Flare: Difference between revisions

Flare
Production overview
Type:	Equipment
Specifications
Weight:	3.1 kilograms (6.82 pounds)
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War ; Great Schism

Latest revision as of 15:52, January 12, 2023

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The flare is a piece of equipment manufactured and used by the Jiralhanae. It is used to blind enemy personnel.

Overview[edit]

An unarmed Flare in bright light.

Flares are visually identical to radar jammers and power drains save for their yellow glow. When a player picks up a flare, the equipment piece is represented on the heads-up display by a circle with multiple rays coming from it.

The flare functions in a similar manner to a stun grenade, blinding enemies by emitting an extremely bright flash of light. However, unlike conventional stun grenades, the flare has no effect on an enemy's hearing, and the flash of light lasts for several seconds before dimming. Personnel who are within close range of a flare are completely blinded regardless of whether their vision is directed elsewhere, whereas personnel at a distance are able to retain their vision if they look away from the flash while the flare is in operation.

Flares were used almost exclusively by Jiralhanae forces following the events of the Great Schism.

In-Game[edit]

Though flares can be Forged into every map in the game, they do not appear in any maps by default. They used to spawn in Guardian and Isolation, but were removed during a title update as a result of the Equipment jumping glitch, which allowed players to use flares and other items to reach inordinate heights in Matchmaking. Because of this, flares are only used in modified map variants and some campaign levels.

The flare can be used to surprise and blind opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering you just as much as your opponent and is useful for planning your escape from your enemies. Bungie employee Jaime Griesemer described one strategy: "See a bunch of people guarding the flag? Throw the flare down. By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too."^[2]

Disadvantages[edit]

When deploying a flare, a player will almost always find themselves within the flare's area of effect; this causes the user to be blinded. A blinded player's heads-up display, motion tracker, and reticle, however, are unaffected. This allows a target to simply look around rapidly, shooting when the reticle turns red. Similarly, both the user and the target of a flare can turn around rapidly before or as it activates, mitigating the resulting loss of vision. These traits serve as both disadvantages and advantages, depending on who uses them. Such strategies work best when used against people who are unfamiliar with them.

Trivia[edit]

In Campaign, the flare has no effect whatsoever on enemies. They will be able to shoot you regardless; this is because AI-controlled NPCs use a raytracing-like algorithm to detect targets, and this algorithm does not take light or color into account.
If an active flare gets stuck by a plasma grenade, the grenade will cease to exist and the flare will continue as if nothing happened.
Despite the blinding effect, the flare does not appear to illuminate its surrounding environment when seen from a distance.
M7057 flamethrower shares a similar effect when either the ground is on fire or any units on fire is surrounding users albeit with weaker effect.

Gallery[edit]

The flare HUD icon.
The flare equipment in action.

List of appearances[edit]

Halo 3 (First appearance)
Halo 3: ODST

Sources[edit]

^ http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576
^ EGM September 2007 Issue

