Space warfare: Difference between revisions

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In general, the Covenant employ straightforward strategy and tactics, standing their ground, even to the death, and accepting no surrender.<ref>'''The Fall of Reach''', ''page 180'', Jacob Keyes: ''"He had never seen the Covenant run. in every battle he had seen or read about, they stayed to slaughter every last survivor...or if they were defeated, they always fought to the last ship."''</ref> More complicated maneuvers are generally unnecessary given the Covenant's overwhelming edge in most engagements. This is not a hard rule, however. The withdrawal of the carrier from Sigma Octanus after deploying ground forces was remarked upon as unusual, a tactic repeated during the main invasion of Reach, and the Covenant used a number of innovative tactics during the Fall of Reach, managing to insert a cloaked {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} past Reach's defenses to surreptitiously land ground forces and heavy corvette support in its search for [[Babd Catha Forerunner vessel|Forerunner artifacts]] in advance of the main Covenant fleet.<ref>'''The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 181-182'', Jacob Keyes: ''"It was a curious thing: the aliens dropping their ground forces and then retreating. That was not their usual mode of operation. Commander Keyes suspected this was just an opening move in a game he didn't yet understand"''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 337''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level, ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref> Then-Supreme Commander [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee was considered by the Office of Naval Intelligence as the Covenant's best strategic asset, resulting in the loss of at least seven colonies and more than a billion casualties, and was marked for assassination before the end of the war concluded hostilities.<ref>'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''Terminal 3''</ref>
In general, the Covenant employ straightforward strategy and tactics, standing their ground, even to the death, and accepting no surrender.<ref>'''The Fall of Reach''', ''page 180'', Jacob Keyes: ''"He had never seen the Covenant run. in every battle he had seen or read about, they stayed to slaughter every last survivor...or if they were defeated, they always fought to the last ship."''</ref> More complicated maneuvers are generally unnecessary given the Covenant's overwhelming edge in most engagements. This is not a hard rule, however. The withdrawal of the carrier from Sigma Octanus after deploying ground forces was remarked upon as unusual, a tactic repeated during the main invasion of Reach, and the Covenant used a number of innovative tactics during the Fall of Reach, managing to insert a cloaked {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} past Reach's defenses to surreptitiously land ground forces and heavy corvette support in its search for [[Babd Catha Forerunner vessel|Forerunner artifacts]] in advance of the main Covenant fleet.<ref>'''The Fall of Reach''', ''pages 181-182'', Jacob Keyes: ''"It was a curious thing: the aliens dropping their ground forces and then retreating. That was not their usual mode of operation. Commander Keyes suspected this was just an opening move in a game he didn't yet understand"''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 337''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level, ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref> Then-Supreme Commander [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee was considered by the Office of Naval Intelligence as the Covenant's best strategic asset, resulting in the loss of at least seven colonies and more than a billion casualties, and was marked for assassination before the end of the war concluded hostilities.<ref>'''Halo 2: Anniversary''', ''Terminal 3''</ref>


In the post-war galaxy, humanity's adoption of accurate slipspace drives and energy shields have considerably improved their capabilities against warships employed by [[Covenant remnant]] factions. Notably, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} intervened to support Thel 'Vadam during the [[Blooding Years]], effortlessly destroying a number of ships loyal to the Servants of the Abiding Truth.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page ''</ref> During the [[New Phoenix Incident]], the UNSC fleet engaged the Forerunner warship ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' and the ''Infinity'' used its MAC weapons to create a hole in the ship's hull large enough for [[John-117|the Master Chief]] to pilot a Broadsword fighter deep into it.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> During the [[Requiem Campaign]], ''Infinity'' collided with an [[RCS-class armored cruiser]], plowing through it with no hull damage and shields intact.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', S1E1 Departure</ref> It should be noted however that the ''Infinity'' is the UNSC's most advanced current starship, and uses Forerunner technology to power its systems, and is likely not representative of overall UNSC naval capabilities.
In the post-war galaxy, humanity's adoption of accurate slipspace drives and energy shields have considerably improved their capabilities against warships employed by [[Covenant remnant]] factions. Notably, the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} intervened to support Thel 'Vadam during the [[Blooding Years]], effortlessly destroying a number of ships loyal to the Servants of the Abiding Truth.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page ''</ref> During the [[New Phoenix Incident]], the UNSC fleet engaged the Forerunner warship ''[[Mantle's Approach]]'' and the ''Infinity'' used its MAC weapons to create a hole in the ship's hull large enough for [[John-117|the Master Chief]] to pilot a Broadsword fighter deep into it.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> During the [[Requiem Campaign]], ''Infinity'' collided with an {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}}, plowing through it with no hull damage and shields intact.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', S1E1 Departure</ref> It should be noted however that the ''Infinity'' is the UNSC's most advanced current starship, and uses Forerunner technology to power its systems, and is likely not representative of overall UNSC naval capabilities.


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