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Kez'katu-pattern Phantom: Difference between revisions

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{{Ratings}}
{{Title|''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom}}
{{Era|H2|H3|HW|H3R|RE|GOO|UP|HGN|LE}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{cleanup}}
{{Disambig header|the Phantom introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''|other Phantom models|Phantom}}
<center>''Were you looking for the [[Spirit]]-class dropship used in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo Wars]]?''</center>
{{Ship class infobox
{{Ship
|image=[[File:H2A Render Phantom.png|300px]]
|image=[[Image:PhantomH3.png|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]], later [[Covenant Separatists]] and [[Covenant 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]]'' and ''[[Halo Wars]]''. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', it boasted two [[Plasma Cannon]]s, and an unmanned 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 crafts.
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. They also have capability of reaching greater speeds and are more maneuverable 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 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}}


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.
===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''}}


== Phantom in Combat ==
===Crew and complement===
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}}
[[Image:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|thumb|right|A Phantom dropping a [[Spectre]].]]
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]], [[Elites]] and [[Engineers]]; 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 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}}


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. The damage is tied between them, meaning two shots to the front and two to the back will take it down. Most other changes are superficial, including some new color schemes.
==Identified Phantoms==
*''[[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 Sangheili -- if you destroy the Phantom on the level "The Covenant" at the third tower that drops [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] off, an Sangheili 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, The Sangheili.
{{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 Loyalist 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 fall off it as it speeds up flinging you out -- this, however, is more likely because [[Bungie]] did not want players riding on the Phantoms. This can be avoided by killing one of the elites on the plasma cannons and hopping onto it before you are flung to your death.
==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. The last alternate method of troop deployment is through the back, though this is now very uncommon, due to the convenience of the gravity lift and collapsible sides.
==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'.}}


It is still unknown how affective the Phantom may be in space combat, but it may be used as a transport for raiding parties on UNSC ships and possibly facing off UNSC fighters along with hit and run tactics.
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.}}


==Phantom in Halo 3==
==Trivia==
[[Image:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construction equipment in Halo 3, as seen in this image.]]
=== Production notes ===
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).  
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*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''.{{Ref/Game|Id=model|H2A|Detail=''3D model data''}}
 
==Gallery==
===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>
 
===Renders===
<gallery>
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled render of the Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2APhantom.jpg|A model of the Phantom for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A Phantom Ventral Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.
File:H2A Phantom Aft Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's aft.
</gallery>


===Changes from [[Halo 2]] to [[Halo 3]] and [[Halo 3: ODST]]===
===Screenshots===
*The Phantom's hull is now a medium-dark violet in ''Halo 3'', rather than magenta as it is in ''Halo 2''.
<gallery>
*The Phantom fires shots that are now a purple color, rather than a vivid red.
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
*The Phantom is now fully destructible -- not just the turrets on the belly.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
*The Phantom delivers troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
*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.
File:H2A-Phantoms.jpg|Phantoms during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].
*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]].
File:HM-BloodingYears.jpg|Phantoms participating at [[Siege at Kolaar]].
*The engines make a different sound in ''Halo 3''.
File:HTV-Reckoning Phantom.png|A Phantom in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
</gallery>
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
*When destroyed in ''Halo 3: ODST'', it explodes into pieces of small wreckage, rather than larger wreckage like in ''Halo 3''.
*The Phantom has the ability to carry [[Huragok|Engineers]] in pod-like cases in ''Halo 3: ODST''.


===Troop clamps===
==List of appearances==
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.
{{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}}


==Known ''Phantoms''==
==Notes==
*[[Glorious Advance]] - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Trivia==
==Sources==
*The Separatists' Phantom resembles Romulan ships from Star Trek in both it's lime-green color and it's cloaking ability.
{{Ref/Sources}}
*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 its turrets out.
*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.
*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''<nowiki>'</nowiki>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.
*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 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 ''[[Halo 3]]'', if you destroy a Separatist Phantom, it will emit a green gas instead of the purple from the [[Covenant]] counterparts.
*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. While it was cut from ''ODST'', the headlight re-appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*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.
*In the E3 trailer the rear is open suggesting it was meant to have a rear door. This was later cut from the Halo 2 and in Halo 3 it was replaced with side doors.
*While it was originally suggested that the Phantom replaced the Spirit, this appears to be false due to ''Halo Wars: Genesis'' and the fact that both the Spirit and Phantom appear in ''Reach''. The appearance of both of them in ''Reach'' may mean that the Phantom and Spirit have different functions than one another despite both being troop transports.


==Gallery==
{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}
<gallery>
Image:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two [[Banshees]] on [[The Ark]].
Image:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Covenant Separatists Phantom exploding.
Image:1216048876 Phantom front.jpg|A front view of a Loyalist Phantom.
Image:Active Camo Phantom.jpg|A Separatist Phantom coming out of active camouflage in the level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]].
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]].
Image:HaloReach - Screenshot 05.jpg|A Phantom as it appears in [[Halo: Reach]].
</gallery>


== See Also ==
[[Category:Phantom variants]]
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] - The UNSC equivalent of the Phantom.
*[[Type-25 Troop Carrier]] - Otherwise known as the ''Spirit'', the older Covenant dropship.
{{CovenantShips}}
{{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]

  • 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]

Renders[edit]

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