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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Title|''Kai''-pattern Seraph}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the Seraph seen in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]]|Seraph model seen in [[Halo: Reach]], [[Halo 4]] and several other sources|Morsam-pattern Seraph}}
{{Disambig header|the Seraph seen in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]]|Seraph model seen in [[Halo: Reach]], [[Halo 4]] and several other sources|Morsam-pattern Seraph}}
{{Ship class infobox
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=Kai-pattern Seraph
|name=''Kai''-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter
|image=[[File:H3-T31SeraphXMF-FrontRender.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:Enc22 KaiSeraph.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Tertiary Assembly Forges]]<ref name="warfleet">'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', p. 58-59</ref>
|manufacturer=[[Tertiary Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleet|HWF|Page=58-59}}
|class=[[Seraph]]
|line=[[Seraph]]
|role=Combat [[space fighter]]
|model=
|length={{Convert|23.9|m|ft}}<ref name="warfleet"/>
|cost=
|width={{Convert|15.93|m|ft}}
|length={{Convert|78.4|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=288}}
|height={{Convert|5.35|m|ft}}
|width={{Convert|52.3|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass=50 metric tons<ref name="warfleet"/>
|height={{Convert|5.35|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|power=
|mass={{Convert|50|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|engine=[[Impulse drive]]<ref name="warfleet"/>
|max speed=
|slipspace drive=
|engine=[[Impulse drive]]{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}
|navigation=
|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]
|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]
*Equipped with Auto Repair.<ref name="warfleet"/>
*Equipped with auto repair{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}
|shielding=[[energy shielding|Multiphase energy shielding]]<ref name="warfleet"/>
*[[Energy shielding|Multiphase energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}
|armament=
|armament=
*4× ''Tevaas Mu''-pattern [[heavy plasma cannon]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>
'''Standard loadout'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2× ''Novox''-pattern [[Fuel rod cannon]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>
*4 ''Tevaas Mu''-pattern [[heavy plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2 ''Novox''-pattern [[fuel rod cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|crew=1 [[Obedientiary]] [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=
|complement=
|crew=1 [[pilot]]<ref name="warfleet"/>
|consumables=
|passengers=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|firstuse=
|service=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Great Schism]]
*[[Great Schism]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|role=Combat [[space fighter]]
|introduced=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]
}}
}}
The '''Kai-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter''' is one of the premiere fighters in the '''[[Seraph]]''' line of [[space fighter]], utilised by the [[Covenant]] for centuries. Beginning in the 25th century, the ''Kai'' began to be replaced with the newer {{Pattern|Morsam|Seraph|}} fighters, though the ''Kai'' continued to serve in the Covenant's fleets up until the empire's collapse in [[2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


The '''Kai-pattern Seraph''' was one of the main [[design pattern]]s of the [[Covenant]]'s [[Seraph]] [[space fighter]]s, alongside the [[Morsam-pattern Seraph|Morsam-pattern]].<ref name="warfleet"/>
==Overview==
===Design details===
The ''Kai''-pattern Seraph features a piscine, teardrop-like shape, fitting with the overall design elegance the [[Covenant]] is known for. Seraph fighters are mostly stored in the [[hangar bay]]s of Covenant ships or stations when they are not in battle or escorting a ship. The Kai-pattern is equipped with a multiphase energy shield, although this does not seem to always be the case.{{Ref/Film|Id=package|HLeg|Episode=The Package (animated short)}} The shields also reinforce the craft's inertial compensators, absorbing energy from impacts that would rip other craft apart.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} Seraph hull plating self-repairs when damaged, adjusting to compensate for lost aerodynamic features during combat.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} The tail assembly acts as a thrust vectoring system, increasing its maneuverability by redirecting the impulse drive exhaust. However, the tail of a Kai-pattern Seraph isn't physically articulate in the way that the Morsam-pattern is. Power can be temporarily diverted from other systems in order to give the fighter an acceleration boost.


