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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Species infobox
{{Cleanup}}
|variant=Flood
{{References}}
|name=Pod infector
{{Flood infobox
|image=[[File:H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg|300px]]
|name = Pod infector
|latin=
|image = [[File:H2A - Flood infection form model.jpg|350px]]
|classification=[[Infection form]]
|height =  
|species=[[Flood]]
|distinctions = Small, balloon-like creatures with many tentacles for probing.
|subspecies=
|attacks = Swarming against larger prey, piercing the skin to infect a host or weakening shielded enemies
|diet=
|height={{Convert|89.6|cm|ftin|sp=us}} to {{Convert|131.4|cm|ftin|sp=us}}{{Ref/Game|Id=Library|HCEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Infection Form}}
|weight={{Convert|16.8|kg|lb}} to {{Convert|28.6|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|Library}}
|distinctions=Small, sac-like creatures with many tentacles for probing with a frond-like array.
|lifespan=
|homeworld=
|techlevel=
|notable-person=
|othernames=
|languages=
}}
}}
{{Quote|Do not let them touch you! It is said they will consume your body and mind!|[[Pavium]] warning his troops of pod infectors.{{Ref/Level|HW2|Fighting Retreat}}}}
The '''Pod infector''',<ref name="PLPI">''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Pod Infectors</ref> also more commonly known as the '''Flood infection form''', is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It is the most common Flood form and is usually the first forms to be released. It is the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers.
The '''pod infector''' (sometimes shortened as '''pod'''),{{Ref/Game|Id=PLPI|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Pod Infectors}} often ubiquitously called the '''Flood infection form''',{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p164|Enc11|Page=164}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=406}} is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It serves as the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers. Subsequently, it is usually the first Flood form to be produced as well as the most commonly encountered Flood form.{{Ref/Reuse|PLPI}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:HOD-InfectionForm.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A pod infector on display at [[Outpost Discovery]].]]
Pod infectors are the primary vector for the Flood infection. While small (roughly the size of a [[human]] torso) and weak, they travel in huge swarms and overwhelm foes using sheer numbers. Once within range of a potential host, they leap for the victim's chest area, rasping away at armor, clothing and flesh with their numerous tentacle-like limbs. These appendages penetrate deep into the body, tap into the victim's spinal cord, and unleash an attack on the host's nervous system via direct contact with the spine, killing the host almost instantly. Once this is accomplished, the form rewrites the neural pathways of the victim's brain with its tendrils, forcing a resonant frequency match between its neural signals and the host's. At this point, the Pod infector has complete control over the body's motor functions.
===Physical characteristics===
{{Quote|As you can see, it has tentacles in place of legs, plus a couple of extremely sharp penetrators, which they use to invade the victim's central nervous system and take control of it.|[[Melissa McKay]] describing a pod infector.{{Ref/Novel|Id=McKayQuote|TF|10|Quote=As you can see, it has tentacles in place of legs, plus a couple of extremely sharp penetrators, which they use to invade the victim's central nervous system and take control of it.}}}}
Pod infectors have soft, pod-shaped bodies; they are characterized by a small, sagging brown lobe rising from the top of its back,{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p164}} while its frontal surface has numerous tentacle-like appendages and a frond-like array, which acts as the creature's sensory system.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLIF|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infection Forms}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Their tendrils are multi-purpose locomotion systems and insidious methods of control.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Used for attacking and infecting organisms,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p180|Enc11|Page=180}} each tendril ends in nano-scale barbs, which can latch onto a target's body, slice open bare skin,{{Ref/Novel|TF|12|Quote=The Spartan gave a cry of pain, felt the tentacle slide down toward his spine, and knew it was over.}} and even cut through armor or environmental suits.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The pod infector's bulbous body is filled with noxious gases,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} while its numerous tentacles allow them to travel at high rates of speed and leap surprising distances in pursuit of a host.{{Ref/Reuse|Library}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=174}}


