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{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Title|''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom}}
{{Center|This article is about the Phantom introduced in ''Halo 2''. For other Phantom models, see [[Phantom]].}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
{{Disambig header|the Phantom introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''|other Phantom models|Phantom}}
|image= [[File:H2A Render Phantom.png|300px]]
{{Ship class infobox
|name = Type-52 Troop Carrier
|image=[[File:H2A Render Phantom.png|300px]]
|manufacturer = [[Assembly Forges]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 137''</ref>
|name = ''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport
|class = Type-52
|manufacturer = [[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=137}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|length = {{Convert|32.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 268'' (2009 edition); ''page 281'' (2011 edition)</ref>
|class = [[Phantom]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|width = {{Convert|20.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC"/>
|length = {{Convert|106.2|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|width = {{Convert|66.8|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|height = {{Convert|39.7|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|174.6|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|hull=
|hull=
|crew=[[Pilot]], co-pilot, navigator, operations officer
|crew=*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|complement=*16–30 passengers<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/phantom/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Phantom''] (defunct, backup on [https://web.archive.org/web/20111228115852/http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/phantom/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2#imageNumber=1 Archive.org])</ref>
*1 co-pilot{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*2 [[Type-32 Ghost]]s
*1 navigator{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
*1 [[Type-26 Wraith]]
*1 operations officer{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
|skeleton=1 pilot
|complement=*24 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|capacity=
*2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
|engine=Twin [[impulse drive]] system<ref name="HW">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/phantom '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Phantom'']</ref>
|engine=Twin [[impulse drive]] system{{Ref/Site|Id=HW|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/phantom|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Phantom|D=26|M=11|Y=2015}}
|slipspace drive=Not equipped
|slipspace drive=
|armament=*1–3 [[heavy plasma cannon]]s<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint"/>
|armament=3 [[medium plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*2 [[Type-52 plasma cannon]]s<ref name="waypoint"/>
|introduced=[[2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
|consumables=
|othersystems=[[Gravity lift]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
|othersystems=[[Gravity lift]]
|role=*[[Dropship]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|firstuse=[[2531]]
*Gunship{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|role=[[Dropship]], gunship, support
*Support{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Great Schism]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]<br>[[Swords of Sanghelios]]<br>[[Servants of Abiding Truth]]<br>[[Merg Vol's Covenant]]<br>[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[Great Schism]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
**[[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]]{{Ref/Book|Id=HSOI|Halo: Shadow of Intent}}
**[[Blooding Years]]{{Ref/Book|Id=mythos|Mythos}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*[[Covenant separatists]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
**[[Fleet of Retribution]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}
**[[San'Shyuum flotilla]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HDW|Halo: Divine Wind}}
***[[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Reuse|HDW}}
**[[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttw133|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=133}}
**[[Swords of Sanghelios]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}
}}
}}


The '''Type-52 Troop Carrier''', more commonly known as the '''Phantom''' by [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces, is a troop carrier and gunship in service with the [[Covenant]].<ref name="ENC"/> They are used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire. The Type-52 Phantom is one of the primary [[dropship]]s in service with the Covenant.<ref name="waypoint"/> Introduced into the [[2552|final year]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the Type-52 Phantom was created by [[Assembly Forges]] to replace the earlier [[Type-44 Phantom]].<ref name="HW"/>
The '''''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=282}} {{Type|52|Troop Carrier|TC}}, more commonly known as the '''Phantom''', is a [[dropship|troop carrier]] and gunship in service with the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}  They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/phantom/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2|Site=Halo Official Site|Page=Phantom Halo Official Site|D=28|M=12|Y=2011}}


==Specifications==
==Overview==
===Design details===
===Design details===
[[File:H2A Render PhantomInterior-Cropped.png|thumb|left|250px|The interior of a Type-52 Phantom.]]
[[File:H2A Render PhantomInterior-Cropped.png|thumb|left|250px|The interior of a ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom.]]
The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.<ref name="ENC"/> The Type-52 Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin [[impulse drive]] propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.<ref name="HW"/> On either side of the [[dropship]] lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral [[gravity lift]] that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.<ref name="waypoint"/> A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''', ''page ???''</ref> An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 142''</ref>
The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the [[Human-Covenant War|War of Annihilation]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and [[Covenant Special Operations|special operation]] details.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin [[impulse drive]] propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} On either side of the [[dropship]] lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral [[gravity lift]] that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=???}} An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Mortal Dictata|Page=142}}


