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{{Era|H3|H3R|}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Weapon infobox
 
|name=Power drain
{{Weapon
|image=[[File:H3-UnarmedPowerDrainer.png|300px]]
| image=[[Image:Power Drain.jpg|300px]]
|manufacturer=
| name=Power Drain
|series=
| manufacturer=[[Brutes]]
|type=[[Equipment|Deployable equipment]]
| type=[[Equipment]]
|cost=
| size=Dimensions
|variant=
*Weight : 5.1 kilograms (11.2 pounds)<ref>http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576</ref>
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight={{Convert|11.2|lb|kg|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=343}}
|ammotype=[[Electromagnetic pulse]]
|capacity=Single-use
|feed-title=Duration
|feed=Roughly 6.5 seconds{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}
|operation=
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
}}
}}
The '''power drain''' is a combat support device designed and developed by the [[Covenant]] for its infantry forces. The equipment has several colloquial nicknames among [[United Nations Space Command]] personnel, including "'''Draino'''" and "'''Drainer'''".{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=47}}


The '''Power Drain''' is a short-range, tactical, energy sapping device which made its debut in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
==Overview==
===Design details===
The power drain is a roughly spherical device massing {{Convert|11.2|lb|kg|disp=flip|sp=us}}. When activated, the device emits a blue [[electromagnetic pulse]] field for around 6.5 seconds, after which the device self-destructs in a small explosion. The EMP is used to short out the electrical systems of any equipment caught within range, including [[energy shielding]] and light vehicles. During its activation, two cylindrical emitters are extruded from the sides of the sphere.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Site|Id=BNet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/content.aspx?link=h3betaEquipment|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 Beta: Equipment|D=14|M=10|Y=2014}}


==Function==
The power drain has a visual resemblance to the [[flare]] and [[radar jammer]] equipment also developed by the Covenant, save for its blue colouration. The Flare, developed by the [[Jiralhanae]], was based on the same technology as the power drain and radar jammer.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=341}}
The power drain creates a short-range Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) effect which causes disastrous failure of powered field systems within a set radius, and is designed primarily to interfere with common varieties of electrical field-based shielding, [[vehicle|vehicles]] and power generation. It also has a damaging effect on biological systems and can wound or kill most bipeds in its resulting explosion. <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/content.aspx?link=h3betaEquipment Bungie.net's review of ''Halo 3 Beta'' equipment]</ref>


Essentially, the Power Drain is a reverse to the [[Regenerator]]; instead of energizing a player's shields, it causes any player's shields within the area of effect to drain away quickly, making them vulnerable to harm. The self-destruct explosion after the activation of the Power Drain will not kill you (If you were at full armor health previous to deploying it), but will take your health to critical levels. The Power Drain can also disable vehicles via EMP, rendering them unable to move (but the vehicle can still use and aim its on board weapons) when they drive or fly through it and even about five seconds afterward. If a Regenerator and Power Drain are deployed in close proximity, the [[Regenerator]] will continue to work, but its effect is overwhelmed by the Power Drain.
===Usage===
The power drain is a piece of infantry support equipment developed by the Covenant, and was heavily employed by the [[Jiralhanae]] loyalist forces of the [[Prophet of Truth]] during the final weeks of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|Power Drain in-game equipment}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3ODST|H3ODST|Power Drain in-game equipment}} Despite their origin, [[human]] forces were more than willing to make use of captured enemy power drains during the war.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}


==Gameplay==
[[Image:Power drain Halo 3.jpg|thumb|right|A thrown power drain, about to activate itself.]]
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
===''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST''===
The power drain is one of several pieces of deployable [[equipment]] featured in ''[[Halo 3]]''. When thrown, the power drain takes 0.5 seconds to activate, and subsequently lasts 6.5 seconds, equaling a total of [[Seven|7]] seconds. The effects of the power drain pass through walls and floors, so simply fleeing to the bottom floor of a structure after an enemy activates one will still strip one's shields if one passes through the field. This is most noticeable on maps like [[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}


