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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Title|''Shua'ee''-pattern Locust}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Vehicle Infobox
{{disambig header|the Covenant quadrupedal excavator nicknamed the "Locust"|the Spartan armor of a similar name|LOCUS-class Mjolnir}}
|image=[[File:LocustHW.png|250px]]
{{Vehicle infobox
|name=Locust
|name=''Shua'ee''-pattern Light Excavator
|manufacturer=
|image=[[File:LocustHW.png|300px]]
|line=
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=essential|EVG|Page=110}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=278}}
|model=
|line=[[Excavator]] tier-1{{Ref/Site|Id=HWU|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
|class=
|model=[[Locust]]
|length=
|cost=
|width=
|length={{Convert|5.8|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|height=
|width={{Convert|12|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass=
|height={{Convert|22.2|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max accel=
|mass={{Convert|29.5|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|max speed space=
|max speed=
|max speed air=
|engine=Quadrupedal leg assembly
|engine=Quadrupedal walking-leg assembly
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace speed=
|poweroutput=
|power=
|shield gen=Equipped
|hull=
|hull=
|sensor=
|armament=1 [[Focus cannon|light focus beam]] (charged [[plasma cannon]]){{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCS|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Summit.aspx#Vampire|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Game Info - Covenant Factory|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Covenant#Locust|D=22|M=01|Y=2010}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=245}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=255}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|target=
|crew=1 pilot{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|navigation=
|avionics=
|countermeasures=
|armament= [[Focus cannon|Charged plasma beam]]<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 245''</ref>
|complement=
|complement=
|crew=
|skeleton=
|passengers=
|capacity=
|consumables=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=[[Energy shielding]]
|firstuse=
|firstuse=
|role= Anti-structure
|service=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|era= [[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|affiliation= Covenant Empire
|role=*Excavation/ terrestrial mining platform
*[[wikipedia:siegeworks|Siegeworks]]/ anti-fortification platform
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
*[[Covenant remnants]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|Destroy those Locusts wherever you find them. They're building killers!| [[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]]{{Ref/Level|Id=HWScarab|HW|Scarab (level)|Scarab}}}}
The '''''Shua'ee''-pattern Light Excavator'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{Type|30|Light Excavation/Anti-Fortification Platform|LE/AFP}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} or colloquially the '''Locust''', is a quadrupedal [[Covenant]] vehicle used for mining and combat purposes. They are the lightest vehicles of the [[excavator]] class of mining/combat walkers in the Covenant.{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}


{{Quote|Destroy those Locusts wherever you find them. They're building killers!| [[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]]}}
Among UNSC forces, Locusts have acquired a number of nicknames including the "'''Building Killer'''" and "'''Little Bug'''".{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}


The '''Locust''' is a repurposed quadrupdal mining vehicle utilized by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] in a combat role. It is typically used to demolish structures.
==Overview==
[[File:Two Scarabs.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Locusts and Scarabs fighting together.]]
===Design details===
The Locust is a relatively small quadrupedal walker, featuring four fully-articulated legs capable of traversing most terrain - {{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} including climbing up and over sheer cliffs.{{Ref/Level|Id=Dome|HW|Dome of Light}} The centre of the leg assembly contains a single rotating turret based on the canopy of the [[Banshee]] ground support flyer,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} which houses the vehicle's primary armament. The turret has a full 360 degree rotation capability, allowing the vehicle to aim at anything it can see. The cockpit is capable of seating one [[Sangheili]] or [[Jiralhanae]] pilot{{Ref/Game|HW|Locust in-game unit}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} - unlike both the larger excavator models (such as [[Scarab]]s) and other Locust models used by the [[Banished]], which utilise a [[lekgolo]] colony to drive the vehicle.


