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| <center>''Were you also looking for [[Camouflage (UNSC)|Camouflage]], the UNSC equivalent, or [[Cloaking]], used in [[Halo 3]]?''</center>[[File:AC.png|thumb|Active Camo in Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer.]]
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| The term '''Active Camouflage''' (often shortened to '''Active Camo''') refers to the [[Covenant]]-developed light-bending energy that is generally stored in small, deliberately fragile containers. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', it is stored in a small, glass-like pyramid; in ''[[Halo 3]]'' it is suspended in a spherical force-field. A person can use the light-bending energy by merely coming into physical contact with the container, which will cause it to break and release its contents. Upon release, the energy envelops the wearer and bends light around their skin, [[armor]], or [[shielding]], conforming to their form and rendering them almost invisible. At that point, the energy will gradually dissipate and wear off, slowly revealing its user.
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| The effect lasts only for a limited time, and only prevents visual detection; those using Active Camo can be detected through other means, including motion trackers, any noises they make, and any changes to the environment that result from their movement (things like footprints on soft terrain).
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| Being a Covenant device, Active Camo is most commonly used by [[Special Operations Elites]], [[Stealth Elites]], and [[Brute Stalker]]s. However, all varieties of [[MJOLNIR]] armor after and including the [[Mark V]] can also use the technology.
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| ==Function==
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| [[Image:Hidden Dragon.jpg|thumb|right|170px|A [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] using active camouflage.]]
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| Active Camo will easily cloak its user, but its effect does not completely extend to items in the user's possession; [[Human]] [[weapons]] are easily cloaked, but Covenant weapons are visible even with Active Camo, as the light-bending energy cannot mask the glow of the weapons' plasma. In Halo, however, plasma glow is hidden quite well by the powerup.
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| Though Active Camouflage is quite effective from a distance, it can faintly be seen if an observer is close enough to the wearer. However, it is difficult to spot a camouflaged opponent from a distance using a scoped weapon -- actual physical proximity is required to reliably spot a person using Active Camo. It should be noted, though, that Active Camouflage does not mask environmental effects such as footprints, meaning that it is not as effective on soft terrain (such as the snow found in Halo 3's [[Snowbound]] and [[Avalanche]] [[Multiplayer]] maps).
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| The shielding provided by Active Camo can be disrupted if projectiles pass through it; such a disruption weakens the invisibility effect and temporarily reveals the wearer. The powerup can be disrupted if the wearer fires shots or if the wearer is hit. It also progressively worsens: the longer the wearer fires (or is hit), the more visible they become. Once the disruptions end, however, the wearer quickly regains their invisibility.
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| ==Science==
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| [[Image:1218738155 Invisible.jpg|thumb|right|The Active Camouflage in Halo 2.]]
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| Technically, '''Active Camouflage''' is not quite invisibility, though it is very similar. Rather, it is the term that is used to describe a broad range of [[technology|technologies]] that allows a wearer or object to blend in with its terrain, mimicking the environment around it perfectly, though in two dimensions. There are a variety of ways to do this, though the [[UNSC]] uses photo-reactive panels on its [[SPI|Semi-Powered Armor]] and [[UNSC Prowler|Prowler]] warships for optical camouflage, adapting to account for movement.
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| Though it has never been elaborated on in detail, it is suspected that [[Covenant]] versions of the concept use [[Wikipedia:Phased array optics|phased array optics]] to project a three-dimensional [[hologram]] of background scenery around the wearer of the system, effectively ''bending'' light, a task well within the [[Covenant]]'s technological level. The technology can be utilized on [[Human]] armor systems, such as the [[MJOLNIR]] armor, but the [[UNSC]] has only developed a rough equivalent, the [[Camouflage Cloak]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''</ref>
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| Talc powder and other atmospheric particles can disrupt the systems, causing the technology to overload and fail. <ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> The device also generates a considerable amount of heat, causing its user to be clearly visible on [[Human]] thermal goggles and some variations of the [[Sniper Rifle]]. <ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref> The humans of Alpha Base on Alpha Halo used this advantage when their base was infiltrated by stealth [[Elites]], equipping their [[Fire Team]]s with infrared goggles allowing them to easily see the attackers. In addition, William and Kelly employed smoke in order to overload the camouflage on [[Reach]] in order to find them <ref>[[Halo: First Strike]]</ref>.
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| ==Issues with Other Items==
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| Active Camo is rendered useless by the [[Overshield]] powerup -- the camouflage still masks the wearer, but the glow surrounding him (which is provided by the Overshield) is not hidden. The flaming-helmet side-effect of the [[Bungie Armor]] also makes Active Camo useless.
