Canon

M808B Scorpion: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

(Undo revision 815733 by Radical Edward2 (talk))
 
(584 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{era|RVB|H1|H2|H3|HW|H3R|FOR|TF|GOO|TCP|HGN|UP|ILB}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{disambig header|the older variant of the M808 Scorpion tank|other uses|Scorpion (disambiguation)}}
<center>''Were you also looking for [[Scorpion Missile|Scorpion Rockets]], anti-tank missiles employed by the UNSC?''</center>
{{Vehicle infobox
{{Ship
|image=[[File:H2A M808BScorpion Render.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[Image:1218570631 Scorpion.jpg|350 px]]
|name=M808B Main Battle Tank
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=
|line=
|line=[[M808 Scorpion]]
|model=Scorpion
|model=M808B
M808B Main Battle Tank<ref name="halo 1 handbook">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' handbook, page 22</ref><ref name="halo 2 handbook">''[[Halo 2]]'' handbook, page 17</ref><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide">''[[The Official Halo 2 Strategy Guide]]'', page 23</ref>
|cost=
|class=Main Battle Tank<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/>
|length= {{Convert|10.2|m|ft|sp=us}}<ref name="visual">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 164''</ref><ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 238''</ref>
|length=10 meters (32.8 feet)<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/>
|width= {{Convert|7.8|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|visual}}
|width=3 meters (9.84 ft. approx.)
|height=
|height=
|mass=66 tons (132,000 pounds)<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/>
|mass=66 tons
|max accel= 2.5 meters per second (11mph) 
|max speed=
|max speed space=
|max speed air=
|engine=
|engine=
|slipspace drive=
|hull= Ceramic-[[Titanium]] armor<ref name="H1man">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''game manual''</ref><ref name="H2man">'''[[Halo 2]]''', ''game manual''</ref><ref name="flood137">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 137''</ref>
|slipspace speed=
|armament=
|poweroutput=
*One [[M512 90mm Smooth Bore High Velocity Cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|visual}}
|power=
*1 coaxial [[M231 Medium Machine Gun]]<ref name="Waypoint">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Scorpion"''</ref>
|shield gen=None
|crew=
|hull=Ceramic-Titanium Armor<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/><ref name="the flood">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 137</ref>
*2 operators (no augmentations){{Ref/Reuse|H1man}}
|sensor=
or
|target=
*One operator with [[neural interface]]{{Ref/Reuse|H2man}}
|navigation=
|complement=Up to four passengers
|avionics=
|countermeasures=[[Wraith]] Tank, [[Spartan Laser]], [[Rocket Launcher]], [[Fuel Rod Gun]]
|armament=*[[90mm High Velocity Cannon]] (1)
*M247T 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun (1)<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/>(either coaxial<ref>[[Halo 3]]</ref><ref>[[Halo 2]]</ref> or pintle-mounted<ref>[[Halo 3]]</ref>)
|complement=
|crew=*Driver
**Gunner (if both the driver and the gunner have no neural interface)<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/>
*Secondary Machine Gunner (Halo 3 only)
|skeleton=*Driver<ref name="halo 2 handbook"/>
|passengers=Passenger (4)<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/>
|capacity=
|consumables=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|firstuse-title=In service
|role=*Main Battle Tank
|firstuse=[[Insurrection]]<br>
*Anti-Vehicular platform
[[Human-Covenant War]]
*Anti-infantry platform<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/>
|role=
|era=
*Anti-armor platform{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/>
*Anti-vehicular platform{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*Anti-infantry platform{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*Heavy weaponry{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
}}
}}
{{quote|This here is 66 tons of straight-up, HE-spewin', dee-vine intervention!|[[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery J. Johnson]]}}
{{Quote|This here is 66 tons of straight-up, HE-spewin', dee-vine intervention!|[[Avery Johnson]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].<ref name="Metropolis">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]''</ref>}}
The '''M808B Scorpion''', formally the '''M808B Main Battle Tank''',{{Ref/Reuse|H1man}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2man}} is a variant of the [[M808 Scorpion]]. The tank features a coaxial-mounted [[M231 Medium Machine Gun|M231 machine gun]] and lacks a gunner compartment.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}


The '''M808B Main Battle Tank'''<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/> (abbreviated '''M808B MBT'''), commonly known as simply the '''Scorpion''', is a [[UNSC]] main battle tank. It is outfitted with a 90mm high-velocity cannon, a coaxial<ref>[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]</ref><ref>[[Halo 2]]</ref> or pintle-mounted<ref>[[Halo 3]]</ref> 7.62mm machine gun, and titanium-ceramic armor-plating.  It can carry four troops (apart from the tank's crew) who can fire their weapons from emergency jump seats on the outside of the tank.
==Design details==
The M808B features a coaxially mounted [[M231 Medium Machine Gun]]. The machine gun is mounted beside the primary weapon and thus points in the same general direction as the main armament, relying in the turret's ability to traverse in order to change arc. The tank can also be outfitted with a 105mm gun for greater offensive power.<ref name="Halo: The Flood">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 153''</ref>


==Overview==
==Operational history==
An older variant of the Scorpion, the M808B saw use throughout the [[Insurrection]] and later the [[Human-Covenant War]], and has been in service for almost two centuries.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} It served alongside the [[M808C Scorpion]] as well as the [[M850 Grizzly]].


