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{{Title|''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser}}
{{Title|''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship class infobox
{{Infobox/Ships
|name=''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser
|name           = ''Zanar''-pattern
|image=[[File:H4-CovenantCRSLightCruiser.png|300px]]
|image           = [[File:H4-CovenantCRSLightCruiser.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges|Secondary Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|caption        =  
|line=
|modules        =
|model=
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|class=[[Cruiser]], [[Covenant ship classification system#Major categories|Attack Ship]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|hide-class          =  
|length=300 meters (984.25 feet)<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 265''</ref>
|class identification = UNSC [[Three-letter ship classification system|three-letter code]]: '''CRS'''{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|width=145 meters (476 feet){{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|class operator      =  
|mass=190,000 metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*[[Covenant fleet]]
|height=
|max accel=
|max speed=
|engine=[[Repulsor engine]]s
|slipspace drive=Equipped
|hdsystem=
|poweroutput=
|power=
|shielding=Yes
|hull=[[Nanolaminate hull plating]]
|sensor=
|target=
|navigation=[[Navigation computer]]
|avionics=
|countermeasures=
|armament=*[[Plasma turret]]s
*Two ''Erex''-pattern [[Energy projector|plasma beam emitter]]s<ref name="Warfleet72">'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', ''Attack Ships'', ''pages 72-73''</ref>
*Four ''Pok''-pattern [[Laser|beam lasers]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*Six ''Sintra''-pattern [[plasma torpedo]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|complement=None{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|crew=1 [[Sangheili|Superior]], 8 [[Menial]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|skeleton=
|passengers=
|capacity=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|role=Fleet support, interference, investigation, security{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|firstsight=[[2543]]
|lastsight=[[2558]]
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[Tem'Bhetek's faction]]
*[[Tem'Bhetek's faction]]
*[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
|class manufacturer  = [[Assembly Forges|Secondary Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|class architect      =
|class built          =
|class in service    = [[Ages of Conflict|Sixth Age of Conflict]]—present{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
}}
}}
 
|hide-characteristics=
The '''''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser'''{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=265}}, classified by [[human]]ity as the '''''CRS''-class light cruiser''' is a [[Covenant]] capital warship classification.<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 41''</ref>
|nocollapse      = yes
|type            =
*[[Attack ship]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*[[Covenant cruiser|Cruiser]] {{C|UNSC classification}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=41}}{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG|H4EVG|Page=194}}
|length          = {{Convert|984|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc09|Enc09|Page=265}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=277}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=265}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPCruiser|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/covenant-cruiser|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Covenant Cruiser|D=17|M=04|Y=2021}}
|width          = {{Convert|145|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}
|height          =
|mass            = 190,000 metric tons{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|power          = [[Pinch fusion reactor]]
|maneuver drive  = 2 [[repulsor engine]]s{{Ref/Game|Id=H4Zanar|H4|Zanar-pattern light cruiser in-game model}}
|slipspace drive = [[Borer]]
|crew            =
*1 [[Superior]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*8 [[Menial]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
|complement      = At least 10 escape pods{{Ref/Reuse|SOIPods}}
*{{Pattern|Gloto'kas|Assault Carapace|}} and {{Pattern|Gloto'kef|Assault Carapace}}s{{Ref/Reuse|Umbrage}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPUmbrage}}
|troops          =
*None {{C|Standard operation}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*At least ~50 warriors{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOIPods|SoI|Quote=Behind the Prelate’s pod, nine more were launching, each with five Jiralhanae inside. These fifty warriors—the entirety of Spear of Light’s remaining crew—knew they had just punched a one-way ticket, that there was no turning back.}}
|hull            = [[Nanolaminate]] hull plating
|shielding      = Equipped
|sensors        =
*[[Augur array]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
*[[Sensor vane]]s
|ew              =
|armaments      =
*Two ''Erex''-pattern [[Plasma beam emitter]]s{{Ref/Book|Id=Warfleet72|HWF|Page=72-73}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*Four ''Pok''-pattern [[plasma beam laser]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*Six ''Sintra''-pattern [[plasma torpedo]] silos{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|aircraft        =
|air facilities  = At least one [[hangar bay]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=Umbrage|Halo: Vertical Umbrage}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPUmbrage|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-4-vertical-umbrage|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 - Vertical Umbrage|D=07|M=11|Y=2022|LocalArchive=Archive:Vertical Umbrage}}
}}
The '''''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{3Letter|CRS|light cruiser}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPCruiser}} is a [[Covenant]] light [[attack ship]] classification.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
While classified as "light cruisers" by the UNSC, the Covenant intended them to fill a role more analogous to [[police cutter]]s to patrol inhabited star systems, conducting routine inspections and enforcing travel laws.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} After the war, ''CRS''-class cruisers became the backbones of fleets owned by Covenant remnants, serving in combat roles against [[human]]ity and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} Crews of ''CRS'' cruisers generally regarded serving aboard one as a stepping stone to more glorious service aboard the Covenant's Examiner ships, such as {{Class|ORS|heavy cruiser}}s, and would take risks during combat to prove their worth in hopes of reassignment.<ref name="Warfleet64">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''Examiners'', ''pages 64-65''</ref> They regarded escorting Executor-type ships and their disgraced crews such as the {{Class|CPV|heavy destroyer}} as a more distasteful assignment, and could never be relied on to do more than their basic duties.<ref name="Warfleet61">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''Executioners'', ''pages 60-61''</ref> When the Prophets took their Procurator-type ships and fled Covenant space in the wake of the [[Great Schism]], they held many light cruisers whose crews remained loyal with them.<ref name="Warfleet68">'''Halo: Warfleet''', ''Procurators'', ''pages 68-69''</ref> As with other small attack craft employed by various Covenant fleets, ''CRS'' cruisers didn't have permanent crew quarters, instead rotating fresh crew members on between missions.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
[[File:FoR TAS - Unrelenting fires.png|thumb|250px|left|''[[Unrelenting]]'' firing its ''Sintra''-pattern plasma torpedoes.{{Ref/Reuse|AS}}]]
===Design details===
Described by UNSC personnel as resembling a "luminous manta ray",{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Chapter=22}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPCruiser}} the ''Zanar'' is essentially a smaller, weaker version of the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The design originated as a mutation (albeit a stable one) in the [[design pattern]] of the larger {{Pattern|Elefen|battlecruiser|}} and {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s used in a more general role by the Covenant military—resulting in a vessel several times smaller than its forebears though retaining similar proportions and silhouette.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}


==Specifications==
The ship's bow contains a cluster of four [[sensor vane]]s, which are prone to exhibiting aberrations during assembly that result in them making the ship appear friendly to [[Forerunner]] systems. This can be used to allow the ship to bypass [[Sentinel]] installations unharmed. The ship's rear contains the two [[repulsor engine]]s and their control coils. The ''Zanar''{{'}}s control coils require careful fine-tuning to prevent disorientation and hallucination when operating at full power.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
===Superstructure and hull===
Resembling a luminous manta ray,<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 205''</ref> the ''CRS'' is essentially a smaller, weaker version of the {{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}},{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} with the ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser originally spawning as a stable mutation of the class' ''Elefen'' and ''Ket'' design patterns. One notable difference is that the ''CRS''-class (at least those used by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]) bears green lights, as opposed to the white-blue lighting on the ''CCS'' class. The control coils of ''CRS''-class light cruisers require careful fine-tuning to prevent disorientation and hallucination when operating at full power. In addition, in rare cases the sensor arrays of these ships subject to aberrant mutations during fabrication that make them appear friendly to Forerunner defense protocols.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}