The pod infector does not feel pain or fear.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}} Though barely intelligent on their own, once a pod infector infiltrates a sentient creature, they turn the victim's cognitive power to the furtherance of Flood goals. Each pod infector able to sift through memories of any sentient creature to learn of military countermeasures, security access codes, and the location of population centers. This information is then shared with other Flood through their connection with the [[key mind]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}
As the Pod infector hacks into the host's nervous system, it releases encapsulated [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|Flood Super Cells]] into the body. These cells interface with the host's cells, "digest" them and convert their components into new Flood cells. At this point, the Pod infector burrows into the host body, moving aside the internal organs and taking up residence within the chest cavity (or any approximate equivalent). Having achieved total control over the host, the Pod infector reshapes the body into a form more suitable for attacking enemies - a [[Flood combat form|combat form]]. Even if the Pod Infector is quickly removed from the host body, the injection of Flood cells into the host's system is enough to cause rapid transformation into spore-packed [[Flood blister|blisters]].<ref name="Infection Forms">'''Halo Wars 2''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Infection Forms</ref>
{{clear}}
===Function===
{{Quote|You can see how the body has been transformed by the genetic restructuring of the Flood infection. The small creatures carry spores that cause a host to mutate. The mutated host then produces spores that can pass the Flood to others. It is insidious and elegant. As long as any hosts remain, the Flood is virulent.|[[343 Guilty Spark]] explains the infection process.{{Ref/Level|Id=343GSquote|HCE|The Library|Quote=You can see how the body has been transformed by the genetic restructuring of the Flood infection. The small creatures carry spores that cause a host to mutate. The mutated host then produces spores that can pass the Flood to others. It is insidious and elegant. As long as any hosts remain, the Flood is virulent.}}}}


Pod infectors appear to be developed from [[Flood tadpole|a form]] vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a pod infector.{{Ref/Site|Id=onefinaleffort|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650|Site=Bungie.net|Page=One Final Effort (4/16/2010)|D=11|M=4|Y=2013}} Once the parasite can establish a hive, it can begin to produce massive numbers of infection forms that spread out in search of new sentients to infect, and non-sapient animals on which to feed; pod infectors serve as the most basic and common type of infection forms. Both ground and airborne infection forms are used as living weapons, hurling themselves at the enemy to overwhelm defenses and assimilate the unprepared.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The [[Flood blister]] itself is an infection form, incubating spores as well as carrying pod infectors; when ruptured, the blister releases the pod infectors.{{Ref/Level|H3|Cortana (level)|Cortana}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=407}} [[Flood carrier form|Carrier forms]] serve as mobile incubators of pod infectors; when they are in close range of enemies, or when their sacs are perforated, they rapidly swell and then detonate,{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p165}} releasing pod infectors being held within.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=409}} [[Flood pure form]]s, including the [[Flood spawner form|spawner form]] and the [[tank form]], can gestate pod infectors to spread the Flood infection.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p166|Enc11|Page=166}}{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Spawners}}
The speed and intensity of this process occurs at the same rate as an energetic chemical reaction, often taking mere seconds to accomplish. The consequences for the host organism are extreme, as their brains are purged of all traces of their original personality and their bodies are reconstituted into Flood biomatter. The organism effectively becomes a pawn of the Flood's collective intelligence, to be used in any way it deems necessary.


[[File:TFS-Likeafrog.png|thumb|250px|A carrier form spawning pod infectors aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in 2537.]]
In exceedingly rare cases, such as if the Pod infector has been damaged or is incredibly old, it will go through this process without killing the host, leaving them at least partially aware of what is going on, but unable to move or act. This was the fate of UNSC Private [[Wallace A. Jenkins]] during the raid on the "[[Flood containment facility|Covenant weapons cache]]" on [[Installation 04]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 176''</ref> This aged version of the Pod infector must have been kept in captivity for far too long, thereby reducing its potential of complete transformation of its host into a Flood combat form. Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.
Serving as the primary vector for the Flood infection, pod infectors usually attack en masse, overwhelming and overpowering their prey, until one is able to burrow into the victim's flesh,{{Ref/Reuse|Library}} As with other infection forms, the pod infector has an array of "penetrators", which are barbed tentacles that can cut through flesh and armor.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} [[Energy shielding]] destroys pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh.{{Ref/Game|Id=HCE|HCE|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H2|H2|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|gameplay}} When a pod infector attacks a victim, its tentacles insert into the spine,{{Ref/Novel|TF|6|Quote=There was a cry of pain as something landed on Private Riley’s back, drove a needlelike penetrator through his skin, and aimed it down toward his spine.}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|9|Quote=...because ever since the infection form had inserted its penetrator into his spine, Private Wallace A. Jenkins had been sharing his physical form with something he thought of as "the other."}} with the goal of invading the target's central nervous system,{{Ref/Reuse|McKayQuote}} which then initiates a violent transformation triggered by the the [[Flood spore]]s carried by the pod infector.{{Ref/Reuse|343GSquote}} Once the target is compromised, the pod infector injects [[Flood Super Cell]]s to suborn the victim's nervous system,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} "digesting" the DNA of its victims,{{Ref/Book|AoH3|Page=26}} while the pod infector itself bores into the host body to hollow out a nest, quickly twisting the remains of its victim into a combat or carrier form.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}


