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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the models in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4|the model introduced in Halo 5: Guardians|Type-56D needler}}
{{Cleanup}}
 
{{References}}
{{Quote|Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too.|Anonymous serviceman}}
{{Species infobox
 
|variant=Flood
'''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher (T-33 GML)''', also known as the '''Needler''', is the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Type classification system|type classification]] for six distinct patterns of a [[Covenant]] [[Needle-based weaponry|needle-based]] infantry automatic weapon.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}} Although the six distinct patterns of the needlers possessed aesthetic and functional differences, their shared UNSC type designation suggests that they were all catalogued and classified in [[2533]].
|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, sac-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}} often ubiquitously called the '''Flood infection form''',{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p164|Enc11|Page=164}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=406}} is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It serves as the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers. Subsequently, it is usually the first Flood forms to be produced as well as the most commonly encountered Flood form.{{Ref/Reuse|PLPI}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
===Design details===
===Physical characteristics===
The Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher is a Covenant projectile weapon that fires long, sharp crystalline shards that are guided until they impale a target — hence the “needler” moniker. Several seconds after coming to rest in their target, the needles detonate, creating severe and, in most cases, fatal wounds. The Needler's top plate has 14 holes, with the needles protruding out of the holes. When the trigger is pulled, the needle is fed from the top into the "barrel" of the weapon and fired at high speed. The Type-33 GML is used by Covenant foot soldiers of nearly all types. [[Yanme'e]] are also fond of this weapon, and their efficiency with it is high as their flying capabilities and large numbers make the needles harder to dodge. When the trigger is held down, the rate at which the 'needles' are fired increases.
Pod infectors have soft, pod-shaped bodies; they are characterized by a small, sagging brown lobe rising from the top of its back,{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p164}} while its frontal surface has numerous tentacle-like appendages and a frond-like array, which acts as the creature's sensory system.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLIF|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infection Forms}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Their tendrils are multi-purpose locomotion systems and insidious methods of control.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Used for attacking and infecting organisms,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p180|Enc11|Page=180}} each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs, which can latch onto a target's body, slice open bare skin,{{Ref/Novel|TF|12|Quote=The Spartan gave a cry of pain, felt the tentacle slide down toward his spine, and knew it was over.}} and even cut through armor or environmental suits.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The pod infector's bulbous body is filled with noxious gases,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} while its numerous tentacles allow them to travel at high rates of speed and leap surprising distances in pursuit of a host.{{Ref/Reuse|Library}}
 
Unlike most Covenant weaponry, the needler does not incorporate reverse-engineered [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The needler was one of the most unusual weapons in the Covenant arsenal and the least understood; how the weapon functions remains a mystery to human military experts and scientists. Like most Covenant weapons, the T-33 GML lacks any kind of electronic, physical or radiative connections between its "trigger" and firing mechanism.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'''</ref> However, post-war analysis and study have shown that the shards track their targets by homing in on the specific heat signatures of sighted targets.<ref name="Waypoint">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/Halo4Guide '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref> The physics behind the weapon were apparently not well known as joint human and Sangheili teams were known to be studying the weapon some time after the war.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141012145601/https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction'' (post 2969311)]</ref>
 
===Ammunition===
{{Main|Subanese crystal}}
Razor-sharp crystalline projectiles made of Subanese crystal, or blamite, are fired from this elaborately designed Covenant weapon; it is widely believed that these needlers use heat or organic signatures to home in on targets, and may have some relation to the {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} and the [[Plasma Pistol]]'s charged shots, which also react to living tissue and [[Sentinel]] mechanics. The needles appear to have some sort of "identify-friend/foe" function, as they will home in on hostile targets but not allies of the wielder. Once fired, a needle will seek its target until impact, entering the victim's body violently. After several seconds, the contents of the crystalline shard will detonate; injuries inflicted from the exploding shard are gruesome, as microscopic pieces of shrapnel can become embedded in tissue.
 
