Canon

Protos-pattern Scarab: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

(→‎Production notes: Citation forthcoming, but that design is VERY CLEARLY the GitS Spider Tank, not even altered or obfuscated. I mean, it makes sense; this is just a storyboard designed to tangibly visualize the envisioned story beats for the development team, and is, thus, merely a placeholder... with this in mind, this "Scarab" was, clearly, NEVER intended to be the final design.)
(Added info from the Encyclopedia and cleaned up the page a bit.)
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|image=[[File:H2A ScarabTransparent.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:H2A ScarabTransparent.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=279}}
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=279}}
|line=[[Excavator]] tier-four{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}
|line=[[Excavator]] tier-four{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712171728/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}
|model=[[Scarab]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|model=[[Scarab]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|class=Fortress breaker
|class=Fortress breaker
Line 19: Line 19:
|armament=*1 ultra-heavy[[focus cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|armament=*1 ultra-heavy[[focus cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
*2 [[heavy plasma repeater]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
*2 [[heavy plasma repeater]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|crew=
|crew=*1 supervisor{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=
*[[Rhulolekgolo]] operators{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=*20 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|consumables=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
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|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|role=*Artifact-retrieval vehicle{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|role=*Artifact-retrieval vehicle{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
*Combat walker{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
}}
}}
{{Quote|We've all run the [[War Games|simulations]]. They're tough, but they ain't invincible!|[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]]{{Ref/Level|Id=Metropolis|H2|Metropolis}}}}
{{Quote|We've all run the [[War Games|simulations]]. They're tough, but they ain't invincible!|[[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]]{{Ref/Level|Id=Metropolis|H2|Metropolis}}}}
The '''''Protos''-pattern Fortress Breaker'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}, known to [[human]]ity as the {{Type|47A|Ultra-Heavy Assault Platform|UHAP}}, is a type of [[Covenant]] [[Scarab]] quadrupedal [[Excavator|mining platform]].
The '''''Protos''-pattern Fortress Breaker''',{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} known to [[human]]ity as the {{Type|47A|Ultra-Heavy Assault Platform|UHAP}}, is a type of [[Covenant]] [[Scarab]] quadrupedal [[Excavator|mining platform]] and combat walker.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
===Design details===
===Design details===
On the Protos Scarab, an [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] can be produced in front of the corridor leading to the cockpit in order to hamper boarding actions.{{Ref/Level|Id=TGJ|H2|The Great Journey}}
Like other patterns of [[Scarab]], the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab does not employ [[Anti-gravity technology|anti-gravity propulsion]] to move, instead using a quadrupedal leg assembly for locomotion.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} While slow and lumbering in its movement,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} these jointed legs are very powerful, capable of crushing vehicles ranging from civilian cargo trucks to [[M808B Scorpion]] tanks. Atop these four legs rests an ovoid main body with a flattened top that grants passengers an elevated firing position. An arching gangway hangs over this flat platform, providing passengers some additional cover and allowing access to the Scarab's forward plasma repeater. Toward the rear of the upper gangway is a ramp lowers into the body of the ''Protos'', leading into an interior cabin that can accommodate up to twenty passengers. At the front of this cabin is a command center filled with control screens.{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}} An [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] can be produced in front of the corridor leading to the passenger cabin in order to hamper [[Boarding|boarding action]]s.{{Ref/Level|Id=TGJ|H2|The Great Journey}}


===Mobility===
Like the other patterns of Scarab, the ''Protos'' utilizes hundreds of [[Rhulolekgolo]] as a gestalt intelligence, controlling its exoskeleton.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The ''Protos''-pattern Scarab is also known to utilize specialized sensor arrays designed for artifact-retrieval purposes.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
Unlike most vehicles deployed by the Covenant, the Scarab does not employ [[Anti-gravity technology|anti-gravity propulsion]] to move; it instead uses a quadrupedal "leg" assembly for locomotion. These jointed legs are very powerful, capable of crushing vehicles ranging from civilian cargo trucks to [[M808B Scorpion]] tanks.{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}}


===Armaments===
===Armament===
Protos Scarabs are armed with two separate suspensor-mounted [[heavy plasma repeater]]s that are optimized for anti-aerospace use. There is also a fine-tunable [[focus cannon]] and specialized sensor arrays.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
''Protos''-pattern Scarabs are armed with a fine-tunable ultra-heavy [[focus cannon]] and two separate suspensor-mounted [[heavy plasma repeater]]s that are optimized for anti-air use.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Its focus cannon is known to be capable of leveling entire cities and is among the most powerful to ever be mounted on a [[Covenant]] combat walker.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


