Editing Covenant drop pod

{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Vehicle infobox
|image=[[File:Covenant drop pod sampling.png|300px]]<br>A series of drop pod models.
|name=Covenant drop pod
|manufacturer=[[Lodam Armory]] <small>(T-51 IBC and T-54 MDC)</small>
|line=
|model=
|cost=
|length=Variable
|engine=[[Impulse drive]] systems
|hull=Unknown Covenant material 
|sensor=
|target=
|armament=
|crew=
|complement=Variable
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse-title=In service
|firstuse=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Great Schism]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|role=High altitude troop deployment 
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]<br>[[Swords of Sanghelios]]<br>[[Covenant remnants]]
}}

The [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|splinter factions]] make use of various types of '''drop pods''' for high-altitude troop deployment.<ref name="outskirts">'''Halo 2''', campaign level, ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref> Much like the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|Human Entry Vehicle]], the Covenant's orbital insertion pods are used to drop infantry to the planet's surface as shock troops much faster and more efficiently than by means of a [[dropship]]. Drop pods may also be used as a fast and efficient means of [[boarding]] enemy spacecraft in lieu of a dedicated [[Type-28 boarding craft|boarding craft]].<ref name="evg121"/><ref name="evg122"/>

== Types ==
[[File:HR_OrbitalInsertionPod_Views.png|thumb|left|150px|Frontal and rear views of a single occupant pod.]]

The drop pods may be the most varied of the transportation methods used by the Covenant, with the types encountered by [[human]]ity representing only a fraction of the gamut of models in Covenant service.<ref name="evg121"/> On the most basic level, they can be divided into two main categories: small, single-occupant pods used mainly by [[Sangheili]], and a number of types which allow the simultaneous deployment of multiple Covenant troops.

=== Single-occupant pod ===
These vaguely coffin-shaped, five to six-meter tall pods are small and cramped, with barely enough room for one Sangheili and his weapon. The frontal hatch is equipped with a control panel, which may be used by the occupant to steer the pod. Upon impact with the ground, the pod's hatch blasts open, revealing the interior and allowing the occupant to exit.<ref name="lnos">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>

There are several variants of the insertion pod; one is cylindrical, with two tapered, slightly angular ends,<ref name="outskirts"/> while the other is bulkier and ovoid-shaped. It is made of burnished cyan-purple metal, but has an opulent, white interior with a contour that conforms to the physique of a Sangheili.<ref name="lnos"/>

=== Multiple-occupant pod ===
[[File:HR_OrbitalDeploymentPod.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A type of multiple-troop drop pod used during the [[Fall of Reach]].]]
Significantly larger than the single-occupant model, the multiple occupant drop pod has the capacity to deploy at least four Covenant warriors into battle. The pod is released from a ship, and freefalls through the atmosphere the same way the single-occupant version. When the pod is nearing the ground, it fires a series of downward-facing engines to slow it down. The hatches on the sides of the pod open some distance above the ground, allowing the infantry inside to exit the craft. Some models of multiple occupant pod remain on the ground like the single-occupant version after the combatants within have been deployed, while others rocket back to orbit, allowing them to be reused. Iterations of this type of pod were in use among [[Reformist]] [[San'Shyuum]] as early as the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]]. These pods likewise had the capability to return to orbit and were equipped with force fields to hold their occupants in place during acceleration.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 7''</ref>

* The most common type of mass-deployment pod in use during the [[Fall of Reach]] is shaped like a smoothly rounded tetrahedron, with a large hatch on each of the three sides. The pod is equipped with three engines in the corners of the bottom of the pod, which slow down its descent until it reaches the ground. There are several glowing emitters on the floor of the pod; it is possible that these produce a [[stasis field]] to protect its occupants.

