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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Newcontent|a Halo Waypoint article}}
[[File:H2A - Grunt on Shade.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[Unggoy Minor]] manning a {{Pattern|Eeo'Pimu|Shade}} on [[Installation 05]].]]
[[File:H2A - Grunt on Shade.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[Unggoy Minor]] manning a {{Pattern|Eeo'Pimu|Shade}} on [[Installation 05]].]]
'''Shade''' is a common name given to the [[Covenant]]'s manned stationary gun turrets.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''Bungie.net game stats''</ref><ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 171''</ref> These weapons platforms vary in shape and role, but are similar enough in function and purpose to be grouped into the same category. Specifically designated types of Shade include the [[Rizsheda-pattern Shade|Type-26]], [[Eeo'Pimu-pattern Shade|Type-27]], [[Mamua'uda-pattern Shade|Type-29]],{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} and [[Sho'riru-pattern Shade|Type-55]] Anti-Infantry Stationary Guns.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/shade '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Shade Turret'']</ref>
'''Shades''', more formally designated by the [[Covenant]] as '''Gun Pods''' and by the [[United Nations Space Command]] as '''Anti-Infantry Stationary Guns''', are a series of standardised defensive turret emplacements used by the Covenant and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. They consist of manned stationary gun turrets that are easily air-deployable via [[dropship]] and are extremely varied in design - with dozens of [[design pattern]] variations to account for ever-changing battlefield needs and the ergonomic requirements of the Covenant's client species.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=302-303}} Shade variants vary in shape and role, but are similar enough in function and purpose to be grouped into the same category.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/shade|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Shade Turret|D=30|M=09|Y=2016}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=171}}


Shade turrets were once exclusively designed and manufactured by the [[Assembly Forges]] of ''[[High Charity]]''. After the holy city [[Fall of High Charity|fell]] to the [[Flood]] and was later [[Raid on High Charity|destroyed]] by [[John-117]], [[Achoem Weapons]]—based in [[Tolvuus]], [[Sanghelios]]—maintains the long-standing tradition of manufacturing the Shade turret.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
Shade turrets were once exclusively designed and manufactured by the [[Assembly Forges]] of [[High Charity]]. After the holy city [[Fall of High Charity|fell]] to the [[Flood]] and was later [[Raid on High Charity|destroyed]] by [[John-117]], [[Achoem Weapons]]—based in [[Tolvuus]], [[Sanghelios]]—maintains the long-standing tradition of manufacturing the Shade turret.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


==Design details==
==Design details==
Line 11: Line 10:
The Shades serve as the Covenant's primary stationary gun turrets and are commonly operated by [[Unggoy]]. Virtually all models of the Shade offer a wide field of fire by virtue of their mobile turret chassis nestled on a 360-degree traversal anti-gravity mount. The Covenant use this to their advantage and place Shades at strategic points where they can do the most damage, often around their outposts or [[Military base|bases]]; more permanent facilities are usually also equipped with heavier {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}}s. Though most of the Shade models fill an anti-infantry role, anti-vehicle and anti-air variants of the Shade turrets also exist.
The Shades serve as the Covenant's primary stationary gun turrets and are commonly operated by [[Unggoy]]. Virtually all models of the Shade offer a wide field of fire by virtue of their mobile turret chassis nestled on a 360-degree traversal anti-gravity mount. The Covenant use this to their advantage and place Shades at strategic points where they can do the most damage, often around their outposts or [[Military base|bases]]; more permanent facilities are usually also equipped with heavier {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}}s. Though most of the Shade models fill an anti-infantry role, anti-vehicle and anti-air variants of the Shade turrets also exist.