===Development history===
===Development history===
The Protos Scarab has unknown origins to even the Covenant who used it.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
The ''Protos''-pattern Scarab is seemingly an old design or its development history was purposefully kept top secret by the Covenant hierarchy as its origins were known even to the Covenant that were assigned to serve on these hulking machines.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Even though it was already lauded as an extremely powerful combat walker, the Covenant experimented with significantly augmented versions of the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab that never entered full production.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Operational History==
==Operational History==
{{Quote|You may find this hard to believe, but most people find Scarabs to be rather unsettling.|[[Cortana]] to [[John-117]], during the [[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Anthology|Id=PalaceHotel|HE|Palace Hotel}}}}
{{Quote|You may find this hard to believe, but most people find Scarabs to be rather unsettling.|[[Cortana]] to [[John-117]], during the [[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Anthology|Id=PalaceHotel|HE|Palace Hotel}}}}
The Covenant rarely used the Protos Scarab in direct combat, using it more as a specialized artifact-retrieval vehicle during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. The features of this Scarab were rarely observed by [[human]] forces, as Protos Scarabs quickly burned their way through [[UNSC]] defences.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
The Covenant rarely used the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab in direct combat, using it more as a specialized artifact-retrieval vehicle during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. The features of this Scarab were rarely observed by [[human]] forces, as ''Protos''-pattern Scarabs quickly burned their way through [[UNSC]] defenses.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


During the [[Battle of Meridian]], the Covenant use a Protos Scarab to excavate a Forerunner artifact beneath the town of [[Brume-sur-Mer]]. It is destroyed when [[Owen-B096]], [[Victor Gallardo]], [[Dorian Nguyen]], [[Evelyn Rousseau]] and [[Saskia Nazari]] destroy the energy shield surrounding the dig site with [[skinner]]s, the chain reaction also taking out the Scarab.{{Ref/Novel|MerDi|Chapter=7}} However, when [[Salome]] shows Evie and Dorian footage of the dig site, they discover that Covenant [[Huragok]] are attempting to repair the Scarab.{{Ref/Novel|MerDi|Chapter=9}}
During the [[Battle of Meridian]], the Covenant used a ''Protos''-pattern Scarab to excavate a Forerunner artifact beneath the town of [[Brume-sur-Mer]]. It wad destroyed when [[Owen-B096]], [[Victor Gallardo]], [[Dorian Nguyen]], [[Evelyn Rousseau]] and [[Saskia Nazari]] destroyed the energy shield surrounding the dig site with [[skinner]]s, with the chain reaction also taking out the Scarab.{{Ref/Novel|MerDi|Chapter=7}} However, when [[Salome]] showed Evie and Dorian footage of the dig site, they discovered that Covenant's [[Huragok]] were attempting to repair the Scarab.{{Ref/Novel|MerDi|Chapter=9}}


Unprecedented numbers of the Protos Scarab were deployed during the [[Fall of Reach]] and later the [[Battle for Earth]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} When the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] invaded [[Earth]], he deployed at least five Type-47 Scarabs to [[Mombasa]], [[Africa]], where at least two of them were the Protos Scarab.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-scarab-tactics|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Scarab Tactics|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}} Two Scarabs were placed in [[New Mombasa]], while another three were deployed in [[Old Mombasa]]. One of the Scarabs in New Mombasa was apparently charged with destroying the [[Mombasa Tether]],{{Ref/Reuse|PalaceHotel}} though [[John-117]] managed to board and destroy the walker just minutes before ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' jumped into [[slipstream space]].{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}} Shortly after, the {{UNSCShip|Brasidas}} managed to disable another Protos in the city with its [[MAC]]. A nearby detachment of UNSC Marines promptly engaged the surviving Covenant forces in an attempt to recover the Scarab for themselves.{{Ref/Site|Id=mombasa waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/new-mombasa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=New Mombasa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Map|H2|Turf}}
Unprecedented numbers of the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab were deployed during the [[Fall of Reach]] and later the [[Battle for Earth]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} When the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] invaded [[Earth]], he deployed at least five Scarabs to [[Mombasa]], [[Africa]], with at least two of them be the ''Protos''-patterns.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-scarab-tactics|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Scarab Tactics|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}} Two Scarabs were placed in [[New Mombasa]], while another three were deployed in [[Old Mombasa]]. One of the Scarabs in New Mombasa was apparently charged with destroying the [[Mombasa Tether]],{{Ref/Reuse|PalaceHotel}} though [[John-117]] managed to board and destroy the walker mere minutes before ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' jumped into [[slipstream space]].{{Ref/Reuse|Metropolis}} Shortly after, the {{UNSCShip|Brasidas}} managed to disable another ''Protos'' in the city with its [[MAC]]. A nearby detachment of UNSC Marines promptly engaged the surviving Covenant forces in an attempt to recover the Scarab for themselves.{{Ref/Site|Id=mombasa waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/new-mombasa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=New Mombasa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Map|H2|Turf}}


