Editing Emp'seam-pattern Antlion

{{Title|''Emp'seam''-pattern Antlion}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Emp'seam''-pattern Sky Striker
|image= [[File:HW Antlion Crop.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|series=
|type=Artillery
|cost=
|variant=
|weight={{Convert|222.7|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|length={{Convert|32.8|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|ammotype=1 siege [[plasma mortar]]
|capacity=
|feed=
|operation-title=Crew
|operation=2 operators or remote link{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|rate=Three-shot burst 
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=Long
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
}}
The '''''Emp'seam''-pattern Sky Striker''', more commonly known as the '''Antlion'''{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=305}} or '''mega turret''' is a giant ground stationary weapon built by the [[Covenant]]. It is essentially a long-range, heavy [[Plasma mortar#Siege plasma mortar|siege plasma mortar]].

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Antlion is a massive stationary [[plasma]] turret of [[Sangheili]] origin. It consists of an independently-constructed base mounting a large turret with a full 360 degrees of rotation. Due to their heavy and stationary nature, mega turrets are rarely employed in the field on expeditionary campaigns; they require assembly at the point of deployment and are totally immobile. They can be crewed by two operators, or completely crewed via a remote link.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Armament===
The primary armament of the system is a single [[Plasma mortar#Siege plasma mortar|siege plasma mortar]], which has massive range. When firing, the ''Emp'seam'' charges for a short time before firing a volley of three plasma rounds, similar in nature to the {{Pattern|Ra'aam|burst cannon}}. The siege mortar is capable of levelling enemy fortifications and leaving [[Glassing|glass]] at the bottom of a crater.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Variants===
*'''[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]''' - a variant of the Antlion created for use by the [[Banished]] and widely adopted across the various [[clan]]s - only second to the [[Gorespike cannon]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p481|Enc22|Page=481}}
<gallery class="center">
File:HW2-BlitzMegaturret.jpg|A Banished Antlion turret.
</gallery>

===Usage===
Antlion mega turrets were originally designed by the Sangheili as emplacements for use in inter-[[keep]] conflicts as opposed to more general [[Covenant military]] service.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} During the height of the empire, the turret was used by the Covenant to protect Covenant military and religious installations such as [[Covenant citadel|citadels]], though they were also used at remote colonies and outposts guarding nothing of obvious value.{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Mega Turret}}{{Ref/Site|Id=HWBack|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/back-mentality|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Back Mentality|D=30|M=07|Y=2021}} They were rarely deployed in offensive actions due to their static nature, and only saw service in niche situations in which [[Orbital bombardment|orbital fire support]] from [[glassing]] or a [[plasma bombardment mortar]] was unavailable, or the Covenant were unwilling to risk damaging a [[Forerunner]] artifact in the vicinity of the strike.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

With the Covenant empire's [[Great Schism|collapse]], many such weapons have been left abandoned where they stood - now reflexively firing upon any who approach them without the proper authorisation codes for friendly transit.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}{{Ref/Reuse|HWBack}}

==Operational history==
During the [[Battle for Arcadia]], the Covenant deployed an Antlion near one of [[Pirth City]]'s spaceports shortly before [[Banta-class colony ship|the evacuation ships]] were due to launch. The turret failed to stop the launch and two of the ships escaped.{{Ref/Level|HW|Arcadia City}} Another Antlion was deployed in the outskirts of Pirth City, but was destroyed by the UNSC forces from the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Level|HW|Arcadia Outskirts}} During the [[Battle of Trove]], the Covenant forces abandoned one of their Antlions near the exit that led to the surface of the [[shield world]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Escape (Halo Wars level)|Escape}}

Several Antlions were deployed by [[Merg Vol's Covenant]] during the [[Battle of Draetheus V]] in order to secure a series of [[Bridge (structure)|bridges]] at the [[Epsilon Expanse]].{{Ref/Level|HSA|Mission 9: Battle for Epsilon Expanse}} At least five Antlions were deployed during contemporaneous operations on Draetheus V's artificial moon, [[X50]].{{Ref/Level|HSA|Mission 27: Breach of the Bulwark}} During the [[Second Ark Conflict]] the [[Banished]] would make use of their own [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion|version]] of the Antlion.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p481}}

==Gameplay==
===''Halo Wars''===
In ''[[Halo Wars]]'' the Antlion is a strong and resilient stationary unit. The only instances that they can be controlled are on the campaign level ''[[Escape (Halo Wars level)|Escape]]'' and [[Skirmish]] level ''[[Tundra]]''. A burst from the turret is strong enough to wipe out a squad of Marines. To destroy one, it is recommended to use units that has a high speed, because they can reach the turret before it fires at them. Another tactic is to attack from its back, since it takes time for it to turn around and fire. One can also exploit its long recharge time by sending a cannon fodder unit as a distraction for the turret to eliminate, and then attack the turret with full force while it recharges. In the level ''Escape'', the Antlion is located next to the initial [[Covenant citadel]], and can be used to destroy the base. Thanks to its long range of attack, one can also use it to destroy the Scarabs encountered in the level. An additional advantage is that it can fire on targets obscured by "the fog of war", requiring no nearby allies around its target unlike most leader abilities.

In order to use the Antlion the player must station an infantry squad inside the structure and pay resources in order to fire it at a location. The player must wait until the turret recharges before they can fire it again.

A hidden Antlion is in the level ''[[Repairs]]'', but outside of the map since its blasts are being to used to represent those of the {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}. The only way to see it is through the [[Repairs glitch]].

===''Halo: Spartan Assault''===
In ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' the Antlion is a stationary unit with strong durability. It can destroy Wraiths in three direct shots and Ghosts in one direct shot, and can also kill player with one direct hit. The only setback is the turret will give a warning where it will fire, giving the player a chance to evade it. The Antlion can be destroyed with one C4 explosive or several rounds of anti-armor weaponry; other weapons are not recommended due to its strong health. When firing, it emits two separate mortar projectiles. The Antlion cannot be disabled with a charged plasma pistol.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:COVENANT Mega Turret.jpg|Concept art of the Covenant Antlion for ''Halo Wars''.
File:SCN05 MegaTurret-screenshot.jpg|A Covenant Antlion firing upon attacking UNSC forces in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HaloWars-CovenantMegaTurret.png|A Covenant Antlion.
File:HW CreviceBattle.jpg|An Antlion on the map ''[[Crevice]]'' in an early build of ''Halo Wars''.
File:Battle for Epsilon Expanse.png|An Antlion on Draetheus V in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:HSA-Grizzly-DestroyedMegaTurret.jpg|An Antlion destroyed by an [[M850 Grizzly]].
File:HSA-MegaTurret-Closeup.jpg|Closeup of a Antlion in ''Halo: Spartan Assault''.
File:HSA-Grizzly-Versus-MegaTurret.jpg|An [[M850 Grizzly]] fighting a Antlion on X50.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''

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

{{Covenant heavy weapons}}

{{HW buildings}}

[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]