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| {{Center|''Are you looking for the Halo 4 [[Type-3 active camouflage|version]]? For other uses, see [[Camouflage (disambiguation)]].''}} | | {{Era|TF|FS|H1|H2|H3|RVB}} |
| | <center>''Were you also looking for [[Camouflage]], the UNSC equivalent?''</center> |
| | [[Image:Active Camoflage.jpg|thumb|A [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] Active Camouflage pickup, still in its casing.]] |
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| [[File:HCE Camo Sniper.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] using active camouflage.]] | | 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]]'' it 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. |
| {{Quote|One of those [[Sangheili|things]] is inside, and it is ''invisible!''|Cadet [[Thomas Lasky]]<ref>'''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''', ''Part 4''</ref>}}
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| '''Active camouflage''' (often shortened to '''active camo''') is a form of technological [[camouflage]] designed to conceal an object from visual detection by rapidly adapting to its surroundings. Both the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]<ref name="goo">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 291''</ref> and the [[Covenant]] use various forms of active camouflage technology, though the term is most prominently applied to Covenant-developed cloaking equipment.
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| Technically, active camouflage is not quite invisibility, though it is very similar. Rather, the term encompasses a broad range of technologies that allows a wearer or object to blend in with its terrain by mimicking the environment around it. There are a variety of ways to do this, though the UNSC uses [[photoreactive panel]]s on its [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] and [[prowler]] stealth ships for optical camouflage, adapting to the object's background to account for movement. Meanwhile, Covenant active camouflage actually ''bends light'' around the camouflaged object,<ref name="h4evg">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 136''</ref> a task well within the Covenant's [[Technological Achievement Tiers|tier two technology level]]. The technology can be utilized on human armor systems, such as the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]], but the UNSC has only developed rough equivalents.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'''</ref>
| | ==Function== |
| | [[Image:Hidden Dragon.jpg|thumb|left|170px|A [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] using active camouflage.]] |
| | The Active camouflage activates on 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, 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. Stop firing, and quickly you become invisible again. |
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| ==Covenant active camouflage==
| | 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> |
| {{Quote|Show yourselves, assassins! The scent of your cloak is faint, but it still fouls the air.|[[Atriox]] smelling active camouflage.<ref name="HP">'''[[Hunting Party]]'''</ref>}}
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| [[File:HCE Stealth Elite in AC.png|thumb|200px|A camouflaged [[Stealth Sangheili]] aboard ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]''.]]
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| Covenant active camouflage technology uses a field of energy to bend light around the user, thus making them effectively invisible. The armor used by [[Special Operations Sangheili|Spec-Ops]] and [[Stealth Sangheili]], as well as that of [[Arbiter]]s, [[Jiralhanae Stalker]]s and even certain [[Sangheili Zealot]]s,<ref name="ReferenceA">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref> include built-in active camouflage generators. These built-in generators have a severe drawback in that they divert power from shielding equipment. Troops equipped with permanent active camouflage generators tend to have weaker shielding than those not equipped with an active camouflage generator.
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| Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]] was equipped with an active camouflage generator capable of generating a near-perfect cloaking field indefinitely. Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]] was also equipped with an active camouflage generator, but the device was capable only of providing a cloak for a few seconds, and although 'Vadam was equipped with personal shielding, his shields were relatively weak for an individual of such high rank, equivalent to those of a [[Sangheili Minor]]. | | Some [[Elites]] have active camouflage generators, as do some [[SpecOps Grunt]]s.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] and [[Oracle (Level)|Oracle]]</ref> [[The Arbiter]] has old armor with an obsolete active camouflage generator that needs to recharge after using the camouflage for too long. |
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| | In ''Halo 2'', it is noted that the [[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]]. However his screen will lack the meter, forcing you to remember the time allowed for use. |
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| | When playing as the Arbiter, using any attack 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> |
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| Aircraft or ships can also be equipped with active camouflage systems, including the {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} that has its own active camouflage generators on board for various stealth missions,<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> and the [[Klavbrig Workshop Shroud]] used by the [[Banished]] to cloak the advance of their armies.<ref name="HW2">'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref> Larger vessels such as [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarriers]], or entire armies, can be effectively hidden from both plain sight and sensors by using external stealth systems such as [[stealth pylon]]s and [[Cloaking Generator]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|ReferenceA}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW2}}
| | ==Science== |
| | Technically, Active Camouflage is not quite invisibility, though it is 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. |
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| | 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. |
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| For personnel not equipped with built-in active camouflage, it can be provided by a variety of devices. Typically, the energy used to provide the effect is suspended inside a small, transparent pyramidal container, or a larger spherical force-field. Personnel can use the light-bending energy by coming into physical contact with the container or force-field, which will cause it to break and release its contents. Upon release, the energy envelops the wearer and bends light around their skin; armor or [[energy shielding]], conforming to their form and rendering them almost invisible. After a short period of time, the energy will gradually dissipate and wear off, slowly revealing its user. The active camouflage provided by these devices lasts for ten seconds, and only prevents visual detection; those using active camouflage can be observed by other means, including motion tracking, noise, and environmental disturbances such as footprints on soft terrain.
