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{{Ratings}}
{{Title|''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom}}
{{Era|H2|H3R|H3|GOO|UP|HGN}}
{{Status|Canon}}
<center>''Were you looking for the [[Spirit]]-class dropship used in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo Wars]]?''</center>
{{Disambig header|the Phantom introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''|other Phantom models|Phantom}}
 
{{Ship class infobox
{{Ship
|image=[[File:H2A Render Phantom.png|300px]]
|image=[[Image:65182630-Full.jpg|300px]]
|name = ''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport
|name=Phantom
|manufacturer = [[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=137}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|crew=5 personnel
|class = [[Phantom]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*1 Pilot
|length = {{Convert|106.2|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*1 Co-pilot
|width = {{Convert|66.8|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*1 Heavy gunner
|height = {{Convert|39.7|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*2 light gunners
|mass={{Convert|174.6|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|skeleton=1 pilot
|hull=
|passengers= 27(24 in cargo hold) for [[Halo 3]] or 16 for [[Halo 2]]
|crew=*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|capacity=
*1 co-pilot{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|Armament= plasma cannons (3)
*1 navigator{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
|consumables=
*1 operations officer{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
|othersystems=
|complement=*24 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|firstuse=[[2531]]
*2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
|role=*Dropship
|engine=Twin [[impulse drive]] system{{Ref/Site|Id=HW|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/phantom|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Phantom|D=26|M=11|Y=2015}}
*Gunship
|slipspace drive=
*Support ship
|armament=3 [[medium plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|era=Human-Covenant War
|introduced=[[2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]; [[Covenant Separatists|Separatists]]; [[Covenant Loyalists|Loyalists]]
|othersystems=[[Gravity lift]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
|role=*[[Dropship]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*Gunship{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*Support{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
*[[Great Schism]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
**[[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]]{{Ref/Book|Id=HSOI|Halo: Shadow of Intent}}
**[[Blooding Years]]{{Ref/Book|Id=mythos|Mythos}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*[[Covenant separatists]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
**[[Fleet of Retribution]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}
**[[San'Shyuum flotilla]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HDW|Halo: Divine Wind}}
***[[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Reuse|HDW}}
**[[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttw133|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=133}}
**[[Swords of Sanghelios]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}
}}
}}
The [[Covenant]] '''Type-52 Troop Carrier''' (abbreviated '''Type-52 TC'''), also known as the '''Phantom''', was a much more formidable dropship than the previously seen [[Spirit]] in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', it boasted two [[Plasma Cannon]]s and an unnamed turret similar to one of a [[Shade]]'s barrels. Phantoms are equipped with a miniature [[gravity lift]]; while the lifts can be used to deploy infantry, they are seldom used in ''Halo 3'' -- with the deployment of [[Hunters]] being an exception, presumably due to their size. Instead, in hot landing zones, troops will quickly exit through the large doors on either side of the vehicle.


Phantoms also ferried vehicles such as the [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]], [[Spectre]], and [[Ghost]] to their intended drop zones. The crafts made their debut in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and returned in ''Halo 3''. They come in two different colors and types: the [[Covenant Separatist|Separatist]] Phantoms are green, while the [[Loyalist]] Phantoms are the classic shade of bluish-purple found on many Covenant craft.
The '''''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=282}} {{Type|52|Troop Carrier|TC}}, more commonly known as the '''Phantom''', is a [[dropship|troop carrier]] and gunship in service with the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}  They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/phantom/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2|Site=Halo Official Site|Page=Phantom Halo Official Site|D=28|M=12|Y=2011}}


== Operation ==
==Overview==
[[Image:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|left|thumb|200px|A phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]].]]
===Design details===
The Phantom was roughly equivalent to the [[UNSC]] [[Pelican Dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Unlike the [[DX-class Dropship|Spirit Dropship]], Phantoms serve more as troop transports than cargo transports. Each Phantom boasts superior firepower, which they use to clear the drop area of enemy forces, and the capability of reaching greater speeds and maneuverability than their predecessors.  
[[File:H2A Render PhantomInterior-Cropped.png|thumb|left|250px|The interior of a ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom.]]
The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the [[Human-Covenant War|War of Annihilation]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and [[Covenant Special Operations|special operation]] details.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin [[impulse drive]] propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} On either side of the [[dropship]] lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral [[gravity lift]] that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=???}} An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Mortal Dictata|Page=142}}


