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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:HTMCC-HR Jackal&PP Closeup.png|thumb|350px|Two Kig-Yar using ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistols.]]
{{Cleanup}}
{{Quote|[The plasma pistol] is the bread and butter of [[Covenant]] small arms—almost as common as the [[MA5 series|MA5]] is with the [[UNSC]]. After [[Solemn Penance|the Covenant Carrier]] jumped there were some areas of [[Mombasa]] where plasma pistols covered the ground like leaves—that maneuver killed a bunch of dudes on both sides.|Anonymous UNSC [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman{{Ref/Site|Id=h3bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmapistol|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|D=31|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/Plasma pistol}}}}
{{References}}
{{Species infobox
|variant=Flood
|name=Pod infector
|image=[[File:H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg|300px]]
|latin=
|classification=[[Infection form]]
|species=[[Flood]]
|subspecies=
|diet=
|height={{Convert|89.6|cm|ftin|sp=us}}-{{Convert|131.4|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Game|Id=Library|HCEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Infection Form}}
|weight={{Convert|16.8|kg|lb}}-{{Convert|28.6|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|Library}}
|distinctions=Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.
|lifespan=
|homeworld=
|techlevel=
|notable-person=
|othernames=
|languages=
}}
The '''pod infector''',{{Ref/Game|Id=PLPI|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Pod Infectors}} also more commonly known as the '''Flood infection form''',{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=406}} is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It is the most common Flood form and is usually the first forms to be released. It is the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers.{{Ref/Reuse|PLPI}}
 
==Overview==
===Physical characteristics===
The most commonly encountered infection forms have soft, pod-like bodies with numerous tentacle-like appendages and a frond-like array which acts as the creature's sensory system. Their tendrils are multi-purpose locomotion systems and insidious methods of control.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLIF|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infection Forms}}
 
Each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs which can latch onto the target's body and cut through armor or environmental suits. Once the target is compromised, infection forms inject Flood cells to hijack the victim's nervous system. Even if the infection form is quickly removed, Flood cells in the wounds will slowly consume the victim and turn them into quivering, spore-packed blisters. Against unprepared victims the infection form bores into the body, quickly mutating it into a combat form.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}
 
Though barely intelligent on their own, once an infection form infiltrates a sentient creature they turn the victim's cognitive power to the furtherance of Flood goals. Each is an insidious puppeteer, able to sift through memories of any sentient creature to learn of military countermeasures, security access codes, and the location of population centers. This information is then shared with other Flood through their connection with the key minds.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}
 
 
===Function===
Once the parasite can establish a hive it can begin to produce massive numbers of infection forms that spread out in search of new sentients to infect, and non-sapient animals on which to feed. Both ground and airborne infection forms are used as living weapons, hurling themselves at the enemy to overwhelm defenses and assimilate the unprepared.
 
Pods hurl themselves at infantry units, bursting and dealing damage.
It uses its tentacles to attack and infect organisms.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc22|Page=180}}
 
Though individually weak and easily killed, pod infectors strike in vast numbers and can move over cliffs.


'''Plasma pistols''' are a class of single-handed, semi-automatic [[Covenant]] infantry [[Directed-energy weapon|directed-energy]] [[sidearm]] manufactured by [[Assembly Forges]] and [[Iruiru Armory]].{{Ref/Book|Id=osfm|OSFM|Page=187}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Plasma Pistol|D=25|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol.html}} The Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]] formally designated the plasma pistol as simply '''pistols''',{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p291|Enc22|Page=291}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p478|Enc22|Page=478}} while the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] has typically [[Type classification system|type-classified]] encountered plasma pistols under the designation of '''Directed Energy Pistol'''.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg|EVG|Page=143}}{{Ref/Reuse|cf47}} Nicknames for the plasma pistol include '''The Little C''', '''Green''', '''Greenboy''', '''Greenie''', '''P-Pistol''', and  '''PP'''.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=320}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=334}}


==Overview==
Pod infectors are the primary vector for the Flood infection. While small (roughly the size of a [[human]] torso) and weak, they travel in huge swarms and overwhelm foes using sheer numbers. Once within range of a potential host, they leap for the victim's chest area, rasping away at armor, clothing and flesh with their numerous tentacle-like limbs. These appendages penetrate deep into the body, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine. Once this is accomplished, the form rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's. At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.
===Design details===
[[File:HINF PlasmaPistolOverheat.png|thumb|275px|An overheating ''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol exposing its upper firing coil.]]
{{Quote|It’s just the right size and it feels good in your hands, but give me an [[M7 SMG|em seven]] or an em eh five any day of the week.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}}
The general design of the plasma pistol remains consistent across different variants; the weapon is made up of two main components: the upper component, which includes the main rear grip and a firing coil, and the lower component which also functions as foregrip for the weapon—though only humans have been observed to wield the weapon with two hands).{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} As a directed-energy weapon, the plasma pistol fires superheated plasma from its muzzle, where, when the weapon is active, the upper and lower charging poles constantly generate a ball of plasma; on certain variants, the charging poles take on a claw-like appearance.{{Ref/Game|Id=hrgameplay|HR|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h4gameplay|H4|gameplay}} The charging poles tend to emit a deep green glow; even at the lowest setting, the firearm is an effective source of light.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=18}} The lower charging pole is connected to the lower component, which extends downwards from the midsection of the upper component of the firearm. The upper component contains the upper firing coil; the coil is covered by a hatch, which opens as a venting port,{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} as it lifts and exposes the internal components when the weapon overheats, either from firing consistently at its default firing mode or after firing a scaled burst.{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=84}} The rear grip features the holographic charge display—a circular progress bar that indicates the weapon charge as it is fired—the display indicates when the weapon is about to overheat from its semi-automatic fire, or when the weapon is fully charged for a scaled burst.{{Ref/Game|Id=hcegameplay|HCE|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h2gameplay|H2|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3gameplay|H3|gameplay}} On the left side, there is a small button; this exposes upper firing coil and allows access to the weapon's internal components.{{Ref/Game|HI|Plasma pistol idle animation}} Certain variants of the plasma pistol also feature a tracking iron sight.{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}