{{Quote|Hey, how does 90 millimeters of tungsten strike ya?|[[Pete Stacker|Gunnery Sergeant Pete Stacker]]}}
In February [[2531]] the crew of the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} utilized multiple M808B Scorpions during the end of the [[Harvest Campaign]]. Shortly after a UNSC force led by [[John Forge|Sergeant Forge]] retook the besieged [[Alpha Base (Harvest)|Alpha Base]] from the [[Covenant]], M808B Scorpions were deployed alongside other forces in an assault against the Covenant-held [[Relic (location)|relic]]. The UNSC force was successful in stopping the Covenant, wiping out a Covenant [[Covenant citadel|base]] before stopping them from destroying the Relic with demolition charges.
{{Quote|Tank beats ghost! ... Tank beats Hunter! ... Tank beats everything! Man, I could do this all day!|Unnamed [[Marine]] on [[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]]}}
[[File:HW ArcadiaOutskirts.png|thumb|300px|left|UNSC forces, including an M808B Scorpion, retreating from Pirth City.]]
The sturdy M808B Scorpion MBT is an armored tracked vehicle used during planetside combat. It can seat a driver, a gunner and four passengers that ride on the bogeys, two on each side.<ref name="halo 1 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 handbook"/><ref name="halo 2 strategy guide"/> The counterpart to the [[Covenant]] [[Wraith]], it lacks speed but the main cannon has a higher rate of fire, allowing for more damage to be dealt out, and has much greater accuracy, with no need to compensate for anything but muzzle-to-target travel time.
After the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} arrived at the planet of [[Arcadia]], which was [[Battle for Arcadia|under attack]] by the Covenant [[Fleet of Glorious Interdiction]], M808B Scorpions were among the forces deployed into [[Pirth City]] to assist the [[Arcadian Patrol]] in evacuating [[civilian]]s aboard several [[Banta-class transport|cargo ships]]. After saving hundreds of civilians from the Covenant onslaught, the UNSC forces left the city through its traffic tunnels. At least one M808B made it to the outskirts of the city, where it was forced to retreat along with other UNSC survivors to a nearby impact crater, where they would proceed to establish a [[firebase]] and hold out against waves of attacking Covenant forces until [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[Team Omega]] could arrive. Over the course of the battle, [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]] [[Bravo 029 (Pelican)|Bravo 029]] continued to deliver UNSC forces until Team Omega arrived. Now reinforced with the Spartan-II team, the UNSC launched an assault on a heavily-defended Covenant [[Covenant citadel|base]], with M808B Scorpion tanks taking part in the assault. Later, M808Bs were used to help defend a number of [[M145D Rhino|Rhino]] tanks as they attacked a large Covenant [[Energy shielding|energy shield dome]] protecting [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|a series of ancient]] [[Forerunner]] structures. After breaching the dome, M808Bs were among the UNSC ground forces that were deployed into the ruins to destroy a Covenant {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} protecting the main facility.<ref name="HW">'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref>
Its main function is to provide anti-vehicular support. The Scorpion is equipped with two weapon systems. It has a short-to-medium-range coaxial machine gun and an extremely powerful main cannon. While the main cannon can fire one round every three to four seconds, the machine gun has an unlimited ammunition supply, no cool-down, and can fire when the cannon is reloading. The Scorpion's chassis is covered with heavy titanium-ceramic armor plating, making it incredibly resilient to small-arms fire; however, it's still possible for infantry-portable light anti-armor weapons to inflict a catastrophic kill.


The Scorpion has a dead space around it because the turret is mounted far back and elevated.<ref name="halo 1">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''</ref><ref name="halo 2">''[[Halo 2]]''</ref> The tank is known to fire three types of ammunition, HE (High Explosive) Tungsten Kinetic energy penetrator, and a cannister round. By the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the machine gun turret had been situated further forward, with a narrower dead space in terms of distance, but unable to cover the rear of the tank since the turret blocks its field of fire. The tank houses an interesting track assembly, with two bogeys on each flank of the vehicle, front-to-back. This, coupled with its unique "high-rise" turret configuration, gives the Scorpion a distinct profile on the battlefield that is hard to miss by both groundside and aerial combatants. <ref name="halo 1"/><ref name="halo 2"/>
Upon their arrival at [[Trove]], the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} immediately began to deploy ground forces, with many of these being M808B Scorpion tanks. After Spartan [[Red Team]] became separated from the main UNSC force, Sergeant Forge assembled a team to reinforce them, as well as to destroy a [[Flood]] [[Proto-Gravemind]] that was blocking a transmission from Professor [[Ellen Anders]], who had been abducted by the Covenant on Arcadia. M808B Scorpions, along with various other ground and air assets from the ''Spirit of Fire'', were able to punch through heavy Flood resistance, destroying several [[Flood colony|colonies]] and the Proto-Gravemind. When the ''Spirit of Fire'' found itself being pulled into the shield world, [[James Cutter|Captain Cutter]] ordered all ground forces to return to the ship. Three [[platoon]]s were stranded on the surface and a rescue force was dispatched to retrieve them, including a number of M808B tanks. Sergeant Forge later lead an assault on four fortified Covenant bases in the interior of the shield world, in order to establish an effective resistance to allow them to springboard their assault on the [[Apex Site]]. The UNSC soon attacked the Apex Site, deploying M808B Scorpions alongside other ground forces to clear out Covenant and Flood resistance on the vast ramps leading up to the site itself. In the final engagement of the battle on the shield world, Scorpions, along with other UNSC ground forces were deployed with the objective of opening six interlocks that would open the portal to be used by the ''Spirit of Fire'' in order to escape from the planet before Sergeant Forge activated the ships [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine|FTL Drive]] in the installation's star. Within thirty minutes, they were successful in their mission, allowing the ''Spirit of Fire'' to narrowly escape the planet as it is destroyed.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


[[Image:HW4.jpg|thumb|An upgraded Scorpion tank, c.[[2531]]]]
During the Covenant [[Fall of Reach|invasion of]] [[Reach]] in summer of [[2552]], several M808B Scorpion tanks were deployed as part of the UNSC defensive forces for the groundside [[Orbital defense generator|generators]] powering the planet's [[orbital defense platform]]s. [[Orbital Defense Generator Facility A-331|Facility A-331]] was attacked by thousands of Covenant soldiers, and many Scorpions were engaged in the battle before a poorly-targeted [[Carpet bombing|bombing run]] wiped out the remaining attackers but also killed the majority of [[Charlie Company]], including the M808Bs. By the time [[Frederic-104]] and [[Red Team]] arrived, only four UNSC Marines were left.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 22''</ref>
Although it has been stated numerous times to be a main battle tank, it seems to have been designed as a lighter armored vehicle. 20th Century MBT's commonly carry crews of four or more, while the Scorpion only has two visible internal crew compartments, and in later models a small area where a crew member can man a machine gun for anti-infantry defensive capabilities. There may be another crew member in the turret serving as a loader/gunner, but it is more likely that the Scorpion uses an autoloader, giving it a probable maximum of three crew members and room for additional passengers on the outside. It may be that advances in tank technology have allowed for smaller crews in MBT's.


The {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} carried twenty M808B Scorpions in preparation of [[Operation: RED FLAG]].<ref name="Warfleet">[[Halo: Warfleet]], pg. 25</ref> Before the operation could be carried out, the Covenant attack on Reach forced the ''Pillar of Autumn'' to flee the system, ultimately arriving at [[Installation 04]]. Upon arrival in the [[Soell system]], the ship immediately came under attack from the Covenant [[Fleet of Particular Justice]]. With Cortana operating the ship's [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC]], the ''Autumn'' managed to destroy four {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and damage several others before the MAC was disabled. Captain [[Jacob Keyes]] ordered all crew to abandon the ship before setting it on a collision course with the ring. The ''Autumn'' survived the landing, but was damaged beyond repair. A strike force of UNSC [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] along with [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] led by Lieutenant [[Melissa McKay]] soon staged an assault on the crashed ship, in order to scavenge supplies to return to the newly-established [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]]. A number of M808B Scorpions, along with [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthogs]], [[M274R Mongoose|Mongooses]], [[UH-144 Falcon|Falcons]] and [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]] clashed with a large force of Covenant infantry and armor in front of the downed Cruiser.<ref name="HFR Rubble">'''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''', campaign level ''[[Rubble]]''</ref> The UNSC forces were ultimately successful in their raid, managing to salvage four more Scorpions for the [[Battle of Installation 04|battle]] against the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''chapter 5''</ref> As the convoy made their way from the downed ''Pillar of Autumn'' towards Alpha Base, they were ambushed by a Covenant force commanded by [[Field Master]] [[Noga 'Putumee]]. The M808Bs proved instrumental in allowing the human forces to punch through, as they were able to inflict heavy casualties on the attackers and neutralise at least one of the [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]] that were bombarding their position.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''chapter 6''</ref>
[[File:ScorpionControlRoom.png|thumb|250px|John-117 fighting Covenant forces on Installation 04 in an M808B Scorpion.]]
During his push towards Installation 04's [[Control Room (Installation 04)|control room]], [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] found members of [[Fireteam Zulu]] engaging Covenant forces near [[030569|an]] unmanned M808B Scorpion, and proceeded to take control of the tank. The Spartan used the M808B to push through several valleys and underground chasms, destroying large numbers of Covenant infantry, armor and aerial defenses before he was forced to leave the tank behind when he encountered several large pipes that prevented them from going forward with the vehicle.{{Ref/Reuse|Assault}} Later, during the Covenant [[Battle of Alpha Base|attack]] on Alpha Base, a pair of entrenched M808B Scorpions inflicted heavy casualties on the Covenant, killing Field Master 'Putumee and throwing the assault into disarray.<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''chapter 8''</ref> All Scorpions were destroyed, along with Installation 04, when John-117 overloaded the ''Pillar of Autumn's'' reactor.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[The Maw]]</ref>


