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| {{Title|''Skar'wa''-pattern Mantis}} | | {{Era|H2|H3}} |
| {{Status|Canon}}
| | {{Ratings}} |
| {{disambig header|the Covenant anti-air cannon nicknamed the "Mantis"|the powered exoskeleton|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Mantis}} | | <center>''You may be looking for the related article: [[Covenant Air Artillery]]''</center> |
| {{Weapon infobox
| | [[Image:1216012025 Anti-Aircraft Battery.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Anti-Aircraft Battery is used almost exclusively as a giant ground to air battery in Halo 3.]] |
| |name=''Skar'wa''-pattern Sky Striker
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| |image=[[File:T27 AAC.png|300px]]
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| |manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|EVG|Page=117}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=304}}
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| |series=
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| |type=[[Anti-aircraft weapon]]
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| |cost=
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| |variant=
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| |service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
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| |length={{Convert|196.1|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
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| |width=
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| |height={{Convert|121.2|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}
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| |weight={{Convert|154.3|MT|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
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| |ammotype=Ultra-heavy [[plasma]] bolts
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| |capacity=
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| |feed=Unlimited{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}
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| |operation=
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| |rate=Single shot
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| |velocity=
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| |optics=
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| |range=
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| }}
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| {{Quote|They're setting up an AA battery. That thing'll tear the [[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]] apart...|An [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}}}
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| The '''''Skar'wa''-pattern Sky Striker'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{Type|27|Anti-Aircraft Cannon|AAC}}, nicknamed the "'''Mantis'''",{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} is an automated [[Covenant]] ground-based stationary anti-aircraft emplacement and the most storied extreme-range artillery piece in the service of the empire.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} | |
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| ==Overview==
| | {{quote|They're setting up an AA battery. That thing'll tear the [[Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]] apart...|[[ODST]]}} |
| ===Design details===
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| The ''Skar'wa''-pattern is sleek and light in construction, composed of a large ultra-heavy [[plasma cannon]] situated atop a large tripod mount,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} which houses platforms for snipers and spotters on two of its three sides. The three legs are able to adjust to a given terrain. The gun component rests on a proportionally small joint which is complemented by an energy field,{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} and allows 360-degree movement. The weapon itself stands at a height of 36.9 meters (121.2 feet) and has a length of 59.8 meters (196.1 ft).{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} Overall, despite a similar operation, the Mantis masses just over a third as much as the similarly-used {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}} cannon. This mass differential allows the Mantis to be more easily stored and deployed in field operations, compared to the Tyrant's semi-permanent nature of installation.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} A Mantis AA battery can be quickly assembled using modules transported by common [[dropship]]s such as [[Phantom]]s. This makes them ideal for deployment in narrow gorges or dense cityscapes.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}
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| The weapon's energy capacity is unlimited, but it must cool off and release its excess heat after every shot, exposing its weak point; the interior is vulnerable through the heat vent, which is located on the underside the cradle component. A certain amount of damage to the interior will destroy the AA battery; this makes it vulnerable to infantry and ground vehicle attacks. While heavy weapons make quick work of the delicate cooling vent and interior, small-arms fire can be nearly as effective; as few as three overcharged shots from a [[Type-25 plasma pistol]] can fatally cripple the gun emplacement.{{Ref/Level|Id=storm|H3|The Storm}}{{Ref/Level|Id=ark|H3|The Ark (level)|The Ark}} | | The '''Anti-Aircraft Battery'''<ref>''[[Crow's Nest (Level)]]'', ''[[Halo 3]]''</ref> is a [[Covenant Loyalist]] ground-based stationary anti-aircraft emplacement. It fires bolts of [[plasma]] that are extremely damaging. A single round can severly damage a [[C709 Longsword-class Interceptor]]. |