==Specifications==
Though not specifically intended for atmospheric use, Seraphs still are significantly faster than Banshees while flying at low altitudes. They have even been shown to fly in the hurricane-force winds of the gas giant [[Threshold]].{{Ref/Level|Id=oracle|H2|The Oracle}} The Seraph's control pod offers reinforced, armored protection for the pilot, containing the multi-port connectors to fit the pilot's [[combat harness]].{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} Seraphs are controlled via a direct neural interface with their flight harness, using minimal safety cutouts and filters. While the pilot's body is rendered immobile to reduce the risk of injury, they control the ship with their thought, in much the same way as a UNSC pilot's neural interface.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} Unlike UNSC systems, however, this method induces significant pain called interface burn in the pilot. Elites enter a meditative state before they complete an uplink to control the pain, while Brute pilots embrace the pain to trigger their own focus.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}
===Design details===
The Seraph features a piscine, teardrop-like shape, fitting with the overall design elegance the [[Covenant]] is known for. Seraph fighters are mostly stored in the [[hangar bay]]s of Covenant ships or stations when they are not in battle or escorting a ship. The Kai-pattern has a shield although this does not seem to always be the case.<ref name="package">'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package]]''</ref> They also reinforce the craft's inertial compensators, allowing the craft to take hits that would rip other craft apart.<ref name="warfleet"/> Seraph hull plating self-repairs when damaged, adjusting to compensate for lost aerodynamic features during combat.<ref name="warfleet"/>


Though not specifically intended for atmospheric use, Seraphs still are significantly faster than Banshees while flying at low altitudes. They have even been shown to fly in the hurricane-force winds of the gas giant [[Threshold]].<ref name="oracle">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref> Seraphs are controlled via a direct neural interface with their flight harness, using minimal safety cutouts and filters. While the pilot's body is rendered immobile to reduce the risk of injury, they control the ship with their thought, much the same way as a UNSC pilot's neural interface.<ref name="warfleet"/> Unlike UNSC systems, however, this method induces significant pain called interface burn in the pilot. Elites enter a meditative state before they complete an uplink to control the pain, while Brute pilots embrace the pain to trigger their own focus.<ref name="warfleet"/>
[[Sangheili]] pilots considered piloting a Seraph merely a means to attain enough glory to be reassigned to a ground combat position, valuing their fighters only as tools to accomplish this. Despite their extensive training, their honor code gave them a tendency to peel off from their squadrons to engage in one-on-one dogfights, making them vulnerable in combat. On the other hand, [[Jiralhanae]] pilots were excluded from such training, but their pack mentality and rigid social hierarchy made them far more effective teams. Human pilots soon learned to fear Brute-piloted Seraphs, identified by clan markings and Forerunner symbols carved on their hulls, more than Elite-piloted Seraphs.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}}


===Armaments===
===Armaments===
*4× ''Tevaas Mu''-pattern [[heavy plasma cannon]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>
The ''Kai''-Pattern Seraph can be found in a number of specialist variants with varying armaments.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} However, the standard-issue design wields four ''Tevaas Mu''-pattern [[heavy plasma cannon]]s and two ''Novox''-pattern [[Fuel rod cannon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} These plasma cannons are fired in twin-linked pairs which are offset at angles in order to maximise the starfighter's peripheral coverage. Gravitic mirrors installed around each of the cannons provide aiming and focus for each volley.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2× ''Novox''-pattern [[Fuel rod cannon]]s<ref name="warfleet"/>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
Kai-pattern Seraphs saw operational use throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref>[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]], pages 72-73</ref> These starfighters provided excellent fire support to all Covenant forces in space and on the groundside. Elite pilots considered piloting a Seraph merely a means to attain enough glory to be reassigned to a ground combat position, valuing their fighters only as tools to accomplish this. Despite their extensive training, their honor code gave them a tendency to peel off from their squadrons to engage in one-on-one dogfights, making them vulnerable in combat. Brute pilots were excluded from such training, but their pack mentality and rigid social hierarchy made them far more effective teams. Human pilots soon learned to fear Brute-piloted Seraphs, identified by clan markings and Forerunner symbols carved on their hulls, more than Elite-piloted Seraphs.<ref name="warfleet"/>
The ''Kai'' is a long-lived [[design pattern]], having served in the [[Covenant]] for centuries prior to the empire's fall into [[Great Schism|civil war]]. As such, their ubiquitous nature meant that they became the standard by which all other forms of air superiority were measured in the [[Covenant fleet]]. Beginning in the 2400s, the ''Kai'' was reinterpreted by the [[Assembly Forges]] of [[High Charity]] in a sleeker form as the {{Pattern|Morsam|Seraph}} - a variation which began to circulate throughout the fleet. Both were still heavily used by the 2500s, and both saw service in the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
During the war, Seraph starfighters provided excellent fire support to all Covenant forces in space and groundside. Seraphs were organised into [[talon]]s of eight or more craft, which would split into hunting pairs when on a mission.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleet}} They were prominently used by the [[Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence]] during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]],{{Ref/Reuse|package}} and again by the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] during the [[Battle for Earth]].{{Ref/Level|H2|Cairo Station}}