The "R", for ''Reverence'', in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating [[Forerunner]] artifacts. The "S", for ''Salvation'', denotes that the ''CRS''-class light cruiser is a dedicated [[warship]].<ref name="canon fodder2">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-have-s-moa '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder: Have S'moa'']</ref>
Unlike the blue-purple lighting used on Covenant military vessels, the light cruisers used in [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] fleet exhibited green lighting—though whether this was an intentional design choice or a facet of the ''Zanar''-pattern as a whole is unknown.{{Ref/Reuse|H4Zanar}}


===Armament===
===Armament===
The four ''Pok''-pattern beam lasers coordinate fire using two dedicated auger arrays to coordinate fire and rapidly target dozens of targets in quick succession, a useful feature during suppression operations on Covenant worlds. Their ''Sintra''-pattern plasma torpedoes were extremely fast, but their high velocity in flight made them almost impossible to guide to the target, making them better employed as airborne artillery.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}  
The ''Zanar''-pattern is fitted with a relatively modest armament compared to its larger cousins. Despite ostensibly appearing to be a weaker form of its forebears, it is still considered more than a match for most [[UNSC starship]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} Its primary weapon systems are a pair of [[Plasma beam emitter|''Erex''-pattern plasma beam emitters]] and six top-mounted [[Plasma torpedo|''Sintra''-pattern plasma torpedo]] silos. The torpedoes are swift in flight but difficult to control, resulting in them being used primarily for [[Orbital bombardment|surface bombardment]]. On the ship's underside lie four [[Plasma beam laser|''Pok''-pattern beam lasers]], with two dedicated [[augur array]]s allowing the weapons to target dozens of targets in rapid succession. Unlike the bombardment-focused plasma torpedoes, the high-energy lasers are primarily used for picking off targets of opportunity when minimal collateral damage is required—primarily a function of the vessel's policing usage among [[Covenant colonies]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


==Operational history==
===Crew and complement===
===Human-Covenant War===
The small size of a ''Zanar''-pattern cruiser means that they have minimal crew facilities—including a total lack of permanent crew quarters. Instead, ''Zanar''-pattern ships are intended to rotate fresh crew members aboard between missions. They are crewed by a single [[Superior]] who holds the title of [[Shipmaster]], and eight [[Menial]]s. They additionally typically hold no on-board troop complement due to their intended function as policing vessels.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}
While some ''CRS''-class light cruisers engaged human forces during the [[Human-Covenant War]], the majority of them were assigned in rear echelon assignments to ensure Covenant supply lines were well protected. This made them a prime target for opportunistic warlords during and after the Great Schism to expand their fleets, using them in more combat focused roles than they were intended for.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}}


One single light cruiser ''[[Unrelenting]]'' of the [[Fleet of Inexorable Obedience]] led a [[Space warfare|space]] [[Battle of Chi Ceti|attack]] on [[Chi Ceti IV]] where it was able to damage the {{UNSCShip|Commonwealth}} but was damaged in return by the UNSC [[Paris-class heavy frigate|heavy frigate]].<ref>See</ref> It was eventually destroyed by the [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] company after being boarded. Ships of the class participated in the [[Battle of Psi Serpentis]] in [[2543]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions]] Volume I''', "[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]", ''page 329''</ref> Several light cruisers were used during the Covenant's [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] of [[Reach]] in [[2552]].<ref name="HFS18">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''Chapter 18'', ''page 167'' -- ''"Two exceptions to this patrol pattern were a pair of light cruisers hovering over Menachite Mountain"''</ref> Later during the same year, they were deployed during the [[Battle for Earth|occupation]] of [[Earth]].<ref name=SC2>''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', Series 1</ref>
The ''Zanar'' is fitted with a [[hangar bay]] capable of hosting at least a handful of [[Phantom]] dropships or other aircraft, alongside an escape pod bay stocking at least ten pods{{Ref/Reuse|SOIPods}} including {{Pattern|Gloto'kas|Assault Carapace|}} and {{Pattern|Gloto'kef|Assault Carapace}}s. Some ships used by the Covenant's remnants in the post-war era, such as ''[[Panom's Canticle]]'', have additionally demonstrated the capability to host a small on-board troop complement—likely a result of the cruiser's converted use as a mainline warship.{{Ref/SpOps|Memento Mori|Everything Has Gone Wrong}}{{Ref/Reuse|Umbrage}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPUmbrage}} In extreme circumstances, such as those of ''[[Spear of Light]]''{{'}}s guerilla campaign, a light cruiser may even host as many as fifty warriors.{{Ref/Reuse|SOIPods}}
[[File:H4 Landfall Corvette.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser and a {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} over Casbah City in 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|Landfall}}]]
===Usage===
Within the [[Three-letter ship classification system|hull classifications]] of Covenant ships undertaken by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], the ''Zanar'' is designated the CRS-class light cruiser—owing to the vessel's similar shape to the larger battlecruiser classes more commonly seen during the [[Human-Covenant War]] and its origins as a pattern mutation thereof.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}} Despite this, the ''Zanar'' was never used in the Covenant military in a role analogous to a cruiser, and the term is simply one applied by [[human]]ity.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} The "R", for ''Reverence'', in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating [[Forerunner]] artifacts. The "S", for ''Salvation'', denotes that the ''CRS''-class light cruiser is a dedicated [[warship]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Have S'moa|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'moa|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}} ''Zanar''-pattern ships are considered effective when used in interference, attack,{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} interdiction and support roles.{{Ref/Reuse|WPCruiser}}


The heavily-modified light cruiser ''[[Spear of Light]]'' acted as the vessel for [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] who used it to rescue the [[Boru'a'Neem|Minister of Preparation]] during the [[Fall of High Charity]] and personally destroyed a number of Sangheili-controlled vessels such as the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Eternal Reward]]''. Convinced that [[Rtas 'Vadum]] was responsible for the death of his family, the Prelate formed [[Tem'Bhetek's faction|a faction]] to get revenge upon the [[Sangheili]]. The cruiser attacked two [[Sangheili colonies]] and ambushed the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' at the second one with the crew abandoning the ''Spear of Light'' to board the ''Shadow of Intent''. After the boarders were repelled, the cruiser was captured and its navigation database led the Sangheili to the [[prototype Halo installation]]. Though most of the ship's systems were damaged beyond repair in the battle, the ''Spear of Light's'' database later revealed that more of the [[San'Shyuum]] had survived then was previously believed and was used by 'Vadum to begin a search for them.<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'''</ref>
Within the Covenant, the ''Zanar'' is considered to be an [[attack ship]]—something beneath the notice of most [[fleetmaster]]s or [[Supreme Commander]]s and rarely considered in the wider schema of naval warfare. They were used to fill a role similar to that of a [[police cutter]]—used for internal patrols and security throughout Covenant space and rarely considered to be a mainline warship. During the empire's reign, ''Zanar''s could be found conducting routine inspections and enforcing travel laws,{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} alongside enforcing the policies and edicts of [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Their status as an attack ship means that ''Zanar''-pattern ships do not merit a [[shipmaster]]'s chair and associated honors—and they were generally considered unpopular assignments for [[Sangheili]] crews and thus most frequently assigned as vessels for lower-caste species such as the [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Jiralhanae]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} Serving aboard a ''Zanar''-pattern cruiser was most often seen as a stepping stone to serving aboard more important ships such as the [[Examiner (ship type)|examiners]], leading to their crews being highly aggressive in combat in order to prove their worth for reassignment to more notable [[capital ship]]s.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=64-65}}


