A few things I would like to say here: 1) Spartan IVs are much more powerful than Elites. The fact that in Reach, the Elites were on par with Spartans is disappointing. Only the highest ranking Elites could challenge a Spartan. 2) Even if 343 wants to keep the MP canon (which would be cool, indeed), its not like they couldn't simulate playing as an Elite. Hell, if you can play as the Flood (complete BS, btw) and 2" Spartans, why can't we play as an Elite? So yes, playing as an Elite is something I personally want back too, with more customization than Reach. Playing Elite Slayer would be fun because the Covenant arsenal is much more balanced in H4 than in any other Halo game. I don't think 343 had the time to integrate Elites into War Games though. It was (presumably) rushed, from my point of view. (And if they are going to integrate Elites into H5, they need to make it so that if you're playing as an Elite, you play as an Elite in every game mode. Not like in Reach, where there were almost no game modes you were required to play as an Elite. 3) I find that Invasion would work wonders for the Canon. It really seems like the most stimulative experience for new SIVs in combat. Capture and Extract the objective? Sounds good. But hey, just my two cents. What do I know?

Why is playing as flood bs?

Because its supposed to be a simulator experience and we're playing as infected Spartans... And then they use the simulative experience crap as an excuse to not have elites in-game.

Elites have always been evenly matched to Spartan II's, which by the way are a-lot better than Spartan IV's. As I read what you said I immediately recalled hand-to-hand fight John had with an Elite on Gamma Station in The Fall of Reach: [quote] [b][i]The Fall of Reach[/i], pages 313-315[/b] A flicker of a contact appeared on the Master Chief's motion tracker—then vanished. He turned and brought his assault rifle to bear. Nothing. "Hang on, Blue One. I'm going to check our six." Linda's acknowledgement light winked on. The Master Chief eased back down the passage ten meters. No sensor contact. There was just dim red light and shadows... but one of the shadows moved. It only took an instant for the image to fully register: a black film peeled away from the darkness. It was a meter taller than John and wore blue armor similar to that on Covenant warships. It's helmet was elongated and had rows of sharp teeth; it looked like it was smiling at him. The Elite warrior leveled a plasma pistol. At this range, there was no way the creature would miss—the plasma weapon would cut through John's slowly recharging shields almost immediately. And if John used his assault rifle, it wouldn't cut through the alien's energy shield. In a simple exchange of fire, the alien would win. Unacceptable. He needed to change the odds. The Master Chief pushed off the wall and launched himself at the creature. He slammed into the Elite before it had a chance to fire. They tumbled backward and clashed into the bulkhead. The Master Chief saw the alien's shield flicker and fade— —he hammered on the edge of the alien's gun. The creature howled soundlessly in the vacuum and dropped the plasma weapon. The Elite kicked him in the midsection; his shield took the brunt of the attack, but the blow sent him spinning end over end. He slapped his hand against the ceiling and stalled his spin—then dove under the Elite's follow up attack. The Master Chief tried to grab the alien—but their weakened shields slid and crackled over one another. Too slippery. They bounced down the curved passage. The Master Chief's boot caught on a railing, twisted—a lance of pain shot up his leg— but he halted their combined momentum. The Elite pushed away and caught a railing on the opposite side of the passage. Then it turned and sprang back toward the Master Chief. John ignored the pain in his leg. He pushed himself at the alien. They collided—the Master Chief struck with both fists, but the force slid off the Elite's shields. The Elite grabbed him and threw him. They both spun into the wall. The Master Chief was pinned—perfect: he had something to brace against in the zero gravity. He swung his fist, used every muscle in his body, and connected with the aliens midsection. It's shield shimmered and crackled but some of the momentum transferred. The alien doubled over and reeled backward— —and its hands found the plasma weapon it had dropped. The Elite recovered quickly and aimed at the Master Chief. The Master Chief jumped, grabbed its wrist. He locked his armors glove articulation—it became a vise clamp. The wrestled for control. The gun pointed at the alien—then the Master Chief. [b]The alien was as strong as the Master Chief.[/b] They spun and bounced off the floor, ceiling, and walls. [b]They were too evenly matched.[/b] The Master Chief manage to force a stalemate: the pistol now pointed straight up between their bodies. If it went off it would hit them both—one shot at point blank range might collapse their shields. They'd both fry. The Master Chief whipped his forearm and elbow over the creature's wrist and slammed it in the head. For a split second it was stunned and its strength ebbed. John turned the gun into its face—squeezed the firing mechanism. The plasma discharged exploded into the creature. Fire sprayed across its shields; they shimmered, flickered, and dimmed. The energy slash washed over the Master Chief; his shields drained to a quarter. The internal suit temperature spiked to critical levels. But the Elite's shields were dead. He didn't wait for the plasma to recharge. The Master Chief grabbed the creature with his left hand—his right fist struck an uppercut to the head, a hook to the throat and chest, three rapid-fire strikes with his forearm to its helmet—that cracked and hissed atmosphere. The Master Chief pushed away and fired the pistol again. The bolt of fire caught the Elite in the face. It writhed and clawed at nothing. The Elite shuddered . . . suspended in midair; it twitched and finally stopped moving. The Master Chief shot again to make sure it was dead.[/quote]

