Hellbringers
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Hellbringers | |
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 The Hellbringers' insignia.  A Hellbringer armed with an NA4 flamethrower. | |
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Specialized infantry[1] |
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Anti-infantry[1] |
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| “ | They know it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it.[1] | ” |
The Special Tactics and Equipment Group (STEG), colloquially nicknamed the Hellbringers, are a special unit of the United Nations Space Command's Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.[2] They are primarily responsible for conducting demolitions and CBRN operations using a variety of special equipment including nuclear weapons and chemical weapons, though are most famous for their battlefield use of flamethrowers.
Equipped with flamethrowers and deployed in two-person teams, Hellbringers are tasked with engaging entrenched infantry while suffering a high attrition rate.[1][4]
Overview[edit]
- "Bringin' the fire."
- — A Hellbringer aboard Spirit of Fire.[5]
Personnel of the Special Tactics and Equipment Group are trained to use, maintain and operate a wide variety of weapon systems that most UNSC personnel are not aware of; these include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) and energy weapons.[6] In combat operations, they are authorised to use demolition charges and sub-tactical nukes to burn out well-entrenched enemies.[2] However, their most iconic use involves two-man teams deployed to the frontlines and making use of flamethrowers to directly attack the enemy in a process similar to attacks in the First World War.[1] While most UNSC incendiary munitions are thermobaric in nature, the Hellbringers' liquid-fuel projectors are well-suited to the task of taking on fortified Covenant troops and clearing Flood infestations.[4]
The consequence of the dangerous nature of Hellbringer work; wearing a tank of high-explosive fuel and the psychological cost of using such horrific weaponry, means that they have a reputation for bravery and crazy behaviour.[4] As with all UNSC personnel who utilize flamethrowers in combat, Hellbringers are subjected to a battery of psychological analyses to determine their mental fitness for the role.[7][8]
As members of the wider Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, Hellbringers are trained in orbital insertions via drop pods.[2] The STEG has relatively low personnel counts due to the extremely specialised role they play, and requirements for recruiting. As Hellbringers are deployed to engage only the most heavily entrenched enemies, these Marines tend to suffer heavy casualties.[1]
History[edit]
A detachment of Hellbringers known as the Firestorm Battle Group[9] were present aboard UNSC Spirit of Fire during the Harvest campaign in 2531. This unit was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Kinsano, and went on to fight in the Battle for Arcadia and Battle of Trove.[5] While the Spirit of Fire attempted to return to human space Serina planned for the Hellbringers to eventually test cryo-based weapons.[6] During the Banished occupation of Installation 00 Hellbringers were used against Banished infantry and structures.[10] During the campaign, the Firestorm Battle Group were used to scout out Site Ricochet.[9]
In 2556, Hellbringers stationed aboard the Paris-class heavy frigate UNSC Saturn were deployed to the asteroid Site 22 to combat an emerging outbreak of the Flood there. The Hellbringers were deployed in support of a Spartan Flood containment Fireteam, Fireteam Leviathan, though were quickly overwhelmed. The Hellbringers who weren't infected by the Flood were killed when Saturn fired a Shiva-class nuclear missile at the site, obliterating it as per CORRUPTER protocols.[11]
Organisation[edit]
Little is known of the internal organisation for the Special Tactics & Equipment Group. However, the Hellbringer forces under Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Kinsano aboard UNSC Spirit of Fire are organised as part of the "Firestorm Battle Group", consisting of numerous vehicles alongside regular ODST and Marine personnel.[3] Individual Hellbringer teams consist of two individuals deployed in the field. The Firestorm Battle Group has two scout teams, Nawal and Wajikol.[9] Spirit of Fire also makes use of Veteran Hellbringers, who are fitted with more advanced weaponry.
Equipment[edit]
- "Flamethrower comin' in hot."