The weapon is powered by a battery cell. This battery can be recharged using a variety of power sources,{{Ref/Note|While the ''Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)'' and the ''Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)'' both state that the plasma pistol's battery cannot be recharged, this was seemingly retconned by ''Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual''.}} including UNSC generators, provided an appropriate adaptor is at hand.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} Plasma pistols have a core power output of 100-150 KV at 2~3 dA, but when overcharged, the power output can reach 1.5 MV @ 2~3 dA.{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
As the Pod infector hacks into the host's nervous system, it releases encapsulated [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|Flood Super Cells]] into the body. These cells interface with the host's cells, "digest" them and convert their components into new Flood cells. At this point, the Pod infector burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity (or any approximate equivalent). Having achieved total control over the host, the Pod infector reshapes the body into a form more suitable for attacking enemies - a [[Flood combat form|combat form]]. Even if the Pod Infector is quickly removed from the host body, the injection of Flood cells into the host's system is enough to cause rapid transformation into spore-packed [[Flood blister|blisters]].<ref name="Infection Forms">'''Halo Wars 2''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Infection Forms</ref>


[[File:HR Grunt&JackalMajors 2.png|thumb|300px|left|An Unggoy fires the plasma pistol's semi-automatic bursts while a Kig-Yar holds a plasma pistol in its overcharged state.]]
The speed and intensity of this process occurs at the same rate as an energetic chemical reaction, often taking mere seconds to accomplish. The consequences for the host organism are extreme, as their brains are purged of all traces of their original personality and their bodies are reconstituted into Flood biomatter. The organism effectively becomes a pawn of the Flood's collective intelligence, to be used in any way it deems necessary.
===Operation===
{{Quote|The trigger is soft—no feedback—there’s no break that tells you when the overcharge is gonna kick in. First time I did it was on accident and it damn near sprained my wrist.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}}
While weak on its own, the plasma pistol has a wide variety of functions and becomes deadly in large numbers. The plasma pistol has two modes of fire. The first option is rapidly firing the semi-automatic short bursts of plasma; these plasma bolts are capable of quickly degrading dissipative [[Energy shielding|energy shields]] or vaporizing flesh.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The second option is holding down the trigger to overcharge the weapon's energy output and, upon releasing the trigger, fire a scaled burst—a blast of plasma that briefly tracks a targeted enemy.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} The large bolt from the scaled burst has increased damage, but notably carries a devastating short-range EMP effect that can disabled electronics and vehicles on impact.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} However, after the overcharged bolt is fired, the pistol will automatically overheat. Until it cools down, the pistol cannot be fired again, giving an enemies enough time to counterattack.
====Semi-automatic bursts====
When rapidly tapping the trigger, the plasma pistol will fire small bolts of plasma. The semi-auto firing mode can be used until the weapon overheats, after which it must cool down for a few seconds before it can be used again. As the weapon approaches low battery, it may sputter and fail to fire.{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}} These bolts deal little damage to targets protected by energy shields, though still more than most kinetic weapons. Against unarmored targets, though, the lethality of the plasma pistol is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this level of injury causes the wound to be cauterized instantly upon impact.{{Ref/Novel|TFoR|Page=328}} Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization,{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact.{{Ref/Novel|TF|Page=22}} Fluids trapped in organs or arteries, in addition to the rapid expansion of heat, would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target.{{Citation needed}} Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Page=19}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=tfor|TFoR|Page=315}} Should the plasma bolt strike cover, the impact can cause splash damage by flinging heated debris, though the blast radius is smaller than most Covenant explosive weapons.{{Ref/Novel|TCP|Page=15}}


====Scaled burst====
In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the Pod infector has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process without killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] during the raid on the "[[Flood containment facility|Covenant weapons cache]]" on [[Installation 04]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 176''</ref> This aged version of the Pod infector must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a Flood combat form. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.  
[[File:HU UnggoyKilledByOvercharge.png|thumb|220px|A trio of [[Unggoy Minor]]s being disintegrated by an overcharged bolt from [[Myras Tyla]]'s plasma pistol.]]
{{Quote|How the foxtrot does it track anything? Whatever—I guess that’s why I carry an em eh five instead of a [[TACPAD]].|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}}
If the plasma pistol's trigger is held for a few seconds, the plasma at the charging poles will gather into a large spherical mass. Holding down the trigger continuously drains the battery.{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}} Releasing the trigger will fire a single bolt of larger size than usual. This bolt, if aimed correctly, will track its target for a short distance if they attempt to dodge. The overcharged bolt creates an [[electromagnetic pulse]], stunning most electronics and even melting some systems.{{Ref/Novel|FS|Chapter=8}} If the target is protected by energy shields, all but the strongest shields will break, allowing their body to take damage.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} If the overcharge strikes a vehicle, it will be temporarily disabled and rendered helpless for several seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} As such, even the weakest Covenant infantry can thwart an assaulting [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] or a vehicle, forcing their foe to retreat or creating an opening for their allies. Should an overcharged bolt strike an unarmored flesh target, it will result in instant death.{{Ref/Novel|TF|Page=81}} During the [[Battle of Cleveland]], [[Myras Tyla]], striking an [[Unggoy Minor]] trio with her plasma pistol, disintegrated three Unggoy rapidly from a single overcharged bolt strike.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HUI3|Comic=Halo: Uprising|Issue=[[Halo: Uprising Issue 3|3]]}}


===Development history===
A Pod infector may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the Pod infector inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose Pod infector may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form.
{{Quote|It’s a damned ray gun—how come we don’t have ray guns?|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}}
The plasma pistol's origin dates as far back as the Sangheili society before their encounter with the [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}} Reverse-engineered from a Forerunner tool of indeterminate function,{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} early plasma pistols, such as the {{Pattern|Zo'klada|plasma pistol}}, were designed and forged by the Sangheili centuries prior to the Covenant's formation. Following the [[Writ of Union]], the San'Shyuum incorporated several design improvements to the plasma pistol, including a less volatile plasma generator core and the addition of overcharge safety restrictors, the latter of which granted the weapon to fire scaled bursts—large sustained expenditures of energy.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}}