Kai-patern Seraphs were prominently used during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]], the [[Battle for Earth]].<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Cairo Station]]''</ref>
During the [[Battle of Installation 04]], an artifact hunting (later-turned [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic]]) group led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] was dispatched to investigate a [[Forerunner]] [[Threshold gas mine|gas mine]] within the atmosphere of [[Threshold]]. The team had at least one ''Kai''-pattern in their posession, which was intended by 'Refumee as an escape option in the event of [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine|an attack]] by the Covenant. Though 'Refumee reached the fighter, he was intercepted in the hanger by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee and before the heretic leader could make his escape. The Seraph was abandoned in the gas mine and destroyed shortly thereafter with it.{{Ref/Reuse|oracle}}


During the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]], [[Sesa 'Refumee]] tried to escape on a Seraph after [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee severed the cable holding [[Threshold gas mine|the gas mine]] suspended in [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere. Though 'Refumee reached the fighter, the Arbiter intercepted him in the hanger and killed 'Refumee before the Heretic Leader could make good his escape. The Seraph was abandoned in the gas mine and destroyed shortly thereafter with it.<ref name="oracle"/>
During the [[Battle of Installation 00]], the Prophet of Truth's fleet deployed numerous Seraphs against the UNSC/Sangheili [[Covenant separatists|separatist]] fleet in an effort to stop them from landing ground forces on the Ark. The Seraphs shot down a few [[Pelican]]s, but could not stop the others from breaking through.{{Ref/Level|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}}


During the [[Battle of Installation 00]], the Prophet of Truth's fleet deployed numerous Seraphs against the UNSC/Sangheili fleet in an effort to stop them from landing ground forces on the Ark. The Seraphs shot down a few Pelicans, but could not stop the others from breaking through.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> The Seraphs were presumably destroyed along with the rest of the Covenant fleet.
==Production notes==
[[File:PXH Seraph Back.png|The back view of this Seraph.|thumb|250px|The ''Combat Evolved''-era Seraph, then a Covenant tank.]]
{{Main|Cut Halo: Combat Evolved vehicles#Covenant tank}}
{{Quote|That, my friend, is a Seraph fighter. [...] But, the funny thing is that the Seraph fighter is actually the old, old, old, old Halo Covenant tank, right, that Shi-Kai built. That ship that you just saw, that sort of, round, almost... What do you call it? Cuttlefish. Used to be a Covenant tank, back in the day. And maybe again.|[[Joseph Staten]] discussing the Covenant tank's evolution into the Seraph fighter.{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]|Halo 2 Developer Commentary}}}}
During the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', what would become the ''Kai''-pattern Seraph was originally developed by [[Shi Kai Wang]] as a Covenant [[tank]] unit in [[1998]].{{Ref/Twitter|Dr_Abominable|464351948297089024|Paul Russel|Quote=The Seraph was actually, verbatim, a design (also built) for a covenant tank dating back to 1998.|D=30|M=10|Y=2020}} The Seraph, fully modelled and textured, was present in the [[2000]]-era builds of ''Combat Evolved'' when the game was still a third-person game. The model seen in this early build featured "wings", though was ultimately one of the [[Cut Halo: Combat Evolved vehicles|many vehicles]] cut from the game as development progressed. The model was later reused in the ''Halo 2'' levels [[The Arbiter]] and [[The Oracle]], featured as a starfighter in the Threshold gas mines - though without the wings present in the original design. Despite this, the model found in ''Halo 2'' uses the exact same textures as the original.{{Ref/Twitter|RejectedShotgun|1413410766145822727|RejectedShotgun|My attempt at the c_ground_transport vehicle @game_fabricator showed off earlier. I'll probably mod it into CE tomorrow. Thanks to @Tempest_Sean for pointing out the textures from the 2000 build are still in Halo 2.|D=11|M=7|Y=2021}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Type-31 Seraphs}}
In the ''Halo Legends'' episode ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]'', when [[Kelly-087]] yells ''"Seraph formation!"'', the subtitles mistakenly say, ''"Syrup formation!"''
*The Seraph is actually an old model of a Covenant tank that [[Shi Kai Wang]] created.<ref name="h3">'''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]''' - ''[https://youtu.be/sBi_xx26ClM?t=1692 DVD Commentary]''</ref>
*In the ''Halo Legends'' episode ''The Package'', when [[Kelly-087]] yells ''"Seraph formation!"'', the subtitles mistakenly say, ''"Syrup formation!"''