One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the Type-52 Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. Despite being larger than the [[Type-25 Spirit]], the Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.<ref name="waypoint"/> The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77-TC Pelican]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the Type-25 Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.<ref name="ENC"/>
One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77-TC Pelican]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional [[Spirit]] dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=268}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=281}}
 
===Armament===
Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the {{Pattern|Mikpramu|Phantom}}) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation [[heavy plasma cannon]] turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational [[medium plasma cannon]]s, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.{{Ref/Game|Id=h2|H2|Detail=''campaign gameplay''}}


===Crew and complement===
===Crew and complement===
[[File:Brute Pack.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Jiralhanae]] soldiers aboard a Phantom.]]
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral [[gravity lift]] and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} Like the Spirit dropship and the older {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s or a single {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} or {{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}.{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot, a navigator, and an operations officer who is in charge of the defensive automatic [[heavy plasma cannon]]s. The Phantom can carry from as little as sixteen to as much as thirty "standard" passengers in its troop bay, depending on the personnel size of each model of the Type-52 Phantom.<ref name="waypoint"/> Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral [[gravity lift]] and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.<ref name="ENC"/> They have also been seen to transport teams of [[Huragok]], which are carried in cases and swing from the Phantom's underside.<ref>'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'''</ref>


Like the Spirit dropship, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two [[Type-32 Ghost]]s or a single [[Type-26 Wraith]] or [[Type-46 Spectre]], as well as essential equipment such as [[deployable lookout tower]]s, and components of [[Type-27 Mantis|anti-aircraft batteries]] by utilizing its [[gravity lift]].<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="waypoint"/>
===Usage===
Introduced into the [[2552|final year]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was created by [[Assembly Forges]] to replace the earlier {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} as its improvement over it in every way.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} It was one of the primary Covenant [[dropship]]s and the most well-known of Phantoms among the [[human]]s, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the [[Fall of Reach]] and [[Battle for Earth]], though many Covenant forces never used it before the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] that effectively ended its production.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


===Armament===
==Identified Phantoms==
Although Phantoms are rarely deployed in a gunship role, they are equipped with a large armament.<ref name="waypoint"/> The Phantom has several armor and armament configurations that vary depending on the model.<ref name="ENC"/> Typically, Phantoms have a single [[heavy plasma cannon]] located underneath its nose and twin, with two side-mounted [[Type-52 plasma cannon]]s attached to the dropship’s open bay doors.<ref name="waypoint"/><ref name="hr">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref> These plasma cannons are often operated by [[Unggoy]] soldiers. A second model replaces the heavy plasma cannon with a fully automatic one.<ref name="h3">'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref> Another model is armed with three separate, automatic, fully rotational heavy plasma cannons.<ref name="ENC"/><ref name="h2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref>
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' – Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' during [[skirmish on Infinite Succor|skirmish]] above [[Battle of Installation 04|Installation 04]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=hgnp16|HGN|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor|Page=16}}


==Models and variants==
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===Gunboat variant===
===''The Duel''===
[[File:PhantomGunboat.jpg|thumb|250px|A Phantom gunboat over [[Reach]].]]
{{Main|The Duel}}
{{Main|Phantom gunboat}}
By around [[2152|400 years]] before the [[2552|climax]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], several {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantoms were present above [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Film|Id=duel|Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}}{{Ref/Note|Id=hld|Text=While ''The Duel'' anime film used the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom model from ''[[Halo 2]]'' unlike other ''[[Halo Legends]]'' series which used the ''Ru'swum''-pattern Phantom from ''[[Halo 3]]'' instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.}}
An exoatmospheric combat variant of Phantom outfitted exclusively for space-based engagements, known as the [[Phantom gunboat]], swaps its Type-52 plasma cannons for four plasma turrets mounted around the hull, and a chin-mounted heavy plasma cannon. While similar in design to the default Phantom, the gunboat is significantly larger in size and is equipped with [[energy shielding]] for missile deflection.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''', ''[[Mission 21: Hunt for the Phantom|Hunt for the Phantom]]''</ref>