==Appearance==
The vehicle was originally designed purely as an [[Excavator|excavation tool]] - intended for use in mining resources and unearthing [[Forerunner]] reliquaries. Consequently, they are lightly-armoured{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} and susceptible to being easily damaged in combat. During the [[Human-Covenant War]], they were upgraded to see the inclusion of an [[Energy shielding|energy shield]] module to better-protect the vehicle after it was pressed into combat operations against [[human]]ity.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The Locust can be upgraded with a Shield Amplifier, which further-upgrades the shields to have a faster recharge time.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
[[File:Walkers.JPG|thumb|left|150px|Locusts and Scarabs fighting together.]]
The Locust is a smaller, tank-sized counterpart to the [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab assault platform]], which is also a repurposed mining platform. It does not share the Scarab's spiked "feet", though it is capable of using its legs to climb over obstacles in a similar manner to its larger cousin.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Dome of Light]]''</ref> Unlike the Scarab, the Locust is seemingly controlled by a [[Sangheili]] or [[Jiralhanae]] pilot rather than by a [[Lekgolo]] colony. The Locust possesses one rotating turret, which is very similar in appearance to a [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee's]] cockpit. The turret hosts a single plasma cannon that fires a straight purple-pink beam; this beam is powerful against ground and air targets and can outrange most equivalent weapons. The Locust has a regenerating bubble-shaped shield that is capable of protecting the vehicle from a limited amount of weapons fire; the shield is not capable of regenerating after it is destroyed.
[[File:Locust halo wars.JPG|thumb|right|Locust schematics.]]


==Gameplay==
===Armament===
The Locust has the longest effective range of any Covenant ground unit in ''Halo Wars''. The Locust is specifically designed to take down static targets, and is only able to open fire when stationary. The Locust can be upgraded with the "Overdrive" attack as well as with the "Shield Amplifier" defensive ability. The former upgrade allows the Locust to divert energy from its shield generator to its main cannon, increasing its attack power; the latter upgrade makes the unit's shield regenerate faster.
The Locust's primary armament is a single [[Focus cannon|light focus cannon]], alternatively termed a "charged [[plasma cannon]]" {{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} - rated as equivalent to a [[heavy plasma cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The weapon can be upgraded with an Overdrive module - allowing the vehicle to divert power from its shields to increase the power output of the cannon.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}


As a long-range tool known as the "building killer", the Locust is largely used to attack an enemy's defenses from a safe distance. This is a useful alternative to a direct confrontation, which would result in casualties for the attacker. A small group of Locusts can be used to assist a force of smaller warriors, like [[Kig-yar]], making it far easier for the group to destroy enemy buildings. Larger groups of Locusts can be used in a surprise attack against an enemy, and in such cases, the Locusts can often level the targeted base in under thirty seconds; however, the inherent vulnerability of the unit makes this a gamble.
==Operational history==
===Human-Covenant War===
In [[2531#February|February 2531]] Locusts were used by Covenant forces on [[Arcadia]] and [[Trove]] in long-range artillery roles against UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|Dome}}{{Ref/Reuse|HWScarab}}{{Ref/Level|HW|Beachhead}}


Against non-structure targets, the Locust is fairly weak. Though able to do significant damage, the Locust is brittle, and falls quickly to concentrated fire. However, its beam can lure enemy units towards awaiting forces, allowing them to be quickly cut down.
In [[2548]], at least six Locusts were used by the Covenant forces on [[Meridian]] to excavate a [[Forerunner]] artifact buried underneath the town of [[Brume-sur-Mer]].{{Ref/Novel|HBatB|Chapter=13}}{{Ref/Novel|HBatB|Chapter=15}}{{Ref/Novel|HBatB|Chapter=16}}{{Ref/Novel|HBatB|Chapter=21}}


===Upgrades===
===Post War===
#'''Overdrive''' is a special attack that drains the user's shield to boost its offensive power.
In the post-war era, remnants of the former Covenant empire still used the Locust, though their roles have somewhat changed: while some are employed by fierce [[Jiralhanae]] raiding parties looking to pillage colony worlds, [[Sangheili]] [[kaidon]]s and warlords used them to fortify [[keep]]s and protect fragile alliances.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-no-joke|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - No Joke|D=08|M=07|Y=2016}} During the [[Carrow Conflict]] in September [[2558]], the Jiralhanae [[Voice of Maardoth]] led by [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Hekabe]] had access to Locusts during his attack on [[Carrow]].{{Ref/Novel|HEnv|Chapter=5}}
#'''Shield amplifier''' increases the Locust's shield regeneration rate. It is useful when used with Overdrive, and it also stacks with the "Shield of the Forerunners" upgrade from the [[Temple (Covenant)|temple]], allowing an even quicker recharge rate.