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| ==Use in Campaign==
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| If the Active Camo is active during [[Campaign]], you are completely invisible to the AI enemies unless you fire your weapon. Active camouflage is only usable in Campaign when you are playing as the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'', or if you pick up [[Cloaking]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''. It is also available as a powerup in five levels during ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': [[Truth and Reconciliation (Level)|Truth and Reconciliation]], [[Silent Cartographer (Level)|Silent Cartographer]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]], and [[Assault on the Control Room (Level)|Assault on the Control Room]].
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| An interesting fact about Active Camouflage is that although you can see the [[Energy Sword|Sword]]-wielding Active Camo Elites in Halo: Combat Evolved (due to the sword), the [[Marine]]s cannot see them; this is likely because the developers didn't realize that the [[Energy Sword]] showed through the Active Camo, leading them to code the Marines' AI to be oblivious to it. This advantage is removed in Halo 2 -- the Elites now wait, only activating their swords when they're about to kill you.
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| In ''Halo 3'', Active Camouflage is replaced by Cloaking, a piece of [[Equipment]] that can be picked up much like the [[Bubble Shield]] or any other item; this allows a player to save the item for later instead of having to use it immediately. The user can hold on to it until it is required in a situation where he or she drastically outnumbered. Activating the Cloaking can even the odds, or avoid contact all together. It is recommended that the user move quickly and relentlessly so that they don't waste the time that the powerup is activated for, as well as the fact they also might be spotted a lot more easily when stationary. This is also recommended in multiplayer.
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| ==Active Camouflage and Shielding==
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| [[Image:Activecamoflauge.jpg|180px|thumb|right|[[Stealth Elite]] using active camouflage.]]
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| An odd discrepancy is present in the difference between ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'' active camouflage. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', [[Stealth Elites]] using active camouflage had no shielding whatsoever; furthermore, Elites were the only Covenant enemies to possess it. However, in the last level, several Elite [[Flood]] [[Combat Form]]s that made their way into the [[Armory (Room)|Armory]] were seen with Active Camouflage generators, but these were presumably infected [[Stealth Elite]]s.
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| In ''Halo 2'' active camouflage was seen in use by both [[Elites]] and [[Grunts]], during [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] and part of [[Regret (Level)|Regret]].
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| In "A Day At the Beach," a supposed [[Elite Minor]] is seen engaging his own active camouflage at the expense of his [[shields]] (though when the camouflage seems to be shorted out by the [[plasma grenade]] explosion his shields are reactivated). It is possible that he is an [[Ossoona]], which would explain why such a seemingly low ranked [[Elite]] has the system, although this is not likely as Minors are not allowed to be Ossoonas due to their lack of experience -- the title is only available to [[Major]]s. <ref>"Extra" cutscene included in retail version of [[Multiplayer Map Pack]]</ref>
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| It can be conjectured from this evidence that perhaps all [[Elite]]s have active camouflage systems installed, but in all but the highest echelons of Elite rankings, the user's shield is deactivated to power the camouflage. Only ''Halo 2'' era [[Stealth Elites]], [[Ultra Elites]], [[Arbiter (Rank)|the Arbiter]], and [[Special Operations Elites]] seem to have enough power in their armor to run both systems at the same time, although the Arbiter can only use active camouflage for a short while.
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| ==Halo 2 Active Camouflage==
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| In ''Halo 2'', it is noted that the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]'s armor, while possessing a built-in active camouflage generator, is not permanent, unlike the more modern generators used by Special Operations Elites. There is a circle on the player's [[HUD]] that shows the amount of time left for both the usage of the active camouflage and the recharging sequence. The [[Master Chief]], can gain this ability with the [[Halo 2 Skulls#Envy|Envy Skull]] on [[Legendary]] only; however, his screen will lack the meter, forcing you to remember the time allowed for use.
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| When playing as the Arbiter, using any attack besides melee will cause the active camouflage to deactivate, and the player must wait for it to recharge before using it again.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', All levels playable as the Arbiter</ref>
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| ==Halo 3 Active Camouflage==
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| {{Main|Cloaking}}
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| [[Image:ActiveCamo.jpg|150px|thumb|right|The Active Camouflage in ''Halo 3''.]]
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| The Active Camo is no longer contained inside a pyramid construct. Instead it appears as a large, glowing sphere with what appears to be containment devices around it, enclosing the powerup in ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[multiplayer]]; but unlike past Halo games however, active camo is ''not'' found in campaign. In campaign, Active Camouflage is replaced by the [[Cloaking]] [[equipment]], which functions in the same way as active camouflage once used. Melee attacks, shooting, throwing grenades and using equipment will negate the effect of the power-up. Also, wearing the [[Armor Permutations#Spartan Armor Permutations|Flaming Helmet]] is an obvious give-away to the opponent because the fire is still visible. A popular video on YouTube is that of a Bungie worker with the Flaming Helmet grabbing Active Camo and then being sniped due to the fire.
