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{{Era|Covenant|UNSC|HCW|Post|FA}}
{{Status|Canon}}{{Status|Featured}}
{{Center|Were you looking for the [[Halo 5: Guardians]] campaign level known as [[Glassed]]?}}
{{Center|Were you looking for the [[Halo 5: Guardians]] campaign level titled [[Glassed]]?}}
[[File:Glassed Reach.png|thumb|right|300px|[[Reach]] being glassed by the Covenant.]]
[[File:Glassed Reach.png|thumb|300px|[[Reach]] being glassed by the Covenant.]]
{{Quote|You are, all of you, vermin. Cowering in the dirt thinking, what, I wonder? That you might escape the coming fire? No. Your world will burn until its surface is but glass!|The [[Prophet of Truth]], to [[human]]s regarding [[Earth]]<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest]]''</ref>}}
{{Quote|You are, all of you, vermin. Cowering in the dirt thinking, what, I wonder? That you might escape the coming fire? No. Your world will burn until its surface is but glass!|The [[Prophet of Truth]], to [[human]]s regarding [[Earth]]<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Crow's Nest]]''</ref>}}


The term '''glassing''', more formally known as '''plasma bombardment''',<ref name="Strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 105'' (2003 edition); ''page 136'' (2010 edition)</ref> is used to refer to the act by which the [[Covenant]]'s ships [[Orbital bombardment|bombard a planet from orbit]] by using heavy [[Energy Projector|plasma weaponry]]. [[Human colonies]] destroyed by this process would come to be referred to as the "glasslands".<ref name="glasslands">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 295''</ref>  
The term '''glassing''', more formally known as '''plasma bombardment''',<ref name="Strike">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 105'' (2003 edition); ''page 136'' (2010 edition)</ref> is used to refer to the act by which the [[Covenant]]'s ships [[Orbital bombardment|bombard a planet from orbit]] by using heavy [[Energy Projector|plasma weaponry]]. [[Human colonies]] destroyed by this process would come to be referred to as the "glasslands".<ref name="glasslands">'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 295''</ref> Multiple worlds have fallen with this fate.


==Doctrine==
==Doctrine==
[[File:Ritual_Glassing.png|right|thumb|250px|A [[Unidentified Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|shipmaster]] during the ritual destruction of Kholo, overseen by the [[Prophet of Conviction]].]]
[[File:Ritual Glassing.png|thumb|250px|A [[Unidentified Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|shipmaster]] during the ritual destruction of Kholo, overseen by the [[Prophet of Conviction]].]]
The process of glassing a planet begins when a [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] has achieved air and space superiority on an enemy-controlled world. The specifics of the glassing process vary depending on the strategic significance of the planet or the orders of the [[Fleet Master]]. A [[Minor Prophet]] or [[Minister (title)|Minister]] is typically assigned to most [[Covenant]] fleets to oversee the destruction of a human world. In some or possibly all instances, before the fleet is permitted to destroy a planet, the Prophet performs a religious ritual—the Prophet declares by which religious ideal of the Covenant, marked by a glyph, will the world be destroyed. There is currently only one known instance of a human world, [[Kholo]], having a glyph burned into its surface.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]", ''pages 494-496''</ref>  
The process of glassing a planet begins when a [[Covenant fleet|fleet]] has achieved air and space superiority on an enemy-controlled world. The specifics of the glassing process vary depending on the strategic significance of the planet or the orders of the [[Fleet Master]]. A [[Minor Prophet]] or [[Minister (title)|Minister]] is typically assigned to most [[Covenant]] fleets to oversee the destruction of a human world. In some or possibly all instances, before the fleet is permitted to destroy a planet, the Prophet performs a religious ritual—the Prophet declares by which religious ideal of the Covenant, marked by a glyph, will the world be destroyed. There is currently only one known instance of a human world, [[Kholo]], having a glyph burned into its surface.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]", ''pages 494-496''</ref>  


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===Orbital bombardment===
===Orbital bombardment===
[[File:Reach 13943058 Full.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Covenant orbital bombardment as viewed from space.]]
[[File:Reach 13943058 Full.jpg|thumb|250px|Covenant orbital bombardment as viewed from space.]]
Typically, when fleet actions require no deployment of ground forces, the Covenant will glass the planet from orbit; this is accomplished by their larger warships gathering close together, aiming their plasma batteries, located along the lateral lines of their warships towards the surface and firing them.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 22'' (2010 edition)</ref> Once discharged, the plasma rounds are guided towards the surface, contained in a magnetic bubble and controlled by the ships automation through miles of atmospheric interference until it strikes its intended target. Resembling gigantic fireballs,<ref name="strike2">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 32, 46''</ref> these plasma lances are a hundred meters across,{{Ref/Reuse|strike2}} and strike the surface with tremendous speed and force.
Typically, when fleet actions require no deployment of ground forces, the Covenant will glass the planet from orbit; this is accomplished by their larger warships gathering close together, aiming their plasma batteries, located along the lateral lines of their warships towards the surface and firing them.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 22'' (2010 edition)</ref> Once discharged, the plasma rounds are guided towards the surface, contained in a magnetic bubble and controlled by the ships automation through miles of atmospheric interference until it strikes its intended target. Resembling gigantic fireballs,<ref name="strike2">'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 32, 46''</ref> these plasma lances are a hundred meters across,{{Ref/Reuse|strike2}} and strike the surface with tremendous speed and force.


