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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|TF|HGN|HW|}}
{{Flood infobox
{{Ratings}}
{{Flood Species Infobox
|name=Carrier Form
|name=Carrier Form
|image=[[File:Flood Carrier Form.png|300px]]
|image=[[Image:1216051145 Carrier form.jpg|300px]]
|height={{Convert|210|cm|ftin}}–{{Convert|240|cm|ftin}}
|height=2 meters (6.6 feet)
|distinctions=Large, bloated with two tentacles and short, stubby legs
|distinctions=Large, bloated with two tentacles and short, stubby legs
|attacks=Explodes near a potential host
|species=*[[Sangheili]]
*[[Human]]
*[[Jiralhanae]]
*[[Unggoy]]
*[[Kig Yar]]
|attacks=Explode near a potential host
|notable=
|notable=
}}
}}
The '''Carrier Form'''<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 239'': ("''The Spartan'' [...] ''sidestepped to evade a charging carrier form.''")</ref> is a [[The Flood|Flood]] form used to incubate and spread [[pod infector]]s.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', [[campaign]] level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> Carrier forms are formed from older [[Flood combat form|Combat Forms]], or from infected bodies that are unsuitable for combat.<ref name="combat">'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 47'': ("''The Infection Forms rewrite a victim's cellular structure and convert him into a Combat Form, then later a Carrier Form''")</ref>


The carrier form has a variety of forms, such as the [[Flood spawner form|spawner form]], the [[Flood burster]], and the [[Flood bomber form|bomber form]]. The spawner form can spawn Flood forms anywhere it wishes without killing itself in the process, while the burster spawns a variety of Flood forms once its internal pressure has reached a certain point.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]''', [[campaign]] level ''[[Light the Fuse]]''</ref> The bomber form floats using its gas bladders, dropping [[Flood blister|blister]]s full of pod infectors and [[Flood spore|spore]]s onto enemies below.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P409|Enc22|Page=409}}
The '''Carrier Form'''<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 239: ''The Spartan'' (...) ''sidestepped to evade a charging carrier form''</ref> is a type of normal [[Flood]] form primarily used to both create and transport [[Infection Forms]] thus effectively spreading the Flood infection.<ref>''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', level ''[[The Oracle (Level)|The Oracle]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', level ''[[Floodgate (Level)|Floodgate]]</ref>


==Overview==
==Overview==
The Flood carrier forms have two types: converted and demoted. The converted carrier forms are hosts with little offensive capabilities, and transformed into carrier forms inmediately.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} The demoted carrier forms are combat forms that have outlived their usefulness or become too damaged to fight.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} In both cases, the carrier form will begin to spontaneously generate Pod infectors within their host bodies.{{Ref/Reuse|combat}} As the upper body swells to grotesque proportions, the limbs of the combat form wither away into stumpy legs and flailing tentacle-like appendages. The Flood form is now unable to defend itself, but still retains enough mobility to move toward potential hosts.
Carrier forms are formed from older [[Combat Forms]]<ref name="combat">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', page 47: ''The Infection Forms rewrite a victim's cellular structure and convert him into a Combat Form, then later a Carrier Form''</ref> or from bodies that are unsuitable for combat. Lieutenant McKay theorised that [[Unggoy]] and [[Kig-Yar]]s couldn't become Combat forms and instead directly converted into Carrier forms,<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 271</ref> though this theory has been disproved.<ref>''Halo Wars''</ref>


Carrier forms perpetuate the Flood species by acting as mobile incubators for newly created Pod infectors. If potential hosts are detected, the Flood form will simply waddle within range of them, throw itself on the ground, and expand its incubation sac with gases until it explodes. This detonation scatters the Pod infectors and can injure or kill potential hosts, with the explosion being comparable to that of a [[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade|fragmentation grenade]]. Early sightings state that the carrier form can produce short bursts of speed once it spots a target. Later sightings claim they can also jump.
Combat Forms may be converted when they reach the end of their life span,<ref name="combat"/> or become too damaged to fight. Carrier Forms perpetuate the [[Flood]] species by acting as incubators for newly created [[Infection Form]]s and keeping them safe until they're fully developed. Eventually when a Combat Form has lived long enough, it will also evolve into a carrier, regardless of its status.