The Phantom was a substantial improvement over the Spirit, with a much sleeker and more robust design accompanying much higher offensive capabilities. It came in two separate versions, one of which featured three separate, fully rotational Plasma Cannons that served to barrage the enemy with cover fire while its payload of troops is deployed. Its second variant has the same chin-mounted turret, but swaps its internally controlled side-cannons for [[Grunt]]-manned Stationary Plasma Cannons. These could be folded into the dropship for environments that lack an atmosphere, although this greatly reduces its amount of available firepower.  
One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77-TC Pelican]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional [[Spirit]] dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=268}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=281}}


[[Image:Loyalist Type-52 Phantom Troop Carrier.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A Phantom on [[Installation 00]].]]
===Armament===
Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the {{Pattern|Mikpramu|Phantom}}) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation [[heavy plasma cannon]] turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational [[medium plasma cannon]]s, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.{{Ref/Game|Id=h2|H2|Detail=''campaign gameplay''}}
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot, a navigator, and an operations officer who is in charge of the defensive Plasma Cannons. Troops inside were deployed from a Gravity Lift installed in the bottom of the ship or the openings on both sides. As many as 16 Covenant warriors could be carried inside the ship for ''Halo 2'', while in ''Halo 3'' it can transport up to 27 Covenant personnel, including [[Hunters]]. It also has the capability to take vehicles into battle which could be brought in these specific combinations: two separate [[Ghosts]]; two separate [[Brute Choppers]]; a single [[Spectre]]; or a [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]. It could also carry [[Shade|Shades]], [[Deployable Lookout Tower|Deployable Lookout Towers]], and parts of an [[Anti-Aircraft Battery]] to be assembled upon deployment.


== Phantom in Combat ==
===Crew and complement===
[[Image:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|thumb|right|Phantom dropping a [[Spectre]].]]
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral [[gravity lift]] and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} Like the Spirit dropship and the older {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s or a single {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} or {{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}.{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
The role of the Phantom was to transport squads of [[Covenant]] troops and/or vehicles to a combat zone with speed and efficiency. This tactic is known as Air Assault. It was capable of carrying [[Grunt]]s, [[Jackals]], [[Drones]], [[Brutes]] and [[Elites]]; it could also carry a pair of Hunters. They had been known to carry two manned Ghosts or a single Wraith tank into the battlefield for deployment. Phantoms were seen transporting units throughout the Covenant's invasion of [[Earth]] and had become a hindrance to the UNSC Special Forces when they attempted to repel the Covenant from [[New Mombasa]] during the [[Battle of New Mombasa]]. Their use across [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]] was also particularly devastating, especially to units which were not equipped with anti-vehicle weapons.


Possessing three rapid firing plasma cannons make the Phantom a much more challenging adversary than the Spirit. However, the Phantom's turrets can be destroyed using ground turrets, vehicles, [[Rocket Launcher]]s, and other similarly powerful weapons. It is fairly vulnerable to fire with the Rocket Launcher, and a single blast from a [[Scorpion Tank]] to the underside of the Phantom can easily neutralize its offensive capabilities, reducing it to little more than an armored personnel carrier. The Phantom has been known to strike fear into their opponents when they are heard cruising over the battlefield, their approach foreshadowing a large assault on an area.
===Usage===
Introduced into the [[2552|final year]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was created by [[Assembly Forges]] to replace the earlier {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} as its improvement over it in every way.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} It was one of the primary Covenant [[dropship]]s and the most well-known of Phantoms among the [[human]]s, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the [[Fall of Reach]] and [[Battle for Earth]], though many Covenant forces never used it before the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] that effectively ended its production.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


[[Image:ExplodingCovenantDropship.jpg|200px|left|thumb|A defeated Phantom explodes.]]
==Identified Phantoms==
As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are almost invulnerable to small arms fire. In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom was invincible and could not be destroyed. In ''Halo 3'', the Phantom is destructible. The Phantom's weak spots are the two "engine bulbs" on both sides of the front of the Phantom, and the two tails in the back. The frontal bulb and the corresponding tail in the back seem to make up an engine in the Phantom. A Phantom will go down with four hits from a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] to one of the frontal bulbs or one of the tails, on any difficulty. It is unknown if the damage is tied between them, meaning if two shots to the front and two to the back will take it down. Most other changes are superficial, including some new color schemes.
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' – Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' during [[skirmish on Infinite Succor|skirmish]] above [[Battle of Installation 04|Installation 04]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=hgnp16|HGN|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor|Page=16}}