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===Low-altitude bombardment===
===Low-altitude bombardment===
[[File:H2A Terminals - Human city.png||thumb|right|250px|A human city on Reach being glassed.]]
[[File:H2A Terminals - Human city.png||thumb|250px|A human city on Reach being glassed.]]
When ground engagements are in effect, the Covenant will resort to low range bombardment, bringing their ships closer to the surface to destroy the area in question. This is accomplished by either building up or focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the [[energy projector]] located on the underside of the ship, and then discharging the plasma as a narrow beam. A single {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} can glass approximately one acre of a planet's surface in fifteen seconds of sustained fire, with desert taking less time and deep ocean taking much longer to glass.<ref name="data10">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Data pads#Data pad 10|Data pad 10]]''</ref> The Covenant use low-range bombardment in many battles where major ground engagements are occurring; smaller warships use this method specifically to deal with human armies and low-level structures during campaigns, while larger Covenant warships use this to level cities while engagements are occurring.  
When ground engagements are in effect, the Covenant will resort to low range bombardment, bringing their ships closer to the surface to destroy the area in question. This is accomplished by either building up or focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the [[energy projector]] located on the underside of the ship, and then discharging the plasma as a narrow beam. A single {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} can glass approximately one acre of a planet's surface in fifteen seconds of sustained fire, with desert taking less time and deep ocean taking much longer to glass.<ref name="data10">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Data pads#Data pad 10|Data pad 10]]''</ref> The Covenant use low-range bombardment in many battles where major ground engagements are occurring; smaller warships use this method specifically to deal with human armies and low-level structures during campaigns, while larger Covenant warships use this to level cities while engagements are occurring.  


Low-range bombardment is not performed solely by energy projectors; smaller Covenant ships like [[Covenant corvette|corvettes]] are equipped with bombardment guns that fire smaller, less-powerful lances than those utilized by capital ships.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide|Halo: Reach Legendary Edition Guide]]''' ''page 440''</ref> Capital ships and some smaller ships are equipped with excavation beams to excavate areas of interest for the Covenant, such as unearthing the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] to [[Installation 00]] during the Battle of Earth.
Low-range bombardment is not performed solely by energy projectors; smaller Covenant ships like [[Covenant corvette|corvettes]] are equipped with bombardment guns that fire smaller, less-powerful lances than those utilized by capital ships.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide|Halo: Reach Legendary Edition Guide]]''' ''page 440''</ref> Capital ships and some smaller ships are equipped with excavation beams to excavate areas of interest for the Covenant, such as unearthing the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] to [[Installation 00]] during the Battle of Earth.
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The Covenant sometimes glassed areas while their ground forces were still in the vicinity, ruthless as they were to eliminate humans.{{Ref/Reuse|hr na}}<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref>
The Covenant sometimes glassed areas while their ground forces were still in the vicinity, ruthless as they were to eliminate humans.{{Ref/Reuse|hr na}}<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''</ref>


During [[Great Schism]], the Sangheili-led fleet uses Low-altitude bombardment for maximum efficiency to scorch the Flood down to the ground. This method is the last-ditch effort should the Flood spreads uncontrollably and to quarantine the area to prevent further outbreak.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe]]''', ''page 186'' (''"Having been cauterized and quarantined by the [[Sangheili]] fleets, 05 now sits dormant."'')</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', Campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>
During the [[Great Schism]], the Sangheili-led fleet uses Low-altitude bombardment for maximum efficiency to scorch the Flood down to the ground. This method is the last-ditch effort should the Flood spreads uncontrollably and to quarantine the area to prevent further outbreak.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 186'' (''"Having been cauterized and quarantined by the [[Sangheili]] fleets, 05 now sits dormant."'')</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', Campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>