===Post-war===
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], ''Zanar''s proved themselves surprisingly effective against the [[UNSC Navy]] early in the war, leading to some Covenant commanders reconsidering their status and beginning to add them to their fleets throughout the conflict. These vessels most often served as internal fleet security, or as escorts for larger warships.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Despite the lowly status of a ''Zanar''-pattern cruiser, their crews still believed themselves above the "distasteful" assignment of escort of [[executor]]-type ships such as the {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}. As such, they could rarely be counted on to do little more than basic duties.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=60-61}}
In the wake of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the ''CRS'' class forms the backbone of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]'s fleet, which deployed numerous ''CRS''-class cruisers to [[Requiem]] prior to and during the [[Battle of Requiem]].<ref name="H4">'''[[Halo 4]]'''</ref> After finding the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, one approached the ship with its shields down, not expecting a threat, intending to open fire on the ''Dawn''. However, [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] destroyed the cruiser with one of the ''Forward Unto Dawn's'' [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|''Hyperion'' nuclear missiles]] before it could fire. Several were destroyed moments later when the [[gravity well]] of Requiem pulled them in.<ref name="Dawn">'''Halo 4''', campaign level, ''[[Dawn]]''</ref> Three cruisers made a slipspace jump into [[Core of Requiem|Requiem's core]] to deploy troops around the satellite containing the Didact's [[Cryptum]]. At least one of these cruisers, possibly more, was sucked into the [[gravity well]] created by the Didact's Cryptum entering slipspace and was destroyed.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level, ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref> Numerous light cruisers were later sent to attack the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} after it crashed into Requiem, but at least two were destroyed by ''Infinity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s defensive turrets and surface-to-air-missile launchers after John-117 reactivated ''Infinity's'' defenses.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level, ''[[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]]''</ref> During the Didact's [[Raid on Ivanoff Station]], at least three cruisers were present, deploying Phantoms to stop the evacuation as John and [[Cortana]] reprogrammed [[Ivanoff Station]]'s defense turrets to cover the evacuation. As their Phantoms continued to be shot down by [[Mark 2551 Onager|Onagers]], the three cruisers moved into position over the station, remaining in close proximity to each other.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level, ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''</ref>
[[File:H4 SO S01E10 Palmer watching Covenant fleet.jpg|thumb|250px|''Zanar''-pattern cruisers escorting a ''Maugen''-pattern armored cruiser away from Requiem during the final stages of the Requiem Campaign in 2558.{{Ref/Reuse|Exodus}}]]


Several ''CRS''-class cruisers were present during the [[Requiem Campaign]] in [[2558#February|February 2558]]. Many provided escort for an {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}} that was destroyed immediately after ''Infinity's'' emergence from slipspace. They immediately engaged ''Infinity's'' {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}s, though they were quickly destroyed or routed.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Departure|S101 Departure]]</ref> Later, a light cruiser was [[Skirmish at Two Giants|deployed]] to "[[Two Giants]]" in response to [[Fireteam Crimson]] activating one of the structures in the area. Despite being supported by numerous [[Type-44 Phantom|Phantoms]], [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshees]] and ground troops, it was destroyed by a MAC round launched by ''[[Infinity Sub-Vessel 3]]'' and the UNSC's operation was a success.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Catherine/Shootout In Valhalla|S103 Shootout in Valhalla]]</ref>  Another light cruiser [[Battle at The Refuge|attacked]] the UNSC base at [[The Refuge (Requiem location)|the Refuge]], but was destroyed when [[Fireteam Shadow]] boarded and overloaded its power core.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Memento Mori/Everything Has Gone Wrong|S105 Everything Has Gone Wrong]]</ref> Shortly thereafter, a light cruiser took part in the [[Ambush at the Quarry|capture]] of Fireteam Crimson at the "[[Quarry]]" accompanied by several Phantoms and Banshees.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Memento Mori/Spartan Thorne|S105 Spartan Thorne]]</ref> A light cruiser, possibly the same one, remained on station over "[[Lockup]]" as Crimson [[Escape from Lockup|escaped]] with [[Icebreaker squad]] in a hijacked Phantom.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Scattered/Escape Plan|S106 Escape Plan]]</ref> At least three more were at the [[Warrens]] when Crimson [[Raid on the Warrens|visited]],<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Scattered/Need To Know|S106 Need To Know]]</ref> though they were gone by the time Crimson returned with [[Fireteam Lancer]].<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Expendable/Lancer|S108 Lancer]]</ref> Later, several light cruisers participated in the Covenant-Promethean [[Invasion of the UNSC Infinity|attack]] on ''Infinity''. At least one was destroyed when Fireteam Crimson brought the ''Infinity's'' weapons back online.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Invasion (Spartan Ops)|S107 Invasion]]</ref> Several light cruisers fled Requiem with an ''RCS''-class armored cruiser and several [[Morsam-pattern Seraph|Seraphs]] after Jul 'Mdama set the planet on a collision course with its parent star.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Exodus (Spartan Ops)|S1010 Exodus]]</ref>
''Zanar''-pattern cruisers emerged in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war]] era as a particularly common vessel to the [[Covenant remnants|remnant warlords]], due to their versatility and commonality. In many cases, these vessels were picked up and promoted from their policing duties to tools of war. Many ''Zanar''-pattern vessels served as loyal escorts for the [[procurator]]s of the [[San'Shyuum flotilla]] who fled the [[Fall of High Charity]] in [[2552]],{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=68-69}} while a large stockpile were secured for use by [[Jul 'Mdama]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|his Covenant]] thanks to their raid of an old imperial stockpile on a moon once orbited by High Charity.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Jul's Covenant in particular emphasised the use of ''Zanar''-pattern cruisers for the long-term occupation of [[Requiem]], and were used as escorts for his {{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}s and {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}}s throughout his campaigns.{{Ref/Reuse|Have S'moa}}
 
In [[2558#July|July 2558]], multiple light cruisers were present on [[Aktis IV]] when Jul 'Mdama and Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] set a trap to get the UNSC's half of the [[Janus Key]]. Hidden undetected under the planet's ocean, the ships rose to [[Battle of Aktis IV|attack]] the ''Infinity'' and her sub-vessels, blocking the UNSC [[flagship]] off in low orbit for over seven hours.<ref name="HE15">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 15|Issue #15]]''</ref>


