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| {{Disambig header|the Covenant structure|other uses of "watchtower"|Watchtower (disambiguation)}}
| | [[File:Deployable lookout tower Reach.png|thumb|250px|A deployable lookout tower in ''Halo: Reach''.]] |
| [[File:Deployable lookout tower Reach.png|thumb|250px|A Covenant watchtower employed during the [[Fall of Reach]].]] | | A '''deployable lookout tower''' is an anti-gravity-operated tower used by the [[Covenant]]. They are mainly used to fortify specific areas on a battlefield. |
| 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 ===
| | A deployable lookout tower is comprised of a circular base, in the middle of which an anti-gravity generator is placed. The circular platform is suspended in the air, given the anti-gravity power by the generator. The platform also has a gap in the middle through which the occupants are transported. The anti-gravity generator works just like a [[gravity lift]], transporting supplies and troops freely. It also has the same color as the gravity lift. |
| 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}}
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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 perimeter of the base is comprised of three ramps and three pillars, probably put there for extra protection. They are all placed in a motif (one ramp to one pillar). The platform has also three protective pillars and large gaps between them. The pillars are taller and thinner compared to the ones of the base and the gap between them is bigger. The gap is used for snipers to have a clear line of sight and for [[Unggoy Heavy|Gunner Unggoy]] to place their {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}s. Some towers' platforms, instead of the usual oval pillars, have three thinner, longer pillars that support a rooftop-like cover.<ref>'''Halo 2'''</ref> Earlier versions may also include an energy shield wall next to them, and will activate when the tower is occupied.<ref name="hw">'''Halo Wars'''</ref> |
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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}} | | The base, when placed on the ground, can not be moved again. The platform, however, is not as steady as the base and a single shot from heavy weapons, such as the [[M41 rocket launcher]], the {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}} from a distance and the [[M90 shotgun|M90]] or [[M45 shotgun]] from nearby, will make it lose its balance and it may fall off. One shot from the rocket launcher is sure to make it fall. |
| <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 ===
| | The tower is able to garrison a whole Covenant [[file (unit)|file]], but usually single [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s, [[Jiralhanae]] with [[Vostu-pattern carbine|carbines]] and Heavy Unggoy will also occupy it. |
| 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== | | == In-game appearances == |
| 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. | | In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the platforms are indestructible. The player can climb on them by the anti-gravity lift, and can use it just like any Covenant. However, their position becomes highly exposed then. They appear in numerous [[campaign]] maps as well as in the [[multiplayer]] map, [[Relic]]. |
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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. | | In ''[[Halo 3]]'', they are destructible. They are also able to be climbed and appear in some campaign levels. |
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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]]'', they are deployed by the Covenant, but once every single Covenant troop on it is killed, UNSC soldiers can garrison in it, increasing their combat capabilities. A Covenant file is usually found on top of them defending the Kig-Yar and Unggoy Heavies there. In [[Skirmish]], they are left neutral for either team's taking, providing a useful defense, if needed, plus they will not be destroyed no matter how many times a marine hits it. Certain maps, such as ''[[Tundra]]'' or ''[[Fort Deen]]'', include lookout towers that are connected to energy walls. When garrisoned, the energy shield wall activates and prevents ground units from moving through. These walls can be bypassed by air units, [[Jiralhanae Jumper]]s, and occasionally {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}s.{{Ref/Reuse|hw}} |
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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''. | | In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', many are seen deployed in [[New Mombasa]]. They are once again destructible. |
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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. | | In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', they are largely similar to those in ''Halo 3'' with minor aesthetic upgrades. |
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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}} | | In ''[[Halo 4]]'', they are very similar to their ''Halo: Reach'' counterparts. However, the player must crouch to enter it due to narrower hole of entrance. |
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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. | | *''[[Halo 2]]'' is the only game in the trilogy to use deployable lookout towers in multiplayer. The tower can not be destroyed but it can be shot off. |
| *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. | | *[[Tag]]s for deployable lookout towers (and Shades) exist in ''Halo 3''<nowiki/>'s [[Snowbound]]. The towers can be manipulated in Forge, but have no names, costs, or maximum limits. The tops of the towers tend to spontaneously disappear, and do not respawn. |
| | *If the top part of the tower is flipped upside down while a Grunt is on the plasma turret, the Grunt will keep firing normally. |
| | *In ''Halo Wars'', they are referred to as a "Sniper Towers". |
| | *In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', when garrisoned with Marines, one will take cover at each of the fins and will blindly fire at enemies. |
| | *In ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'', if you can detach a tower with plasma cannons from the base without destroying it (use a Gravity Hammer), and if the tower is tilted more than 45 degrees, a message saying "Inoperable turret" will appear when the player is near the turret, even if Grunts are still manning them. |
| | *The base of the deployable lookout tower resembles the symbol for the [[Deployable Cover]] and the [[portable gravity lift]] in [[Halo 3]]. |
| | *In ''Halo 4'', the base of the tower will always be active and lift vehicles. The base will also explode when heavily damaged, harming those nearby and lifting the tower momentarily but still work. |
| | *On all ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo: Reach'' deployable lookout 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. This is most likely a design shortcut; placing the lift on the tower ensures that once the tower is destroyed, the lift would also be disabled. |
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| {{Linkbox|gallery=yes}} | | {{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of deployable lookout towers}} |
| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:H2_Outskirts_LookoutTower.jpg|A watchtower on [[Old Mombasa]]'s beach in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | | File:H2-DeployableLookoutTower.png|A view of a deployable lookout tower in ''Halo 2''. |
| File:HTMCC-H2 SacredIconSpecOpsCamp.png|A watchtower, with its platformed lowered, on [[Installation 05]] in ''Halo 2''.
| | File:H2 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''. | | File:H2_Outskirts_LookoutTower.jpg|A deployable lookout tower on the outskirts of New Mombasa in ''Halo 2''. |
| File:H3_LookoutTower_Above.jpg|Top-down view of a watchtower in ''[[Halo 3]]''. | | File:H3-DeployableLookoutTower.png|A view of a deployable lookout tower in ''Halo 3''. |
| File:H3 BruteSniper.png|A Jiralhanae with a [[particle beam rifle]] on a watchtower in ''Halo 3''. | | File:H3_LookoutTower_Above.jpg|Top-down view of a deployable lookout tower in ''Halo 3''. |
| File:Grunt Heavy on Turret.jpg|An Unggoy Heavy manning a plasma cannon on a watchtower in ''Halo 3''. | | File:MCC-H4 DST.png|A deployable lookout tower on [[Impact]] in ''Halo 4''. |
| File:HU Jacobs Field.png|Three watchtowers deployed in a makeshift prison in ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.
| | File:MCC-H4 DSTboom.png|A deployable lookout tower is destroyed. |
| File:HTMCC-H3ODST CovenantWatchtower Console.png|A watchtowers console in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
| | File:H5G_CovenantDeployableTower_Concept.jpg|Concept art for the ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' iteration of the tower. |
| 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''. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | | *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' |
| *''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]'' | | *''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]'' |
| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]'' | | *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR5|HSoR|Chapter=5}} |
| *''[[Halo Infinite]]''
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| **''[[Content Update 29]]''
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
