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{{Era|Forerunner|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Flood Species Infobox
{{Cleanup}}
|name = Infection form
{{References}}
|image = [[File:Infection Form.jpg|350px]]
{{Species infobox
|height =
|variant=Flood
|distinctions = Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.
|name=Pod infector
|species = [[The Flood|Flood]]
|image=[[File:H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg|300px]]
|attacks = Swarming against larger prey, piercing the skin to infect a host or weakening shielded enemies
|latin=
|classification=[[Infection form]]
|species=[[Flood]]
|subspecies=
|diet=
|height={{Convert|89.6|cm|ftin|sp=us}}-{{Convert|131.4|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Game|Id=Library|HCEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Infection Form}}
|weight={{Convert|16.8|kg|lb}}-{{Convert|28.6|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|Library}}
|distinctions=Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.
|lifespan=
|homeworld=
|techlevel=
|notable-person=
|othernames=
|languages=
}}
}}
The '''Pod infector''',<ref name="PLPI">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Pod Infectors</ref> also more commonly known as the '''Flood infection form''', is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It is the most common Flood form and is usually the first forms to be released. It is the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers.


The '''Flood infection form''' is a stage of the virulent [[The Flood|Flood]] xenoform. It is the most commonly seen stage of the Flood, and is the form responsible for spreading the Flood infection.
==Overview==
Pod infectors are the primary vector for the Flood infection. While small (roughly the size of a [[human]] torso) and weak, they travel in huge swarms and overwhelm foes using sheer numbers. Once within range of a potential host, they leap for the victim's chest area, rasping away at armor, clothing and flesh with their numerous tentacle-like limbs. These appendages penetrate deep into the body, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine. Once this is accomplished, the form rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's. At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.


==Description==
As the Pod infector hacks into the host's nervous system, it releases encapsulated [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|Flood Super Cells]] into the body. These cells interface with the host's cells, "digest" them and convert their components into new Flood cells. At this point, the Pod infector burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity (or any approximate equivalent). Having achieved total control over the host, the Pod infector reshapes the body into a form more suitable for attacking enemies - a [[Flood combat form|combat form]]. Even if the Pod Infector is quickly removed from the host body, the injection of Flood cells into the host's system is enough to cause rapid transformation into spore-packed [[Flood blister|blisters]].<ref name="Infection Forms">'''Halo Wars 2''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Infection Forms</ref>
The Flood infection form might appear at first glance to be little more than a harmless and repulsive creature, but once it gains physical contact with a biological host, it becomes an instantly deadly foe. Small tentacles underneath its body penetrate the skin, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine, killing the host almost instantly. Once this is accomplished, it rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's.


Encapsulated [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|Flood Super Cells]] are then released into the host organism, transforming into full-functioning Flood cells. These cells interface with the host's cells, analyze their genetic code, and then digest them, overtaking the victim's biomass at rapid, chain-reaction speeds. This process leads to the host being overtaken by the Flood infection, allowing the infection form to use the host corpse as it sees fit, because of the horrific thought of this happening to a host it is evident that most [[Human]]s would rather commit suicide than going through the pain of infection.  
The speed and intensity of this process occurs at the same rate as an energetic chemical reaction, often taking mere seconds to accomplish. The consequences for the host organism are extreme, as their brains are purged of all traces of their original personality and their bodies are reconstituted into Flood biomatter. The organism effectively becomes a pawn of the Flood's collective intelligence, to be used in any way it deems necessary.


After this is accomplished, the infection form burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity. In order to facilitate further use of the infected organism, the Flood infection consumes the host's biomass as fuel for further sustenance and as material for further modifications of the infected life form. Common examples of these include the partially-transformed state of a combat form, whose body is host to Flood-generated structures, and the creation of a Carrier Form, which serves as a mobile, explosive incubator for more infection forms.  
In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the Pod infector has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process without killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] during the raid on the "[[Flood containment facility|Covenant weapons cache]]" on [[Installation 04]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 176''</ref> This aged version of the Pod infector must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a Flood combat form. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.  