During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], a Protos was parked at a Brute encampment close to [[Installation 05]]'s [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]]. During an attack by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], several UNSC prisoners escaped and Sergeant [[Avery Johnson]] took control of the Scarab. Communicating from its control center, Johnson negotiated a truce with the Arbiter to stop their mutual enemy [[Tartarus]] from activating the [[Halo Array]]. Johnson proceeded to drive the Scarab to the Control Room, escorted by the Arbiter in a Banshee along with other Covenant separatist forces. Upon reaching the Control Room, Johnson used the Scarab's [[focus cannon]] to blow open the sealed doors before parking the machine and disembarking to directly aid in stopping Tartarus within the Control Room.{{Ref/Reuse|TGJ}}
During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], a ''Protos'' was parked at a [[Bastion of the Brutes|Jiralhanae encampment]] close to [[Installation 05]]'s [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]]. During an attack by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], several UNSC prisoners escaped and Sergeant [[Avery Johnson]] took control of the Scarab. Communicating from its control center, Johnson negotiated a truce with the Arbiter to stop their mutual enemy [[Tartarus]] from activating the [[Halo Array]]. Johnson proceeded to drive the Scarab to the Control Room, escorted by the Arbiter in a Banshee along with other Covenant separatist forces. Upon reaching the Control Room, Johnson used the Scarab's [[focus cannon]] to blow open the sealed doors before parking the machine and disembarking to directly aid in stopping Tartarus within the Control Room.{{Ref/Reuse|TGJ}}


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
===''Halo 2''===
===''Halo 2''===
The ''[[Halo 2]]'' Scarab was almost indestructible and immune to damage in the game. Its movement was entirely scripted, and no damageable parts appear to have been coded for it. It was only destroyed in a cutscene. When the T-47A Scarab fires, some molten, green liquid (possibly coolant or excess plasma) will leak out below the main cannon. The forward plasma turret could be destroyed with just a few melee attacks, as could the rear plasma turret. The flaps on the main gun could be destroyed only by using a Scorpion tank. Also, the underside grate could be destroyed.
The ''[[Halo 2]]'' Scarab was almost indestructible and immune to damage in the game. Its movement was entirely scripted, and no damageable parts appear to have been coded for it. It was only destroyed in a cutscene. When the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab fires, some molten, green liquid (possibly coolant or excess plasma) will leak out below the main cannon. The forward plasma turret could be destroyed with just a few melee attacks, as could the rear plasma turret. The flaps on the main gun could be destroyed only by using a Scorpion tank. Also, the underside grate could be destroyed.


==Production notes==
==Production notes==
When the Protos was first introduced in ''Halo 2'', it was originally intended to play an even larger role in the game's narrative. In the original cut of the game's ending on the level "[[Earth Ark]]", the Master Chief would have had to face down two Protos Scarab variants outside the "Ark" on Earth. When Earth Ark was cut, two Scarabs were intended to play a large role on The Great Journey instead - with the two shown in [[Halo 2 storyboards|storyboards]] patrolling the exterior of the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|control room]].
When the ''Protos'' was first introduced in ''Halo 2'', it was originally intended to play an even larger role in the game's narrative. In the original cut of the game's ending on the level "[[Earth Ark]]," the Master Chief would have had to face down two ''Protos''-pattern Scarabs outside the "Ark" on Earth. When Earth Ark was cut, two Scarabs were intended to play a large role on The Great Journey instead—with the two shown in [[Halo 2 storyboards|storyboards]] patrolling the exterior of the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|control room]].
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H2_Mylar_Print.jpg|''Halo 2'' Earth Ark concept art depicting two Scarabs.
File:H2_Mylar_Print.jpg|''Halo 2'' Earth Ark concept art depicting two Scarabs.
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</gallery>
</gallery>


