Taaku Xur-pattern Spirit

This article is about the model introduced in Halo Wars. For other Spirit variants, see Spirit.

Taaku Xur-pattern Warrior Transport
Production information
Manufacturer:	Assembly Forges
Technical specifications
Length:	27.8 meters (91.3 ft)
Width:	18.0 meters (59.1 ft)
Height:	11.8 meters (38.8 ft)
Mass:	70.2 tons (63.7 tonnes)
Armament:	One heavy plasma cannon
Complement:	30 passengers
Crew:	One pilot 1 ops/ gunner
Chronological and affiliation
Affiliation:	Covenant Swords of Sanghelios Merg Vol's Covenant Jul 'Mdama's Covenant

"Marines called them Spirits because they were death reincarnate. They'd come out of nowhere, without a word, and just start dropping Covies in our front yard."

— Lieutenant Tara Nguyen

The Taaku Xur-pattern Warrior Transport (UNSC Type classification: Type-28 Troop Carrier, T-28 TC) or more commonly the Spirit, is an infantry and logistical dropship used by the Covenant.

Overview

Design details

Taaku Xur-pattern Spirits are armed with a singular rotating, low-mounted heavy plasma cannon, located directly below the cockpit of the dropship. This variant, unlike the Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit, has a gravity lift straight into the cockpit allowing for quick deployment or retrieval of personnel from a battlefield. Due to the craft's resilient armor and impressive top speed, it saw little need for modification in its service life despite being the earliest variant of the Spirit series of dropships in the Covenant.

Operational history

Towards the end of the Harvest Campaign Covenant forces used Spirits against the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire. The Covenant also utilized Spirits against UNSC forces and civilians alike during the Battle for Arcadia where one retrieved Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee after he kidnapped Professor Ellen Anders. During the Battle of Trove Covenant forces used Spirits not only against the crew of the Spirit of Fire, but also against the Flood and Sentinels. During the Human-Covenant War at the Battle of Mombasa, Type-28 Spirits were deployed to recover the Conduit.

After the end of the Human-Covenant War T-28 Spirits were used by Merg Vol's Covenant during the Battle of Draetheus V. A Type-28 Spirit was also used by a Zealot to assist him in the terrorist attack on Sedra City. During the Battle of Installation 03 Jul 'Mdama's Covenant used T-28 Spirits against UNSC forces. The Taaku Xur continues to see use among the Swords of Sanghelios.

Gameplay

Halo Wars

In Halo Wars, the Spirit only appears in the campaign and cannot be used in multiplayer or Skirmish. It is a fast dropship used to deliver large numbers of troops on the battlefield. Unlike Halo: Combat Evolved, the Spirit is not indestructible: it is advisable that players should eliminate it before the troops it carries disembark. Once the troops are on the ground, it cannot be destroyed.

The preferred units for taking down an airborne Spirit are M9 Wolverines, AV-14 Hornets, and AV-22 Sparrowhawks. Spirits in Halo Wars do not engage enemy targets and are only seen in the campaign, mainly on the mission Dome of Light and Repairs. Spirits in Halo Wars utilize gravity lifts to deploy and pick up troops, rather than the side-mounted troop bay doors as in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo: Reach.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Silver Timeline

Main article: Silver Timeline

Spirit dropships are used by the Covenant against humanity.

Production notes

Early in the production process for Halo Wars, the Taaku Xur was intended for use by Covenant players in a transport ability similar to the UNSC's Pelican transport ability. This was trialled in early development, though eventually removed.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

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  A Spirit being used by a player to transport infantry in an early build of Halo Wars'.

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  3D model of the front end of a Spirit dropship for Halo Wars.

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  3D model of the back end of a Spirit dropship for Halo Wars.

• SpiritonBattlefield.png

  A Spirit dropship hovers over a battlefield in Halo Wars.

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  The gravity lift being used on this Spirit Dropship in Halo Wars.

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  Two Spirits approaching the Arcadia ONI facility in Halo Wars.

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  A Spirit flying above Covenant forces in Halo Wars.

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  Spirits during the Battle of Kholo in the The Return motion comic.

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  Spirits loyal to Merg Vol on Draetheus V in Halo: Spartan Assault.

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  A Spirit during the Terrorist attack on Sedra City in Halo: Nightfall.

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  A Spirit in Halo: The Television Series.

List of appearances

Halo Wars (First appearance) Halo: Evolutions The Return (Motion comic only) Halo: Spartan Assault Halo: Nightfall Halo: Spartan Strike Halo: Collateral Damage Halo: The Television Series Reckoning Sources