The crystalline projectile appears to contain some type of gas or energy, which is released upon impact with a target; after [[seven]] or more needles have struck a target in the same general area, the needles will react to each other, triggering an explosion that kills the victim instantly. The explosion of multiple needles is a result of proximal resonance instability.{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}} When either a single or multiple needles detonate, they release crystal shrapnel, which can embed itself in nearby organisms; thus, friendly fire is often a necessary consideration in close-quarters combat.
 
==Nahle'hax-pattern needle launcher==
{{Main|Nahle'hax-pattern needler}}
 
The ''Nahle'hax''-pattern needle launcher is designated as '''T-33 GML'''.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=294}}
 
==Fall of Reach pattern==
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:HReach-NeedlerSide.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Site|Id=hrbnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25437|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Ordnance Page|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hrmanual|HR|[[Halo: Reach manual|Game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length={{Convert|74.3|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p337|Enc11|Page=337}}
|weight=
*'''Empty''': {{Convert|3.74|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p337}}
*'''Loaded''': {{Convert|4.3|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p337}}
|width=
|height=
|feed=24 shards/magazine {{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p337}}
|ammotype=[[Subanese crystal]] shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Game|Id=hrgameplay|HR|Gameplay}}
|velocity=
|range=Close to medium{{Ref/Game|HR|[[Halo: Reach manual|Game manual]]}}
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Fall of Reach]]{{Ref/Reuse|hrgameplay}}
}}


This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
The pod infector does not feel pain or fear.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}} 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 pod infector 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 mind]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}  


===Design details===
===Function===
This needler pattern is aesthetically very similar to the [[Lodam Armory]]-manufactured {{Pattern|Nahle'hax|needler}} of the same T-33 designation; they are both characterized by a longer handguard extending from the lower cowling that curves upwards and a thumbhole in the grip.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} However, this pattern is slightly longer than its ''Nahle'hax''-pattern counterpart and carries a slightly larger magazine. This pattern also has a slightly different appearance, with a small blue light on either side of the upper cowling, and a row of three triangle lights between the upper cowling and the grip.
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>
<gallery class=center>
File:ReachSchematic - Needler.png|The HUD icon for this T-33 GML pattern.
File:Journal Needler.png|An exploded view of this T-33 GML pattern, drawn by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]].
</gallery>


===Usage===
Serving as the primary vector for the Flood infection, pod infectors usually attack en masse, overwhelming and overpowering their prey, until one is able to burrow into the victim's flesh,{{Ref/Reuse|Library}} As with other infection forms, the pod infector has an array of "penetrators", which are barbed tentacles that can cut through flesh and armor.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} When a pod infector attacks a victim, its tentacles insert into the spine,{{Ref/Novel|TF|9|Quote=...because ever since the infection form had inserted its penetrator into his spine, Private Wallace A. Jenkins had been sharing his physical form with something he thought of as "the other."}} with the goal of invading the target's central nervous system,{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=...it has tentacles in place of legs, plus a couple of extremely sharp penetrators, which they use to invade the victim's central nervous system and take control of it.}} which then initiates a violent transformation.{{Ref/Reuse|Library}} Once the target is compromised, the pod infector injects Flood cells to suborn the victim's nervous system while the pod infector itself bores into the host body to hollow out a nest, quickly twisting the remains of its victim into a combat or carrier form.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
This pattern of the needler was notably employed during the [[Fall of Reach]] by [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]] forces deployed in [[Eposz]].{{Ref/Reuse|hrgameplay}}
<gallery class=center>
File:HTMCC-HR Needlers.jpg|The needler employed by [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Unggoy]].
File:HR SinovietAmbush.jpg|A [[Yanme'e]] firing the needler at [[SPARTAN-B312]].
</gallery>