Due to the balloon-like qualities of the pod infector, it could deflate itself to fit inside the victim's body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=If you peek through the hole in her chest you can see the remains of the infection form that deflated itself enough to fit in around her heart and lungs.}} Even if the pod infector is quickly removed, Flood cells in the wounds will slowly consume the victim and turn them into quivering, spore-packed blisters.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Anthology|Id=TML|Evo|Story=The Mona Lisa}} The Flood utilizes the hosts' nervous system and calcium store to mutate its body;{{Ref/Book|AoH|Page=50}} if the infected host has sufficient biomass for self-sustenance, it will mutate neurologically and physiologically into a [[Flood combat form|combat form]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p165|Enc11|Page=165}} The pod infector is capable of augmenting its new body and repair minor damage;{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p408|Enc22|Page=408}} as such, combat forms typically possess unnatural physical strength, perhaps gained through the mutation of the host's musculoskeletal structures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p165}} Otherwise, sections of the host's body are consumed and converted into FSC, with much of their internal organs being consumed and replaced with FSC accretions that function as support lattices. Some limbs and sensory organs are retained on the combat form to enable use of tools, weapons, or vehicles; though the pod infector sees the environment using its own sensory organs—often the flexible fronds or antennae on the end of narrow tendrils—while whatever remains of the host's native senses are usually redundant and ignored. Combat forms also tend to retain some of its host's characteristics; sapient hosts are generally made into the most basic version of combat form, simply known as an [[attacker form]],{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}} whereas non-sapient hosts are made into [[Flood thrasher form|thrasher]] or [[Flood swarm form|swarm]] forms.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p409|Enc22|Page=409}} [[Human]] attacker forms are notably known for their agility and swift movement rather than the heavy and dense frame of the their [[Sangheili]] counterparts.{{Ref/Game|HCEA|Library (feature)|Detail=Human Combat Form}} If its host has been heavily damaged, a pod infector may abandon its host to look for a new one. Conversely, if the pod infector inside an attacker form has been destroyed, but the attacker form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, a loose pod infector may burrow inside the body and replace the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the attacker form.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}
A Pod infector may abandon its host if the corpse has been heavily damaged, and look for a new one. If the Pod infector inside a combat form has been destroyed, but the combat form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, loose Pod infector may burrow inside the body and take the place of the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the combat form.


In some circumstance, the pod infector is unable to completely dominate the original personality and the victim remains fully aware of their irrevocable transformation and their being used as a tool of the Flood. Though their bodies are bent to the Flood's will, occasionally the victim can still whisper for mercy or cry out in pain. More often, the parasite will speak on their behalf, using stolen thoughts and memories as a psychological weapon, terrorizing both the host and anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}}{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infected}} This was the fate of [[Wallace Jenkins]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle]] of [[Installation 04]]; a pod infector had been severely weakened during long periods of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and transform Jenkins' body, it lacked the force and clarity to completely control Jenkins.{{Ref/Novel|TF|6|Quote=Due to some fluke, some random toss of the galactic dice, the mind that invaded his body had been severely weakened during the long period of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and begin the work necessary to create a combat form, it lacked the force and clarity required to completely dominate its host the way it was supposed to.}} With the Flood mind weakened, Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=Jenkins had used pantomime to request a mirror. A well-meaning Corporal brought one in, held it up in front of the soldier's devastated face, and was frightened when he tried to scream.}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|12|Quote=Jenkins, still unable to speak, managed to mouth the words “thank you.”}}
Pod infectors develop from [[Flood tadpole|a form]] vaguely resembling a larva or tadpole but bearing the basic superficial characteristics of a Pod infector. A number of Flood forms in this stage of their life cycle were kept in stasis by the Forerunners in [[Flood research facility|Flood research facilities]], such as the one in the [[Threshold gas mine]].<ref name="onefinaleffort">[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 '''Bungie.net''': ''One Final Effort (4/16/2010)'']</ref>