The weapon's success in the field has led to very few change in its design since the earliest models first enter production,{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} though this may also be the result of the San'Shyuum's restrictions over legacy designs,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}} which likely also informed the Covenant's centralized manufacturing control.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} That being said, there are cases of superficial and functional changes, as the most common plasma pistol design—the [[Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol|''Eos'Mak''-pattern]]—is associated with numerous sub-variants.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
Pod infectors develop from [[Flood tadpole|a form]] vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a Pod infector. A number of Flood forms in this stage of their life cycle were kept in stasis by the Forerunners in [[Flood research facility|Flood research facilities]], such as the one in the [[Threshold gas mine]].<ref name="onefinaleffort">[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 '''Bungie.net''': ''One Final Effort (4/16/2010)'']</ref>


After the [[Great Schism]] and the dissolution of the Covenant, along with its centralized manufacturing control, new variants of the plasma pistols have appeared in a bewildering variety of casing styles and adornments.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} Furthermore, in the absence of the San'Shyuum's strict restrictions over the usage of legacy design templates, the production of pre-Covenant variants has also resumed.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}}
While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms as well as those equipped with atmospheric filters, a Pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting [[Flood spore]]s or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''' — ''"[[The Mona Lisa]]"''</ref>


===Usage===
=== Effects on host forms===
{{Quote|It's great in built-up areas and clearing buildings. Anything over a couple dozen meters though? Not so much.|Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}}}
[[File:TFS-Likeafrog.png|thumb|A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in 2537.|250px]]
During the early interstellar expansion period of the Sangheili's history, the precursor of the plasma pistol was employed by Sangheili clan warriors during skirmishes on colony worlds.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}} With the formation of the Covenant, the weapon became the standard sidearm for most Covenant infantry.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}}{{Ref/Site|Id=h4guide|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/inteldetail/e88138bb-9086-41d3-bc01-acd14eb22bfc/plasma-pistol|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 Interactive Guide - Plasma Pistol|D=01|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Halo 4 Interactive Guide#Covenant Weapons}} The weapon was effective and ideal in close quarters, as it provided a high rate of fire and reasonable accuracy over short distances.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} It was commonly used by members of the lower caste, such as the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The Kig-Yar and high-ranking Unggoy like the [[Unggoy Ultra|Ultra]] frequently utilized the scaled burst function.{{Ref/Reuse|hrgameplay}} Sangheili were known to use the plasma pistol as a sidearm,{{Ref/Novel|FS|7}} or even [[dual-wielding]] the plasma pistol with an [[energy sword (fiction)|energy sword]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=goopro|GoO|Prologue}}{{Ref/Film|TFoRAS}}
While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by a Pod infector, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional combat forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.


Due to their prevalence, plasma pistols were often scavenged by humans from the battlefield;{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Level|H2|Gravemind (level)|Gravemind}} even [[Spartan]]s were known to pick up the plasma pistol from fallen enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Novel|GoO|15}}{{Ref/Novel|GoO|24}}{{Ref/Novel|FS|2}} Plasma pistols were also recovered by humans for personal use; guards in the [[Eridanus Secundus]] [[Insurrectionists|rebels]] had concealed plasma pistols in their possession.{{Ref/Novel|FS|28}} Although the UNSC first encountered and [[Type classification system|catalogued]] the plasma pistol during the [[First Battle of Harvest|the first contact]] with the Covenant in [[2525]],{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} the exact mechanism by which the plasma pistol functions was still under investigation by [[United Nations Space Command]] in [[2552]], notably being one of the many Covenant weapons featured in [[Robert McLees (ship designer)|Doctor Robert McLees]]' publication ''[[Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Pod infector require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and strength (Though humans become combat forms more often than the much larger and stronger unggoy for whatever reason.) but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as humans, Forerunners, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into combat forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Pod infectors' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.


Following the Human-Covenant war, the plasma pistol remains an attractive weapon for both Covenant splinter factions and human criminals, as the weapon is simple to use and requires almost no maintenance.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} Without the Covenant strict and centralized manufacturing control, both old and new variants of the plasma pistol have become a common sight.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}}
In contrast, other life forms, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], and perhaps the [[Yanme'e]], lack these important qualities, or in the case of the [[Unggoy]] have other limitations due to their physique despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a [[Proto-Gravemind|coordinating and controlling intelligence]].
<gallery class=center>
File:H3ODST PPCollegeBrochure.png|The plasma pistol was employed across all ranks in the Covenant's lower caste.
File:HR ChargedPlasmaPistol 2.png|The Kig-Yar tend to favor the plasma pistol's scaled burst function.
HTMCC-H3 Drones in Crow's Nest 2.png|The Yanme'e overwhelm enemies with the plasma pistol's semi-automatic bursts.
File:HTMCC-H2A ElitesDualPlasmaPistol.png|A pair of [[Sangheili Minor]]s dual-wielding plasma pistols.
File:H2A Beach - Noob Combo.jpg|An [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] scavenged a plasma pistol and primed its scaled burst.
File:HTMCC-H4 PPElites.png|Three Sangheili armed with plasma pistols during [[Invasion of the UNSC Infinity|an assault]] on the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.
</gallery>
==Known variants==
===''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol===
{{Main|Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol}}
The ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol, designated by ONI as "Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol",{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Site|Id=hrbnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24582|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Ordnance Page|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}} was the most common variant of the plasma pistol, often utilized by the frontline infantry like the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}} Within the ONI's designation, however, there are innumerable different sub-classes, much to the consternation of UNSC intelligence officers tasked with categorizing new variants.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
<gallery class=center>
File:PlasmaPistol-HaloCE.png|An ''Eos'Mak''-pattern sub-variant employed by [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].
File:PlasmaPistol-H2.png|An ''Eos'Mak''-pattern sub-variant employed by [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]].
File:H3-PlasmaPistol.png|An ''Eos'Mak''-pattern sub-variant employed by [[Truth's fleet]].
File:HReach-PlasmaPistolSide.png|A sub-variant equipped with tracking sights.
File:H4-T25PlasmaPistol-SideRender.png|A [[Hesduros]]-manufactured sub-variant.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
</gallery>


