Editing Zanar-pattern light cruiser

{{Title|''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Infobox/Ships
|name            = ''Zanar''-pattern
|image           = [[File:H4-CovenantCRSLightCruiser.png|300px]]
|caption         = 
|modules         = 
{{Infobox/Ships/Class
|hide-class           = 
|class identification = UNSC [[Three-letter ship classification system|three-letter code]]: '''CRS'''{{Ref/Reuse|H4EVG}}
|class operator       = 
*[[Covenant fleet]]
*[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]
*[[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]
*[[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=
|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}}
}}
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==
[[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}}

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}}

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===
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 [[Pulse laser turret|''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}}

===Crew and complement===
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}}

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}}

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}}

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}}
[[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}}]]

''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}}

==Ships of the line==
*''[[Bad Gas]]''
*''[[Panom's Canticle]]''
*''[[Spear of Light]]''
*''[[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==
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==
{{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>
File:H4-Render-CRS.jpg|Renders of the ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser for ''[[Halo 4]]''.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanRender.png|Alternate extraction of a ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser.
File:H4-CRSLightCruiser-ScanScreen.jpg|In-game screenshot of a ''Zanar''-pattern light cruiser.
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 ZanarLightCruiser Fleet Screenshot.png|A wider view of the Requiem ''Zanar'' fleet.
File:H4 ZanarLightCruiser Requiem Screenshot 1.png|A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.
File:H4 ZanarLightCruiser Requiem Screenshot 2.png|A closeup shot of one of the light cruisers over Requiem.
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>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[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==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Covenant Ships}}

[[Category:Cruiser classes]]
[[Category:Covenant ship classes]]