Halo is easily one of the largest franchises in not only gaming but science-fiction as well. Its popularity after Halo: Combat Evolved was released was so great that hundreds of books and external materials were created to flesh out this mysterious and unique universe.

Part of that expansion was explaining the UNSC's Spartan program and the soldiers that inhabit it. There are four different generations of Spartans with the Spartan-IIs being considered the strongest. That said, there are still plenty of Spartan-IIIs and IVs that can compete and even exceed what the Master Chief has accomplished.

Updated on November 17, 2023, by Ben Painter: Halo Infinite was released in 2021, and it is the latest entry in the Halo franchise. 343 Industries has constantly kept fans updated with new features for Multiplayer and Forge mode to keep fans of Halo playing their game. Just recently, maps from Halo 3 have been implemented into the game for a nice burst of nostalgia for fans to enjoy once more. What gamers love about the franchise is the Spartans, the elite super-soldiers that fans play throughout the game modes. This update adds five new Spartans, who are some of the strongest in the franchise.

20 Sergeant Major Avery Johnson

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'1"
• Date of Birth: Circa 2474
• Date of Death: December 11, 2552

Casual fans may not know that Sgt. Johnson was, in fact, a Spartan in its first iteration, which was known as the ORION project, retroactively named the SPARTAN-I program. This had a lot of similarities to the SPARTAN-II program. Johnson had augmented skills that helped the UNSC in their war against the Covenant.

However, this program was not as advanced as its future versions, Johnson was not as tall as the rest of his fellow Spartans, but it came with improvement in combat abilities and decelerated aging. He was at least 78 at the time of his death, Johnson had the tenacity and 'gung-ho' attitude of Spartans which led him as the rare few to gain the respect of the Master Chief.

19 Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer

First Appearance: Halo 4

• Gender: Female
• Height: 6'9"
• Date of Birth: April 13, 2527
• Date of Death: N/A

Known for her leadership abilities, she was a UNSC Marine Corps Shock Trooper during the Human-Covenant War, surviving, and was chosen to take part in the SPARTAN-IV program. Palmer was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the UNSC Infinite and was in charge of a 300-Spartan contingent.

She favored a pair of M6H magnum sidearms and was proficient in close counters warfare, even tasked with the assassination of Dr Catherine Halsey. Known for her exploits on Requiem, Palmer was a model candidate of the SPARTAN-IV program and went on to be one of the most successful Spartans.

18 Joshua-029

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'0"
• Date of Birth: Circa 2511
• Date of Death: August 30, 2552

Joshua joined the Spartan-II program at the age of six and took part in numerous conflicts and skirmishes before his eventual death. Most notably, perhaps, he led Red Team during the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, successfully completing his mission with no casualties whatsoever.

As well as his skills with a sniper rifle, Joshua was renowned for his mastery of electronics, which came in handy on more than one occasion. He was fearless too, often throwing himself in harm's way to protect the lives of his friends and fellow Spartans. Though officially he's still listed as MIA, it's assumed by many that he perished during the events on Reach.

17 Tom-B292

First Appearance – Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

• Gender: Male
• Height: Unknown
• Date of Birth: Circa 2533
• Date of Death: N/A

Tom joined the Spartan-III program after losing his parents during a Covenant attack on his homeworld and it's perhaps his thirst for vengeance that makes him such an effective soldier. He's participated in countless missions and was a member of Blue Team before becoming an instructor at the new Spartan Operations branch.

Though his hatred for the Covenant still remains strong, his friendship with Lucy-B091 has helped him to gradually let go of some of his anger over the years. This has not only made him a better fighter but also a better leader and role model to the new recruits that he now trains.

16 Lucy-B091

First Appearance – Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

• Gender: Female
• Height: 5'3" (Age 12)
• Date of Birth: January 28, 2533
• Date of Death: N/A

Together with Tom-B292, Lucy-B091 really is a force to be reckoned with and one of the strongest Spartans in the Halo universe. Ever since she lost her ability to speak after Operation: TORPEDO, the pair have worked together in nearly every operation and have taken down their fair share of enemies during that time.

Like Tom, she has been part of Blue Team and used her combat skills to train members of the Spartan-IV program. Her ability to survive in dire situations makes her one of the most durable Spartan-IIIs in the entire program and thus one of the most valuable to the cause.

15 William-043

First Appearance – Halo: First Strike

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'0"
• Date of Birth: Unknown
• Date of Death: November 3, 2552

Will was one of the strongest Spartan-IIs to ever grace the UNSC. His raw strength allowed him to defeat a Hunter in hand-to-hand combat, the only other Spartan on record of doing so besides Master Chief himself. His skills with a rocket launcher are unrivaled too, with the spartan able to take out a moving Banshee from incredible range.

Will's fortitude and sheer will allowed him to survive the Fall of Reach, although he would eventually perish during a Covenant skirmish on Onyx, sacrificing himself so that his team could escape. Even then though, he went out in style, taking a point-blank blast from a hunter's assault cannon while fighting another one hand-to-hand.

