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Beacon tower: Difference between revisions

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(Added info from the Encyclopedia.)
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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Center|For other uses of the term '''beam''', see [[Beam|here]].}}
{{Center|For other uses of the term '''beam''', see [[Beam|here]].}}
{{Cleanup}}
[[File:Installation04Vertical.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A beacon tower on [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]].]]
[[File:Installation04Vertical.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A beam emitter tower on [[Installation 04|Alpha Halo]].]]
A '''beam emitter''' is a [[Forerunner]] device or structure that, as the name implies, emits beams of energy. Though applied for many purposes, they are generally used to transport enormous amounts of energy from one location to another, serving as sophisticated power conduits. The beams may be constant, feeding a steady stream of energy to a certain system such as an [[Energy shielding|energy barrier]], or momentarily channel the energy required in the activation of an installation. Perhaps the most ubiquitous usage of beam emitters is found in beacon towers, monolithic structures found on many Forerunner worlds, but most notably on each installation in the [[Halo Array]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P353|Enc22|Page=353}}
A '''beam emitter''' is a [[Forerunner]] device or structure that, as the name implies, emits beams of energy. Though applied for many purposes, they are generally used to transport enormous amounts of energy from one location to another, serving as sophisticated power conduits. The beams may be constant, feeding a steady stream of energy to a certain system such as an [[Energy shielding|energy barrier]], or momentarily channel the energy required in the activation of an installation.


==Types==
==Types==
===Beam towers===
===Beacon towers===
Beam emitters are often incorporated in large delta-shaped structures with a cleave down the approximate center. They fire beams upwards, in the case of the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]] to the center, and in the case of the [[Installation 00|Ark]] up into space.<ref name="halo">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> The exact function of these machines is unknown, but they may be used to transport energy for the activation process of the Halo rings or used to get rid of excess energy. It is also possible that the beams seen on [[Installation 04]] are simulated firings of the ring.
Beacon towers are large delta-shaped structures with a cleave down the approximate center where a beam is emitted. They fire beams upwards—in the case of the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]], they fire toward the center of the ring,<ref name="halo">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> and in the case of [[Installation 00]], they simply fire up into space.{{Ref/Map|Id=Valhalla|H3|[[Valhalla]]}}


On [[Requiem]], the beam emitters are used as stations for delivering navigation data<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Catherine/Spartan Mountain]]''</ref> and function as part of the [[shield world]]'s [[teleportation grid]], featuring [[Slipspace translocation|teleportation portals]] that can transport objects to various other parts of the installation.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Didact's Hand/Rally Point]]''</ref>
Beacon towers can serve several uses. On [[Requiem]], beacon towers are used as stations for delivering navigation data<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Catherine/Spartan Mountain]]''</ref> and function as part of the [[shield world]]'s [[teleportation grid]], featuring [[Slipspace translocation|teleportation portals]] that can transport objects to various other parts of the installation.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', ''[[S1/Didact's Hand/Rally Point]]''</ref> On [[Installation 07]], the beacon towers are designed to channel, convert, and refine energy streams of virtually any type. The Halo's beacon towers assist in ring-wide communication{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P353}}{{Ref/Quest|Id=The Sequence|HI|Reformation|The Sequence}} and also aid in the activation process of the installation primary weapon, among a multitude of other purposes.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P353}}
 
On [[Installation 07]], the beam towers serve as communications beacons.{{Ref/Quest|Id=The Sequence|HI|Reformation|The Sequence}}


===Other types===
===Other types===
[[File:Tempest.jpg|thumb|250px|Beam emitters as a part of a Halo ring's weather control system.]]
[[File:Tempest.jpg|thumb|250px|Beam emitters as a part of a Halo ring's weather control system.]]
The [[Control Room]]s of the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]] possess a type of beam emitter, which fires a continuous beam from the depths of the Control Room to the top of the structure, and into the center of the ring when the installation is activated.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}} In case the firing sequence is canceled, like on [[Delta Halo]], the beam collects into a large bolt of energy, which is then fired into the center of the ring, causing the energy collected in the center to dissipate.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>
The [[Control Room]]s of the Halo installations possess a type of beam emitter, which fires a continuous beam from the depths of the Control Room to the top of the structure, and into the center of the ring when the installation is activated.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}} In case the firing sequence is canceled, like on [[Installation 05]], the beam collects into a large bolt of energy, which is then fired into the center of the ring, causing the energy collected in the center to dissipate.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref>