Four Marines can sit on the tracks of the tank and fire their weapons, using the tank as a transport and jumping of the tank when reaching their destination. Any Marines sitting on the tread covers of the Scorpion are vulnerable to small-arms fire, and any explosions near the tank may kill all personnel riding on the bogeys, while leaving crew members relatively unscathed. Its cannon, a 90mm piece, also appears weak when compared to contemporary MBT armaments: the M1 Abrams series, for example, mounts a 120mm cannon. Alternatively, the 90mm cannon could be the "light" variant of the M808, while a 105mm cannon can be mounted for greater offensive power<ref name="Halo: The Flood"> [[Halo: The Flood]], page 153</ref>, an incident which has indeed been recorded.
During the early stages of the [[Battle for Earth]], M808B Scorpions were used by Marines while [[Battle of Mombasa|engaging]] Covenant within the city of [[Mombasa]]. Upon arriving at the Covenant-held [[New Mombasa 105 East#Kilindini Bridge|Kilindini Bridge]] and rendezvousing with two surviving Marines, John-117 was reinforced with [[12-9F5|an]] M808B Scorpion tank delivered by Sergeant [[Avery Johnson]]. Using the tank, John-117 traversed the suspension bridge in pursuit of the [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] which had previously destroyed his Pelican and passed over the bridge. On the way, he used the Scorpion to destroy large numbers of Ghosts, several Wraiths and Banshees before being forced to leave the tank behind due to massive damage the vehicle had sustained.<ref name="metro">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Metropolis]]</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel]]"</ref> [[957-A3|Another]] M808B Scorpion was deployed in front of a [[Lethbridge Industrial]] building being used as a command post for [[A Company]], after the area was secured by John-117. The Scarab the Spartan had been pursuing soon arrived in the area, and the Scorpion tank opened fire on the walker to no avail before being destroyed by the Scarab's [[focus cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|metro}}
[[File:H2A - Pelican and Scorpion.jpg|thumb|left|A D77-TC Pelican dropping off an M808B Scorpion during the Battle of Mombasa.|250px]]
Upon arriving at [[Installation 05]], having followed ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' into [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] from [[Earth]], the {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} deployed John-117 and a team of ODSTs via [[M8823 drop pod]] to secure an initial landing zone that would allow further reinforcements to be deployed to aid in their mission to assassinate the [[Prophet of Regret]]. At a Covenant-held bridge, the presence of multiple Wraiths necessitated the deployment of an M808B Scorpion tank. Using the armored vehicle, John-117 spearheaded the push through multiple Covenant-occupied Forerunner structures before having to leave the tank to proceed deeper into the ruins.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Delta Halo]]</ref> A short time later, Commander [[Miranda Keyes]] deployed the rest of the ''In Amber Clad's'' forces, including a number of M808B Scorpions into the installation's [[quarantine zone]] in search of the [[Activation index]], seeking to keep it out of the Covenant's hands. Upon the deactivation of the [[containment shield]] by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the Flood were unleashed upon the UNSC forces. By the time 'Vadamee and his team of [[Special Operations Sangheili]] passed through the quarantine zone on their way to the [[Library]], many of these tanks had been captured by the Flood, who were using them, along with other UNSC and Covenant vehicles, to great effect against the [[Sentinel]] defenders.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]</ref>


The Scorpion's lightweight, crew-efficient, expeditionary design could be a response to the requirements of a tank used by the [[UNSC Marines]]; a heavy tank would prove less useful in their mobile warfare style and be difficult to drop close to or into combat zones. With a "light" version of the MBTs, Marines can react in a quick and efficient manner. [[Marines]] can sometimes hitch a ride on the sides of the Scorpion, employing small arms to serve as a sort of point-defense system to stave off enemy infantry. The real weakness of the Scorpion is that it is slower than many other UNSC vehicles and, if enemies are too close-in, the driver may be unable to get a clear shot. It is also difficult to fatally run an enemy over due to the slow acceleration and low maximum speed of the Scorpion. As such, the anti-infantry measures must often be taken largely by passengers and the operator of the coaxial machine gun.
By [[2558]], the M808C remained the only variant of the original Scorpion in service with Army and Marine Corps armored units, the M808B having been replaced with the [[M820 Scorpion]].{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}


==Versions==
==Variants==
===[[2531]]===
*'''[[M808B2 Sun Devil]]''': The '''M808B2 Air Defense System'''<ref>[http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HGMB99 '''Spartan Games''' - ''Store: UNSC Standard Armoured Battle Group'']</ref> is built on a slightly modified Scorpion tank hull, the Sun Devil uses a full-rotation turret fitted with two twin-linked 40mm autocannons. Ostensibly an anti-aircraft vehicle, the Sun Devil was used in anti-personnel role throughout the insurrection years, and proved to be very effective in clearing Covenant light infantry from contested points.<ref name="Blitz">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/blitz-coverage '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Community Update - Blitz Coverage'']</ref>
[[Image:Unsc scorpion 3renders.jpg|400px|thumb|A number of Scorpion tank variants.]]
Scorpion Tanks saw service at the [[Third Battle of Harvest]] as the UNSC's primary tank and a flexible vehicle. The Scorpion could be upgraded into a number of variants, including one with a larger gun with a muzzle break and an external ammo store. This can be further upgraded, with the coaxial auto cannon and external magazine for it at the back, along with a gas extractor on the roof. The Scorpion could also be upgraded to the [[Grizzly]] Variant which has two main cannons and a machine gun.


