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Flood swarm form: Difference between revisions

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m (I removed the suggestion that they are Pure Forms; this is simply not possible. This is a Feral Stage form, not a post-Coordination Stage one, which is necessary for Pure Forms to exist.)
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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{ratings}}
{{Flood infobox
{{references}}
|name=Flood swarm form
{{Flood Species Infobox
|image=[[File:HW FloodSwarm Concept.jpg|300px]]
|name=Flood Swarms
|height=
|image=[[File:Quick-Mockup4.jpg|250px]]
|distinctions=Airborne{{Ref/Game|Id=HW|HW|Gameplay}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}
|height=Unknown
|species=[[Flood combat form|Combat form]]
|distinctions=Airborne
|attacks=Fires barb-like projectiles at enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
|species=[[Flood]]
|attacks=Barb-like projectiles
|notable=
|notable=
}}
}}
'''Flood Swarms''' are a variety of airborne [[Flood]] form. They usually travel in groups, and attack with barbed projectiles. They are relatively weak, but can easily dispatch most infantry.
The '''swarm form''' is a variety of airborne [[The Flood|Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat form]]. Created via infection of predatory avian creatures,{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P409|Enc22|Page=409}} these forms are generally seen travelling and attacking in groups. Numerous swarm forms were encountered on the [[Forerunner]] [[shield world]] of [[Trove]] during [[Battle of Trove|a conflict]] in early [[2531]].{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


==Description==
==Overview==
Flood Swarms are infected aerial life forms that have been infected by the Flood and repurposed for the parasite's use. They have two wings and a pair of elongated, trailing limbs. Like the [[Flood Ranged Form]], they are capable of launching barbs at potential hosts.
===Description===
The swarm form is an airborne [[Flood]] [[Flood combat form|combat form]] that possess a hunched body, two bony wings, a gaping mouth, two black eyes, and a pair of elongated trailing limbs.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} Its mouth is full of teeth and its limbs end in razor-sharp talons. Despite their large size, swarm forms are surprisingly swift.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}


==Tactics==
The swarm forms found on [[Trove]] were created through the infection of large, predatory avian creatures that possessed adequate calcium reserves and resilient neurosystems.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}
===Of Flood Swarms===
Individual Flood Swarms have low health and do less damage than other Flood forms. They counter this by flying in groups of 15 to 25 members. When in a group, the Flood Swarms keep moving. This reduces damage to the individual forms, as one is more likely to spread damage over multiple Swarms. Another advantage of them being in a flock is that there normally slow fire becomes more quick fire; Flood forms that are ready to fire move to the front of the group, fire, and then head to the rear.


They appear to not fly very accurately unless they have a specific point where they are supposed to go. They then pursue that target until the target or itself dies or the target significantly outpaces the Swarm. These parasites are very effective against small groups of light vehicles or infantry.
===Behavior===
As their name implies, swarm forms generally move in groups, launching highly sophisticated attacks in coordination with others of its kind.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} In addition to their sharp talons and teeth that can be used to rend prey into pieces,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}} swarm forms can launch infectious barbed projectiles at enemies, much like the [[Flood ranged form]].{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P409}}


When a group of Swarms first encounters an enemy, these monsters will almost always immediately begin shooting at the target regardless of range, dealing a large amount of damage in a short time. After the initial barrage, they will fire in a volley pattern, a few Swarms going to the front, firing, and then returning to the rear. Any enemy will be under considerable fire.
==History==
During the [[Battle of Trove]] in [[2531]], the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} and [[Covenant]] forces encountered numerous flocks of swarm forms.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


===Against Flood Swarms===
==Gallery==
Individual Flood Swarms are rather simple to kill, any one group will quickly kill it. In groups, however, Flood Swarms are much more dangerous.
<gallery>
 