{{clear}}
Due to the balloon-like qualities of the pod infector, it could deflate itself to fit inside the victim's body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=If you peek through the hole in her chest you can see the remains of the infection form that deflated itself enough to fit in around her heart and lungs.}} 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}} If the infected host has sufficient biomass for self-sustenance, it will mutate neurologically and physiologically into a combat form.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p165|Enc11|Page=165}} The pod infector is capable of augmenting its new body and repair minor damage;{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p408|Enc22|Page=408}} as such, combat forms typically possess unnatural physical strength, perhaps gained through the mutation of the host's musculoskeletal structures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p165}} Otherwise, sections of the host's body are consumed and converted into FSC, with much of their internal organs being consumed and replaced with FSC accretions that function as support lattices. Some limbs and sensory organs are retained on the combat form to enable use of tools, weapons, or vehicles; though the pod infector sees the environment using its own sensory organs—often the flexible fronds or antennae on the end of narrow tendrils—and whatever remains of the host's native senses are usually redundant and ignored.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}} In some circumstance, the pod infector is unable to completely dominate the original personality and the victim remains fully aware of their irrevocable transformation and their being used as a tool of the Flood. Though their bodies are bent to the Flood's will, occasionally the victim can still whisper for mercy or cry out in pain. More often, the parasite will speak on their behalf, using stolen thoughts and memories as a psychological weapon, terrorizing both the host and anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}}{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infected}} This was the fate of [[Wallace Jenkins]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle]] of [[Installation 04]]; a pod infector had been severely weakened during long periods of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and transform Jenkins' body, it lacked the force and clarity to completely control Jenkins.{{Ref/Novel|TF|6|Quote=Due to some fluke, some random toss of the galactic dice, the mind that invaded his body had been severely weakened during the long period of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and begin the work necessary to create a combat form, it lacked the force and clarity required to completely dominate its host the way it was supposed to.}} With the Flood mind weakened, Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=Jenkins had used pantomime to request a mirror. A well-meaning Corporal brought one in, held it up in front of the soldier's devastated face, and was frightened when he tried to scream.}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|12|Quote=Jenkins, still unable to speak, managed to mouth the words “thank you.”}}


==Battle of Installation 04 pattern==
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.
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:Needler-HaloCE.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Game|HCE|[[Halo: Combat Evolved manual#Covenant Weapons|Game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length=
|weight=
|width=
|height=
|feed=20 shards/magazine{{Ref/Game|Id=hcegameplay|HCE|Gameplay}}
|ammotype=[[Subanese crystal]] shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}}
|velocity=
|range=
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Battle of Installation 04]]{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}}
}}


This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
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.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The [[Flood blister]] itself is an infection form, incubating spores as well as carrying pod infectors; when ruptured, the blister releases the pod infectors.{{Ref/Level|H3|Cortana (level)|Cortana}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=407}} [[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]] serve as mobile incubators of pod infectors; when they are in close range of enemies, or when their sacs are perforated, they rapidly swell and then detonate,{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p165}} releasing pod infectors being held within.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=409}} [[Flood pure form]]s, including the [[Flood spawner form|spawner form]] and the [[tank form]], are known to gestate pod infectors to spread the Flood infection.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p166|Enc11|Page=166}}{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Spawners}}
 
===Design details===
This needler pattern is characterized by an additional handguard around the grip between the cowlings. It also possesses a longer handguard extending from the lower cowling,{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}} though, unlike other needlers with this attribute, the handguard is angled downwards rather than curving upwards.{{Ref/Game|HCE|In-game model}}  
<gallery class=center>
File:Needler.png|The HUD icon for this T-33 GML pattern.
File:Needlers and Ammo.jpg|Scattered Needlers and their ammunition boxes.
</gallery>


===Usage===
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.{{citation needed}} At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.
This pattern of the needler was commonly employed during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle]] of [[Installation 04]] by the forces deployed from the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}} It was particularly popular among [[Special Operations Unggoy]] combating the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Level|HCE|Keyes (level)|Keyes}}{{Ref/Level|HCE|The Maw}}
<gallery class=center>
File:HCE Zuka Screenshot 6.jpg|Two SpecOps Unggoy firing their needlers in the wreckage of {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}.
File:Keyes.jpg|[[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] notably used a needler after [[Raid on the Truth and Reconciliation|his recue]].
</gallery>
{{clear}}