=== September, [[2552]] ===
*'''[[M808B3 Tarantula]]''': Heavy fire support variant. Armed with twin Scimitar 40x178mm hypervelocity rocket pods. Mostly reequipped as M808Bs due to ineffectiveness against Covenant forces.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}}
The [[Halo: Combat Evolved|earliest seen]] version features the standard cannon and coaxial machine gun found on all Scorpion tanks. However, the main cannon requires four seconds to reload, leaving the tank highly vulnerable to enemy fire. The main cannon is ineffective at long ranges, due to its rather high shot spread, and the machine gun is unable to reliably hit targets at anywhere outside a few dozen meters. However, this model Scorpion tank is fairly fast and maneuverable. [[Image:M808.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A Scorpion at [[Blood Gulch]].]]


One feature unique to this version, is the ability for a Marine or Spartan to ride on one of the four bogeys (It is possible to jump and land on it to ride, but this makes it difficult to aim and makes you more vulnerable to small arms fire, as you are more exposed). Riding this way is similar to riding in the passenger seat of the [[Warthog]], but leaves riders much more vulnerable. However, the Scorpion can be used this way as a troop transport, keeping wary players away.
*'''[[ODST Scorpion]]''': A variant of the heavily armored main battle tank, The ODST Scorpion has been secretly designed for the [[105th Special Forces]] with a stealth gray armor that emits a low RADAR detection signature. Its revamped turret houses a heavily modified 90mm High Velocity Cannon with dual recoil brakes to minimize muzzle blast for greater accuracy and stealth when firing.<ref>[https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-gb/worlds/halo/playsets/odst-covenant-invasion '''Megabloks''' ''- ODST SCORPION'']</ref>
<gallery>
File:SunDevil.png|M808B2 Sun Devil.
File:Megabloks ODST Scorpion.png|ODST Scorpion.
</gallery>


Each main gun shot leaves an easily-visible trail behind it, much like the sniper rifle. This allows enemies to locate a tank with greater ease, but also for the tank's operator to more easily walk fire on target. There is an antenna on the top of the tank for communications, however, this does not work in gameplay and can sometimes give away the tank's location when the main hull is in defillade.
===Known individual tanks===
The M808B saw a large number of locally-produced variants and field upgrades over nearly two centuries of use. Periodically, the [[UNSC Army]] made attempts to codify these modifications but met with little success.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} Consequently, many individual tanks (identifiable by the serial number) have slight differences which distinguish them from factory standard M808Bs and each other:
*[[030569]] - A variant that was attached to [[Fireteam Zulu]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04]] in [[2552|September 2552]].<ref name="Assault">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]</ref>
*[[052496]] - Painted with a camouflage.<ref>[https://www.megaconstrux.com/en-gb/worlds/halo/playsets/unsc-scorpion '''Megabloks''' ''- UNSC SCORPION'']</ref>
*[[12-9F5]] - Painted brown, this Scorpion had a wider-set track and an enhanced undercarriage, making it ideal for urban warfare.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*[[957-A3]] - Painted gray, the 957-A3 had enhanced electronics for a more accurate cannon shot.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*957-A4 - A variant used on the [[War Games]] simulation [[Bloodline]].
*[[UE8-14]] - Painted olive green, this variant had thinner armor, was lighter, and was designed for medium-armor warfare.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*[[TB-SB-1]] - Painted black, the TB-SB-1 had thicker armor than the standard Scorpion and featured a sturdier chassis.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}
*[[HJ3-213]] - With thicker treads than the standard M808B, this variant had a sturdier chassis and was built for rough terrain.{{Ref/Reuse|ENC}}


===October 2552===
==Gameplay changes==
[[Image:Scorpion-1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A render of the October Scorpion.]]
===Changes from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' to ''Halo 2''===
The Scorpion Tank had a massive overhaul after the [[Battle of Reach]]. The most noticeable differences are the way the tank drives, the slightly downgraded main cannon, and the removal of the antennas. Instead of driving in the direction the turret is facing, the body and the turret are controlled independently by the left and right thumb stick, respectively. This means that you are able to drive in one direction and shoot in another. The main cannon's reload time has been noticeably shortened and the machine gun is now much more accurate and dependable to take out a group of enemies quickly.<ref name="halo 2"/>
*Players now cannot ride on the tank's tread covers. Standing on them is much easier with the revamped physics engine.
*The [[reticule]] for the tank has also changed and is a lot smaller, for increased accuracy.
*The tank now moves a lot slower, further limiting its movement and its evasive capabilities.
*The tank's canopy has been replaced with a solid metal cover like in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''<nowiki />'s Campaign, preventing the driver from being sniped while it is intact. However, vehicle damage has been added to human vehicles, and so the player is in danger of the tank exploding if too much damage is taken.
*The main cannon reloads twice as fast, requiring only a two second delay. The dots during the reload time are now removed. It is also more accurate.
*The machine gun is now much more accurate. Previously, the machine gun fired in a very wide area.
*Driving and aiming controls are now completely divorced allowing for greater maneuverability when firing. Previously the aiming and steering controls were linked, meaning the player had to steer more or less in the same direction they were aiming.
*Tank shell projectile now travels faster and can no longer be seen with the naked eye.
*The Scorpion tank is no longer indestructible.


As the roll cage has been exchanged for a hatch, the tank is impervious to sniper fire when it is not damaged, but if the canopy takes enough damage, it will fall off, exposing the driver's head.<ref name="halo 2"/> However, a tactic quickly devised was to drive the Scorpion in reverse using the turret itself to protect the driver from potential snipers. This was possible due to the reverse and forward speeds being identical.
===''Halo Wars''===
[[Image:Delivery.png|300px|thumb|right|A Scorpion is delivered to the battlefield by a [[Pelican]].]]
[[File:Unsc scorpion 3renders.jpg|300px|thumb|From left to right: the Scorpion from the least to the most upgraded variant in ''Halo Wars''.]]
This Scorpion was extremely vulnerable to heavy weapons such as the [[Rocket Launcher]] and depending on where the rockets hit the tank could normally only withstand a single rocket with the second rocket destroying the tank. Occasionally the [[Scorpion]] could withstand 2 rockets allowing it time to retreat and recover, this was usually at the expense of it's armor plating, the loss of which makes it weaker.
The Scorpion is the mainline UNSC vehicle, and can be produced from the [[Vehicle Depot]]. 500 resources, three population slots, and a tech level 2 is required to build one. It has the following upgrades:
*''[[S1 canister shell|Canister shell]]'' - A special attack with a blast radius which is devastating to infantry. The upgrade costs 400 resources and requires a tech level of 3.
*''Power turret'' - The turning speed of the turret is doubled. The upgrade costs 900 resources and requires a tech level of 4.
*''Grizzly'' - Turns M808B Scorpion into the [[M850 Grizzly]] (available only if [[Sergeant Forge]] is the leader). The upgrade costs 1800 resources and requires a tech level of 4.