===Aftermath===
===Aftermath===
{{Quote|The brittle black shit on the outskirts of the huge swathes of destruction the Covenant leaves behind isn't actually glass, of course. It's what you get when you melt everything in the area into a chemical soup and let it cool and harden on its own—more like obsidian from a volcano than anything else.|[[Edward Buck]], on the aftermath of a planet's glassing<ref name="nb103">'''[[Halo: New Blood]]''', ''pages 103-104'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}
{{Quote|The brittle black shit on the outskirts of the huge swathes of destruction the Covenant leaves behind isn't actually glass, of course. It's what you get when you melt everything in the area into a chemical soup and let it cool and harden on its own—more like obsidian from a volcano than anything else.|[[Edward Buck]], on the aftermath of a planet's glassing<ref name="nb103">'''[[Halo: New Blood]]''', ''pages 103-104'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}
[[File:Glassland Hunt the Truth.jpg|thumb|right|275px|A glassed planet's surface.]]
[[File:Glassland Hunt the Truth.jpg|thumb|275px|A glassed planet's surface.]]
[[File:GlassySurface.png|thumb|left|275px|The "glass" seen on the surface of a planet after being melted by a [[Energy projector|plasma beam]].]]
[[File:GlassySurface.png|thumb|left|275px|The "glass" seen on the surface of a planet after being melted by a [[Energy projector|plasma beam]].]]
The destructive process of bombarding the surface of a planet with plasma leaves the surface unable to recover to its former state without re-[[terraforming]]. During the glassing of a planet the Covenant focus on destroying the ecosystem of a planet, and will spend a considerable amount of time vaporizing any bodies of water the planet may possess, or at least reduces the remaining water to small, ash-choked pools. The deeper the body of water is, the more time it will take to vaporize it.{{Ref/Reuse|data10}} Once the Covenant have finished the surface is dead, devoid of any life on the surface. From orbit the world is simply a series of grays, blacks, and reds,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' ''Bonus Content page 417''</ref> everything on the surface is charred and the air is littered with ash and dust. The ash and material left behind from the glassing resembles [[Wikipedia:Obsidian|obsidian]]. The glassing process does not render a world completely smooth; typically, internal scaffolding from structures can be found poking out of the "glass". The glass takes an extended period of time to cool down—as was the case with [[Draco III]], where portions of the partially glassed planet was still hot [[2554|nine years]] after its [[Battle of Draco III|bombardment]].{{Ref/Reuse|nb103}} It is even possible for the atmosphere of a planet to boil away, or more correctly, suffer atmospheric escape from the process.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 23'' (2010 edition)</ref> Glassed planets with an intact atmosphere often experience extreme weather phenomena, namely enormous storms.<ref>'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 11: DOWN TO THE BONE''</ref>
The destructive process of bombarding the surface of a planet with plasma leaves the surface unable to recover to its former state without re-[[terraforming]]. During the glassing of a planet the Covenant focus on destroying the ecosystem of a planet, and will spend a considerable amount of time vaporizing any bodies of water the planet may possess, or at least reduces the remaining water to small, ash-choked pools. The deeper the body of water is, the more time it will take to vaporize it.{{Ref/Reuse|data10}} Once the Covenant have finished, the surface is dead, devoid of any life on the surface. From orbit the world is simply a series of grays, blacks, and reds,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' ''Bonus Content page 417''</ref> everything on the surface is charred and the air is littered with ash and dust. The ash and material left behind from the glassing resembles [[Wikipedia:Obsidian|obsidian]]. The glassing process does not render a world completely smooth; typically, internal scaffolding from structures can be found poking out of the "glass". The glass takes an extended period of time to cool down—as was the case with [[Draco III]], where portions of the partially glassed planet was still hot [[2554|nine years]] after its [[Battle of Draco III|bombardment]].{{Ref/Reuse|nb103}} It is even possible for the atmosphere of a planet to boil away, or more correctly, suffer atmospheric escape from the process.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 8'' (2001 edition); ''page 23'' (2010 edition)</ref> Glassed planets with an intact atmosphere often experience extreme weather phenomena, namely enormous storms.<ref>'''[[Hunt the Truth]]''', ''Episode 11: DOWN TO THE BONE''</ref>


