Editing Shifter

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Flood infobox
|image={{tabcontainer|title1=Stalker|content1=[[File:FloodSchleicher.png|250px]]|title2=Ranged|content2=[[File:TLJ_Flood_Ranged_Form.png|200px]]|title3=Tank|content3=[[File:Flood_Tank_Form.png|250px]]}}
|distinctions=Can transform into various configurations to suit the Flood's needs.
|attacks=Varies based on configuration
|notable=
}}
The '''Shifter''' is the most common variation of [[Flood]] [[Flood pure form|pure form]].{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=410}}

==Background==
Flood Shifters are [[Flood pure form|pure forms]] that possess the ability to alter their configuration in response to the Flood's immediate needs. Shifters are created for the purposes of direct assaults and the support of existing [[Flood combat form|combat forms]]. Shifters are an undifferentiated mass of [[Flood Super Cell]]s that can spontaneously adjust into specialized functions in order to accommodate their present purposes, but they generally transition between three separate configurations during combat, each form serving to counter a particular threat in any given situation. Shifters are most often found near newly established [[Flood hive]]s, synergistically using their native-born environment to fiercely protect the lair from any perceived threat until larger pure forms can be created.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}

==Configurations==
===Stalker===
{{Main|Flood stalker form}}
When mobility is needed the Shifter will transform into a stalker configuration. In this form, their body sits horizontally and it possesses two powerful hind legs with long toe-like appendages that grant it the ability to rapidly traverse all manner of surfaces, including vertical walls and ceilings, as well as a pair of front limbs ending in powerful claws that it to defend itself if an enemy closes proximity to it. Shifters in this form tend to avoid direct combat, instead seeking to place themselves in a position in which they can transform to one of their other forms to more effectively engage opponents.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3}}

===Ranged===
{{Main|Flood ranged form}}
When facing a distant threat, the Shifter will place itself in an advantageous position before transforming into a ranged configuration. In this arrangement, the Shifter's body resembled a large pod-like creature sitting atop two squat hind legs and a single multi-pronged forelimb. The creature's abdomen segment rests atop its body and is covered in razor-sharp, calcified spikes of which it can barrage enemies from afar. In this form, the Shifter cannot move, but it can quickly transform into another configuration if it needs to relocate.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}  

===Tank===
{{Main|Flood tank form}}
For frontal assaults, the Shifter can transform into a hulking tank configuration, balancing the mobility of the stalker with the aggression of the ranged form. This form of the Shifter possesses enormous scythe-like forearms that it can use to inflict devastating damage on its enemies at close range. While this form is generally quite slow, lumbering forward on its ungainly, trunk-like legs, it is capable of short bursts of speed with the aid of its forelimbs in order to close the distance to its target. Tank forms have also been observed to have the ability to spew up torrents of [[Pod infector]]s from their 'mouths'. While not considered any more lethal than other pure forms, Shifters in this configuration nonetheless strike fear in the heart of any foolish enough to intrude on their domain.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}  
        
==History==
During the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], Shifter forms were among the myriad of [[Flood]] forms that were utilized over the course of the galaxy-wide conflict.{{Ref/Film|Id=HLO|Film=Halo Legends|Story=Origins|StoryLinkText=Origins}} Following the [[Great Purification|firing]] of the [[Halo Array]], a number of Shifter forms were kept in containment on several of the Halo rings, including [[Installation 04]]{{Ref/Game|ID=FTR|FTR}} and [[Installation 05]]{{Ref/Map|H3|Cold Storage}}. 

During the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle of]] [[Installation 04]] in [[2552#September|September 2552]], many Shifter forms were able to escape from their containment following the accidental release of the Flood by [[Covenant]] forces. Primarily utilizing their tank configurations, large numbers of Shifters were encountered by both Covenant and [[UNSC]] troops, including [[Fireteam Raven]], during the later stages of the conflict.{{Ref/Reuse|FTR}}

Following the large-scale Flood [[Battle of Installation 05|outbreak]] at [[Installation 05]], and their subsequent [[Fall of High Charity|infestation]] of [[High Charity]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]], the former Covenant Holy City was converted into a Flood [[Flood hive]]. With access to enormous amounts of biomass from the High Charity's millions of consumed inhabitants, the Flood were able to generate pure forms, including Shifters.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}} A number of Shifters were among the Flood forms carried to [[Earth]] on board the infected ''CCS''-class battlecruiser ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'', and would soon spread across the city of [[Voi]] following the ship's crash landing. Many were neutralized by UNSC and [[Sangheili]] forces spearheaded by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] during their push to the cruiser's crash site. Any remaining Shifters were destroyed  during the [[glassing]] of the city by [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili warships]] at the conclusion of the [[Battle of Voi|battle]].{{Ref/Level|H3|Floodgate}} 

During the [[Installation 00|Ark]] [[Battle of Installation 00|Conflict]], following the arrival of High Charity at the installation, a pair of Shifters infiltrated the [[Installation 00 Citadel|citadel]] where the [[Prophet of Truth]] was preparing to fire the Halo Array, confronting John-117 and Thel 'Vadam in their tank configurations. Rather than attack the human and Sangheili, the [[Gravemind]] spoke through the Shifters, promising to assist the duo in their assault on the final bastion of Covenant defenses as they both sought to stop the firing of the Array. These Shifters, along with [[Pod infector]]s and [[Flood combat form|combat forms]], aided John-117 and 'Vadam on their push through the remaining Covenant troops, ultimately stopping Truth before turning on the Spartan and Sangheili once the threat of the Array was neutralized.{{Ref/Level|H3|The Covenant (level)|The Covenant}} Large numbers of Shifters resided in the remains of High Charity and fought against John-117 during his [[Raid on High Charity|mission]] to rescue [[Cortana]], but they ultimately failed and High Charity was destroyed by the Spartan.{{Ref/Level|H3|Cortana (level)|Cortana}} In a last-ditch attempt to prevent John-117 and Thel 'Vadam from firing the newly-constructed [[Installation 08]], the remains of the Gravemind launched waves of [[Flood dispersal pod]]s containing Shifters and combat forms onto the surface of the ring, but they once again failed and were obliterated along with the rest of the Flood when the Halo was fired.{{Ref/Level|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}}  

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H3 Stalker Attack.jpg|A Shifter in its stalker form leaping through the air in [[Voi]].
File:H3 FloodRangedForms.jpg|A pair of Shifters in their ranged forms on [[Installation 08]].
File:Flood Tank Pure Form on Earth.jpg|A Shifter in its tank form in Voi.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' 
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

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