=== November 2552 ===
===Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
[[Image:Marine Scorpion at Installation 00.JPG|thumb|right|Scorpion on the [[Ark]].]]
* The color scheme of the Scorpion is now a brighter olive-green shade.
[[Image:Snow Scorpion.jpg|thumb|right|Scorpion MBT in full snow camouflage.]]  
* The rear of the Scorpion is less boxy, higher off the ground and more angular.
[[Image:Scorpion impact Halo 3.jpg|thumb|right|A Scorpion's 90mm shell impacts with an obstacle.]]
* The turret is wider, and has more protrusions in its armor plating. The assembly to pitch the turret is no longer one contiguous piece.
* The barrel has a muzzle break, and has an optical sight or sensor below it.
* The spare track piece on the top of the body is now smaller and offset, with raised armor extending from the cockpit taking its place.
* Headlights are now affixed above the front tracks.
* The identification decal originally reading "12-9F5" now reads "[[Jorge-052|S-052]]", and is instead on the rear of the turret.
* The cockpit canopy is now wider at the rear, and has three small windows in its front.


The November-era Scorpion Tank's controls are the same as the October variant, with one exception: control of the machine gun has been taken away from the driver, who must now have a passenger to man the gun which changes the capacity from 5 to 6. The speed of the vehicle has also been adjusted so that it is about as fast as its first iteration, but its acceleration is far inferior, taking two or three seconds to get up to full speed. It's reverse speed has been significantly reduced, perhaps in a reaction to reverse driving of the October variant where a driver could be protected from sniping attack by using the tank's turret to obscure his position, often causing the turret operator to be aware of the driver's status. This could also be a reaction to give vehicle boarders a chance of catching up to a reversing tank.
====Changes from ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' to ''Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer''====
 
* Numerous different decals are used across the Scorpion, and the "S-052" identification decal is replaced by "957-A4", and is also moved to the rear tread armor plating.
The Scorpion's main gun was confirmed to use a tungsten-based projectile. Tungsten is a very dense metal that is extremely resistant to physical impact and heat. It is also very heavy, and these factors make it ideal for use in a cannon. A muzzle brake was also added to the barrel of the gun, which is a device that diverts excess muzzle blast sideways reducing recoil of the turret. A similar piece of equipment on an infantry-sized weapon can be seen on the barrel of the [[SRS-99 Sniper Rifle]] series. The main gun also has a fair amount of recoil, pushing the tank backwards slightly with each shot.
* The color scheme is now a darker shade of green, with a large amount of black accenting across multiple pieces.
 
* Bars have been added to the front tread armor plating.
Like the new [[Wraith]], the Scorpion has a secondary position for the turret gunner. The turret makes [[boarding]] much harder, but the gunner is highly exposed to enemy fire, especially snipers. Appearance wise, the Scorpion has more detail and the antennas have returned. Another difference from the October and November versions is the trajectory of the shots from the main cannon. The shots will fall over long distances, and so the driver has to adjust his angle to account for the trajectory.
* The Scorpion has a slower rate of fire, taking longer to reload.
 
* The HUD reticle is thinner, but also shows the reload progression as two bars either side of the center reticle.
== Known Scorpion Tanks ==
* The coaxial machine gun is placed further away from the barrel towards the edge of the turret.
*[[030569]]
*[[12-9F5]]
*[[957-A3]]
*[[UE8-14]]
*[[TB-SB-1]]
*[[HJ3-213]]
 
==Behind the Scenes==
===[[Multi-player]] Use===
[[Image:100 3563.JPG|thumb|right|A scorpion from [[Halo Wars]] multiplayer]]
The Scorpion, being one of the most powerful vehicles in multiplayer, is used mainly for large assaults and infantry cover as other players can hide behind it. A popular tactic in multiplayer is to use a sniper in conjunction with the tank to spot out targets that the tank can't see. Then, the tank bombards said targets acting as a sort of "mobile artillery". It is often used as a "flag transport"—a player who has [[Capture the Flag|taken the enemy's flag]] may board a passenger seat and rely on the tank's high firepower to see him safely back to his own base.
If a player is able to approach an enemy tank from a blind side, the player can jump on it and shoot the driver through the hatch. This should not be tried often, as you will need a perfect opportunity for this to work. This works better in Halo PC. In the PC version of Halo CE, the tank driver is actually very vulnerable to infantry with a pistol or sniper rifle. It is actually no real challenge to shoot the driver through the hatch. However, speed is obviously essential in such an endeavor else you will likely be targeted.
 
Another popular tactic is to use a tank tactic used by modern day tank crews known as "Hull Down". While in Hull Down, the tank is perched behind a hill or an embankment like the many hills on Sandtrap and Valhalla while the hull is behind the hill and the turret is above the incline allowing it to shoot at targets while not exposing it's hull.
 
=== Countermeasures ===
[[Image:Tankshelltrail.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The apparently unfinished animation for a Scorpion's tungsten penetrator.]]
*A [[Gravity Hammer]] works well at close range because it has the ability to kill the driver in two hits while doing minimal damage to the tank itself, so it is still available for further use. Players have to hit the Scorpion's driver canopy, the first knocking the hatch off, the second killing the driver. Otherwise, the gravity hammer is not very effective against the Scorpion as it only does as much damage as the gauss cannon, which takes at least ten hits to destroy the scorpion. The [[Plasma Pistol]] also works well because of the it's [[EMP]] ability.  Beware: the tank can still fire while disabled.
*Firing a [[Rocket Launcher]] or a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] at the Scorpion generally inflicts damage on or kills the driver and gunner. In addition, the [[Spartan Laser]] is very effective against a tank. It kills the tank's driver in a single shot if the shot is properly placed, specifically in the driver's canopy, but the slow charging time and the faint red targeting laser may reveal the wielder of the Spartan Laser to the lethal fire of the tank's main gun, and when it comes to not lasering the canopy, a Scorpion can't be destroyed with one shot, and the laser will also do less damage if the blast is not focused accurate on the tank because of the fan effect.
*Similarly, the Spartan Laser is more effective than either the Rocket Launcher or Fuel Rod Gun; since it takes time for the shots to travel to the intended target, the tank has time to move away. The near instantaneous hit from the Spartan Laser makes it the most effective anti-tank/anti-vehicle weapon. Aiming for the hatch that covers the driver's seat guarantee's that the driver will be killed, leaving the tank intact, albeit heavily damaged. This tactic is hazardous, as the shot has to be dead-on in order to disable it.
*In 'Halo: Combat Evolved', even small pieces of cover, such as the spires on the top of [[Blood Gulch]]'s bases, can stop players taking damage. Taking cover behind these spires while the cannon fires and firing while it reloads is effective, just watch out for the machine gun, which, at close range, is quite lethal.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' where the driver is exposed, it is possible to eliminate the driver with a single shot from the sniper rifle. But a player must be very sure that they can do one of the following: hit and kill the driver, that they are too far away to be effectively attacked, switch to heavy weapon or throw grenades, or have some cover. Otherwise if a player misses and is in the open, this tactic is suicidal.
*Boarding the tank is quite effective, especially if the boarder plants a grenade inside the vehicle's housing. This tactic will almost invariably kill the driver, but the boarder must be careful that the coaxial gun does not kill him as he boards. Although in Halo 2 and, Halo 3 it is better to just beat the driver senseless because a grenade will probably destroy the Tank and it is a very powerful weapon   
*Another tank or anti-tank vehicle is usually the most efficient method of stopping a Scorpion. The [[Wraith]]'s high accuracy and speed make it ideal for this task. The [[Gauss Warthog]] is also quite effective, as long as the driver takes care to avoid the main gun. The [[Hornet]]'s missiles can easily destroy the tank, but its slow speed and lack of maneuverability make such an undertaking risky, if not suicidal.
*Using a [[Power Drain]] or a Plasma Pistol on overcharge will temporarily disable the movement of the tank and will greatly weaken its driver. While the tank's weaponry will still be functional, it will be unable to move and can be easily boarded.
*Although risky, it is possible to take out a tank using two plasma grenades in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]]/[[Halo PC]], as they are significantly stronger than in [[Halo 2]]/[[Halo 3]]. This tactic is especially useful if you have unlimited grenades. In the sequels, this is no longer widely possible.
*A [[Plasma Pistol]] overcharge followed by a [[Plasma Grenade]] is also an effective anti-tank tactic, so long as the driver is hit, and the Plasma Grenade lands on or near the tank. This works best in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', as the driver is reasonably exposed.
* One of the most suicidal tactics against a Scorpion is to get up right beside it, where the main cannon can't fire at you. As the cannon has a slow turning rate, you will be able to hijack it, stick it with a grenade or destroy the back paneling. However, the problem of this tactic would be either getting splattered, or being taken out by the machine-gunner on the Scorpion. This tactic can be recommended if you are lucky enough to get near unnoticed by the driver of the tank.
*The option to ride on the tread covers had been removed in ''Halo 2''. However, you can still stand on the tread covers in front of the cannon. It could be a good transport and if the tank is [[Boarding|hijacked]], the one standing on it can get it back for their team. [[AI]] characters, such as [[Marines]] and [[Elite]]s, can still sit and ride on the canopy, however. Elites lose the ability to ride on the treads in Halo 3.
 