Because of the extensive destruction brought by the Covenant, the only way the world could recover is by re-terraforming efforts. The undertaking of such an effort would be massive and time consuming, ranging from a conservative 110 years to over 300 years given the manpower and technology at the time of such estimates.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', ''[[Data pads#Data pad 14|Data pad 14]]''</ref> However, these estimates were made in [[2530]], and human technology took drastic leaps forward in the wake of the Human-Covenant War over 20 years later, particularly due to advances brought forth by the discovery of Forerunner technology. It is apparent that such figures do not hold true in the post-war era, as Reach was at least partially reterraformed within thirty-seven years.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''</ref>
Because of the extensive destruction brought by the Covenant, the only way the world could recover is by re-terraforming efforts. The undertaking of such an effort would be massive and time consuming, ranging from a conservative 110 years to over 300 years given the manpower and technology at the time of such estimates.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', ''[[Data pads#Data pad 14|Data pad 14]]''</ref> However, these estimates were made in [[2530]], and human technology took drastic leaps forward in the wake of the Human-Covenant War over 20 years later, particularly due to advances brought forth by the discovery of Forerunner technology. It is apparent that such figures do not hold true in the post-war era, as Reach was at least partially reterraformed within thirty-seven years.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''</ref>
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===Limitations===
===Limitations===
While glassing is devastatingly powerful as an offensive tactic, doctrinal limitations prevented the Covenant from applying it indiscriminately in any combat situation. For example, "sacred" Forerunner artifacts, most notably the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]], could not be targeted by glassing lest they are damaged by the bombardment. It was this reluctance to damage holy sites that allowed the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} to land on [[Installation 04]], and its complement to eventually score a victory against the Covenant forces. During the [[Raid on Reach]], survivors from [[Battle of Installation 04]] saw a certain area where the Covenant has yet to glass, due to their high interest in the Forerunner crystal. This allows them to rescue the remaining trapped UNSC survivors and salvage the {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}} from Reach.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref>
While glassing is devastatingly powerful as an offensive tactic, doctrinal limitations prevented the Covenant from applying it indiscriminately in any combat situation. For example, "sacred" Forerunner artifacts, most notably the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]], could not be targeted by glassing lest they are damaged by the bombardment. It was this reluctance to damage holy sites that allowed the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} to land on [[Installation 04]], and its complement to eventually score a victory against the Covenant forces. During the [[Raid on Reach]], survivors from [[Battle of Installation 04]] saw a certain area where the Covenant has yet to glass, due to their high interest in the Forerunner crystal. This allows them to rescue the remaining trapped UNSC survivors and salvage the {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}} from Reach.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref>
{{Clear}}


Glassing a planet even partially requires an enormous investment in time and resources, necessitating the use of hundreds of Covenant warships over the course of several days which could have been used for other purposes. Even with all that power, 'glassed' planets can still retain living biospheres complete with standing structures and vegetation, as is observed on [[Kholo]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''', "[[The Return]]", ''Motion Comic Adaptation''</ref>
Glassing a planet even partially requires an enormous investment in time and resources, sometimes taking several days and necessitating the use of hundreds of Covenant warships that could have been used for other purposes.<ref name="Return">''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', "[[The Return]]", ''Motion Comic Adaptation''</ref> If population centers are numerous and spread out across a planet, even a fleet of over one hundred warships may need more than two weeks to eradicate the local population via glassing. This was the case with the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]]'s [[Attack on Etalan|attack]] on [[Etalan]], prompting [[Nizat 'Kvarosee|the]] [[fleetmaster]] to find an alternate way of destroying the world's inhabitants.{{Ref/Novel|Id=HSS9|HSS|Chapter=9}} Incompletely glassed planets can still retain living biospheres complete with standing structures and vegetation, as is observed on [[Kholo]].{{Ref/Reuse|Return}}


==History==
==History==
[[File:H2A-Glass shards.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A chamber within the Sanctum of the Hierarchs containing shards from every world glassed by the Covenant.]]
[[File:H2A-Glass shards.jpg|thumb|300px|A chamber within the Sanctum of the Hierarchs containing shards from every world glassed by the Covenant.]]
Since the formation of the Covenant in [[852 BCE]], the Covenant have used their ship-borne plasma weapons to threaten lesser species into a truce and their eventual induction into the Covenant. The [[Lekgolo]] were the first to be threatened with such destruction because of their transgressions against Forerunner technology before becoming the first outside species to join the Covenant in [[784 BCE]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''' ''page 270''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe]]''' ''page 114''</ref> The [[Unggoy]] almost faced orbital bombardment for their [[Unggoy Rebellion|rebellion]] in [[2462]] CE, or the 39th [[Ages of Conflict|Age of Conflict]] by Covenant records.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 151''</ref><ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''' ''page 142''</ref> Although the [[Kig-Yar]] were not threatened with orbital bombardment, they were quick to realize the Covenant had such a capacity to destroy them and thus chose to join the Covenant for the far greater wealth that the Covenant would provide.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''' ''page 121''</ref>
Since the formation of the Covenant in [[852 BCE]], the Covenant have used their ship-borne plasma weapons to threaten lesser species into a truce and their eventual induction into the Covenant. The [[Lekgolo]] were the first to be threatened with such destruction because of their transgressions against Forerunner technology before becoming the first outside species to join the Covenant in [[784 BCE]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''' ''page 270''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''' ''page 114''</ref> The [[Unggoy]] almost faced orbital bombardment for their [[Unggoy Rebellion|rebellion]] in [[2462]] CE, or the 39th [[Ages of Conflict|Age of Conflict]] by Covenant records.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 151''</ref><ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''' ''page 142''</ref> Although the [[Kig-Yar]] were not threatened with orbital bombardment, they were quick to realize the Covenant had such a capacity to destroy them and thus chose to join the Covenant for the far greater wealth that the Covenant would provide.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe''' ''page 121''</ref>