In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the infection form has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process ''without'' killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] during the raid on the "[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] weapons cache" on [[Installation 04]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 176</ref> This aged version of the infection form must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a [[The Flood|Flood]] [[Flood combat form|Combat Form]]. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.  
A Pod infector may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the Pod infector inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose Pod infector may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form.


An infection form may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the infection form inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose infection forms may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form. Infection forms appear at first glance to be quite small, but if compared with the size of an average [[human]], their true size is revealed, comparable to the size of an average human upper torso.
Pod infectors develop from [[Flood tadpole|a form]] vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a Pod infector. A number of Flood forms in this stage of their life cycle were kept in stasis by the Forerunners in [[Flood research facility|Flood research facilities]], such as the one in the [[Threshold gas mine]].<ref name="onefinaleffort">[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 '''Bungie.net''': ''One Final Effort (4/16/2010)'']</ref>


While infection forms are essential in early stages of infecting a population, they are by no means the only way the Flood can facilitate infection. It appears that merely introducing any Flood biomatter into the body of a host will begin the infection process. However, it seems no other method of infection is able to instantaneously kill and transform a host like an infection form can.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''' - ''[[The Mona Lisa]]''</ref>
While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms as well as those equipped with atmospheric filters, a Pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting [[Flood spore]]s or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''' — ''"[[The Mona Lisa]]"''</ref>


==Weaker host forms==
== Effects on host forms==
While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by an Infection Form, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional Combat Forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.
[[File:TFS-Likeafrog.png|thumb|A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in 2537.|250px]]
While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by a Pod infector, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional combat forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.


The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Infection Form require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and physical strength, but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as the Forerunner, Humanity, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into Combat Forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Infection Forms' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.
The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Pod infector require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and strength (Though humans become combat forms more often than the much larger and stronger unggoy for whatever reason.) but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as humans, Forerunners, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into combat forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Pod infectors' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.


In contrast, weaker life forms, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], [[Unggoy]], and perhaps the [[Yanme'e]], lack these important qualities despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these lesser hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a [[Proto-Gravemind|coordinating and controlling intelligence]].
In contrast, other life forms, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], and perhaps the [[Yanme'e]], lack these important qualities, or in the case of the [[Unggoy]] have other limitations due to their physique despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a [[Proto-Gravemind|coordinating and controlling intelligence]].


When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the [[Coordinated Stage]] and its crowning achievement, a [[Gravemind]]. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.
When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the [[Coordinated Stage]] and its crowning achievement, a [[Gravemind]]. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.


The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the Feral Stage, the mobile Infection Form incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.<ref>''''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''', ''page 291''</ref>  
The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the [[Feral Stage]], the mobile Pod infector incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.<ref>''''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''', ''page 291''</ref>  


While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules. In at least [[Battle of the Flood-controlled Shield World|one notable campaign]]<ref>'''''Halo Wars'''''</ref> early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.
While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules due to the Flood's adaptive nature. In at least [[Battle of the Trove|one notable campaign]]<ref>'''''Halo Wars'''''</ref> early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.


==Immunities and defenses==
== Immunities and defenses ==
[[Energy shielding]] destroys infection forms on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against infection forms; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their rasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer in order to reach the flesh underneath.  
[[Energy shielding]] destroys Pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against Pod infectors; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their grasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer (including MJLONIR MK V undersuits) in order to reach the flesh underneath.  


At this time, the only known [[human]] to be incompatible with Flood infection forms is [[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] due to his supposed contracting of [[Boren's Syndrome]] from the residual radiation of a crate full of [[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|plasma grenades]] on [[Paris IV]]. However, Johnson actually contracted this immunity from the augmentations he received as part of the [[ORION Project]].
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] was thought by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] to be incompatible with Flood Pod infectors due to the fictitious "[[Boren's Syndrome]]"<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 244''</ref> — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the [[ORION Project]].<ref>'''Halo Graphic Novel''', ''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]]''</ref> However, it is apparent that Johnson's augmentations did not make him truly immune to the Flood conversion process itself, instead granting him the ability to fight off and escape the parasite more effectively than the baseline humans alongside him.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'' (''"No known biological <nowiki>[scaffolding]</nowiki> augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.]"'')</ref><ref name="hgn">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''</ref><ref>''See [[Avery Johnson#Notes]]''</ref>


The [[Mgalekgolo]]'s lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.<ref>'''''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''''</ref> The invertebrate nature of the [[Yanme'e]], along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well.
The [[Mgalekgolo]]'s lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.<ref>'''''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''''</ref> The invertebrate nature of the [[Yanme'e]], along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well. However, while their unique physiologies make standard infection difficult, it is likely that the Flood are still capable of consuming and converting Lekgolo and Yanme'e into Flood biomass.
 