File:HW FloodSwarmForm 1.png|A swarm form.
To avoid getting killed:
File:HW FloodSwarmForm 2.png|Top down view of the swarm form's wings.
*Do NOT send single units out to scout terrain. A group of Flood Swarms can and will simply kill the unit.
File:HW_FloodSwarm_Render.jpg|An early iteration of the Flood swarm model.
*If an infantry unit is caught under fire, find them cover. Otherwise, they're dead.
File:HW Flood Swarm.png|A swarm on Trove.
*Speed is better than raw firepower, a Warthog, constantly moving, will do better than a stationary Scorpion.
</gallery>
*That being said, do NOT rely on speed alone to save your unit, the first barrage can kill a Warthog near-instantly.
*While the [[M9 Main Anti-Air Tank|MAAT-9 Wolverine]] is good against most air units, it is ineffective against a group of Swarms, which are too fast, too maneuverable, and have such high numbers that in between missile barrages they will kill your Wolverine.
*Always watch your scouting unit, steer it away from groups of Flood Swarms at the edge of its line of sight.
*NEVER assume you will win. Any unit can be killed by a group of Swarms, especially without support.
 
To kill Flood Swarms:
*Use these units: [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]/[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]], [[Warthog]]s, [[Hornet]]s, and [[Vulture]]s. Any mixture will do.
*Attack en masse. That is, attack with a large group of units. The Swarms will have trouble targeting units to kill, either focusing on a few units and ignoring the rest or spreading out their fire so all the units live longer.
*Attack from more than one side. The Swarms will focus on one group and not the other, letting themselves be damaged.
*Lure them back to a base protected by Medium or Large [[Base Turret]]s. The Turret's heavy machine guns rip apart the Swarms.
 
==Appearances==
Flood Swarms appear on many levels in ''[[Halo Wars]]''. They can also be found on the multiplayer map ''[[Release]]'', as part of the third and fourth waves of Flood released from the containment facility and on the multiplayer map ''[[Crevice]]'' with them spawning at night. They also appear on ''[[Barrens]]''. All of these maps are Flood-related.
 
==Trivia==
*The Flood Swarm appears to be the only flood form to use eyes rather than the traditional flood sensory antenna.
*The developer's description of these creatures as "infected buzzards crossed with evil bats"<ref> Gamepro February 2009</ref> implies they are in fact native organisms that have been infected by the Flood and integrated into the Parasitic collective. This is a theme and motif that dominates the Flood presence in the game, which can also be seen in the stationary Flood forms in the game, and two other mobile forms, specifically the [[Thrasher Form]] and the [[Flood Bomber Form]].


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
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==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


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

Latest revision as of 22:05, September 8, 2024

Flood swarm form
Concept art of a Flood swarm, canonized in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) (page 409).
General overview

Distinctions:

Airborne[1][2]

Method of attack:

Fires barb-like projectiles at enemies.[2][1]

 

The swarm form is a variety of airborne Flood combat form. Created via infection of predatory avian creatures,[2] these forms are generally seen travelling and attacking in groups. Numerous swarm forms were encountered on the Forerunner shield world of Trove during a conflict in early 2531.[1]

Overview[edit]

Description[edit]

The swarm form is an airborne Flood combat form that possess a hunched body, two bony wings, a gaping mouth, two black eyes, and a pair of elongated trailing limbs.[2][1] Its mouth is full of teeth and its limbs end in razor-sharp talons. Despite their large size, swarm forms are surprisingly swift.[2]

The swarm forms found on Trove were created through the infection of large, predatory avian creatures that possessed adequate calcium reserves and resilient neurosystems.[2]

Behavior[edit]

As their name implies, swarm forms generally move in groups, launching highly sophisticated attacks in coordination with others of its kind.[1][2] In addition to their sharp talons and teeth that can be used to rend prey into pieces,[2] swarm forms can launch infectious barbed projectiles at enemies, much like the Flood ranged form.[1][2]

History[edit]

During the Battle of Trove in 2531, the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire and Covenant forces encountered numerous flocks of swarm forms.[1]

Gallery[edit]

  • A swarm form.

    A swarm form.

  • Top down view of the swarm form's wings.

    Top down view of the swarm form's wings.

  • An early iteration of the Flood swarm model.

    An early iteration of the Flood swarm model.

  • A swarm on Trove.

    A swarm on Trove.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Wars, Gameplay
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 409

v • d • e
 
Known Flood forms
Regular Spore • Pod • Seeder • Tadpole • Dispersal pod
Growths Stalk • Blister
Other Flood Super Cell (FSC)
Infected
Structures
Hives Hive • Den • Nest • Colony • Spore Mound • Cocooned base • Blightlands
Defensive Launcher • Root
Other Porta • Vent
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