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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{era|H2|H3|HW}} |
| {{Disambig header|the Covenant structure|other uses of "watchtower"|Watchtower (disambiguation)}} | | {{ratings}} |
| [[File:Deployable lookout tower Reach.png|thumb|250px|A Covenant watchtower employed during the [[Fall of Reach]].]]
| | The [[Covenant]] use '''deployable lookout towers''' when they set up fortified positions to alert them of advancing forces and to give their [[snipers]] an elevated view of the the battlefield. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', some have deployed [[Plasma Cannon]]s in it. |
| The [[Covenant]] and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]] deployed a type of '''watchtower''',{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=5587|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Relic Revealed: 6/28/2005|Quote=There are two sniper rifles available on Relic – a Human Sniper spawns right near the wreckage by the offense starting point and a Beam Rifle spawns at the base of the Covenant watchtower.|D=13|M=10|Y=2014}}{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Coastal Highway|Quote=Flank the watchtower, Trooper! Take it out!|Quotee=Edward Buck}} sometimes known as a '''lookout tower''',{{Ref/Novel|Id=sor|SOR|Chapter=12|Quote=A third round of explosions sounded out on the barrens as John reached the lookout tower at the south end of the shield barrier. Conscious that he had nothing with which to defend himself but a submachine gun and a pistol, he stepped into the tower base and allowed the gravity lift to carry him up to the watch platform.}} on the battlefield.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=223}} | |
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| == Overview == | | == Summary == |
| === Design details ===
| | [[Image:1217454587 Deployable Lookout Tower.jpg|thumb|right|A Deployable Lookout Tower.|200px]] |
| The Covenant watchtower is comprised of a circular platform and a gravity base. As a rather ordinary example of technology that enables platform suspension within the Covenant, the gravity base features an anti-gravity generator in its center, from which the circular platform is suspended in the air at a stable and static position. The anti-gravity generator also serves as a [[gravity lift]] for transporting supplies and troops freely and swiftly through a gap in the center of the platform.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
| | They are basically a large platform suspended in the air by a medium-sized anti-gravity generator which is also used as a miniature [[Gravity Lift]] to ferry snipers and lookouts to and from the platform. In ''[[Halo 2]]'', they appear in many [[Campaign]] levels as well as the [[multiplayer]] level [[Relic]]. The only two problems are that it's suicidal to stay there for a long time and you must jump out of the window in order to leave the tower. |
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| The protected platforms display a variety of designs. One platform design has three protective pillars with large gaps between them for snipers to have a clear line of sight or for [[Unggoy Heavy]] to man their {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}s.{{Ref/Game|Id=h3|H3|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3odst|H3ODST|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=hr|HR|gameplay}} [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] employs a variant that has taller pillars.{{Ref/Game|Id=h4|H4|gameplay}} Some platforms have three thinner, longer pillars that support a rooftop-like cover instead of oval pillars.{{Ref/Game|Id=h2|H2|gameplay}} Watchtowers can be connected to an adjacent [[energy wall]], which will activate when the tower is occupied.{{Ref/Game|Id=hw|HW|gameplay}} | | The platforms are capable of being knocked off the gravity lifts with rockets. This is achieved by firing two rockets at the corner of the platforms, or, if available, keep firing [[M68 Gauss Cannon|Gauss]] blasts at it. It will end up falling off, allowing you to float on the gravity lift. |
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| The watchtowers are easily installed and activated.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Once installed, the platform can be raised or lowered,{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}{{Ref/Reuse|hw}} while the base cannot be moved again. Additionally, the platform is not as steady as the base; weapon fire can destroy the platform or knock it out of suspension.{{Ref/Reuse|h3}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3odst}}{{Ref/Reuse|hr}}{{Ref/Reuse|h4}}{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
| | In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the platforms are destructible. Players also can destroy the fins on the top of the tower before destroying the entire tower itself. An easy way to destroy the platforms is to go on top of it, and throw a [[Plasma grenade]] or [[Spike grenade]]. (This is only advisable on [[Easy]] or [[Normal]], as it may be difficult to do on higher difficulties.) One to three Plasma Cannons will be mounted on lookout towers, manned by [[Heavy Grunts]]. [[Brutes]] will sometimes take position in the lookout towers to shoot at hostiles with a [[Carbine]] or [[Beam Rifle]], it just depends on the difficulty. There is usually a [[File (Unit)|File]] (a small Covenant ground infantry unit) stationed with the tower to help the Grunt Heavies in case of attack. |
| <gallery class=center>
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| File:H2-DeployableLookoutTower.png|A variant of the watchtower with a sheltered platform.