== Separatist Phantom ==
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
[[Image:Separatist Phantom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Separatist Phantom.]]
===''The Duel''===
The Separatist Phantom was a modified variant of the Phantom in use by the [[Covenant Separatist]] armed forces during the [[Great Schism]]. It differed little in terms of its usage, but it had several distinctions that separated it from its predecessor. They were almost always piloted by Elites -- if you destroy the Phantom on the level "The Covenant" at the third tower that drops [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] off, an Elite's corpse will fall from the nose section between the two "engine bulbs" of the phantom which are most likely the cockpit. The Separatist Phantoms in ''Halo 3'' were [[Marine]] Gunmetal Green as an open display of the Separatists' alliance with the humans, and emitted yellowish energy and green lights/strobes instead of the purplish energy emitted by the Loyalist Phantoms. There was no difference in the amount of damage the two separate Phantoms take. Separatist Phantoms also cloak on several levels, possibly indicating that they may have been a prototype within the Covenant, later perfected and put to use by the Covenant Separatists. It is possible that the Separatist Phantoms were taken from a group of unused Phantoms.
{{Main|The Duel}}
By around [[2152|400 years]] before the [[2552|climax]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], several {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantoms were present above [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Film|Id=duel|Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}}{{Ref/Note|Id=hld|Text=While ''The Duel'' anime film used the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom model from ''[[Halo 2]]'' unlike other ''[[Halo Legends]]'' series which used the ''Ru'swum''-pattern Phantom from ''[[Halo 3]]'' instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.}}


===Operation===  
===Silver Timeline===
The Separatist Phantom, like the Covenant Phantom, was roughly equivalent to the UNSC [[Pelican Dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Unlike the DX-class Dropship, this ship served more as a troop transport than a cargo transport. It was used by the Separatists for the transport of armed combat teams into combat zones -- Some [[Sangheili]] could be seen wearing assault armor when they exited the Phantoms. It made use of [[active camouflage]] generators to fade from sight, making them difficult to find and allowing them to continue to support ground teams even in heavy combat. Like newer versions of the original Phantom, the Separatist Phantom incorporated a chin-mounted Heavy Plasma Cannon, as well as two side-mounted Plasma Cannons to support ground forces and engage aerial threats.
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|b4doITNi2RE|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=3|D=14}}


The Separatists use of the Phantom differed little from its Covenant counterpart, and it remained a troop transport intended to support ground forces. However, the inclusion of an [[Active Camouflage]] generator on such a scale meant that it was capable of better stealth, improving its effectiveness. Its green color scheme was used to differentiate it from the Loyalist Phantom, making it fit more into the UNSC Military Green decor. In the level ''[[The Covenant(Level)|The Covenant]]'', if you get in the Separatist Phantom after you come out of the last tower, the ship will disappear, but you will somehow fall through it -- this, however, is more likely because [[Bungie]] did not want players riding on the Phantoms.
==Gameplay==
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.


===Combat Capabilities===
In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.
The Separatist Phantom's primary purpose was as a troop carrier, delivering armed forces into combat zones, using its speed, maneuverability and armament to allow it to penetrate enemy lines, deliver its teams, and then provide [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_air_support close air support] to the deployed forces. Its Heavy Plasma Cannon was capable of dealing with threats from light ground vehicles and airborne hostiles such as [[Banshees]], and its side mounted turrets were used to fire on enemy infantry forces to support ground teams or cover them as they embark or disembark. It should also be noted that these Plasma Cannons and the platforms they mounted were generally folded up, similar to the other side entrances of Phantoms. This may have been to protect infantry from heavy fire that may otherwise kill off the troops in the cargo hold, or to achieve space flight and protect the occupants.


The Separatist Phantom was capable of deploying troops in a variety of ways. The sides of the hull protecting the passenger section were collapsible, allowing large numbers to disembark quickly in combat while covered by a gunner operating the Plasma Cannon. Alternatively, ground forces could be deployed from a ventrally mounted gravity lift, allowing the craft to deploy its passengers without landing and making itself vulnerable, though because only a single individual could deploy at a time this method was slower. It also rendered the dropped troopers vulnerable to sniper fire for a few seconds.
==Production notes==
According to [[Shi Kai Wang]], when ''Halo 2'' began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Type-25 Spirit]]'s design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter2|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design.  When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality.}} At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter3|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape.  As indicated by this sketch here.  But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had.  So this felt like a half, or step backwards.  The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally.}} After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter4|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906038747144195|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic.  Which animal?}}, based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter5|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906042010279937|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra.  The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design.  That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'.}}