===Fleet of Retribution/Swords of Sanghelios model===
===Silver Timeline===
The [[Fleet of Retribution]] used customized Phantoms following the [[Great Schism]].<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> These Phantoms were similar in function and appearance to the "normal" Phantom model, but they were colored an iridescent green instead of the usual purple,<ref name="ENC"/> likely to match the [[UNSC]]'s vehicle color schemes.These Phantoms were equipped also with [[cloaking]] technology, something rarely seen on ships of their size.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> After the Covenant's defeat, [[Type-57 Phantom]]s were used instead and the green color was replaced with a red color to match the color scheme of [[Swords of Sanghelios]] infantry.<ref>'''Halo 5: Guardians''', campaign level ''[[Swords of Sanghelios (level)]]</ref> By [[2558]], at least one of the original green Type-52 Phantoms had fallen into the hands of [[Kig-Yar]] [[piracy|pirates]] on [[Ven III]].<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation#12]]''</ref>
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
 
Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|b4doITNi2RE|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=3|D=14}}
===Other models===
Several other models of Phantoms exist, although they are essentially the same in both design and function. The troop capacity and armament of a Phantom varies depending on its model.<ref name="waypoint"/> One model that was present early in the [[Battle of Earth]] had three [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.<ref name="h2"/> Phantom models that were present during the [[Fall of Reach]] and later in the Battle of [[Earth]] had only one plasma cannon. However, the Phantoms at [[Reach]] had a semi-automatic cannon,<ref name="hr"/> while the cannon on the ones at Earth was fully automatic.<ref name="h3"/>
 
==Identified Phantoms==
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.


In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed. In ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the Phantom's three guns, the side doors and platforms, the engine plates, and its hind flaps, as well as its entire well being, are destructible. The Phantom's rear is most susceptible to damage, although this weakness was removed in ''Halo: Reach''. When destroyed, the Phantom will float down, emit sparks and a loud whirring noise, then explode into wreckage, although in ''Halo: Reach'' the Phantom simply explodes.
In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.
 
===Tactics===
*Taking down a Phantom is tempting to do so in Firefight or Campaign; however, it is unwise to do so if there are Phantoms traveling in groups, as they might pin you down with their plasma guns or in the most extreme cases, kill you.
*It is recommended to destroy the Phantom's armaments before taking it out, otherwise they may pin you down.
*If possible, stay under the Phantom and shoot at the drop-off zone where Covenant jump off. You can get a few easy kills with that. However, be wary of the plasma guns.
*Use a heavy weapon to destroy a Phantom. A [[Spartan Laser]], the [[Warthog]]'s LAAV guns, or a [[Rocket Launcher]] or a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] will do the trick.
*With heavy weapons like the Rocket Launcher or a Spartan Laser as well as mounted vehicle weapons like the [[Scorpion]] tank's cannon or an [[M68 Gauss Cannon]].
*Aim for the twin engines (the silver parts on its front), as those are its weak points. However, the weak points are removed as of ''Halo: Reach''.


===Changes===
==Production notes==
====Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 3''====
According to [[Shi Kai Wang]], when ''Halo 2'' began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Type-25 Spirit]]'s design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter2|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design.  When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality.}} At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter3|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape.  As indicated by this sketch here.  But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had.  So this felt like a half, or step backwards. The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally.}} After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter4|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906038747144195|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic. Which animal?}}, based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter5|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906042010279937|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra. The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design.  That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'.}}
*The Phantom is now destructible, vulnerable to heavy weapons and explosives. Nevertheless, it is very durable and able to take up to six shots from a Scorpion tank.
*The Phantom's hull is now a medium-dark violet in ''Halo 3'', rather than magenta as it is in ''Halo 2''.
*The Phantom's flight noise has been reduced from a loud buzzing to a low hum but the overall tone is pretty much the same.
*The Phantom fires shots that are now a blue color, rather than a vivid red.
*The Phantom can deliver troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*The Phantom no longer has three separate auto-cannons - they now have one chin-mounted auto-cannon, and two Type-52 Plasma Cannons on either side of the troop bay.
*The troop bay is open on both sides where the plasma turrets are and it is fully accessible by the player as they can leap into it before it takes off. The player is usually killed when the Phantom hits a [[Invisible wall|death barrier]].
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
*A green-colored variant is introduced. The Fleet of Retribution variant is used by the Elites and has the ability to camouflage itself.


====Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo 3: ODST''====
When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter6|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906045256626177|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details.  If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back.  But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun.}} At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter7|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906048754749442|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam.  Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube.  But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun.}} The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter1|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906029863571457|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed.  One of my personal favorite redesigns.}}
*The wreckage from its destruction is smaller to compensate for the Xbox 360's hardware capabilities.
*The Phantom can carry Engineers in pod-like cases.
*The Phantom's main cannon is equipped with a searchlight for night missions.
 
====Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo: Reach''====
*The auto-cannon is replaced by a cannon that has a slower rate of fire and has a more explosive effect upon impact, similar to a [[Type-50 Concussion Rifle]].
*The two front engine turbines no longer glow blue.
*There are no longer any "weak points"; it takes the same amount of weapons fire to destroy regardless of hit location.
*When hit by weapons fire, it no longer takes visible damage aside from the chin and side guns being knocked off.
*When destroyed, instead of having an "overload" phase where it drops and then explodes, the targeted Phantom instantly explodes as soon as it takes enough damage.
*Far less debris is left behind when destroyed; only the debris from the chin gun, the Type-52 Plasma Cannons on the sides, and a portion of the cockpit will be left when it explodes. Furthermore, not all Phantoms encountered are destructible.
*The Phantom has more health, capable of withstanding up to five [[M808 Scorpion]] shots before exploding.
*A variant outfitted for space combat, called the Phantom gunboat, is introduced.
 
== Production notes ==
Accoring to [[Shi Kai Wang]], when ''Halo 2'' began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the Type-25 Spirit's design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter2|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design.  When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality.}} At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter3|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape.  As indicated by this sketch here.  But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had.  So this felt like a half, or step backwards.  The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally.}} After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter4|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906038747144195|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic.  Which animal?}}, based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter5|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906042010279937|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra.  The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design.  That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'.}}
 
When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter6|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906045256626177|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details.  If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back.  But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun.}} At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter7|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906048754749442|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam.  Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube.  But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun.}} The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter1|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906029863571457|SiteName=Twitter|PageName=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed.  One of my personal favorite redesigns.}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
=== Production notes ===
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*The Sangheili Phantom in ''Halo 3'' resembles [http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Romulan Romulan] ships from ''[http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Star_Trek Star Trek]'' in both its lime-green color and its cloaking ability.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a [[Pelican]]. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a [[Pelican]]. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one Plasma Cannon.
*In [[Campaign Scoring]] charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
*In the [[Keep It Clean (Trailer)|trailer]] for ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', a Phantom is seen on patrol using two bright searchlights to sweep the streets. Oddly, the lights are located in the exact location as the Phantom's chin-mounted gun, possibly meaning that this Phantom was specifically adapted for patrol or that its gun had a headlight mounted alongside it. In the cutscene where the Rookie receives a transmission from Dare, the Phantom that passes by has a searchlight mounted on the front turret. This headlight feature also appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*In the ''[[Art of Halo]]'', there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
*In the ''[[Art of Halo]]'', there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
*In the ''[[Halo Legends]]'' short film, ''[[Prototype]]'', a Phantom is seen carrying a Wraith ''inside'' its troop bay, as opposed to hovering below it. This may be a means to protect the Wraith from being destroyed before it is deployed or it could simply be an oversight made by the artists.
*In ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in ''Halo 4''.{{Ref/Game|Id=model|H2A|Detail=''3D model data''}}
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', a player can pilot a Phantom through the [[Flyable Pelican and Phantom]] easter egg. Unlike the Pelican, it can be destroyed, though unlike other vehicles it shows no outward indication of damage.
*In ''Halo: Reach'''s Firefight mode, the Phantom cannot be destroyed.
*In ''Halo: Reach'''s Firefight mode, a well-aimed [[M41 rocket launcher]] shot to the Phantom's cockpit can blast out the pilot (a Grunt), killing it and sending it spiraling out of the vehicle. When this happens, the Phantom stops and hovers for a few seconds before falling to the ground. Any personnel that are within the Phantom do not react and are not deployed.
*In ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art for the Phantom.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art for the Phantom.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_2.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_2.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art.
File:H2A Phantom Cockpit Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.
File:H2A Phantom TroopBay Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.
File:H2A Phantom Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom.
File:H2A Phantom Gun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's gun.
File:H2A Phantom SideGun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's side guns.
</gallery>
===Renders===
<gallery>
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled render of the Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled render of the Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2APhantom.jpg|A model of the Phantom for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A Phantom Ventral Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.
File:H2A Phantom Aft Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's aft.
</gallery>
 