The Power Drain, like the [[Bubble Shield]], [[Trip Mine]], [[Radar Jammer]] and the [[Portable Gravity Lift]], are all in the category of [[equipment]] and can be deployed using the default "X" Button. It activates shortly after it is thrown - just enough inactive time to travel away from the user, leaving them unaffected.
The power drain can be used in a glitch called [[Equipment jumping]] by moving against a wall, jumping, and then at highest point of the jump deploying the power drain. This allows a player to jump off of it in mid-air. This is a great tactic for reaching high areas of a map, such as the second level of the tower on [[The Pit]]. This can also be done with the radar jammer and flare. The power drain variation of the glitch is commonly claimed to only be able to be performed as an [[Sangheili|Elite]]. This is not the case, but it is exceedingly difficult to do as a Spartan in the [[Xbox 360]] version of ''[[Halo 3]]''; thus, only a few instances of it have been documented. It appears to be easier to accomplish while playing as a Spartan in the ''Halo 3'' portion of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}


The Power Drain can even disable non-drivable vehicles like the [[Scarab]] as seen in [http://uk.media.xbox360.ign.com/media/734/734817/vids_1.html TGS Demo Part 2], but the weapons systems will still be active, as in any vehicle. In fact, the Power Drain will affect any device that runs on any type of energy within its radius in game.
In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', the power drain performs as it did in ''Halo 3'' though cannot be used by the player. It is only used by Brute enemies; when the player is in the radius of a power drain, their health will drain in addition to their shields.{{Ref/Reuse|H3ODST}}


==Tactics==
==Gallery==
[[Image:Power Drain in Action.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Power Drain emits a field of blue energy that strips away all energy shielding within its range.]]
*This [[equipment]] will stall a vehicle's engine, but the weapon/weapons on the vehicle still work. The most effective way to take out an armored vehicle like a [[Warthog]] is to throw a Power Drain followed by a grenade, killing most of the players on board.Several follow-up shots will take out any survivors.
*This is a good piece of equipment that is well-used in conjunction with headshot-capable weapons such as the [[Battle Rifle]], [[Type-51 Carbine|Carbine]] and [[Magnum]].
*This is the piece of equipment that is useful when outnumbered; once drained, the whole group of enemies becomes a big one-hit-kill target.
*[[Bubble Shield]]s cannot block the Power Drain from entering, so it's a good idea to throw one inside of a Bubble Shield while your enemies are inside of it.
*If the Power Drain unit hits the Bubble Shield unit, the Bubble Shield may move, depending on how fast the Power Drain is going at the point of impact. This can sometimes rob your enemies of the shield's protection, making them incredibly easy targets and can lead to some rather degrading deaths. A particularly humiliating example of this tactic can be seen in a Top Ten Series episode.
*Deploy this equipment near a popular sniper position or an area where people land after they get off of the [[Man Cannon]], after that, it's another one-hit-kill target.
*Try keeping some distance between you and your foe when in combat, as when in close quarters battle, they tend to use power drains.
*While it is pure luck when it happens, it is possible to splatter an opponent with a Power Drain by tossing it down a hill and it hitting them while it is rolling.
*The Power Drain's ability to render vehicles temporarily useless is only featured in one other weapon in [[Halo 3]]; the [[Plasma Pistol]]'s overcharged shot.
*The Power Drain is a great way of 'jacking' an enemy's vehicle. For example, you can throw one at a Warthog or [[Wraith]], and then when they're low on energy shields, hijack their vehicle and it will most likely kill them and gain you a vehicle. Also, if a [[Banshee]] is close to the ground, a Power Drain can force it down, then you can skyjack their vehicle.
*Strangely, if your vehicle gets 'Power Drained', getting out and getting back in may sometimes make the vehicle work again, even with the Power Drain still active.
 