| | 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> |
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| ===Function=== | | ==Use in Campaign== |
| {{Quote|Trust me, because I heard… uhhh… from a friend, that if you have active camouflage on and do a crys, it makes a big sizzle sound and everybody can see me hidin' in the corner.|[[Dimkee Hotay]] shares his bad experience with active camo.<ref name="Alliance">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''', campaign level ''[[Alliance]]''</ref>}}
| | If the active camouflage is active during [[campaign]], your 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]]'', pick up [[Cloaking]] in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and in four levels in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': [[Truth and Reconciliation (Level)|Truth and Reconciliation]], [[Silent Cartographer (Level)|Silent Cartographer]], [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], and [[Assault on the Control Room (Level)|Assault on the Control Room]]. In ''Halo 3'', Active Camouflage is replaced by Cloaking, which is a a piece of [[equipment]] that can be picked up much like the [[Bubble Shield]] or other items. What makes this beneficial is 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's drastically outnumbered. Activating the Cloaking can even the odds or avoid contact all together. It recommended that the user should move quickly and relentlessly so they don't waste the time they have it for as well the fact they also might be spotted a lot easier. This is also recommended in multiplayer. |
| Covenant active camouflage will easily cloak its user, but its effect does not completely extend to items in the user's possession; [[human]] [[weapons]] are easily cloaked by active camouflage, but Covenant weapons are visible even with active camo, as the light-bending energy cannot mask the glow of the weapons' plasma. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', however, plasma glow is hidden quite well by the cloaking equipment.
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| Though active camouflage is quite effective from a distance, it can faintly be seen if an observer is close enough to the wearer. However, it is difficult to spot a camouflaged opponent from a distance using a scoped weapon—actual physical proximity is required to reliably spot a person using active camo. It should be noted, though, that active camouflage does not mask environmental effects such as footprints, meaning that it is not as effective on soft terrain such as snow.
| | ==Active Camouflage and Shielding== |
| | [[Image:Activecamoflauge.jpg|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 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]]. |
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| The shielding provided by Covenant active camo can be disrupted if projectiles pass through it; such a disruption weakens the invisibility effect and temporarily reveals the wearer. The [[power-up]] can be disrupted if the wearer fires shots or if the wearer is hit. It also progressively worsens: the longer the wearer fires (or is hit), the more visible they become. Once the disruptions end, however, the wearer quickly regains their invisibility.
| | 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. <ref>"Extra" cutscene included in retail version of [[Multiplayer Map Pack]]</ref> |
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| Talcum powder and other atmospheric particles can disrupt the systems, causing the technology to overload and fail.<ref name="firststrike">'''[[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 [[SRS99C-S2 AM sniper rifle]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''</ref> The humans of [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]] on [[Installation 04]] used this advantage when their base was infiltrated by stealth Elites, equipping their [[fireteam]]s with infrared goggles allowing them to easily see the attackers. In addition, [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] [[William-043]] and [[Kelly-087]] employed talcum powder in order to overload the camouflage on [[Reach]] in order to find them.{{Ref/Reuse|firststrike}} [[Atriox]] was able to detect the use of active camouflage through smell.{{Ref/Reuse|HP}} However, it is possible he was just smelling the users themselves rather than the cloaking field, and was calling them out for its use.