During the [[Battle of Installation 05]], Carrier forms were utilized as "[[Naval boarding|boarding]] parties" by the Flood. They are ejected from an [[airlock]] of an infected ship towards an uninfected ship.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 197''</ref>
Once the Infection Forms are ready, the carrier simply explodes spontaneously, sending the new Infection Forms flying into the air. As soon as the Infection Forms are released, they begin searching for new hosts. It should be noted that Carrier Forms won't wait until full maturation has occurred.


==Gameplay==
If potential enemy hosts are nearby, it will simply get close to them and explode, sending the Infection Forms flying at the unsuspecting and often injuring or killing enemies. The explosion of a Carrier Form is like the explosion of a fragmentation grenade, and deals damage to anything nearby.  
Carrier forms are usually considered slow and of little threat unless they are close to the player. However, one particularly dangerous trait of exploding Carrier Forms is the explosive chain reactions they can cause. A Carrier explosion will cause any other Carrier Forms close enough to explode also. They also cause any nearby explosives or objects to explode. This means a single Carrier can cause a massive explosion through a chain reaction filling much of a small area. This can be used to a soldier's advantage if there are Combat or Pod infectors surrounding the Carrier(s). They are sometimes considered a "Flood grenade".


Any direct explosion eliminates the threat of the Carrier, as well as any Pod infectors that were incubating inside of it. This means that enough needles from a [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] will kill it, or one can throw a grenade at it.
The Carrier form has a simple mindset, which is to release the [[Infection Form]]s it carries to a suitable host. Other than organic bodily sounds, they cannot speak or make any other sound. Though they can somehow communicate with other Carriers, possibly through a [[Gravemind]] or [[Proto-Gravemind|Brain Form]], to inform them of a potential sentient being.


Carrier forms are one of the easiest enemies to take down. One shot from any weapon, say the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]], will force it to explode. However, there is not a single weapon that can actually blow it up, not even a direct [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|Rocket Launcher]]. Therefore, this has to be taken into account, strategically. For example, when confronting a large number of Flood, one may wish to destroy the Carrier forms, which in turn will kill all nearby Flood. First, allow the Combat forms and other to get reasonably close. Then, use any weapon - preferably one which has ample ammunition - to kill it.
==Combat==
[[Image:H3 Flood Carrier Form.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Carrier Form in Halo 3.]]
Carrier Forms are usually considered slow and of little threat unless they are close to the player. However, one particularly dangerous trait of exploding Carrier Forms is the explosive chain reactions they can cause. A Carrier explosion will cause any other Carrier Forms close enough to explode also. They also cause any nearby explosives or objects to explode. This means a single Carrier can cause a massive explosion through a chain reaction filling much of a small area. This can be used to a soldier's advantage if there are Combat or Infection Forms surrounding the Carrier(s). It is sometimes considered a '[[flood]] grenade'.


It is not recommended to use sniper rifles against the Flood; it is simply a waste of valuable ammo. In any case, sniper bullets simply pass through Carrier forms, dealing virtually no damage.
Any direct explosion eliminates the threat of the Carrier, as well as any [[Infection Forms]] that were incubating inside of it. This means that enough needles from a [[Needler]] will kill it, or you can throw a grenade down and kill it.


In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' a good tactic is to hook one with a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|Plasma Grenade]] and shoot it with the [[M90 Close Assault Weapon System|Shotgun]]; this will kill the Pod infectors inside. Another good tactic is to splatter it with vehicles since it does not explode directly upon contact. If there are several Flood Combat Form nearby, taking down the Carrier Form should eliminate most of the threat. Players often call it ''Flood Grenade'' due to the explosion function similar to a grenade that can harm anyone nearby.
Carrier Forms are one of the easiest enemies to take down. One shot from any weapon save the [[Assault Rifle]], [[Plasma Pistol]], or [[SMG]] will force it to explode. However, there is not a single weapon that can actually blow it up, not even a direct [[Rocket Launcher]]. Therefore, this has to be taken into account, strategically. For example, when confronting a large number of Flood, you may wish to destroy the Carrier Form(s), which in turn will kill all nearby Flood. First, allow the Combat Forms and other to get reasonably close. Then, either use a sniper rifle or the BR/Carbine kill the Carrier Form.  


