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{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Disambig header|the gameplay mechanic|the naval tactic|naval boarding}}
{{Era|H2|H3|HW|H3R|RE}}
[[File:H3 Sandtrap Hijack.jpg|thumb|300px|An example of boarding with two [[Spartans]]]]
[[File:20679287-Full2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|An example of boarding with two Spartans]]
{{Quote|That [[Halo 2 E3 Demo|first time]] [[John-117|he]] jumps on, the crowd just, you know, goes into this really loud cheering.|[[Zach Russel]]}}
'''Boarding''' is a gameplay technique first featured in ''[[Halo 2]]'' as a unique and interesting method of neutralizing an enemy vehicle by forcing the pilot to exit the vehicle and taking it over. It has become a staple gameplay feature in the ''Halo'' franchise, appearing in every subsequent game.


== Summary ==
'''Boarding''' is a technique featured in [[Halo 2]], [[Halo 3]], [[Halo 3: ODST]], [[Halo Wars]], and [[Halo: Reach]]. It is a unique and interesting way of neutralizing an enemy [[vehicle]] by stealing it from its current pilot, and then taking it over.
Boarding, also called ''carjacking'' or ''hijacking'', is the process of forcibly ejecting a vehicle's pilot and proceeding to take over the vehicle and use it against them. It is accomplished simply by holding '''X''' in ''Halo 2'', ''Halo Reach'', and ''Halo 4'' or '''RB''' in ''Halo 3'' (default controls) when near an enemy vehicle and the message "Hold [action button] to board Vehicle" appears. In ''Halo Wars'', players may board by pressing '''Y''' when targeting an enemy vehicle, but only if a Spartan is selected and there is not already a Spartan in said vehicle.
 
==Summary==
Boarding, also called ''carjacking'' or ''hijacking'', is the process of forcibly ejecting a vehicle's pilot and proceeding to take over the vehicle and use it against them. It is accomplished simply by holding '''X''' in Halo 2 or '''RB''' in Halo 3 (default controls) when near an enemy vehicle and the message "Hold [action button] to board Vehicle" appears.


The main difficulty in boarding a vehicle is getting close enough to board it: a player attempting to board a vehicle can get splattered or killed by the vehicle's gunner. If the player succeeds, however, they will have disarmed their opponent and earned a free vehicle for their trouble, thus making it worth the risk. Players who succeed at boarding should be careful, as the other player may be able to re-board the vehicle.
The main difficulty in boarding a vehicle is getting close enough to board it: a player attempting to board a vehicle can get splattered or killed by the vehicle's gunner. If the player succeeds, however, they will have disarmed their opponent and earned a free vehicle for their trouble, thus making it worth the risk. Players who succeed at boarding should be careful, as the other player may be able to re-board the vehicle.


In ''Halo 3'', when ejecting an enemy driver, the melee attack that takes place as you eject them severely damages the enemy and may even kill them if their shields are down. After being successfully boarded, there is a brief period of time when you are stunned and your moving speed is greatly decreased. In ''Halo 3'', if the player is being boarded it is impossible to dismount the vehicle and try to escape — the player is trapped inside until the player is killed, ejected from the vehicle, or until the player kills the hijacker (by destroying the vehicle or forcing the hijacker into an obstacle).
In Halo 3, when ejecting an enemy driver, the melee attack that takes place as you eject them severely damages the enemy and may even kill them if their shields are down. After being successfully boarded, there is a brief period of time when you are stunned and your moving speed is greatly decreased. In Halo 3, if you are being boarded it is impossible to dismount the vehicle and try to escape—you are trapped inside until you are killed, ejected from the vehicle, or until you kill the hijacker (by destroying the vehicle or forcing the hijacker into an obstacle).


