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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|HW}}
{{Flood infobox
{{ratings}}
|name=Flood swarm form
{{references}}
|image=[[File:HW FloodSwarm Concept.jpg|300px]]
{{Flood Species Infobox
|height=
|name=Flood Swarms
|distinctions=Airborne{{Ref/Game|Id=HW|HW|Gameplay}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}
|image=[[File:Quick-Mockup4.jpg|250px]]
|species=[[Flood combat form|Combat form]]
|height=Unknown
|attacks=Fires barb-like projectiles at enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
|distinctions=Airborne
|species=[[Flood]]
|attacks=Barb-like projectiles
|notable=
|notable=
}}
}}
The '''swarm form''' is a variety of airborne [[The Flood|Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat form]]. Created via infection of predatory avian creatures,{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P409|Enc22|Page=409}} these forms are generally seen travelling and attacking in groups. Numerous swarm forms were encountered on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Trove]] during [[Battle of Trove|a conflict]] in early [[2531]].{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
'''Flood Swarms''' are one of two type of flying [[Flood]] forms. They usually travel in groups, and attack with barbs projectiles. They are relatively weak, but can easily dispatch most infantry.


==Overview==
==Tactics==
===Description===
===Of Flood Swarms===
The swarm form is an airborne [[Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat form]] that possess a hunched body, two bony wings, a gaping mouth, two black eyes, and a pair of elongated trailing limbs.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} Its mouth is full of teeth and its limbs end in razor-sharp talons. Despite their large size, swarm forms are surprisingly swift.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}
Individual Flood Swarms have low health and do less damage than other Flood forms. They counter this by flying in groups of 15 to 25 members. When in a group, the Flood Swarms keep moving. This reduces damage to the individual forms, as one is more likely to spread damage over multiple Swarms. Another advantage of them being in a flock is that there normally slow fire becomes more quick fire; Flood forms that are ready to fire move to the front of the group, fire, and then head to the rear.


The swarm forms found on [[Trove]] were created through the infection of large, predatory avian creatures that possessed adequate calcium reserves and resilient neurosystems.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}
They appear to not fly very accurately unless they have a specific point where they are supposed to go. They then pursue that target until the target or itself dies or the target significantly outpaces the Swarm. These parasites are very effective against small groups of light vehicles or infantry.


===Behavior===
When a group of Swarms first encounters an enemy, these monsters will almost always immediately begin shooting at the target regardless of range, dealing a large amount of damage in a short time. After the initial barrage, they will fire in a volley pattern, a few Swarms going to the front, firing, and then returning to the rear. Any enemy will be under considerable fire.
As their name implies, swarm forms generally move in groups, launching highly sophisticated attacks in coordination with others of its kind.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} In addition to their sharp talons and teeth that can be used to rend prey into pieces,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} swarm forms can launch infectious barbed projectiles at enemies, much like the [[Flood ranged form]].{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}


==History==
===Against Flood Swarms===
During the [[Battle of Trove]] in [[2531]], the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and [[Covenant]] forces encountered numerous flocks of swarm forms.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
Individual Flood Swarms are rather simple to kill, any one group will quickly kill it. In groups, however, Flood Swarms are much more dangerous.


==Gallery==
To avoid getting killed:
<gallery>
*Do NOT send single units out to scout terrain. A group of Flood Swarms can and will simply kill the unit.
File:HW FloodSwarmForm 1.png|A swarm form.
*If an infantry unit is caught under fire, find them cover. Otherwise, they're dead.
File:HW FloodSwarmForm 2.png|Top down view of the swarm form's wings.
*Speed is better than raw firepower, a Warthog, constantly moving, will do better than a stationary Scorpion.
File:HW_FloodSwarm_Render.jpg|An early iteration of the Flood swarm model.
*That being said, do NOT rely on speed alone to save your unit, the first barrage can kill a Warthog near-instantly.
File:HW Flood Swarm.png|A swarm on Trove.
*While the [[MAAT-9 Wolverine]] is good against most air units, it is ineffective against a group of Swarms, they are too fast, too maneuverable, and have such high numbers that in between missile barrages, they will kill your Wolverine.
</gallery>
*Always watch your scouting unit, steer it away from groups of Flood Swarms at the edge of its line of sight.
*NEVER assume you will win. Any unit can be killed by a group of Swarms, especially without support.


==List of appearances==
To kill Flood Swarms:
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*Use these units: [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]/[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]], [[Warthog]]s, [[Hornet]]s, and [[Vulture]]s. Any mixture will do.
*Attack en masse. That is, attack with a large group of units. The Swarms will have trouble targeting units to kill, either focusing on a few units and ignoring the rest or spreading out their fire so all the units live longer.
*Attack from more than one side. The Swarms will focus on one group and not the other, letting themselves be damaged.
*Lure them back to a base protected by Medium or Large [[Base Turret]]s. The Turret's heavy machine guns rip apart the Swarms.
 
==Appearances==
Flood Swarms appear on many levels in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. They can also be found on the multiplayer map [[Release]], as part of the third and fourth waves of Flood released from the containment facility and on the multiplayer map [[Crevice]] with them spawning at night. They also appear on [[Barrens]]. All of these maps are Flood-related.
 
==Trivia==
*The Flood Swarm appears to be the only flood form to use eyes rather than the traditional flood sensory antenna.
*The developer's description of these creatures as "infected buzzards crossed with evil bats"<ref> Gamepro February 2009</ref> identifies the origin for these Flood forms; they are in fact native organisms that have been infected by the Flood and integrated into the Parasitic collective. This is a theme and motif that dominates the Flood presence in the game, which can also be seen in the stationary Flood forms in the game, and two other mobile forms, specifically the [[Thrasher Form]] and the [[Flood Bomber Form]].


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


{{Flood}}
{{Flood}}
[[Category:Flood]]
[[Category:The Flood]]

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