Morsam-pattern Seraph

Morsam-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter
Production information
Manufacturer:	Assembly Forges
Class:	Seraph
Role:	Combat space fighter
Technical specifications
Length:	31.0 meters (101.8 ft)
Width:	15.1 meters (49.5 ft)
Height:	5.6 meters (18.4 ft)
Mass:	61.7 metric tons (60.7 LT; 68.0 ST)
Engine(s):	Impulse drive
Hull:	Nanolaminate hull plating Equipped with energy shielding;
Armament:	4× Gle'mahn-pattern heavy plasma cannons; 4x Novox-pattern fuel rod cannons; 1× Plasma charge;
Crew:	1 pilot
Chronological and affiliation
Era:	Human-Covenant War; Post-Covenant War conflicts;
Affiliation:	Covenant; Jul 'Mdama's Covenant; Swords of Sanghelios; Keepers of the One Freedom; Banished;

This article is about the Seraph seen in Halo: Reach, Halo 4 and several other sources. For the Seraph model seen in Halo 2 and Halo 3, see Kai-pattern Seraph.

The Morsam-pattern Heavy Strike Fighter (UNSC Type classification: Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multirole Fighter),^[1] was one of the main production models of the Covenant's Seraph space fighters, alongside the older Kai-pattern Seraph.^[2] Formerly manufactured and produced by Assembly Forges, the Seraph is the successor to the older Tarasque-class heavy fighter. It is a more powerful, though less common counterpart to the unshielded and expendable Elsedda-pattern Banshee.^[7]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The Seraph features a piscine, teardrop-like shape, fitting with the overall design elegance the Covenant is known for. Seraph fighters are mostly stored in the hangar bays of Covenant ships or stations when they are not in battle or escorting a ship. Morsam-pattern Seraphs have two movable flaps on either side of their hull, and their twin "tails" are articulated to aid with directing exhaust. These features give the Seraph superior turning capabilities in zero-gravity environments. Despite their efficiency and speed in space, Seraph fighters are graceless and sluggish in atmospheric conditions due to their odd teardrop-like shape. Seraphs fill a variety of roles in a Covenant fleet, such as a strike fighter or for ship-to-ship combat in dogfights.^[8] Seraphs can also be used for the occasional bombing run.^[5]

As the Covenant's main space-based attack fighter, the Seraph is highly maneuverable while in space, and can easily keep pace with the UNSC's GA-TL1 Longsword.^[5]

Armaments[edit]

Seraphs have demonstrated that they are a very effective counter-weapon against Longsword interceptors unless the latter attacks from the side or behind. Seraphs usually attack in formations of ten, their assaults on enemy ships range from simple harassment to full-out strafing attacks. They have also been seen patrolling in pairs. It is assumed that Seraph fighters can be piloted by a single Sangheili or Jiralhanae.^[5]

The Seraph is armed with a variety of weapons. Seraphs are seen firing multiple heavy plasma cannons and are also armed with fuel rod cannons and plasma charges for strafing and bombing runs.^[5] The Seraph's four fuel rod cannons are also capable of locking onto air targets.^[4] The plasma charge's flames are 3,000 degrees.^[6]

Operational history[edit]

During the Fall of Reach, the Seraphs attempted to disable the UNSC ships and orbital stations over the planet Reach, while providing some cover for the Covenant boarding crews. These attempts were subsequently prevented by UNSC Sabre-class interceptors, frigates, and Longsword interceptors.^[9]

During the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 04, as the UNSC Pillar of Autumn was boarded by Covenant forces of the Fleet of Particular Justice, Seraph fighters, as well as Elsedda-pattern Banshee were deployed to attack the UNSC cruiser. The ODSTs of Fireteam Raven managed to activate the vessel's M910 Rampart point defense network, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Seraphs and Banshees.^[10]

During the Skirmish over Threshold, the Covenant Ruma-pattern light carrier Ascendant Justice deployed Seraphs to stop the approach of the Longsword fighter commanded by John-117. However, John and his makeshift crew sent a remote-piloted Pelican dropship with M1011 Moray space mines attached ahead of them. Though the dropship was destroyed, the mines detached and destroyed the Seraph squadron, allowing the Longsword to land safely in Ascendant Justice's hanger bay.^[11]