==Ships of the line==
==Ships of the line==
===Unknown pattern===
*''[[Bad Gas]]''
*''[[Panom's Canticle]]''
*''[[Spear of Light]]''
*''[[Spear of Light]]''
*''[[Unrelenting]]''
*''[[Unrelenting]]''
==Operational history==
[[File:HLC battle for earth.png|250px|thumb|A ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser overseeing the ground conflict on Earth in 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|Crate}}]]
===Human-Covenant War===
The ''Zanar''-pattern emerged during the [[Ages of Conflict|Sixth Age of Conflict]] as a stable mutation of the larger battlecruisers of Covenant usage.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} It continued to see use internally throughout the Covenant's imperial fiefdoms until the emergence of the [[Human-Covenant War]], during which they saw action in some of the war's first engagements such as the [[Battle of Chi Ceti]]{{Ref/Film|Id=AS|TFoRAS}}—though were ultimately rarely seen by human forces.{{Ref/Reuse|WPCruiser}} Their nonetheless successful combat record against humanity during the war did mean that some officers began to consider adding them to their own fleets, if for no other reason than serving as internal policing roles—freeing up other ships for more important assignments.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} As such for the majority of the war, ''Zanar''-pattern ships were assigned in rear echelon assignments to ensure Covenant supply lines were well protected. This made them a prime target for opportunistic warlords during and after the Great Schism to expand their fleets, using them in more combat focused roles than they were intended for.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} Light cruisers were later employed during the [[Battle of Psi Serpentis]] in [[2543]]{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|The Impossible Life and Possible Death of Preston J. Cole}} and the [[Fall of Reach]].{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Chapter=18|Quote=Two exceptions to this patrol pattern were a pair of light cruisers hovering over Menachite Mountain}} Simultaneously with the Fall of Reach, multiple ''Zanar''-pattern ships participated in the [[Battle for Tribute]], besieging [[Casbah City]] alongside a number of {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}s{{Ref/Map|Id=Landfall|H4|Landfall}} Later during the [[2552|same year]], they were deployed during the [[Battle for Earth|occupation]] of [[Earth]].{{Ref/Generic|Id=Crate|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Series 1, Crate 2 artwork ([[:File:HLC battle for earth.png|File link]])}}
[[File:HE15 Infinity Attacked.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Multiple ''Zanar''-pattern cruisers ambushing UNSC ''Infinity'' over Aktis IV in mid-2558.{{Ref/Reuse|HE15}}]]
===Post-war===
At the onset of the [[Great Schism]] at the war's end, ''Zanar''-pattern cruisers were widely seized by warlords across the former-empire.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet72}} The heavily-modified light cruiser ''[[Spear of Light]]'' acted as the vessel for [[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]] who used it to rescue the [[Boru'a'Neem|Minister of Preparation]] during the [[Fall of High Charity]] and personally destroyed a number of Sangheili-controlled vessels such as the {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Eternal Reward]]''. Convinced that [[Rtas 'Vadum]] was responsible for the death of his family, the Prelate formed [[Tem'Bhetek's faction|a faction]] to get revenge upon the [[Sangheili]]. The cruiser attacked two [[Sangheili colonies]] and ambushed the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' at the second one with the crew abandoning the ''Spear of Light'' to board the ''Shadow of Intent''. After the boarders were repelled, the cruiser was captured and its navigation database led the Sangheili to the [[prototype Halo installation]].{{Ref/Novel|HSoI}}
Perhaps the most excessive usage of the ''Zanar'' was that of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]. After raiding an old imperial moon once-orbited by High Charity, Jul 'Mdama was able to obtain a large stockpile of light cruisers which were used to form the backbone of his fleet as began to consolidate power.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Numerous examples accompanied him to [[Requiem]] prior to and during the [[Battle of Requiem]]—during which they were dispatched in [[2557]] to investigate the wreckage of {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, before subsequently being destroyed by the firing of one of the ship's [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|Hyperion missiles]].{{Ref/Level|H4|Dawn}} Three cruisers made a slipspace jump into [[Core of Requiem|Requiem's core]] to deploy troops around the satellite containing the Didact's [[Cryptum]]. At least one of these cruisers, was sucked into the [[gravity well]] created by the Didact's Cryptum entering slipspace and was destroyed.{{Ref/Level|H4|Forerunner (level)|Forerunner}} Numerous light cruisers were later sent to attack the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} after it crashed into Requiem, but at least two were destroyed by ''Infinity''{{'}}s defensive turrets and surface-to-air-missile launchers.{{Ref/Level|H4|Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity}} At least three cruisers were present during the Didact's [[Raid on Ivanoff Station]], deploying Phantoms to stop the station's evacuation efforts.{{Ref/Level|H4|Composer (level)|Composer}}
[[File:HINF_PrismSkyboxBattle_3.png|250px|thumb|''Zanar''-pattern cruisers (right) exchanging fire with [[karve]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|prism}}]]
''Zanar''-pattern light cruisers continued their occupation of Requiem throughout the remiander of 2557, with ''[[Panom's Canticle]]'' being specifically tasked with overwatch of [[The Refuge (Requiem location)|the Refuge]] site.{{Ref/Reuse|Umbrage}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPUmbrage}} during the [[Requiem Campaign]] in [[2558#February|February 2558]]. Many provided escort for an {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}} that was destroyed immediately after ''Infinity's'' emergence from slipspace. They immediately engaged ''Infinity's'' {{Class|Strident|heavy frigate}}s, though they were quickly destroyed or routed.{{Ref/SpOps|Departure}} Light cruisers would proceed to be the bane of ''Infinity'' throughout the campaign, with deployments at [[Two Giants]] resulting in one such vessel being eliminated via MAC strike by [[Infinity Sub-Vessel 3]]{{Ref/SpOps|Catherine|Shootout in Valhalla}} and ''Panom's Canticle'' being destroyed via [[Naval boarding|boarding action]] by [[Fireteam Shadow]] during [[Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE]].{{Ref/Reuse|Umbrage}}{{Ref/Reuse|WPUmbrage}} Another ''Zanar'' was later used to reinforce the capture of [[Fireteam Crimson]]{{Ref/SpOps|Memento Mori|Spartan Thorne}} and remained in station over the "[[Lockup]]",{{Ref/SpOps|Scattered|Escape Plan}} with a further trio later deployed to the "[[Warrens]]" in response to [[Raid on the Warrens|another raid]] by UNSC forces there.{{Ref/SpOps|Scattered|Need To Know}} Several ships were later used as a part of the [[Invasion of the UNSC Infinity|boarding attempt]] on ''Infinity'', with one being destroyed by the supercarrier's weapons.{{Ref/SpOps|Invasion}} During the campaign's final moments, many ''Zanar''-pattern vessels were able to escape the planet before it was destroyed, escorting {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}}s to safety.{{Ref/SpOps|Id=Exodus|Exodus}}
In [[2558#July|July 2558]], multiple light cruisers were present on [[Aktis IV]] when Jul 'Mdama and Doctor [[Catherine Halsey]] set a trap to get the UNSC's half of the [[Janus Key]]. Hidden undetected under the planet's ocean, the ships rose to [[Battle of Aktis IV|attack]] the ''Infinity'' and her sub-vessels, blocking the UNSC [[flagship]] off in low orbit for over seven hours.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE15|HEsc|Issue=15}} They were later part of the large force sent to the [[Absolute Record]].{{Ref/Comic|HEsc|Issue=19}}
The [[Swords of Sanghelios]] retain ''Zanar''-pattern cruisers in their fleet. In [[2560]], they were used to escort {{Pattern|Hekar Taa|blockade runner}}s [[Battle of Suban|in a battle against]] a large [[Banished]] fleet of [[karve]]s and [[Banished dreadnought|dreadnought]]s over [[Suban]].{{Ref/Map|Id=prism|HINF|Prism}}
==Production notes==
The CRS light cruiser featured in the [[Axis Studios]] cutscenes for ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' was modelled by contract artist Steve "Coolhand" Tyler—a 3D artist specializing in hard surface design and spacecraft modelling. Throughout 2013, Tyler released a series of blog posts on his personal website titled "Big Spaceships", which detailed the creation of the Covenant CRS-class light cruiser and the {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}}. Throughout the blogs, Tyler refers to the latter RCS-class armored cruiser as a [[CCS-class battlecruiser]] and the ''Zanar''-pattern as simply the "cruiser".{{Ref/Site|Id=Tyler1|URL=http://coolhandgraphics.blogspot.com/2013/02/big-spaceships-003-covenant-ccs-battle.html|Site=Coolhand Graphics|Page=Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 1|D=13|M=11|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Tyler2|URL=http://coolhandgraphics.blogspot.com/2013/02/big-spaceships-003-covenant-ccs-battle_26.html|Site=Coolhand Graphics|Page=Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 2|D=13|M=11|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Tyler3|URL=http://coolhandgraphics.blogspot.com/2013/05/big-spaceships-003-covenant-ccs-battle.html|Site=Coolhand Graphics|Page=Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 3|D=13|M=11|Y=2022}}
During the production of the models for Axis' cutscenes, Tyler was given four weeks to produce the two models—described as "the largest, most complex" models he had built to that point in his career. The light cruiser was the first of the two models to be produced, and used a low-detail model from the game as a base to work from. The bow section of the model was the first to be completed due to being relatively self-contained, allowing Tyler the ability to estimate how much work would be needed for the rest of the model—while using a previous model from another unrelated project as reference for scale and complexity. For detailing, Tyler followed the designs on the in-game models for reference to hull style and guidelines, with reference additionally taken from H.R. Giger's work on ''[[List of references to Aliens in the Halo series|Aliens]]'' for additional detail. Ultimately, Tyler's model proved ''too'' detailed for a ship on a small scale such as the ''Zanar'' and his work was instead used as the basis for the larger ''Maugen''-pattern ship. The final ''Zanar'' made by Tyler was relatively stripped back compared to the earlier renders (shown below).{{Ref/Reuse|Tyler1}}{{Ref/Reuse|Tyler2}}{{Ref/Reuse|Tyler3}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*During the ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' level ''[[Scattered/Need To Know|Need to Know]]'', if the player activates a console near the beginning of the level too soon, it will trigger a brief bombardment from one of the nearby light cruisers.
During the ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' level ''[[Scattered/Need To Know|Need to Know]]'', if the player activates a console near the beginning of the level too soon, it will trigger a brief bombardment from one of the nearby light cruisers.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of CRS-class light cruiser}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===Early renders===
<gallery>
File:H4 SpOps CovenantCruisers ScaleRef Blockout.jpg|Early blockouts of the ''Zanar'' and ''Maugen''-pattern cruisers, with Steve Tyler's own non-''Halo'' ''Akula'' model for scale.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyHull Blockout 1.jpg|An early look at the bow of the light cruiser's model.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyHull Blockout 2.jpg|A more detailed look at the early bow of the ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser BowUnderside Blockout.jpg|A look at the underside of the ''Zanar''{{'}}s bow.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 1.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s model.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 2.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s model using a more subdued colour scheme, as the artist was unaware of what the final material palette would be.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 3.jpg|During modelling, Tyler was careful to follow the textures of the low-detail game model as a guide for physical mesh geometry.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 4.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s model from the side.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 5.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s cargo bays.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 6.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s plasma torpedo launchers—heavily inspired by Giger.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 7.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar'' from above.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 8.jpg|A more finished look at the ''Zanar'' from below.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 9.jpg|A look at the ''Zanar''{{'}}s top section—imagined by Tyler to be the ship's [[bridge]].
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 10.jpg|The ''Zanar''{{'}}s model after one week of work.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 11.jpg|The ''Zanar''{{'}}s underside—the "landing leg"-esque structure was geometry taken directly from Tyler's previous model work.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 12.jpg|The ''Zanar''{{'}}s energy projector.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 13.jpg|The ''Zanar''{{'}}s top section.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser EarlyModel 14.jpg|The final model for the initial model of the ''Zanar''. Ultimately this model was deemed too excessively detailed for use in the smaller light cruiser, and was used as the basis of the larger armored cruiser.
File:H4 SpOps LightCruiser FinalModel.jpg|The final model for the ''Zanar'' handed off the Axis, with much of the micro-detail removed and simplified down.
</gallery>
 
