Canon

Taaku Xur-pattern Spirit

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This article is about the model introduced in Halo Wars. For other Spirit variants, see Spirit.
Taaku Xur-pattern Warrior Transport
A render of the Taaku Xur-pattern Spirit dropship used in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

A render of the Taaku Xur-pattern Spirit dropship used in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1]

Technical specifications

Length:

27.8 meters (91.3 ft)[1]

Width:

18.0 meters (59.1 ft)[1]

Height:

11.8 meters (38.8 ft)[1]

Mass:

70.2 tons (63.7 tonnes)[1]

Armament:

One heavy plasma cannon[1]

Complement:

30 passengers[1]

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Affiliation:

Covenant
Swords of Sanghelios
Merg Vol's Covenant
Jul 'Mdama's Covenant

 

"Marines called them Spirits because they were death reincarnate. They'd come out of nowhere, without a word, and just start dropping Covies in our front yard."
— Lieutenant Tara Nguyen[2]

The Taaku Xur-pattern Warrior Transport[1] (UNSC Type classification: Type-28 Troop Carrier, T-28 TC) or more commonly the Spirit, is an infantry and logistical dropship used by the Covenant.[3]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Taaku Xur-pattern Spirits are armed with a singular rotating, low-mounted heavy plasma cannon, located directly below the cockpit of the dropship. This variant, unlike the Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit, has a gravity lift straight into the cockpit allowing for quick deployment or retrieval of personnel from a battlefield.[4] Due to the craft's resilient armor and impressive top speed, it saw little need for modification in its service life despite being the earliest variant of the Spirit series of dropships in the Covenant.[1]

Operational history[edit]

Towards the end of the Harvest Campaign Covenant forces used Spirits against the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire. The Covenant also utilized Spirits against UNSC forces and civilians alike during the Battle for Arcadia where one retrieved Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee after he kidnapped Professor Ellen Anders. During the Battle of Trove Covenant forces used Spirits not only against the crew of the Spirit of Fire, but also against the Flood and Sentinels.[5] During the Human-Covenant War at the Battle of Mombasa, Type-28 Spirits were deployed to recover the Conduit.[6]

After the end of the Human-Covenant War T-28 Spirits were used by Merg Vol's Covenant during the Battle of Draetheus V.[2] A Type-28 Spirit was also used by a Zealot to assist him in the terrorist attack on Sedra City.[7] During the Battle of Installation 03 Jul 'Mdama's Covenant used T-28 Spirits against UNSC forces.[6] The Taaku Xur continues to see use among the Swords of Sanghelios.[1]

Gameplay[edit]

Halo Wars[edit]

In Halo Wars, the Spirit only appears in the campaign and cannot be used in multiplayer or Skirmish. It is a fast dropship used to deliver large numbers of troops on the battlefield. Unlike Halo: Combat Evolved, the Spirit is not indestructible: it is advisable that players should eliminate it before the troops it carries disembark. Once the troops are on the ground, it cannot be destroyed.

The preferred units for taking down an airborne Spirit are M9 Wolverines, AV-14 Hornets, and AV-22 Sparrowhawks. Spirits in Halo Wars do not engage enemy targets and are only seen in the campaign, mainly on the mission Dome of Light and Repairs. Spirits in Halo Wars utilize gravity lifts to deploy and pick up troops, rather than the side-mounted troop bay doors as in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo: Reach.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Silver Timeline

Spirit dropships are used by the Covenant against humanity.[8]

Production notes[edit]

Early in the production process for Halo Wars, the Taaku Xur was intended for use by Covenant players in a transport ability similar to the UNSC's Pelican transport ability. This was trialled in early development, though eventually removed.[9]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 280
  2. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Assault, Spirit in-game model
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 282
  4. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  5. ^ Halo Wars, Spirit in-game model
  6. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Strike, Spirit in-game model
  7. ^ Halo: Nightfall
  8. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2022)
  9. ^ Official Halo Wars Community Site, Leader Powers Part Two (Retrieved on Nov 10, 2011) [archive]