===Human-Covenant War===
===Human-Covenant War===
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
After the [[Hierarchs]]' declaration to exterminate humanity, the Covenant put all of their destructive methods to use. The first planet to suffer this fate was [[Harvest]], glassed by the [[Jiralhanae]]-operated [[CCS-class battlecruiser|battlecruiser]] ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''' ''page 285''</ref> Prior to the war, the territory of the [[Unified Earth Government]] comprised over eight-hundred planets; most of these worlds were glassed during the war.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe]]''', "Chapter 1", ''page 33''</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080424150226/www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm '''Xbox.com''': ''The Halo Timeline'']</ref>
After the [[Hierarchs]]' declaration to exterminate humanity, the Covenant put all of their destructive methods to use. The first planet to suffer this fate was [[Harvest]], glassed by the [[Jiralhanae]]-operated [[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|battlecruiser]] ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''' ''page 285''</ref> Prior to the war, the territory of the [[Unified Earth Government]] comprised over eight-hundred planets; most of these worlds were glassed during the war.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', "Chapter 1", ''page 33''</ref><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080424150226/www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm '''Xbox.com''': ''The Halo Timeline'']</ref>


The term "glassing" was coined by the [[artificial intelligence]] group known as the [[The Assembly|Assembly]] in 2526. The group at the time estimated that it would take 30.3801 years for a Covenant fleet of comparable size to that of the UNSC's to glass Earth. The Assembly chose the term to magnify the horrible act in the hope that it would galvanize humanity into action.{{Ref/Reuse|data10}}
The term "glassing" was coined by the [[artificial intelligence]] group known as the [[The Assembly|Assembly]] in 2526. The group at the time estimated that it would take 30.3801 years for a Covenant fleet of comparable size to that of the UNSC's to glass Earth. The Assembly chose the term to magnify the horrible act in the hope that it would galvanize humanity into action.{{Ref/Reuse|data10}}
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Throughout the rest of 2525 and 2526, the Covenant continued their campaigns in the [[Outer Colonies]], glassing a number of worlds and human establishments including Biko, Green Hills, and Bliss. Admiral Cole and his fleet continued fighting for these colonies but they were lost causes, the Covenant with their determination, superior firepower and technology continued their ruthless campaign until the majority of the Outer Colonies were glassed by [[2535]]. Each battle human forces face with the Covenant were brutal ground forces were often deployed first, but as UNSC forces were routed in space, the bombardment would commence resulting in either loss of life or retreat.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''page 173''; ''page 199'' (2010 edition)</ref>
Throughout the rest of 2525 and 2526, the Covenant continued their campaigns in the [[Outer Colonies]], glassing a number of worlds and human establishments including Biko, Green Hills, and Bliss. Admiral Cole and his fleet continued fighting for these colonies but they were lost causes, the Covenant with their determination, superior firepower and technology continued their ruthless campaign until the majority of the Outer Colonies were glassed by [[2535]]. Each battle human forces face with the Covenant were brutal ground forces were often deployed first, but as UNSC forces were routed in space, the bombardment would commence resulting in either loss of life or retreat.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''' ''page 173''; ''page 199'' (2010 edition)</ref>


[[File:LC 002 Doc Recon.png|thumb|right|300px|The Covenant glassing East Africa as viewed from an ONI orbital surveillance probe, unearthing the Portal to the Ark.]]
[[File:LC 002 Doc Recon.png|thumb|300px|The Covenant glassing East Africa as viewed from an ONI orbital surveillance probe, unearthing the Portal to the Ark.]]
The Covenant's bloody campaign continued as they moved into the [[Inner Colonies]] and began glassing major worlds. Throughout the 2540s, the UNSC continued their attempts at slowing the Covenant. Although some of their tactics succeeded, the Covenant continued to swarm human-controlled space, glassing every world they found. After the apparent death of Admiral Cole in [[2543]], the Covenant briefly halted their advance, then renewed their bloody tenacity and attacked human-controlled worlds with even more ferocity. After the [[Fall of Reach]] in the summer of 2552, which saw much of humanity's greatest stronghold glassed, the Covenant leadership believed that humanity would lose the will to fight.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 499''</ref> However, this was a miscalculation, as humanity's disastrous defeat at Reach caused them to fight to the last breath, scoring a crushing victory at [[Installation 04]], which would indirectly lead to the [[Great Schism]], and with the crucial help of their new-found Sangheili allies, humanity would turn the tide in the Human-Covenant War.  
The Covenant's bloody campaign continued as they moved into the [[Inner Colonies]] and began glassing major worlds. Throughout the 2540s, the UNSC continued their attempts at slowing the Covenant. Although some of their tactics succeeded, the Covenant continued to swarm human-controlled space, glassing every world they found. After the apparent death of Admiral Cole in [[2543]], the Covenant briefly halted their advance, then renewed their bloody tenacity and attacked human-controlled worlds with even more ferocity. After the [[Fall of Reach]] in the summer of 2552, which saw much of humanity's greatest stronghold glassed, the Covenant leadership believed that humanity would lose the will to fight.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "The Return", ''page 499''</ref> However, this was a miscalculation, as humanity's disastrous defeat at Reach caused them to fight to the last breath, scoring a crushing victory at [[Installation 04]], which would indirectly lead to the [[Great Schism]], and with the crucial help of their new-found Sangheili allies, humanity would turn the tide in the Human-Covenant War.  