| | It can be conjectured from this evidence that perhaps all [[Elite]] 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. |
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| During the [[Requiem Campaign]], active camouflage was used to shield the [[seven]] [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]]s smuggled aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} from detection by the ship's AI [[Roland]]. After [[Fireteam Crimson]] took out a Sangheili holding a cloaking remote, Roland realized this tactic. By tracking the energy signature from the cloaking generator, Roland was able to locate the warheads in the Engine Room and direct Crimson where to go to disarm them before they could be used to destroy the ''Infinity''. Unlike conventional active camouflage, this type shielded the warheads from sensors but they could be physically seen by nearby persons without any issue.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Invasion/Engine of Destruction|S107 ''Invasion'', ''Engine of Destruction'']]</ref> Later, in the [[Warrens]], the Covenant hooked up active camouflage to their shield generators to prevent the human forces from finding and destroying them. Spartan [[Jared Miller]] was eventually able to identify the Sangheili who controlled the active camouflage and after Crimson took him out, the active camouflage dropped, revealing the generators.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Expendable/Lancer|S108 ''Lancer'']]</ref>
| | ==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 power in the ''[[Halo 3]]'' [[multiplayer]]. Unlike past Halo games, 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. |
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| After the death of [[Gek 'Lhar]], his corpse was looted by [[Fireteam Majestic]]. Spartan [[Gabriel Thorne]] took Gek's active camouflage module<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Expendable|S108 ''Expendable'']]</ref> which he subsequently used during the attempted rescue of Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]].<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Key|S109 ''Key'']]</ref>
| | 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 air is distorted with player's shape. |
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| ==UNSC active camouflage== | | ==[[Spartan-III]]== |
| [[File:ONIPRO 01.png|thumb|250px|''[[ONI PRO-49776]]'' disengaging its advanced cloaking field, an outlier in UNSC camouflaging technology during the [[Human-Covenant War]].]] | | The Spartan-IIIs use a mimicry version of Active Camouflage, using panels to impersonate the surrounding environment like a Human Chameleon. This feature was tested by [[ODST]]s and saw very limited use in [[2552]]. |
| The UNSC has developed several varieties of active-camouflage technology. These do not utilize the same light-bending energy as Covenant active camouflage and are generally less effective. The most common form of human active camouflage technology operates on a different principle than the Covenant counterpart, using [[photoreactive panel]]s to impersonate the surrounding environment like a chameleon. A device known as the [[camouflage cloak]] can hide the wearer's infrared signature, beside serving as a form of camouflage.{{Ref/Reuse|goo}} | |
| [[File:Headhunters Roland camo.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Roland-B210]] with his camouflage activated.]]
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| The [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]] used by the [[SPARTAN-III program|Spartan-IIIs]] utilizes photo-reactive panels to conceal the wearer's infrared signature and to blend in with the surrounding environment. When combined with their natural talent and training for stealth, it can be a very effective tool. Some [[Headhunters]] used a prototype camouflage almost identical to the Covenant version, rendering them almost invisible, except that it only lasted 3–5 minutes and other systems have their power drained while it recharged. This feature saw very limited use in field tests by [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', ''[[Headhunters]]''</ref>
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| A common human active camouflage device, copied from similar Covenant technology, comes in the form of a "plug" which attaches to a socket located on the lower back of compatible armor. The non-integral nature of the device allows it to be added or removed at will for improved operational flexibility. The device provides a conditionally effective cloak; as long as the user remains still or moves slowly, the camouflage will be highly efficient, providing near-total invisibility for minimal energy loss. However, if the user moves more quickly, the camouflage will only provide rudimentary coverage and drain its energy very rapidly. Firing a weapon will also disrupt the camouflage and reveal the user. Furthermore, external sounds will be highly muffled to the user while this camouflage is in use, and if the user is equipped with motion tracking equipment, the detection capability of the motion tracker will be severely compromised, jamming the display with "ghost" targets.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref>
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| Much like the SPI armor, UNSC [[prowler]]s use [[texture buffer]]s or "active camouflage skin" in conjunction with [[stealth ablative coating]]s to conceal themselves from view in addition to masking their heat and radar signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|goo}} This camouflage is not perfect, however, and cannot keep up with a constantly changing background such as a gas giant's atmosphere.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole", ''page 477''</ref> However, more advanced stealth ships were developed, such as ''[[ONI PRO-49776]]'' using a form of cloak "bubble" similar to the light-bending energy fields used by the Covenant. This technology has not been observed in widespread use.<ref>'''[[Halo Legends]]''', ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''</ref>
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| The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]]] system is capable of incorporating Covenant [[Type-3 active camouflage|T-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage]] modules for stealth.<ref name="Waypoint">[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/Halo4Guide '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'']</ref>
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| ==Changes throughout ''Halo''==
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| {{Cleanup|Section}}
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| If the active camo is active during [[Campaign]], the player is completely invisible to the AI enemies unless they fire their weapon. Active camouflage is only usable in Campaign when playing as the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'', or if the player obtains the [[Halo 2 skulls#Envy|Envy Skull]] and restarts Campaign (active camo replaces Master Chief's flashlight). In ''[[Halo 3]]'', rather than Active Camouflage, the slightly different [[Cloaking]] is available. It is also available as a powerup in five levels during ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'': [[The Truth and Reconciliation]], [[Silent Cartographer]], [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]], [[Keyes]], and [[Assault on the Control Room]].