The following is a list of characters capable of performing a boarding action:
==Boarding Certain Vehicles==
*Player characters (such as Spartans, Elites, ODSTs)
===Ghost/Banshee/Brute Chopper/Hornet===
*Brutes
Boarding is most often done on [[Banshee]]s, [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]], [[Hornet]]s, and [[Brute Chopper]]s. The act begins with an animation in which the attacker jumps on top of the victim's vehicle and forces the victim out. The attacker then enters the vehicle and takes control over it. Ghosts and Choppers are the easiest to board because they only have forward firing guns, leaving them vulnerable from all other directions.
*[[Yanme'e|Drones]] (melee only)
*[[The Flood|Flood]] combat forms (capable of boarding in ''Halo 2''; limited to melee in ''Halo 3'')


==Boarding certain vehicles==
===Warthog/Spectre/Brute Prowler===
===Ghost/Banshee/Brute Chopper/Hornet/Falcon===
Boarding a [[Warthog]], [[Spectre]], or [[Prowler]] is different in that an attacker will still eject their victim, but without taking his or her seat. This can be dangerous as the player that was boarded can start shooting the attacker while the attacker is still returning to first-person view.
[[File:H2 Concept Brute kick.jpg|thumb|300px|Concept art of [[John-117]] boarding a Ghost for ''[[Halo 2]]''.]]
Boarding is most often done on [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]], [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]], [[Barukaza Workshop Chopper|Brute Choppers]], [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]], and [[Falcon]]s. The act begins with an animation in which the attacker jumps on top of the victim's vehicle and forces the victim out. The attacker then enters the vehicle and takes control over it. Ghosts and Choppers are the easiest to board because they only have forward-firing guns, leaving them vulnerable from all other directions.


For Ghosts, player have two methods boarding the enemy vehicles. One is from the front which has a high risk of being splattered while one is from the back. For boarding from the front, it is impossible to kill the driver since the player will just simply kicks the driver away by making sliding kick without giving the driver too much damage and takes over it while boarding from the back will instantly kill the driver if the player chooses to melee it and takes over the vehicle.
These vehicles also have [[turret]]s, making it difficult to get close enough to board them, and leaving an attacker vulnerable to fire from the turrets while boarding. These vehicles can still be neutralized by boarding them, however; ejecting the driver leaves the gunner a sitting duck, and ejecting the gunner makes the vehicle less dangerous.
 
===Warthog/Spectre/Prowler/Revenant===
Boarding a [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]], [[Wuzum-pattern Spectre|Spectre]], [[Qavardu Workshop Prowler|Prowler]], or {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}} is different in that an attacker will still eject their victim, but without taking their seat. This can be dangerous as the player that was boarded can start shooting the attacker while the attacker is still returning to a first-person view.
 
These vehicles, within the exception of the Revenant also have turrets, making it difficult to get close enough to board them, and leaving an attacker vulnerable to fire from the turrets while boarding. These vehicles can still be neutralized by boarding them, however; ejecting the driver leaves the gunner a sitting duck, and ejecting the gunner makes the vehicle less dangerous.


In battle, it is possible to board the passenger seat of a Warthog, emptying it; from there, you can enter the Warthog and melee the driver to death. You will, however, have to hop out and circle around the vehicle to take control of it after you kill the driver.
In battle, it is possible to board the passenger seat of a Warthog, emptying it; from there, you can enter the Warthog and melee the driver to death. You will, however, have to hop out and circle around the vehicle to take control of it after you kill the driver.


In ''Halo: Reach'', when boarding a Warthog/Revenant, the boarder takes place of the driver/passenger/gunner which makes it easier to take control of the vehicle. However, in campaign, boarding these vehicles will forcibly eject all characters from it if there is another enemy manning another part of the vehicle.
In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' now when boarding a Warthog, the boarder now takes place of the Driver/Passenger/Gunner which makes it easier to take control of the vehicle.


===Scorpion/Wraith===
===Scorpion/Wraith===
Boarding works quite differently on [[M808 Main Battle Tank|Scorpions]] and [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]]. The attacker does not eject the victim or take their seat. Instead, the boarder jumps onto the target vehicle. From that position, they may melee the vehicle—exposing and eventually killing the driver—or they may plant a grenade, killing all occupants, destroying the vehicle, and endangering themselves.
Boarding works quite differently on [[Scorpions]] and [[Wraiths]]. The attacker does not eject the victim or take their seat. Instead, the boarder jumps onto the target vehicle. From that position, they may melee the vehicle—exposing and eventually killing the driver—or they may plant a grenade, killing all occupants, destroying the vehicle, and, in Halo 2, endangering themselves.