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| File:H3-DeployableLookoutTower.png|A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform.
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| File:MCC-H4 DST.png|A variant of the watchtower with an exposed platform employed by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]].
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| </gallery>
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| === Usage ===
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| The Covenant use watchtowers to fortify specific areas. Typically, they are deployed to establish a perimeter before the construction of a [[Covenant citadel|forward operations citadel]] or other advanced occupation site.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The tower is able to garrison a Covenant [[file (unit)|file]],{{Ref/Reuse|hw}} though they are most often occupied by marksmen—usually [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s—or Heavy Unggoy manning plasma cannons.{{Ref/Game|H3|gameplay}} During the [[Battle of Cleveland]] in [[2552]], the Covenant also deployed watchtowers in [[Jacobs Field]] stadium, which was turned into a makeshift prison camp for captured [[civilian]]s. {{Ref/Comic|Id=uprising|HU|Issue=2}}
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| == In-game information==
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| In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the watchtowers appear in numerous [[campaign]] maps as well as in the [[multiplayer]] map, [[Relic]]. The platforms are indestructible, though they could be pushed off the base; the base would remain active and hold players in the air.
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| In ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', the watchtowers appear in some campaign levels, with some equipped with plasma cannons. The platforms are destructible, as they would break into debris after sustaining heavy damage.
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| In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the watchtower is known as '''Sniper Tower'''. They are indestructible garrison buildings. In campaign, they are frequently employed by the Covenant, but once the Covenant unit occupying the tower is killed, UNSC soldiers can garrison in it, increasing their combat capabilities. In [[Skirmish]], they are left neutral for either team's taking, providing a useful defense, if needed. Certain maps, such as ''[[Tundra]]'' or ''[[Fort Deen]]'', include watchtowers that are connected to energy walls. When garrisoned, the energy wall activates and prevents ground units from moving through. These walls can be bypassed by air units, [[Jiralhanae Jumper]]s, and, if the surrounding terrain allows, {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|hw}} | | In ''[[Halo Wars]]'' these buildings can garrison in units from either player increasing their combat capabilities. |
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| In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the watchtowers are largely similar to those in ''Halo 3'' with minor aesthetic upgrades. However, unlike in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'', where its base gravity lift deactivates when the platform is destroyed, in ''Halo: Reach'' the gravity lift remains active even after the platform is removed, much like in ''Halo 2''.
| | ==Dimensions== |
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| In ''[[Halo 4]]'', the watchtowers are very similar to their ''Halo: Reach'' counterparts. However, the player must crouch to enter it due to narrower hole of entrance. The base of the tower will always be active and be able to lift vehicles. The base will also explode when heavily damaged, harming those nearby. They were implemented into [[Forge/Halo 4|Forge]] as part of the game's PC port in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', and are comprised of two objects—a base and a platform.