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:HCE CovenantTank Concept 1.png|Early concept art for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''{{'}}s Covenant tank.
File:HCE CovenantTank Concept 2.png|Concept art for the Covenant tank, further resembling the final design.
File:PXH SeraphShadow.png|The Covenant tank-era Seraph (foreground) alongside the "ground transport" - itself an early predecessor to ''Halo 2''{{'}}s [[Ruwaa-pattern Shadow|Shadow]].
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H2 - Seraph Overview.png|An overview of the Type-31 ''Kai''-pattern ''"Seraph"''.
File:H2 - Seraph Overview.png|An overview of the ''Halo 2'' ''Kai''-pattern Seraph.
File:H2-Heretic-T31SeraphXMF-Overview.png|An alternate in-game overview of the Seraph from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-Heretic-T31SeraphXMF-Overview.png|An alternate in-game overview of the Seraph from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-CovenantSeraph-Overview.png|Views of the Seraph in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-CovenantSeraph-Overview.png|Views of the Seraph in ''Halo 2''.
File:Heretic Seraph.png|A Seraph docked inside the [[Threshold gas mine]].
File:Heretic Seraph.png|A Seraph docked inside the [[Threshold gas mine]].
File:H3-T31SeraphXMF-Overview.png|Overview of the Seraph in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-T31SeraphXMF-Overview.png|Overview of the Seraph in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-T31SeraphXMF-FrontRender.png|A render of the ''Kai''-pattern Seraph in ''Halo 3''.
File:H2A - Seraph model.jpg|A render of a Seraph for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A - Seraph model.jpg|A render of a Seraph for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:OpeningShot1-large-crop.jpg|Separatist Seraph fighters engaging loyalist Seraph fighters over [[Installation 00]].
File:OpeningShot1-large-crop.jpg|Separatist Seraph fighters engaging loyalist Seraph fighters over [[Installation 00]].
File:H2ACampaign TheHereticSeraph.png|The Seraph fighter docked within the Threshold gas mine, as seen in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.  
File:H2ACampaign TheHereticSeraph.png|The Seraph fighter docked within the Threshold gas mine, as seen in ''Halo 2 Anniversary''.
File:H2ACampaign TheHereticSeraph2.png|A frontal view of the Seraph fighter aboard the gas mine.  
File:H2ACampaign TheHereticSeraph2.png|A frontal view of the Seraph fighter aboard the gas mine.
File:HM SpaceBattle ColourAdjusted Small.jpg|Kai-pattern Seraphs in active combat in ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''.
File:HM SpaceBattle ColourAdjusted Small.jpg|Kai-pattern Seraphs in active combat in ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]'' {{C|Motion comic only}}
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
{{Col-end}}
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}
{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 09:01, November 26, 2023

This article is about the Seraph seen in Halo 2 and Halo 3. For Seraph model seen in Halo: Reach, Halo 4 and several other sources, see Morsam-pattern Seraph.
Kai-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter
The Kai-pattern Seraph in Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition).
Production information

Manufacturer:

Tertiary Assembly Forges[1]

Product line:

Seraph

Technical specifications

Length:

23.9 meters (78.4 ft)[1][2]

Width:

15.9 meters (52.3 ft)[1][2]

Height:

1.63 meters (5.35 ft)[1][2]

Mass:

50 metric tons (49 LT; 55 ST)[1][2]

Engine(s):

Impulse drive[1]

Hull:

Nanolaminate hull plating

Armament:

Standard loadout[2]

Crew:

1 Obedientiary pilot[1][2]

Usage

In service:

Role(s):

Combat space fighter

Affiliation:

Covenant

 

