonstrate his bravery at the siege of Paris IV where he utilized an entire crate of plasma grenades to hold off enemy troops. This not only led to a commendation but a significant dose of radiation, which would later save his life during his encounter with the Flood.

7 Edward Buck

Edward Buck as an ODST from Halo

Introduced in Halo 3:ODST, Buck is ODST and Spartan-IV who has had a long service record with the UNSC. What’s interesting about Buck is that he has served a variety of roles within the UNSC: as a marine, an ODST, and a Spartan.

Buck’s life would hit a tragic curb when his entire planet and family were eradicated by the Covenant and he was known to obsessively watch surviving footage from the attack of Covenant soldiers hunting down and devouring survivors. From the retaking of Harvest to the fall of Reach, Buck has appeared in almost every major engagement and survived to tell the tale.

6 John-117

Master Chief in Halo Infinite with guns ready

The ‘GOAT’ himself, whose unstoppable presence can only be rivaled by the Doom Slayer from Doom. The Chief had it rough from the beginning; surviving the grueling Spartan-II augmentations and training. Interestingly enough, his actions also led to the majority of the marine corps resenting the Spartan-II program when he killed and maimed ODSTs at a gym.

Present at most major conflicts and scoring multiple victories for the UNSC, John is the most decorated soldier of the UNSC, garnering every medal, bar one, before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.

5 Kurt-051

Spartan Kurt from Halo Ghosts of Onyx

Another Spartan supersoldier to make the list, Kurt was seen as a strong contender for leadership alongside the Master Chief amongst the Spartan-IIs. Whilst Master Chief had an insane amount of "luck," Kurt possessed a powerful intuition, knowing exactly when there was a trap.

Featured in the novel Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Kurt went missing during a mission and was presumed dead by his fellow Spartan-IIs. However, he was secretly recruited as a trainer for the newly approved Spartan-III program. Before the events of the novel, Kurt had already trained hundreds of Spartans, the majority of which had already perished on various suicidal missions.

4 Thel ‘Vadam

The Arbiter gets ready in Halo 2 Anniversary

Also known as the Arbiter, Thel ‘Vadam was born to a noble Sangheili clan. At a young age, he joined the Covenant military and quickly attained the rank of Shipmaster. He was also made a lord of his state, as he was favored by the Vadam elders but this incurred ire amongst some of his kin, resulting in an assassination attempt. Thel ‘Vadam survived and eventually became a supreme commander of an entire armada, the same one that destroyed Reach.

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Upon pursuing the Pillar of Autumn and the subsequent discovery of Installation 04, a power struggle emerged between Thel ‘Vadam and the Prophet of Stewardship, a high-ranking political figure within the fleet. This background conflict subsequently allowed John 117 and Cortana to successfully detonate the Pillar of Autumn, annihilating the ring. An event that would lead to Vadam’s downfall and path to becoming the Arbiter.

3 Serin Osman

Serin Osman onscreen in Halo 4 Spartan Ops

Formerly known as Spartan-019, Osman is the current commander in chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and is introduced in the Spartan Ops of Halo 4. Once a promising candidate for the Spartan-II program, Osman failed the augmentation process and was taken in by ONI. Groomed by another admiral for command, she soon proved her worth and began to climb the ranks.

She also oversaw a special Spartan-II/ODST spec ops team known as Kilo-Five that played a key role in aiding all sides of the Sangheili civil war after the Covenant fell. Osman developed an intense vendetta against Catherine Halsey after acquiring Halsey’s notes which detailed everything related to the Spartan-II program.

2 Catherine Halsey

Doctor Catherine Halsey from Halo

The brains behind the Spartan-II program, Catherine Halsey poses the ethical dilemma and themes that take shape over the franchise. Notably that her work saved the human race but at a human cost to her Spartans. In her youth, Halsey made significant breakthroughs: creating AI constructs, overseeing the Spartan-II program, and designing the iconic Mjolnir armor for her Spartans.

Despite having a biological child, she spent more time with the Spartan-IIs who viewed her as their mother, always calling them by their first names and being able to distinguish them apart even if wearing their armor. Although she greatly cares for her Spartans, she bears enormous guilt for the treatment and suffering they endured.

1 Atriox

Atriox gaining power in Halo Infinite

The current baddy of the series, Atriox is the Jiralhanae Warmaster of the Banished, a merciless band of warriors. In his youth, Atriox honed his strength and strategic prowess through countless battles. However, Atriox eventually became disillusioned with the Covenant as his troops were ordered to make suicidal charges against the enemy. Witnessing his pack brothers being slaughtered, Atriox began to hate the prophets and their 'Great Journey'. Around this time, his reputation for surviving perilous missions became legendary and won support which worried the Covenant leadership who hatched a plot to eradicate him. This backfired as Atriox and his allies rebelled against his executioners, forming what would become the Banished.

Atriox then demonstrated his cunning by raiding Covenant and UNSC forces to build up strength. By the time the Covenant collapsed, the Banished were able to acquire weapons and consolidate their forces, taking in human criminals and Sangheili elements, becoming feared by both ONI and remnant factions of the Covenant.

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