User:JackVibe/Sandbox
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The Covenant military and its remnants deployed a type of watchtower,[1][2] or lookout tower,[3] on the battlefield.[4]
Overview
Design details
A watchtower is comprised of protected circular platform and a gravity base. As a rather ordinary example of platform suspension within the Covenant, the gravity base features an anti-gravity generator in its center, from which the circular platform is suspended in the air at a stable and static position. The anti-gravity generator functions also as a gravity lift, transporting supplies and troops freely and swiftly through a gap in the center of the platform.[4]
The perimeter of the base is comprised of three ramps and three pillars placed in a motif: one ramp to one pillar. The protected platforms demonstrate a variety of design. The platform typically has three protective pillars and large gaps between them. The pillars are taller and thinner compared to the ones of the base and with larger gaps.[5] The gap is used for snipers to have a clear line of sight and for Gunner Unggoy to fire their Pek-pattern plasma cannons. Some towers' platforms, instead of the usual oval pillars, have three thinner, longer pillars that support a rooftop-like cover.[6] Some are also connected an energy wall next to them, and will activate when the tower is occupied.[7]
The base, when deployed on the ground, can not be moved again. The platform, however, is not as steady as the base; weapons fire could destroy the platform or knock it out of suspension.[6]
A variant of the watchtower with a sheltered platform.
A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform.
A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform employed by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.
Usage
The watchtowers are used to fortify specific areas on a battlefield. They are deployed to form a perimeter before the establishment of a forward operations citadel or other advanced occupation site.[4] The tower is able to garrison a Covenant file, though they are typically occupied by marksmen, such as Kig-Yar Snipers or Jiralhanae with carbines, or Heavy Unggoy manning plasma cannons.[8]
In-game information
In Halo 2, the watchtowers appear in numerous campaign maps as well as in the multiplayer map, Relic. The platforms are indestructible, though they could be pushed off the base; the base would remain active and hold players in the air.
In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the watchtowers appear in some campaign levels, with some equipped with plasma cannons. The platforms are destructible, breaking into debris after taking heavy fire.
In Halo Wars, the watchtowers are known as Sniper Tower. They are deployed by the Covenant, but once every single Covenant troop on it is killed, UNSC soldiers can garrison in it, increasing their combat capabilities. A Covenant file is usually found on top of them defending the Kig-Yar and Unggoy Heavies there. In Skirmish, they are left neutral for either team's taking, providing a useful defense, if needed, plus they will not be destroyed no matter how many times a marine hits it. Certain maps, such as Tundra or Fort Deen, include lookout towers that are connected to energy walls. When garrisoned, the energy shield wall activates and prevents ground units from moving through. These walls can be bypassed by air units, Jiralhanae Jumpers, and occasionally Deutoros-pattern Scarabs.[7]
In Halo: Reach, the watchtowers are largely similar to those in Halo 3 with minor aesthetic upgrades. However, unlike in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, where its base deactivates when the platform is destroyed, the gravity lift remains active, like it did in Halo 2.
In Halo 4, the watchtowers are very similar to their Halo: Reach counterparts. However, the player must crouch to enter it due to narrower hole of entrance. The base of the tower will always be active and be able to lift vehicles. The base will also explode when heavily damaged, harming those nearby.
Production notes
- Tags for deployable lookout towers (and Shades) exist in Halo 3's Snowbound. The towers can be manipulated in Forge, but have no names, costs, or maximum limits. The tops of the towers tend to spontaneously disappear, and do not respawn.
- In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the player can detach a tower with plasma cannons from the base without destroying it (such as using a Gravity Hammer). If the platform is tilted more than 45 degrees, a message saying "Inoperable turret" will appear when the player is near the turret. However, any Unggoy manning the turret would remain on the turret.
Gallery
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A destroyed deployable lookout tower in Halo 2.
A deployable lookout tower on the outskirts of New Mombasa in Halo 2.
Top-down view of a watchtower in Halo 3.
A Jiralhanae marksman of a watchtower in Halo 3.
Two Kig-Yar on a deployable lookout tower in Halo Wars.
A deployable watchout tower being destroyed.
Concept art for the Halo 5: Guardians iteration of the watchtower.
A Covenant watchtower in Halo Infinite.
List of appearances
- Halo 2 (First appearance)
- Halo: Uprising
- Halo 3
- Halo Wars
- Halo 3: ODST
- Halo: Reach
- Halo 4
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo 2: Anniversary
- Halo: Lone Wolf
- Halo: Shadows of Reach
Sources
- ^ Bungie.net, Relic Revealed: 6/28/2005: "There are two sniper rifles available on Relic – a Human Sniper spawns right near the wreckage by the offense starting point and a Beam Rifle spawns at the base of the Covenant watchtower." (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [archive]
- ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway: "Flank the watchtower, Trooper! Take it out!" - Edward Buck
- ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 12: "A third round of explosions sounded out on the barrens as John reached the lookout tower at the south end of the shield barrier. Conscious that he had nothing with which to defend himself but a submachine gun and a pistol, he stepped into the tower base and allowed the gravity lift to carry him up to the watch platform."
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 223
- ^ Halo 3, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo 2, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo Wars, gameplay
- ^ Halo 3, gameplay
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