The Protos was one of [[Cut Halo Wars units#Scarab (Protos variant)|many units]] to be experimented with for inclusion in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. The vehicle was found in the [[Halo Wars E3 2007 Demo|''Halo Wars'' E3 2007 demo]], where it was destroyed via [[Orbital bombardment|MAC strike]]. Ultimately, the vehicle was cut and replaced in the final release with the {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} from ''[[Halo 3]]'' instead.
The ''Protos'' was one of [[Cut Halo Wars units#Scarab (Protos variant)|many units]] to be experimented with for inclusion in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. The vehicle was found in the [[Halo Wars E3 2007 Demo|''Halo Wars'' E3 2007 demo]], where it was destroyed via [[Orbital bombardment|MAC strike]]. Ultimately, the vehicle was cut and replaced in the final release with the {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} from ''[[Halo 3]]'' instead.
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HW Scarab Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting this Type-47A variant.
File:HW Scarab Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A Type-47A Scarab fighting Hornets.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab fighting Hornets.
File:1205822805 Screenshots 1280 004.jpg|A Type-47A Scarab seen right, firing on the UNSC force.
File:1205822805 Screenshots 1280 004.jpg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab seen right, firing on the UNSC force.
File:HWscreen.jpeg|A Type-47A Scarab can be seen on the bottom-left of this image.
File:HWscreen.jpeg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab can be seen on the bottom-left of this image.
File:HW Screenshots E07 3.jpg|Another screenshot of the Scarab.
File:HW Screenshots E07 3.jpg|Another screenshot of the Scarab.
File:HW E307 Scarab.png|The Scarab as it appears in the [[Halo Wars E3 2007 Demo|''Halo Wars'' E3 demo]].
File:HW E307 Scarab.png|The Scarab as it appears in the [[Halo Wars E3 2007 Demo|''Halo Wars'' E3 demo]].
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Development images===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H2_Scarab_Concept.gif|''Halo 2'' concept art of the Scarab.
File:H2_Scarab_Concept.gif|''Halo 2'' concept art of the Scarab.
File:H2 Scarab Boarding Concept.png|''Halo 2'' concept art depicting Master Chief boarding the Scarab.
File:H2 Scarab Boarding Concept.png|''Halo 2'' concept art depicting Master Chief boarding the Scarab.
File:H2-T47ScarabUHAP.png|A Protos model Scarab in ''Halo 2''.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab under fire in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.
File:H2A_Scarab_Exterior_Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab.
File:H2A_Scarab_Interior_Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the ''Protos'' interior.
File:H2A - ScarabConcept.png|Concept of a Scarab in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2AScarab.jpg|Model of the Scarab for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-T47ScarabUHAP-Render-Front.jpg|Model of the Scarab for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A Scarab Focus Turret.jpg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab focus turret.
File:H2A Scarab back.jpg|The back of the ''Protos''-pattern Scarab.
</gallery>
===Screenshots and official artwork===
<gallery>
File:H2-T47ScarabUHAP.png|A ''Protos'' model Scarab in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-T47A-Scarab-UHAP-Alt.png|Alternate Scarab model in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-T47A-Scarab-UHAP-Alt.png|Alternate Scarab model in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Scarab Threatening.jpg|Close up of the Scarab's focus cannon in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Scarab Threatening.jpg|Close up of the Scarab's focus cannon in ''Halo 2''.
File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A Scarab destroying a Scorpion tank in New Mombasa.
File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A Scarab destroying a Scorpion tank in New Mombasa.
File:Scarab-scale.gif|The Protos Scarab scaled with other vehicles.
File:Scarab-scale.gif|The ''Protos''-pattern Scarab scaled with other vehicles.
File:HGN-CovenantScarab.png|The highly stylized Protos Scarab featured in ''Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa''.
File:HGN-CovenantScarab.png|The highly stylized ''Protos''-pattern Scarab featured in ''Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa''.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A Protos Scarab under fire in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.
File:L4ifvDY.jpg|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab reveals itself on the streets of New Mombasa.
File:H2A_Scarab_Exterior_Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the T-47A.
File:H2A_Protos_Scarab_interior_1.png|A ''Protos''-pattern Scarab interior.
File:H2A_Scarab_Interior_Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the T-47A interior.
File:H2A - ScarabConcept.png|Concept of a Scarab in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2AScarab.jpg|Model of the Scarab for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-T47ScarabUHAP-Render-Front.jpg|Model of the Scarab for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:L4ifvDY.jpg|A Protos Scarab reveals itself on the streets of New Mombasa.
File:H2A_Protos_Scarab_interior_1.png|A Protos Scarab interior.
File:H2A Scarab Focus Turret.jpg|A Protos Scarab focus turret.
File:H2A Scarab back.jpg|The back of the Protos Scarab.
File:H2A - Scarab destroyed.jpg|The Scarab in New Mombasa destroyed.
File:H2A - Scarab destroyed.jpg|The Scarab in New Mombasa destroyed.
File:H2A - Scarab console.jpg|A console in a Protos Scarab.
File:H2A - Scarab console.jpg|A console in a ''Protos''-pattern Scarab.
File:H2A - Scarab cannon.jpg|The Protos Scarab focus turret.
File:H2A - Scarab cannon.jpg|The ''Protos''-pattern Scarab focus turret.
</gallery>
</gallery>