==Battle of Installation 05 pattern==
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.{{citation needed}} 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]].
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:Needler-H2.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h2manual|H2|[[Halo 2 manual#Covenant Weapons|Game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length=
|weight=
|width=
|height=
|feed=30 shards/magazine{{Ref/Reuse|h2manual}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h2gameplay|H2|Gameplay}}
|ammotype=[[Subanese crystal]] shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
|velocity=
|range=
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Harvest campaign]]{{Ref/Level|HW|Relic Interior}}
*[[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
*[[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]]{{Ref/Level|H2|The Arbiter}}{{Ref/Level|H2|The Oracle}}
*[[Battle of Installation 05]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
*[[Fall of High Charity|Fall of ''High Charity'']]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
}}


This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}


===Design details===
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>
This needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths.{{Ref/Game|H2|In-game model}}


===Usage===
=== Effects on host forms===
This pattern of the needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] and [[Battle of Installation 05]]. Members of [[Sesa 'Refumee]]'s [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic faction]], especially the [[Heretic Unggoy|Unggoy]], favored this needler pattern as well.{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
[[File:TFS-Likeafrog.png|thumb|A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in 2537.|250px]]
<gallery class=center>
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.
File:HW-NeedlerElite.png|A Stealth Sangheili wielding the Needler during the [[Harvest campaign]].
File:Heretic grunts.jpg|Two Unggoy fielding the Needler in the [[Threshold gas mine]].
</gallery>
{{clear}}


==Truth's fleet pattern==
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.
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:H3-NeedlerProfile.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Site|Id=h3bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3needler|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007|D=16|M=01|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3manual|H3|[[Halo 3 manual#Weapons|Game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length=
*'''Overall''': {{Convert|57.8|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=323}}
*'''Barrel''': {{Convert|16.25|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|weight=
*'''Empty''': {{Convert|3.74|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
*'''Loaded''': {{Convert|4.3|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
|width=
|height=
|feed=19 shards{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3gameplay|H3|Gameplay}}
|ammotype=[[Subanese crystal]] shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}} (510 rounds/minute){{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|velocity=54 meter/second (177 feet/second){{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|range={{Convert|64|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|Gameplay}}
*[[Battle of Voi]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
}}


This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}} It was nicknamed '''Pinkies''' and '''Shrimp Shooter'''.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
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]].


===Design details===
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.
This needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths. In addition, there are purple light fixtures around the barrel and its adjoining channel braces.{{Ref/Game|H3|In-game model}}


===Usage===
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>  
This pattern of the needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] during the [[Battle of Voi]] and the [[Battle of Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
<gallery class=center>  
File:Yanme'e2.jpg|A [[Yanme'e Pupa]] (left) with the Needler during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].
File:HTMCC Avatar GruntMajor.png|An Unggoy Major wielding a Needler.
</gallery>
{{clear}}


==Jul 'Mdama's Covenant pattern==
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.
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:H2A T33Needler.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Lodam Armory]]{{Ref/Site|Id=h4guide|URL=http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/intel/inteldetail/cc0ca7e4-ef99-477b-90ef-3560e026e925/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 Interactive Guide - Weapons: Needler|D=01|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Halo 4 Interactive Guide#Covenant Weapons}}{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=85}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|cost=
|length={{Convert|73|cm|in|sigfig=3}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Universe - Needler|D=27|M=01|Y=2021}}
|weight={{Convert|3.7|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|width={{Convert|21.6|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|height={{Convert|53|cm|in|sigfig=3}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|feed=22 shards{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h4gameplay|H4|Gameplay}}
|ammotype=4.8-6.3mm [[Subanese crystal]] shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|h4evg}}
|velocity=
|range=
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Battle of Circinius IV]]{{Ref/Film|Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn}}
;[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
*[[Battle of Requiem]]{{Ref/Reuse|h4gameplay}}
*[[Requiem campaign]]{{Ref/Reuse|h4gameplay}}
}}


This pattern designated as '''T-33 GML'''  is blah blah blah
=== Immunities and defenses ===
{{clear}}
[[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.