A Scorpion or Wraith's gunner can fire upon any players that attempt to board the vehicle; for this reason, attackers should make sure to kill the gunner before boarding the tank.
A Scorpion or Wraith's gunner can fire upon any players that attempt to board the vehicle; for this reason, attackers should make sure to kill the gunner before boarding the tank.
Scorpion/Wraith boarding is different in every game. In Halo 2 you have to melee the hatch off before planting a grenade and the person being boarded can jump out. In Halo 3 both attacks are much faster, the grenade can be shoved through the hatch, and the occupant is trapped in the vehicle. [[Halo 3: ODST]] is the same as Halo 3, although the distance from which you can board seems to be larger.


Scorpion/Wraith boarding is different in every game. In ''Halo 2'', the player has to melee the hatch off before planting a grenade and the person being boarded can jump out. In ''Halo 3'' both attacks are much faster, the grenade can be shoved through the hatch, and the occupant is trapped in the vehicle. ''Halo 3: ODST'' is the same as Halo 3, although the distance from which you can board seems to be larger.
====Wraith boarding in Halo 3: ODST====
 
In Halo 3: ODST, Wraiths can be boarded like in Halo 3 and the player can still melee or use grenades against the driver, however the wraith will be destroyed instantly when the driver dies. There is a [[Drive an AA Wraith|method]] to overcome this and capture a wraith, however.
====Wraith boarding in ''Halo 3: ODST''====
In ''Halo 3: ODST'', Wraiths can be boarded like in ''Halo 3'' and the player can still melee or use grenades against the driver. However, the Wraith is rigged to explode when the driver dies or exits the vehicle. There is a [[Drive an AA Wraith|method]] to overcome this and capture a wraith, however.


===Mongoose===
===Mongoose===
The [[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle|Mongoose]] in ''Halo 3'' cannot be boarded; a player could only melee the driver off as they pass by. Alternatively, an attacker can enter the rear passenger seat of a target's Mongoose and then kill the driver with a few quick melee attacks or shots to the back of the head, although such a maneuver would take almost perfect timing and precision.
Halo 3's [[Mongoose]] cannot be boarded; however, a player may melee the driver off as they pass by. Alternatively, an attacker can enter the rear passenger seat of a target's Mongoose and then kill the driver with a few quick melee attacks or shots to the back of the head, although such a maneuver would take almost perfect timing and precision.


The Mongoose can be boarded in ''Halo: Reach''. If the boarding action is performed on a Mongoose with both driver and passenger onboard, the boarding action counts as a melee attack to both of them at once.
==Counter-Boarding Tactics==
A player can indisputably avoid being boarded simply by constantly moving at full speed, sometimes even scoring some splatters along the way. However, if a player voluntarily exits the vehicle before they are ejected, they may be able to re-board the captured vehicle. Additionally, if you are boarded while inside a Banshee, a maneuver called "[[The Great Banshee Switch]]" can be used to recover the vehicle.


===Mantis===
If you are willing to sacrifice the vehicle, simply throw a [[Plasma Grenade]] right when you are boarded. It will destroy the vehicle and kill your attacker, but you will also die in the explosion. Alternatively you can drive off the map before your opponent hijacks you(works on maps like [[Standoff]] and [[Avalanche]], causing your would-be hijacker to fall to his/her death as well as yourself.
The [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|Mantis]] is one of the more difficult vehicles to board, due to its sheer offensive capabilities, height, and shielding. There is no game prompt for boarding if a Spartan simply stands at ground level with the Mantis. The boarder must jump or be suspended in air in order to reach the cockpit. Dropping down on the Mantis from an elevated height or being level with the cockpit also works and is preferably safer. However, due to its size it is also prone and vulnerable to EMP shots from Plasma Pistols. This brings it to a crouched deactivated state and thus makes boarding much easier.


===Hunter===
In Halo 3's [[Campaign]], if a [[Brute]] boards your [[Wraith]], you cannot leave the vehicle to escape being beaten to death. However, you can just fire the main cannon, which will damage the Wraith but kill the Brute.
During the development of ''Halo: Reach'', Bungie expanded the boarding mechanic by attaching it to character models, such as [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] and [[Gúta]]; players could either plant a grenade into the back of the creature or melee it to death. This mechanic was eventually cut before release. However, the similar [[assassination]] mechanic, which targets smaller opponents, did make it into the game.<ref name="pax2010">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZs8ryXP4kE&t=7m0s '''Youtube''': ''PAX 2010: Bungie Halo: Reach Panel'']</ref> Master Chief pulls a similar stunt in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'', where he leaps onto a Hunter and plants a grenade in it.  


