Editing Active camouflage

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<center>''Were you also looking for [[Camouflage]], the UNSC equivalent?''</center>
[[Image:1221018765 Invisible2.png|thumb|A [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] Active Camouflage pickup, still in its casing.]]

The ''Active Camouflage'' power-up is light-bending energy stored in a small, glass-like pyramid in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]''. In ''[[Halo 3]]'' that is suspended in a spherical force-field. Its usage is similar to the way a [[Covenant]] [[Overshield]] functions. When the player breaks the active camouflage container (done by simply walking over it), the energy envelops the wearer and bends light around the skin, [[armor]], or [[shielding]], conforming to its user's form and rendering them almost invisible. This effect wears off as the energy dissipates and the user slowly becomes more visible. It is a Covenant device and as such is most commonly used by [[Special Operations Elites]] and [[Stealth Elites]]. However, all varieties of [[MJOLNIR]] armor after and including the [[Mark V]] can also use the technology.

==Function==
[[Image:Hidden Dragon.jpg|thumb|left|170px|A [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] using active camouflage.]]
The Active Camouflage activates by contact. The Camouflage covers the entire body, but it does not extend to the entirety of the user's equipment. [[Human]] weapons won't give away the user's location, although Covenant [[weapons]], mainly glowing because of plasma, will be seen. The [[Energy Sword]] in ''Halo 2'' is visible even while you are invisible and also visible on stealth elites in Halo:CE though this problem is fixed in ''Halo 3''. Also, if close enough, the character's outline is seen faintly and looks like a moving silhouette; however, it is hard to see the outline and the ''ghost'' from a far angle. Even on a scoped weapon, like the [[Sniper Rifle]] or [[Battle Rifle]], it can be difficult to see a camouflaged opponent. When any projectiles pass through the shielding (whether by firing a weapon or being shot), it is temporarily deactivated, making the user partly visible. Also, the camouflage's effect deteriorates with the firing of weapons. As you fire continuously you slowly become more visible. If you stop firing, you will quickly become invisible again.

The technology can be utilized on [[Human]] armor systems, such as the [[MJOLNIR]] armor, but the [[UNSC]] has only developed a rough equivalent, the [[Camouflage Cloak]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''</ref>
 
In ''Halo 2'', it is noted that the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]]'s armor, while possessing a built-in active camouflage generator, is not permanent, unlike the more modern generators used by Special Operations Elites. There is a circle on the player's [[HUD]] that shows the amount of time left for both the usage of the active camouflage and the recharging sequence. The [[Master Chief]], can gain this ability with the [[Halo 2 Skulls#Envy|Envy Skull]] on [[Legendary]] only; however, his screen will lack the meter, forcing you to remember the time allowed for use.
 
When playing as the Arbiter, using any attack besides melee will cause the active camouflage to deactivate, and the player must wait for it to recharge before using it again.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', All levels playable as the Arbiter</ref>

==Science==
[[Image:1218738155 Invisible.jpg|thumb|left|The Active Camouflage in Halo 2.]]
Technically, '''Active Camouflage''' is not quite invisibility, though it is very similar. Rather, is the term that is used to describe a broad range of [[technology|technologies]] that a wearer or object with its terrain, mimicking the environment around it perfectly, though in two dimensions. There are a variety of ways to do this, though the [[UNSC]] uses photo-reactive panels on its [[SPI|Semi-Powered Armor]] and [[UNSC Prowler|Prowler]] warships for optical camouflage, adapting to account for movement.

Though it has never been elaborated on in detail, it is suspected that [[Covenant]] versions of the concept use [[Wikipedia:Phased array optics|phased array optics]] to project a three-dimensional [[hologram]] of background scenery around the wearer of the system, a task well within the [[Covenant]]'s technological level.

Talc powder and other atmospheric particles can disrupt the systems, causing the technology to overload and fail. <ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> The device also generates a considerable amount of heat, causing its user to be clearly visible on [[Human]] thermal goggles and some variations of the [[Sniper Rifle]]. <ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref> The humans of Alpha Base on Alpha Halo used this advantage when their base was infiltrated by stealth [[Elites]], equipping their [[Fire Team]]s with infrared goggles allowing them to easily see the attackers. In addition, William and Kelly employed smoke in order to overload the camouflage on [[Reach]] in order to find them <ref>[[Halo: First Strike]]</ref>.

