Skar'wa-pattern Mantis: Difference between revisions

{{Title|''Skar'wa''-pattern Mantis}}

The '''''Skar'wa''-pattern Sky Striker'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{Type|27|Anti-Aircraft Cannon|AAC}}, nicknamed the "'''Mantis'''",{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} is an automated [[Covenant]] ground-based stationary anti-aircraft emplacement and the most storied extreme-range artillery piece in the service of the empire.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

The ''Skar'wa''-pattern is sleek and light in construction, composed of a large ultra-heavy [[plasma cannon]] situated atop a large tripod mount,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} which houses platforms for snipers and spotters on two of its three sides. The three legs are able to adjust to a given terrain. The gun component rests on a proportionally small joint which is complemented by an energy field,{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} and allows 360-degree movement. The weapon itself stands at a height of 36.9 meters (121.2 feet) and has a length of 59.8 meters (196.1 ft).{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Overall, despite a similar operation, the Mantis masses just over a third as much as the similarly-used {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}} cannon. This mass differential allows the Mantis to be more easily stored and deployed in field operations, compared to the Tyrant's semi-permanent nature of installation.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} A Mantis AA battery can be quickly assembled using modules transported by common [[dropship]]s such as [[Phantom]]s. This makes them ideal for deployment in narrow gorges or dense cityscapes.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}

The weapon's energy capacity is unlimited, but it must cool off and release its excess heat after every shot, exposing its weak point; the interior is vulnerable through the heat vent, which is located on the underside the cradle component. A certain amount of damage to the interior will destroy the AA battery; this makes it vulnerable to infantry and ground vehicle attacks. While heavy weapons make quick work of the delicate cooling vent and interior, small-arms fire can be nearly as effective; as few as three overcharged shots from a [[Type-25 plasma pistol]] can fatally cripple the gun emplacement.{{Ref/Level|Id=storm|H3|The Storm}}{{Ref/Level|Id=ark|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}}

Mantis cannons require no crew to operate the weapon, and are instead served by a remote link paired with predictive flight-tracking algorithms.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Troops are often stationed in the vicinity of the AA guns—as well as in their marksman perches—to safeguard them from opposing ground forces. It is not uncommon to find several [[lance]]s guarding these emplacements, led by a high-ranking Covenant officer. During the final battles of [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain]]s were often seen commanding these emplacements and its garrisoned ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} Mantis AA batteries are often additionally supplemented by multiple [[skyhunter]] tanks nearby such as the {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}}, who provide closer-in defence against smaller and more agile aircraft. This lets the Mantis primarily focus on larger threats such as [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s or even [[warship]]s - Mantis batteries are a threat to [[UNSC frigate]]s, and are capable of denying local [[warship]] support to ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} Their cannons are capable of fire at extreme ranges,{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} allowing them to secure the air and near-orbital space of a given region with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

Ultra-heavy plasma cannons analogous to that fitted on the Mantis are also fielded aboard the {{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} walkers, allowing them to serve as mobile heavy anti-air artillery.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}

Mantis anti-air guns saw use during the [[Battle of Meridian]], when 18 heavily guarded batteries were destroyed by the first prototype of the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX ADS]] in an action known as the "Cherbourg Run". The event has been suggested as one possibility as to how the Mark IX got its nickname of "Mantis" within the UNSC armed forces.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=111}}

Mantis guns were heavily deployed by [[Truth's fleet]] during the later stages of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. One such weapon was the target of a UNSC operation during the [[Battle of Voi]] on [[2552#November|November 17th, 2552]], having been deployed in the town of [[Voi]] in order to keep the UNSC forces away from the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] excavation. The UNSC planned a low-level strike, using frigates and Longswords, to attack the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' which was resting on the Portal. Throughout the battle, the AA battery fired continuously, and managed to destroy at least one Longsword. [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and [[John-117|SPARTAN-117]] eventually breached the Covenant resistance in Voi and destroyed the AA gun, allowing Lord [[Terrence Hood]]'s ships to assault ''Anodyne Spirit''.{{Ref/Reuse|storm}}

Several weeks later, a number of Mantis guns were deployed by Truth's forces during the [[Battle of Installation 00]] as part of efforts to prevent joint UNSC-[[Covenant separatists|separatist]] ships above from reinforcing their troops on the ground. However, these batteries remained incomplete, as Master Chief with the assistance of several [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s stopped their construction, allowing {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} to land nearby.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}

==Gallery==

File:HTMCC H3 Achievement Milk Carton.png|Concept art for an earlier iteration of [[The Storm]], in which the Mantis gun would have been placed inside the town.

File:H3 BFG Pre Redesign.jpg|An in-game look at the Mantis before its redesign.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3d288J|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo 3 - Environment Work|Quote=Halo 3 - Covenant BFG before slight redesign|Quotee=Jason Keith|D=23|M=06|Y=2021}} Notice the purple color.

File:The Storm AA Gun.jpg|An early model Mantis AA gun at the end of The Storm.

File:HR MantisLightAA Concept.jpg|''[[Halo: Reach]]'' concept art for a light AA gun utilising the Mantis' design as a basis - in contrast to the Tyrant's depiction as a heavy AA gun.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSiRsmnIqu/|Site=Instagram|Page=Glenn Israel|Quote=Halo Reach - Covenant light artillery platform (2009)|D=28|M=04|Y=2022}}

</gallery>

File:Phantom Construction.jpg|The Covenant use a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] to transport the components of a Mantis to their deployment site on the Ark.

{{Covenant heavy weapons}}