The Kai-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter is one of the premiere fighters in the Seraph line of space fighter, utilised by the Covenant for centuries. Beginning in the 25th century, the Kai began to be replaced with the newer Morsam-pattern fighters, though the Kai continued to serve in the Covenant's fleets up until the empire's collapse in 2552.[2]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The Kai-pattern Seraph features a piscine, teardrop-like shape, fitting with the overall design elegance the Covenant is known for. Seraph fighters are mostly stored in the hangar bays of Covenant ships or stations when they are not in battle or escorting a ship. The Kai-pattern is equipped with a multiphase energy shield, although this does not seem to always be the case.[3] The shields also reinforce the craft's inertial compensators, absorbing energy from impacts that would rip other craft apart.[1] Seraph hull plating self-repairs when damaged, adjusting to compensate for lost aerodynamic features during combat.[1] The tail assembly acts as a thrust vectoring system, increasing its maneuverability by redirecting the impulse drive exhaust. However, the tail of a Kai-pattern Seraph isn't physically articulate in the way that the Morsam-pattern is. Power can be temporarily diverted from other systems in order to give the fighter an acceleration boost.

Though not specifically intended for atmospheric use, Seraphs still are significantly faster than Banshees while flying at low altitudes. They have even been shown to fly in the hurricane-force winds of the gas giant Threshold.[4] The Seraph's control pod offers reinforced, armored protection for the pilot, containing the multi-port connectors to fit the pilot's combat harness.[1] Seraphs are controlled via a direct neural interface with their flight harness, using minimal safety cutouts and filters. While the pilot's body is rendered immobile to reduce the risk of injury, they control the ship with their thought, in much the same way as a UNSC pilot's neural interface.[1] Unlike UNSC systems, however, this method induces significant pain called interface burn in the pilot. Elites enter a meditative state before they complete an uplink to control the pain, while Brute pilots embrace the pain to trigger their own focus.[1]

Sangheili pilots considered piloting a Seraph merely a means to attain enough glory to be reassigned to a ground combat position, valuing their fighters only as tools to accomplish this. Despite their extensive training, their honor code gave them a tendency to peel off from their squadrons to engage in one-on-one dogfights, making them vulnerable in combat. On the other hand, Jiralhanae pilots were excluded from such training, but their pack mentality and rigid social hierarchy made them far more effective teams. Human pilots soon learned to fear Brute-piloted Seraphs, identified by clan markings and Forerunner symbols carved on their hulls, more than Elite-piloted Seraphs.[1]

Armaments[edit]

The Kai-Pattern Seraph can be found in a number of specialist variants with varying armaments.[2] However, the standard-issue design wields four Tevaas Mu-pattern heavy plasma cannons and two Novox-pattern Fuel rod cannons.[1] These plasma cannons are fired in twin-linked pairs which are offset at angles in order to maximise the starfighter's peripheral coverage. Gravitic mirrors installed around each of the cannons provide aiming and focus for each volley.[2]

Operational history[edit]

The Kai is a long-lived design pattern, having served in the Covenant for centuries prior to the empire's fall into civil war. As such, their ubiquitous nature meant that they became the standard by which all other forms of air superiority were measured in the Covenant fleet. Beginning in the 2400s, the Kai was reinterpreted by the Assembly Forges of High Charity in a sleeker form as the Morsam-pattern Seraph - a variation which began to circulate throughout the fleet. Both were still heavily used by the 2500s, and both saw service in the Human-Covenant War.[2]

During the war, Seraph starfighters provided excellent fire support to all Covenant forces in space and groundside. Seraphs were organised into talons of eight or more craft, which would split into hunting pairs when on a mission.[1] They were prominently used by the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence during Operation: WARM BLANKET,[3] and again by the Fleet of Sacred Consecration during the Battle for Earth.[5]

During the Battle of Installation 04, an artifact hunting (later-turned heretic) group led by Sesa 'Refumee was dispatched to investigate a Forerunner gas mine within the atmosphere of Threshold. The team had at least one Kai-pattern in their posession, which was intended by 'Refumee as an escape option in the event of an attack by the Covenant. Though 'Refumee reached the fighter, he was intercepted in the hanger by Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee and before the heretic leader could make his escape. The Seraph was abandoned in the gas mine and destroyed shortly thereafter with it.[4]

During the Battle of Installation 00, the Prophet of Truth's fleet deployed numerous Seraphs against the UNSC/Sangheili separatist fleet in an effort to stop them from landing ground forces on the Ark. The Seraphs shot down a few Pelicans, but could not stop the others from breaking through.[6]

Production notes[edit]

Pre-Xbox Halo image of the Seraph tank.
The Combat Evolved-era Seraph, then a Covenant tank.
Main article: Cut Halo: Combat Evolved vehicles#Covenant tank