==Phantom in Halo 3==
When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter6|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906045256626177|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details. If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back.  But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun.}} At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter7|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906048754749442|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam. Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube.  But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun.}} The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter1|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906029863571457|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed.  One of my personal favorite redesigns.}}
[[Image:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construct equipment in Halo 3.]]
The ''Halo 3'' Phantom is now destructible, being vulnerable to [[Fuel Rod Cannons]], [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] rounds, [[Missile Pods]], [[Spartan Laser]] shots, [[M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher ]]'s [[HEAT]] rockets and missiles fired from [[Hornets]]. It was, nevertheless, very durable and able to take up to four shots from a Scorpion tank. (Four Fuel Rod Cannon shots can take one down, as mentioned above under the combat section. Three hits from the rocket launcher could also do the job.) The Separatist version of the Phantom also seemed to have active camouflage, as seen in ''The Covenant'' during the Hornet fight and after the [[Flood]] arrived.


===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
==Trivia==
*The Phantom's hull is now a medium-dark violet in ''Halo 3'', rather than magenta as it is in ''Halo 2''.
=== Production notes ===
*The Phantom fires shots that are now a purple color, rather than a vivid red.
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*The Phantom is now fully destructible -- not just the turrets on the belly.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a [[Pelican]]. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
*The Phantom delivers troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*In the ''[[Art of Halo]]'', there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
*The Phantom no longer has three separate turrets -- they now have just one mounted on the front, and two Plasma Cannons manned by Grunts or Brutes (or Elites when manned by the Separatists) on either side of the troop bay.
*In ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in ''Halo 4''.{{Ref/Game|Id=model|H2A|Detail=''3D model data''}}
*The troop bay is open on both sides where the plasma turrets are. It is fully accessible by the player and he/she can leap into it before it takes off. The player is usually killed when the Phantom hits a [[Invisible wall|death barrier]].
*The engines make a different sound in ''Halo 3''.
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
[[Image:Phantom_clamps.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Troop clamps holding a Kig-yar in place.]]


===Troop clamps===
==Gallery==
Troop clamps are equipment used by ''any'' Phantoms in ''[[Halo 3]]''. They are best observed on the [[The Storm (Level)|the Storm]], when the first Phantom drops a [[Brute]], a cluster and troop of [[Grunt]]s and [[Jackal]]s near the [[Missile Pod]]. They can only be seen via [[Theater Mode]] by pausing and moving the camera inside and out of the specific Phantom. It seems they are on the ceiling. The purpose of troop clamps is to launch infantry out of the [[gravity lift]] when deploying troops via the lift. They're only used during times when you are not supposed to see it -- like in ''[[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]]'' when you see Phantoms deploying, they all just jump out.
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art for the Phantom.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_2.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art.
File:H2A Phantom Cockpit Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.
File:H2A Phantom TroopBay Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.
File:H2A Phantom Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom.
File:H2A Phantom Gun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's gun.
File:H2A Phantom SideGun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's side guns.
</gallery>


== Character Compatibility ==
===Renders===
*[[Elites]]
<gallery>
*[[Humans]]
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
*[[Grunts]]
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled render of the Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
*[[Jackals]]
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*[[Brutes]]
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
*[[Hunters]]
File:H2APhantom.jpg|A model of the Phantom for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
*[[Drones]]
File:H2A Phantom Ventral Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.
*[[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartans]] (''[[Floodgate]]'' cutscene and [[glitches]], ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' only)
File:H2A Phantom Aft Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's aft.
*[[Monitors]]
</gallery>


== Appearances ==
===Screenshots===
Phantoms do not appear in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' or ''[[Halo Wars]]'', and are seen during most levels of ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3''.
<gallery>
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2A-Phantoms.jpg|Phantoms during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].
File:HM-BloodingYears.jpg|Phantoms participating at [[Siege at Kolaar]].
File:HTV-Reckoning Phantom.png|A Phantom in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
</gallery>


{{col-begin}}
==List of appearances==
{{col-2}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Duel]]'' {{c|Non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Allegiance]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
{{Col-end}}


===[[Halo 2]]===
==Notes==
*[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]
{{Ref/Notes}}
*[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]
*[[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]
*[[Oracle (Level)|Oracle]]
*[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]
*[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]
*[[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]
*[[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]
*[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]
*[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]
*[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]
*[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]
{{col-2}}


===[[Halo 3]]===
==Sources==
*[[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]]
{{Ref/Sources}}
*[[Crow's Nest (Level)|Crow's Nest]]
*[[Tsavo Highway (Level)|Tsavo Highway]]
*[[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]]
*[[Floodgate (Level)|Floodgate]]
*[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]
*[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]
 
{{col-end}}
 
==Known ''Phantoms''==
*[[Glorious Advance]] - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.
 