[[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|new Covenant]], active following the end of the Human-Covenant War, makes use of at least three different varieties of multiple-troop insertion pod:
* The '''[[Type-51 Individual Breaching Carapace]] (IBC)''': developed by [[Lodam Armory]], the T-51 IBC is the modern Covenant's most prominent model of drop pod. It can carry up to five occupants and is similar in size to the variant used by the original Covenant but sleeker and more elongated in design.<ref name="evg121">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 121''</ref>
* The '''[[Type-53 Squad Breaching Carapace]] (SBC)''': slightly different shaped but similar in function and general size to the T-51, the T-53 SBC is likewise used by the new Covenant order to deploy small numbers of troops.<ref name="evg121"/>
* The '''[[Type-54 Mass Deployment Carapace]] (MDC)''': developed by Lodam Armory, the T-54 MDC is a much larger, reusable variant which drops numerous troops from low altitude before flying back to the host vessel. The pod is equipped with capital ship-grade armor and uses a low-range gravity dampening pulse to allow the infantry within to safely drop to the ground.<ref name="evg122">'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 122''</ref>
* The '''[[Type-55 Individual Breaching Carapace]] (IBC)''': developed by Lodam Armory, the T-55 IBC is emblematic of the classic Sangheili design. Aerodynamically streamlined for speed and maneuverability, this variant has seen frequent use in the [[Blooding Years|protracted feud]] between Sangheili [[clan]]s, primarily due to the conflict's wildly territorial nature.<ref name="hwp drop pods">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/covenant-drop-pods '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant Drop Pods'']</ref>
* The '''[[Type-55 Squad Breaching Carapace]] (SBC)''': The T-55 SBC has four bays and is capable of deploying up to the same number of Covenant personnel. The SBC deploys personnel standing upright, locking them into place with gravity-based floor anchors. Upon impact, the carapace's doors slide open and the anchors are released, immediately deploying the troops.<ref name="hwp drop pods"/>

== Gameplay ==
[[File:H3_CovenantDropPod_Exiting.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps Elite]] about to emerge out of his drop pod in ''[[Halo 3]]''.]]
The single-occupant pods were the sole variety of Covenant drop pod featured in the games until ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', which introduced the multiple-troop version. The pods made their first appearance in the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo]], where the Elites came down and openly challenged John-117 with their [[energy sword]]s. In the games, they first appear in the ''Halo 2''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Outskirts]] and subsequently are present around [[Mombasa]]. They also appear in the campaign levels [[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]], [[Quarantine Zone(level)|Quarantine Zone]], and [[Uprising]], occupied by allies of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]].

They also appear in the ''Halo 3''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Floodgate]], sent by the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' to aid John-117 and Thel 'Vadam against the [[Flood]] infestation in [[Voi]]. The impact is hard enough to break the occupying Elite's energy shield once it hits the ground. In ''Halo 3'', [[Drop Pod glitch|one may enter the pods]] on the level Floodgate when playing on [[cooperative play]] as the second, third, or fourth player (an Elite), provided the pods are not shot at all. If the player approaches one and holds the Right Bumper, he can jump into the pod, as if it were a vehicle.

The Covenant drop pods make a return in ''Halo: Reach'', in which they appear more rounded and bulky than the previous versions. The appearance of the drop pod changed dramatically from the [[Halo: Reach E3 Campaign Demo|E3 2010 demo]] to its launch version. In the E3 demo it appeared to be more boxy and angular, while the launch version is smoother, more detailed and is more like a wider version of the one from ''[[Halo 2]]''.

In the campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'', the Covenant {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' launches dozens of drop pods, which are destructible if the player can reach them in time. Destroying the pods, however, does not award kills or points. The daily [[Challenges/Halo: Reach|challenge]] "Pod Kettle Black" is completed by destroying ten drop pods on the level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''. Interestingly, colliding with or ramming an insertion pod will destroy a fully-shielded [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] and kill the player, despite the fact that the Sabre will typically survive a similar collision with a [[Type-27 Banshee|Banshee]] or [[Morsam-pattern Seraph|Seraph]]. The death will register as "Collision Damage" and the player will receive a "Collision Damage" kill, but will not receive a [[Splatter Medal]]. Additonally near the beginning of the level, drop pods are used to drop Covenant troops near the Sabre base.