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===Post-war===
===Post-war===
Even after the culmination of the [[Human-Covenant War]], several [[Covenant remnants|remnants]] of the former Covenant resumed the use of glassing against human colonies. The colony world of [[Cleyell]] was one such victim of glassing, with the entire planet being glassed in [[2556]] by a Covenant remnant with the exception of a single city.<ref name="HE17">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|Issue #17]]</ref>
Even after the culmination of the [[Human-Covenant War]], several [[Covenant remnants|remnants]] of the former Covenant resumed the use of glassing against human colonies. The colony world of [[Cleyell]] was one such victim of glassing, with the entire planet being glassed in [[2556]] by a Covenant remnant with the exception of a single city.<ref name="HE17">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 17|Issue #17]]''</ref>


In [[2558#September|September 2558]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] and his faction glassed the area outside of the city of [[Suraka]] using the {{Class|ORS|heavy cruiser}} ''[[Foebane]]'' in order to access the [[Sharquoi]] hive underneath. Though the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] eventually managed to destroy ''Foebane'', Hekabe was able to successfully access the hive and unleash the Sharquoi.<ref>'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref>
In [[2558#September|September 2558]], the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] and his faction glassed the area outside of the city of [[Suraka]] using the {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} ''[[Foebane]]'' in order to access the [[Sharquoi]] hive underneath. Though the [[Surakan Militia Volunteers]] eventually managed to destroy ''Foebane'', Hekabe was able to successfully access the hive and unleash the Sharquoi.<ref>'''[[Halo: Envoy]]'''</ref>


During the [[Second Ark Conflict]] in [[2559]], the [[Smart AI]] [[Isabel]] fired the [[energy projector]] of the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' at the surface of [[Installation 00|the Ark]], effectively glassing a small area of the installation. Isabel's objective was to incite the Ark's defending Sentinels to destroy the [[Banished]] [[flagship]] by damaging the Ark. The tactic worked and the Sentinels responded in force, cutting the assault carrier in two and destroying it.<ref name="Under the Dark">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Under the Dark]]''</ref>
During the [[Second Ark Conflict]] in [[2559]], the [[Smart AI]] [[Isabel]] fired the [[energy projector]] of the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'' at the surface of [[Installation 00|the Ark]], effectively glassing a small area of the installation. Isabel's objective was to incite the Ark's defending Sentinels to destroy the [[Banished]] [[flagship]] by damaging the Ark. The tactic worked and the Sentinels responded in force, cutting the assault carrier in two and destroying it.<ref name="Under the Dark">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Under the Dark]]''</ref>
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'''2462''': [[Balaho]] {{C|partially}}
'''2462''': [[Balaho]] {{C|partially}}


'''2525''': [[Harvest]] {{C|partially}}, [[Second Base]], [[Green Hills]]
'''2525''': [[Harvest]] {{C|partially}}, [[Green Hills]], [[Redstow VI]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P50-51|Enc22|Page=50-51}}


'''2526''': [[Biko]], [[Bliss]], [[Circinius IV]], [[Etalan]]  
'''2526''': [[Biko]], [[Bliss]], [[Circinius IV]] {{C|partially}},<ref name="part5">'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''', ''Part 5''</ref> [[Etalan]], [[Mesra]], [[Second Base]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2528''': [[Madrigal]]
'''2528''': [[Madrigal]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''Before 2529''': [[Asmara]]
'''2529''': [[Asmara]], [[Cote d'Azure]], [[Verent]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2528/29''': [[Hat Yai]]
'''2530''': [[Dwarka]], [[Endymion]], [[Eridanus II]], [[Lostwithiel]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''Before 2530''': [[Cote d'Azure]], [[Verent]]
'''2533''': [[Hat Yai]], [[Paradise Falls]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2530''': [[Eridanus II]]
'''2534''': [[Harvest]] {{C|final}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''Before 2533''': [[Sansar]]
'''2535''': [[Charybdis IX]], [[Eirene]], [[Groombridge-1830|Groombridge]], [[Jericho VII]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2535''': [[Jericho VII]], [[Charybdis IX]]
'''2537''': Two out of three of the colony worlds in the [[Leonis Minoris system|Leonis Minoris]] star system<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "The Impossible Life and The Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 470''</ref>