==UNSC remarks==
[[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>
*"I don’t know how it works, but it seems the needles can only follow you if they can "see" you."
*"Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too."
*“I caught three in the leg as I was diving behind a broken wall—they lodged right in there where the greave meets the boot. When they went off, it damn near broke my ankle and flung like little splinters of glass or crystal or whatever all up my left side—the corpsman was pulling the shards outta me for the better part of two hours.”
*“Luckily—listen to me 'luckily'—the needles only detonate when they’re embedded in living tissue. Now that’s lucky because it’s not gonna blow a hole in the wall you’re hiding behind or tear the tires off of the vehicle you’re trying to escape in.”
*“It’s about as close to a [[Wikipedia:fire-and-forget|fire-and-forget]] small arm that we're likely to ever see—and it ain’t ours. This is why we’re losing.”
*“First order of business when dealing with a hostile armed with a Needler is finding cover; second order of business is killing the Mike Foxtrot with the Needler.”
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==


===Silver Timeline===
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.
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
[[File:HTV-Homecoming-FavoriteWeapon.jpg|thumb|Kai-125 holding a needler in [[Miranda Keyes/Silver|Dr. Keyes']] lab.|right|250px]]
{{Quote|See these holes on the top plate? That's where the needle rounds are primed. You pull the trigger and somehow they just know how to target living tissue.|[[Kai-125]] explaining her favorite Covenant weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Homecoming}}}}
Needlers are used by the Covenant during their war against humanity. [[Silver Team]] will occasionally scavenge needlers from dead Covenant and use them against Covenant troops.{{Ref/Film|Id=Homecoming|TV|Episode=Homecoming}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Type-33 Needler}}
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
*Instead of each needle on top of the Needler being pushed separately into the gun with each shot, every needle sinks into the weapon slightly for each shot fired. In ''Halo: Reach'', a needle sinks into the weapon every time one is fired.
*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''.
*It's never been shown how the Needler is reloaded, as ammunition is never seen being plugged into the weapon. Pressing the "reload" command merely causes the needles to extend from the holes, with no other action from the wielder's model. Grunts carrying the Needler may occasionally tap and shake the weapon as if to reload it.
*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.
*On the level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]'' in ''Halo 2'', there is [[Needler Sentinel|a lone Sentinel]] that fires Needler rounds and drops a Needler when it is destroyed.
*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.
*In ''Halo 3'', regardless of how many needles are loaded in the weapon, none will appear in the Needler's shadow.
*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.
*''[[Bungie.net]]'''s ''Halo 3'' statistics page claims that the Needler has thirty needles per magazine instead of the actual nineteen.
* 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'', killing five enemies with a Needler, in a ranked free-for-all match or campaign will reward the player with the [[Fear the Pink Mist]] achievement. In ''Halo 3: ODST'', killing ten Covenant soldiers with an explosion from the Needler in a single-player level or in Firefight will reward the player with the [[Pink and Deadly]] achievement. In ''Halo: Reach'' the player earns the [[A Spoonful of Blamite]] achievement for killing ten enemies with Needler explosions. Killing an opponent with a super-combine of the Needler's needles will grant the player a Super Detonation Medal in ''Halo 3'', Needler Kill Medal in ''Halo 3: ODST'' and a [[Needle Combine Kill Medal]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
*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: Ghosts of Onyx'', the Needler is referred to as a pistol. This may be because in the large hands of a Sangheili, it seems proportionally smaller.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' level ''343 Guilty Spark'' and the ''Halo 2 Vista'' map ''[[Uplift]]'' are the only levels to feature Needler ammunition outside the Needler.
*When using Anniversary mode in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', dropped Needlers are always depicted as either being fully loaded or empty with no middle ground. However, when playing Classic mode, the number of needles can be seen indicating how many remained in the clip prior to the weapon being picked up.