===Invisible Turret===
This glitch will make it so that the turret is still technically there, but it cannot be seen. If a player enters the gunner's seat, they will be able to fire, but there will only be a muzzle flash. Jump on the Scorpion and hit the turret repeatedly with a melee attack, until the turret snaps off. Be careful not to destroy the tank. Then get in and enjoy the effect.
 
This glitch was most likely overlooked by [[Bungie]] during the development process of the game.
 
===Character Compatibility===
*[[Spartans]]
*[[Elites]] (Halo 2 and Halo 3)
*[[Flood Combat Form]] (Halo 2 only)
*[[Marines]]
*[[Brutes]] (Extremely rare, and they only get in the gunner.)
 
===[[Halo Wars]]===
The '''Scorpion''' in [[Halo Wars]] is a mainline UNSC vehicle. They can be upgraded to:
 
*"''Canister Shell''": special attack with blast radius, devastating to infantry.
*"''Power Turret''": doubles turret turning speed.
 
Also, only when [[Sergeant Forge]] is the selected leader:
*"''[[Grizzly]]''": turns Scorpions into Grizzly super tanks which have dual cannons, and a faster coaxial machine gun.
 
====Statistics====
*Air Damage: 22
*Vehicle Damage: 93
*Infantry Damage: 40
*Structure Damage: 51
*Defense: 34
*Cost: 500 Resource units, takes up 3 population space, and 2 energy units.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The ''Halo: CE'' Scorpion only appears once in the campaign, on the level [[Assault on the Control Room]].<ref name="halo 1"/>
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes}}
*Strangely, every ''[[Halo]]'' game manual describes the tank as the M808B. This is odd since the [[Halo 3]] Scorpion is clearly a variant from the original tank. Furthermore, this fact is even more marked with [[Halo Wars]], in which many Scorpion variants appear.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Scorpion tank's cannon was a solid object, but in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', the player will go through if they try to walk on the barrel - the character's legs will separate from their body.
*In [[Halo 2]] a "Date of Birth" is on the front left tread cover. Similarly, the Scorpion's serial number is the same as [[Bungie]]'s Art Director's Birthday.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', the M808B uses the M808's model from ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', with the machine gun and its operator's compartment removed.
[[Image:Lol.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Balancing a Scorpion tank in [[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo: CE]]]]
*In [[Halo 2]] if the tank head gets blown off it reveals a face under it. <ref name="halo 1"/><ref name="halo 2"/>
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]], the Scorpion Tank is specifically cited in the manuals for each respective game as firing 90mm HE shells. [[Halo: The Flood]] claims that there are variants that fire 105mm shells. This is strange as the [[Rocket Launcher]] fires a 102mm shot, larger than either of those alleged HE-shots. [[Red vs Blue]] states that Scorpions fire 130mm shells. However the games are considered 'more canon' than any other material. Also Sheila says she is an M808V whereas in the games and everything else the featured tank is an M808B, so Sheila is a slightly different model.
*Underneath the turret of the Scorpion, there is a Jack-O-Lantern drawn in blood. This can be found by destroying the turret, then standing on the upside-down turret.<ref name="halo 2"/>
*The Scorpion tank resembles an actual Scorpion with the front boogies being the pincers, the rear bogie's being the legs and the cannon being the tail and its stinger. However, this may refer to the FV101 Scorpion Light Tank used by the British Army in 1973. Ironically, the real-life British Scorpion tank is a light tank, compared to the Halo Scorpion heavy tank. However, later variants of the real-life Scorpion also featured a 90mm main weapon.
*A popular sport in Halo 3's [[Forge]] mode is "tank dropping", in which players drop tanks on themselves seeing how far they can be propelled outside the map.
[[Image:Sheila.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Sheila from Red vs. Blue series]]
*In [[Red vs. Blue]], the AI [[List of Characters in Red vs. Blue#Sheila|Sheila]] operated a Scorpion tank. She was more of a background character, but was the feature of one of the soldier's affections, which eventually morphed into a bizarre love-triangle between Sheila, [[List of Characters in Red vs. Blue#Caboose|Caboose]] and [[List of Characters in Red vs. Blue#Lopez|Lopez]], the Red's personal robot mechanic.
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], the Scorpion tank cannon was a solid object, while in [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] the player will go through if they try to walk on the barrel and for an odd reason the characters legs separate from the body.
*The [[Legendary Map Pack]] features the map [[Avalanche]], a remake of the classic [[Sidewinder]]. For the remake, the M808B is adorned in full snow camouflage, along with all other [[UNSC]] vehicles. Avalanche is the first Halo 3 multiplayer map to feature a Scorpion Tank by default.
*It is possible to do the [[turretless vehicle]] trick in a Scorpion. It is not possible to then attach another weapon though and still be able to drive; for some reason it automatically applies the parking brake.
*Unlike many other vehicles the scorpion's hatch is not a weak spot, but a stronger point
*The people on the "track pods" will die much more easily if the Scorpion is hit by a heavy attack like a Wraith [[Plasma Mortar]], where it would take at least 3 kill the driver.
*On [[Sandbox]] if you drop a Scorpion from the sky bubble to the ground, sometimes it will bounce off the ground and go up several hundred feet into the air.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Tank.jpg|The Scorpion accompanied by a group of Spartans.
File:HCE TankPelican Concept.jpg|Very early sketches of a human tank for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', before the Scorpion's form was finalised.
Image:1208363923 Scorpions1190544094.jpg|A platoon of Scorpions.
File:HCE_EarlyTank_Concept_1.jpg|Very early sketches of a human tank for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', before the Scorpion's form was finalised.
Image:Tank2.jpg|A "Snow Scorpion".