'''Prior to 2537''': [[Eirene]]
'''2538''': [[New Harmony]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2537''': Two out of three of the colony worlds in the [[Leonis Minoris system|Leonis Minoris]] star system
'''2539''': [[Amadora]], [[Herschel]], [[Kholo]], [[New Constantinople]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2539''': [[Kholo]]
'''2540''': [[Cyrus VII]], [[Persia IX]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2542''': [[Alluvion]]
'''2541''': [[Hellas]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2544''': [[Miridem]]
'''2543''': [[Alluvion]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2545''': [[Draco III]] {{C|partially}}, [[Actium]]
'''2544''': [[Miridem]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2546''': [[New Llanelli]]
'''2545''': [[Actium]], [[Draco III]] {{C|partially}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2547''': [[Skopje]]
'''2546''': [[Camber]], [[New Llanelli]], [[Sansar]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2549''': [[Arcadia]], [[Paris IV]]
'''2547''': [[Hardscrabble]], [[Skopje]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2550''': [[Minab]]
'''2548''': [[Bounty]], [[Reynes]], [[Ruthersburg]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2551''': [[Meridian]]
'''2549''': [[Arcadia]], [[Cleyell]] {{C|partially}}, [[Estuary]], [[Greydowns]], [[Iota]], [[Kroedis II]], [[Mesa]], [[Paris IV]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2552''': [[Troy]], [[Harmony]], [[Reach]] {{c|partially}}, [[New Jerusalem]], [[Coral]], [[Installation 05]] {{C|partially}}, [[Tribute]] {{C|partially}}, [[High Charity]] {{c|partially}}, [[Earth]] {{c|partially}}
'''2550''': [[Minab]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}
 
'''2551''': [[Imber]], [[Meridian]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}
 
'''2552''': [[Coral]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[Earth]] {{C|partially}}, [[Fumirole]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[Harmony]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[High Charity]] {{C|partially}}, [[Installation 05]] {{C|partially}}, [[Reach]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[Tantalus]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[Tribute]] {{C|partially}},{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}} [[Troy]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}  


'''2553''': [[Shaps III]] {{C|partially}}
'''2553''': [[Shaps III]] {{C|partially}}


'''2556''': [[Cleyell]]
'''2556''': [[Cleyell]] {{C|final}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P50-51}}


'''2558''': [[Carrow]] {{C|partially}}
'''2558''': [[Carrow]] {{C|partially}}


'''2559''': [[Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|Under the Dark}} {{C|partially}}
'''2559''': [[Installation 00]] {{C|partially}}{{Ref/Reuse|Under the Dark}}


'''Unknown''': [[Bounty]], [[Camber]], [[Endymion]], [[Estuary]], [[Greydowns]], [[Kroedis II]], [[Mesa]], [[Reynes]], [[Ruthersburg]], [[Dwarka]], [[Lostwithiel]]
}}
}}
<!--Please be aware that this list is incomplete and some worlds are left out because of their unknown status. If a planet has not been confirmed as being glassed, do not add it to this list.-->
<!--Please note that some planets listed may not be fully glassed, as the 2022 edition of the Halo Encyclopedia does not differentiate between fully glassed and partially glassed planets.-->