[1] ttp://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576

[2] EGM September 2007 Issue

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Ratings}}
+{{Status|Canon}}
-{{Era|H3}}
+{{Cleanup}}
-{{Weapon
+{{Weapon infobox
-| image=[[Image:Flare.jpg]]
+| image=[[File:H3-Flare.png|300px]]
 | name=Flare
-| manufacturer=Brutes
+| manufacturer=
 | type=Equipment
-| size=Dimensions
+| weight= 3.1 kilograms (6.82 pounds)<ref>http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576</ref>
-*Weight : 3.1 kilograms (6.82 pounds)<ref>http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576</ref>
+| service=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Great Schism]]
+| affiliation=[[Covenant]]
 }}
-The ''Flare'' is a piece of [[equipment]] in [[Halo 3]].
+The '''flare''' is a piece of [[equipment]] manufactured and used by the [[Jiralhanae]]. It is used to blind enemy personnel.
 ==Overview==
-[[Image:H3 Flare.jpg|left|thumb|200px|An unarmed Flare in bright light]]
+[[File:H3 Flare.jpg|left|thumb|200px|An unarmed Flare in bright light.]]
-The '''flare''' [[equipment]] type is similar in appearance to the [[Radar Jammer]] and [[Power Drain]] and makes its debut in [[Halo 3]]. It functions in a similar manner to a flashbang [[grenade]], blinding foes and allies alike.<ref>Leaked scans of September issue of EGM.</ref> Its symbol in the [[HUD]] is a circle with multiple rays coming from it. This equipment type was only featured in two [[multiplayer]] maps by default, [[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]] and [[Isolation (Level)|Isolation]]. Both have been removed by an update. It is mainly used to surprise your opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering you just as much as your opponent and is useful for planning your escape from your enemies.
+Flares are visually identical to [[radar jammer]]s and [[power drain]]s save for their yellow glow. When a player picks up a flare, the equipment piece is represented on the [[heads-up display]] by a circle with multiple rays coming from it.
-[[Image:Flare in Action.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Flare in blinding action from medium distance.]](In reference to the Flare Equipment by Griesemer): The Flare merely creates a blinding white light rather than hurts, anyone friend or foe alike who sees it-and that's OK. "If you have a short range [[weapon]], the flare will blind foes long enough for you to get close" says Griesemer. His favorite strategy? "See a bunch of people guarding the flag? Throw the flare down." He says "By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too." Just take care to divert your own eyes-the Flare will blind the player who throws it, too. - EGM September 2007 Issue
+The flare functions in a similar manner to a [[Wikipedia:Hand grenade#Stun|stun grenade]], blinding enemies by emitting an extremely bright flash of light. However, unlike conventional stun grenades, the flare has no effect on an enemy's hearing, and the flash of light lasts for several seconds before dimming. Personnel who are within close range of a flare are completely blinded regardless of whether their vision is directed elsewhere, whereas personnel at a distance are able to retain their vision if they look away from the flash while the flare is in operation.
-== Disadvantages ==
+Flares were used almost exclusively by Jiralhanae forces following the events of the Great Schism.
-The player ''cannot'' see within the Flare's proximity and confines as well as the the battlefield even if he or she deploys it in open combat. There is a way to counter it, but is quite difficult. The Flare will blind you, but your HUD, and more importantly, your reticule, is unaffected by it. If you're blinded, swing your view around until it turns red, and open fire. Many players have stated getting "lucky kills" by noticing and taking advantage of this.
-The other easy way of avoiding being blinded by your own flares is to throw it towards an enemy and then quickly turn around before it goes off.  This will damage your vision slightly but won't completely blind you. The same thing works with enemy flares; if you look away as soon as the enemy throws it, it will only have a weakened effect and you can still see well enough to shoot your opponents into oblivion while they remain oblivious to your location.
+==In-Game==
+Though flares can be [[Forge]]d into every map in the game, they do not appear in any maps by default. They used to spawn in [[Guardian (map)|Guardian]] and [[Isolation]], but were removed during a title update as a result of the [[Equipment jumping]] glitch, which allowed players to use flares and other items to reach inordinate heights in [[Matchmaking]]. Because of this, flares are only used in modified map variants and some [[campaign]] levels.
-Of course, such strategies will only work on those who are unfamiliar with the tactics discussed here.
+The flare can be used to surprise and blind opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering you just as much as your opponent and is useful for planning your escape from your enemies. [[Bungie]] employee [[Jaime Griesemer]] described one strategy: "See a bunch of people guarding the [[flag]]? Throw the flare down. By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too."<ref>EGM September 2007 Issue</ref>
+== Disadvantages ==