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| An interesting fact about Active Camouflage is that although the player can see the [[Type-1 energy sword]]-wielding Active Camo Elites in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' (due to the sword), the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] cannot see them; this is likely because the developers did not realize that the energy sword showed through the Active Camo, leading them to code the Marines' AI to be oblivious to it. This advantage is removed in ''Halo 2''—the Elites now wait, only activating their swords when they're about to kill the player.
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| ===''Halo 2''===
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| In ''Halo 2'', it is noted that the 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 (unfortunately, not shown numerically) for both the usage of the active camouflage and the recharging sequence. The Master Chief can gain this ability with the Envy Skull on Legendary only; however, his screen will lack the meter, forcing you to remember the time allowed for use.
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| When playing as the Arbiter, using any attack will cause the active camouflage to deactivate, and the player must wait for it to recharge before using it again.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref>
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| ===''Halo 3''===
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| {{Main|Cloaking}}
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| 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, 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 did. Melee attacks, shooting, throwing grenades and using equipment will negate the effect of the power-up. Also, wearing the [[Armor customization (Halo 3)#Spartan Armor Permutations|Flaming Helmet]] is an obvious give-away to the opponent because the fire is still visible.
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| By default, the pick-up lasts 30 seconds and doesn't dissipate with movement, unlike in Reach.
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| The quality of camouflage in custom games may be set to two different settings:<ref>[http://www.gametrailers.com/player/20131.html '''Game Trailers''': ''Custom Games Glitch Gameplay'']</ref>
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| *'''Poor Camo''': The player has camouflage that might fool a [[Unggoy|Grunt]].
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| **The player is still somewhat visible.
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| *'''Good Camo''': The player has camouflage that will fool an attentive [[Sangheili|Elite]].
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| **This makes the player almost invisible, but the light is distorted within the player's shape.
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| ===''Halo: Reach''===
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| The Active Camo in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' has undergone many major changes. It is now available as an [[Armor abilities|Armor Ability]] to both Spartan and Elite players. As a secondary effect, when used, it acts as a Radar Jammer, scrambling the radar of the user and all enemies within 25 meters, making the user harder for enemies to detect on their motion trackers. This function can be both beneficial and detrimental to the player; on the one hand, it can make enemies easier to ambush, however, it also informs the enemy team that someone is using Camo nearby. This can backfire on the player by making the enemy team more perceptive to possible ambushes. The Active Camo also greatly reduces the volume of all sounds for its user, making it more difficult to notice a grenade being thrown or a nearby enemy firing a weapon.
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| The strength or effectiveness of the Camo also varies depending on whether/how fast the user is moving. When standing still, the player is rendered almost completely invisible. Moving slowly or crouch-walking will slightly decrease the quality of cloaking, although the user is still hard to spot. When moving faster than crouch-walking speed, the Active Camo becomes much less effective, cloaking the user only partially (similar to the Poor Camo from Halo 3). The player's movement speed does not affect the rate at which the Armor Ability meter drains.
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| The freedom for the player to control when they activate their camouflage makes it much more effective, as it allows for use in the most opportune situations, instead of restricting the player to activate it on pickup. However, the reduced hearing and radar jamming effects require the player to be more aware of his surroundings than usual,<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=26366 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Beta Survival Guide '']</ref> and must also take care not to move too fast.
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| Enemies in campaign and Firefight will detect the user after a while. As such, it is far less effective than previous iterations.
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| ===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''===
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| Active camouflage now makes the user extremely hard to spot due to the enhanced graphics. Distortion also covers more the exact shape of the user, unlike previous iterations.