File:HCE_EarlyTank_Concept_2.jpg|Very early sketches of a human tank for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', before the Scorpion's form was finalised.
Image:scorpionturret.jpg|A view of the Scorpion's turret and emblem.
File:HCE_EarlyTank_Concept_3.jpg|Very early sketches of a human tank for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', before the Scorpion's form was finalised.
Image:1218570779 Scorpion2.jpg|A Scorpion fires on multiplayer map [[Valhalla]].  
File:UNSC-Scorpion-logo1.png|Detail of the scorpion emblem.
Image:Scorpion fire Halo 3.jpg|A Scorpion firing it's 90mm High Velocity Gun.
File:PreH1-Scorpion.jpg|The Scorpion in [[Pre-Xbox Halo]].
Image:62438820-Full.jpg|The blast from a Scorpion firing is extremely large, though it only lasts a split second.
File:Tank.jpg|The Scorpion accompanied by a group of [[Spartan-II]]s in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
Image:62438859-Full.jpg|Muzzle flash of a Scorpion.
File:HCE MC Scorpion.jpg|Two Scorpions in ''Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE-MP-M808BScorpionMBT.png|Render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank used in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' multiplayer.
File:HaloCE-M808BScorpionMBT.png|A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE-M808BScorpionMBT-HUD.jpg|The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE-BengalScorpionskin.jpg|An M808B with the Bengal [[Skins (Halo: Combat Evolved)|skin]] in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:H2-M808BScorpionMBT.png|A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Delivery.png|A Scorpion being delivered to [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Scarabcannon.jpg|Unit [[957-A3]] under fire by a Covenant Scarab in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2 Scorpion TB-SB-1.jpg|Scorpion tank, unit [[TB-SB-1]].
File:H2 Waterworks Scorpion.jpg|A Scorpion tank being hijacked.
File:Metropolistank.jpg|The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in ''Halo 2''.
File:Unsc scorpion.gif|The Scorpion tank in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HW-M808B.png|M808Bs on Harvest.
File:HW-M808Bcannistershot.png|M808Bs with canister shot.
File:HW-M808Bpowerturret.png|M808Bs with power turret.
File:HW_ChasmsScorpions.jpg|A column of M808Bs on [[Chasms]].
File:Scorpion2011.png|A render of the Scorpion in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:HCEA-M808BScorpionMBT-HUD.jpg|The [[Heads-Up Display]] when driving an M808B Scorpion in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:HCEA Scorpion.png|An M808B Scorpion, as displayed in the [[Library (feature)|Library feature]] of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:HCEA-M808Bs.png|M808Bs aboard the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}.
File:H2A M808BScorpion.png|The M808B Scorpion in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2ACP-M808BHUD.png|The HUD of the Scorpion in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2AMPM808B.png|The Scorpion being used on [[Bloodline]] in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
File:H2AMP-M808BHUD.png|The HUD of the Scorpion on [[Awash]].
File:HTMCC-Season6RavenM808B.jpg|A M808B in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==List of appearances==
<references/>
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
==Related Pages==
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*[[Grizzly]] - A variant of the M808B
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*[[Rhino]] - The [[UNSC]]'s Self-Propelled Artillery Vehicle or Heavy Tank
*''[[i love bees]]''
*[[Wraith]] - The [[Covenant]] equivalent of the Scorpion MBT
*''[[Halo 2]]''
 
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
{{UNSC Vehicles}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
{{Halo Wars UNSC Units}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''


==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[de:Scorpion 808 MBT]]
{{Scorpion variants}}
[[Category:Drivable Vehicles]]
[[Category:Drivable vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 04:56, December 3, 2024

This article is about the older variant of the M808 Scorpion tank. For other uses, see Scorpion (disambiguation).
M808B Scorpion
Model of the M808B Scorpion for Halo 2: Anniversary.
Production information

Product line:

M808 Scorpion

Model:

M808B

Technical specifications

Length:

10.2 meters (33 ft)[1][2]

Width:

7.8 meters (26 ft)[1]

Mass:

66 tons

Hull:

Ceramic-Titanium armor[3][4][5]

Armament:

Crew:

  • 2 operators (no augmentations)[3]

or

Complement:

Up to four passengers

Usage

In service:

Insurrection
Human-Covenant War

Role(s):

  • Anti-armor platform[2]
  • Anti-vehicular platform[2]
  • Anti-infantry platform[2]
  • Heavy weaponry[2]

Affiliation:

United Nations Space Command

 

"This here is 66 tons of straight-up, HE-spewin', dee-vine intervention!"
— Avery Johnson during the Battle of Mombasa.[7]

The M808B Scorpion, formally the M808B Main Battle Tank,[3][4] is a variant of the M808 Scorpion. The tank features a coaxial-mounted M231 machine gun and lacks a gunner compartment.[6]

Design details[edit]

The M808B features a coaxially mounted M231 Medium Machine Gun. The machine gun is mounted beside the primary weapon and thus points in the same general direction as the main armament, relying in the turret's ability to traverse in order to change arc. The tank can also be outfitted with a 105mm gun for greater offensive power.[8]

Operational history[edit]

An older variant of the Scorpion, the M808B saw use throughout the Insurrection and later the Human-Covenant War, and has been in service for almost two centuries.[6] It served alongside the M808C Scorpion as well as the M850 Grizzly.

In February 2531 the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire utilized multiple M808B Scorpions during the end of the Harvest Campaign. Shortly after a UNSC force led by Sergeant Forge retook the besieged Alpha Base from the Covenant, M808B Scorpions were deployed alongside other forces in an assault against the Covenant-held relic. The UNSC force was successful in stopping the Covenant, wiping out a Covenant base before stopping them from destroying the Relic with demolition charges.

UNSC troops retreating from Arcadia City. From the opening cinematic of the Halo Wars level "Arcadia Outskirts".
UNSC forces, including an M808B Scorpion, retreating from Pirth City.

