Gameplay

Hornet

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Hornet
H2A-MP-AV14Hornet.png
Gameplay role

Faction:

Human (UNSC)

Weapon type:

Air

Locomotion method:

Jet-engine

Counterparts:

Human

Weapon stats

Armaments:

Max occupants:

  • 1 driver[1]
  • 2 side seat passengers[1]
 

The Hornet is a light aerospace vehicle first seen in Halo 3. It is a medium sized aircraft.

Universe and lore[edit]

Main article: AV-14

The AV-14 Hornet is a VTOL capable aircraft in service since at least 2524, during the Insurrection.[2][3] It served all the way into the Human-Covenant War from the Battle for Arcadia[4] to the Battle of Installation 00.[5]

Overview[edit]

Variants[edit]

Image Name Description
H3 SnowHornet.jpg Transport Hornet The Transport Hornet is a type of Hornet without missile pods.

Halo Wars 2[edit]

Image Name Description
HW2 - AV-14B Hornet.jpg Trooper Hornet An uparmored Hornet that will spawn infantry troops on death.

Counterparts[edit]

The most analogous vehicle to the Hornet is the Falcon from Halo: Reach. It acts as the mainline UNSC air that game as well and features dual gunner seats. In-game versions can carry more passengers and some have a pilot-controlled main gun. Halo 4 also brings in the Pelican, which has two exposed side seats.

Gameplay[edit]

The Hornet is often the mainline UNSC aircraft, that can carry two passengers and can hover in place over areas.

First-person shooters[edit]

Main article: First-person shooter

The Hornet has a unique reticle, but no other major HUD elements change. It also can be Skyjacked in games where it appears.

Campaign[edit]

Main article: Campaign

The Hornet appears as mostly background scenery in the Halo 3 campaign but is usable on The Covenant. Allied Non-playable characters can ride on the sides like players can in multiplayer.[6]

The Hornet also appears in the campaign of Halo: Spartan Assault seen again mostly as background scenery.[7]

A Hornet being used on Lost Platoon in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3: ODST.

Multiplayer[edit]

Main article: Multiplayer

The Hornet is usable in the Halo 3 multiplayer on certain maps and modes. A Spartan riding on a Hornet's skids can deploy equipment while an Elite cannot.

The Hornet makes an appearance in Halo 4's Majestic Map Pack as a piece of scenery outside of the map Skyline.

In Halo 2: Anniversary, the Hornet can be found on Bloodline in certain game modes. It can be affected by the base EMPs.

The Hornet was to make an appearance in the canceled Halo Online where it would have been usable on the map Diamondback.

The Hornet was added to Halo 3: ODST Firefight when Halo 3: ODST was added to PC. It is usable on the map Lost Platoon.

Two types of spawnable Hornets in Halo 3 forge; a transport Hornet (left) and a regular Hornet (right).

Forge[edit]

Main articles: Forge, Forge Objects

The Hornet is a Forge object on a few maps in Halo 3. This includes Sandbox and Sandtrap. Prices and amounts that can be placed are different depending on the map and whether they are being played in the Halo 3 component of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

The Hornet is also a Forge object in Halo 2: Anniversary where it can be spawned on Bloodline, Skyward, Awash, and Nebula.

Advantages[edit]

  • Can move and transport two allies.
    • These allies can fire their weapons, increasing the overall firepower of the vehicle.

Disadvantages[edit]

  • Passengers are completely exposed.

Real-time strategy[edit]

Main article: Real-time strategy
An AV-14 Hornet with the Marine Wingmen + Chaff Pod upgrades on Frozen Valley.
A fully upgraded Hornet in Halo Wars.

Halo Wars[edit]

"Mainline UNSC air unit. A versatile single seat, fast attack aircraft armed with a Gatling gun and rockets"
Halo Wars instruction manual[8]

The Hornet in Halo Wars is the mainline UNSC aircraft and is capable of engaging both ground and air targets. It can be built at the Air Pad for a cost of Resources 250 resources and Population 2 population with a tech level of Tech level 2. It has several upgrades:

Upgrade Description Costs/Requirments
Wingmen Adds Marines riding shotgun to boost damage.[8] Resources 400, Tech level 3
Chaff Pod Passive ability; better avoidance of missile fire.[8] Resources 900, Tech level 4
Hawk Upgrade to Hawk super unit equipped with laser beams. Note! Available only if Prof. Anders is the leader.[8] Resources 1350, Tech level 4
Two different Hornet types in Halo Wars 2.

Halo Wars 2[edit]

Skirmish[edit]

The Hornet can be built by all UNSC leaders at the Airpad. They are effective against vehicles, but are only okay against infantry, aircraft, and structures.

  • Info: Core Air, Fast moving, Medium range
  • Tier: 2
  • Cost: Population Population 4, Supplies Supplies 300, Power Power 0
Upgrade Info Tier Costs/Requirments
Wingmen Unit Upgrade, Adds Marines with rocket launchers, Increases health 3 Supplies 0, Power 750
Blitz[edit]
Main article: Blitz

In Blitz, there are two Hornets; the regular and the Trooper. The Trooper is exclusive to this mode. A regular Hornet costs Blitz Energy 60 energy, while a Trooper Hornet costs Blitz Energy 100 energy.

Evolution[edit]

Changes from Halo 3/Halo 3: ODST to Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • The Hornet's missiles in Halo 2: Anniversary have a much slower fire rate.

Skins[edit]

Halo 3[edit]

Main article: Skins (Halo 3)

Achievements[edit]

Icon(s) Name Game(s) Description Gamerscore
Steam Achievement Icon for the Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer achievement "Shook the Hornet's Nest". Shook the Hornet's Nest Halo 2: Anniversary Kill 30 enemies in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer. 10 gamerscore

Production notes[edit]

A Flood infected Hornet was supposed to appear in Halo Wars 2 before it was ultimately cut.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo 3 Instruction Manual, page 16
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 248
  3. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, Dirt
  4. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Arcadia City
  5. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
  6. ^ Halo 3, campaign
  7. ^ Halo: Spartan Assault, campaign
  8. ^ a b c d Halo Wars Instruction Manual, page 30