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| Mantis cannons require no crew to operate the weapon, and are instead served by a remote link paired with predictive flight-tracking algorithms.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Troops are often stationed in the vicinity of the AA guns—as well as in their marksman perches—to safeguard them from opposing ground forces. It is not uncommon to find several [[lance]]s guarding these emplacements, led by a high-ranking Covenant officer. During the final battles of [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Jiralhanae]] [[Chieftain]]s were often seen commanding these emplacements and its garrisoned ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} Mantis AA batteries are often additionally supplemented by multiple [[skyhunter]] tanks nearby such as the {{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}}, who provide closer-in defence against smaller and more agile aircraft. This lets the Mantis primarily focus on larger threats such as [[GA-TL1 Longsword]]s or even [[warship]]s - Mantis batteries are a threat to [[UNSC frigate]]s, and are capable of denying local [[warship]] support to ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}{{Ref/Reuse|storm}} Their cannons are capable of fire at extreme ranges,{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} allowing them to secure the air and near-orbital space of a given region with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
| | ==Appearances== |
| | ===Halo 2 E3 Demo=== |
| | {{main|Halo 2 E3 Demo}} |
| | [[Image:P1a5ma_m0r7ar.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A Covenant Artillery piece from ''[[Halo 2]]''.]] |
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| Ultra-heavy plasma cannons analogous to that fitted on the Mantis are also fielded aboard the {{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} walkers, allowing them to serve as mobile heavy anti-air artillery.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
| | The AA Battery was first seen in the ''[[Halo 2 E3 Demo]]''. When the [[Covenant]] invaded [[Mombasa]], they stationed a handful of artillery pieces on the ground, which demolished UNSC buildings. Eventually, [[SPARTAN-117]] and his group of [[Marine]]s encountered one, and [[Sergeant]] [[Banks]] called in a [[Longsword]] air strike to destroy the stationary mortar. They fired plasma bolts similar to that of Wraiths and in indirect parabolic trajectories. A sizable difference is that in the demo the Anti-Aircraft Battery is larger than its Halo 2 and Halo 3 successors. |
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| ==Operational history== | | ===Halo 2=== |
| Mantis anti-air guns saw use during the [[Battle of Meridian]], when 18 heavily guarded batteries were destroyed by the first prototype of the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX ADS]] in an action known as the "Cherbourg Run". The event has been suggested as one possibility as to how the Mark IX got its nickname of "Mantis" within the UNSC armed forces.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=111}}
| | {{main|Halo 2}} |
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| Mantis guns were heavily deployed by [[Truth's fleet]] during the later stages of the [[Human-Covenant War]]. One such weapon was the target of a UNSC operation during the [[Battle of Voi]] on [[2552#November|November 17th, 2552]], having been deployed in the town of [[Voi]] in order to keep the UNSC forces away from the [[Portal at Voi|Portal]] excavation. The UNSC planned a low-level strike, using frigates and Longswords, to attack the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' which was resting on the Portal. Throughout the battle, the AA battery fired continuously, and managed to destroy at least one Longsword. [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and [[John-117|SPARTAN-117]] eventually breached the Covenant resistance in Voi and destroyed the AA gun, allowing Lord [[Terrence Hood]]'s ships to assault ''Anodyne Spirit''.{{Ref/Reuse|storm}}
| | The roles of the AA Battery pieces as an active part of the Covenant assault were greatly downgraded in ''[[Halo 2]]'', as the entire [[Battle of Mombasa]] was downgraded. The [[Covenant]] apparently placed several artillery pieces on the beachheads of [[New Mombasa]], but did not fire them.<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]''</ref> |
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| Several weeks later, a number of Mantis guns were deployed by Truth's forces during the [[Battle of Installation 00]] as part of efforts to prevent joint UNSC-[[Covenant separatists|separatist]] ships above from reinforcing their troops on the ground. However, these batteries remained incomplete, as Master Chief with the assistance of several [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s stopped their construction, allowing {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} to land nearby.{{Ref/Reuse|ark}}
| | It is possible they were a form of Artillery rather than an Anti-Air unit as it is called that in the Halo 2 E3 gameplay trailer. In the trailer the wounded Sergeant Banks tells HQ that he has hostile Artillery 200 meters north/northeast of his position. |
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| ==Gallery== | | ===Halo 3=== |
| {{Linkbox|gallery=yes}} | | {{main|Halo 3}} |
| ===Development images===
| | [[Image:Phantom Construction.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Covenant often make use of [[Phantom|Phantoms]] to construct their AA in good time, as seen in Halo 3.]] |
| <gallery>
| | [[Image:H3 E3 Shootdown.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The AA Battery shoots down a Longsword Interceptor]] |
| File:H3 T27Mantis Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Mantis.