The [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]] in [[Kenya]] also has a type of beam emitter, which discharges a concentrated beam to the sky when the portal is activated.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> In addition, the [[Apex Site]] on [[Trove]] also possessed a beam emitter. Continuous beams of energy are also channeled through the [[phase pulse generator]]s used to control the firing systems of the Halo rings.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level, ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref> In ''[[High Charity]]'', the [[Covenant]] used a conduit of energy to connect the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]'s engines into the city's power grid.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>
The [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]] in [[Kenya]] also has a type of beam emitter, which discharges a concentrated beam to the sky when the portal is activated.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> In addition, the [[Apex Site]] on [[Trove]] also possessed a beam emitter. Continuous beams of energy are also channeled through the [[phase pulse generator]]s used to control the firing systems of the Halo rings.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level, ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref> In ''[[High Charity]]'', the [[Covenant]] used a conduit of energy to connect the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]]'s engines into the city's power grid.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''</ref>


Around [[Installation 00]]'s [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], three [[barrier tower]]s featuring beam emitter towers were used to project an energy barrier that surrounded the Citadel.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level, ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> The [[weather spire]]s on the Halo rings also feature beam emitters.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', multiplayer map ''[[Tempest]]''</ref>
Around Installation 00's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], three [[barrier tower]]s featuring beam emitters were used to project an energy barrier that surrounded the Citadel.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level, ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> The [[weather spire]]s on the Halo rings also feature beam emitters.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', multiplayer map ''[[Tempest]]''</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
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===Concept art===
===Concept art===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter1.jpg|Concept art of beam emitters for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter1.jpg|Concept art of beacon towers for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter2.jpg|More concept art.
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter2.jpg|More concept art.
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter.jpg|Concept art of a beam emitter on Installation 07 in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Concept BeamEmitter.jpg|Concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07 in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF BeamEmitterConcept2.jpg|More concept art of a beam emitter on Installation 07.
File:HINF BeamEmitterConcept2.jpg|More concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07.
</gallery>
</gallery>


===Screenshots===
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE - Halo.jpg|The first beam emitter discovered by the Master Chief on [[Installation 04]].
File:HCE - Halo.jpg|The first beacon tower discovered by the Master Chief on [[Installation 04]].
File:HCE pulse generator.jpg|A [[phase pulse generator]] on Installation 04.
File:HCE pulse generator.jpg|A [[phase pulse generator]] on Installation 04.
File:Val ext3.jpg|A beam emitter on [[Valhalla]].
File:Val ext3.jpg|A beacon tower on [[Valhalla]].
File:Ark2.jpg|A type of beam emitter, as seen on the [[Portal at Voi]].
File:Ark2.jpg|A type of beam emitter, as seen on the [[Portal at Voi]].
File:Ark_Beam.jpg|A [[barrier tower]] on [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
File:Ark_Beam.jpg|A [[barrier tower]] on [[Installation 00|the Ark]].
File:ChiefBeam-large.jpg|An energy beam inside [[Installation 08]]'s Control Room.
File:ChiefBeam-large.jpg|An energy beam inside [[Installation 08]]'s Control Room.
File:HW12.png|The [[Apex Site]]'s beam emitter.
File:HW12.png|The [[Apex Site]]'s beam emitter.
File:BeamEmitterAnniversary.jpg|A beam emitter on Installation 04.
File:BeamEmitterAnniversary.jpg|A beacon tower on Installation 04.
File:H4-MP-Ragnarok-Aerial.jpg|A beam emitter on [[Requiem]].
File:H4-MP-Ragnarok-Aerial.jpg|A beacon tower on [[Requiem]].
File:H5G - Array 1.jpg|The beam emitter on [[Apex 7]].
File:H5G - Array 1.jpg|The beam emitter on [[Apex 7]].
File:HINF BeamEmitter1.png|A beam emitter on [[Installation 07]] in a pre-release build of ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF BeamEmitter1.png|A beacon tower on [[Installation 07]] in a pre-release build of ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF BeamEmitterUW.png|An ultrawide shot of the same beam emitter at a different time of day.
File:HINF BeamEmitterUW.png|An ultrawide shot of the same beacon tower at a different time of day.
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 17:45, August 6, 2022

For other uses of the term beam, see here.
A beacon tower on Alpha Halo.