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
File:PhantomH3.png|A view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3-PhantomDropship.png|Alternate preview of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-PhantomDropshipSide.png|In-game profile view of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-PhantomDropship1.png|Profile view of the Phantom Dropship from ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-PhantomDropship2.png|Underside of the Phantom Dropship from ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Phantom front.jpg|A front view of a Phantom.
File:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two Banshees on [[Installation 00]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|A Phantom carrying a Type-27 Mantis component.
File:Inside a phantom.jpg|Inside a Phantom.
File:H3-CovSepPhantomDropship.png|An in-game preview of a Fleet of Retribution Phantom Dropship with green color scheme.
File:Active Camo Phantom.jpg|A Fleet of Retribution Phantom activating its [[active camouflage]].
File:H3 Green Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Fleet of Retribution Phantom exploding.
File:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Phantom engaging a Pelican in [[2531]] from ''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''.
File:H3R - Phantom Headlights.png|A Phantom, seen through the "eyes" of the [[Superintendent]], using a pair of high-intensity searchlights to sweep the ruined streets of [[New Mombasa]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:ODST Phantom Inner console.png|A console in a Type-52 Phantom in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:DeliverHope - CCSHangar.png|Two Phantoms being loaded with troops in the hangar bay of a {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}.
File:HaloReach - Screenshot 05.jpg|An alpha build of ''Halo: Reach'', showcasing the Phantom.
File:Phantom TR.jpg|Turnaround reference of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HReach-PhantomDropship.png|Alternate in-game preview of a Phantom Dropship in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HReach-Phantom2large.png|An in-game view of the Phantom Dropship in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Phantom2large.jpg|A view of the Phantom in ''Halo: Reach'', on the level [[Nightfall]].
File:HReach-PhantomDropship-Side.png|A side view of a ''Halo: Reach'' Phantom.
HReach-PhantomDropship-FrontAngle.png|A ''Halo: Reach'' Phantom.
File:Phantom_Teleport.jpg|A Phantom being teleported onto the [[Viery Territory]].
File:Phantom_NA.jpg|Noble Six shooting at a Phantom in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Phantom_Rough.jpg|A rough model of a Phantom, used in background battles.
File:PhantomAszod.jpg|A Phantom participating at the [[Battle of Asźod]].
File:HE12 Transport2.jpg|A Swords of Sanghelios Phantom on Ven III in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:H2A Phantom Cockpit Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.
File:H2A Phantom TroopBay Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.
File:H2A Phantom Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom.
File:H2A Phantom Gun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's gun.
File:H2A Phantom SideGun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's side guns.
File:H2APhantom.jpg|A model of the Phantom for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A-Phantoms.jpg|Phantoms during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].
File:H2A-Phantoms.jpg|Phantoms during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].
File:HM-BloodingYears.jpg|Phantoms participating at [[Siege at Kolaar]].
File:HTV-Reckoning Phantom.png|A Phantom in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Duel]]'' {{c|Non-canonical appearance}}
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Sacrifice]]''  
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Allegiance]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


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


[[Category:Covenant vehicles]]
[[Category:Phantom variants]]