==Trivia==
[[Image:Deployment.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A [[Grunt]] inside of a Phantom preparing for deployment.]]
*Some of the Phantoms in Halo 2 have their turrets folded into the Phantom because they don't need them at the moment. This can be seen on Uprising and The Great Journey. In the ending cutscene of Uprising, two Phantoms have their turrets folded in (one goes to drop off Tartarus with Miranda and the other goes to the bridge). Halfway through The Great Journey, you see the Phantom at the bridge with it's turrets out.
*Even as it slowly replaced the Spirit, the Covenant used both dropships on many occasions during the [[Human-Covenant War]].
*The Phantom was designed to be big enough to carry a Wraith into combat. The manner in which it would fly, deliver its cargo, and land were all taken into consideration during the design phase.
*The Phantom manages to combine squat bulk with swooping, curving lines to create an airborne presence that looks heavy, menacing, yet still somehow sleek.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview, the Phantom does not have a gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one Plasma Cannon.
*In actual gameplay, this is one of the few vehicles you cannot pilot.
*It was noticeable that the [[Brute Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] spent most of his time pursuing the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] in a Phantom throughout ''Halo 2''. The ship's ability to travel through space made it invaluable to the Covenant's strike teams when engaging the [[Heretics]] and Flood as they sought to uncover the mysteries of Halo.
*In ''Halo 3'', the Phantoms used by the Arbiter and his Elites vanish right after taking off in the level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]. This might indicate that the Phantoms have technology on board capable of cloaking the entire ship. Players can also enter this Phantom and walk around, but will fall to their death as the ship disappears.
*On ''Halo 3'''s Campaign level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]], once on board the Phantom in single player where the Arbiter and [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] leave, if you kill an [[Elite]] manning a Plasma Cannon, you can get on the turret. Then, when it flies away and cloaks, you will also cloak with it and not fall to your death. Dismounting or detaching the turret will decloak you, causing you to fall through the ship.
*The ''Halo 2'' Phantom was specifically designed to be almost impossible to board. The ''Halo 3'' Phantom is able to be boarded in a variety of scenarios, levels, and ways.
*In ''Halo 3'' it takes the same amount of hits from a Scorpion to destroy both a Phantom and a Wraith -- about four hits on [[Normal]].
*In the ''Halo 2'' level [[Metropolis]], when you encounter the first Phantom, you can make it wobble and hinder it from flying away, though only for a few seconds, when you shoot it. Phantoms were probably given "destruction animations" such as that observed in the demo.
*The [[Separatist]] Phantom is the only [[Separatist]] craft seen distinctive from its Covenant counterparts due to its green color. Separatist [[Capital Ship]]s appear little different, and other vehicles have yet to be seen.
*Additionally, the energy fields around the Separatist Phantom’s tail fins are yellow, as opposed to a purple-white.
*On ''[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]'' when you exit the building after turning on the bridge, when you see the Phantom, you can use the [[Gauss Warthog]]'s turret to shoot and push the Phantom into the cliff wall. You can go over to it and board as it struggles to come out of the wall. You can also use the nearby [[Chopper]].
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Phantoms can be destroyed; however the Phantom that drops 343 Guilty Spark and the Arbiter off is indestructible.
*In Campaign Scoring charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', when you destroy the Heavy Plasma Cannon, in some cases, you will receive the "[[Used Car Salesman]]" achievement.
*In higher difficulties, Brutes can be seen manning the Plasma Cannons on the Phantom's sides rather than [[Heavy Grunts]].
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', vehicles such as Wraiths and Ghosts can fire through the Phantom as it descends to deploy them.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', if you destroy a Separatist Phantom, it will emit a green gas instead of the purple from the [[Covenant]] counterparts.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Phantoms will, on rare occasions, experience glitches where they will drift through scenery objects, and will keep doing so until they are stuck. This can be seen on [[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]], at the point where you see [[Johnson]]'s crashed [[Pelican]]. If you wait long enough, the Chieftain's Phantom will drift into the central depression of the area, and will be pointed straight out towards the cliff.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'''s Campaign level [[The Storm]], if you manage to destroy the Phantom that deploys the [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]], head over to the crash site and you will find a Grunt armed with a [[Brute Spiker]].