Anti-infantry Shade guns fire bolts of slow moving, high-powered plasma encased in magnetic fields. The accuracy of a Shade's weapon is fairly low, as the bolts of plasma fired can hit anywhere within the aiming reticle. The anti-infantry Shade is effective against most infantry. However, due to their high intelligence, [[Sangheili]] will often find cover and escape the Shade's range of fire. On this same note, the bolts fired lack the required punch to damage [[Mgalekgolo]], whose armor and combat shield can withstand most Covenant and UNSC small firearms, causing the plasma bolts to have little to no effect on them. It has shown good defense against light vehicles such as the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]], and in desperate situations, can serve as anti-aircraft defense, requiring only a few direct hits to destroy a [[Banshee]].
Anti-infantry Shade guns fire bolts of slow moving, high-powered plasma encased in magnetic fields. The accuracy of a Shade's weapon is fairly low, as the bolts of plasma fired can hit anywhere within the aiming reticle. The anti-infantry Shade is effective against most infantry. However, due to their high intelligence, [[Sangheili]] will often find cover and escape the Shade's range of fire. On this same note, the bolts fired lack the required punch to damage [[Mgalekgolo]], whose armor and combat shield can withstand most Covenant and UNSC small firearms, causing the plasma bolts to have little to no effect on them. It has shown good defense against light vehicles such as the [[Ghost]], and in desperate situations, can serve as anti-aircraft defense, requiring only a few direct hits to destroy a [[Banshee]].
 
As with its recognizable human counterpart, the [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]], the anti-infantry Shade is very effective against both enemy ground forces and light vehicles. Some of its advantages over its human counterpart are that the plasma bolts are accurate and effective at longer distances and it is easier to see where shots are actually going than it is with the M41's rounds, although this might also affect the ability of the target to dodge them. As a disadvantage, the operator will be exposed to enemy fire. While it is useful against enemies in light vehicles, this is not a weapon of choice when facing an enemy armored vehicle. Also, as is the case with the M41, the gunner is unprotected from the rear and particularly vulnerable to [[grenade]]s.


==Variants==
==Variants==
===Covenant Shade===
===Covenant Shade===
*[[Type-25 Shade]]
Categorising the vast array of Shade [[design pattern]] variants has proven a challenge for [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] analysts, due to the Covenant's disregard for standardised doctrine. For thousands of years at the empire's height, fleets were simply provisioned with "Shades", with chassis and armaments styles that would be unrecognisable to a modern observer. ONI [[Type classification system|type-classifications]] group Shades by the year in which they were first encountered - by contrast, the Covenant's methodology for Shade deployments was ultimately decided by the aesthetic whims of the [[San'Shyuum]] official in charge of supplying a given military unit.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
The T-25 Shade is a rare iteration of the turret. According to [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] analysis, the {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}}'s [[Heavy plasma cannon|plasma cannon]] appears to be a slightly older variation of the weapon installed on the T-25 Shade turret.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/spirit '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Spirit'']</ref>


*{{Pattern|Preksheda|Shade}}
*'''[[Type-25 Shade]]''' - a rarely-seen variant of Shade, and considered by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] to be a slightly newer variation of the ''Murien''-pattern [[heavy plasma cannon]] installed on the {{Pattern|Dextro Xur|Spirit}} dropship.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/spirit|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spirit|D=01|M=11|Y=2020}}
<gallery>
*'''{{Pattern|Bmur'resh|Shade}}''' - a variant based on the ''Eeo'Pimu''-pattern, designed by the [[Sangheili]] in the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]] without the restrictions upon firepower imposed by the [[San'Shyuum]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
File:T26 ASG.png|''Preksheda''-pattern Shade
*'''{{Pattern|Eeo'Pimu|Shade}}''' - a lightweight and portable Shade variant developed for [[Covenant Special Operations]] units and [[Covenant fleet|fleets]] serving directly under [[Hierarchs]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
</gallery>
*'''{{Pattern|Mamua'uda|Shade}}''' - one of the oldest Shade variants in use, and one especially prized by Covenant commanders due to its antiquity.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
The ''Preksheda''-pattern Shade is the most widely used version of the Shade turret, and is generally regarded as the most effective one. This is in no small part due to its versatility; the components of the ''Preksheda''-pattern Shade are interchangeable, allowing for different weapon configurations to suit a variety of roles, including anti-armor fuel rods or more powerful plasma bolts and additional energy shielding for anti-air defense.
*'''{{Pattern|Preksheda|Shade}}''' - the most common Shade used during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. The ''Preksheda'' is a modular and extremely versatile Shade variant, with alternate weapons fittings including anti-armour [[fuel rod cannon]]s and anti-air rapid-fire plasma cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
*'''{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}}''' - an alternate variation on the ''Preksheda'', with more focus on gunner protection - though not as commonly used.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
The ''Preksheda'' variant is made up of a main turret component, which rests on a circular anti-gravity cradle which allows for 360° movement. Though several different configurations of the gun have appeared, the chassis of the basic version offers little protection for the gunner other than two flaps of armor on the side flanks.<ref>'''Halo: Reach'''</ref> A heavier armored version of the weapon also exists; this variant provides excellent front and side protection for the gunner.
*'''{{Pattern|Sho'riru|Shade}}''' - a post-war variant most predominantly used by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]], prized for its extraordinary rate of fire and considered to be without equal.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
 