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H4-Render-CRS.jpg|Renders of the ''CRS''-class light cruiser for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4-Render-CRS.jpg|Renders of the ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanRender.png|Alternate extraction of a ''CRS''-class light cruiser.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanRender.png|Alternate extraction of a ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanScreen.jpg|In-game screenshot of a ''CRS''-class light cruiser.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanScreen.jpg|In-game screenshot of a ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser.
File:H4 campaign dawn.jpeg|''CRS''-class cruisers swarm the remains of the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}.
File:H4 campaign dawn.jpeg|''Zanar''-pattern cruisers swarm the remains of the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}.
File:H4-CovenantRemnant-Cruisers-Fleet.jpg|The [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant's]] light cruiser fleet outside of [[Requiem]].
File:H4-CovenantRemnant-Cruisers-Fleet.jpg|The [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant's]] light cruiser fleet outside of [[Requiem]].
File:H4 SO S01E10 Palmer watching Covenant fleet.jpg|''CRS''-class cruisers escorting an {{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}} during the [[Requiem Campaign]].
File:H4 ZanarLightCruiser Fleet Screenshot.png|A wider view of the Requiem ''Zanar'' fleet.
File:CRS-Corvette size comparison.jpg|Size comparison between the ''CRS''-class cruiser and the {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}.
File:H4 ZanarLightCruiser Requiem Screenshot 1.png|A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.
File:HE15 Infinity Attacked.jpg|''CRS''-class cruisers attacking the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} during the [[Battle of Aktis IV]] in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:H4 ZanarLightCruiser Requiem Screenshot 2.png|A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.
File:HM-CRS.png|''CRS''-class light cruisers attacking the ''Infinity'' during the Battle of Aktis IV in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:H4 VerticalUmbrage.jpg|''Panom's Canticle'' over The Refuge.
File:CRS-Corvette size comparison.jpg|Size comparison between the ''Zanar''-pattern cruiser and the {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}.
File:HE19_Fleet_jump.jpg|''Zanar''-pattern light cruisers accompanying the Covenant fleet dispatched to the Absolute Record.
File:HM-CRS.png|''Zanar''-pattern light cruisers attacking the ''Infinity'' during the Battle of Aktis IV in ''[[Halo Mythos]]''.
File:HINF PrismSkyboxBattle 1.png|A [[Swords of Sanghelios]] ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser being fired upon by a [[Banished]] [[Karve]] during the [[Battle of Suban]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:H5G_FireteamShadow_Compilation.jpg|Fireteam Shadow inside the light cruiser ''Panom's Canticle'' during Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Vertical Umbrage]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
**''[[Season 05: Reckoning]]'' <!--the cruisers on the skybox of Prism reuse the render of the Zanar H4 asset -->


