Covenant comm node

Covenant Communication Nodes are mobile communication antennas used by the Covenant on the battlefield, used to connect to the Covenant battle network.

Appearance and function
It appears that the comm nodes have undergone a series of refits, seeing as how the shape, color, and height of the units vary between games. They most likely are similar to human technology, where when one model becomes outdated, another, more updated model takes its place. These differences between games is most probably because in different areas, different variants are utilized with varying distance and functionality belonging to the different models.

The comm node appears to be either a modified storage crate or a similar device based on the same framework. It stands approximately eight feet tall and the three antennae on top add about five feet of height. It has several fold out controls on it, but they are in the Covenant language and are completely useless to the player. It is notable however, that the screens on uplink crates usually contain readouts on a planetary surface, likely the nearby planet Threshold, and links to orbiting spacecraft. The uplink crate emits a loud, random chirping noise and static when active. Its dark purple color affords it no camouflage whatsoever, tending to make it stand out. The only exception to this rule is when they are located in the interiors of Covenant vessels for transport. In this event, they provide extremely good cover, often blending into the background.

In Halo: Combat Evolved, the comm node is impervious to all forms of firepower or impact. They can be neither damaged nor moved, for which reason they make excellent cover. They are never seen knocked over or even tipped in any of the levels, suggesting the Flood are either capable of utilizing them, or cannot move their bulk. However, the first possibility seems more likely, as Flood are able to effortlessly move heavy machinery, up to and including armored vehicles. Nonetheless, the Master Chief, who can flip over an M12 LRV, is unable to budge the nodes an inch, suggesting that they are either fixed to the ground in some way or far heavier than they look. Even a direct impact from the 90mm shell of a Scorpion Tank can not scratch the heavily engraved metal alloy that protects the machine. In fact, a Warthog may even flip over on impact with a crate, thus making them rather dangerous obstacles. It is also possible that this could just be game mechanics because the nodes could be modified supply cases, which are also immobile. The objects are also considered scenery objects by the game, just as rocks and the like are, and are therefore made immobile by the game itself.

Halo: Combat Evolved
One type of communication node was seen on Alpha Halo, and greatly resembled a Covenant supply case with three antennae. Although extremely similar in appearance to the supply case, their sides appear to have folded outwards, producing a small screen and keyboard for the communication interface.

Halo 2
In Halo 2, they are similar to Covenant visual recording devices, but have large metal antennae protruding from the top of the casing. If the crate is functioning, the antenna will be encased in a purple energy field. However, if the player shoots the crate, the charge over the antenna will flicker and disappear.

Halo 3
In Halo 3, the communication nodes were redesigned to have a more elegant shape. Again, they can be destroyed, in which case the bluish energy field will disappear. They now have a more rounded and updated look. It still has the same basic shape as the Halo 2 model, with a device at the bottom and antennae at the top. It is now seen more frequently.

Halo: Reach
Two different varieties of communication nodes are featured in Halo: Reach. The default version is near-identical to the Halo 3 iteration, while the larger one has three vertical antennas covered in energy fields.

Trivia

 * The Halo: Combat Evolved communication nodes appear to be upside-down modified supply cases.
 * The comm will remain active if one of its leg has been break off, and can still be pick it up in Forge. To fully destroy it, one must break the tower off the base.
 * On the main body of the node, something resembling the Marathon symbol can clearly be seen.