While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms—including those equipped with atmospheric filters—a pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting Flood spores or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion—in two notable instances, Flood spores were introduced into the body through a bite wound. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.{{Ref/Level|HW|Anders' Signal}}{{Ref/Reuse|TML}}
While an effective vector of infection against armored and shielded organisms as well as those equipped with atmospheric filters, a Pod infector is not necessary for the Flood to infect a host; merely ingesting [[Flood spore]]s or inserting them via a wound is sufficient to initiate Flood conversion. Such infection may occur several seconds or perhaps minutes later, yet the transformation will occur almost instantaneously once it has begun.<ref>'''Halo Wars''', campaign level ''[[Anders' Signal]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''' — ''"[[The Mona Lisa]]"''</ref>
 
== Effects on host forms==
[[File:TFS-Likeafrog.png|thumb|A carrier form spawning Pod infectors aboard the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in 2537.|250px]]
While any large life form with some level of awareness and/or sentience can be infected by a Pod infector, not all of them are suitable to serve the function of Combat Forms, the Flood's signature and preferred mobile form utilized during the Feral Stage. While these hosts are transformed in a similar fashion to the traditional combat forms, these forms are not often employed in front line combat for several reasons.
 
The first of these would be the fact that such life forms, despite their sophisticated nervous systems and adequate levels of sentience, simply lack the necessary biomass, calcium reserves, and physical strength to make first-choice combat units. More specifically, when a host life form is transformed, the activities of the Pod infector require not only the aforementioned levels of biomass, calcium content, and strength (Though humans become combat forms more often than the much larger and stronger unggoy for whatever reason.) but that the host has the physical endurance and stamina to withstand the process. Species such as humans, Forerunners, Sangheili, and the Jiralhanae are almost always turned into combat forms because their biology and physical properties enable them to withstand the Pod infectors' abilities, which are violent and resource-intensive.
 
In contrast, other life forms, such as the [[Kig-Yar]], and perhaps the [[Yanme'e]], lack these important qualities, or in the case of the [[Unggoy]] have other limitations due to their physique despite their perfectly adequate levels of sentience and neural complexity. Because of these factors, these hosts are primarily used for other but equally important purposes. These involve multiple mission profiles that are essential to the development of Flood outgrowth: establishment of mobile incubators, biomass and calcium reserves, hive structures, and the components of a [[Proto-Gravemind|coordinating and controlling intelligence]].
 
When utilized for the creation of the hive and the central intelligence, the weaker hosts gather together and merge into single mass or a collection of masses spread around whatever environment the Flood have established themselves in. In this way, the weaker host forms serve as 'building blocks' for the creation of a Flood Hive, which if all goes according to its logical conclusion, will spawn a fully-developed collective and the next stage of the Flood's development: the [[Coordinated Stage]] and its crowning achievement, a [[Gravemind]]. Surrounding life forms such as significantly smaller animals as well as the full range of plants, microbes, lichens, and fungi, are seized by the growing Flood collective and digested as raw material to create more generic Flood biomass.
 
The next vital use for lesser hosts is to serve as the second signature form of the [[Feral Stage]], the mobile Pod infector incubator known as a Carrier Form. While these are usually formed from weakened, damaged, and/or aged Combat Forms, weaker host forms are just as frequently employed for this purpose. The first step in the creation of a Carrier Form by this method involves a single appropriate host to function as a nucleus, which is then followed by one or more other weaker forms attaching themselves to the leading unit. The congregated hosts then fuse, with the external host forms being rapidly digested by the central form, with the result being that the other hosts have been reduced to extra, generic biomass, contributing to the structure of the now significantly distorted, bloated incubator.<ref>''''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''', ''page 291''</ref>
 
While this complex methodology is largely standard procedure for the Flood, there are occasionally exceptions to these rules due to the Flood's adaptive nature. In at least [[Battle of the Trove|one notable campaign]]<ref>'''''Halo Wars'''''</ref> early in the Human-Covenant War, this mode of operation was contradicted by the Flood. The outbreak present on this installation employed Kig-Yar and Unggoy quite frequently as front line combat units despite their inadequate status, and was also distinct from other outbreaks with the fact that it was predominantly formed out of life forms lacking sentience such as plants, fungi, etc., or those possessing lower levels of sentience, such as the wide range of animals living there.
 
== Immunities and defenses ==
[[Energy shielding]] destroys Pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh. Conventional body armor is generally ineffective against Pod infectors; they can easily squeeze through gaps in armor plating, and their grasping tentacles can burrow through rubber, fabric or polymer (including MJLONIR MK V undersuits) in order to reach the flesh underneath.
 