==Sources==
==Sources==

Latest revision as of 16:25, February 24, 2024

Zanar-pattern
H4-CovenantCRSLightCruiser.png
Class attributes

Identification:

UNSC three-letter code: CRS[1]

Operators:

Manufacturer:

Secondary Assembly Forges[2]

In service:

Sixth Age of Conflict—present[3]

General characteristics

Type:

Length:

300 meters (984 ft)[4][5][6][3][7]

Width:

145 meters (480 ft)[4]

Mass:

190,000 metric tons[2][3]

Power plant:

Pinch fusion reactor

Maneuver drive:

2 repulsor engines[8]

Slipspace drive:

Borer

Crew:

Complement:

At least 10 escape pods[9]

Troops:

  • None (Standard operation)[2]
  • At least ~50 warriors[9]

Hull:

Nanolaminate hull plating

Shielding:

Equipped

Sensors:

Armaments:

Air facilities:

At least one hangar bay[10][11]

 

The Zanar-pattern light cruiser[3] (UNSC three-letter classification: CRS-class light cruiser)[4][7] is a Covenant light attack ship classification.[2][3]

Overview[edit]

Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series screenshot
Unrelenting firing its Sintra-pattern plasma torpedoes.[12]

Design details[edit]

Described by UNSC personnel as resembling a "luminous manta ray",[13][5][6][7] the Zanar is essentially a smaller, weaker version of the Ket-pattern battlecruiser.[4] The design originated as a mutation (albeit a stable one) in the design pattern of the larger Elefen-pattern and Ket-pattern battlecruisers used in a more general role by the Covenant military—resulting in a vessel several times smaller than its forebears though retaining similar proportions and silhouette.[2]

The ship's bow contains a cluster of four sensor vanes, which are prone to exhibiting aberrations during assembly that result in them making the ship appear friendly to Forerunner systems. This can be used to allow the ship to bypass Sentinel installations unharmed. The ship's rear contains the two repulsor engines and their control coils. The Zanar's control coils require careful fine-tuning to prevent disorientation and hallucination when operating at full power.[2]

Unlike the blue-purple lighting used on Covenant military vessels, the light cruisers used in Jul 'Mdama's Covenant fleet exhibited green lighting—though whether this was an intentional design choice or a facet of the Zanar-pattern as a whole is unknown.[8]

Armament[edit]

The Zanar-pattern is fitted with a relatively modest armament compared to its larger cousins. Despite ostensibly appearing to be a weaker form of its forebears, it is still considered more than a match for most UNSC starships.[4] Its primary weapon systems are a pair of Erex-pattern plasma beam emitters and six top-mounted Sintra-pattern plasma torpedo silos. The torpedoes are swift in flight but difficult to control, resulting in them being used primarily for surface bombardment. On the ship's underside lie four Pok-pattern beam lasers, with two dedicated augur arrays allowing the weapons to target dozens of targets in rapid succession. Unlike the bombardment-focused plasma torpedoes, the high-energy lasers are primarily used for picking off targets of opportunity when minimal collateral damage is required—primarily a function of the vessel's policing usage among Covenant colonies.[2][3]

Crew and complement[edit]

The small size of a Zanar-pattern cruiser means that they have minimal crew facilities—including a total lack of permanent crew quarters. Instead, Zanar-pattern ships are intended to rotate fresh crew members aboard between missions. They are crewed by a single Superior who holds the title of Shipmaster, and eight Menials. They additionally typically hold no on-board troop complement due to their intended function as policing vessels.[2]

The Zanar is fitted with a hangar bay capable of hosting at least a handful of Phantom dropships or other aircraft, alongside an escape pod bay stocking at least ten pods[9] including Gloto'kas-pattern and Gloto'kef-pattern Assault Carapaces. Some ships used by the Covenant's remnants in the post-war era, such as Panom's Canticle, have additionally demonstrated the capability to host a small on-board troop complement—likely a result of the cruiser's converted use as a mainline warship.[14][10][11] In extreme circumstances, such as those of Spear of Light's guerilla campaign, a light cruiser may even host as many as fifty warriors.[9]

A Zanar-pattern light cruiser and a Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette over Casbah City in 2552.[15]

Usage[edit]

Within the hull classifications of Covenant ships undertaken by the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Zanar is designated the CRS-class light cruiser—owing to the vessel's similar shape to the larger battlecruiser classes more commonly seen during the Human-Covenant War and its origins as a pattern mutation thereof.[4][1] Despite this, the Zanar was never used in the Covenant military in a role analogous to a cruiser, and the term is simply one applied by humanity.[2] The "R", for Reverence, in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating Forerunner artifacts. The "S", for Salvation, denotes that the CRS-class light cruiser is a dedicated warship.[16] Zanar-pattern ships are considered effective when used in interference, attack,[4] interdiction and support roles.[7]

Within the Covenant, the Zanar is considered to be an attack ship—something beneath the notice of most fleetmasters or Supreme Commanders and rarely considered in the wider schema of naval warfare. They were used to fill a role similar to that of a police cutter—used for internal patrols and security throughout Covenant space and rarely considered to be a mainline warship. During the empire's reign, Zanars could be found conducting routine inspections and enforcing travel laws,[2] alongside enforcing the policies and edicts of High Charity.[3] Their status as an attack ship means that Zanar-pattern ships do not merit a shipmaster's chair and associated honors—and they were generally considered unpopular assignments for Sangheili crews and thus most frequently assigned as vessels for lower-caste species such as the Kig-Yar and Jiralhanae.[2] Serving aboard a Zanar-pattern cruiser was most often seen as a stepping stone to serving aboard more important ships such as the examiners, leading to their crews being highly aggressive in combat in order to prove their worth for reassignment to more notable capital ships.[17]

During the Human-Covenant War, Zanars proved themselves surprisingly effective against the UNSC Navy early in the war, leading to some Covenant commanders reconsidering their status and beginning to add them to their fleets throughout the conflict. These vessels most often served as internal fleet security, or as escorts for larger warships.[3] Despite the lowly status of a Zanar-pattern cruiser, their crews still believed themselves above the "distasteful" assignment of escort of executor-type ships such as the Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer. As such, they could rarely be counted on to do little more than basic duties.[18]

Zanar-pattern cruisers escorting a Maugen-pattern armored cruiser away from Requiem during the final stages of the Requiem Campaign in 2558.[19]