===''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol===
When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the [[Coordinated Stage]] and its crowning achievement, a [[Gravemind]]. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.
{{Main|Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol}}
The ''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol was designed and commissioned per [[Let 'Volir]]'s requests under a shadow contract between the Banished and [[Iruiru Armory]]. While functionally and visually similar to its precursor {{Pattern|Zo'klada|plasma pistol}}, it features slight improvements to its durability and native-link compatibility.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p478}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hinfgameplay|HI|gameplay}}
*'''[[Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol|''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol]]''': This variant of the plasma pistol features slight improvements to its durability and native-link compatibility.{{Ref/Reuse|hinfgameplay}}
**'''[[Unbound Plasma Pistol]]''': A modified variant of the plasma pistol with a white chassis that fires faster, stronger bolts. In addition, its scaled burst fires six bolts instead of a single overcharge bolt; the bolts detonate in a "supercombine" explosion if they hit the same target.{{Ref/Game|HINF|Forge - [[Unbound Plasma Pistol]] description|Quote=Bolts detonate when super-combined on target; over-charge increases detonation and tracking.}}
<gallery class=center>
File:HINF PlasmaPistol Crop.png|''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol
File:HINF PlasmaPistol Unbound Crop.png|Unbound Plasma Pistol
</gallery>


===''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistol===
The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the [[Feral Stage]], the mobile Pod infector incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.<ref>''''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''', ''page 291''</ref>  
{{Main|Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol}}
The ''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistol, designated by ONI as "Type-54D Directed Energy Pistol",{{Ref/Site|Id=cf47|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-locke-load|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Locke & Load|D=2|M=8|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-locke-load.html}} was one of the original plasma pistol design templates from the Sangheili.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}} Its chassis carries a noticeably bulbous design.{{Ref/Game|Id=h5gameplay|H5G|gameplay}} With the dissolution of the Covenant and the [[San'Shyuum]]'s restrictions over legacy templates, this variant became a common sight in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]],{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p291}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p478}} particularly in the [[Blooding Years]].{{Ref/Reuse|h5gameplay}}
*'''[[Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol|''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistol]]''': This variant of the plasma pistol features a holographic [[Smart scope]] projector on its chassis.{{Ref/Reuse|h5gameplay}}
** '''[[Spitfire]]''': This improved variant has a faster rate of fire and reduced heat generated per shot.{{Ref/Game|Id=spitfire|H5G|[[Spitfire]] [[List of REQ cards#Weapons|REQ card]]|Quote=The skill and finesse of Kig-Yar armorers should be never underestimated. Improved Plasma Pistol with faster rate of fire and reduced heat generated per shot.}}
** '''[[Void's Tear]]''': An advanced variant that fires overcharged shots, which create an unstable gravimetric vortex at the point of impact by superheating exotic nuclear isomer. The vortex pulls in nearby objects before exploding.{{Ref/Game|Id=void|H5G|[[Void's Tear]] REQ card|Quote=Superheating exotic nuclear isomers is pure folly, but it was done with the best of intentions. Advanced Plasma Pistol with overcharged shots that create an unstable gravimetric vortex at point of impact, pulling in nearby objects then exploding.}}
<gallery class=center>
File:H5G-Plasma Pistol.png|''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistol
File:H5G Spitfire.png|Spitfire
File:H5G-VoidsTearclear.png|Void's Tear
</gallery>


==Gameplay==
While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules due to the Flood's adaptive nature. In at least [[Battle of the Trove|one notable campaign]]<ref>'''''Halo Wars'''''</ref> early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.
===Advantages===
The plasma pistol is a great close-to medium range weapon. While it can't inflict high damage at long range, the plasma pistol can be used at a distance if the user fires slowly and aims carefully by leading the target. It is extremely efficient at killing "soft" targets, while dealing large amounts of damage to a heavily armored target. Its overcharge ability is extremely dangerous to shielded infantry, and to non-shielded infantry. Because of the extreme temperatures released, a vehicle running on a hydrogen engine, or one that is lightly covered, can be damaged or disabled if the overcharged bolt hits it — in addition to the high temperatures, the electromagnetic bottle containing the plasma can produce an EMP which can disable any electronic device within range. When compared with the [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifle]], the plasma pistol's non-overcharged firing mode is far more accurate at medium and long ranges, although the plasma projectiles tend to arc downward at long range. SPARTANs and Sangheili have the ability to dual-wield plasma pistols, doubling their efficiency in close- to mid-range combat situations. If fired fast enough, the high velocity of the plasma projectile coupled with the force of the kinetic impact, can knock over, or stun infantry.


===Disadvantages===
=== Immunities and defenses ===
The plasma pistol, when fired continuously, or when an overcharged bolt is fired, will overheat because of the rapid cycling, loading, ignition, and release sequence of energy. To prevent the weapon from being damaged, the Type-25 DEP temporarily shuts down and opens a cooling vent to allow the excess heat to dissipate before the weapon reactivates. This process leaves the weapon temporarily inoperable. Infantry who are not aware of the function of the plasma pistol can get killed because of this. Human military experts and scientists do not understand how Covenant plasma weapons work, or how they are recharged; as such when the battery is depleted the plasma pistol must be discarded or replaced. At 10% charge level the plasma pistol will begin to misfire, this is due to the battery's inability to deliver enough energy to start and complete the ignition and release phase of operation. As such this hampers the operators use of the weapon. Continuously holding down the trigger while in overcharge mode will rapidly deplete the energy source, and if not careful the weapon can be wasted before firing a single round. Another disadvantage is its short range which is about 10–25 meters depending on the charge level.
[[Energy shielding]] destroys Pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against Pod infectors; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their grasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer (including MJLONIR MK V undersuits) in order to reach the flesh underneath.  