==Spawns==
*[[Avalanche (Level)|Avalanche]]- There is one Power Drain each located near the large Mancannons of each base where the Mancannon leads players inside the top of the base.
*[[Blackout (Level)|Blackout]]- The Power Drain is on the floor that is above the tunnel hole where the [[Shotgun]] spawns.
*[[Cold Storage (Level)|Cold Storage]]- The Power Drain is on the second floor where it is above a [[Teleporter]] and [[Assault Rifle]] spawn room, and also in between another Teleporter and [[Plasma Rifle]] spawn.
*[[Construct (Level)|Construct]]- There are two Power Drains on the map. One is located at the bottom floor, very close to the Yellow Gravity lift. Another is located at the column where the [[Energy Sword]] spawns on the map.
*[[Epitaph (Level)|Epitaph]] and Epilogue- On Epitaph, the Power Drain is located at the lower floor where the large Gravity Lift resides. On Epilogue, it is located at the higher floor. (Originally the [[Needler]] spawn).
*[[Foundry (Level)|Foundry]]- The Power Drain is located on top of the nearest center-positioned Box from the bases, along with the [[Plasma Pistol]] spawn.
*[[Ghost Town (Level)|Ghost Town]]- The Power Drain is located on the upper floor where the main building is.
*[[High Ground (Level)|High Ground]]- The Power Drain is located at a balcony near the room where the base's Needler spawns.
*[[Last Resort (Level)|Last Resort]]- The Power Drain is located inside the Fortress, near where two Assault Rifle spawns.
*[[Narrows (Level)|Narrows]]- (Updated version) There is a Power Drain near the each of the base's Mancannons. (Older version) The Power Drain is located near the Yellow base's Mancannon.
*[[Sandtrap (Level)|Sandtrap]]- Two Power Drain spawn under the structure where there is a Gravity Lift and where the Rocket Launcher spawns on the map.
*[[Snowbound (Level)|Snowbound]]- The Power Drain spawns at of the Blue Lower Base.
*[[Standoff (Level)|Standoff]]- There is a Power Drain each inside a base's lower room, the room where the controls for the Window shutters and another Entrance gate are.
*[[The Pit (Level)|The Pit]]- There is a Power Drain on the upper floor just outside the room where the Energy Sword spawns outside the map.
*[[Valhalla (Level)|Valhalla]]- One Power Drain spawns at each base's upper floor.
 
==Trivia==
*The Power Drain lasts approximately 6.5 seconds.
*The Power Drain, [[Radar Jammer]], and [[Flare]] are all visually identical, save for the color of the glow each item emits.
*In the [[Halo 3 Beta|Multiplayer Beta]], the players got the Power Drain and the [[Bubble Shield]] mixed up and ended up draining the shields of friendlies and shielding enemies. The Beta version when deployed, was a glow of a much lighter blue color and had a larger effect radius which had a cloud of haze around the edge.
*When the Power Drain is thrown at the generator of a [[Bubble Shield]], the [[Bubble Shield]] will actually move over a few inches when hit by the Power Drain.
*It may also be used as a grenade by throwing it at a group of enemies, draining their shields and after a little while, the resulting explosion can sometimes kill the unshielded foes if they are close to it.
*The Power Drain can be thrown through the shield doors on all levels and through a deployed [[Bubble Shield]]. This is a very efficient way to root out campers.
*If you fire a [[Spartan Laser]] while near a Power Drain and view the beam in [[Theater mode]] from within the Power Drain's field, the beam will be a blue-white color.
*A common strategy on [[Valhalla]] involves throwing the Power Drainer out the [[man cannon]] to intercept a low flying [[Banshee]]. The Power Drainer's relatively large damage radius will normally result in the disabling of the [[Banshee]]'s engines for about 5 seconds, during which it can be destroyed/boarded.
*The effects of the Power Drain can also pass through walls and floors so simply jumping to the floor on the bottom after an enemy activates one may still strip your shields through the roof if you pass through it.
*If both [[Regenerator]] and Power Drain are deployed, your shield will be reduced even if the Regenerator is nearer.
*When the Power Drain disables a vehicle, blue sparks can be seen on the vehicle. These sparks can also be seen when the [[Plasma Pistol]] disables a vehicle and if the affected vehicle is destroyed.
*A Power Drain can kill any Marines inside the field.
*[[Plasma Grenade]]s can't stick to Power Drains.
*The Power Drain can be used in a glitch called Equipment Jumping by moving you player against a wall, jumping, and then at highest point of the jump deploy the Power Drain and you will be able to jump off of it in mid air. This is a great tactic for reaching high areas of a map such as the second level of the tower on The Pit. This can also be done with the Radar Jammer and Flare
*In Campaign, this will cause an Elite's shields to flare up, as though he was taking damage, but not a Spartan's.
*It is possible this weapon was intended for the Elite's energy shields and the vehicles of the Covenant Separatists, since they pose a far greater threat than the UNSC forces.
*The Power Drain can drain the shields from a [[Deployable Cover]], but not a [[Bubble Shield]].
*Strangely, in [[Halo 3: ODST]] when you are in the radius of a power drain your stamina will drain, even though it's not powered by anything at all.
 