== Combat ==
Infection forms will gather in large swarms, attacking with their claws and tentacles. If the victim's shields are active, as explained earlier, the infection form will burst. However, the sheer force of numbers can sometimes deplete a victim's shields, allowing these Flood forms to take control of the Human/Brute/Elite body.
 
A single round from any weapon will burst an infection form. For this reason, automatic weapons are recommended. [[Dual wielding|Dual-wielding]] [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifles]], [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant|Brute Plasma Rifles]], [[Type-25 Carbine|Spikers]], or using a UNSC ballistic weapon all work well. The Battle Rifle, with its bursts of fire, can be quite effective, the [[Shotgun]] works well too when shooting at large groups closing in. Try to avoid using weapons such as [[M6 Series|M6 Handguns]], or [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistols]], as their rate of fire is very low. Also, try to avoid using [[Grenade]]s, as they close in extremely quickly and you may suffer damage from your own grenade. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', automatic weapons like the Assault Rifle and Plasma Rifle are good on them, the Needler in many ways can also be good as the needles have homing ability: be careful though, do not stick too many Needles on one at a time while they are close as if you do it will explode and effect you most likely depleting your shields. SMGs are incredibly effective for taking on swarms of infection forms with its large magazine size and impressive rate of fire. The Sentinel Beam is also extremely effective and can swiftly obliterate entire swarms of infection forms at long ranged distances.
 
