Invincibility

Invincibility is an equipment featured in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. It gives the user a brief period of invulnerability, lasting for about 10 seconds. In order to obtain it, the player is required to kill a Brute Chieftain without having it activated, and in some rare cases, it can be found just lying around in certain levels. Like the Gravity Hammer is to the Fist of Rukt, this equipment originates from Tartarus's Modified Invincibility.

Operation
When activated, the player is covered in shining white bands. It is known to be possessed by all Brute Chieftains that wield a Gravity Hammer unhindered, but not the Brute War Chieftains. Shooting them when it is activated is simply useless, as you cannot harm them in any way. In Campaign, it can be found on some dead Brute Chieftains that haven't used the power-up, but this is a rare occurrence, as they will usually activate it the instant they are attacked. In addition to being obtainable from dead Brute Chieftains, there is an Invincibility in the level "Halo" on Easy, Normal, and Heroic difficulties. After going up the staircase, face the middle of the door, then turn around the other way and walk into the tunnel. This makes the battle with 343 Guilty Spark much easier, since you cannot get hit by the powerful beam.

It has a similar appearance to the Cloaking equipment, except that it glows a gold color, rather than a cool blue color. Its symbol on the HUD is two overlapping, intersecting ovals with a dot at the center.

It is not present in Multiplayer, unless you edit game-play options where you can make players invincible. However, do note that the Guardians can still kill you, apart from them your only real danger is from being assassinated from behind.

Disadvantages

 * Players or AIs who have activated the Invincibility equipment can still be killed by assassination, get smashed by falling objects, or fall to their death from a great height. Also, the Invincibility can be drained by enemy Infection Forms.
 * It only lasts for about 10 seconds, so it should only be used as a last resort, or when entering a particularly difficult part of a level.
 * It is still visible even with the aid of cloaking or Active Camouflage.

Trivia

 * The Invincibility symbol resembles a Helium atom. This may be because the power that is exerted by this equipment can be compared to that of an atom, (or sub-atomic and elementary particle) when disintegrated, 'split', or charged.
 * If you make the Arbiter an enemy by killing him/allies, and use the Invincibility, he can still kill you with one plasma bolt.
 * In Halo 3: ODST, Invincibility makes Chieftains glow an aquamarine color, instead of the original white.
 * Also in Halo 3: ODST, Chieftains tend to activate their invincibility the moment any heavy weapon hits them, thus negating or toning down its effect.
 * You cannot acquire this power up in Halo 3: ODST or outside of Halo 3's Campaign.