The multiple-troop variant of the pod is introduced in ''Reach''; along with appearances in the campaign, these pods are frequently used by the Covenant in the game's [[Firefight]] mode. The multiple-occupant pod is referred to as a "teleportation drop pod" in the ''[[Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide]]'', although it does demonstrate teleportation abilities in-game. In ''Halo: Reach'', it is possible to be killed by the multiple-occupant drop pod. It is also possible to get stuck at the top of the pod as the doors open. One can also get [[Trapped in Drop Pod Glitch|trapped inside the pod]] through a glitch.

During ''[[Spartan Ops]]'', Covenant drop pods are often used by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] to send reinforcements to the battlefield during the [[Requiem Campaign]].

== Gallery ==
=== Single-occupant pods ===
<gallery>
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the drop pod for ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2-CovDropPod-Screen.png|A screenshot of a Covenant drop pod in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-CovDropPod-Extraction.png|A drop pod from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2E3_CovenantDropPod.jpg|A group of pods land in [[New Mombasa]] in the [[Halo 2 E3 demo|''Halo 2'' E3 demo]].
File:H2_CovenantDropPod_Exiting.jpg|A Sangheili about to exit a pod in ''Halo 2''.
File:H3_ArbiterDropPod.jpg|The Arbiter sitting in a drop pod.
File:HRE3_CovenantDropPod.jpg|An orbital insertion pod in the ''Halo: Reach'' E3 2010 demo.
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Overview.png|An overview design of a drop pod from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR_OrbitalInsertionPod_Main.png|The single-occupant drop pod design featured in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR_OrbitalInsertionPod_Interior.png|The interior of a drop pod.
File:HR_OrbitalInsertionPod_Hatch.png|The interior of the hatch of a pod.
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Impact.jpg|An orbital insertion pod impacts the ground.
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Exiting.jpg|A Sangheili stepping out of a drop pod.
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Corvette.jpg|Pods being dropped from a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]].
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Launch.jpg|Another view of drop pods being dropped from a Covenant corvette.
File:HR_CovenantDropPod_Attacked.jpg|A [[YSS-1000 Sabre]] attacks Covenant drop pods during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
File:H4-T51CovDropPod-ScanRender.png|The Type-51 Individual Breaching Carapace (IBC) drop pod in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2A_CovenantDropPod_Closed.png|thumb|A front view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Covenant drop pod.
File:H2A_CovenantDropPod_Open.png|thumb|An inside view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Covenant drop pod.
File:H2A_CovenantDropPod_Back.png|thumb|A back view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Covenant drop pod.
File:H2A_CovenantDropPod_Top.png|thumb|An overhead view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Covenant drop pod.
File:H5G - T-55 IBC.png|The Type-55 Individual Breaching Carapace (IBC) in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
</gallery>

=== Multiple-occupant pods ===
<gallery>
File:HR-CovHeavyDropPod.png|A Covenant heavy drop pod in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-01.jpg|A multiple troop pod touching down.
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-02.jpg|Unggoy inside a multi-occupant drop pod.
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-03.jpg|An empty drop pod.
File:HR CovenantDropPod Trapped.jpg|A player trapped inside the multiple-occupant pod.
File:H4-T53CovDropPod-ScanScreen.jpg|The Type-53 Squad Breaching Carapace (SBC) in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-T54CovDropPod-ScanRender.png|The Type-54 Mass Deployment Carapace (MDC) in ''Halo 4''.
File:H5G - T-55 SBC.png|The Type-55 Squad Breaching Carapace (SBC) in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:FH4 - More Covenant Props.png|A ''Halo: Reach''-derived Covenant drop pod in ''[[The Halo Experience Showcase]]'' in ''[[wikipedia:Forza Horizon 4|Forza Horizon 4]]''.
</gallery>
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== List of appearances ==
* ''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
* ''[[Halo 3]]''
* ''[[Halo: Reach]]''
* ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
** ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
* ''[[Halo 4]]''
** ''[[Spartan Ops]]''
* ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
* ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
* ''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
* ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
** ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
* ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
* ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''

== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}

[[Category:Covenant vehicles]]