Infection forms are spawned from bulging, sac-like pods in [[Flood hive]]s, called [[Flood growth pod]]s. It may be tempting to destroy these sacs, but it is actually more advisable not to, since destroying them will not kill the infection forms inside.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:Infectionforms Halo1.jpg|thumb|Master Chief watches as infection forms prepare to consume a dead [[Elite]], and a dead [[Unggoy|Grunt]].]]
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
*Infection forms are carried and incubated by [[Flood carrier form|carrier forms]] and from [[Flood growth pod]]s in [[The Flood|Flood]]-infested areas. Try not to destroy these sacs, unless you think you can take them one by one, or swarm by swarm.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if a Pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one Pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of Pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in ''Halo 3''.
*In ''Halo: The Flood'', infection forms are mistakenly referred to as being colored white.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''' ''page 174''</ref>
*An [[energy sword]] will not lose energy by killing Pod infectors in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', but this method is highly ineffective as Pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
* In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if an infection form latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead.  
*Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the [[campaign scoring]] is activated in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''. This is most likely because Pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
*An [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] will not lose energy by killing infection forms in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'', but this method is highly ineffective as infection forms are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
*Unlike in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'', the Pod infectors in ''Halo 3'' float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
*The [[Flood tank form|Tank Form]] has the ability to spit out infection forms. This is demonstrated during ''Halo 3'' for the Tank Form and ''Halo 2'' for Gravemind.
* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood Pod infectors that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other Pod infectors. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
*Infection forms do not add points to your meta-score when the [[Campaign]] Scoring is activated in ''Halo 3''. This is most likely because infection forms come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
*In ''Halo 3'', code exists for a deleted "banger" variant of Pod infector, which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60geSLtnWk '''YouTube:''' ''Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"'']</ref>
*Infection forms operate in a similar fashion to the chestbuster Xenomorph (being inside a host's chest) and the facehugger Xenomorph of the ''Alien'' franchise, the ''Borg Nanoprobes'' of the ''Star Trek'' franchise, the ''Headcrabs'' from the ''Half-Life'' series, and ''the Thing'' from the John Carpenter film of the same name.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.
*The infection forms in ''Halo 3'' float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation. (E.g. on the level [[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]] it will appear different close up then it will farther away.) However, in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', they sink.
*In the book ''Halo: The Flood'', an infection form almost infected [[John-117]] when he turned his back, due to his energy shields being drained.
*According to the book, ''Halo: The Flood'', the infection forms make a "meep" sound. This can be heard in the games, although it sounds more like an ominous droning.  
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if you shoot one infection form in a swarm, it will pop and cause a chain reaction causing all the other infection forms to pop with it in the swarm. This was less effective in ''Halo 2'', but returned in ''Halo 3'' (although not as powerful as in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'').
*Several can be seen within the Flood Observation chamber on the ''Halo 3'' [[Multiplayer]] map [[Cold Storage]]. These Flood make [[Cold Storage]] the 6th multiplayer map with [[Non-playable character|NPC]] enemies (Along with [[Construct]], [[Guardian (level)|Guardian]], [[Last Resort]], [[Epitaph]] and [[Isolation]] which have [[Sentinel]]s, [[Constructor]]s, seagulls or pterodactyl-like birds flying around). However, you cannot get to them.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the infection forms have a pulsating glow in the dark.
*The infection form was featured in ''Halo Wars'' as a non-playable unit for the Flood. They have the ability to crawl over walls, being able to reach ground no other forces can reach and transform most infantry into Combat Forms.
*On the ''Halo 3'' level Halo, when in the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]], [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle|Mongoose]], [[Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Chopper]], etc., if you drive into the infection forms you simply drive over them, possibly flipping your vehicle. Performing this action kills all other Flood forms including the carrier forms, although the latter explode violently on contact.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', if players listen close enough to the droning sounds emitted by the Infection Forms, it can be noted that the sounds are actually the same sounds used for "Pfhor Fighters" death screams and occasional random chattering from the [[Marathon]] franchise. However, the sounds have a slightly higher pitch, as well as oozing sounds, which make the reuse of the sound effect from Marathon almost completely unnoticeable.
*In ''Halo 3'', despite their seemingly weak form, they can actually move certain objects that are bigger than they are. This can be observed in the crashed ship on the ''Halo 3'' level Floodgate and in the level Cortana.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' it is possible to "stick" an infection form with a plasma grenade.
* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood infection forms that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other infection forms. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
*In [[Halo PC]], if the player uses cheat_bump_possession to take over a Marine or a Grunt, they will have no control over their body if an infection form latches onto them.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
<gallery>
File:Flood3.jpg|Flood Infection form in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.  
File:HCE_InfectionForm_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Pod Infector from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:BabyFloodCloseup.jpg|An infection form in ''Halo 2''.
File:Flood3.jpg|Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|Infection forms in ''Halo 3''.
File:HCE Flood Infection Form.png|In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|An Infection form in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HCE Infectionforms.jpg|The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.
File:Anders Flood.png|Infection Forms assaulting [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]].
File:H2 Flood Infection Form.png|A Pod infector in the [[Threshold gas mine]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2_PodInfector_Closeup.jpg|A Pod infector in ''Halo 2''.
File:HTMCC Avatar InfectionForm.png|Render of the ''Halo 2'' Pod infector in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|Pod infectors in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|A Pod infector in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:Anders Flood.png|Pod infectors assaulting [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]].
File:HW PodInfector Blur Render.jpg|A render of the pod infector asset created for ''Halo Wars''{{'}} cutscenes.
File:Infectionformpet.png|A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.
File:Floodsuit.png|An [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Xbox 360 Avatar]] customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.
File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals LibrarianAtWork.png|The [[Librarian]] investigating a Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Flood infector Spirit of Fire.jpg|A Flood Pod infector inside the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s cryo-room in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HSA Flood mode.jpg|Flood Pod infectors in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:MercyFlood.jpg|A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.
File:TFS-Krunch.png|Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in ''[[Something has Happened]]''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form models.jpg|Models of the Pod infector for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form.jpg|More detailed models.
File:HW2_InfectorTidalWave_Concept.jpg|Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.
File:HW2-SpikedInfectionform.jpg|A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-Squish.gif|Atriox crushes a Pod infector.
File:HOD-InfectionForm.jpg|An infection form at [[Outpost Discovery]].
File:HINF Unknown Cylix Scan.png|A Pod infector trapped in a [[Cylix]] on [[Installation 07]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF - Charm icon - Infection charm.png|A Pod infector weapon charm in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Appearances|Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo 2|Halo 3|Halo Wars|Halo: The Flood|Halo: Evolutions|Halo Legends}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' {{C|Simulation-only}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Something Has Happened]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
{{col-end}}


