Zurdo-pattern Wraith

The Wraith (Pronounced 'wray-th') is the main heavy vehicle of the Covenant army and is the counterpart to the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tanks used by the UNSC. However, the two tanks, while both have the heaviest weaponry and armour, is considerably different. The Wraith weighs approximately twenty tons, and, while packing less firepower, can move much faster. In Halo 1, the Wraith is a very tough adversary, and can take as many as 3 direct rocket hits even on normal difficulty before being destroyed. Also in Halo 1, the Wraith has no anti-personnel weapons.

In Halo 2, the Wraith has two weapons: a plasma mortar and two anti-personnel plasma auto-cannons. The main plasma mortar launcher fires a ball of blue plasma approximately one meter in diameter into the air. Unlike the blasts from the Scorpion Tank, the mortar is affected by gravity, meaning that the shots 'arc'. This can be used to hit enemies behind cover.

The secondary weapon, the plasma cannons, are almost identical to the common plasma rifles carried by foot soldiers. The turrets will attack any enemy which comes within range, though they are not very accurate. However, they can take down energy sheilds relatively easily. This makes boarding a Wraith slightly more difficult. Oddly, the auto-cannons cannot be used by the player, Human or Covenant Elite, only Computer A.I. players, such as Brutes and Elites. They can also be controlled by the marines. This makes them enitrely useless when a player is controlling the Wraith.

The Wraith also has a booster engine, capable of tripling the tank's speed for about one second. Once it is used, it takes about five seconds to recharge. Though this can be used to travel more quickly, it is commonly used to run over enemies who are getting too close. It can also flip small vehicles, such as Ghosts or Warthogs. A bug in Halo 2 makes it possible to boost a Scorpion Tank up in the sky.

the Wraith has been confirmed to reappear in Halo 3, and is hinted at being more powerful in a recent ESPN trailer, although the presence of turrets for in-close defence has not been confirmed for either campaign or multiplay. The appearance of the newer Wraith could also be different.