In ''[[Halo 3]]'' it is a good idea to individually lure a Carrier form away from the rest of the Flood forms and '''then''' shoot it down, if its done right one can take down a Carrier form with an assault rifle and the Pod infectors inside just needs accuracy and very good timing. The luring bit needing patience as its quite tricky to lure them out as if one gets too close they'll explode, if one gets too far they'll just walk away. A [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]] beam can only penetrate two Carrier forms. In turn, this will make the Carrier forms explode without releasing any Pod infectors at all, similar to sticking a Carrier form with a grenade or killing it with a Needler supercombine explosion. A [[M7057 flamethrower|Flamethrower]] has a chance to kill the Carrier form along with the Pod Infector if aimed and used correctly with just one shot. Flame Grenade is also useful since burning the carrier form can result in instant kill due to heavy damage over time.
In Halo: CE a good tactic is to hook one with a plasma grenade and shoot it with a shotgun. This will kill the infection forms inside.


Running over Carrier forms by a vehicle, on the other hand, is a very bad idea. Their explosions will easily flip the vehicle, wasting precious time, especially on a level like Halo 3's final level.
==Variant==
 
{{Main|Shielded Flood Carriers}}
In ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' prioritize destroying Flood Spawner, since it can produce units to counter any units and buildings that player uses to attack it.
In [[Halo 2]] was to be a variant of the normal flood carrier named [[Shielded Flood Carriers]], they didn't make in the final game but this code is encrypted in the [[Halo 2]] disc so they can be modded in the levels that the flood appear.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Carrier forms have a slight similarity in physical appearance to the [[Flood Juggernaut]].
[[File:Flood carrier in Halo Wars.jpg|thumb|Flood Carrier in Halo Wars]]
*Carrier forms are sometimes nicknamed "popcorn",{{citation needed}} due to how they "pop" and release Pod infectors. The title has also been applied to the Pod infectors themselves.
[[Image:Flood carrier.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A Halo 2 Carrier Form]]
*The Carrier form of Flood is the [[List of Marathon references in the Halo series|successor]] of the [[marathongame:Simulacrums|Simulacrums]], from the ''[[Marathon]]'' series. The Simulacrums were cybernetic humans made to look like the crew of the UESC ''Marathon'', the only flaw was that they all wore green jump suits, making it easy to distinguish which humans were actually Simulacrums. As soon as you were three meters close to them they would explode, heavily damaging or killing the player.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the level "[[The Maw]]" contains a glitch in which the Carrier form explodes, but the Pod infectors do not move.
*The Carrier forms in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'' would release between 4-6 Pod infectors when they explode, but the ''Halo 3 ''Carrier forms would release dozens, but this is leveled out by a smaller and less extreme damage radius.
*On rare occasions in ''Halo 3'', the ''Carrier's'' arms and legs will be left behind upon death. However, this is exclusive to ''Halo 3'' as the arms and legs completely vanish upon exploding in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2''.
*Strangely, when shot by the [[M7057/Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]], the Carrier form will explode and release the Pod infectors, which seem to survive the fire. Possibly the Carrier form's explosion puts out the fire. This is strange considering that an Incendiary grenade will kill the Carrier and the Pod infectors. The Incendiary grenade does, however, seem to have a small explosive force used to scatter the flames.
*In ''Halo 3'', sticking Carrier Forms with Plasma or [[Spike Grenades]] prevents the Pod infectors from being released, presumably because the grenade destroys them within the Form.
*In ''Halo Wars 2'', Flood spawners and Flood bursters are a more advanced type of the Flood carrier form.