*In the video [[Enemy Weapon]] at 0:22 in left side of the screen is a Type-33 Needler in a glass case with needles still visible on the weapon, indicating that it is still loaded.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
<gallery>
File:HCE_Needler_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Needler.
File:HCE_Needler_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the Needler.
File:HCE EliteEarlyNeedler Screenshot.jpg|A [[Sangheili Minor]] wielding a needler in an early build.
File:HCE-Needler-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the needler.
File:Curlback.png|An [[Unggoy Major]] wielding the needler.
File:HCE - CovSpecOps.jpg|A [[Special Operations Officer|SpecOps Sangheili]] wielding the needler.
</gallery>
===''Halo 2''===
<gallery>
File:Needler-H2.png|A profile view of the needler from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2 e304 dualneedlers.jpg|First-person view of dual-wielding needlers in ''Halo 2'' multiplayer ''Capture the Flag''.
File:H2-DualNeedlers-Gameplay.png|First-person view of dual-wielding needlers in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-SingleNeedler-Gameplay.png|First-person view of single-wielding a needler in ''Halo 2''.
</gallery>
===''Halo 3''===
<gallery>
File:Halo-3-20070923023617567.jpg|First-person view of the needler in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Needle.jpg|A needler shard in mid-flight in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-NeedlerShard.png|Close-up preview of a needler shard in ''Halo 3''.
File:Needler Halo 3.png|The needler in ''Halo 3''.
File:Bnetneedler.jpg|Another shot of the ''Halo 3''-era needler.
File:H3-NeedlerProfile.png|An in-game profile view of the needler from ''Halo 3''.
</gallery>
===''Halo: Reach''===
<gallery>
File:HR Needler Concept.jpg|Concept art for the ''Reach'' depiction of the needler.
File:Reach_MPBeta_Needler.png|A profile view of the needler in the [[Halo: Reach Beta|''Halo: Reach'' Multiplayer Beta]].
File:Haloreachneedlerfp.png|A first-person view of the needler during the ''Halo: Reach'' Beta.
File:Halo-reach-20100428014705175.jpg|First-person view of the needler in the final build of ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HReach-NeedlerSide.png|The final in-game side preview of the needler from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HReach-Needler-Gameplay.jpg|First-person view of the needler in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Halo Reach Needler.png|The needler in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Journal_Needler.png|An exploded view of a needler, drawn by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey]].
</gallery>
===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:HCEA-TNR-Needler-FirstPerson.png|First-person view of the needler in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:HCEA-NeedlerHUD.png|HUD of the needler in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:Chyler needle.jpg|A needle embedded in [[Chyler Silva]]'s stomach in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
</gallery>
===''Halo 4''===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H4-Needler.png|Render of the needler in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:HCE_InfectionForm_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Pod Infector from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H4-T33NeedlerGML-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the needler in ''Halo 4''.
File:Flood3.jpg|Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:H4-MP-Forge-T33NeedlerGML-HUD.jpg|The needler viewed in the HUD in ''Halo 4'''s Forge.
File:HCE Flood Infection Form.png|In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Needler-HUD.png|HUD icon of the needler in ''Halo 4''.
File:HCE Infectionforms.jpg|The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.
File:H4-MP-NeedlerShard-Flight-01.jpg|A needler shard in mid-flight in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2 Flood Infection Form.png|A Pod infector in the [[Threshold gas mine]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H4-MP-NeedlerShard-Flight-02.jpg|Closeup detail of the needler shard in flight in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2_PodInfector_Closeup.jpg|A Pod infector in ''Halo 2''.
File:H4-Reference-Needler.jpg|Reference model sheet of the needler in ''Halo 4''.
File:HTMCC Avatar InfectionForm.png|Render of the ''Halo 2'' Pod infector in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:H4-Render-Needler.jpg|Orthographic views of the needler in ''Halo 4''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|Pod infectors in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
</gallery>
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|A Pod infector in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
 