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


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

Latest revision as of 08:49, December 18, 2023

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Pod infector
H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg
Biological overview

Classification:

Infection form

Species:

Flood

Physical information

Avg. height:

89.6 centimeters (2 ft 11.3 in)-131.4 centimeters (4 ft 3.7 in)[1]

Avg. weight:

16.8 kilograms (37 lb)-28.6 kilograms (63 lb)[1]

Distinctions:

Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.

 

The Pod infector,[2] also more commonly known as the Flood infection form, is a stage of the virulent Flood xenoform. It is the most common Flood form and is usually the first forms to be released. It is the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere Flood spores when deployed in large numbers.

Overview[edit]

Pod infectors are the primary vector for the Flood infection. While small (roughly the size of a human torso) and weak, they travel in huge swarms and overwhelm foes using sheer numbers. Once within range of a potential host, they leap for the victim's chest area, rasping away at armor, clothing and flesh with their numerous tentacle-like limbs. These appendages penetrate deep into the body, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine. Once this is accomplished, the form rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's. At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.

As the Pod infector hacks into the host's nervous system, it releases encapsulated Flood Super Cells into the body. These cells interface with the host's cells, "digest" them and convert their components into new Flood cells. At this point, the Pod infector burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity (or any approximate equivalent). Having achieved total control over the host, the Pod infector reshapes the body into a form more suitable for attacking enemies - a combat form. Even if the Pod Infector is quickly removed from the host body, the injection of Flood cells into the host's system is enough to cause rapid transformation into spore-packed blisters.[3]

The speed and intensity of this process occurs at the same rate as an energetic chemical reaction, often taking mere seconds to accomplish. The consequences for the host organism are extreme, as their brains are purged of all traces of their original personality and their bodies are reconstituted into Flood biomatter. The organism effectively becomes a pawn of the Flood's collective intelligence, to be used in any way it deems necessary.

In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the Pod infector has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process without killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private Wallace A. Jenkins during the raid on the "Covenant weapons cache" on Installation 04.[4] This aged version of the Pod infector must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a Flood combat form. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.

A Pod infector may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the Pod infector inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose Pod infector may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form.

Pod infectors develop from a form vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a Pod infector. A number of Flood forms in this stage of their life cycle were kept in stasis by the Forerunners in Flood research facilities, such as the one in the Threshold gas mine.[5]

While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms as well as those equipped with atmospheric filters, a Pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting Flood spores or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.[6][7]

Effects on host forms[edit]

A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire in 2537.

While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by a Pod infector, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional combat forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.

The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Pod infector require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and strength (Though humans become combat forms more often than the much larger and stronger unggoy for whatever reason.) but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as humans, Forerunners, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into combat forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Pod infectors' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.

In contrast, other life forms, such as the Kig-Yar, and perhaps the Yanme'e, lack these important qualities, or in the case of the Unggoy have other limitations due to their physique despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a coordinating and controlling intelligence.

When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the Coordinated Stage and its crowning achievement, a Gravemind. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.

The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the Feral Stage, the mobile Pod infector incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.[8]

While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules due to the Flood's adaptive nature. In at least one notable campaign[9] early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.

Immunities and defenses[edit]

Energy shielding destroys Pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against Pod infectors; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their grasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer (including MJLONIR MK V undersuits) in order to reach the flesh underneath.

Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson was thought by Dr. Catherine Halsey to be incompatible with Flood Pod infectors due to the fictitious "Boren's Syndrome"[10] — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the ORION Project.[11] However, it is apparent that Johnson's augmentations did not make him truly immune to the Flood conversion process itself, instead granting him the ability to fight off and escape the parasite more effectively than the baseline humans alongside him.[12][13][14]

The Mgalekgolo's lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.[15] The invertebrate nature of the Yanme'e, along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well. However, while their unique physiologies make standard infection difficult, it is likely that the Flood are still capable of consuming and converting Lekgolo and Yanme'e into Flood biomass.

Trivia[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to Pod infector on its gameplay page.
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved, if a Pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one Pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of Pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in Halo 3.
  • An energy sword will not lose energy by killing Pod infectors in Halo 2 and Halo 3, but this method is highly ineffective as Pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
  • Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the campaign scoring is activated in Halo 3 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. This is most likely because Pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
  • Unlike in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, the Pod infectors in Halo 3 float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
  • In Halo Wars, when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood Pod infectors that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other Pod infectors. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
  • In Halo 3, code exists for a deleted "banger" variant of Pod infector, which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.[16]
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved, Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.

Gallery[edit]

  • Concept art of a Pod Infector from Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Concept art of a Pod Infector from Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.

    The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.

  • A Pod infector in the Threshold gas mine in Halo 2.

    A Pod infector in the Threshold gas mine in Halo 2.

  • A Pod infector in Halo 2.

    A Pod infector in Halo 2.

  • Render of the Halo 2 Pod infector in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

    Render of the Halo 2 Pod infector in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

  • Pod infectors in Halo 3.

    Pod infectors in Halo 3.

  • A Pod infector in Halo Wars.

    A Pod infector in Halo Wars.

  • Pod infectors assaulting Professor Anders.

    Pod infectors assaulting Professor Anders.

  • A render of the pod infector asset created for Halo Wars' cutscenes.

    A render of the pod infector asset created for Halo Wars' cutscenes.

  • A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.

    A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.

  • An Xbox 360 Avatar customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.

    An Xbox 360 Avatar customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.

  • The Librarian investigating a Flood Pod infector in Halo 4's terminals.

    The Librarian investigating a Flood Pod infector in Halo 4's terminals.

  • A Flood Pod infector inside the UNSC Spirit of Fire's cryo-room in Halo: Escalation.

    A Flood Pod infector inside the UNSC Spirit of Fire's cryo-room in Halo: Escalation.

  • Flood Pod infectors in Halo: Spartan Assault.

    Flood Pod infectors in Halo: Spartan Assault.

  • A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.

    A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.

  • Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in Something has Happened.

    Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in Something has Happened.

  • Models of the Pod infector for Halo Wars 2.

    Models of the Pod infector for Halo Wars 2.

  • More detailed models.

    More detailed models.

  • Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.

    Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.

  • A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in Halo Wars 2.

    A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in Halo Wars 2.

  • Atriox crushes a Pod infector.

    Atriox crushes a Pod infector.

  • An infection form at Outpost Discovery.

    An infection form at Outpost Discovery.

  • A Pod infector trapped in a Cylix on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

    A Pod infector trapped in a Cylix on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.

  • A Pod infector weapon charm in Halo Infinite.

    A Pod infector weapon charm in Halo Infinite.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Library: Infection Form
  2. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs - Pod Infectors
  3. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs - Infection Forms
  4. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 176
  5. ^ Bungie.net: One Final Effort (4/16/2010)
  6. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Anders' Signal
  7. ^ Halo: Evolutions — "The Mona Lisa"
  8. ^ 'Halo: The Flood', page 291
  9. ^ Halo Wars
  10. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 244
  11. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, page 122
  12. ^ Halo Waypoint: Catalog Interaction - Page 14 ("No known biological [scaffolding] augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.")
  13. ^ Halo Graphic Novel, Breaking Quarantine
  14. ^ See Avery Johnson#Notes
  15. ^ Halo: First Strike
  16. ^ YouTube: Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"

v • d • e
 
Known Flood forms
Regular Spore • Pod • Seeder • Tadpole • Dispersal pod
Growths Stalk • Blister
Other Flood Super Cell (FSC)
Infected
Structures
Hives Hive • Den • Nest • Colony • Spore Mound • Cocooned base • Blightlands
Defensive Launcher • Root
Other Porta • Vent
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