==Use in Campaign==
If the active camouflage is active during [[campaign]], you are completely invisible to the AI enemies unless you fire your weapon, which will deactivate the camouflage for a short amount of time. Active camouflage is only usable in campaign when you are playing as the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'', or pick up [[Cloaking]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''. It is also available as a powerup in five levels during ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': [[Truth and Reconciliation (Level)|Truth and Reconciliation]], [[Silent Cartographer (Level)|Silent Cartographer]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], [[Keyes (Level)|Keyes]], and [[Assault on the Control Room (Level)|Assault on the Control Room]]. An interesting fact about Active Camouflage is that although you can see the [[Energy Sword|Sword]]-wielding Active Camo Elites in Halo: Combat Evolved due to the sword, the [[Marine]]s cannot see them. This is removed in Halo 2 as the Elites now activate them only before they're about to kill you. In ''Halo 3'', Active Camouflage is replaced by Cloaking, a piece of [[Equipment]] that can be picked up much like the [[Bubble Shield]] or any other item. What makes this beneficial then, is that the item can be used when needed, not just when available. The user can hold on to it until it is required in a situation when he or she drastically outnumbered. Activating the Cloaking can even the odds, or avoid contact all together. It is recommended that the user move quickly and relentlessly so that they don't waste the time that the powerup is activated for, as well as the fact they also might be spotted a lot easier when stationary. This is also recommended in multiplayer.

==Active Camouflage and Shielding==
[[Image:Activecamoflauge.jpg|180px|thumb|right|[[Stealth Elite]] using active camouflage.]]
An odd discrepancy is present in the difference between ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'' active camouflage. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', [[Stealth Elites]] using active camouflage had no shielding whatsoever; furthermore, Elites were the only Covenant enemies to possess it. However, in the last level, several Elite [[Flood]] [[Combat Form]]s that made their way into the [[Armory]] were seen with Active Camouflage generators, but these were presumably infected [[Stealth Elite]]s.
In ''Halo 2'' active camouflage was seen in use by both [[Elites]] and [[Grunts]], during [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] and part of [[Regret (Level)|Regret]]. 

In "A Day At the Beach," a supposed [[Elite Minor]] is seen engaging his own active camouflage at the expense of his [[shields]] (though when the camouflage seems to be shorted out by the [[plasma grenade]] explosion his shields are reactivated). It is possible that he is an [[Ossoona]], which would explain why such a seemingly low ranked [[Elite]] has the system, although this is not likely as Minors are not allowed to be an Ossoona due to their experience. <ref>"Extra" cutscene included in retail version of [[Multiplayer Map Pack]]</ref>

It can be conjectured from this evidence that perhaps all [[Elite]]s have active camouflage systems installed, but in all but the highest echelons of Elite rankings the power drain deactivates the shield in favor of the camouflage. Only ''Halo 2'' era [[Stealth Elites]], [[Ultra Elites]] and [[Special Operations Elites]] seem to have enough power in their armor to run both systems at the same time.

==Halo 3 Active Camouflage==
[[Image:ActiveCamo.jpg|150px|thumb|right|The Active Camouflage in ''Halo 3''.]]
The Active Camo is no longer contained inside a pyramid construct. Instead it appears as a large, glowing sphere with what appears to be containment devices around it, enclosing the powerup in ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[multiplayer]]; but unlike past Halo games however, active camo is ''not'' found in campaign. In campaign, Active Camouflage is replaced by the [[Cloaking]] [[equipment]], which functions in the same way as active camouflage once used. Melee attacks, shooting, throwing grenades and using equipment will negate the effect of the power-up. Also, wearing the [[Armor Permutations#Spartan Armor Permutations|Flaming Helmet]] is an obvious give-away to the opponent because the fire is still visible. A popular video on YouTube is that of a Bungie worker with the Flaming Helmet grabbing Active Camo and then being sniped due to the fire.

It is best to use the shotgun or other one hit kill weapons with the camo.

The quality of camouflage in custom games may be set to two different settings<ref>http://www.gametrailers.com/player/20131.html</ref>:
*Poor Camo: The player has camouflage that might fool a [[Grunt]].
**This makes the player appear ghostly.
*Good Camo: The player has camouflage that will fool an attentive [[Elite]].
**This makes the player appear like glass; invisible, but the light is distorted within the player's shape.

==[[Spartan-III]]==
The Spartan-IIIs use a mimicry version of Active Camouflage, using panels to impersonate the surrounding environment like a Human Chameleon. Though when combined with their natural talent and training for stealth, it is a very effective tool, rendering them almost invisible. (Spartan-III [[Olivia]] was noted for having a natural talent for stealth and scouting.) This feature was tested by [[ODST]]s and saw very limited use in [[2552]].