Following the end of the Human-Covenant War, Mosam-pattern Seraphs were adopted by numerous Covenant remnant factions. On February 7, 2558, when the UNSC Infinity returned to the shield world Requiem to engage the local Promethean forces, numerous Seraphs belonging to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant were deployed around Requiem to prevent the humans from gaining entrance. These Seraphs attacked Infinity and the Pelicans it deployed to the surface, but were repelled by a squadron of F-41 Broadsword strike fighters.^[12] Several Seraphs from Jul 'Mdama's Covenant attacked Infinity during the Battle of Aktis IV.^[13] Several wings saw action on both sides during the Battle of Sunaion.^[14] In October 2559, the Banished and Castor's Keepers of the One Freedom forces employed Morsam-pattern Seraphs on Reach.^[15]^[16] Banished Seraphs were present during the opening space battle of the Battle for Zeta Halo.^[17]

Gameplay[edit]

Halo: Reach[edit]

Main article: Halo: Reach

In Long Night of Solace, there is a glitch that makes it possible to hit a Seraph with an EMP shot from a plasma pistol and hijack it.^[18] With the Forge update given to Halo: Reach as part of its inclusion in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the Seraph was added to the Forge inventories of Forge World and Tempest.

Halo: Fleet Battles[edit]

Main article: Halo: Fleet Battles

Covenant Seraph Interceptor Flight[edit]

Flight slots: 1
Movement: 16"
Damage track: 2
Systems loadout: None
Weapons: vs. wing targets
- Range: Contact
- Dice: 2

Trivia[edit]

In the Halo: Reach post-game stats, the Seraph icon is erroneously represented by the image of a Sabre. On Halo Waypoint, the image is that of a regular Type-26 Banshee. On Bungie.net, the correct image of a Seraph is shown.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art and illustrations[edit]

Early design explorations for the Type-31 Morsam-pattern Seraph in Halo: Reach.
Another design exploration of what would become the Seraph.
Concept art of the Seraph.
Seraphs attacking Blue Team on the cover art for Halo: Shadows of Reach.

Screenshots[edit]

Side view of the Seraph in Halo: Reach.
Views of the Seraph in Halo: Reach.
Profile view of the Type-31 Morsam-pattern Seraph in Halo: Reach.
An angled side view of a Seraph.
Fore view of a Seraph.
A top-down view of the Morsam-pattern Seraph.
A Seraph shot down by UNSC anti-air turret nearby the Sabre Program Launch/Research Range.
Three Seraph starfighters in formation.
A Seraph being shot by a Sabre during Operation: UPPER CUT.
Seraph-class starfighters docked inside a Covenant corvette's hangar.
Two Seraph starfighters. Take note of the tail booms, indicating the turning direction of the craft.
A Seraph in orbit above Reach.
The Seraph firing its plasma cannons.
The Seraph firing its quad-fuel rod cannons.
The Seraph's HUD in Halo: Reach with the plasma cannon equipped.
The Seraph's HUD with the fuel rod gun equipped.
The Seraph locking on to a Sabre.
The Seraph with a target lock.
The Seraph's tail moves when it does flips and rolls.
A damaged Seraph.
A Morsam can be seen in the sky over Sunaion in Halo 5: Guardians (top-right).

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 169
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 288
^ Halo: Reach, 3D model data
^ ^a ^b ^c Halo: Reach, Seraph in-game vehicle
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 283
^ ^a ^b Halo:Ghosts of Onyx, chapter Prologue
^ Halo: Reach, game manual
^ Halo Waypoint, Banshee Fighter (Retrieved on Jan 30, 2013) [archive]
^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
^ Halo: Fireteam Raven, campaign level Escape
^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 6
^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Departure
^ Halo: Escalation, issue 15
^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Battle of Sunaion
^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 7
^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, cover art
^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 1
^ Bungie.net: How To Fly the Seraph - Tutorial

[evg-1] Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 169

[Enc22-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 288

[3] Halo: Reach, 3D model data

[forge-4] Halo: Reach, Seraph in-game vehicle

[Enc11-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 283

[HGoO-6] Halo:Ghosts of Onyx, chapter Prologue

[7] Halo: Reach, game manual

[8] Halo Waypoint, Banshee Fighter (Retrieved on Jan 30, 2013) [archive]

[lnos-9] Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace

[10] Halo: Fireteam Raven, campaign level Escape

[11] Halo: First Strike, chapter 6

[12] Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Departure

[13] Halo: Escalation, issue 15

[14] Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Battle of Sunaion

[15] Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 7

[16] Halo: Shadows of Reach, cover art

[17] Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 1

[18] Bungie.net: How To Fly the Seraph - Tutorial

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