Editing Firebase

The '''UNSC Firebase'''<ref name="Firebase">[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/UNSC.aspx ''Official Halo Wars Community Site'': UNSC] (defunct, [[Archive:Halowars.com/UNSC|Archived]])</ref> is a prefabricated base of operations used by the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] in combat zones or locations that are otherwise hostile.

The UNSC developed modular firebases due to lessons learned in the early days of the [[Human-Covenant War]], in which large UNSC military installations proved vulnerable to [[orbital bombardment]].<ref>''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Siege Turret</ref> The Firebase combines the needs of a tactical communications, a command center and expansion into both a barracks and a production facility capable of assembling combat vehicles. The Firebase unit itself is a variant of the old [[colony starter unit]]s constructed out of [[polycrete]] and powered by a small [[hydrogen]] reactor. Because gaining a foothold quickly was key to fighting [[insurrection]]s throughout the colonies, ships can directly deploy the entire assembly unit of a Firebase via large [[dropship]]s such as the [[D20 Heron]] or [[D81-LRT Condor]], making it immediately useful. This ability proved invaluable in the ongoing war with the [[Covenant]] and was often considered a key advantage of the UNSC on the ground.{{Ref/Reuse|Firebase}}

"Pod"<ref name="PL">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Firebase</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=note1|The "pod" and expeditionary firebase names are mentioned offhand in the Phoenix Log regarding firebases in ''Halo Wars 2'' - however, they are not presented as official names. They are used for the purposes of this article to differentiate the two models in the absence of official clarification on the matter.}} firebases are deployed from orbit via the use of [[D20 Heron]] transport craft. These firebase variants are themselves variants of old [[colony starter unit]]s constructed out of [[polycrete]], and can form vast labyrinthine underground complexes. "Pod" firebases are capable of producing unarmed [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthogs]], along with the special unit for the selected leader.{{Ref/Reuse|Firebase}} Firebases were used to great effect in the [[Human-Covenant War]], including the [[Harvest campaign]] - in which one served as the core of [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] - the [[Battle for Arcadia]] and the [[Battle of Trove]]. Although starting out frail, the structural strength of the command center is increased with the addition of each new Firebase addition, making it a good idea to erect multiple Firebase additions as soon as possible.{{Ref/Reuse|Firebase}}

The ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s expeditionary firebases trade a portion of the original Heron-transported "pod" system's operational flexibility for substantial mass and resource savings. Unlike the older pod firebases, additional pre-manufactured base structures must be transported to the firebase rather than assembled on-site, but this method saves irreplaceable strategic resources aboard the ''Spirit of Fire''. The older pod bases remain in reserve, with the Heron dropships used exclusively for mass deployment of cargo and troops in secured rear areas.{{Ref/Reuse|PL}}

Like firebases, there are two known variants of UNSC minibase employed - one resembling the "pod" firebase design, the other resembling the 2559-era firebase. The latter minibases are deployed from Condors to opportunistic locations in the operations zone. Each minibase is built using stripped-down modules assembled and packed aboard the Spirit of Fire before being loaded on the dropship for deployment. Minibases that survive a battle become unmanned sensor and communication relays in the ever-growing system of control nodes being extended across the Ark by [[Isabel]] and [[James Cutter|Captain Cutter]].<ref>''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Minibase (UNSC)</ref> Minibases also serve as the core basis for [[UNSC Stronghold]]s.

Based on rapid-deploy fortifications in the [[War Games]] training simulations set up by [[Isabel]], these bases are vitally important objectives that define the win conditions of the [[Strongholds|Strongholds training mode]]. Each Stronghold has infantry, air, and vehicle support structures already attached. Each captured Stronghold increased population capacity. The concept of Strongholds began in War Games, but Isabel continues to run optimization routines on the design templates she uploaded to the ''Spirit of Fire''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s databanks. Isabel has gleaned many novel upgrades from the logs kept by the ship's previous AI, [[Serina]], of the many prior engagements of the ''Spirit of Fire''.<ref>''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Stronghold (UNSC)</ref>

In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', a default Firebase costs 500 [[Supplies|resources]] to drop in from orbit, and only provides three construction slots and no turret foundations. It has two upgrades, ''Station'' and ''Fortress''.

 

The '''Station''' is an upgraded version of the Firebase, retaining the command center, but adding two more building sites (for a total of five) and four turret foundations.

The '''Fortress''' upgrade allows two other building sites, totaling to [[seven]] building sites and the same four turret sites from the station. It also features a self-destruct sequence allowing it to destroy itself for other allies to make a base in its spot and damage any enemy units nearby. The Fortress also allows for a lock sequence that will not allow any newly trained units to leave the base when done training/being produced.

* [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]]

* [[M312 Heavy Recovery Vehicle|Elephant]] (only for [[Captain Cutter]])

* [[HRUNTING Mark III (B) Cyclops|Cyclops]] (only for [[Sergeant Forge]])

**High-Torque Joint

* [[XRP12 Combat Support Vehicle|Gremlin]] (only for [[Professor Anders]])

====Tactics====

Many players use firebases when laying siege to enemy bases, by constructing Barracks, Vehicle Depots and Air Pads, and other similar structures, allowing for the rapid deployment of forces to the front lines. Firebases' self-destruct sequences are commonly used by players to prevent enemies from earning points for the base's destruction, and to allow other allies to replace the base and damage any nearby enemy units. It cost 500 resources and only Forge and Anders can build these. Make sure the area is clear because it can be shot down as it is dropped from orbit.

===''Halo Wars 2''===

Firebases now cost 500 Supplies and 200 energy, while the cost of Supplies can be reduced as long as Fortify Base was researched up to level 3, with each level gain a discount of 50 Supplies, up to 150 Supplies upon Researching Level 3 Fortify Base. The main structure is delivered to the battlefield via [[D81-LRT Condor]]s as opposed to [[D20 Heron]]s seen in ''Halo Wars''. The smaller buildings are deployed via Pelican as opposed to being built automatically underneath sockets surrounding the base. The size of the firebase itself is reduced considerably due to the initial firebase being delivered by a single Condor while the base structures surrounding it, include minibases, are mainly delivered by Pelicans.

The '''Combat Station''' upgrade will support 2 extra building slots, 4 turret emplacements and unlocks HQ Tech 1 for infantry and vehicular units. It costs 400 energy and 50 Seconds.

The '''Command Center''' upgrade will add another 2 building slots and unlocks HQ Tech 2 for more infantry and vehicular units. It costs 1,000 energy and 50 Seconds.

The '''Headquarters''' upgrade will only unlock HQ Tech 3 for the remainder of the infantry and vehicular units, also enable to research level 3 upgrades. It costs 1,500 energy and 50 Seconds.

Minibases are scattered around the map and cost less than standard firebases. 1-slot minibases cost 200 resources while the 2-slot minibase costs around 300 resources. The 3-slot minibase is available in certain campaign level such as "[[Under the Dark]]", where [[Alice-130]] is put in command of the base in order to use [[Kodiak]]s to besiege a gravity lift, and "[[Fighting Retreat]]", when Pavium falls back to the second defensive line to hold out against the Flood attack.

**Cost: 0 Supplies, 400 Power.

**Tier: 0

**Cost: 0 Supplies, 600 Power.

**Tier: 2

**Cost: 0 Supplies, 450 Power.

**Tier: 1

*Firebase is no longer using Heron; it was replaced by a pre-fabricated building and delivered through Condor.

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