File:Anders Flood.png|Pod infectors assaulting [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]].
===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
File:HW PodInfector Blur Render.jpg|A render of the pod infector asset created for ''Halo Wars''{{'}} cutscenes.
<gallery>
File:Infectionformpet.png|A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.
File:H2ANeedler2.png|First-person view of the needler in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' campaign.
File:Floodsuit.png|An [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Xbox 360 Avatar]] customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.
File:H2ACP-NeedlerDualWieldHUD.png|First-person view while dual wielding.
File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals LibrarianAtWork.png|The [[Librarian]] investigating a Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:H2A-JohnNeedlers.jpg|John-117 duel-wielding needlers during the [[Battle of Installation 05]].
File:Flood infector Spirit of Fire.jpg|A Flood Pod infector inside the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s cryo-room in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:H2AMP-NeedlerHUD.png|First-person view of the needler in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
File:HSA Flood mode.jpg|Flood Pod infectors in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:H2AMP-Needler.png|A Spartan using a needler on [[Stonetown]].
File:MercyFlood.jpg|A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.  
File:H2AMP-NeedlerDualWieldHUD.png|First-person view while dual wielding.
File:TFS-Krunch.png|Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in ''[[Something has Happened]]''.
File:H2AMP-NeedlerDualWield.png|A Spartan dual wielding needlers.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form models.jpg|Models of the Pod infector for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:H2ANeedler.jpg|A Spartan using a T-33 needler on [[Shrine]].
File:HW2 - Flood infection form.jpg|More detailed models.
File:Needler - Basic.jpg|A needler on [[Diamondback]] in ''Halo Online''.
File:HW2_InfectorTidalWave_Concept.jpg|Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.
File:HTV-NeedlerLondon.jpg|Prop of the needler for ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
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]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Believe]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Enemy Weapon]]''
**''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
{{Col-2}}
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[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: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
**''[[Something Has Happened]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
{{col-end}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
{{Col-end}}


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


==See also==
{{Flood}}
*[[Fear the Pink Mist]]
[[Category:Flood forms]]
*[[Pink and Deadly]]
*[[A Spoonful of Blamite]]
*[[Energy Cutlass]]
 
{{Covenant rifles}}
[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Small arms]]

Latest revision as of 14:53, May 24, 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, sac-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.

 

The pod infector,[2] often ubiquitously called the Flood infection form,[3][4] is a stage of the virulent Flood xenoform. It serves as the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere Flood spores when deployed in large numbers. Subsequently, it is usually the first Flood forms to be produced as well as the most commonly encountered Flood form.[2]

Overview

Physical characteristics

Pod infectors have soft, pod-shaped bodies; they are characterized by a small, sagging brown lobe rising from the top of its back,[3] while its frontal surface has numerous tentacle-like appendages and a frond-like array, which acts as the creature's sensory system.[5][4] Their tendrils are multi-purpose locomotion systems and insidious methods of control.[5][4] Used for attacking and infecting organisms,[6] each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs, which can latch onto a target's body, slice open bare skin,[7] and even cut through armor or environmental suits.[5][4] The pod infector's bulbous body is filled with noxious gases,[4] while its numerous tentacles allow them to travel at high rates of speed and leap surprising distances in pursuit of a host.[1]

The pod infector does not feel pain or fear.[8] 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 pod infector 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.[5]

Function

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.[9]

Serving as the primary vector for the Flood infection, pod infectors usually attack en masse, overwhelming and overpowering their prey, until one is able to burrow into the victim's flesh,[1] As with other infection forms, the pod infector has an array of "penetrators", which are barbed tentacles that can cut through flesh and armor.[5][4] When a pod infector attacks a victim, its tentacles insert into the spine,[10] with the goal of invading the target's central nervous system,[11] which then initiates a violent transformation.[1] Once the target is compromised, the pod infector injects Flood cells to suborn the victim's nervous system while the pod infector itself bores into the host body to hollow out a nest, quickly twisting the remains of its victim into a combat or carrier form.[4]