==Images==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Powerdrainhud.svg|The Power Drain HUD icon.
File:Powerdrainhud.svg|The power drain icon in [[Halo 3]].
File:Power Drain.jpg|An inactive power drain in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-Power Drainer Unarmed.png|An inactive power drain in ''Halo 3'' beta.
File:Power drain Halo 3.jpg|A deployed power drain, about to activate itself.
File:Power Drain in Action.jpg|The power drain emits a field of blue radiation that strips away all energy shielding within its range.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
<br clear="all" />


{{Equipment List}}
{{Navbox/Pickups/Gameplay}}
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:Electronic warfare technology]]
[[Category:Halo 3]]
[[Category:Covenant technology]]
[[Category:Equipment]]

Latest revision as of 20:20, October 15, 2023

Power drain
H3-UnarmedPowerDrainer.png
Production overview

Type:

Deployable equipment

Specifications

Weight:

5.1 kilograms (11.2 lb)[1]

Ammunition type:

Electromagnetic pulse

Capacity:

Single-use

Duration:

Roughly 6.5 seconds[1]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War

 

The power drain is a combat support device designed and developed by the Covenant for its infantry forces. The equipment has several colloquial nicknames among United Nations Space Command personnel, including "Draino" and "Drainer".[1][2]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The power drain is a roughly spherical device massing 5.1 kilograms (11.2 lb). When activated, the device emits a blue electromagnetic pulse field for around 6.5 seconds, after which the device self-destructs in a small explosion. The EMP is used to short out the electrical systems of any equipment caught within range, including energy shielding and light vehicles. During its activation, two cylindrical emitters are extruded from the sides of the sphere.[1][3]

The power drain has a visual resemblance to the flare and radar jammer equipment also developed by the Covenant, save for its blue colouration. The Flare, developed by the Jiralhanae, was based on the same technology as the power drain and radar jammer.[4]

Usage[edit]

The power drain is a piece of infantry support equipment developed by the Covenant, and was heavily employed by the Jiralhanae loyalist forces of the Prophet of Truth during the final weeks of the Human-Covenant War.[2][5][6] Despite their origin, human forces were more than willing to make use of captured enemy power drains during the war.[2]

Gameplay[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to Power drain on its gameplay page.

Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST[edit]

The power drain is one of several pieces of deployable equipment featured in Halo 3. When thrown, the power drain takes 0.5 seconds to activate, and subsequently lasts 6.5 seconds, equaling a total of 7 seconds. The effects of the power drain pass through walls and floors, so simply fleeing to the bottom floor of a structure after an enemy activates one will still strip one's shields if one passes through the field. This is most noticeable on maps like Guardian.[5]

The power drain can be used in a glitch called Equipment jumping by moving against a wall, jumping, and then at highest point of the jump deploying the power drain. This allows a player to jump off of it in mid-air. This is a great tactic for reaching high areas of a map, such as the second level of the tower on The Pit. This can also be done with the radar jammer and flare. The power drain variation of the glitch is commonly claimed to only be able to be performed as an Elite. This is not the case, but it is exceedingly difficult to do as a Spartan in the Xbox 360 version of Halo 3; thus, only a few instances of it have been documented. It appears to be easier to accomplish while playing as a Spartan in the Halo 3 portion of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.[5]

In Halo 3: ODST, the power drain performs as it did in Halo 3 though cannot be used by the player. It is only used by Brute enemies; when the player is in the radius of a power drain, their health will drain in addition to their shields.[6]

Gallery[edit]

  • The power drain icon in Halo 3.

    The power drain icon in Halo 3.

  • An inactive power drain in Halo 3.

    An inactive power drain in Halo 3.

  • An inactive power drain in Halo 3 beta.

    An inactive power drain in Halo 3 beta.

  • A deployed power drain, about to activate itself.

    A deployed power drain, about to activate itself.

  • The power drain emits a field of blue radiation that strips away all energy shielding within its range.

    The power drain emits a field of blue radiation that strips away all energy shielding within its range.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 343
  2. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 47
  3. ^ Bungie.net, Halo 3 Beta: Equipment (Retrieved on Oct 14, 2014) [archive]
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 341
  5. ^ a b c Halo 3, Power Drain in-game equipment
  6. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, Power Drain in-game equipment

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List of map pickups in the Halo series
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