Carrier Form

The Flood Carrier Form is a type of Flood primarily used to create and transport Infection Forms thus spreading the Flood.

Overview
Carrier Forms perpetuate the Flood species by acting as incubators for new Infection Forms and keeping them safe until they're fully developed. Once the Infection Forms are ready, the carrier simply explodes spontaneously, sending the new Infection Forms flying into the air. This number may vary depending on the game. In Halo and Halo 2, this number was around 6. In Halo 3, however, it may be at least four times that much. As soon as they are released, they begin searching for new hosts. It should be noted that Carrier Forms will not wait until full maturation has occurred. If potential hosts are nearby it will simply get close and explode, sending the Infection Forms flying at the unsuspecting and often damaged enemies.

Creation
When an Infection Form takes over a body that is unsuitable for combat, or once a Combat Form is damaged beyond usefulness, it becomes a Carrier Form. Eventually when a Combat Form has lived long enough, it too will mutate into a carrier, regardless of damage taken. There is much question as to whether Jackals and Grunts can become Carrier Forms as it is unknown if they can be infected by the Flood.

Combat
Carrier Forms are usually considered slow and of little threat. However, one particularly dangerous trait of exploding Carrier Forms is the explosive chain reactions they can cause. A Carrier explosion will cause any other Carriers close enough to explode also. They also cause any nearby grenades to explode. This means a single Carrier can cause a massive explosion filling much of a room. This can be used to a soldier's advantage if there are Combat or Infection Forms surrounding the Carrier(s).

The best way to defeat a Carrier is to throw a plasma grenade at one and quickly shoot it. That way it will destroy the beast and the infection forms. In Halo 3, a Spike Grenade or Firebomb will have the same effect.

Trivia

 * In Halo: Combat Evolved they could gain speed but for a short time.
 * In Halo 2, Carrier forms are noticeably slower.
 * In Halo 3, they carry far more Infection Forms than in the previous games.
 * In Halo 3, carriers are less common but come in groups of 2-4 which are even deadly on easy.
 * In Halo 3, they can jump rather high compared to Halo: Combat Evolved (which they couldn't jump) and Halo 2 where they could jump about 2-3 feet.

Related Links

 * Shielded Flood Carriers