==''Halo Wars'' gameplay==
==''Halo Wars'' gameplay==
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{{Quote|Burn, heretics!|Regret, when using his Cleansing ability}}
{{Quote|Burn, heretics!|Regret, when using his Cleansing ability}}
In ''Halo Wars'', the [[Prophet of Regret]] is able to call down a "Cleansing Beam" from an orbiting Covenant ship. Rather than a leader power, this is treated as the unit's secondary ability, using the left control stick to guide the beam at the cost of [[resources]] every second. It lacks the power of typical glassing maneuvers to balance gameplay, much like [[James Cutter|Captain Cutter's]] ability to fire a MAC blast at enemy targets. The upgrades ''Regret’s Sentence'', ''Regret’s Doom'', and ''Regret's Condemnation'' increase its blast radius, though they require a higher tech level to purchase.
In ''Halo Wars'', the [[Prophet of Regret]] is able to call down a "Cleansing Beam" from an orbiting Covenant ship. Rather than a leader power, this is treated as the unit's secondary ability, using the left control stick to guide the beam at the cost of [[resources]] every second. It lacks the power of typical glassing maneuvers to balance gameplay, much like [[James Cutter|Captain Cutter's]] ability to fire a MAC blast at enemy targets. The upgrades ''Regret’s Sentence'', ''Regret’s Doom'', and ''Regret's Condemnation'' increase its blast radius, though they require a higher tech level to purchase.
In ''Halo Wars 2'', Glassing beam comes in variety for each Leader Power, such as '''Rain of Fire''' from [[Pavium/Gameplay|Pavium]], '''Eradication''' from Atriox, '''Hunter's Brand''' from [[Colony/Gameplay|Colony]], or standard '''Glassing Beam''' from [[Yapyap/Gameplay|Yapyap]], [[Let 'Volir/Gameplay|Let 'Volir]], [[Decimus/Gameplay|Decimus]], and [[Atriox/Gameplay|Atriox]]. The glassing beam is separated into three different colors based on each level of upgrade. Level one will be blue, level two will be purple, and level three will be red. The glassing beam will have a brief after damage effect when it dissipates. Hero unit [[Decimus]] allows him to use its glassing beam ability, which was a reversed version of Atriox's '''Eradication''' Leader Power.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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File:Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg|Harvest, partially glassed by the Covenant in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:Harvest Plasma Glassed.jpg|Harvest, partially glassed by the Covenant in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:Covenant Destroyers Glass Harvest.jpg|Two Covenant destroyers glassing Harvest.
File:Covenant Destroyers Glass Harvest.jpg|Two Covenant destroyers glassing Harvest.
File:Glassinglaz0r.jpg|The Cleansing Beam in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW Screenshots E3 3.jpg|The Cleansing Beam in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|New Mombasa being glassed in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|New Mombasa being glassed in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:Portal odst.png|The Prophet of Truth’s fleet uncovers the [[Portal at Voi]].
File:Portal odst.png|The Prophet of Truth’s fleet uncovers the [[Portal at Voi]].
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File:HR_ReachGlassed_Concept.jpg|The surface of Reach after being glassed.
File:HR_ReachGlassed_Concept.jpg|The surface of Reach after being glassed.
File:Reach Glassed.jpg|An orbital view of Reach's surface after glassing.
File:Reach Glassed.jpg|An orbital view of Reach's surface after glassing.
File:HaloReach - Glassing.jpg|A {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}} glassing New Alexandria.
File:HaloReach - Glassing.jpg|A {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} glassing New Alexandria.
File:NA Glassed.jpg|The glassed remnants of New Alexandria.
File:NA Glassed.jpg|The glassed remnants of New Alexandria.
File:HR Highlands Glassing.png|The [[Military Wilderness Training Preserve]] on Reach is glassed by ''CCS''-class battlecruisers.
File:HR Highlands Glassing.png|The [[Military Wilderness Training Preserve]] on Reach is glassed by ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers.
File:Halo Glasslands full cover.jpg|A glassed planet on the cover of ''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''.
File:Halo Glasslands full cover.jpg|A glassed planet on the cover of ''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''.
File:FUD-Corbulo-Glassed.jpg|Multiple ''CCS''-class battlecruisers glassing [[Circinius IV]] in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:FUD-Corbulo-Glassed.jpg|Multiple ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers glassing [[Circinius IV]] in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:H2A Terminals - glassland.jpg|One of many worlds glassed by the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]].
File:H2A Terminals - glassland.jpg|One of many worlds glassed by the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]].
File:Enc22 Glassing.png|Concept artwork of a glassed city on Reach for the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' Terminals.
File:TFoR-as-concept 5.jpg|The members of [[Blue Team]] meeting up in Reach's glasslands in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
File:TFoR-as-concept 5.jpg|The members of [[Blue Team]] meeting up in Reach's glasslands in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
File:Halo Waypoint - Meridian surface.jpg|The glassed surface of [[Meridian]] in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
File:Halo Waypoint - Meridian surface.jpg|The glassed surface of [[Meridian]] in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
Line 170: Line 175:
File:HW2-HuntersBrand.png|A Hunter's Brand in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-HuntersBrand.png|A Hunter's Brand in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-RainofFire.png|A Rain of Fire in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-RainofFire.png|A Rain of Fire in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HTV GlassedCity Concept 1.png|Concept artwork of a glassed city for ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:HTV GlassedCity Concept 2.png|Concept artwork of a glassed city for ''Halo: The Television Series''.
File:HTV-S2Glassing.png|A human settlement getting glassed in ''Halo: The Television Series''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
**''[[Unbound]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Allegiance]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
**''[[Sanctuary (TV Series)|Sanctuary]]''
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


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{{Ref/Sources|2}}
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


[[Category:Military tactics‎]]
[[Category:Military tactics]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]
121

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