Due to the balloon-like qualities of the pod infector, it could deflate itself to fit inside the victim's body.[12] 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.[5] If the infected host has sufficient biomass for self-sustenance, it will mutate neurologically and physiologically into a combat form.[13] The pod infector is capable of augmenting its new body and repair minor damage;[8] as such, combat forms typically possess unnatural physical strength, perhaps gained through the mutation of the host's musculoskeletal structures.[13] Otherwise, sections of the host's body are consumed and converted into FSC, with much of their internal organs being consumed and replaced with FSC accretions that function as support lattices. Some limbs and sensory organs are retained on the combat form to enable use of tools, weapons, or vehicles; though the pod infector sees the environment using its own sensory organs—often the flexible fronds or antennae on the end of narrow tendrils—and whatever remains of the host's native senses are usually redundant and ignored.[8] In some circumstance, the pod infector is unable to completely dominate the original personality and the victim remains fully aware of their irrevocable transformation and their being used as a tool of the Flood. Though their bodies are bent to the Flood's will, occasionally the victim can still whisper for mercy or cry out in pain. More often, the parasite will speak on their behalf, using stolen thoughts and memories as a psychological weapon, terrorizing both the host and anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot.[8][14] This was the fate of Wallace Jenkins during the Battle of Installation 04; a pod infector had been severely weakened during long periods of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and transform Jenkins' body, it lacked the force and clarity to completely control Jenkins.[15] With the Flood mind weakened, Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.[16][17]

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.

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.[4] The Flood blister itself is an infection form, incubating spores as well as carrying pod infectors; when ruptured, the blister releases the pod infectors.[18][19] Carrier forms serve as mobile incubators of pod infectors; when they are in close range of enemies, or when their sacs are perforated, they rapidly swell and then detonate,[13] releasing pod infectors being held within.[20] Flood pure forms, including the spawner form and the tank form, are known to gestate pod infectors to spread the Flood infection.[21][22]

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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.


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.[23][24]

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.[25]

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[26] 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"[27] — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the ORION Project.[28] 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.[29][30][31]

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.[32] 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.[33]
  • 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 c d e Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Infection Form
  2. ^ a b Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Pod Infectors
  3. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 164
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 406
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Infection Forms
  6. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 180
  7. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 12: "The Spartan gave a cry of pain, felt the tentacle slide down toward his spine, and knew it was over."
  8. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 408
  9. ^ Bungie.net: One Final Effort (4/16/2010)
  10. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 9: "...because ever since the infection form had inserted its penetrator into his spine, Private Wallace A. Jenkins had been sharing his physical form with something he thought of as "the other.""
  11. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 10: "...it has tentacles in place of legs, plus a couple of extremely sharp penetrators, which they use to invade the victim's central nervous system and take control of it."
  12. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 10: "If you peek through the hole in her chest you can see the remains of the infection form that deflated itself enough to fit in around her heart and lungs."
  13. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 165
  14. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Infected
  15. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 6: "Due to some fluke, some random toss of the galactic dice, the mind that invaded his body had been severely weakened during the long period of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and begin the work necessary to create a combat form, it lacked the force and clarity required to completely dominate its host the way it was supposed to."
  16. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 10: "Jenkins had used pantomime to request a mirror. A well-meaning Corporal brought one in, held it up in front of the soldier's devastated face, and was frightened when he tried to scream."
  17. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 12: "Jenkins, still unable to speak, managed to mouth the words “thank you.”"
  18. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Cortana
  19. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 407
  20. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 409
  21. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 166
  22. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Spawners
  23. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  24. ^ Halo: Evolutions — "The Mona Lisa"
  25. ^ 'Halo: The Flood', page 291
  26. ^ Halo Wars
  27. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 244
  28. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, page 122
  29. ^ Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction - Page 14 ("No known biological [scaffolding] augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.")
  30. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, Breaking Quarantine
  31. ^ See Avery Johnson#Notes
  32. ^ Halo: First Strike
  33. ^ 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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