'''Resource''': 300
The [[Banished]] employ a [[Barukaza Workshop Locust|unique variant]] of the Locust manufactured by the [[Armory of Barukaza]]. Free of the restrictions imposed by the [[San'Shyuum]] on the Covenant's Locusts, the Banished have seen fit to augment their Locusts with a Lekgolo crew and an uncapped power ceiling.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=467}}


'''Minimum Tech Level''': 2
==Gameplay==
===''Halo Wars''===
[[File:Locust halo wars.JPG|thumb|Locust schematics.]]
The Locust has the longest effective range among the Covenant ground units in ''Halo Wars'' and costs {{HWResources|300}} resources, a tech level of {{HWTech|2}}, and a population of {{HWPop|2}}. The Locust is specifically designed to take down static targets and is only able to open fire when stationary. The Locust can be upgraded with the '''Overdrive''' ability as well as with the '''Shield Amplifier''' ability. The former upgrade allows the Locust to divert energy from its shield generator to its main cannon, increasing its attack power; the latter upgrade allows the unit's shield to regenerate faster.


'''Population Count''': 3
Known as a 'building killer', the Locust is largely used to attack an enemy's defences from a safe distance. This is a useful alternative to a direct confrontation, which would result in casualties for the attacker. A small group of Locusts can be used to assist a force of smaller warriors, like [[Kig-yar]], making it far easier for the group to destroy enemy buildings. Larger groups of Locusts can be used in surprise attacks against enemy bases and in such cases, the Locusts can often level the targeted base in thirty seconds. However, the inherent vulnerability of the unit makes this a gamble. The Locust is fairly weak against non-structure targets. Though it is able to do significant damage to units, the Locust's defences are weak and fall quickly to concentrated fire. However, its beam can lure enemy units towards awaiting forces, allowing them to be quickly cut down. Although less common, the Locust can be used quite effectively to destroy small groups of air units such as Vulture formations. This is provided the player has a sufficient number of Locusts and that they attack from long range to reduce the number of casualties that will inevitably be taken.
 
The following upgrades are available:
#'''Overdrive''' is a special attack that drains the Locust's shields to boost damage. Requires {{HWResources|400}} resources and a tech level of {{HWTech|2}}.
#'''Shield Amplifier''' increases the Locust's shield-regeneration rate. It is useful when used with Overdrive, and its effects also stack with the 'Shield of the Forerunners' upgrade from the [[Temple (Covenant)|Temple]], allowing for an even quicker regeneration rate. Requires {{HWResources|800}} resources and a tech level of {{HWTech|3}}.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Like the Scarab, the Locust is named after an insect. Locusts are members of the grasshopper family that are infamously known for rapidly stripping fields of crops. The walker's similar "building killer" status may be the reason for the vehicle's name.
When playing as the UNSC in multiplayer or [[skirmish]] modes, Serina may say, "Watch the skies — they've got Locusts." This, along with the Locust being first encountered in-game in a mission where other attacking enemy units are airborne, and the real locust being able to fly, may mean that the Locust was intended to be an air unit at some point in the development of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
*It is possible that that the Locusts are the insect-like mining vehicles seen by [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] [[Red Team]] during the [[Fall of Reach]], as mentioned in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''. These vehicles were previously believed to be a weaker version of the Scarab, which also used to be a mining device.
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150">
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:HaloWars-Concept-Locusts.jpg|Concept art of a Locust accompanied by Jiralhanae warriors for ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HW Locust Concept 2.jpg|Concept explorations of the Locust.
File:HW Locust Render.jpg|A render of the Locust asset.
File:SCV02 VultureFight.jpg|Locusts engaging [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces.
File:SCV02 VultureFight.jpg|Locusts engaging [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces.
File:locust.jpg|A Locust on [[Harvest]].
File:HW Locust.png|A Locust on [[Harvest]].
File:441_realsize.jpg|A Locust accompanied by Jiralhanae warriors.
File:HW-T30-Locust.png|A side view of the Locust in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW-Locusts-Attacking-Firebase.jpg|Two Locusts, [[Wraiths]], and various other units assaulting a [[UNSC]] [[Firebase]].
File:HW-Locustarmy.png|An army of Locusts on Harvest.
File:HW-Buildingkillers.png|An army of Locusts attack a Firebase.
File:HW Scarab&Locusts.png|Two Locusts firing their focus cannons.
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]'' {{Mo}}


