[quote]The covies would likely enter a civil war arising from debate over whether to worship or attack the reapers. ------- The only reason they were divided on the war against humanity was because some of humanity registered as forerunners on there sensors due to being reclaimers. The covenant have killed several races before with no qualms open it. ------- The Covenant could destroy the mass relays to stop the reapers from traversing the galaxy, however that would also probably be considered 'blasphemous and heresy'. Also, doing that doesn't actually kill the reapers, just immobilises them. Also also, ME Andromeda may see the invention of FTL travel without mass relays needed. ------- Why would they considerate it heresy? They can detect if something is Forerunner or not. ------- An individual reaper could take out multiple Covenant ships before being destroyed, however their numbers are likely a bit smaller and the covenant's largest ships are massive in comparison to the reapers. ------- Proof of either claim? Seeing as I equalized firepower and shields. ------- The reapers however have indoctrination, which is what I think would grant them eventual victory. Imagine the havoc they could enact on the Covenant if the prophets were indoctrinated, and 'weak' species like the Uungoy and Kig-yar are likely very easily turned. Reapers can also convert deceased corpses into combat forms, not too dissimilar to the Flood actually. This would turn the Covenant's strength in numbers against them. ------- Getting to such important individuals is almost completely impossible for the reapers, indoctrination will help but it won't be a trump card in this battle. ------- Glassing by plasma bombardment could probably kill a reaper pretty easily and effectively, however using that as a weapon is probably quite unreliable in most cases. I think Covenant shielding technology is also more advanced too. ------- Yes it was an ineffective ship to ship weapon due to requiring to Shewell to be dropped. Shielding has been equalized in this fight. ------- The reapers also have the collectors on their side let's not forget. However the Covenant would be pretty capable of dealing with them I think. ------- What are they capable of? ------- I'd give this a narrow victory to the reapers. Narrow, however.[/quote] ------- What about now? -------

I'd still give it to the reapers. I'm not acknowledging the equal shielding rule since that nullifies this whole engagement. I think indoctrination is a lot more potent than you think; sovereign only had to indoctrinate a couple of individuals who weren't even high ranking in the citadel council and he almost caused the council to tear itself apart. And that was just one reaper. The Covenant are far more dependent on their prophets, so their indoctrination would have far direr consequences. Also, the Covenant hold any ancient technology sacred. It just so happens that the tech in question is usually and can only be forerunner. The Covenant have strength in numbers, but the reapers can use that strength against them with the creation of husks and other abominations.