Firebase: Difference between revisions

The UNSC developed modular firebases due to lessons learned in the early days of the [[Human-Covenant War]], in which large UNSC military installations proved vulnerable to [[orbital bombardment]].<ref>''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Siege Turret</ref> The Firebase combines the needs of a tactical communications, a command center and expansion into both a barracks and a production facility capable of assembling combat vehicles. The Firebase unit itself is a variant of the old [[colony starter unit]]s constructed out of [[polycrete]] and powered by a small [[hydrogen]] reactor. Because gaining a foothold quickly was key to fighting [[insurrection]]s throughout the colonies, ships can directly deploy the entire assembly unit of a Firebase via large [[dropship]]s such as the [[D20 Heron]] or [[D81-LRT Condor]], making it immediately useful. This ability proved invaluable in the ongoing war with the [[Covenant]] and was often considered a key advantage of the UNSC on the ground.<ref name="Firebase"/>

"Pod"<ref name="PL">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Firebase</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=note1|The "pod" and expeditionary firebase names are mentioned offhand in the Phoenix Log regarding firebases in ''Halo Wars 2'' - however, they are not presented as official names. They are used for the purposes of this article to differentiate the two models in the absence of official clarification on the matter.}} firebases are deployed from orbit via the use of [[D20 Heron]] transport craft. These firebase variants are themselves variants of old [[colony starter unit]]s constructed out of [[polycrete]], and can form vast labyrinthine underground complexes. "Pod" firebases are capable of producing unarmed [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthogs]], along with the special unit for the selected leader.<ref name="Firebase"/> Firebases were used to great effect in the [[Human-Covenant War]], including the [[Harvest campaign]] - in which one served as the core of [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] - the [[Battle for Arcadia]] and the [[Battle of the Etran Harborage]]. Although starting out frail, the structural strength of the command center is increased with the addition of each new Firebase addition, making it a good idea to erect multiple Firebase additions as soon as possible.<ref name="Firebase"/>

Beneath the Firebase there is a large underground garage in which resources and vehicle parts dropped down from orbiting warships may be stored. Also, all Firebase additions such as [[UNSC reactor|Reactors]] or [[UNSC Supply Pad|Supply Pads]] emerge up from this subterranean area, pre-built and fully constructed. Firebases also have self-destruct sequences and [[Lockdown Protocol]]s, the latter of which can be used to deliberately trap one's own newly-trained forces inside the compound.<ref name="Firebase"/>

Expeditionary firebases<ref name="PL" />{{Ref/NoteReuse|note1}} are another type of lightweight firebase module that can be delivered directly to the battlefield by [[D81-LRT Condor]] dropships, and were used notably in the [[Second Ark Conflict]]. The modules then unpack and can assemble basic structures and UNSC weapons systems, protected by up to four turret emplacements. Upgrading the firebase to a combat station allows basic infantry to be deployed while the command center and headquarters expansions make additional units available. Each upgrade also opens additional build locations for support structures.<ref name="PL" />

The ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s expeditionary firebases trade a portion of the original Heron-transported "pod" system's operational flexibility for substantial mass and resource savings. Unlike the older pod firebases, additional pre-manufactured base structures must be transported to the firebase rather than assembled on-site, but this method saves irreplaceable strategic resources aboard the ''Spirit of Fire''. The older pod bases remain in reserve, with the Heron dropships used exclusively for mass deployment of cargo and troops in secured rear areas.<ref name="PL" />