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| ===''Halo 4''===
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| The '''[[Type-3 active camouflage|Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage]]''' bends light around a structure, hiding it via advanced pattern realignment. It is similar to the version in ''Halo: Reach'', however the jammer no longer makes false hostile contacts appear on the motion sensor, rather it makes neutral contacts appear and in a much tighter grouping than before, therefore not only preventing the user from using it to trick enemies, but possibly giving away their location. Despite this, it still is an effective tool for hiding outside of cover and ambushing enemies.
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| ===''Halo 5: Guardians''===
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| Active camouflage is now a powerup that can be picked up in Arena or requisitioned in Warzone. While active the user is invisible to the motion sensors of enemies as long as they are not sprinting. Moving while crouched no longer deteriorates the quality of camouflage, though moving faster would. It now displays a meter on the HUD that shows the remaining duration of the power up, and shortly before it runs out, the player will be notified via a quiet beeping sound.
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| ===''Halo Wars 2''===
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| Shrouds are able to cloak themselves and other units. [[Let 'Volir]] is able to cloak units with leader abilities.
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| ===''Halo Infinite''===
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| Active Camouflage is activated via an animation similarly to ''Halo 5: Guardians'', although it can now be used at will. If the player is killed before they can use it, or while in the process of activating it, they will drop the powerup which can now be picked up by another player. Active camouflage in ''Halo Infinite'' behaves like a hybrid of the active camouflage seen in the original trilogy, and the active camo seen in all the games since ''Halo: Reach''. If the player is simply moving and strafing, the camouflage remains consistent, but if they sprint or fire their weapon, the camo fades out. {{Ref/YouTube|Id=mpoverview|n-O7OuliQRY|HALO|Halo Infinite <nowiki>|</nowiki> Multiplayer Overview|D=4|M=7|Y=2021}}
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| ==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
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| ===Silver Timeline===
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| {{Main|Silver Timeline}}
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| Active camouflage is used by Covenant Sangheili.{{Ref/Film|[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]], [[Contact]]}}
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| ==Trivia== | | ==Trivia== |
| *Changing the graphics card settings on [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]] (lowering the quality and effects) makes active camouflage users appear as an easily-seen gray, opaque silhouette. | | *By changing the graphics card settings on [[Halo PC]], active camouflage users appear as a big, Grey colored figure and are quite obvious to spot. |
| *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 Sangheili|Stealth Elites]]. Spec Ops Grunts are also seen using this in the level [[The Arbiter]] just before entering the gas mine. This suggests that at least some Grunts have this equipment. | | *When invisible and switching to a depleted energy sword in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'', the outline of the swords plasma blade will still shimmer even though it is depleted. |
| *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.
| | *Active camouflage covers the [[Energy Sword]] in ''[[Halo 3]]'', unlike in the previous games where it remains fully visible. |
| *The active camouflage has no effect on the flames on the [[Bungie Armor]], allowing enemies to more easily locate the user of the chest piece.
| | *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 a pipeline. |
| *With the [[Halo 2 skulls#Envy|Envy]] skull on in ''[[Halo 2]]'', the [[John-117|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. | | *Active camouflage generates heat,<ref>''[[Halo:The Flood]]''</ref> which can be taken advantage of by the use of infrared equipment by [[UNSC]] forces. |
| *In any Halo game, when you have active camouflage on and you get in a vehicle, the camouflage stays on and appears as if there was a ghost driving it or that it was driving itself (works particularly well with the Warthog LAAG). It works with any vehicle which exposes the occupants to view. | | *The [[Separatist Phantom]] in ''Halo 3'' has its own Active Camouflage generators on board for various stealth missions. |
| *In ''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista, when playing on Threshold, your comrades are not picked up by radar when camouflaged.
| | *Even though you will be invisible in multiplayer you can still be tracked by the motion tracker unless moving while crouching. |
| *The lights on a [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] can be seen clearly when camouflaged. It is not recommended to have a Gravity Hammer either as your primary weapon or secondary weapon when using active camo, as the lights make you an easy target for experienced snipers. | | *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 turn invisible after the shooting or meleeing stops. |
| *In ''Halo 3'', go in Monitor mode and find an Active Camouflage. Go inside it. After about 10–20 seconds, the Active Camo will stop making its shimmering noise and you'll hear a brief whispering sound (like a sigh or breath), and then it will continue its shimmering noise.
| | *After being under fire for a while an active camo in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' will generate purple sparks (when done with a shotgun) |
| *Strangely, the active camo module in the ''Halo: Reach'' [[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta|Beta]] had "UNSC" printed on it, even when being used by Elites, though this is likely because it was a placeholder file.
