Editing Alert carry

{{Era|RW}}
The '''alert carry''', sometimes mistakenly called '''"ceasing fire"''', '''"standing down"''', or '''"gun down"''', is a feature introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]'' for machinima purposes, has since appeared in ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Halo 4]]'', ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''. The feature allows gamers to holster or lower their in-game weapons; it is commonly used when making [[machinima]]. The exact execution of the alert carry has changed between games and requires different button combinations for different game [[Halo Xbox controls|controller layouts]].

== ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' ==
The alert carry can be performed in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' by simply looking down. Although the player is looking at the ground, others will see their head looking forward with their arms and weapons pointed at the ground. Generally, using an [[M6D Personal Defense Weapon System|M6D Pistol]] or a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] resulted in a more relaxed effect; using a [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] or an [[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]] tended to bend the left arm inwards.

== ''Halo 2'' ==
Noticing that ''[[Red vs Blue]]'', which frequently used the alert carry effect, helped the ''Halo'' franchise, [[Bungie]] made it easier to perform the technique in ''Halo 2'' by assigning it its own button—down on the '''D-Pad'''.

The alert carry is shown by looking down at the player's legs, they will not be as bent as normal. Other players will see it as your weapon being lowered. Shooting, throwing grenades, [[melee]]ing, reloading, entering vehicles, dying, or pressing the D-Pad again will end the effect. On [[Xbox LIVE|Xbox Live]], the trick can also be performed by exhausting all grenades and holding '''L''' (Left Trigger).

In ''Halo 2'', not all weapons can be put into ready position, such as [[dual wielding|dual-wield]] weapons, [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|Rocket Launchers]], and [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Swords]]. The trick seems to work on two-handed rifle type weapons, as when the [[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]] is lowered, but on closer inspection, the player's arm is bent slightly and the Brute Shot itself is slightly tilted.

== ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'' ==
:'''Note'': This does not work on Xbox Live due to the possibility of exploits, according to Bungie.'''''{{Citation needed}}
The ''Halo 3'' alert carry was first performed in public by ''Red vs Blue'' cast members. In ''Halo 3'', the feature is activated with a button combination. The player can cease fire by pressing and holding the following in any order (different according to button layout):
#LB (Switch Grenades)
#RB (Action/Reload)
#A button (Jump)
#Left Thumbstick (Crouch)
#D-pad "down"

After holding the combination together for three seconds, a player will find that their weapon has disappeared off of their screen; the weapon is lowered and visible to other players. Some weapons, however, are barely or not at all affected by this trick; such weapons include the Energy Sword, Brute Shot, [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]], [[Sentinel Beam]], [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Plasma Cannon]], [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun|Machine Gun Turret]], and [[M7057/Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]]. The trick looks odd when performed with the M41 Rocket Launcher, [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Gun]], [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]], and dual-wielded weapons.

The animation of the Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Gun, and the Spartan Laser will look similar to that of the assault rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' (unless the player uses an Elite model, then there's no change). If a player is dual-wielding, looking around will desynchronize their hands.

Shooting, throwing grenades, meleeing, going into Edit Mode on [[Forge]], dying or re-entering the button combination will end the effect.

== ''Halo: Reach'' ==
The alert carry option returned in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' and was first seen being used in the [[Red vs. Blue Halo: Reach PSA: Deja View]]. The player can alert carry by pressing and holding the following in any order (different according to button layout):
#X Button (Action/Reload)
#B Button (Switch Grenades)
#Right Thumbstick (Zoom)
#D-pad "down"

After holding the combination together for three seconds, a player will find that their weapon has disappeared off of their screen; the weapon is lowered and visible to other players. Like in ''Halo 3'', players will be unable to perform it on Xbox LIVE.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JfHzHgneK0&feature=related '''YouTube''': ''Easier Way to Lower Weapon on Halo: Reach'']</ref>

Unlike ''Halo 3'', the M41 Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Gun, Gravity Hammer, and the [[flag]] will be in a resting position after using alert carrying.

Unlike previous games, when the player alert carries while holding a detached turret, the camera angle will shift a bit and the Spartan will also appear to be slightly more relaxed.

== ''Halo 4'' ==
Pre-release screenshots revealed that alert carry had been incorporated into ''Halo 4''.<ref>[[:File:Alert carry.png|Halo 4 image shows a SPARTAN-IV using alert carry.]]</ref> However, it is only available in default control layout, though once activated, it will work in other control layouts. The controller input is to perform it is:<ref>[http://roosterteeth.com/podcast/episode.php?id=191 '''Rooster Teeth''':''Rooster Teeth Podcast #191'']</ref>
#X button (Action/Reload)
#B button (Crouch)
#A button (Jump)
#D-pad "down" 

As in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo: Reach'', alert carry doesn't work in Xbox Live games. Unlike the other games, alert carry only works when the player is standing still; any other movement will cancel the alert carry for as long as the player is moving.