<gallery class="center">
*{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}}
File:H5G - Shade render.png|''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade
<gallery>
File:Type26 ASG.png|''Rizsheda''-pattern Shade
</gallery>
The ''Rizsheda''-pattern Shade was used by the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s forces in the final month of the Human-Covenant War until his death at the hands of the Arbiter [[Thel 'Vadam]].{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|[[Halo 3]]}} The ''Rizsheda'' variant is equipped witb a 360° platform similar to the ''Preksheda'' variant and more protection to the the gunner.
*[[Eeo'Pimu-pattern Shade|''Eeo'pimu''-pattern Shade]]
<gallery>
File:H2 - T27 Shade ASG.png|''Eeo'pimu''-pattern Shade
File:H2 - T27 Shade ASG.png|''Eeo'pimu''-pattern Shade
</gallery>
The ''Eeo-pimu''-pattern Shade is one of the rarer variants of the Shade turret. Like the other variants, it is made up of a turret component resting on an anti-gravity mount. The ''Eeo'pimu'' variant is equipped with a frontal energy shield to protect the gunner. It is lighter in design than the other variants and thus far more portable.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} It fires red plasma bolts similar to the [[heavy plasma cannon]] of the {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}.<ref name="h2">'''Halo 2'''</ref>
The ''Eeo'pimu''-pattern Shade saw use by the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s occupation forces deployed from ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' to [[New Mombasa]] and [[Installation 05]] in [[2552]].{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*{{Pattern|Mamua'uda|Shade}}
<gallery>
File:HCEA-T29ShadeASG.png|''Mamua'uda''-pattern Shade
File:HCEA-T29ShadeASG.png|''Mamua'uda''-pattern Shade
File:T26 ASG.png|''Preksheda''-pattern Shade
File:H3 ShadeTurret Crop.png|''Rizsheda''-pattern Shade
File:H4 ShadeTurret Crop.png|''Sho'riru''-pattern Shade
</gallery>
</gallery>
The ''Mamua'uda''-pattern Shade consists of a sturdy base of three legs and a floating, mobile, turret-like seat with control systems for its plasma cannon. It fires three rounds of slow, purple plasma bolts at once, and has very limited precision and a medium rate of fire. It provides greater mobility than some of the other variants, at the expense of protection.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}}
*{{Pattern|Sho'riru|Shade}}
<gallery>
File:H4-T55ShadeASG.png|''Sho'riru''-pattern Shade
</gallery>
The ''Sho'riru''-pattern Shade is a more recently-encountered model, notably deployed by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] during the [[First Battle of Requiem|first]] and [[Second Battle of Requiem|second]] battles of [[Requiem]] in [[2557]] and [[2558]], respectively.<ref name="H4">'''Halo 4'''</ref>
*{{Pattern|Bmur'resh|Shade}}
<gallery>
File:H5G - Shade render.png|''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade
</gallery>
The ''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade was utilised by both the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] during the [[Battle of Kamchatka]], [[Battle of Nuusra]] and the [[Battle of Sunaion]] in [[2558]].{{Ref/Game|Id=H5SoS|Halo 5: Guardians|Swords of Sanghelios (level)}}