==Character compatibility==
[[Image:AC flame head.jpg|thumb|Flaming Head armor and Active Camo in Halo 3.|180px|right]]
*[[Elites]] (All Games)
*[[Spartans]] (All Games)
*[[Flood Combat Form]] ([[Halo 1]] and Halo 2 only)
*[[Grunts]] ([[Halo 2]] Only)

Note: All enemies are capable of using active camo in Halo 2 if the [[Assassins]] skull is active. Even enemies such as Hunters, Jackals and Flood forms are affected.

==Trivia==
*There is a glitch that can be performed in [[Halo 3]] that will give you infinite Invisibility in multiplayer matches, even when one respawns.
*By changing the graphics card settings on [[Halo PC]], active camouflage users appear as a big, gray colored figure and are quite obvious to spot.
*If you pick up Camo and oversheilds, the oversheilds glow and make you visible.
*When invisible and switching to a depleted energy sword, in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'', the outline of the sword's plasma blade will still shimmer even though it is depleted.
*Active Camouflage covers the [[Energy Sword]] in ''[[Halo 3]]'', unlike in the previous games where it remains fully visible.
*On [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], if you go right off of the fallen tree towards a small indention in the hill, you will find an Active Camouflage next to the pipeline.
*Active camouflage generates heat,<ref>''[[Halo:The Flood]]''</ref> which can be taken advantage of by the use of infrared equipment by [[UNSC]] forces.
*The [[Separatist Phantom]] in ''Halo 3'', has its own Active Camouflage generators on board for various stealth missions.
*Even though you will be invisible in multiplayer you can still be tracked by the motion tracker unless moving while crouching. 
*Oddly enough, a group of Major and Minor Grunts in the Halo 2 level [[Delta Halo]] used Active Camouflage as they fought alongside a group of [[Stealth Elites]]. This suggests that at least some lower ranked Grunts have this equipment.
*When you shoot or melee with Active Camo on, you will start to become visible, the more you shoot or melee, the more visible you will become, then you gradually turn invisible after the shooting or meleeing stops.
*After being under fire for a while an active camo in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' will generate purple sparks (best seen with the shotgun).
*When using cloaking in ''Halo 3'', it's suggested that you don't use a [[Gravity Hammer]] because the lights emitted by the hammer will still be visible. However, an Energy Sword can be unsheathed without a sound and held without a light giving you away.
*As stated in the [[Halo 2]] Piggyback Offical Guide, when used in association with an [[Overshield]], the Active Camo becomes completely useless due to the charges of the overshield washing over the player's body (except in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''). In [[Halo 3]], the same effect occurs when Active Camouflage and Overshields are both working.
*The Active Camouflage has no effect on the flames on the [[Bungie Employee]] flaming helmet, allowing enemies to more easily locate the user of the helmet. 
*Active Camouflage is less effective with plasma weapons because the barrel glows and makes you easier to spot, which is ironic as the covenant developed it.
*With the [[Envy]] skull on in [[Halo 2]] the [[Master Chief]]'s flashlight will be replaced with active camouflage. This can also be combined with a glitch which allows you to reload from a checkpoint, after saving and quitting, and turning off your console, with infinite active camouflage. This makes the Campaign on Halo 2 considerably easier, even on Legendary difficulty.
**The above glitch can be achieved in Halo: CE for PC. See [[Permanent invisibility]].
* Freelancer Tex (in [[Red vs Blue]]) had a special 'built in' cloaking device, much like the Arbiter's.
*The Active Camouflage can also be used for defensive purposes in [[Halo 3]], acting like a floating shield. Crouching behind one will shield the bulk of your character from enemy fire, giving your shields time to recharge. This is also possible with the [[Overshield]] and [[Custom Powerup]]
* The Halo 2 Assasin's skull that is found in [[Regret (level)|Regret]] makes all opposition invisible permanently.
*In Halo 3 if you throw grenades at it they will bounce off.
*In [[Halo 3]], if in [[Forge]], if you go in monitor mode then go inside an active camo, you will hear a sharp pitched noise.
*In Halo 3, if a player is wielding a [[Gravity Hammer]] and Active Camo simultaneously, they can be seen by the glowing 'head' of the Gravity Hammer.
*In Halo 3, the energy sword takes slightly longer than other weapons to become invisible with the player while using the active camouflage.

== Related Links ==
*[[Overshield]]

== References ==
<references/>


[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]