*On ''[[Halo 2]]'', on the level [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]], when the Phantoms drop you off and fly away, if you look where they fly (zooming in is recommended), they will go into the clouds, and then come back out again, spinning out of control.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', they have two mounted [[Plasma Turret]]s. It can be assumed that they were present on those in ''Halo 2'', but were concealed by the closed side panels.
*Sometimes if you’re on top of an enemy Phantom, its Heavy Plasma Cannon can fire straight up through the ship's hull, without doing any damage to the ship itself.
*A Phantom has never been known to have been taken over by the [[Flood]], although the [[UNSC]]'s Pelican has in ''[[Halo 2]]'', and the Spirit has in the [[Halo Graphic Novel]].
*In the [[Keep It Clean (Trailer)|trailer]] for ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', a Phantom is seen on patrol using two bright searchlights to sweep the streets. Oddly, the lights are located in nearly the exact location as the Phantom's chin mounted gun, possibly meaning that this Phantom was specifically adapted for patrol or that its gun had a headlight mounted alongside it.
*The Phantom is seen carrying a [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]] on the Level ''[[Metropolis]]'' in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and the [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]] can be shot off the Phantom.
*In the level [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark ]], the first crashed Phantom you come to will be receiving transmissions from the [[Brute]] ships engaged in combat above the Ark.
*In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the Phantom had three automated turrets, one at the front and two at the sides, but in ''[[Halo 3]]'', the automated turrets were cut to one at the front and the two automated side turrets were replaced with Grunt-operated turrets.
*In Halo 2 the Phantom could also drop off two Ghosts in battle.
*It's possible to trap a Phantom in [[The Storm]] in lake bed B by destroying one and causing the wreckage to land on the other.
*It is impossible to see inside or even go near a Phantom's cockpit, even in Theater Mode. The cockpit's interior is likely empty -- as it is never seen in game, there was no reason for Bungie to even design it.
*You can destroy a Phantom at the end of ''Halo 3'''s Campaign level [[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]]. Start the level on [[co-op]] on [[Easy]] or [[Normal]] difficulty. At the end, get as much [[Brute Shot]] ammo and [[Plasma Grenades]] as you can; a [[Regenerator]] may also be useful. Wait until the Phantom comes and start firing and sticking grenades to the engine bulbs. You can destroy it before [[Kilo 23 (Pelican)|Kilo 23]] arrives and starts shooting missiles at it -- you can actually destroy both Phantoms on Easy.
**When playing on [[Heroic]] or [[Legendary]], the first Brute has a Brute Shot. You can use it to shoot off a Plasma Cannon on the Phantom that drops off Brutes and Grunts at the waterfall; if you're lucky, the Cannon may land where you can reach and use it. Another good place to try this is at the crashed Pelican is, after the sniper alley; if you get there fast enough a Phantom will drop off a bunch of Grunts. You can shoot its Cannon, too, and use it.
*Oddly enough, in the ''Halo 3'' E3 trailer, the Phantom seen makes the sound of a [[Hunter]] charging its [[Assault Cannon]], or a [[Scarab]] in ''Halo 3'' right before the final explosion it makes when destroyed.
*The Separatist Phantom is the first Phantom to have the ability to cloak in the ''Halo'' trilogy.
*The Phantom's turrets are modified to match the [[Shade]]'s in every ''Halo'' game. Note that the [[Spirit]]'s plasma turret is also the same as the Shade in Halo: Combat Evolved.
*The Phantom may have appeared in ''Halo Wars: Genesis'' as a space unit rather than a landing craft.
*It is unusual that the technology used to replace the Spirit Class dropship has the original manual jump added back to it in ''Halo 3''.
*On the ''Halo 3'' Campaign level [[Floodgate]], if you kill all the [[Elites]] that came from the insertion pods, a second phantom will come and drop off 4 more [[Spec Ops Elites]]. Also with the additional health skulls on, by destroying the Phantom's Plasma Cannons, you can force the Elites manning them to join the others being dropped off.
*In ''Halo 2'', the front "covers" of the engines can be destroyed, like in ''Halo 3''. This will not destroy the Phantom, however.
 