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


{{Covenant Vehicles}}
{{Covenant Ground Vehicles}}
[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]
[[Category:Excavators|Locust, Type-30]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, December 25, 2023

This article is about the Covenant quadrupedal excavator nicknamed the "Locust". For the Spartan armor of a similar name, see LOCUS-class Mjolnir.
Shua'ee-pattern Light Excavator
LocustHW.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1][2]

Product line:

Excavator tier-1[3]

Model:

Locust

Technical specifications

Length:

5.8 meters (19 ft)[1][2]

Width:

12 meters (39 ft)[1][2]

Height:

6.8 meters (22.2 ft)[2]

Mass:

29.5 metric tons (29.0 LT; 32.5 ST)[2]

Engine(s):

Quadrupedal leg assembly

Other system(s):

Energy shielding

Armament:

1 light focus beam (charged plasma cannon)[4][5][6][1][2]

Crew:

1 pilot[1][2]

Usage

In service:

Role(s):

  • Excavation/ terrestrial mining platform
  • Siegeworks/ anti-fortification platform

Affiliation:

 

"Destroy those Locusts wherever you find them. They're building killers!"
— Sergeant John Forge[7]

The Shua'ee-pattern Light Excavator[2] (UNSC Type classification: Type-30 Light Excavation/Anti-Fortification Platform, T-30 LE/AFP)[1] or colloquially the Locust, is a quadrupedal Covenant vehicle used for mining and combat purposes. They are the lightest vehicles of the excavator class of mining/combat walkers in the Covenant.[8]

Among UNSC forces, Locusts have acquired a number of nicknames including the "Building Killer" and "Little Bug".[5][6]

OverviewEdit

 
Locusts and Scarabs fighting together.

Design detailsEdit

The Locust is a relatively small quadrupedal walker, featuring four fully-articulated legs capable of traversing most terrain - [2] including climbing up and over sheer cliffs.[9] The centre of the leg assembly contains a single rotating turret based on the canopy of the Banshee ground support flyer,[5][6] which houses the vehicle's primary armament. The turret has a full 360 degree rotation capability, allowing the vehicle to aim at anything it can see. The cockpit is capable of seating one Sangheili or Jiralhanae pilot[10][1][2] - unlike both the larger excavator models (such as Scarabs) and other Locust models used by the Banished, which utilise a lekgolo colony to drive the vehicle.

The vehicle was originally designed purely as an excavation tool - intended for use in mining resources and unearthing Forerunner reliquaries. Consequently, they are lightly-armoured[5][6] and susceptible to being easily damaged in combat. During the Human-Covenant War, they were upgraded to see the inclusion of an energy shield module to better-protect the vehicle after it was pressed into combat operations against humanity.[1] The Locust can be upgraded with a Shield Amplifier, which further-upgrades the shields to have a faster recharge time.[5][6]

ArmamentEdit

The Locust's primary armament is a single light focus cannon, alternatively termed a "charged plasma cannon" [2] - rated as equivalent to a heavy plasma cannon.[1] The weapon can be upgraded with an Overdrive module - allowing the vehicle to divert power from its shields to increase the power output of the cannon.[5][6]

Operational historyEdit

Human-Covenant WarEdit

In February 2531 Locusts were used by Covenant forces on Arcadia and Trove in long-range artillery roles against UNSC forces.[9][7][11]

In 2548, at least six Locusts were used by the Covenant forces on Meridian to excavate a Forerunner artifact buried underneath the town of Brume-sur-Mer.[12][13][14][15]