- — A Hellbringer aboard Spirit of Fire[5]
Armor[edit]
Hellbringers wear a flame-retardant powered exoskeleton with an enclosed helmet that offers a wide field of view.[12] Flamethrower fuel is stored in a cylindrical tank attached to the Hellbringers' backs.[4] Several design features of the Hellbringer armor were incorporated into the helmet of TORCHBEARER-class Mjolnir, developed by Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme.[13]
Weaponry[edit]
Hellbringers are qualified to maintain, operate, and deploy a number of specialist weapon systems in the UNSC arsenal. This includes a range of incendiary, thermobaric, energetic, chemical, and biological weapons that most UNSC personnel are not even aware of.[6] Although the United Nations Space Command has adopted thermobaric munitions for deploying most incendiary weaponry, Hellbringers most often operate with flamethrowers. These flamethrowers are capable of doing damage to close-range targets in a wide area.[4]
During the first years of the Human-Covenant War, Hellbringers were often armed with the M6634 flamethrower, a variant of the NA4 flamethrower that supports a wide variety of fuel mixtures for use in various atmospheric and gravitic conditions.[1] The M6634 may be outfitted with an underslung M301 40mm grenade launcher which is often used to fire flashbang grenades; these grenades are used to incapacitate hostiles while the Marines move closer to engage.[5] By 2559, Hellbringers aboard UNSC Spirit of Fire utilized M7057 flamethrowers,[10] another, more modern variant of the NA4 flamethrower.[7] These flamethrowers can be upgraded with dispersion nozzles that increase damage and size of the flame sheets.[4]
During her long years alone aboard Spirit of Fire, Serina created theoretical designs for cryonic weaponry using the M7057 flamethrower as a base; while not fielded or even tested, it would be the Hellbringers that use them.[6]
Vehicles[edit]
The Hellbringers maintain a dedicated fleet of specialised vehicles, generally fitted with incendiary weapons. These include the M12F Flame refit of the venerable Warthog Force Application Vehicle, fitted with either a mounted flamethrower or an incendiary grenade launcher. They also make use of a number of more standardised vehicles including AV-14 Hornets and M808S Scorpion tanks.[9]
Several Cyclops variants are also in Hellbringer inventory. These include the Incinerator variant of the HRUNTING Mark III (S) Cyclops, which swaps the standard anti-tank weapon for an arm-mounted flamethrower, and a a unique custom exoskeleton also based on the Mark III (S) used by Morgan Kinsano. Kinsano's cyclops is fitted with two M7057 Flamethrowers, one on either arm.[3]
For orbital drops, Hellbringers can make use of drop pods. In the case of Spirit of Fire's teams, they also make use of escape pods.[14]
Gameplay[edit]
Halo Wars[edit]
Hellbringers, identified simply as "Flamethrowers", are a playable unit in Halo Wars that can be built from a Barracks for 
100 and 
1. Trained cheaply and quickly, Hellbringers are the UNSC's best anti-infantry unit. However, they perform poorly against armored vehicles and have no defense against air units. They need to get close to targets to engage them and thus can be easily dispatched by long-ranged units like Jackals equipped with beam rifles. Hellbringers have the following upgrades:
- Flash Bang: Unlocks the Hellbringers' special ability to stun enemy infantry with flashbang grenades. Costs 200.
- Napalm Adherent: Allows the flame to stick to targets and continue to burn after the initial attack, causing continuous damage. Costs 400.
- Oxide Tank: Raises the temperature of the flame, increasing damage against organic targets. Costs 700.
Strategies[edit]
A good strategy is to make Hellbringers en masse and then transport them into combat via Pelicans. This helps cut their casualties when traveling, as they cannot defend themselves from long range. As a defensive strategy, many players lock their bases and train a large number of Hellbringers. If the enemy attacks with vehicles or aerial units, the Hellbringers cannot be harmed until released from the base. A good offensive strategy is to train the Hellbringers, as well as some RPG-upgraded Marines or ODSTs to protect them at range. Hellbringers are very useful against the Flood, though doing so is a major liability: They become infected more quickly than ordinary Marines and, when infected, become Infected Flamethrowers. These units can be exceedingly dangerous to infantry and can kill Spartans in seconds. The Arbiter and the Brute Chieftain are highly vulnerable to swarms of Hellbringers.
Halo Wars 2[edit]
Hellbringers[edit]
- Info: Anti-Infantry, Effective against infantry, Strong rush unit, Good against buildings, Cannot attack air
- Tier: 0
- Cost:
3, 
80, 
40
Hellbringer upgrade: Dispersion Nozzles
- Info: Weapon upgrade, Sets ground on fire
- Tier: 2
- Cost: 0, 600
Hellbringers can be built by all UNSC leaders besides Serina at the Barracks. While they are effective against infantry and structures they do poorly against vehicles and cannot attack aircraft. In Blitz, Hellbringers cost 
20 energy, while Wild Hellbringers cost 40 energy.