| | Length: exactly 29 feet.{{Verify_source}} |
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| In ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', the Covenant watchtower—based on its design from ''Halo 3''—was made available in [[Forge]]'s Covenant palette with [[Content Update 29]]. It is comprised of two separate objects: the Covenant Watchtower Base and the Covenant Watchtower Platform.{{Ref/YouTube|9aV4pIIz2p8|HALO|January Update & HCS 2024 Roadmap <nowiki>|</nowiki> Halo Infinite|T=1397|D=28|M=1|Y=2024}}
| | == Glitch == |
| | On all ''[[Halo 2]]'' gravity towers that have been knocked down, the base is still active and can be used to push you up directly into the air. From this position, you can continue to hover and snipe enemies. This glitch is absent from ''[[Halo 3]]''; once the tower is destroyed, the gravity lift of the base does not work. However, the tower itself (if still intact) will push you through the hole in the center, as if the gravity lift was under it. |
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| == Production notes == | | == Trivia == |
| *[[Tag]]s for watchtower (and Shades) exist in ''Halo 3''{{'}}s [[Snowbound]]. The watchtowers can be manipulated in Forge, but they have no names, costs, or maximum limits. The watch platforms tend to spontaneously disappear, and do not respawn. | | *With the length of the tower, 9-2= 7, quite possibly another 7 reference. |
| *In ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'', the player can detach a watch platform with plasma cannons from the base without destroying it (such as using a Gravity Hammer). If the platform is tilted more than 45 degrees, the game displays a message saying "Inoperable turret" when the player is near the turret. However, any Unggoy manning the turret would remain on the turret. | | *''Halo 2'' is the only game in the trilogy to use Deployable Lookout Towers in multiplayer. ''Halo 3'' may contain Deployable Lookout Towers in multiplayer in future map pack releases or as Forge items, but this is unlikely. |
| | *The tower can be destroyed using explosives and support weapons. |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Images== |
| {{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
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| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:H2_Outskirts_LookoutTower.jpg|A watchtower on [[Old Mombasa]]'s beach in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
| | Image:Gravity Platform Above.jpg|Top-down view of a Deployable Lookout Tower in ''Halo 3''. |
| File:HTMCC-H2 SacredIconSpecOpsCamp.png|A watchtower, with its platformed lowered, on [[Installation 05]] in ''Halo 2''.
| | Image:1222029162 Destroyed tower.jpg|A destroyed Deployable Lookout Tower in ''Halo 2''. |
| File:H2 Destroyed tower.jpg|A watchtower platform knock out of suspension in ''Halo 2''.
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| File:H3_LookoutTower_Above.jpg|Top-down view of a watchtower in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
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| File:H3 BruteSniper.png|A Jiralhanae with a [[particle beam rifle]] on a watchtower in ''Halo 3''.
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| File:Grunt Heavy on Turret.jpg|An Unggoy Heavy manning a plasma cannon on a watchtower in ''Halo 3''.
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| File:HU Jacobs Field.png|Three watchtowers deployed in a makeshift prison in ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.
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| File:HTMCC-H3ODST CovenantWatchtower Console.png|A watchtowers console in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
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| File:H3ODST JackalInTower.png|A Kig-Yar Sniper posted on a watchtower in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
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| File:HTMCC-H3ODST FuelRodWatchtower.png|Unggoy armed with {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}s on a watchtower in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
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| File:HW_LookoutTower.png|Two Kig-Yar on a watchtower in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
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| HW InactiveSniperTower.png|The watchtower with its platform lowered in ''Halo Wars''.
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| File:HTMCC-HR DamagedWatchtower.png|A Kig-Yar Sniper on a damaged watchtower in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
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| File:HTMCC-H4 Watchtower.png|A Kig-Yar Sniper on a watchtower in [[Requiem]] in ''[[Halo 4]]''.
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| File:MCC-H4 DSTboom.png|A watchtower being destroyed in ''Halo 4'' multiplayer.
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| File:HTMCC-H2A InactiveWatchtower.png|A watchtower, with its platformed lowered, on Installation 05 in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
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| File:HTMCC-H2A CovenantWatchtower.png|A deployed watchtower in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
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| File:H5G_CovenantDeployableTower_Concept.jpg|Concept art for the ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' iteration of the watchtower.
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| HINF CovenantWatchtowerConcept.jpg|Concept art for the ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' iteration of the watchtower.
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| File:HINF - ForgeCU29Covenant.jpg|A Covenant watchtower in ''Halo Infinite'' [[Forge]].
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| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
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| ==List of appearances==
| | {{Halo_Wars_Covenant_Units}} |
| *''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo 4]]''
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| **''[[Spartan Ops]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo Infinite]]''
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| **''[[Content Update 29]]''
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| ==Sources==
| | [[Category:The Covenant]] |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| {{HW buildings}}
| | [[Category:Technology]] |
| [[Category:Fortifications]] | |
| [[Category:Covenant buildings]]
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