14 Edward Buck

First Appearance – Halo 3: ODST Pre-mission Evaluation

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'2"
• Date of Birth: August 22, 2510
• Date of Death: N/A

Calling Buck an experienced soldier would be an understatement. Originally an ordinary UNSC marine, Buck would go on to fight as an ODST during the Human-Covenant War and, eventually, enlist in the Spartan-IV program. His ability to lead others while staying calm under pressure is what has allowed Buck to survive as long as he has.

He might not be able to compete with some of the Spartan-IIs when it comes to strength, but it's hard to dismiss Buck's skills and accomplishments that have allowed him to become a Spartan in the first place. Not many Spartan-IVs have as much combat experience as Buck and this definitely shows in his performances on the battlefield.

13 Spartan Jameson Locke

First Appearance – Halo: Nightfall

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'10"
• Date of Birth: March 15, 2529
• Date of Death: N/A

Before becoming a SPARTAN-IV, Jameson Locke rose to the rank of lieutenant commander under the ONI branch of the UNSC as an Acquisitions Specialist tasked with the retrieval of important objects and the tracking and assassination of high-value targets.

This leads him to be tasked with finding John-117, the best Spartan in the UNSC, so it goes to show the skills he has if he was given this almost impossible job. What makes Locke a proficient soldier is his cautious and logical approach to combat situations, without going in guns blazing, he calculates his move with skill and expertise.

12 Catherine-B320

First Appearance: Remembering Reach - Deliver Hope

• Gender: Female
• Height: 6'9"
• Date of Birth: January 30, 2530
• Date of Death: August 23, 2552

Catherine-B320 is a Spartan who was often referred to simply as Kat and she happened to be a crucial member of NOBLE Team. She served under the designation of Noble Two and sadly died at the young age of 22 despite being one of the strongest Spartans in the Halo universe.

Her prosthetic arm allowed her to be a picture of representation for a community of people rarely portrayed in a positive light in popular media, that being people with health conditions or impairments. Kat's death was one of the more shocking events in Halo Reach as it seemingly happens out of nowhere during Noble Team's escape toward a bunker in New Alexandria.

11 Emile-A239

First Appearance: Remembering Reach - Deliver Hope

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'10"
• Date of Birth: March 11, 2523
• Date of Death: August 30, 2552

With certainly one of the coolest armor variants of all the Spartans, Emile operated as a part of Noble Team and died defending Cortana from the Covenant during the Fall of Reach.

Emile rose to the rank of Warrant Officer and was skilled in close combat, often seen with an M45 Tactical Shotgun but was equally skilled with his kurki knife. Emile was known for being bold and aggressive, which was both a help and a hindrance in warfare. This SPARTAN-III was the embodiment of the phrase live by the sword, die by the sword as he went head first into two Elite Zealots to protect Noble Six, dying at the hands of an Energy Sword, but not without taking his attackers with him.

10 Jorge-052

First Appearance: Remembering Reach - Deliver Hope

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'4"
• Date of Birth: March 5, 2511
• Date of Death: August 14, 2552

Every good team of heroes needs a gentle giant who's naturally endearing and charismatic, even if they also happen to be a hyper-lethal Spartan. That's where Jorge-052, affectionately known as "George" comes into play. Known as Noble Five, this mountain of a man somehow had a heart and sense of duty that eclipsed his physical stature.

He ended up making the ultimate sacrifice, which wasn't something in the heat of the moment, but rather a calculated decision he knew would end in his death. Jorge-052 is the embodiment of the idea that courage isn't housed in someone who lacks fear, but rather in someone who is scared out of their mind but continues in spite of that overwhelming feeling.

9 Jun-A266

First Appearance: Remembering Reach - Deliver Hope

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'10"
• Date of Birth: February 28, 2524
• Date of Death: N/A

The only surviving member of Noble Team, Jun was given the task of escorting Dr. Halsey off the plant Reach, ensuring his survival of the glassing of the planet. A SPARTAN-III, Jun was an expert marksman, deadly with his Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel protecting his teammates from a distance.

After the Fall of Reach, Jun went on to become a trainer for SPARTAIN-IV's and was stationed as a commander of the secret space station where they were trained. Jun hand-picked Sarah Palmer to be a candidate for the program.

8 Jerome-092

First Appearance: Halo Wars

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'2"
• Date of Birth: May 8, 2511
• Date of Death: N/A

Jerome-092 is arguably one of the strongest Spartan-IIs in the entire program, being one out of four candidates for leading the Spartan-II group. That alone makes Jerome a notable character, but he was also pivotal to the Battle of Arcadia and Battle of Shield 0459, all while using outdated armor.

If Jerome wasn't in cryosleep for such a long period, he would likely be renowned as one of the strongest Spartan-IIs in the program. As things stand though, he comes up a little short when compared to the very best. In a way, Jerome embodies the same skills as Master Chief to a lesser degree.