Phoenix log[edit]
 Anti-infantry Marines armed with flamethrowers. Each Hellbringer carries a heavy flamethrower which deals area of effect damage against close range targets. The flamethrower is very effective against infantry - even those garrisoned in structures - but is of limited use against armored vehicles. The flamethrower can be upgraded with dispersion nozzles that increase damage and size of the flame sheets. Marines willing to strap a tank of volatile chemicals to their back to fire a jet of superheated flame at enemies are braver [and crazier] than most. Though the UNSC adopted thermobaric munitions for deploying most incendiaries, the liquid projector flamethrower proved its worth to the Spirit of Fire's combat teams by burning out dug-in Covenant infantry, sterilizing Flood infestations, and heating up decades-old MREs. |
Cryo Troopers[edit]
- Info: Anti-Infantry, Good against infantry, Cryo Troopers chill enemies, slowing them down
- Tier: 0
- Cost: 3, 80, 40
Cryo Trooper upgrade: Heavy Cryosprayer
- Info: Weapon upgrade, Increases the range, damage, and area-of-effect of the Cryo Troopers' weapons
- Tier: 2
- Cost: 0, 400
Cryo Troopers are infantry units exclusive to Serina that can be built at the Barracks. Like the normal Hellbringers they are effective against infantry and structures, but do poorly against vehicles and cannot attack aircraft. Unlike Hellbringers they will come equipped with energy shielding after the player has unlocked the Cryotech Advances leader ability. While they are able to chill and freeze enemies they do not do as much damage as normal Hellbringers. In Blitz Cryo Troopers cost 40 energy and come equipped with energy shielding.
Phoenix log[edit]
 Nerves of steel and hands of frost. Cryo Troopers replace Hellbringers in Serina's combat force. Fury runs hot and cold, as evidenced by Serina's plans for a cadre of cryotech—equipped infantry. Cryo Troopers are armed with a portable cryo spray which deals damage and inflicts a chilling effect on enemy units. This can shut down enemy vehicles and structures [including turrets], temporarily shutting them down even if they are not subsequently shattered. They can be upgraded with advanced cryo systems, which increases the damage, range, and area covered by the chilling field of their spray. Hellbringers are qualified to maintain, operate, and deploy a number of specialist weapon systems in the UNSC arsenal. This includes a range of incendiary, thermobaric, energetic, chemical, and biological weapons that most UNSC personnel are not even aware of. Serina reasoned their hazardous material qualifications and daredevil reputation made them well—suited for field testing experimental cryotech weaponry. Who better to strap on experimental and unstable power cells that tap strange energies than Marines who routinely wear volatile chemical packs into battle? She was probably right, if the spirited discussion about her cryotech weapon templates among the Spirit of Fire's Marines is any indication. |
Trivia[edit]
During combat, Hellbringers occasionally yell "Need a light?", a line also spoken by the Terran Firebat, a similar flamethrower-wielding Marine infantry unit from StarCraft.
Gallery[edit]
Illustrations[edit]
Concept art of a Hellbringer in Halo Wars.
Additional variation of the previous concept.
Concept art of the UNSC flamethrower Marine.
An early render of a Hellbringer from Halo Wars, alongside an early Spartan design.
Blitz card of Hellbringers fighting Banished Jiralhanae.
Blitz card of a Hellbringer gunning on a M12F Flame Warthog.
Blitz card of Hellbringers departing a SOEIV.
Screenshots[edit]
Multiple views of the Hellbringer.
The in-game Hellbringer model.
Hellbringers in combat.
Hellbringers in comparison to normal Marines.
Hellbringers transformed into combat forms by the Flood.
An unreleased Hellbringer action figure.
Hellbringers in the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta.
Hellbringers fighting Banished Unggoy in Halo Wars 2.
Hellbringers fighting a Grunt squad on Installation 00.
Hellbringers attacking a Banished Banished outpost with Flame Warthogs and Morgan Kinsano.
Blitz card of Cryo Troopers.
An army of Cryo Troopers in multiplayer.
Cryo Troopers freezing M808S Scorpions.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo Wars (First appearance)
- Halo Wars 2
- Halo Infinite (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son
- Halo: Fireside
Sources[edit]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Official Halo Wars Community Site, Flamethrower (Retrieved on Jul 6, 2011) [local archive] [external archive]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 58
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Halo Waypoint, Welcome Kinsano (Retrieved on Apr 2, 2017) [archive]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Hellbringers
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Halo Wars, Flamethrower in-game unit
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Cryo Troopers
- ^ Jump up to: a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 69
- ^ Bungie.net, The Flamethrower (Retrieved on Jan 31, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Halo: Fireside
- ^ Jump up to: a b Halo Wars 2, Hellbringer in-game unit
- ^ Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son
- ^ YouTube - jungle_penguins, Halo Wars 2: UNSC Hellbringer All Quotes: 0:39 "I feel like a tank in this thing! Does your exo chafe? Mine chafes." - Hellbringer ambient dialogue
- ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Torchbearer - Helmet Description "TORCHBEARER adapts materials and design features from Hellbringer armor, with improvements only possible with GEN3 Mjolnir architecture."
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Helldrop leader ability
