Prophet of Regret
The first High Prophet to fall, shattering the myth of divine invincibility.
The Prophet of Regret was a High Prophet of the Covenant, a San'Shyuum leader who played a key role in the events of Halo 2. He led a Covenant fleet that besieged the African city of New Mombasa on Earth, but was forced to make a hasty slipspace jump after his fleet was destroyed. He fled to another Halo installation, Installation 05, where he was pursued and killed by the Master Chief. His death triggered discord among the races of the Covenant, as the Prophets gave the Brutes the Elites' traditional role as their honor guard, leading to the Great Schism.
- Role
- High Prophet of the Covenant
- Affiliation
- Covenant Empire (San'Shyuum)
- First Appearance
- Halo 2 (2004)
- Status
- Deceased
- Notable Action
- Led a fleet that besieged New Mombasa on Earth
Lore & Background
Regret's death was a turning point in the Covenant's internal politics. After the Master Chief killed Regret on Installation 05, the Covenant leadership—the High Prophets Truth and Mercy—responded by giving the Brutes the Elites' traditional role as their honor guard. This decision triggered discord among the races of the Covenant, as Tartarus, the Chieftain of the Covenant Brutes, revealed that the Prophets had ordered the annihilation of the Elites. The Arbiter, a disgraced Elite commander, was sent falling down a deep chasm by Tartarus after retrieving the Index, Halo's activation key. Regret's death thus directly precipitated the civil war that tore the Covenant apart.
In Their Own Story
The Prophet of Regret first appears in Halo 2 when a Covenant fleet suddenly appears near Earth. In the ensuing battle, a single ship carrying Regret slips through Earth's defenses and besieges the African city of New Mombasa. The Master Chief assists in repelling the invasion. With his fleet destroyed, Regret makes a hasty slipspace jump, and Commander Miranda Keyes, Sergeant Avery Johnson, Cortana, and the Master Chief follow aboard the UNSC ship In Amber Clad. The crew discovers another Halo installation, Installation 05. Responding to Regret's distress call, High Charity and the Covenant fleet arrive at the Halo. After Master Chief kills Regret, the Covenant bombard his location; he falls into a lake, where he is dragged away by tentacles. Regret's death triggers discord among the races of the Covenant, as the Prophets give the Brutes the Elites' traditional role as their honor guard.
Reader's Guide
In Halo 2's campaign, the Prophet of Regret appears as a boss encounter on Installation 05. The player, controlling the Master Chief, must fight through Covenant forces to reach Regret's location. Regret himself offers no direct combat threat but relies heavily on heavy security details to shield him during his escape via gravity lift. The player must pursue him through the level, eventually cornering and killing him. This encounter is notable for being the first time a High Prophet is killed in the series, and it marks a major turning point in the story, as it triggers the Great Schism within the Covenant. The level is set in a Forerunner structure on Installation 05, with the player navigating through flooded chambers and fighting both Covenant and Flood forces.
Did You Know?
- The Prophet of Regret was the first High Prophet to be killed in the Halo series.
- His death on Installation 05 triggered the Great Schism, as the Prophets gave the Brutes the Elites' traditional role as their honor guard.
- Regret's ship was the only Covenant vessel to slip through Earth's defenses during the invasion of New Mombasa.
- After Regret's death, the Covenant bombard his location, causing the Master Chief to fall into a lake where he is dragged away by tentacles.
- The Prophet of Regret is one of three High Prophets in the Covenant, alongside Truth and Mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prophet of Regret?
He was a High Prophet within the Covenant High Council who served as a primary architect for the Great Schism's early conflicts. Unlike his more cautious peers, he aggressively pushed for the immediate activation of Halo rings to ensure salvation.
What role did he play in the Covenant?
As a San'Shyuum leader, he held significant religious authority and commanded Covenant fleets during the Battle of Installation 05. His role focused on overseeing the ring's activation rather than possessing physical combat abilities or special energy powers.
How does Prophet of Regret die?
He was killed by Master Chief during a frantic escape from Delta Halo in the events of Halo 2. His death marked the first time a High Prophet fell to human hands, shattering their perceived invincibility.
Why is he significant to lore?
Regret's demise was pivotal because it exposed the fallibility of the Covenant leadership to both their followers and humanity. This event contributed heavily to the internal fractures that eventually led to the Great Schism.
When did Prophet of Regret first appear?
According to records, he debuted in Halo: Combat Evolved before taking a central role during the Battle of Installation 05 in Halo 2. His early presence helped establish the Covenant hierarchy that players would later witness crumbling.
More in Characters & Spartans
Elsewhere in the Halo universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record