Methane Tank

Methane Tanks are cylindrical, pyramidal, and in Halo: Combat Evolved, cones that curl-at-the-ended structures used by Covenant Unggoy (Grunts).

Description
They are back mounted, moderately large, and resemble small fuel tanks of modern trucks.

When they are of the large variety, they provide a place for the creatures to breathe their methane atmosphere outside of their suits. Thus, Grunts remove their suits when entering the huge methane filled tank, as they are not needed.

Heretic variants
The tanks of Heretic Grunts look quite different from the Loyalist counterparts. Instead being pyramid, or curved pyramid-shaped, they are two tube-shaped ones, with visible smaller tubes that connect it to their mouthpiece in which they breath the methane from.

Damage
When shot in Halo Wars, the tanks sometimes explode due to methane's high flammability. Sometimes if you shoot the gas tank, you can see blue gas seep out. In fact if you destroy all methane tanks in mission 2 of Halo Wars you get the "Endless Fun" achievement.

It is interesting that the Unggoys' methane tanks explode quite easily when hit by Human projectile bullets. The most likely reason the Covenant didn't reinforce the methane tanks is due to the low status of the Grunts within their system and control their population.

It was also noted in the Halo 3 level Sierra 117 that the Brutes may have added some form of addictive gas that increases their bravery and willingness to fight, similar to steroids. If this is true then the Final Grunt's words ("...it's the gas. When I'm on the gas, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!") make sense. However, as the Final Grunt was meant as an easter egg, this cannot be confirmed. However, it can explain why the grunts are braver. However, this can also be because of the Brute's threats to slaughter them for meat that rallied them, as suggested by Thel 'Vadam.

Methane chambers
The Covenant also created special "Methane chambers" for grunts when they are not in battle. There is a main chamber for the Grunts to reside in and a smaller chamber in front where the Grunts can change into and out of their suits. These structures often have posted guards to prevent the creatures inside from being caught off guard.

Related Pages

 * Methane
 * Atmosphere Pit
 * Methane Suite