Revision as of 00:28, December 2, 2022

This article is about the Scarab model introduced in Halo 2. For other types of Scarab, see Scarab. For real-world uses of the word, see Scarab (disambiguation).
Protos-pattern Fortress Breaker
A render of the Protos-pattern Scarab model used in Blur Studio's cutscenes.(cropped from this image).
Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1]

Product line:

Excavator tier-four[2]

Model:

Scarab[2]

Technical specifications

Length:

68.2 meters (223.7 ft)[1]

Width:

52.0 meters (170.6 ft)[1]

Height:

54 meters (176 ft)[1]

Mass:

198.7 tons (180.3 tonnes)[1]

Armament:

Crew:

Complement:

  • 20 passengers[1]
Usage

In service:

Human-Covenant War

Role(s):

  • Artifact-retrieval vehicle[2]
  • Combat walker[1]

Affiliation:

Covenant[2]

 

"We've all run the simulations. They're tough, but they ain't invincible!"
Sergeant Major Avery Johnson[3]

The Protos-pattern Fortress Breaker,[1] known to humanity as the (UNSC Type classification: Type-47A Ultra-Heavy Assault Platform, T-47A UHAP), is a type of Covenant Scarab quadrupedal mining platform and combat walker.[2][1]

Overview

Design details

Like other patterns of Scarab, the Protos-pattern Scarab does not employ anti-gravity propulsion to move, instead using a quadrupedal leg assembly for locomotion.[2] While slow and lumbering in its movement,[1] these jointed legs are very powerful, capable of crushing vehicles ranging from civilian cargo trucks to M808B Scorpion tanks. Atop these four legs rests an ovoid main body with a flattened top that grants passengers an elevated firing position. An arching gangway hangs over this flat platform, providing passengers some additional cover and allowing access to the Scarab's forward plasma repeater. Toward the rear of the upper gangway is a ramp lowers into the body of the Protos, leading into an interior cabin that can accommodate up to twenty passengers. At the front of this cabin is a command center filled with control screens.[3] An energy shield can be produced in front of the corridor leading to the passenger cabin in order to hamper boarding actions.[4]

Like the other patterns of Scarab, the Protos utilizes hundreds of Rhulolekgolo as a gestalt intelligence, controlling its exoskeleton.[1] The Protos-pattern Scarab is also known to utilize specialized sensor arrays designed for artifact-retrieval purposes.[2]

Armament

Protos-pattern Scarabs are armed with a fine-tunable ultra-heavy focus cannon and two separate suspensor-mounted heavy plasma repeaters that are optimized for anti-air use.[1][2] Its focus cannon is known to be capable of leveling entire cities and is among the most powerful to ever be mounted on a Covenant combat walker.[1]

Development history

The Protos-pattern Scarab is seemingly an old design or its development history was purposefully kept top secret by the Covenant hierarchy as its origins were known even to the Covenant that were assigned to serve on these hulking machines.[2] Even though it was already lauded as an extremely powerful combat walker, the Covenant experimented with significantly augmented versions of the Protos-pattern Scarab that never entered full production.[1]

Operational History

"You may find this hard to believe, but most people find Scarabs to be rather unsettling."
Cortana to John-117, during the Battle of Mombasa[5]

The Covenant rarely used the Protos-pattern Scarab in direct combat, using it more as a specialized artifact-retrieval vehicle during the Human-Covenant War. The features of this Scarab were rarely observed by human forces, as Protos-pattern Scarabs quickly burned their way through UNSC defenses.[2]