| | *When using cloaking in ''Halo 3'', it's not suggested that you use a [[Gravity Hammer]] because the lights emitted by the hammer will still be visible but an energy sword can be unsheathed without a sound and held without a light giving you away. |
| *The Overshield as well as Active camouflage were requested by Hardy LeBel as a feature for Halo: CE's multiplayer. The team working on the campaign saw that they were and added them too. | | *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''). |
| | | *The Active Camouflage has no effect on the flames on the flaming helmet. |
| ==Gallery==
| | *Do not hold plasma weapons because the barrel glows and makes you easier to spot. |
| <gallery>
| | *With the Envy skull on in [[Halo 2]] the [[Master Chief]]'s flashlight will be replaced with active camouflage. |
| File:HaloCE-ActiveCamouflage.jpg|A Stealth Elite using active camouflage in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
| | *It is sort of useless when in close proximity to another player since they see a the outline of the other person using the camouflage. |
| File:HCE_Campaign_ActiveCamo_Pickup.jpg|Active Camo in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' campaign.
| | * Freelancer Tex (on [[Red vs Blue]]) had a special 'built in' cloaking device, much like the [[Arbiter]]'s. |
| File:HCE_MP_ActiveCamo_Pickup.png|Active Camo in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' multiplayer.
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| File:HCEPC ActiveCamoflage.png|Active camouflage on ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]]''.
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| File:H2 Active Camouflage.png|The Active Camouflage in ''Halo 2''.
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| File:H3_ActiveCamo.jpg|The Active Camouflage in ''Halo 3''.
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| File:H3_Bungie_Camo.jpg|Bungie Armor and Active Camouflage in ''Halo 3''.
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| File:HReach Active Camouflage.jpg|The Active Camouflage powerup in ''Halo: Reach''.
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| File:HR SpecOpsElites.jpg|Multiple SpecOps Sangheili using active camouflage, with one also possessing [[Overshield]].
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| File:H4 ActiveCamo_Spartan.jpg|Active Camouflage in use in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
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| File:H4SO ActiveCamo Module Concept.jpg|''[[Spartan Ops]]'' concept art for an active camouflage module.
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| File:H2A-ActiveCamo.png|Active camouflage in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' multiplayer.
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| File:H2A-CloakedSpartan.png|A Spartan using active camouflage in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
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| File:REQ Card - Active Camo I.png|REQ card for Active Camouflage in [[Halo 5: Guardians]].
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| File:Activecamo2.png|REQ Card for Active Camouflage II.
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| File:Activecamo3.png|REQ Card for Active Camouflage III.
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| File:H5G-Camo.png|A Spartan-IV using active camouflage in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
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| File:HINF ActiveCamouflage Icon.png|HUD icon for the active camouflage in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
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| File:HINF-CamoOrko.png|[[Okro 'Vagaduun]] using active camo in ''Halo Infinite''.
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| File:HINF-Deadlockcamo.jpg|A Spartan-IV carrying an active camo module in ''Halo Infinite''.
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| File:HINF-Camo1.png|A Spartan-IV activating an active camo module in ''Halo Infinite''.
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| File:HINF-CamodSpartan.png|A Spartan-IV with active camo in ''Halo Infinite''.
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| File:HTV-Contact-ActiveCamomodule.jpg|A Sangheili with an active camo module in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
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| File:HTV-Contact-ActiveCamo.jpg|The same Sangheili activating the active camo.
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| </gallery>
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| ==List of appearances== | | == Related Links == |
| *''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}} | | *[[Overshield]] |
| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
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| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
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| *''[[Halo Legends]]''
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| **''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
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| *''[[Halo Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
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| **''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]''
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| **''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
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| *''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
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| *''[[Halo 4]]''
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| **''[[Spartan Ops]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
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| **''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
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| *''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
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| *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
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| **''[[Oasis]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]
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| **''[[Hunting Party]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'' {{Mo}}
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| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
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| *''[[Halo Infinite]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
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| **''[[Contact]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
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| **''[[Sanctuary (TV Series)|Sanctuary]]''
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| ==Sources== | | == References == |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Navbox/Pickups/Gameplay}}
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| [[Category:Camouflage]] | | [[Category:Technology]] |
| [[Category:Armor abilities]] | | [[Category:The Covenant]] |
| [[Category:Power ups]]
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