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| File:HTMCC H3 Achievement Milk Carton.png|Concept art for an earlier iteration of [[The Storm]], in which the Mantis gun would have been placed inside the town.
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| File:H3 BFG Pre Redesign.jpg|An in-game look at the Mantis before its redesign.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/3d288J|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo 3 - Environment Work|Quote=Halo 3 - Covenant BFG before slight redesign|Quotee=Jason Keith|D=23|M=06|Y=2021}} Notice the purple color.
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| File:The Storm AA Gun.jpg|An early model Mantis AA gun at the end of The Storm.
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| File:HR MantisLightAA Concept.jpg|''[[Halo: Reach]]'' concept art for a light AA gun utilising the Mantis' design as a basis - in contrast to the Tyrant's depiction as a heavy AA gun.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSiRsmnIqu/|Site=Instagram|Page=Glenn Israel|Quote=Halo Reach - Covenant light artillery platform (2009)|D=28|M=04|Y=2022}}
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| File:Reach-Concept-Nightfall-LZ.jpg|Concept art for Mantis guns in the Covenant landing zone in the ''Reach'' level [[Nightfall]].
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| </gallery>
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| ===Screenshots===
| | The AA Battery can be seen in the level [[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]] and is the main objective of the level, which is to destroy it so that [[Lord Hood]] can start attacking [[Truth]]'s ships with his small fleet or frigates. This time, the bolts that it fires are in a teardrop shape similar to shade and plasma rounds and in an almost straight trajectory. The plasma bolts are extremely powerful, since even their wake is able to take down a [[Longsword]]. However, the battery must cool off and release its excess plasma after every shot. This makes the AA battery vulnerable to infantry and ground vehicle attacks. An AA Battery under construction can be seen in the level [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]. Troops are often stationed on and around the gun to safeguard it from ground forces. |
| <gallery>
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| File:H3-T27MantisAAC-ScanRender.png|View of the Mantis' right side.
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| File:1216012025_Anti-Aircraft_Battery.jpg|A ''Skar'wa''-pattern emplacement on a hill in Voi, Kenya.
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| File:Mantis_2.jpg|A rear view of the Mantis, showing how the emplacement's legs adjust to terrain.
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| File:Phantom Construction.jpg|The Covenant use a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] to transport the components of a Mantis to their deployment site on the Ark.
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| File:H3 E3 Shootdown.jpg|A Longsword interceptor shot down by a Mantis.
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| File:Covenant Anti-Air gun.jpg|A Mantis cannon firing.
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| File:AAgun firing.jpg|A plasma bolt fired by a Mantis from another angle.
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| </gallery>
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| == List of appearances == | | ==Trivia== |
| *''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}} | | *The Covenant [[Locust]] bears noticeable resemblance to the ''[[Halo 2]]'' design of the AA battery. |
| *''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}} | | *Oddly it can be destroyed by overcharged plasma pistols. |
| | *In ''[[Halo 2]]'', it is unknown whether the [[Covenant]] placed them as a deterrent or as an effective offensive weapon, since none appears to be fired. |
| | *In ''[[Halo 2]]'', if you mod the maps with the AA battery present, you can witness the intended projectile of the weapon. It is very similar to the [[E3]] Demo projectile. This projectile looks exactly the same as a Wraith's Plasma Mortar shot, but has very high damage and an extremely large explosion radius, which is about twice that of the Scarab's main gun beam. |
| | *It is found in the Halo 3 level [[The Storm]] and [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]. |
| | *It is unclear about how powerful these weapons are. In The Ark, it was reported that one AA gun could "tear the Dawn apart!" |
| | * The AA battery seems to have an interior, possible a command center or fire conrtol, the edges on the outside can also be used as sniper posts as seen in "The Ark" |
| | *No matter how long you wait on "The Ark you wil never see the wraith drop off the piece it is delivering, you will either be pushed onward by your fellow marines or me spotted by the Jackal snipers. |
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
| | | [[Category:The Covenant]] |
| {{Covenant heavy weapons}}
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| [[Category:Covenant weapons]] | |
| [[Category:Artillery]]
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| [[Category:Plasma weapons]]
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