"That, my friend, is a Seraph fighter. [...] But, the funny thing is that the Seraph fighter is actually the old, old, old, old Halo Covenant tank, right, that Shi-Kai built. That ship that you just saw, that sort of, round, almost... What do you call it? Cuttlefish. Used to be a Covenant tank, back in the day. And maybe again."
— Joseph Staten discussing the Covenant tank's evolution into the Seraph fighter.[7]

During the development of Halo: Combat Evolved, what would become the Kai-pattern Seraph was originally developed by Shi Kai Wang as a Covenant tank unit in 1998.[8] The Seraph, fully modelled and textured, was present in the 2000-era builds of Combat Evolved when the game was still a third-person game. The model seen in this early build featured "wings", though was ultimately one of the many vehicles cut from the game as development progressed. The model was later reused in the Halo 2 levels The Arbiter and The Oracle, featured as a starfighter in the Threshold gas mines - though without the wings present in the original design. Despite this, the model found in Halo 2 uses the exact same textures as the original.[9]

Trivia[edit]

In the Halo Legends episode The Package, when Kelly-087 yells "Seraph formation!", the subtitles mistakenly say, "Syrup formation!"

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Development images[edit]

  • Early concept art for Halo: Combat Evolved's Covenant tank.

    Early concept art for Halo: Combat Evolved's Covenant tank.

  • Concept art for the Covenant tank, further resembling the final design.

    Concept art for the Covenant tank, further resembling the final design.

  • The Covenant tank-era Seraph (foreground) alongside the "ground transport" - itself an early predecessor to Halo 2's Shadow.

    The Covenant tank-era Seraph (foreground) alongside the "ground transport" - itself an early predecessor to Halo 2's Shadow.

Screenshots[edit]

  • An overview of the Halo 2 Kai-pattern Seraph.

    An overview of the Halo 2 Kai-pattern Seraph.

  • An alternate in-game overview of the Seraph from Halo 2.

    An alternate in-game overview of the Seraph from Halo 2.

  • Views of the Seraph in Halo 2.

    Views of the Seraph in Halo 2.

  • A Seraph docked inside the Threshold gas mine.

    A Seraph docked inside the Threshold gas mine.

  • Overview of the Seraph in Halo 3.

    Overview of the Seraph in Halo 3.

  • A render of the Kai-pattern Seraph in Halo 3.

    A render of the Kai-pattern Seraph in Halo 3.

  • A render of a Seraph for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A render of a Seraph for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Separatist Seraph fighters engaging loyalist Seraph fighters over Installation 00.

    Separatist Seraph fighters engaging loyalist Seraph fighters over Installation 00.

  • The Seraph fighter docked within the Threshold gas mine, as seen in Halo 2 Anniversary.

    The Seraph fighter docked within the Threshold gas mine, as seen in Halo 2 Anniversary.

  • A frontal view of the Seraph fighter aboard the gas mine.

    A frontal view of the Seraph fighter aboard the gas mine.

  • Kai-pattern Seraphs in active combat in Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo.

    Kai-pattern Seraphs in active combat in Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Halo: Warfleet, page 58-59
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 288
  3. ^ a b Halo Legends, episode The Package (animated short)
  4. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
  5. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  6. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  7. ^ Halo 3 Legendary Edition, Halo 2 Developer Commentary
  8. ^ Twitter, Paul Russel (@Dr_Abominable): "The Seraph was actually, verbatim, a design (also built) for a covenant tank dating back to 1998." (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2020) [archive]
  9. ^ Twitter, RejectedShotgun (@RejectedShotgun) (Retrieved on Jul 11, 2021) [archive]

v • d • e
 
Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Craft of the Covenant and its remnants
Combat aircraft
Support aircraft and gunships
Troop carriers
Boarding craft
Exoatmospheric Craft and shuttles
Drop pods and escape pods
Single-occupant Assault carapace: Suspa Al-pattern • Udka-pattern

Breaching carapace: Kalu'teh-pattern • Gloto-pattern
Intrusion carapace: Yado-pattern
Miscellaneous: Gydrozka Workshop Breaching Pod

Multiple-occupant Assault carapace: Gloto'kas-pattern • Gloto'kef-pattern • Yado'kef-pattern

Breaching carapace: Kalu'qeh-pattern

Miscellaneous Escape pod
Civilian transport craft
Pre-Covenant craft
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