So we know that for gameplay purposes and in general the two of them are supposed to be equal.
That said they are very different and each have their own strengths. If they ever had to have a battle, who do you think would win?
Master Chief - Spartan John 117 vs The Arbiter Thel Vadum
I will analize a bunch of points and give each 1 point for a category win and .5 points for a category tie.
Armor Quality
In Halo Wars the arbiter armor is shown to stop M6 caliber pistol shots
In the books Spartan armor is shown to stop rounds that are something like .303? I can't really remember.
I think their protection is about equal, but because John's armor provides full, including full facial coverage, I give him the advantage. How does the Arbiter even have a HUD or an aiming reticule, he doesn't have a visor or eye piece...
Advantage - Master Chief
Strength
In the books John is shown to be as strong as an average elite. That said the Arbiter is basically the strongest elite around. Without further evidence I would have to assume that the Arbiter has more physical strength.
Advantage - Arbiter
Speed
In the books and in the comic books the augmentations make the Spartans incredibly fast, able to run 60+km/h. The elites are never seen to have anywhere near that speed, and while Thel may have some of the best Elite speed we do not know how fast Elites can naturally run other than what we see in the game (which is much below 60km/h)
Advantage - Master Chief
Reflexes
In the books and comics Spartan reflexes have been shown a lot. Master Chief in particular has been shown to dodge some bullets and swerve through spiker shots. Elites are not known to have naturally faster reflexes than any other species, and the Arbiter does not have any known enhancements that would up his reaction time.
Advantage - Master Chief
Fighting Skill
Master Chief has shown he has a decent knowledge of close quarters combat and excellent knowledge of fighting with all types of firearms including covenant weapons. The Arbiter is also an expert at fighting with firearms but unlike the Chief he is an expert at close quarter with a sword. We can see how a sword duel between John and Thel would have went in "The Package" as the elite in the duel with John was originally meant to be the Arbiter, but it had to be changed due to canon concerns.
Advantage - Arbiter
Armor Abilities
Thel has invisibility worked into his armor, and his invisibility lets him stay invisible for a short period of time, whether he is running, walking, or hiding. Master Chief can now patch armor abilities like invisibility into his armor, but his invisibility does not work as well, it only functions fully if Master Chief moves slowly. While Master Chief can use a variety of other armor abilities, none that he could use would beat the tactical effectiveness of The Arbiters active camo.
Advantage - Arbiter
Equipment
The Arbiter has never been known to use deployable equipment but it is likely that he could get his hands on covenant equipment like flares. His most useful equipment would probably be a radar jammer. It would stop Master Chief from being able to find him using his radar. Master Chief has used equipment and as such has more experience with it, he has shown (in trailers) that he is good at using bubble shields to block incoming attacks.
Advantage - Tie
Weapons
This category is really human weapons versus covenant weapons. Although both have experience using the other factions weapons, heading into a confrontation they would arm themselves from their armory. Both have a variety of heavy weapons to use, but human heavy weapons generally have a longer range than Covenant weapons (Laser vs. fuel rod gun etc). Medium range is equal, carbines, needle rifles, battle rifles, etc. Long range is equal as snipers and beam rifles work essentially the same. Short range is equal, both can duel wield using smg's or plasma rifles, or can use one storm rifle or assault rifle. Close quarters the Arbiter wins due to his energy sword.
Advantage - Tie
Final score
Master Chief - Spartan John 117 - 4 points
The Arbiter - Thel Vadam - 4 points
My analysis based on the franchise shows that it would in fact be too close to call.
What do you think? Are my category assessments accurate? Who do you think would win?
That said they are very different and each have their own strengths. If they ever had to have a battle, who do you think would win?
Master Chief - Spartan John 117 vs The Arbiter Thel Vadum
I will analize a bunch of points and give each 1 point for a category win and .5 points for a category tie.
Armor Quality
In Halo Wars the arbiter armor is shown to stop M6 caliber pistol shots
In the books Spartan armor is shown to stop rounds that are something like .303? I can't really remember.
I think their protection is about equal, but because John's armor provides full, including full facial coverage, I give him the advantage. How does the Arbiter even have a HUD or an aiming reticule, he doesn't have a visor or eye piece...
Advantage - Master Chief
Strength
In the books John is shown to be as strong as an average elite. That said the Arbiter is basically the strongest elite around. Without further evidence I would have to assume that the Arbiter has more physical strength.
Advantage - Arbiter
Speed
In the books and in the comic books the augmentations make the Spartans incredibly fast, able to run 60+km/h. The elites are never seen to have anywhere near that speed, and while Thel may have some of the best Elite speed we do not know how fast Elites can naturally run other than what we see in the game (which is much below 60km/h)
Advantage - Master Chief
Reflexes
In the books and comics Spartan reflexes have been shown a lot. Master Chief in particular has been shown to dodge some bullets and swerve through spiker shots. Elites are not known to have naturally faster reflexes than any other species, and the Arbiter does not have any known enhancements that would up his reaction time.
Advantage - Master Chief
Fighting Skill
Master Chief has shown he has a decent knowledge of close quarters combat and excellent knowledge of fighting with all types of firearms including covenant weapons. The Arbiter is also an expert at fighting with firearms but unlike the Chief he is an expert at close quarter with a sword. We can see how a sword duel between John and Thel would have went in "The Package" as the elite in the duel with John was originally meant to be the Arbiter, but it had to be changed due to canon concerns.
Advantage - Arbiter
Armor Abilities
Thel has invisibility worked into his armor, and his invisibility lets him stay invisible for a short period of time, whether he is running, walking, or hiding. Master Chief can now patch armor abilities like invisibility into his armor, but his invisibility does not work as well, it only functions fully if Master Chief moves slowly. While Master Chief can use a variety of other armor abilities, none that he could use would beat the tactical effectiveness of The Arbiters active camo.
Advantage - Arbiter
Equipment
The Arbiter has never been known to use deployable equipment but it is likely that he could get his hands on covenant equipment like flares. His most useful equipment would probably be a radar jammer. It would stop Master Chief from being able to find him using his radar. Master Chief has used equipment and as such has more experience with it, he has shown (in trailers) that he is good at using bubble shields to block incoming attacks.
Advantage - Tie
Weapons
This category is really human weapons versus covenant weapons. Although both have experience using the other factions weapons, heading into a confrontation they would arm themselves from their armory. Both have a variety of heavy weapons to use, but human heavy weapons generally have a longer range than Covenant weapons (Laser vs. fuel rod gun etc). Medium range is equal, carbines, needle rifles, battle rifles, etc. Long range is equal as snipers and beam rifles work essentially the same. Short range is equal, both can duel wield using smg's or plasma rifles, or can use one storm rifle or assault rifle. Close quarters the Arbiter wins due to his energy sword.
Advantage - Tie
Final score
Master Chief - Spartan John 117 - 4 points
The Arbiter - Thel Vadam - 4 points
My analysis based on the franchise shows that it would in fact be too close to call.
What do you think? Are my category assessments accurate? Who do you think would win?