Although the plasma pistol can strike a target at long ranges, it is not suited for long-range combat, due to two distinct properties of the weapon's operation. The first is the rate of thermal expansion which is determined by the rate of the bloom of the bolt; "blooming" is the result of plasma breakdown in the air at energy densities of around a megajoule per cubic centimeter. This effect causes the plasma to defocus and dissolve into the atmosphere. It can be more severe if there is fog, smoke, or dust in the air. As the bolt is accelerated away from the "barrel" of the weapon the plasma begins to decay as a result of the weakening magnetic field. Speed also factors in to this, the faster the bolt is accelerated, the farther the bolt will travel before the temperature of plasma begins to decay and the magnetic field becomes unstable and finally dissipates. As the bolt loses velocity it also loses kinetic damage as it travels longer distances.
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] was thought by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] to be incompatible with Flood Pod infectors due to the fictitious "[[Boren's Syndrome]]"<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 244''</ref> — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the [[ORION Project]].<ref>'''Halo Graphic Novel''', ''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]]''</ref> However, it is apparent that Johnson's augmentations did not make him truly immune to the Flood conversion process itself, instead granting him the ability to fight off and escape the parasite more effectively than the baseline humans alongside him.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'' (''"No known biological <nowiki>[scaffolding]</nowiki> augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.]"'')</ref><ref name="hgn">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''</ref><ref>''See [[Avery Johnson#Notes]]''</ref>


===Changes===
The [[Mgalekgolo]]'s lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.<ref>'''''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''''</ref> The invertebrate nature of the [[Yanme'e]], along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well. However, while their unique physiologies make standard infection difficult, it is likely that the Flood are still capable of consuming and converting Lekgolo and Yanme'e into Flood biomass.
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2</div>
<big>'''''Halo 2'''''</big>
[[File:PlasmaPistol-H2.png|right|300px]]
{{Main|Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo 2}}
* The plasma pistol can now be dual-wielded.
* Melee animation changed - instead of the Master Chief holding it in his left hand and punching with his right, he holds it in his right and punches with his left.
* Overcharged shot contrail has been removed.
* Less damage per shot, 26 shots are required to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 15.
* The overcharged bolt does no damage to unshielded targets instead of killing a fully-shielded Spartan in 3 overcharged bolts.
* Rate of fire is slower.
* Overcharge charges up slower but has better tracking.
* Overcharged shots do not kick up as much dirt, dust, sparks and debris as the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' counterpart.
* Green electricity is present between the "prongs" of the Plasma Pistol.
* The color of the plasma pistol (blue) was darkened from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''{{'}}s version.
* The crosshairs of the reticule move closer together when the overcharge is locked-on to a target.
* The overcharge now takes 15% battery instead of 10-11%.
* The plasma pistol has only 200-300 shots before it runs out of ammo, instead of 500.
* The plasma pistol no longer slows nor stuns targets.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Halo 2 to Halo 3</div>
<big>'''''Halo 3'''''</big>
[[File:H3-PlasmaPistol.png|right|300px]]
{{Main|Halo 3|Halo 3:ODST}}
* Maintaining an overcharge without releasing decreases the battery rapidly (about 3% per second). Overcharges also drain 10% power in addition to the amount decreased when maintaining the charge.
* Takes slightly longer to cool down after overheating.
* If an overcharge impacts with a vehicle, the vehicle is temporarily disabled; same effect as the [[power drain|Power Drain]].
* Shorter time to charge an overcharge when holding down the trigger.
* Tracking distance has been lowered; the overcharged bolt will only seek out targets at close range.
* Overcharged bolt has longer contrail than in ''Halo 2''.
* The plasma pistol is ''marginally'' weaker than it was in ''Halo 2'', often requiring 1 extra shot to kill most enemies compared with its performance in ''Halo 2''.
* The plasma pistol does the same amount of damage as the assault rifle against unshielded enemies; on [[Heroic]] difficulty, both the plasma pistol and assault rifle take 5 shots to kill a [[Unggoy Minor|Grunt Minor]], and 9 shots to kill a [[Unggoy Major|Grunt Major]] or [[Kig-Yar|Jackal]].
* The plasma pistol now has 400 shots before it runs out of ammo.
* The plasma pistol is now purple instead of blue; it also appears to be smaller than in ''Halo 2''.
<big>'''''Halo 3: ODST'''''</big>
*The plasma bolts in ''ODST'' are somewhat smaller and less pronounced than in ''Halo 3''.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Halo 3 to Halo: Reach</div>
<big>'''''Halo: Reach'''''</big>
[[File:HReach-PlasmaPistolSide.png|right|300px]]
{{Main|Halo: Reach}}
* The strength of the plasma pistol has been greatly increased. 10 shots are required to kill a fully-shielded Spartan instead of 26.
* The plasma pistol has received a graphical overhaul with noticeable changes to its design. Its texture appears to be more crudely metallic than in any previous game. Some other changes includes a small raised section on the top, presumably an [[iron sight]] and a more defined grip on the lower section.
* Overcharge bolt tracking has been reduced.
* The overcharged bolt creates small area-of-effect damage.
* The pistol produces a faint buzz after you equip it, because of its activation.
* The plasma pistol's rate of fire is reduced to compensate for its higher power.
* Its battery now takes one full energy unit per shot in Multiplayer (five shots in Campaign and Firefight).
* The overcharged bolt not only disables shields, but will also damage around one third of a SPARTAN's health points.
* The overcharge will now drain 15% of the battery per shot (10% in Campaign and Firefight).
* The player will now occasionally melee with the pistol itself, instead of only using their fist.
* Grunts can now use its overcharged function in Campaign and Firefight.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Halo: Reach to Halo 4</div>
<big>'''''Halo 4'''''</big>
[[File:H4-T25PlasmaPistol-SideRender.png|300px|right]]
{{Main|Halo 4}}
* 12 shots are required to kill a fully-shielded Spartan.
* 4 overcharged bolts are required to kill a fully-shielded Spartan (5 with splash damage only).
* Each shot drains 2% of the battery.
* An overcharged shot now drains 20%-25% of the battery, which is much more than previous games.
* Orange markings on the weapon are now bright blue.
* The sounds have been upgraded.
** The normal shots sound sharper.
** The overcharge is higher pitched and no longer buzzes while it's held.
* 360 RPM firing rate for normal shots.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary</div>
<big>'''''Halo 2: Anniversary'''''</big>
[[File:H2A T25DEP.png|right|350px]]
{{Main|Halo 2: Anniversary}}
* Like the original ''Halo 2'' version, the plasma pistol does not lose battery while being overcharged and cannot disable vehicles. However, it can only be overcharged for 5 seconds before the charge dissipates and loses 9% battery.
* Less damage per shot, requires 26 shots to kill a fully-shielded Spartan.
* Cosmetically resembles the ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 4'' variations, most specifically the small "sight" atop the main body of the weapon, and the raised hologram at the rear.
* The overcharge is larger and emits a brighter glow.
* After overheating, the pistol emits a cloud of green steam.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Non-FPS games</div>
<big>'''''Halo Wars'''''</big>
[[File:Covenant suicide grunt.gif|thumb|250px|Suicide Grunts wielding plasma pistols.]]
{{Main|Halo Wars}}
*Plasma pistols do not drain shields instantly, even when overcharged.
*Grunts now overcharge plasma pistols in-game.
*Jackals are not capable of using them.
*Elites are not capable of using them.
<br>
<big>'''''Halo: Spartan Assault''''' and '''''Halo:Spartan Strike'''''</big>
{{Main|Halo: Spartan Assault|Halo: Spartan Strike}}
*The maximum battery size is 200 as opposed to 100 in previous games.
*Ammo can be picked up.
*An overcharged shot resembles and behaves similar to that of a [[Fuel Rod]].
<br>
<big>'''''Halo Wars 2'''''</big>
{{Main|Halo Wars 2}}
*The grunt wielding Plasma Pistol cannot be upgraded to wield [[Type-33 needler|Needlers]].
*Suicide Grunts can no longer wield Plasma Pistol except in [[Blitz]] game mode.
*[[Unggoy Heavy|Heavy Grunts]] wielding the Plasma Pistol shoots red projectiles and does slightly more damage against aircraft.
<br>
</div>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
</div>