Hunter boarding was later re-introduced into was added to ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 2''  in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' in September 2022 and July 2023, respectively. The feature is activated via the [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection skulls|Bandanna skull]].
In Halo 3, if your Warthog's driver seat is boarded, turn your view 90 degrees to the right. If timed correctly, you will face the boarder and can easily melee him/her. If you board a Warthog, turn 90 degrees to the left to melee the stunned driver.


In ''Reach'', players must first knock the back armor off of the Hunter before they will be able to board it. Once they have boarded the Hunter the player is invincible and will not take any damage, even if shot, until they jump off the Hunter or the Hunter is killed.  
If an enemy boards a small vehicle such as a Ghost, you can boost toward a cliff. If you time it right, you will be kicked off your vehicle and the enemy will go off the edge.


In ''Halo 2'', Hunters do not have any back armor to remove, therefore players can board immediately. However, players are not invincible when they are on a Hunter's back, and can be damaged by enemy or friendly fire.
It is possible to splatter a boarder after they are on your vehicle. Simply smash them against a wall.


==Boarding tactics==
==List of Characters able to Board==
A simple tactic to boarding an enemy is to have it crash into an immovable object or a wall. The vehicle will then have limited movement, allowing it to be boarded. However, this is more difficult against a Ghost, a Spectre, or a Revenant since it can move in all directions.
Here is a list of characters that can board vehicles:


In ''Halo 3'' and newer ''Halo'' titles, boarding tactics have been made easier with the introduction of [[EMP]] effect on vehicles. An [[electromagnetic pulse]] created from a charged [[Plasma Pistol]] shot, round detonated manually from a [[M319 Individual Grenade Launcher|Grenade Launcher]], or a [[Power Drain]] will quickly disable the vehicle's engines, leaving it completely vulnerable to boarding.
*Spartans
 
*[[ODST]]'s (only in [[Halo 3: ODST]])
==Counter-boarding tactics==
*Elites
A player can indisputably avoid being boarded simply by constantly moving at full speed, sometimes even scoring some splatters along the way. However, if a player voluntarily exits the vehicle before they are ejected, they may be able to re-board the captured vehicle. Additionally, if the player is boarded while inside a Banshee, a maneuver called "[[The Great Banshee Switch]]" can be used to recover the vehicle.
*Brutes
 
*[[Drones]] (can only melee)
In some scenarios, the best method to deny the hijacker the opportunity to commandeer the vehicle. One method involves quickly throwing a {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} or a [[spike grenade]] at the vehicle after the player is ejected from the vehicle, destroying the vehicle and killing both players. Alternatively, the player being boarded can drive off the multiplayer map (such as [[Standoff]] or [[Avalanche]]) before the hijacker ejects the player from the vehicle seat.
*[[Flood]] combat forms (can only melee)