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| It is best to use the [[Shotgun]] and [[Flame Thrower]] or other one-hit-kill weapons with the camo.
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| The quality of camouflage in custom games may be set to two different settings<ref>http://www.gametrailers.com/player/20131.html</ref>:
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| *Poor Camo: The player has camouflage that might fool a [[Grunt]].
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| **The player is still somewhat visible.
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| *Good Camo: The player has camouflage that will fool an attentive [[Elite]].
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| **This makes the player almost invisible, but the light is distorted within the player's shape.
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| ==[[Spartan-III]]==
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| The Spartan-IIIs in Ghosts of Onyx utilize their own version of Active Camouflage, using panels to impersonate the surrounding environment like a chameleon. When combined with their natural talent and training for stealth, it is a very effective tool, rendering them almost invisible. (Spartan-III [[Olivia]] was noted for having a natural talent for stealth and scouting). This feature was tested by [[ODST]]s and saw very limited use in [[2552]].
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| ==Character compatibility==
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| [[Image:AC flame head.jpg|thumb|[[Bungie armor]] and Active Camo in Halo 3.|180px|right]]
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| *[[Elites]] (All Games)
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| *[[Spartans]] (All Games)
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| *[[Flood Combat Form]] ([[Halo 1]] and Halo 2 only)
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| *[[Grunts]] (Halo 2, can also be seen on Halo: Custom Edition maps.)
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| Note: All enemies are capable of using active camouflage in Halo 2 if the [[Assassins]] skull is active. Even enemies such as Hunters, Jackals and Flood forms are affected.
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| {{clear}}
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| ==Trivia==
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| *Changing the graphics card settings on [[Halo PC]] (lowering the quality and effects) makes active camouflage users appear as an easily-seen grey, opaque silhouette.
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| *In Halo 1, players will learn from the campaign and playing against Stealth Elites to shoot the very obvious shimmer that AC generates. It's easiest to just sit in a corner and wait for a nearby object to blur, then shoot the blur.
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| *On [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], if you go right off of the fallen tree towards a small indention in the hill, you will find an Active Camouflage next to the pipeline.
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| *Active Camouflage generates heat,<ref>''[[Halo:The Flood]]''</ref> which can be taken advantage of by the use of infrared equipment by [[UNSC]] forces.
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| *The [[Separatist Phantom]] in ''Halo 3'' has its own Active Camouflage generators on board for various stealth missions.
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| *Oddly enough, a group of Major and Minor Grunts in the Halo 2 level [[Delta Halo]] used Active Camouflage as they fought alongside a group of [[Stealth Elites]]. This suggests that at least some lower ranked Grunts have this equipment.
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| *As stated in the [[Halo 2]] Piggyback Official Guide, when used in association with an [[Overshield]], the Active Camo becomes completely useless due to the charges of the overshield washing over the player's body (except in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''). In [[Halo 3]], the same effect occurs when Active Camouflage and Overshields are both working.
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| *The Active Camouflage has no effect on the flames on the [[Bungie Employee]] flaming helmet, allowing enemies to more easily locate the user of the helmet.
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| *With the [[Envy]] skull on in [[Halo 2]], the [[Master Chief]]'s flashlight will be replaced with active camouflage. This can also be combined with a glitch which allows you to reload from a checkpoint, after saving and quitting, and turning off your console, with infinite active camouflage. This makes the Campaign on Halo 2 considerably easier, even on Legendary difficulty.
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| *Freelancer agent Tex (in [[Red vs Blue]]) had a special 'built in' cloaking device, much like the Arbiter's.
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| *The Halo 2 Assassin's skull that is found in [[Regret (level)|Regret]] makes all opposition invisible permanently.
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| *The active camo can be seen very easily with your flashlight on.
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| *In any Halo game, when you have active camouflage on and you get in a vehicle, the camouflage stays on and appears as if there was a ghost driving it or that it was driving itself (works particularly well with the Warthog LAAG). It works with any vehicle that the player is visible while driving. | |
| *In Halo 2 for Windows Vista, when playing on Threshold, your comrades are not picked up by radar when camouflaged.
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| *The lights on a [[Gravity hammer]] can be seen clearly when camouflaged. It is not recommended to have a Gravity Hammer either as your primary weapon or secondary weapon when using active camo, as the lights make you an easy target for experienced snipers.
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| *The active camo is only active for about 30 seconds in matchmaking.
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| == Related Links ==
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| *[[Overshield]]
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| *[[Permanent Invisibility]]
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| *[[Custom Powerup]]
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| == References ==
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| <references/>
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| [[Category:Technology]] | | [[Category:Technology]] |
| [[Category:The Covenant]] | | [[Category:The Covenant]] |