==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
[[File:HTV-PPpew.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Riz-028]] using an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol to kill a Sangheili in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.]]
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
Plasma pistols are used by the Covenant against humanity.{{Ref/Film|Id=Contact|TV|Episode=Contact}}{{Ref/Film|Id=Reckoning|TV|Episode=Reckoning}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* The plasma pistol was inspired by the "[[marathongame:Zeus Class Fusion Pistol|Zeus Class Fusion Pistol]]" from the ''[[Marathon]]'' series. Like the Fusion Pistol, the plasma pistol is a reasonable-damage single-shot weapon with an overcharge mode. However, the Fusion Pistol's overcharge was far more deadly in-game and could kill nearly any enemy in the game, with one limitation: if the gun was left overcharged for too long, it would explode violently, killing the wielder.
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
* In all of the mainline ''Halo'' games (except ''Halo 4''), if the player remains idle while wielding a plasma pistol, the player character will pull the top off the pistol, showing the plasma pistol's upper firing coil.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if a Pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one Pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of Pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in ''Halo 3''.
* In [[Wikipedia:Konami|Konami]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Super Bomberman R|Super Bomberman R]]'', the Plasma Pistol is the weapon and special ability used by the [[Grunt|Grunt Bomber]].
*An [[energy sword]] will not lose energy by killing Pod infectors in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', but this method is highly ineffective as Pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
* The plasma pistol is the main facilitator for the [[Noob Combo]], in which a player uses a plasma pistol's scaled burst to take down the shields of an enemy before using a headshot-capable weapon (such as the [[BR55 battle rifle]]) to headshot the unshielded enemy. In "[[Another Day at the Beach]]" from the ''Halo 2'' [[Multiplayer Map Pack]], [[Butkus]] and [[Fones]] ([[Marcus Stacker]] in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'') effectively used this combo to take down a Sangheili that had taken [[Walpole]] hostage.
*Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the [[campaign scoring]] is activated in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''. This is most likely because Pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
*Unlike in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'', the Pod infectors in ''Halo 3'' float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood Pod infectors that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other Pod infectors. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
*In ''Halo 3'', code exists for a deleted "banger" variant of Pod infector, which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60geSLtnWk '''YouTube:''' ''Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"'']</ref>
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Plasma pistols}}
===Concept art and illustrations===
<gallery>
File:H2 MMP CoverArt Concept.jpg|Concept art for ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack|Multiplayer Map Pack]]'s cover depicting a Spartan dual-wielding a plasma pistol with an [[M7 SMG|SMG]].
File:Assault on CF-32.png|Two Unggoy Minors wielding ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistols in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:HW2-CrabUnggoy.jpg|[[Blitz]] card art of a trio of Banished Unggoy armed with plasma pistols in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HCD-covies.png|A [[Sangheili Minor]] with an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'' [[Halo: Collateral Damage Issue 1|Issue #1]].
File:Hroa5 battle.jpg|A [[Jiralhanae]] takes aim with an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in ''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]'' [[Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 5|Issue #5]].
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Jackals.jpg|Kig-Yar armed with ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistols in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE_InfectionForm_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Pod Infector from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Incoming32001200.jpg|A swarm of Yanme'e armed with ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistols in ''Halo 2''.
File:Flood3.jpg|Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Drone Swarm.jpg|A Yanme'e wielding an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in ''Halo 3''.
File:HCE Flood Infection Form.png|In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H3ODST PlasmaPistolBolt.png|An Unggoy Minor firing an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:HCE Infectionforms.jpg|The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.
File:HR ChargedPlasmaPistol 1.png|A Kig-Yar Minor firing an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2 Flood Infection Form.png|A Pod infector in the [[Threshold gas mine]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:HTMCC-H4 PPCollegeBrochure.png|Sangheili, Unggoy, and Kig-Yar firing ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistols in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2_PodInfector_Closeup.jpg|A Pod infector in ''Halo 2''.
File:HereticJackal.png|A Kig-Yar snarling with an ''Eos'Mak''-pattern plasma pistol in the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]].
File:HTMCC Avatar InfectionForm.png|Render of the ''Halo 2'' Pod infector in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:HTFOR-SangheiliStorm.png|A Sangheili Storm dual-wielding a plasma pistol with an energy sword in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|Pod infectors in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H5G-MultiUnggoyImperials.png|[[Unggoy Imperial]]s wielding ''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|A Pod infector in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:H5G-John&PP.png|[[John-117]] firing a ''Zo'klada''-pattern plasma pistol in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Anders Flood.png|Pod infectors assaulting [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]].
File:HINF Briglard3.jpg|[[Briglard]] wielding a ''Rohakadu''-pattern plasma pistol in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HW PodInfector Blur Render.jpg|A render of the pod infector asset created for ''Halo Wars''{{'}} cutscenes.
File:HTV-Reckoning Chief HUD.png|First-person view of [[John-117/Silver|John-117]] using plasma pistol in ''Halo: The Television Series''.
File:Infectionformpet.png|A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.
File:Floodsuit.png|An [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Xbox 360 Avatar]] customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.
File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals LibrarianAtWork.png|The [[Librarian]] investigating a Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Flood infector Spirit of Fire.jpg|A Flood Pod infector inside the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s cryo-room in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HSA Flood mode.jpg|Flood Pod infectors in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:MercyFlood.jpg|A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.
File:TFS-Krunch.png|Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in ''[[Something has Happened]]''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form models.jpg|Models of the Pod infector for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form.jpg|More detailed models.
File:HW2_InfectorTidalWave_Concept.jpg|Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.
File:HW2-SpikedInfectionform.jpg|A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-Squish.gif|Atriox crushes a Pod infector.
File:HOD-InfectionForm.jpg|An infection form at [[Outpost Discovery]].
File:HINF Unknown Cylix Scan.png|A Pod infector trapped in a [[Cylix]] on [[Installation 07]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF - Charm icon - Infection charm.png|A Pod infector weapon charm in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
{{col-2}}
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' {{C|Simulation-only}}
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
**''[[Something Has Happened]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Breaking Strain]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Recruit]]'' {{C|Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
{{col-end}}
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
{{Col-end}}
 