Zanar-pattern cruisers emerged in the post-war era as a particularly common vessel to the remnant warlords, due to their versatility and commonality. In many cases, these vessels were picked up and promoted from their policing duties to tools of war. Many Zanar-pattern vessels served as loyal escorts for the procurators of the San'Shyuum flotilla who fled the Fall of High Charity in 2552,[20] while a large stockpile were secured for use by Jul 'Mdama and his Covenant thanks to their raid of an old imperial stockpile on a moon once orbited by High Charity.[3] Jul's Covenant in particular emphasised the use of Zanar-pattern cruisers for the long-term occupation of Requiem, and were used as escorts for his Kerel-pattern assault carriers and Maugen-pattern armored cruisers throughout his campaigns.[16]

Ships of the line[edit]

Operational history[edit]

A Zanar-pattern light cruiser overseeing the ground conflict on Earth in 2552.[21]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

The Zanar-pattern emerged during the Sixth Age of Conflict as a stable mutation of the larger battlecruisers of Covenant usage.[3][2] It continued to see use internally throughout the Covenant's imperial fiefdoms until the emergence of the Human-Covenant War, during which they saw action in some of the war's first engagements such as the Battle of Chi Ceti[12]—though were ultimately rarely seen by human forces.[7] Their nonetheless successful combat record against humanity during the war did mean that some officers began to consider adding them to their own fleets, if for no other reason than serving as internal policing roles—freeing up other ships for more important assignments.[3] As such for the majority of the war, Zanar-pattern ships were assigned in rear echelon assignments to ensure Covenant supply lines were well protected. This made them a prime target for opportunistic warlords during and after the Great Schism to expand their fleets, using them in more combat focused roles than they were intended for.[2] Light cruisers were later employed during the Battle of Psi Serpentis in 2543[22] and the Fall of Reach.[23] Simultaneously with the Fall of Reach, multiple Zanar-pattern ships participated in the Battle for Tribute, besieging Casbah City alongside a number of Ceudar-pattern heavy corvettes[15] Later during the same year, they were deployed during the occupation of Earth.[21]

Multiple Zanar-pattern cruisers ambushing UNSC Infinity over Aktis IV in mid-2558.[24]

Post-war[edit]

At the onset of the Great Schism at the war's end, Zanar-pattern cruisers were widely seized by warlords across the former-empire.[2] The heavily-modified light cruiser Spear of Light acted as the vessel for Prelate Tem'Bhetek who used it to rescue the Minister of Preparation during the Fall of High Charity and personally destroyed a number of Sangheili-controlled vessels such as the CAS-class assault carrier Eternal Reward. Convinced that Rtas 'Vadum was responsible for the death of his family, the Prelate formed a faction to get revenge upon the Sangheili. The cruiser attacked two Sangheili colonies and ambushed the Shadow of Intent at the second one with the crew abandoning the Spear of Light to board the Shadow of Intent. After the boarders were repelled, the cruiser was captured and its navigation database led the Sangheili to the prototype Halo installation.[25]

Perhaps the most excessive usage of the Zanar was that of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. After raiding an old imperial moon once-orbited by High Charity, Jul 'Mdama was able to obtain a large stockpile of light cruisers which were used to form the backbone of his fleet as began to consolidate power.[3] Numerous examples accompanied him to Requiem prior to and during the Battle of Requiem—during which they were dispatched in 2557 to investigate the wreckage of UNSC Forward Unto Dawn, before subsequently being destroyed by the firing of one of the ship's Hyperion missiles.[26] Three cruisers made a slipspace jump into Requiem's core to deploy troops around the satellite containing the Didact's Cryptum. At least one of these cruisers, was sucked into the gravity well created by the Didact's Cryptum entering slipspace and was destroyed.[27] Numerous light cruisers were later sent to attack the UNSC Infinity after it crashed into Requiem, but at least two were destroyed by Infinity's defensive turrets and surface-to-air-missile launchers.[28] At least three cruisers were present during the Didact's Raid on Ivanoff Station, deploying Phantoms to stop the station's evacuation efforts.[29]

A karve firing its cannon at a Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runner while another karve fires four projectiles in the Halo Infinite multiplayer map Prism.
Zanar-pattern cruisers (right) exchanging fire with karves.[30]

Zanar-pattern light cruisers continued their occupation of Requiem throughout the remiander of 2557, with Panom's Canticle being specifically tasked with overwatch of the Refuge site.[10][11] during the Requiem Campaign in February 2558. Many provided escort for an Maugen-pattern armored cruiser that was destroyed immediately after Infinity's emergence from slipspace. They immediately engaged Infinity's Strident-class heavy frigates, though they were quickly destroyed or routed.[31] Light cruisers would proceed to be the bane of Infinity throughout the campaign, with deployments at Two Giants resulting in one such vessel being eliminated via MAC strike by Infinity Sub-Vessel 3[32] and Panom's Canticle being destroyed via boarding action by Fireteam Shadow during Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE.[10][11] Another Zanar was later used to reinforce the capture of Fireteam Crimson[33] and remained in station over the "Lockup",[34] with a further trio later deployed to the "Warrens" in response to another raid by UNSC forces there.[35] Several ships were later used as a part of the boarding attempt on Infinity, with one being destroyed by the supercarrier's weapons.[36] During the campaign's final moments, many Zanar-pattern vessels were able to escape the planet before it was destroyed, escorting Maugen-pattern armored cruisers to safety.[19]

In July 2558, multiple light cruisers were present on Aktis IV when Jul 'Mdama and Doctor Catherine Halsey set a trap to get the UNSC's half of the Janus Key. Hidden undetected under the planet's ocean, the ships rose to attack the Infinity and her sub-vessels, blocking the UNSC flagship off in low orbit for over seven hours.[24] They were later part of the large force sent to the Absolute Record.[37]

The Swords of Sanghelios retain Zanar-pattern cruisers in their fleet. In 2560, they were used to escort Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runners in a battle against a large Banished fleet of karves and dreadnoughts over Suban.[30]

Production notes[edit]

The CRS light cruiser featured in the Axis Studios cutscenes for Spartan Ops was modelled by contract artist Steve "Coolhand" Tyler—a 3D artist specializing in hard surface design and spacecraft modelling. Throughout 2013, Tyler released a series of blog posts on his personal website titled "Big Spaceships", which detailed the creation of the Covenant CRS-class light cruiser and the Maugen-pattern armored cruiser. Throughout the blogs, Tyler refers to the latter RCS-class armored cruiser as a CCS-class battlecruiser and the Zanar-pattern as simply the "cruiser".[38][39][40]

During the production of the models for Axis' cutscenes, Tyler was given four weeks to produce the two models—described as "the largest, most complex" models he had built to that point in his career. The light cruiser was the first of the two models to be produced, and used a low-detail model from the game as a base to work from. The bow section of the model was the first to be completed due to being relatively self-contained, allowing Tyler the ability to estimate how much work would be needed for the rest of the model—while using a previous model from another unrelated project as reference for scale and complexity. For detailing, Tyler followed the designs on the in-game models for reference to hull style and guidelines, with reference additionally taken from H.R. Giger's work on Aliens for additional detail. Ultimately, Tyler's model proved too detailed for a ship on a small scale such as the Zanar and his work was instead used as the basis for the larger Maugen-pattern ship. The final Zanar made by Tyler was relatively stripped back compared to the earlier renders (shown below).[38][39][40]

Trivia[edit]

During the Spartan Ops level Need to Know, if the player activates a console near the beginning of the level too soon, it will trigger a brief bombardment from one of the nearby light cruisers.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Early renders[edit]

  • Early blockouts of the Zanar and Maugen-pattern cruisers, with Steve Tyler's own non-Halo Akula model for scale.