===[[Glitch]]es===
On the level ''The Covenant'' it is possible to get inside the Separatist Phantom in Co-op and Single player. In Co-op, you must bring a Hornet next to it after it drops Elites at the Third Tower.  You must get your second player to ride your Hornet and put the riding spot next to the opening in the side of the Phantom. If done correctly, he will jump out into the cargo area of the Phantom. ''Note:'' you will fall through the areas that the Plasma Turrets sit on. With some effort you can get onto one of the plasma turrets if you manage to hold the button at the right moment.
There are two ways to get into the Phantom in single player - by leaping into the cargo bay or manning a turret. After you come out of the Third Tower, a Phantom should be hovering by the edge of the cliff. There should be an Elite manning a turret. Kill him and leap up onto the turret, or just jump into the cargo bay. It is solid so you won't fall through.
 
On the level ''[[Crow's Nest (Level)|Crow's Nest]]'', it is possible to get outside the map by boarding one of three Phantoms at the Hanger. This describes trying with the first Phantom, (similar methods can be used on the others) When you first enter the hanger, you'll have about 10 seconds to get onto one of the front-most yellow walls. Face outward from the center and look up. A Phantom will come and slow down, but still drift more toward you. When it's above you, jump through the Plasma Cannon's stand and press RB to board it. Quickly RB off and Hit A while holding back to jump into the Phantom. You will notice an invisible wall around the back door, go to the left side of it (if facing out the hanger) and back into the corner of the invisible wall. The screen should shake as the Phantom leaves the Hanger. When the Phantom starts flying straight, it is the easiest time to jump back onto the Plasma Cannon with RB. Continue to ride it and it will hit an invisible wall, at which point the pilot AI will disengage, causing it to disappear if you are not in a turret. If you are on a turret while the phantom hits the invisible wall, the phantom's automated turret (the one on front) will disappear and the phantom will be "unmanned" causing it to drop. Usually the fall will kill the player when the spinning dropship ejects the player, but if he or she survives, they is free to explore the surroundings. Note that the phantom is flippable.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two [[Banshees]] on [[The Ark]].
Image:Sep phantom inside.jpg|The inside of a Separatist Phantom. 
Image:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Covenant Separatists Phantom exploding.
Image:1216048876 Phantom front.jpg|A front view of a Loyalist Phantom.
Image:1216087219 Docked Phantoms.jpg|A pair of Separatist Phantoms after drifting through scenery objects on [[The Covenant(Level)|The Covenant]]
Image:1216087154 Drifted Phantom.jpg|A Loyalist Phantom "docked" on the level [[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]].
Image:1216869413 Separatist.jpg|A Separatist Phantom on the level [[Floodgate]].
Image:Active Camo Phantom.jpg|A Separatist Phantom coming out of active camouflage in the level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]].
Image:1218570068 Phantom2.jpg|A Phantom hovering.
Image:1222028774 Gravity lift Phantom.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from [[Halo 2]].
Image:1223676286 Dareaudio-large.png|A Phantom, seen through the "eyes" of the [[Superintendent]], using a pair of high-intensity searchlights to sweep the ruined streets of [[New Mombasa]].
Image:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Phantom engaging a pelican in [[2531]].
</gallery>


== See Also ==
{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] - The UNSC equivalent of the Phantom.
*[[DX-class Dropship]] - Otherwise known as the ''Spirit'', the older Covenant dropship.


{{CovenantShips}}
[[Category:Phantom variants]]
{{Covenant Vehicles}}
[[Category:Vehicles]]
[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 06:25, January 19, 2024

This article is about the Phantom introduced in Halo 2. For other Phantom models, see Phantom.
Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport
A render of the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model used in Blur Studio's cutscenes (cropped from this image).
Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1][2]

Class:

Phantom[2]

Role:

Technical specifications

Length:

32.4 meters (106.2 ft)[2]

Width:

20.4 meters (66.8 ft)[2]

Height:

12.1 meters (39.7 ft)[2]

Mass:

174.6 metric tons (171.8 LT; 192.5 ST)[2]

Engine(s):

Twin impulse drive system[3]

Other system(s):

Gravity lift[4]

Armament:

3 medium plasma cannons[2]

Complement:

  • 24 passengers[2]
  • 2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle[4]

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Introduced:

2552[3]

Affiliation:

 

The Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport[2] (UNSC Type classification: Type-52 Troop Carrier, T-52 TC), more commonly known as the Phantom, is a troop carrier and gunship in service with the Covenant.[2] They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.[11]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The interior of a Kez'katu-pattern Phantom.