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Covenant sidearms}}
{{Flood}}
[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Flood forms]]
[[Category:Infantry plasma weapons]]

Revision as of 05:28, May 17, 2024

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Pod infector
H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg
Biological overview

Classification:

Infection form

Species:

Flood

Physical information

Avg. height:

89.6 centimeters (2 ft 11.3 in)-131.4 centimeters (4 ft 3.7 in)[1]

Avg. weight:

16.8 kilograms (37 lb)-28.6 kilograms (63 lb)[1]

Distinctions:

Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.

 

The pod infector,[2] also more commonly known as the Flood infection form,[3] is a stage of the virulent Flood xenoform. It is the most common Flood form and is usually the first forms to be released. It is the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere Flood spores when deployed in large numbers.[2]

Overview

Physical characteristics

The most commonly encountered infection forms have soft, pod-like bodies with numerous tentacle-like appendages and a frond-like array which acts as the creature's sensory system. Their tendrils are multi-purpose locomotion systems and insidious methods of control.[4]

Each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs which can latch onto the target's body and cut through armor or environmental suits. Once the target is compromised, infection forms inject Flood cells to hijack the victim's nervous system. Even if the infection form is quickly removed, Flood cells in the wounds will slowly consume the victim and turn them into quivering, spore-packed blisters. Against unprepared victims the infection form bores into the body, quickly mutating it into a combat form.[4]

Though barely intelligent on their own, once an infection form infiltrates a sentient creature they turn the victim's cognitive power to the furtherance of Flood goals. Each is an insidious puppeteer, able to sift through memories of any sentient creature to learn of military countermeasures, security access codes, and the location of population centers. This information is then shared with other Flood through their connection with the key minds.[4]


Function

Once the parasite can establish a hive it can begin to produce massive numbers of infection forms that spread out in search of new sentients to infect, and non-sapient animals on which to feed. Both ground and airborne infection forms are used as living weapons, hurling themselves at the enemy to overwhelm defenses and assimilate the unprepared.

Pods hurl themselves at infantry units, bursting and dealing damage. It uses its tentacles to attack and infect organisms.[5]

Though individually weak and easily killed, pod infectors strike in vast numbers and can move over cliffs.


Pod infectors are the primary vector for the Flood infection. While small (roughly the size of a human torso) and weak, they travel in huge swarms and overwhelm foes using sheer numbers. Once within range of a potential host, they leap for the victim's chest area, rasping away at armor, clothing and flesh with their numerous tentacle-like limbs. These appendages penetrate deep into the body, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine. Once this is accomplished, the form rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's. At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.

As the Pod infector hacks into the host's nervous system, it releases encapsulated Flood Super Cells into the body. These cells interface with the host's cells, "digest" them and convert their components into new Flood cells. At this point, the Pod infector burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity (or any approximate equivalent). Having achieved total control over the host, the Pod infector reshapes the body into a form more suitable for attacking enemies - a combat form. Even if the Pod Infector is quickly removed from the host body, the injection of Flood cells into the host's system is enough to cause rapid transformation into spore-packed blisters.[6]

The speed and intensity of this process occurs at the same rate as an energetic chemical reaction, often taking mere seconds to accomplish. The consequences for the host organism are extreme, as their brains are purged of all traces of their original personality and their bodies are reconstituted into Flood biomatter. The organism effectively becomes a pawn of the Flood's collective intelligence, to be used in any way it deems necessary.