Post WarEdit

In the post-war era, remnants of the former Covenant empire still used the Locust, though their roles have somewhat changed: while some are employed by fierce Jiralhanae raiding parties looking to pillage colony worlds, Sangheili kaidons and warlords used them to fortify keeps and protect fragile alliances.[16] During the Carrow Conflict in September 2558, the Jiralhanae Voice of Maardoth led by Chieftain Hekabe had access to Locusts during his attack on Carrow.[17]

The Banished employ a unique variant of the Locust manufactured by the Armory of Barukaza. Free of the restrictions imposed by the San'Shyuum on the Covenant's Locusts, the Banished have seen fit to augment their Locusts with a Lekgolo crew and an uncapped power ceiling.[18]

GameplayEdit

Halo WarsEdit

 
Locust schematics.

The Locust has the longest effective range among the Covenant ground units in Halo Wars and costs   300 resources, a tech level of   2, and a population of   2. The Locust is specifically designed to take down static targets and is only able to open fire when stationary. The Locust can be upgraded with the Overdrive ability as well as with the Shield Amplifier ability. The former upgrade allows the Locust to divert energy from its shield generator to its main cannon, increasing its attack power; the latter upgrade allows the unit's shield to regenerate faster.

Known as a 'building killer', the Locust is largely used to attack an enemy's defences from a safe distance. This is a useful alternative to a direct confrontation, which would result in casualties for the attacker. A small group of Locusts can be used to assist a force of smaller warriors, like Kig-yar, making it far easier for the group to destroy enemy buildings. Larger groups of Locusts can be used in surprise attacks against enemy bases and in such cases, the Locusts can often level the targeted base in thirty seconds. However, the inherent vulnerability of the unit makes this a gamble. The Locust is fairly weak against non-structure targets. Though it is able to do significant damage to units, the Locust's defences are weak and fall quickly to concentrated fire. However, its beam can lure enemy units towards awaiting forces, allowing them to be quickly cut down. Although less common, the Locust can be used quite effectively to destroy small groups of air units such as Vulture formations. This is provided the player has a sufficient number of Locusts and that they attack from long range to reduce the number of casualties that will inevitably be taken.

The following upgrades are available:

  1. Overdrive is a special attack that drains the Locust's shields to boost damage. Requires   400 resources and a tech level of   2.
  2. Shield Amplifier increases the Locust's shield-regeneration rate. It is useful when used with Overdrive, and its effects also stack with the 'Shield of the Forerunners' upgrade from the Temple, allowing for an even quicker regeneration rate. Requires   800 resources and a tech level of   3.

TriviaEdit

When playing as the UNSC in multiplayer or skirmish modes, Serina may say, "Watch the skies — they've got Locusts." This, along with the Locust being first encountered in-game in a mission where other attacking enemy units are airborne, and the real locust being able to fly, may mean that the Locust was intended to be an air unit at some point in the development of Halo Wars.

GalleryEdit

  Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

  • Concept art of a Locust accompanied by Jiralhanae warriors for Halo Wars.

  • Concept explorations of the Locust.

  • A render of the Locust asset.

  • Locusts engaging UNSC forces.

  • A Locust on Harvest.

  • A side view of the Locust in Halo Wars.

  • Two Locusts, Wraiths, and various other units assaulting a UNSC Firebase.

  • An army of Locusts on Harvest.

  • An army of Locusts attack a Firebase.

  • Two Locusts firing their focus cannons.

List of appearancesEdit

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 110
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 278
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  4. ^ Official Halo Wars Community Site, Game Info - Covenant Factory (Retrieved on Jan 22, 2010) [local archive] [external archive]
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 245
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 255
  7. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Scarab
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  9. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light
  10. ^ Halo Wars, Locust in-game unit
  11. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Beachhead
  12. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 13
  13. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 15
  14. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 16
  15. ^ Halo: Battle Born, chapter 21
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - No Joke (Retrieved on Jul 8, 2016) [archive]
  17. ^ Halo: Envoy, chapter 5
  18. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 467

Ground vehicles of the Covenant and its remnants
Rapid Assault Vehicles
Infantry Support Vehicles
Light Assault Vehicles
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