7 Carter-A259

First Appearance: Remembering Reach - Birth Of A Spartan

• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'10"
• Date of Birth: August 27, 2520
• Date of Death: August 30, 2552

Halo Reach holds a special place in the hearts of Halo fans as it offers arguably the best in-universe experience not featuring Master Chief. It follows the adventures of NOBLE Team, a group of Spartans that are known for their elite effectiveness. The person in charge of this group was a Spartan by the name of Carter, Carter-A259 to be more specific.

Fans quickly grew to like the character, which was aided by Carter having the call sign of Noble One. He played a crucial role in getting the package delivered to the Pillar of Autumn and it was his sacrificial crash with a Pelican that allowed Noble Six and Emile to get passed a Scarab and finish the mission.

6 Kelly-087

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Female
• Height: 6'11"
• Date of Birth: September 21, 2510
• Date of Death: N/A

When most Halo fans think of Blue Team, their first thought is either Master Chief or Kelly-087. Kelly is one of the few surviving Spartan-IIs during the events of Halo 5: Guardians and with good reason. Though luck was arguably on her side, she's also an incredibly skilled combatant capable of defending both herself and her teammates.

She is renowned for her incredible speed and reflexes in combat, greatly surpassing every Spartan even when she isn't in her MJOLNIR armor. Serving in countless combat operations that date back to Reach, Kelly is easily one of the most skilled and powerful Spartans to have graced Blue Team.

5 Kurt-051

First Appearance – Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

• Gender: Male
• Height: 4'8" (Age 6)
• Date of Birth: October 19, 2511
• Date of Death: November 3, 2552

Kurt-051 is one of the few Spartans that has been able to outsmart Master Chief. Arguably the best tactician out of all the Spartan-IIs, Kurt had an inhuman ability to sense traps and ambushes that would otherwise go unnoticed. His ability to strategize and sense danger earned him the rank of Officer and, eventually, Lieutenant Commander.

These qualities would also manifest themselves when Kurt spearheaded the Spartan-III program. He would see his end during the Onyx conflict, but his impact on the Spartan-IIs he fought with and the Spartan-IIIs he trained can not be overstated. Without Kurt, the UNSC wouldn't be the same.

4 Frederic-104

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'1"
• Date of Birth: April 3, 2511
• Date of Death: N/A

Frederic-104 might not be the best strategist or marksman out of the Spartan-IIs, yet he can be considered a better Spartan than even Master Chief. This is because Fred has the same jack-of-all-trades style of proficiency that most Spartans lack.

Master Chief might have luck on his side, but he is otherwise mediocre when compared to most Spartans. Frederic, on the other hand, is the second-best at just about everything, be it leading others or killing Covenant forces with only a combat knife. When a Spartan is so skilled at so many things, they end up rising above their peers in most ways. Master Chief even admitted that if it wasn't for his luck, Frederic would overtake him in status.

3 Spartan-B312 (Noble 6)

First Appearance – Halo: Reach

• Gender: Player Determined
• Height: 6'9"
• Date of Birth: Unknown
• Date of Death: August 30, 2552

Breaking the common trend of Spartan-IIs, Noble Six is easily the deadliest Spartan-III to ever grace the Halo universe. He is the only Spartan-III that has been classified as hyper-lethal, a title that was only held by one Spartan-II before 343 Industries retconned this detail.

Even with that retcon, Noble Six is still a force to be reckoned with. He was chosen by Cortana when the AI was escorted to the Pillar of Autumn, worked alongside NOBLE Team to evacuate Reach, and single-handedly killed hundreds of Covenant before Noble eventually perished during the final hours of the Reach invasion. If Noble Six had the genes of a Spartan-II, he could very well be the strongest Spartan to ever exist.

2 Linda-058

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Female
• Height: 7'0"
• Date of Birth: March 19, 2511
• Date of Death: N/A

If Noble 6 is the strongest Spartan-III lone wolf, Linda-058 is the strongest Spartan-II lone wolf. Linda has been exposed to 189 military operations and is still fighting alongside Blue Team to this day. Were it not for John-117, however, she would almost certainly have perished during the Fall of Reach.

What makes Linda so strong is her unparalleled accuracy with any marksman rifle, particularly a sniper rifle. She lands nearly every shot and doesn't need a spotter when engaging targets at range. She is easily the most skilled marksman the UNSC has ever seen, frequently used as a one-man army in most operations.

1 Samuel-034

First Appearance – Halo: The Fall of Reach

• Gender: Male
• Height: 7'4"
• Date of Birth: July 10, 2511
• Date of Death: November 27, 2525

Not many people know of Samuel-034. He was one of the first Spartan-IIs to ever be created but was also the first Spartan-II to die during the Human-Covenant War at only age 14. For the brief period, he was in the program, however, Samuel made a major impression.

He stood over 7 feet tall without armor, was a prodigy with explosives, and had a level of hearing and sight that no Spartan has matched since. It encouraged the UNSC to further its Spartan program and prove to humanity that the Covenant can be beaten thanks to Samuel's sacrifice. If Samuel had gotten the chance to mature, he would most definitely have become the strongest Spartan to ever grace the Halo universe.

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