    Early blockouts of the Zanar and Maugen-pattern cruisers, with Steve Tyler's own non-Halo Akula model for scale.

  • An early look at the bow of the light cruiser's model.

    An early look at the bow of the light cruiser's model.

  • A more detailed look at the early bow of the Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

    A more detailed look at the early bow of the Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

  • A look at the underside of the Zanar's bow.

    A look at the underside of the Zanar's bow.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar's model.

    A more finished look at the Zanar's model.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar's model using a more subdued colour scheme, as the artist was unaware of what the final material palette would be.

    A more finished look at the Zanar's model using a more subdued colour scheme, as the artist was unaware of what the final material palette would be.

  • During modelling, Tyler was careful to follow the textures of the low-detail game model as a guide for physical mesh geometry.

    During modelling, Tyler was careful to follow the textures of the low-detail game model as a guide for physical mesh geometry.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar's model from the side.

    A more finished look at the Zanar's model from the side.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar's cargo bays.

    A more finished look at the Zanar's cargo bays.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar's plasma torpedo launchers—heavily inspired by Giger.

    A more finished look at the Zanar's plasma torpedo launchers—heavily inspired by Giger.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar from above.

    A more finished look at the Zanar from above.

  • A more finished look at the Zanar from below.

    A more finished look at the Zanar from below.

  • A look at the Zanar's top section—imagined by Tyler to be the ship's bridge.

    A look at the Zanar's top section—imagined by Tyler to be the ship's bridge.

  • The Zanar's model after one week of work.

    The Zanar's model after one week of work.

  • The Zanar's underside—the "landing leg"-esque structure was geometry taken directly from Tyler's previous model work.

    The Zanar's underside—the "landing leg"-esque structure was geometry taken directly from Tyler's previous model work.

  • The Zanar's energy projector.

    The Zanar's energy projector.

  • The Zanar's top section.

    The Zanar's top section.

  • The final model for the initial model of the Zanar. Ultimately this model was deemed too excessively detailed for use in the smaller light cruiser, and was used as the basis of the larger armored cruiser.

    The final model for the initial model of the Zanar. Ultimately this model was deemed too excessively detailed for use in the smaller light cruiser, and was used as the basis of the larger armored cruiser.

  • The final model for the Zanar handed off the Axis, with much of the micro-detail removed and simplified down.

    The final model for the Zanar handed off the Axis, with much of the micro-detail removed and simplified down.

Screenshots[edit]

  • Renders of the Zanar-pattern light cruiser for Halo 4.

    Renders of the Zanar-pattern light cruiser for Halo 4.

  • Alternate extraction of a Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

    Alternate extraction of a Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

  • In-game screenshot of a Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

    In-game screenshot of a Zanar-pattern light cruiser.

  • Zanar-pattern cruisers swarm the remains of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

    Zanar-pattern cruisers swarm the remains of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn.

  • The reformed Covenant's light cruiser fleet outside of Requiem.

    The reformed Covenant's light cruiser fleet outside of Requiem.

  • A wider view of the Requiem Zanar fleet.

    A wider view of the Requiem Zanar fleet.

  • A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.

    A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.

  • A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.

    A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.

  • Panom's Canticle over The Refuge.

    Panom's Canticle over The Refuge.

  • Size comparison between the Zanar-pattern cruiser and the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette.

    Size comparison between the Zanar-pattern cruiser and the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette.

  • Zanar-pattern light cruisers accompanying the Covenant fleet dispatched to the Absolute Record.

    Zanar-pattern light cruisers accompanying the Covenant fleet dispatched to the Absolute Record.

  • Zanar-pattern light cruisers attacking the Infinity during the Battle of Aktis IV in Halo Mythos.

    Zanar-pattern light cruisers attacking the Infinity during the Battle of Aktis IV in Halo Mythos.

  • A Swords of Sanghelios Zanar-pattern light cruiser being fired upon by a Banished Karve during the Battle of Suban in Halo Infinite.

    A Swords of Sanghelios Zanar-pattern light cruiser being fired upon by a Banished Karve during the Battle of Suban in Halo Infinite.

  • Fireteam Shadow inside the light cruiser Panom's Canticle during Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE.

    Fireteam Shadow inside the light cruiser Panom's Canticle during Operation: VERTICAL UMBRAGE.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 194
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Halo: Warfleet, page 72-73
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 265
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 41
  5. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 265
  6. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 277
  7. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Covenant Cruiser (Retrieved on Apr 17, 2021) [archive]
  8. ^ a b Halo 4, Zanar-pattern light cruiser in-game model
  9. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadow of Intent: "Behind the Prelate’s pod, nine more were launching, each with five Jiralhanae inside. These fifty warriors—the entirety of Spear of Light’s remaining crew—knew they had just punched a one-way ticket, that there was no turning back."
  10. ^ a b c d e Halo: Vertical Umbrage
  11. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Halo 4 - Vertical Umbrage (Retrieved on Nov 7, 2022) [local archive] [external archive]
  12. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach – The Animated Series
  13. ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 22
  14. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Memento Mori, level Everything Has Gone Wrong
  15. ^ a b Halo 4, multiplayer map Landfall
  16. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Have S'moa (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  17. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 64-65
  18. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 60-61
  19. ^ a b Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Exodus
  20. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 68-69
  21. ^ a b Halo Legendary Crate, Series 1, Crate 2 artwork (File link)
  22. ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Impossible Life and Possible Death of Preston J. Cole
  23. ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 18: "Two exceptions to this patrol pattern were a pair of light cruisers hovering over Menachite Mountain"
  24. ^ a b Halo: Escalation, issue 15
  25. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  26. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Dawn
  27. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Forerunner
  28. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Infinity
  29. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Composer
  30. ^ a b Halo Infinite, multiplayer map Prism
  31. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Departure
  32. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Catherine, level Shootout in Valhalla
  33. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Memento Mori, level Spartan Thorne
  34. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Scattered, level Escape Plan
  35. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Scattered, level Need To Know
  36. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Invasion
  37. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue 19
  38. ^ a b Coolhand Graphics, Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 1 (Retrieved on Nov 13, 2022) [archive]
  39. ^ a b Coolhand Graphics, Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 2 (Retrieved on Nov 13, 2022) [archive]
  40. ^ a b Coolhand Graphics, Big Spaceships 003 - Covenant CCS Battle Cruiser - part 3 (Retrieved on Nov 13, 2022) [archive]

v • d • e
 
Ship classifications of the Covenant and its remnants
Light warships
Jiralhanae ships
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