A beam emitter is a Forerunner device or structure that, as the name implies, emits beams of energy. Though applied for many purposes, they are generally used to transport enormous amounts of energy from one location to another, serving as sophisticated power conduits. The beams may be constant, feeding a steady stream of energy to a certain system such as an energy barrier, or momentarily channel the energy required in the activation of an installation. Perhaps the most ubiquitous usage of beam emitters is found in beacon towers, monolithic structures found on many Forerunner worlds, but most notably on each installation in the Halo Array.[1]

Types

Beacon towers

Beacon towers are large delta-shaped structures with a cleave down the approximate center where a beam is emitted. They fire beams upwards—in the case of the Halo installations, they fire toward the center of the ring,[2] and in the case of Installation 00, they simply fire up into space.[3]

Beacon towers can serve several uses. On Requiem, beacon towers are used as stations for delivering navigation data[4] and function as part of the shield world's teleportation grid, featuring teleportation portals that can transport objects to various other parts of the installation.[5] On Installation 07, the beacon towers are designed to channel, convert, and refine energy streams of virtually any type. The Halo's beacon towers assist in ring-wide communication[1][6] and also aid in the activation process of the installation primary weapon, among a multitude of other purposes.[1]

Other types

Tempest in Halo: Reach.
Beam emitters as a part of a Halo ring's weather control system.

The Control Rooms of the Halo installations possess a type of beam emitter, which fires a continuous beam from the depths of the Control Room to the top of the structure, and into the center of the ring when the installation is activated.[2] In case the firing sequence is canceled, like on Installation 05, the beam collects into a large bolt of energy, which is then fired into the center of the ring, causing the energy collected in the center to dissipate.[7]

The Ark Portal in Kenya also has a type of beam emitter, which discharges a concentrated beam to the sky when the portal is activated.[8] In addition, the Apex Site on Trove also possessed a beam emitter. Continuous beams of energy are also channeled through the phase pulse generators used to control the firing systems of the Halo rings.[9] In High Charity, the Covenant used a conduit of energy to connect the Forerunner Dreadnought's engines into the city's power grid.[10]

Around Installation 00's Citadel, three barrier towers featuring beam emitters were used to project an energy barrier that surrounded the Citadel.[11] The weather spires on the Halo rings also feature beam emitters.[12]

Trivia

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • If the player manages to stand at the top of a beam tower, over the chute in which the beam shoots from, the beam can either kill him/her, sending the player over a hundred feet in the air, or completely pass through the player. When killed by the beam, it will say "(Player) was killed by the Guardians". In Halo 3, however, the beams coming from the beam emitters (except in Valhalla) will not kill the player, no matter what. This is most likely due to gameplay reasons.
  • Beam emitters are objectives to be captured the Domination multiplayer mode of Halo Wars 2.[13]

Gallery

Concept art

  • Concept art of beacon towers for Halo Infinite.

    Concept art of beacon towers for Halo Infinite.

  • More concept art.

    More concept art.

  • Concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

    Concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

  • More concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07.

    More concept art of a beacon tower on Installation 07.

Screenshots

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 353
  2. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level, Halo
  3. ^ Halo 3, multiplayer map Valhalla
  4. ^ Spartan Ops, S1/Catherine/Spartan Mountain
  5. ^ Spartan Ops, S1/Didact's Hand/Rally Point
  6. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign mission Reformation: The Sequence
  7. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  8. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, The Storm
  9. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level, Two Betrayals
  10. ^ Halo 2, campaign level, High Charity
  11. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, The Covenant
  12. ^ Halo: Reach, multiplayer map Tempest
  13. ^ Halo Wars 2 Open Beta

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The Forerunners

v • d • e
 
Halo Array
Arks
Senescent array
Gyre 01 • Gyre 02 • Gyre 03 • Gyre 04 • Gyre 05 • Gyre 06 • Gyre 07 • Gyre 08 • Gyre 09 • Gyre 10 • Gyre 11 • Gyre 12
Neoteric array
Other

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Installation components

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Other installations
Other megastructures
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For a complete list, check out our Forerunner category.
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