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*In the ''[[Halo 2]]'' campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'', players have to board the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s [[gravity throne]] and melee the Hierarch in order to eliminate him.
*[[SPARTAN-II]]s&nbsp;can hijack vehicles in [[Halo Wars]].
*[[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-IIs]] can hijack vehicles in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. They can do this to an enemy vehicle to commandeer it, or make one of your own units more powerful.
**They can do this to an enemy vehicle to commandeer it, or make one of your units more powerful.
** Strangely, if they hijack an enemy Warthog that has a passenger or turret, they will only hijack the driver yet the turret and passenger will also become theirs.
**Strangely, if they hijack an enemy [[Warthog]] that has a passenger or turret, they only hijack the driver and the turret and passenger will become yours also.
*** This also applies in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', where a Spartan can hijack a [[Banished]] vehicle such as the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]] and the [[Jiralhanae]] manning the turret will remain there despite being owned by a UNSC leader.
*In Halo 3 when an [[Elite]] boards a [[Prowler]] turret from the left side, the Elite will do a backflip, and then proceed to kick the gunner out.
*In ''Halo 3'', if you are playing a FFA matchmaking playlist, and can re-board a vehicle you have been kicked out of within ten seconds, you will earn the "[[Maybe Next Time Buddy]]" [[achievement]].
*In Halo 2, if you board any vehicle that is being shot at by any AI-controlled allies, they will keep shooting and you will take damage until you kill or eject the driver. This is extremely annoying if one of your teammates has a Rocket Launcher or a Sniper Rifle.
*In multiplayer, a successful boarding of a ground vehicle will award the player the [[Carjacking Medal]]. If the player boards an aircraft, the [[Skyjacker Medal]] is awarded instead.
*In Halo 3, if you are playing a FFA matchmaking playlist, and can re-board a vehicle you have been kicked out of within ten seconds, you will earn the "[[Maybe Next Time Buddy]]" [[achievement]].
*Elites in ''Halo: Reach'' may board vehicles, including campaign essential ones such as the Falcon ridden in [[Tip of the Spear]]. However, they will be very bad at flying it, and the hijacking will result in the level being disrupted and the player unable to continue, at which point they must reset at a checkpoint.
*In Multiplayer, a successful boarding of a ground vehicle will award the player the [[Carjacking Medal]]. If the player boards an aircraft, the [[Skyjacker Medal]] is awarded instead.
* In some machinimas, boarding positions are another place for a person to ride as passengers. For example, the machinima Marlin the Elite has used this often.
*As mentioned above, in a free for all match, boarding positions are an effective way of transporting extra people, but keep in mind, in Halo 2, on smaller vehicles such as Ghosts, Banshees, and Warthogs, hijacking rips the player out of the seat instead of manually meleeing.
*If you betray your Marines and they turn on you, you will be able to board their vehicles.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<GALLERY>
File:H2 OXM EliteBoarding1.jpg|An Elite boarding a Warthog in ''[[Halo 2]]'', seen from inside the Warthog.
File:H2 e304 eliteboarding.jpg| An [[Elite]] prepares to hijack a [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan]].
File:H2 OXM EliteBoarding2.jpg|An Elite boarding a Warthog in ''Halo 2'', seen from behind the Elite.
File:Ghost-1.jpg|A Spartan getting ready to eject a [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]]'s pilot.
File:H2 e304 eliteboarding.jpg| An Elite prepares to hijack a Spartan in ''Halo 2''.
File:1207864840 Boarding Ghost.jpg|A Spartan hijacks another Spartan from a Ghost.
File:H3 Beta Boarding Ghost.jpg|A Spartan hijacks another Spartan from a Ghost in the [[Halo 3 Beta|''Halo 3'' Beta]].
File:Halo-3-20070701114901091.jpg|A Spartan ejects a rival Spartan in the ''Halo 3'' Beta.
File:Halo-3-20070701114901091.jpg|A Spartan ejects a rival Spartan in the ''Halo 3'' Beta.
File:Ghost-1.jpg|A Spartan getting ready to eject a Ghost's pilot in ''Halo 3''.
File:Hijacking Spartan.jpg|A [[SPARTAN-II]] boarding a [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage]].
File:Hijacking Spartan.jpg|A [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]] boarding a Wraith in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
</GALLERY>
File:MongooseHijack.jpg|An Elite boards a Mongoose in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:Mongoose hijack.gif|A red Spartan hijacking a Blue on a Mongoose in ''Halo: Reach''.
HTMCC-H2A Arbiter Boarding.jpg|Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee boarding a Ghost in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:HINF ChiefHijacksGhost.png|John-117 boarding a Ghost in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF BruteHijacksGhost.png|A [[Jiralhanae Warrior]] boarding a Ghost in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF SkimmersHijackGhost.png|Three [[Gasgira|Skimmers]] boarding a Ghost in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Chief Hijacks Hyperius.png|John-117 boarding [[Hyperius]]' [[Catulus Chopper]] in ''Halo Infinite''..
</gallery>
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:Real-world terms and phrases]]
==See also==
*[[Boarding Action]]
*[[Covenant Boarding Craft]]
*[[Halo 3 Medals]]
[[Category:Terms and Phrases]]
[[Category:Multiplayer Lexicon]]

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