===Banished Shade===
===Banished Shade===
*[[Banished Shade|Shade (Halo Wars 2)]]
A number of Shade offshoots have been designed for use by the [[Banished]].
<gallery>
*'''[[Bolroci Workshop Shade]]''' - a shade highly based on the {{Pattern|Preksheda|Shade|}} design, though with [[energy shielding]] installed for gunner protection.
File:HW2 Artwork ShadeDrop.jpg
*'''[[Banished Shade|Shade (Halo Wars 2)]]''' - an unidentified model used by Banished forces [[Second Ark Conflict|occupying]] the [[Installation 00|Ark]].
</gallery>
<gallery class="center">
During the occupation of [[Installation 00]] in [[2559]], [[Yapyap]] used an unidentified variant of the Banished Shade turret during his rebellion against the Banished.<ref name="HW2">'''Halo Wars 2'''</ref>
File:HINF ShadeTurret Crop.png|[[Bolroci Workshop Shade]]
 
File:HW2 Artwork ShadeDrop.jpg|[[Banished Shade|Unidentified model]]
*[[Bolroci Workshop Shade]]
<gallery>
File:HINF XGS2020 Shade 3.png|Bolroci Workshop Shade
</gallery>
</gallery>
During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], Escharum's forces used a variant similar to the ''Preksheda'' variant with energy shielding in place of armor plating used in the ''Rizsheda'' variant.{{Ref/Game|id=HINF|[[Halo Infinite]]}}


==In-game==
==In-game==
Line 80: Line 50:
The Shade makes an appearance in ''[[Halo Wars]]'' and is identical to the Type-29 Shade from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. Anti-air and anti-vehicle variants of the Type-26 Shade are also introduced in ''Halo: Reach''.
The Shade makes an appearance in ''[[Halo Wars]]'' and is identical to the Type-29 Shade from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. Anti-air and anti-vehicle variants of the Type-26 Shade are also introduced in ''Halo: Reach''.


*In [[Forge/Halo: Reach]], the shade turret is the only covenant vehicle that can be colored based on the team, only changing the base of the turret
*In [[Forge/Halo: Reach|Halo: Reach's Forge]], the shade turret is the only Covenant vehicle that can be colored based on the team, only changing the base of the turret
===Campaign tactics===
===Campaign tactics===
*Heavy weapons, vehicles or grenades are perfect to destroy Shades.
*Heavy weapons, vehicles or grenades are perfect to destroy Shades.
Line 107: Line 77:
File:HCEA-T29ShadeASG.png|A ''Mamua'uda''-pattern Shade in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:HCEA-T29ShadeASG.png|A ''Mamua'uda''-pattern Shade in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:H4-T55ShadeASG.png|A ''Sho'riru''-pattern Shade in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4-T55ShadeASG.png|A ''Sho'riru''-pattern Shade in ''Halo 4''.
File:H5G - Shade render.png|A standard variant of the ''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Halo 5 Anti-air shade.png| A fuel rod variant of the ''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Halo 5 Anti-air shade.png| A fuel rod variant of the ''Bmur'resh''-pattern Shade in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:HW2 Artwork ShadeDrop.jpg|[[Blitz]] card of a Banished Shade in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HW2-Shades.png|Banished Shades in ''Halo Wars 2''.
File:HINF ShadeTurret.jpg|A Bolroci Workshop Shade in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF ShadeTurret.jpg|A Bolroci Workshop Shade in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''  
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''  
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**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
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*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
 
{{col-end}}
==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}

Latest revision as of 07:52, July 15, 2024

Shades, more formally designated by the Covenant as Gun Pods and by the United Nations Space Command as Anti-Infantry Stationary Guns, are a series of standardised defensive turret emplacements used by the Covenant and its remnants. They consist of manned stationary gun turrets that are easily air-deployable via dropship and are extremely varied in design - with dozens of design pattern variations to account for ever-changing battlefield needs and the ergonomic requirements of the Covenant's client species.[1] Shade variants vary in shape and role, but are similar enough in function and purpose to be grouped into the same category.[2][3]

Shade turrets were once exclusively designed and manufactured by the Assembly Forges of High Charity. After the holy city fell to the Flood and was later destroyed by John-117, Achoem Weapons—based in Tolvuus, Sanghelios—maintains the long-standing tradition of manufacturing the Shade turret.[2]

Design details[edit]

Design details and operation[edit]

The Shades serve as the Covenant's primary stationary gun turrets and are commonly operated by Unggoy. Virtually all models of the Shade offer a wide field of fire by virtue of their mobile turret chassis nestled on a 360-degree traversal anti-gravity mount. The Covenant use this to their advantage and place Shades at strategic points where they can do the most damage, often around their outposts or bases; more permanent facilities are usually also equipped with heavier Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern citadel turrets. Though most of the Shade models fill an anti-infantry role, anti-vehicle and anti-air variants of the Shade turrets also exist.