In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the Pod infector has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process without killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private Wallace A. Jenkins during the raid on the "Covenant weapons cache" on Installation 04.[7] This aged version of the Pod infector must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a Flood combat form. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.

A Pod infector may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the Pod infector inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose Pod infector may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form.

Pod infectors develop from a form vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a Pod infector. A number of Flood forms in this stage of their life cycle were kept in stasis by the Forerunners in Flood research facilities, such as the one in the Threshold gas mine.[8]

While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms as well as those equipped with atmospheric filters, a Pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting Flood spores or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.[9][10]

Effects on host forms

A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire in 2537.

While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by a Pod infector, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional combat forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.

The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Pod infector require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and strength (Though humans become combat forms more often than the much larger and stronger unggoy for whatever reason.) but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as humans, Forerunners, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into combat forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Pod infectors' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.

In contrast, other life forms, such as the Kig-Yar, and perhaps the Yanme'e, lack these important qualities, or in the case of the Unggoy have other limitations due to their physique despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a coordinating and controlling intelligence.

When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the Coordinated Stage and its crowning achievement, a Gravemind. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.

The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the Feral Stage, the mobile Pod infector incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.[11]

While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules due to the Flood's adaptive nature. In at least one notable campaign[12] early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.

Immunities and defenses

Energy shielding destroys Pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against Pod infectors; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their grasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer (including MJLONIR MK V undersuits) in order to reach the flesh underneath.

Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson was thought by Dr. Catherine Halsey to be incompatible with Flood Pod infectors due to the fictitious "Boren's Syndrome"[13] — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the ORION Project.[14] However, it is apparent that Johnson's augmentations did not make him truly immune to the Flood conversion process itself, instead granting him the ability to fight off and escape the parasite more effectively than the baseline humans alongside him.[15][16][17]

The Mgalekgolo's lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.[18] The invertebrate nature of the Yanme'e, along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well. However, while their unique physiologies make standard infection difficult, it is likely that the Flood are still capable of consuming and converting Lekgolo and Yanme'e into Flood biomass.

Trivia

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to JackVibe/Sandbox on its gameplay page.
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved, if a Pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one Pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of Pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in Halo 3.
  • An energy sword will not lose energy by killing Pod infectors in Halo 2 and Halo 3, but this method is highly ineffective as Pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
  • Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the campaign scoring is activated in Halo 3 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. This is most likely because Pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
  • Unlike in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, the Pod infectors in Halo 3 float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
  • In Halo Wars, when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood Pod infectors that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other Pod infectors. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
  • In Halo 3, code exists for a deleted "banger" variant of Pod infector, which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.[19]
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved, Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.

Gallery

  • Concept art of a Pod Infector from Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Concept art of a Pod Infector from Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.

    The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.

  • A Pod infector in the Threshold gas mine in Halo 2.

    A Pod infector in the Threshold gas mine in Halo 2.

  • A Pod infector in Halo 2.

    A Pod infector in Halo 2.

  • Render of the Halo 2 Pod infector in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

    Render of the Halo 2 Pod infector in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

  • Pod infectors in Halo 3.

    Pod infectors in Halo 3.

  • A Pod infector in Halo Wars.

    A Pod infector in Halo Wars.

  • Pod infectors assaulting Professor Anders.

    Pod infectors assaulting Professor Anders.

  • A render of the pod infector asset created for Halo Wars' cutscenes.

    A render of the pod infector asset created for Halo Wars' cutscenes.

  • A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.

    A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.

  • An Xbox 360 Avatar customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.

    An Xbox 360 Avatar customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.

  • The Librarian investigating a Flood Pod infector in Halo 4's terminals.

    The Librarian investigating a Flood Pod infector in Halo 4's terminals.

  • A Flood Pod infector inside the UNSC Spirit of Fire's cryo-room in Halo: Escalation.

    A Flood Pod infector inside the UNSC Spirit of Fire's cryo-room in Halo: Escalation.

  • Flood Pod infectors in Halo: Spartan Assault.

    Flood Pod infectors in Halo: Spartan Assault.

  • A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.

    A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.

  • Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in Something has Happened.

    Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in Something has Happened.

  • Models of the Pod infector for Halo Wars 2.

    Models of the Pod infector for Halo Wars 2.

  • More detailed models.

    More detailed models.

  • Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.

    Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.

  • A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in Halo Wars 2.

    A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in Halo Wars 2.

  • Atriox crushes a Pod infector.

    Atriox crushes a Pod infector.

  • An infection form at Outpost Discovery.

    An infection form at Outpost Discovery.

  • A Pod infector trapped in a Cylix on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

    A Pod infector trapped in a Cylix on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

  • A Pod infector weapon charm in Halo Infinite.

    A Pod infector weapon charm in Halo Infinite.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Infection Form
  2. ^ a b Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Pod Infectors
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 406
  4. ^ a b c Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Infection Forms
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 180
  6. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs - Infection Forms
  7. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 176
  8. ^ Bungie.net: One Final Effort (4/16/2010)
  9. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  10. ^ Halo: Evolutions — "The Mona Lisa"
  11. ^ 'Halo: The Flood', page 291
  12. ^ Halo Wars
  13. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 244
  14. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, page 122
  15. ^ Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction - Page 14 ("No known biological [scaffolding] augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.")
  16. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, Breaking Quarantine
  17. ^ See Avery Johnson#Notes
  18. ^ Halo: First Strike
  19. ^ YouTube: Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"

v • d • e
 
Known Flood forms
Regular Spore • Pod • Seeder • Tadpole • Dispersal pod
Growths Stalk • Blister
Other Flood Super Cell (FSC)
Infected
Structures
Hives Hive • Den • Nest • Colony • Spore Mound • Cocooned base • Blightlands
Defensive Launcher • Root
Other Porta • Vent
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