==Gallery==
*The Carrier Form of Flood is the successor of the Simulacrums, from the [[Marathon (Video Game Series)]]. The Simulacrums were cybernetic humans made to look like the crew of the U.E.S.C Marathon, the only flaw was that they all wore green jump suits, making it easy to distinguish which humans were actually Simulacrums. As soon as you were 3 meters close to them they would explode, heavily damaging the player, or killing the player in the process.
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
*Strangely, when shot by the [[Flamethrower]], the [[Carrier Form]] will explode and release the [[Infection Form]]s, which seem to survive the fire. Possibly the carrier's explosion puts out the fire. This is strange considering that an Incendiary grenade will kill the carrier and the infection forms.
File:HCE_EarliestFlood_Concept.jpg|Earliest known concept art of the flood, depicting what later became the Carrier form.
*Carrier Forms are sometimes nicknamed "popcorn", due to how they "pop" and release [[Infection Forms]]. They are also uncommonly called "gasbags" because they release gas and infection forms when they explode, damaging the player
File:HCE EarlyCarrierForm Concept.png|Concept art of the Carrier form.
*Carrier Forms have a slight similarity in physical appearance to the [[Flood Juggernaut]].
File:HCE_CarrierForm_Concept.png|Concept art of the Carrier form.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', a Carrier form can produce short bursts of speed once it spots a target.
File:Carrier1.png|Carrier form in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Carriers are more or less common but come in groups of 2-4, which are even deadly on [[Easy]] or higher difficulties.
File:H2_FloodCarrierForm_2.jpg|Carrier form in ''Halo 2''.
*The outline of the spine of the Carrier Form's former body can clearly be seen in the Halo 3 model.
File:H2_FloodCarrierForm_1.png|Closeup of a Flood Carrier Form in ''Halo 2'' on Gas Mine.
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], if you run over a Carrier Form with a Warthog on [[The Maw]] and [[Two Betrayals]] are the only chances you get to run over a Carrier, it will be sent sprawling to the ground and explode, by which time you are far away. However, in [[Halo 3]] on the level [[Halo (Level)|Halo]] is the only level you can run over a Carrier, if you attempt to run over a Carrier, it will explode immediately, tilting and possibly flipping your Warthog.
File:1216051145 Carrier form.jpg|A Carrier form in [[Voi]], [[Kenya]].
*Carrier Forms have blotches of green on their sides.
File:H2ACarrierForm.png| A Carrier form in Halo 2: Anniversary.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Carrier Forms are significantly more difficult to kill with projectile weapons, but they are easily destroyed by Plasma Weapons.
File:H3 Flood Carrier Form.jpg|Carrier form in ''Halo 3''.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', a [[Spartan Laser]] beam can only penetrate two Carrier Forms. In turn, this will make the Carrier Forms explode without releasing any [[Infection Forms]] at all, similar to sticking a Carrier Form with a [[Plasma Grenade|grenade]] and [[Needler]].
File:CEACarrier.png|Carrier form in Halo CE: Anniversary
*The ''[[Halo 3]]'' Carrier Form has shorter arms than the ones in the previous games.
File:Flood carrier in Halo Wars.jpg|Carrier form in ''Halo Wars''.
*If you stick a Carrier form with a grenade it won't release any Infection forms. This only works in Halo 3. In Halos 1 and 2 this will simply fling the carrier form in a random direction, which upon landing will explode releasing Infection forms.
File:HW CarrierForm_Model.jpg|Carrier form artwork from ''Halo Wars''.
*The Carrier form in Halo:Combat Evolved only release 3-4 infection forms while its counter parts in Halo 2 and Halo 3 can release up to 6 infection forms
File:TASRepro.png|A human infected Carrier form from ''Halo: Tales from Slipspace''.
*On the final level in [[Halo 3]], while you are driving a ghost, you can move right next to them and they will ignore you, if you don't boost through them and you just slowly push past them, they will be on the front of the ghost for a while, this could save your life and stop them knocking you off a platform, it is very useful to know this when doing the [[Vidmaster Challenge: Annual]] achievement.
</gallery>
*In [[Ghosts of Onyx]], Carrier Forms are used as boarding parties by The Flood during the battle of Installation 05. They are simply pushed from the airlock by some means and drift towards damaged Covenant Cruisers.
*''Flood Carrier Forms'' are believed to be the inspiration for ''The Boomers'' from the Left 4 Dead franchise.


==List of appearances==
==Related Articles==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Flood]]
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*[[Shielded Flood Carriers]]
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{Mo}}
*[[Infection Form]]
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]'' {{c|Motion comic only}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Something Has Happened]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
<references/>


{{Flood}}
{{Flood}}
 
[[Category:The Flood]]
[[Category:Flood forms]]

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