The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the War of Annihilation.[2] It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and special operation details.[2] The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.[5][6] The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin impulse drive propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.[3] On either side of the dropship lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral gravity lift that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.[11] A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.[12] An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.[13]

One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.[11] The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the D77-TC Pelican in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.[5][6]

Armament[edit]

Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the Mikpramu-pattern Phantom) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation heavy plasma cannon turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,[3] Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational medium plasma cannons, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.[2] These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.[4]

Crew and complement[edit]

The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,[2] sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic heavy plasma cannons.[5][6] The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.[2] Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral gravity lift and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, Mgalekgolo soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.[5][6] Like the Spirit dropship and the older Ru'swum-pattern Phantom, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two Karo'etba-pattern Ghosts or a single Zurdo-pattern Wraith or Wuzum-pattern Spectre.[4]

Usage[edit]

Introduced into the final year of the Human-Covenant War, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was created by Assembly Forges to replace the earlier Ru'swum-pattern Phantom as its improvement over it in every way.[3] It was one of the primary Covenant dropships and the most well-known of Phantoms among the humans, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the Fall of Reach and Battle for Earth, though many Covenant forces never used it before the loss of High Charity that effectively ended its production.[3]

Identified Phantoms[edit]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

The Duel[edit]

Main article: The Duel

By around 400 years before the climax of the Human-Covenant War, several Ket-pattern battlecruisers and Kez'katu-pattern Phantoms were present above Sanghelios.[15][Note 1]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Silver Timeline

Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.[16]

Gameplay[edit]

The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.

In Halo 2, the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.

Production notes[edit]

According to Shi Kai Wang, when Halo 2 began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on Halo: Combat Evolved, in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the Type-25 Spirit's design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.[17] At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.[18] After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte[19], based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.[20]

When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.[21] At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.[22] The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.[23]

Trivia[edit]

Production notes[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • In the E3 2003 Preview of Halo 2, the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a Pelican. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
  • In the Art of Halo, there is a Phantom render for Halo 2 which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
  • In Halo 2 Anniversary the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in Halo 4.[24]

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

  • Halo 2 concept art for the Phantom.

    Halo 2 concept art for the Phantom.

  • Halo 2 concept art.

    Halo 2 concept art.

  • Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.

    Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.

  • Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.

    Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.

  • Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom.

    Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom.

  • Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's gun.

    Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's gun.

  • Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's side guns.

    Halo 2: Anniversary concept art of the Phantom's side guns.

Renders[edit]

  • The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the Halo 2 E3 Demo.

    The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the Halo 2 E3 Demo.

  • An angled render of the Phantom from Halo 2.

    An angled render of the Phantom from Halo 2.

  • An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in Halo 2.

    An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in Halo 2.

  • An in-game profile view of the Phantom in Halo 2.

    An in-game profile view of the Phantom in Halo 2.

  • A model of the Phantom for Halo 2: Anniversary.

    A model of the Phantom for Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.

    A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.

  • A render of the Phantom's aft.

    A render of the Phantom's aft.

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ While The Duel anime film used the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model from Halo 2 unlike other Halo Legends series which used the Ru'swum-pattern Phantom from Halo 3 instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 137
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 282
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint, Phantom (Retrieved on Nov 26, 2015) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Halo 2: campaign gameplay
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 268
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 281
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadow of Intent
  8. ^ a b Halo Mythos
  9. ^ a b Halo: Divine Wind
  10. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 133
  11. ^ a b c Halo Official Site, Phantom Halo Official Site (Retrieved on Dec 28, 2011) [archive]
  12. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page ???
  13. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 142
  14. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor, page 16
  15. ^ Halo Legends - The Duel
  16. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2022)
  17. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design. When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  18. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape. As indicated by this sketch here. But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had. So this felt like a half, or step backwards. The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  19. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic. Which animal? (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  20. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra. The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design. That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  21. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details. If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back. But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  22. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam. Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube. But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  23. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed. One of my personal favorite redesigns. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  24. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary: 3D model data

v • d • e
 
Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Craft of the Covenant and its remnants
Combat aircraft
Support aircraft and gunships
Troop carriers
Boarding craft
Exoatmospheric Craft and shuttles
Drop pods and escape pods
Single-occupant Assault carapace: Suspa Al-pattern • Udka-pattern

Breaching carapace: Kalu'teh-pattern • Gloto-pattern
Intrusion carapace: Yado-pattern
Miscellaneous: Gydrozka Workshop Breaching Pod • Unidentified

Multiple-occupant Assault carapace: Gloto'kas-pattern • Gloto'kef-pattern • Yado'kef-pattern

Breaching carapace: Kalu'qeh-pattern

Miscellaneous Escape pod
Civilian transport craft
Pre-Covenant craft
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