User:JackVibe/Sandbox
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The Covenant and its remnants deployed a type of watchtower,[1][2] sometimes known as a lookout tower,[3] on the battlefield.[4]
Overview
Design details
A watchtower is comprised of a circular platform and a gravity base. As a rather ordinary example of platform suspension within the Covenant, the gravity base features an anti-gravity generator in its center, from which the circular platform is suspended in the air at a stable and static position. The anti-gravity generator also serves as a gravity lift, transporting supplies and troops freely and swiftly through a gap in the center of the platform.[4]
The protected platforms display a variety of designs. One platform design has three protective pillars with large gaps between them for snipers to have a clear line of sight or for Unggoy Heavy to man their Pek-pattern plasma cannons.[5][6][7][8] Some platforms have three thinner, longer pillars that support a rooftop-like cover instead of oval pillars.[9] Some towers are also connected to an adjacent energy wall, which will activate when the tower is occupied.[10]
The watchtowers are easily installed and activated.[4] The base, when deployed on the ground, can not be moved again. The platform, however, is not as steady as the base; weapon fire could destroy the platform or knock it out of suspension.[5][6][7][8][9]
A variant of the watchtower with a sheltered platform.
A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform.
A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform employed by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.
Usage
The watchtowers are used to fortify specific areas on a battlefield. They are deployed to form a perimeter before the establishment of a forward operations citadel or other advanced occupation site.[4] The tower is able to garrison a Covenant file, though they are typically occupied by marksmen, such as Kig-Yar Snipers or Jiralhanae with carbines, or Heavy Unggoy manning plasma cannons.[11]
In-game information
In Halo 2, the watchtowers appear in numerous campaign maps as well as in the multiplayer map, Relic. The platforms are indestructible, though they could be pushed off the base; the base would remain active and hold players in the air.
In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the watchtowers appear in some campaign levels, with some equipped with plasma cannons. The platforms are destructible, breaking into debris after taking heavy fire.
In Halo Wars, the watchtowers are known as Sniper Tower. They are deployed by the Covenant, but once every single Covenant troop on it is killed, UNSC soldiers can garrison in it, increasing their combat capabilities. A Covenant file is usually found on top of them defending the Kig-Yar and Unggoy Heavies there. In Skirmish, they are left neutral for either team's taking, providing a useful defense, if needed, plus they will not be destroyed no matter how many times a marine hits it. Certain maps, such as Tundra or Fort Deen, include watchtowers that are connected to energy walls. When garrisoned, the energy shield wall activates and prevents ground units from moving through. These walls can be bypassed by air units, Jiralhanae Jumpers, and occasionally Deutoros-pattern Scarabs.[10]
In Halo: Reach, the watchtowers are largely similar to those in Halo 3 with minor aesthetic upgrades. However, unlike in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, where its base deactivates when the platform is destroyed, the gravity lift remains active, like it did in Halo 2.
In Halo 4, the watchtowers are very similar to their Halo: Reach counterparts. However, the player must crouch to enter it due to narrower hole of entrance. The base of the tower will always be active and be able to lift vehicles. The base will also explode when heavily damaged, harming those nearby.
In Halo Infinite, the Halo 3 iteration of the watchtower will be made available in Forge's Covenant palette with Content Update 29. It is comprised of two separate objects: Covenant Watchtower Base and Covenant Watchtower Platform.[12]
Production notes
- Tags for watchtower (and Shades) exist in Halo 3's Snowbound. The watchtowers can be manipulated in Forge, but have no names, costs, or maximum limits. The watchtower platforms tend to spontaneously disappear, and do not respawn.
- In Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the player can detach a watchtower platform with plasma cannons from the base without destroying it (such as using a Gravity Hammer). If the platform is tilted more than 45 degrees, a message saying "Inoperable turret" will appear when the player is near the turret. However, any Unggoy manning the turret would remain on the turret.
Gallery
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A watchtower on the outskirts of New Mombasa in Halo 2.
A watchtower platform knock out of suspension in Halo 2.
An inactive watchtower in Halo 2.
Top-down view of a watchtower in Halo 3.
A Jiralhanae armed with a particle beam rifle on a watchtower in Halo 3.
Two Kig-Yar on a watchtower in Halo Wars.
A watchtower being destroyed in Halo 4
An inactive watchtower in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A deployed watchtower in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Concept art for the Halo 5: Guardians iteration of the watchtower.
A Covenant watchtower in Halo Infinite Forge.
List of appearances
- Halo 2 (First appearance)
- Halo: Uprising
- Halo 3
- Halo Wars
- Halo 3: ODST
- Halo: Reach
- Halo 4
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo 2: Anniversary
- Halo: Lone Wolf
- Halo: Shadows of Reach
Sources
- ^ Bungie.net, Relic Revealed: 6/28/2005: "There are two sniper rifles available on Relic – a Human Sniper spawns right near the wreckage by the offense starting point and a Beam Rifle spawns at the base of the Covenant watchtower." (Retrieved on Oct 13, 2014) [archive]
- ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway: "Flank the watchtower, Trooper! Take it out!" - Edward Buck
- ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 12: "A third round of explosions sounded out on the barrens as John reached the lookout tower at the south end of the shield barrier. Conscious that he had nothing with which to defend himself but a submachine gun and a pistol, he stepped into the tower base and allowed the gravity lift to carry him up to the watch platform."
- ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 223
- ^ a b Halo 3, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo: Reach, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo 4, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo 2, gameplay
- ^ a b Halo Wars, gameplay
- ^ Halo 3, gameplay
- ^ YouTube - HALO, January Update & HCS 2024 Roadmap | Halo Infinite (Retrieved on Jan 28, 2024)
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