That was the first time Chief had encountered an Elite before Bungie retconned encounter dates. Since then SPARTANS have been shown as superior to Elites. IIRC, in GoO they were scared of fighting the S-III's in close quarters.

I could have also take an excerpt from Halo: The Cole Protocol containing another evenly matched hand-to-hand battle between Thel and a battle hardened Spartan II from Gray Team. Spartan IIs and Elites are evenly matched when it comes to strength and endurance. Although Elites have the upper hand when it comes to weaponry and technology, Spartan IIs have superior tactics and training which easily makes up for it and gives them the edge. That's how I look at it.

Again, Thel is a high ranking Elite.

The Elite John encountered on Gamma Station was not. [quote][b][i]The Fall of Reach, page 314[/i][/b] It was a meter taller than John and wore blue armor similar to that on Covenant warships.[/quote] Just based on the Elites armor color, we can assume that what John fought was an Elite Minor.

Still, in the lore, Spartans almost always out class Elites.

Yes, that's the superior training and tactics that come into play.

Then we are in agreement.

Due to the Elites not properly using their training. Spartans and Elites are even. What makes the Spartans kill so many Elites is because of the way they fight. Elites don't use cover. You see them charge straight for their enemy, sometimes with swords. Think about it. They charged the Spartans in Halo Wars with pikes. -blam!-ing pikes. There were also the three Zealots that charged Noble team with Energy Swords and probably would have killed them had it not been for Carter. The Arbiter didn't bother to shoot Sergeant Forge. They like to be up close and personal. That explains the Energy Daggers on their gauntlets. They will refuse medical help if injured. Seriously. Their culture makes them think that it's shameful. They would rather bleed out or kill themselves. They also refuse to even touch a human weapon. If they had no ammo, a Spartan next to them, and a loaded Assault Rifle at their feet, they'd punch the Spartan in his face. They are too honor bound to properly use their training. No medical attention, no heretic weapons, no cover, charging straight for the enemy, extreme honor. Their honor handicaps them. They are supposed to be like samurais, which is why some kill themselves after a lost battle. The Spartans won't do any of that shit. They will take any tactical advantage they can get, which they should. If the Elite John fought was really a minor, we can assume most Elites are on John's strength and endurance level, but are too busy charging you with a pike for them to fully show it.

It's cool how they do all that because it's so different and interesting... but at the same time you kinda wanna facepalm because its stupid lol.

They can use Human weapons. Halo 3, baybee!!!

Yeah, because the Elites on Arbiter's side drop that ridiculous part of their honor, for the good. They will still actually insult you for it though, unless you hand them a Rocket Launcher or Spartan Laser. Then they will thank you.

I still view S-IIs as superior soldiers to any Elite

As soldiers? Yeah, definitely. Spartans use cover, get medical attention, won't refuse to use a weapon, and don't rush you. They are tactically superior. Elites match or exceed them in strength and endurance, but are too honor bound to even come close to Spartans tactically. That's their downfall. Their training means nothing when they rush a fortified base with Daggers to satisfy their honor. Spartans get the Soldier of the Month award.

Then we are at agreement. I'll have to look over everything I said, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't ever think I said that Elites were physically superior. I just said Spartans were superior in general.

Unfortunately, that'll probably never happen since 343 wants their precious Infinity multiplayer to be a canonical experience.