== ''Halo 2 Anniverary'' ==
The alert carry returns in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', fixing ''Halo 4''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s problem<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGfwEOAYoYY '''Youtube''' - ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection - "Cliff" '']</ref>; in addition, the function can now be performed on Xbox Live. The combination to alert carry is:
#RB (Action/Reload)
#A Button (Jump)
#Right Thumbstick (Zoom)
#D-pad "down"

Unlike previous entries, dual-wielded weapons, the Brute Shot, and the Sentinel Beam can be alert-carried, and Elites can exclusively alert-carry the Machine Gun Turret. Note that switching your weapon will exit the Alert Carry stance.

== ''Halo 5: Guardians'' ==
The alert carry was originally teased to return in ''Halo 5: Guardians''<ref>[http://geekswithwives.com/return-to-the-lighter-side-of-halo-with-miles-luna-and-gray-haddock-of-red-vs-blue-interview/ '''Geek with Wires''' - ''Alert carry in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' can be achieved with the new Machinima control setting in Custom Games. When activated, Hold Reload and "down" on the D-pad.

==Trivia==
*Alert carry in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' is actually a glitch rather than a feature. The creators of ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' exploited this glitch for their machinima. Due to the popularity of the webseries, Bungie implemented an actual alert carry feature in ''Halo 2'' solely for machinima.
*In ''Halo 3'', by executing this trick in Forge while Edit Mode, you can create a permanent, lasting effect. This way, the effect will last until you die. Also, if you man a turret or enter a vehicle and then get out, your weapon will appear, but it will be misplaced (this effect is most notable with the [[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]]).
*Execute this trick in conjunction with an Energy Sword and it will disappear. ''See [[Silhouette Sword]]''.
*In ''Halo 3'' local Split-Screen, this trick may be a possible method to combat [[screenwatching]] due to not being able to see what weapon you have equipped. Though they may still be able to see the icon for it on your [[HUD]].
*A tip to ''Halo 3'' machinima makers; when you want to view someone lowering their weapon, the most commonly known, and probably the easiest way to do this, is to simply reverse the footage of them raising it. However, the button combination can be performed in any order. If you're talented enough, you can "crouch" while running, which negates its effect, and hold down (A) after you have jumped. If you hold these down while puppeteering your character, and complete the combo, your character will lower his/her weapon while neither crouching nor jumping, giving it a smoother look. It is tricky to master though, and some find the reverse-footage method more convenient. This trick is not very effective for Elites in general, and is only really visible when the player does not move. Running will cause the weapon to appear (to other players) to lift back up again, although to the player it will appear as if the weapon is still lowered. Another, simpler method is simply to turn off the ability to crouch in a custom game.
*During an alert carry, when a player enters a vehicle and exits, the player will see in his HUD that the weapon is frozen at the highest point of being drawn and the player does not appear to breathe as during holding a weapon off of cease fire. However, it will disappear if the player swaps or switches weapons, fires his weapon, or throws a grenade.
*Using a Armor Ability while Alert-Carrying will not cancel the Alert Carry.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', Alert-Carrying any Turret weapon while as a Elite results in a somewhat humourous "Hold" posture; it will appear as though your left arm is merged with your chestpiece.
*Interestingly enough, in ''Halo: Reach'', if you Alert-Carry and enter a vehicles passenger seat, it will look like you are holding a weapon like normal. However, when you exit the seat, assuming you didn't fire while in the seat, you are still Alert-Carrying.
*If you alert carry while holding an Energy Sword in ''Halo: Reach'', it appears to the player holding it as though the sword mostly vanished; all you will see is little crackles of electricity from where it should be. To others, though, it is still fully visible.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Holster.jpg|Alert carry in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:RvBSister.png|Alert carry is used in the machinima series ''Red vs Blue''. Example in ''Halo 2''.
File:Cease-fire-h3.jpg|A red-colored Spartan with a pistol in alert carry position in ''Halo 3''.
File:ReachEliteAlertCarry.jpg|An Elite with a lowered [[Plasma Repeater]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:ReachSpartanAlertCarry.jpg|A Spartan with a lowered [[MA37|Assault Rifle]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Reach alert carry crouched.jpg|A Spartan with a lowered Assault Rifle, in crouched position.
File:Reach alert carry turret.jpg|A Spartan with a [[M247H Heavy Machine Gun|Heavy Machine Gun Turret]], normally (left) and in alert carry (right). Note the slight difference in right arm position.
File:Alert carry.png|Alert carry for ''Halo 4''.
File:H2A Alert Carry.jpg|Two Spartans with their weapons lowered in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''. 
</gallery>

==Sources==
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