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]] was thought by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]] to be incompatible with Flood Pod infectors due to the fictitious "[[Boren's Syndrome]]"<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 244''</ref> — in reality a cover for the augmentations he received as part of the [[ORION Project]].<ref>'''Halo Graphic Novel''', ''[[Halo Graphic Novel, Page 122|page 122]]''</ref> However, it is apparent that Johnson's augmentations did not make him truly immune to the Flood conversion process itself, instead granting him the ability to fight off and escape the parasite more effectively than the baseline humans alongside him.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969315_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969315 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Catalog Interaction - Page 14'' (''"No known biological <nowiki>[scaffolding]</nowiki> augmentation impedes efficacy of parasite conversion process.]"'')</ref><ref name="hgn">'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''</ref><ref>''See [[Avery Johnson#Notes]]''</ref>
 
The [[Mgalekgolo]]'s lack of a central nervous system and nature as an invertebrate colony consisting of multiple worms likely make them immune to Flood infection.<ref>'''''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''''</ref> The invertebrate nature of the [[Yanme'e]], along with their hard, chitinous exoskeleton, would seem to make them immune as well. However, while their unique physiologies make standard infection difficult, it is likely that the Flood are still capable of consuming and converting Lekgolo and Yanme'e into Flood biomass.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[Robert McLees]]'s design of the pod infector was inspired by a scene in the children's book ''The Saggy Baggy Elephant'', in which a palm tree was launched into the air by dancing elephants; the illustration formed a shape that became the basis of the pod infector.{{Ref/Site|Id=rollingstone|URL=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/halo-2-bungie-development-1235157887/|Site=Rolling Stone|Page=‘Halo 2’ Is a Classic, But Its Development Was a Mess|D=10|M=11|Y=2024}}
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if a pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in ''Halo 3''.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', if a Pod infector latches itself onto a Marine or one of the Covenant, instead of mutating the host, it will become irrevocably attached until the host is dead. If at least one Pod infector manages to leap onto an unshielded player in this game, it will deal a noticeable amount of damage (this will increase depending on difficulty and number of Pod infectors attached), fall off, and attempt to strike the player again. This effect on the player also appears in ''Halo 3''.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.
*An [[energy sword]] will not lose energy by killing Pod infectors in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', but this method is highly ineffective as Pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an Energy Sword.
*An [[energy sword]] will not lose energy by killing pod infectors in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', but this method is highly ineffective as pod infectors are extremely hard to hit with an energy sword.
*Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the [[campaign scoring]] is activated in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''. This is most likely because Pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
*Pod infectors do not add points to the player's meta-score when the [[campaign scoring]] is activated in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''. This is most likely because pod infectors come in swarms, and could be used to rack up points with almost no effort.
*Unlike in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'', the Pod infectors in ''Halo 3'' float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
*Unlike in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'', the pod infectors in ''Halo 3'' float in water. Thus, they cannot infect corpses that are in water ponds because of this animation.
* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the Flood Pod infectors that are attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like all other Pod infectors. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground.
*A [[Cut Halo 3 enemies#Flood|cut enemy]] intended to be included in ''Halo 3'' was the <code>flood_infection_banger</code>, a variant of pod infector which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.{{Ref/YouTube|R60geSLtnWk|Lord Zedd|Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"}}
*In ''Halo 3'', code exists for a deleted "banger" variant of Pod infector, which would explode like a plasma grenade when destroyed.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60geSLtnWk '''YouTube:''' ''Halo 3 - Cut Enemy: Flood Infection "Banger"'']</ref>
* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the pod infectors that were attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like pod infectors usually do in other appearances. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground. Similarly, in ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]'', a spike round pinned a pod infector into the wall.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Pod infectors are not affected by fall damage, most likely due to the script or slow speed during freefall.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Pod infectors}}
===Concept art and illustrations===
<gallery>
File:HCE_InfectionForm_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a pod Infector from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:JohnsonFlood.png|Pod infectors attacking [[Avery Johnson]] and Wallace Jenkins in ''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''.