+When deploying a flare, a player will almost always find themselves within the flare's area of effect; this causes the user to be blinded. A blinded player's heads-up display, [[motion tracker]], and [[reticle]], however, are unaffected. This allows a target to simply look around rapidly, shooting when the reticle turns red. Similarly, both the user and the target of a flare can turn around rapidly before or as it activates, mitigating the resulting loss of vision. These traits serve as both disadvantages and advantages, depending on who uses them. Such strategies work best when used against people who are unfamiliar with them.
 == Trivia ==
-*The flare lasts about 4 seconds before it self destructs.
+{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
-*In [[Campaign]], the Flare has no effect what-so-ever on enemies. They will be able to shoot you regardless because the game just gives the enemies the player's coordinates to shoot at. It seems as if the Flare's sole purpose for existing in Campaign is for enemies to use them against you.
+*In Campaign, the flare has no effect whatsoever on enemies. They will be able to shoot you regardless; this is because AI-controlled NPCs use a raytracing-like algorithm to detect targets, and this algorithm does not take light or color into account.
-*The Flare shares many physical similarities with the [[Radar Jammer]] and [[Power Drain]], with the exception of a yellow glow instead of a red or blue glow.
+*If an active flare gets stuck by a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenade]], the grenade will cease to exist and the flare will continue as if nothing happened.
-*Although the Flare blinds you completely, it does not get rid of your motion sensor, allowing you to still know where you and your enemies are.
+*Despite the blinding effect, the flare does not appear to illuminate its surrounding environment when seen from a distance.
-*If one is attentive, even when blinded by a Flare you can see the red names of your enemies.
+*[[M7057 flamethrower]] shares a similar effect when either the ground is on fire or any units on fire is surrounding users albeit with weaker effect.
-*One of the best tactics for capture the flag is someone having the Flare and an ally having a Radar Jammer. That way, enemies are completely unaware of your position.
-*If the player accidentally looks at an active flare, looking away will not completely get rid of the effects.
+==Gallery==
-*Using the Flare in Campaign will sometimes make [[Grunts]] and [[Brutes]] dodge or panic, the [[Grunts]] fleeing and the [[Brutes]] going berserk.
+<gallery widths="150">
-*If the Flare is deployed to reach a large distance away from the user, and if the user can cope with a small lighting issue from the flare, the user can snipe opponents without them knowing where this is all happening or knowing where the cover is. This can be especially good if the opponents have long range weapons to counter the [[Sniper Rifle]] or [[Beam Rifle]].
+File:Flarehud.svg|The flare HUD icon.
-*The Flare is thrown like a grenade, but it does not go nearly as far.
+File:1218136093 Flare.jpg|The flare equipment in action.
-*Sometimes the glow is purple when glitched randomly, also it can be green or red.
+</gallery>
-*The flare was cut from matchmaking, due to the "Double jump" which allows players to get to hard or glitched places.
-*In reality, the Flare's effects would not blind a fully armored Spartan, as the MJOLNIR armor's visor automatically polarizes in extreme light.
-*New players might mistake this for the power draim or radar jammer
-==Strategy==
-*In [[CTF]] the user can throw it in the flag room and run in and collect the flag.
-*When deployed in narrow corridors its very useful for blinding all in it.
-*If used in small areas in [[Infection]] its good for making quick escapes
-*Useful in conjunction with a short range weapon against a sniper, throwing the flare at the sniper makes it impossible to see you.
-*A simple but annoying tactic, is in Forge, to set the Flare to respawn instantly after being picked up. The player can then continue to throw flares in the same place and create a miniature sun. The normal extreme light of the Flare is amplified and the entire screen goes completely white, with the exception of the motion tracker and HUD, of course. It can be used to simply annoy other players, or if used with a partner, a sniping asset. Silhouettes of the players in the Flare's radius are visible, and for a sniper located farther away, its an easy way to rack up kills. However, the Flare-dropper can also be killed by accident by the sniper, thus ending the "flashlight of death".
-*On the level [[High Ground]], the Flare can be used with the [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Portable_Gravity_Lift Portable Gravity Lift] to penetrate the Turret/Sniper Guards.
-*Is best used on the level [[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]], since it has many small rooms and hallways.
-==Images==
+==List of appearances==
-<GALLERY>
+*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
+*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
-Image:Flare.png|The Flare HUD icon.
+==Sources==
-Image:1218136093 Flare.jpg|The Flare equipment in action.
+{{Ref/Sources}}
-</GALLERY>
-== Sources ==
-<references/>
 {{Clear}}
-{{Equipment List}}
+{{Navbox/Pickups/Gameplay}}
 [[Category:Equipment]]