Anti-infantry Shade guns fire bolts of slow moving, high-powered plasma encased in magnetic fields. The accuracy of a Shade's weapon is fairly low, as the bolts of plasma fired can hit anywhere within the aiming reticle. The anti-infantry Shade is effective against most infantry. However, due to their high intelligence, Sangheili will often find cover and escape the Shade's range of fire. On this same note, the bolts fired lack the required punch to damage Mgalekgolo, whose armor and combat shield can withstand most Covenant and UNSC small firearms, causing the plasma bolts to have little to no effect on them. It has shown good defense against light vehicles such as the Ghost, and in desperate situations, can serve as anti-aircraft defense, requiring only a few direct hits to destroy a Banshee.

Variants[edit]

Covenant Shade[edit]

Categorising the vast array of Shade design pattern variants has proven a challenge for Office of Naval Intelligence analysts, due to the Covenant's disregard for standardised doctrine. For thousands of years at the empire's height, fleets were simply provisioned with "Shades", with chassis and armaments styles that would be unrecognisable to a modern observer. ONI type-classifications group Shades by the year in which they were first encountered - by contrast, the Covenant's methodology for Shade deployments was ultimately decided by the aesthetic whims of the San'Shyuum official in charge of supplying a given military unit.[2]

Banished Shade[edit]

A number of Shade offshoots have been designed for use by the Banished.

In-game[edit]

The Shade was first seen in the E3 demo atop a Wuzum-pattern Spectre and made its first gameplay appearance in Halo: Combat Evolved's level, The Truth and Reconciliation. The campaign version of the gun is almost twice as fast as the multiplayer version.

In Halo 3, the Shade's aiming reticule was similar to a Needler's, except with a circle of lines at the center. The Shade was in multiplayer only in Halo 3 Epsilon, as it was removed from the final version, even in Forge. Shades were later made available, free of modding, on some Forge maps.

Neither the Power Drain nor an overcharged Plasma Pistol shot can disable the Shade's firing mechanisms, though either of these will temporarily disable its ability to rotate, this applies to all EMP weapons.

The Shade makes an appearance in Halo Wars and is identical to the Type-29 Shade from Halo: Combat Evolved. Anti-air and anti-vehicle variants of the Type-26 Shade are also introduced in Halo: Reach.

  • In Halo: Reach's Forge, the shade turret is the only Covenant vehicle that can be colored based on the team, only changing the base of the turret

Campaign tactics[edit]

  • Heavy weapons, vehicles or grenades are perfect to destroy Shades.
  • In Halo Combat Evolved, if you get close to a Shade and try to push it, the operator can turn the turret and splatter you with the gun.
    • You can also force them to dismount by using explosives to cause the turret to flip.
  • In Halo 3: ODST, Automags and snipers can be used to kill the gunner if no heavy weapons can be found.
  • Ramming it with any vehicle at speed is an instant kill except in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo Wars.
    • Warthogs and Choppers can ram the turret without injuring the drivers, while Ghosts have a risk of damaging the drivers when ramming.
  • In Halo 3 if you shoot a Shade from a distance and in the middle between the two pieces that jut out, the operator might jump out, making them an easier target.
  • In Halo 3, if the player stand right in front of the turret, in between the guns, the operator will not turn the turret to make the player slide in front of it, making you a harder target.
  • In Halo: Reach, enemies on Legendary can fire the Shade turret at an extreme rate.
  • In Halo: Reach, if the player get close to the turret, the operator will jump out of it.
  • In Halo: Spartan Assault and Halo: Spartan Strike when a Shade reaches 66% damage, the enemy will dismount from it.
    • Note that you cannot score a double kill when you destroy the Shade Turret along with a mounted gunner.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 302-303
  2. ^ a b c Halo Waypoint, Shade Turret (Retrieved on Sep 30, 2016) [archive]
  3. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 171
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint, Spirit (Retrieved on Nov 1, 2020) [archive]