File:Flood infector Spirit of Fire.jpg|A pod infector inside the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s cryo-room in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:TFS-Krunch.png|Jerome-092 destroying a pod infector in a single punch in ''[[Something has Happened]]''.
File:HW2_InfectorTidalWave_Concept.jpg|''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' concept art depicting [[Banished]] forces succumbing to a tidal wave of pod infectors.
</gallery>
===Renders===
<gallery>
File:HTMCC Avatar InfectionForm.png|Render of the ''Halo 2'' pod infector in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:HW PodInfector Blur Render.jpg|A render of the pod infector asset created for ''[[Halo Wars]]''{{'}} cutscenes.
File:Infectionformpet.png|A pet pod infector that can be purchased as a feature for any [[Xbox 360]] [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Avatar]].
File:Floodsuit.png|A customized Xbox 360 Avatar wearing a pod infector suit.
File:H2A BlurPodInfector Render.jpg|A render of the Pod Infector built for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''{{'}}'s cutscenes.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form models.jpg|Models of the pod infector for ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form.jpg|Detailed models of the pod infector for ''Halo Wars 2''.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Flood3.jpg|A study of the pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE_InfectionForm_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Pod Infector from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE Flood Infection Form.png|A pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Flood3.jpg|Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:HCE Infectionforms.jpg|A swarm of pod infectors standing atop a dead Unggoy and a dead Sangheili in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE Flood Infection Form.png|In-game view of a Flood Pod infector in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H2 Flood Infection Form.png|A pod infector in the [[Threshold gas mine]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:HCE Infectionforms.jpg|The Master Chief watches as Pod infectors prepare to consume a dead Elite and a dead Grunt.
File:H2_PodInfector_Closeup.jpg|A pod infector in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Flood Infection Form.png|A Pod infector in the [[Threshold gas mine]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|A pod infector in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H2_PodInfector_Closeup.jpg|A Pod infector in ''Halo 2''.
File:HTMCC-H3 FloodBlisterRupture 1.png|Pod infectors being released from a ruptured blister in ''Halo 3''.
File:HTMCC Avatar InfectionForm.png|Render of the ''Halo 2'' Pod infector in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|A pod infector in ''Halo Wars''.
File:InfectionForm Profile.jpg|Pod infectors in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Anders Flood.png|Pod infectors approaching [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]] in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Flood infection form in HaloWars.jpg|A Pod infector in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals LibrarianAtWork.png|The [[Librarian]] studying a pod infector in ''[[Halo 4]]''{{'}} [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:Anders Flood.png|Pod infectors assaulting [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]].
File:HSA Flood mode.jpg|Pod infectors in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:Infectionformpet.png|A pet Flood Pod infector which can be purchased as a feature for any Xbox 360 Avatar.
File:MercyFlood.jpg|A pod infector straggling the Prophet of Mercy in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.  
File:Floodsuit.png|An [[Avatar (Xbox 360)|Xbox 360 Avatar]] customized with a Flood Pod infector suit.
File:H2A HereticGruntVsFlood.png|A [[Heretic Unggoy]] fighting pod infectors in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.  
File:H4_-_L_Flood.jpg|The [[Librarian]] investigating a Flood Pod infector in ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Terminal (Halo 4)|terminals]].
File:HW2-SpikedInfectionform.jpg|A pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:Flood infector Spirit of Fire.jpg|A Flood Pod infector inside the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s cryo-room in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
File:HW2-Squish.gif|Atriox crushes a pod infector in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HSA Flood mode.jpg|Flood Pod infectors in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
File:HW2 FloodSpawner Release.png|A Flood spawner form releasing pod infectors in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:MercyFlood.jpg|A Pod infector attacks the Prophet of Mercy, eventually killing him.
File:HINF Unknown Cylix Scan.png|A pod infector trapped in a [[Cylix]] on [[Installation 07]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:TFS-Krunch.png|Jerome-092 destroying a Pod infector in a single punch in ''[[Something has Happened]]''.
File:HINF - Charm icon - Infection charm.png|A pod infector weapon charm in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form models.jpg|Models of the Pod infector for ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2 - Flood infection form.jpg|More detailed models.
File:HW2_InfectorTidalWave_Concept.jpg|Banished forces succumbing to a tidal wave of Pod infectors.
File:HW2-SpikedInfectionform.jpg|A Pod infector killed by a Banished Jiralhanae's Spiker in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-Squish.gif|Atriox crushes a Pod infector.
File:HOD-InfectionForm.jpg|An infection form at [[Outpost Discovery]].
File:HINF Unknown Cylix Scan.png|A Pod infector trapped in a [[Cylix]] on [[Installation 07]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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