Latest revision as of 07:25, January 19, 2024

This article is about the Phantom introduced in Halo 2. For other Phantom models, see Phantom.
Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport
A render of the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model used in Blur Studio's cutscenes (cropped from this image).
Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1][2]

Class:

Phantom[2]

Role:

Technical specifications

Length:

32.4 meters (106.2 ft)[2]

Width:

20.4 meters (66.8 ft)[2]

Height:

12.1 meters (39.7 ft)[2]

Mass:

174.6 metric tons (171.8 LT; 192.5 ST)[2]

Engine(s):

Twin impulse drive system[3]

Other system(s):

Gravity lift[4]

Armament:

3 medium plasma cannons[2]

Complement:

  • 24 passengers[2]
  • 2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle[4]

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Introduced:

2552[3]

Affiliation:

 

The Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport[2] (UNSC Type classification: Type-52 Troop Carrier, T-52 TC), more commonly known as the Phantom, is a troop carrier and gunship in service with the Covenant.[2] They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.[11]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The interior of a Kez'katu-pattern Phantom.

The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the War of Annihilation.[2] It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and special operation details.[2] The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.[5][6] The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin impulse drive propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.[3] On either side of the dropship lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral gravity lift that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.[11] A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.[12] An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.[13]

One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.[11] The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the D77-TC Pelican in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.[5][6]

Armament[edit]

Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the Mikpramu-pattern Phantom) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation heavy plasma cannon turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,[3] Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational medium plasma cannons, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.[2] These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.[4]

Crew and complement[edit]

The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,[2] sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic heavy plasma cannons.[5][6] The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.[2] Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral gravity lift and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, Mgalekgolo soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.[5][6] Like the Spirit dropship and the older Ru'swum-pattern Phantom, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two Karo'etba-pattern Ghosts or a single Zurdo-pattern Wraith or Wuzum-pattern Spectre.[4]

Usage[edit]

Introduced into the final year of the Human-Covenant War, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was created by Assembly Forges to replace the earlier Ru'swum-pattern Phantom as its improvement over it in every way.[3] It was one of the primary Covenant dropships and the most well-known of Phantoms among the humans, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the Fall of Reach and Battle for Earth, though many Covenant forces never used it before the loss of High Charity that effectively ended its production.[3]

Identified Phantoms[edit]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

The Duel[edit]

Main article: The Duel

By around 400 years before the climax of the Human-Covenant War, several Ket-pattern battlecruisers and Kez'katu-pattern Phantoms were present above Sanghelios.[15][Note 1]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Silver Timeline

Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.[16]

Gameplay[edit]

The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.

In Halo 2, the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.

Production notes[edit]

According to Shi Kai Wang, when Halo 2 began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on Halo: Combat Evolved, in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the Type-25 Spirit's design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.[17] At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.[18] After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte[19], based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.[20]

When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.[21] At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.[22] The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.[23]

Trivia[edit]

Production notes[edit]

  • In the E3 2003 Preview of Halo 2, the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a Pelican. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
  • In the Art of Halo, there is a Phantom render for Halo 2 which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
  • In Halo 2 Anniversary the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in Halo 4.[24]

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Renders[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ While The Duel anime film used the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model from Halo 2 unlike other Halo Legends series which used the Ru'swum-pattern Phantom from Halo 3 instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 137
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 282
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint, Phantom (Retrieved on Nov 26, 2015) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Halo 2: campaign gameplay
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 268
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 281
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadow of Intent
  8. ^ a b Halo Mythos
  9. ^ a b Halo: Divine Wind
  10. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 133
  11. ^ a b c Halo Official Site, Phantom Halo Official Site (Retrieved on Dec 28, 2011) [archive]
  12. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page ???
  13. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 142
  14. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor, page 16
  15. ^ Halo Legends - The Duel
  16. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2022)
  17. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design. When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  18. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape. As indicated by this sketch here. But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had. So this felt like a half, or step backwards. The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  19. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic. Which animal? (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  20. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra. The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design. That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  21. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details. If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back. But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  22. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam. Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube. But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  23. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed. One of my personal favorite redesigns. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  24. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary: 3D model data