During the Battle of Meridian, the Covenant used a Protos-pattern Scarab to excavate a Forerunner artifact beneath the town of Brume-sur-Mer. It wad destroyed when Owen-B096, Victor Gallardo, Dorian Nguyen, Evelyn Rousseau and Saskia Nazari destroyed the energy shield surrounding the dig site with skinners, with the chain reaction also taking out the Scarab.[6] However, when Salome showed Evie and Dorian footage of the dig site, they discovered that Covenant's Huragok were attempting to repair the Scarab.[7]

Unprecedented numbers of the Protos-pattern Scarab were deployed during the Fall of Reach and later the Battle for Earth.[2] When the High Prophet of Regret invaded Earth, he deployed at least five Scarabs to Mombasa, Africa, with at least two of them be the Protos-patterns.[8] Two Scarabs were placed in New Mombasa, while another three were deployed in Old Mombasa. One of the Scarabs in New Mombasa was apparently charged with destroying the Mombasa Tether,[5] though John-117 managed to board and destroy the walker mere minutes before Solemn Penance jumped into slipstream space.[3] Shortly after, the UNSC Brasidas managed to disable another Protos in the city with its MAC. A nearby detachment of UNSC Marines promptly engaged the surviving Covenant forces in an attempt to recover the Scarab for themselves.[9][10]

During the Battle of Installation 05, a Protos was parked at a Jiralhanae encampment close to Installation 05's Control Room. During an attack by Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, several UNSC prisoners escaped and Sergeant Avery Johnson took control of the Scarab. Communicating from its control center, Johnson negotiated a truce with the Arbiter to stop their mutual enemy Tartarus from activating the Halo Array. Johnson proceeded to drive the Scarab to the Control Room, escorted by the Arbiter in a Banshee along with other Covenant separatist forces. Upon reaching the Control Room, Johnson used the Scarab's focus cannon to blow open the sealed doors before parking the machine and disembarking to directly aid in stopping Tartarus within the Control Room.[4]

Gameplay

Halo 2

The Halo 2 Scarab was almost indestructible and immune to damage in the game. Its movement was entirely scripted, and no damageable parts appear to have been coded for it. It was only destroyed in a cutscene. When the Protos-pattern Scarab fires, some molten, green liquid (possibly coolant or excess plasma) will leak out below the main cannon. The forward plasma turret could be destroyed with just a few melee attacks, as could the rear plasma turret. The flaps on the main gun could be destroyed only by using a Scorpion tank. Also, the underside grate could be destroyed.

Production notes

When the Protos was first introduced in Halo 2, it was originally intended to play an even larger role in the game's narrative. In the original cut of the game's ending on the level "Earth Ark," the Master Chief would have had to face down two Protos-pattern Scarabs outside the "Ark" on Earth. When Earth Ark was cut, two Scarabs were intended to play a large role on The Great Journey instead—with the two shown in storyboards patrolling the exterior of the control room.

The Protos was one of many units to be experimented with for inclusion in Halo Wars. The vehicle was found in the Halo Wars E3 2007 demo, where it was destroyed via MAC strike. Ultimately, the vehicle was cut and replaced in the final release with the Deutoros-pattern Scarab from Halo 3 instead.

Trivia

  • In Halo 2, the player can obtain the "Scarab Gun" on the level Outskirts and Metropolis. The weapon uses the Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle chassis, though it fires the same plasma stream as the Scarab's main gun, never overheats, and can fire indefinitely. Obtaining the Scarab Gun in Halo 2 for Windows Vista rewards the player with an achievement. Obtaining the Scarab Gun in Halo: The Master Chief Collection will grant the player the Scarab Lord achievement for 20 gamerscore.
  • In the game world, the Scarab encountered in Halo 2's Metropolis is the only one that the player cannot directly destroy and must board and take out its crew. In the other games, the Scarabs fought by the players have vulnerable reactor cores located at the back that can be targeted to destroy the vehicle aside from the Super Scarab in Halo Wars.

Gallery

Development images

Screenshots and official artwork

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 279
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  4. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Great Journey
  5. ^ a b Halo: Evolutions - Palace Hotel
  6. ^ Halo: Meridian Divide, chapter 7
  7. ^ Halo: Meridian Divide, chapter 9
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Scarab Tactics (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, New Mombasa (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo 2, multiplayer map Turf