After the UNSC Spirit of Fire arrived at the planet of Arcadia, which was under attack by the Covenant Fleet of Glorious Interdiction, M808B Scorpions were among the forces deployed into Pirth City to assist the Arcadian Patrol in evacuating civilians aboard several cargo ships. After saving hundreds of civilians from the Covenant onslaught, the UNSC forces left the city through its traffic tunnels. At least one M808B made it to the outskirts of the city, where it was forced to retreat along with other UNSC survivors to a nearby impact crater, where they would proceed to establish a firebase and hold out against waves of attacking Covenant forces until Spartan Team Omega could arrive. Over the course of the battle, Pelican Bravo 029 continued to deliver UNSC forces until Team Omega arrived. Now reinforced with the Spartan-II team, the UNSC launched an assault on a heavily-defended Covenant base, with M808B Scorpion tanks taking part in the assault. Later, M808Bs were used to help defend a number of Rhino tanks as they attacked a large Covenant energy shield dome protecting a series of ancient Forerunner structures. After breaching the dome, M808Bs were among the UNSC ground forces that were deployed into the ruins to destroy a Covenant R'awuw-pattern Scarab protecting the main facility.[9]

Upon their arrival at Trove, the UNSC Spirit of Fire immediately began to deploy ground forces, with many of these being M808B Scorpion tanks. After Spartan Red Team became separated from the main UNSC force, Sergeant Forge assembled a team to reinforce them, as well as to destroy a Flood Proto-Gravemind that was blocking a transmission from Professor Ellen Anders, who had been abducted by the Covenant on Arcadia. M808B Scorpions, along with various other ground and air assets from the Spirit of Fire, were able to punch through heavy Flood resistance, destroying several colonies and the Proto-Gravemind. When the Spirit of Fire found itself being pulled into the shield world, Captain Cutter ordered all ground forces to return to the ship. Three platoons were stranded on the surface and a rescue force was dispatched to retrieve them, including a number of M808B tanks. Sergeant Forge later lead an assault on four fortified Covenant bases in the interior of the shield world, in order to establish an effective resistance to allow them to springboard their assault on the Apex Site. The UNSC soon attacked the Apex Site, deploying M808B Scorpions alongside other ground forces to clear out Covenant and Flood resistance on the vast ramps leading up to the site itself. In the final engagement of the battle on the shield world, Scorpions, along with other UNSC ground forces were deployed with the objective of opening six interlocks that would open the portal to be used by the Spirit of Fire in order to escape from the planet before Sergeant Forge activated the ships FTL Drive in the installation's star. Within thirty minutes, they were successful in their mission, allowing the Spirit of Fire to narrowly escape the planet as it is destroyed.[9]

During the Covenant invasion of Reach in summer of 2552, several M808B Scorpion tanks were deployed as part of the UNSC defensive forces for the groundside generators powering the planet's orbital defense platforms. Facility A-331 was attacked by thousands of Covenant soldiers, and many Scorpions were engaged in the battle before a poorly-targeted bombing run wiped out the remaining attackers but also killed the majority of Charlie Company, including the M808Bs. By the time Frederic-104 and Red Team arrived, only four UNSC Marines were left.[10]

The UNSC Pillar of Autumn carried twenty M808B Scorpions in preparation of Operation: RED FLAG.[11] Before the operation could be carried out, the Covenant attack on Reach forced the Pillar of Autumn to flee the system, ultimately arriving at Installation 04. Upon arrival in the Soell system, the ship immediately came under attack from the Covenant Fleet of Particular Justice. With Cortana operating the ship's MAC, the Autumn managed to destroy four Ket-pattern battlecruisers and damage several others before the MAC was disabled. Captain Jacob Keyes ordered all crew to abandon the ship before setting it on a collision course with the ring. The Autumn survived the landing, but was damaged beyond repair. A strike force of UNSC Marines along with Orbital Drop Shock Troopers led by Lieutenant Melissa McKay soon staged an assault on the crashed ship, in order to scavenge supplies to return to the newly-established Alpha Base. A number of M808B Scorpions, along with Warthogs, Mongooses, Falcons and Pelicans clashed with a large force of Covenant infantry and armor in front of the downed Cruiser.[12] The UNSC forces were ultimately successful in their raid, managing to salvage four more Scorpions for the battle against the Covenant.[13] As the convoy made their way from the downed Pillar of Autumn towards Alpha Base, they were ambushed by a Covenant force commanded by Field Master Noga 'Putumee. The M808Bs proved instrumental in allowing the human forces to punch through, as they were able to inflict heavy casualties on the attackers and neutralise at least one of the Wraiths that were bombarding their position.[14]

John-117 fighting Covenant forces on Installation 04 in an M808B Scorpion.

During his push towards Installation 04's control room, Spartan John-117 found members of Fireteam Zulu engaging Covenant forces near an unmanned M808B Scorpion, and proceeded to take control of the tank. The Spartan used the M808B to push through several valleys and underground chasms, destroying large numbers of Covenant infantry, armor and aerial defenses before he was forced to leave the tank behind when he encountered several large pipes that prevented them from going forward with the vehicle.[15] Later, during the Covenant attack on Alpha Base, a pair of entrenched M808B Scorpions inflicted heavy casualties on the Covenant, killing Field Master 'Putumee and throwing the assault into disarray.[16] All Scorpions were destroyed, along with Installation 04, when John-117 overloaded the Pillar of Autumn's reactor.[17]

During the early stages of the Battle for Earth, M808B Scorpions were used by Marines while engaging Covenant within the city of Mombasa. Upon arriving at the Covenant-held Kilindini Bridge and rendezvousing with two surviving Marines, John-117 was reinforced with an M808B Scorpion tank delivered by Sergeant Avery Johnson. Using the tank, John-117 traversed the suspension bridge in pursuit of the Scarab which had previously destroyed his Pelican and passed over the bridge. On the way, he used the Scorpion to destroy large numbers of Ghosts, several Wraiths and Banshees before being forced to leave the tank behind due to massive damage the vehicle had sustained.[18][19] Another M808B Scorpion was deployed in front of a Lethbridge Industrial building being used as a command post for A Company, after the area was secured by John-117. The Scarab the Spartan had been pursuing soon arrived in the area, and the Scorpion tank opened fire on the walker to no avail before being destroyed by the Scarab's focus cannon.[18]

A D77-TC Pelican dropping off an M808B Scorpion during the Battle of Mombasa.

Upon arriving at Installation 05, having followed Solemn Penance into slipspace from Earth, the UNSC In Amber Clad deployed John-117 and a team of ODSTs via M8823 drop pod to secure an initial landing zone that would allow further reinforcements to be deployed to aid in their mission to assassinate the Prophet of Regret. At a Covenant-held bridge, the presence of multiple Wraiths necessitated the deployment of an M808B Scorpion tank. Using the armored vehicle, John-117 spearheaded the push through multiple Covenant-occupied Forerunner structures before having to leave the tank to proceed deeper into the ruins.[20] A short time later, Commander Miranda Keyes deployed the rest of the In Amber Clad's forces, including a number of M808B Scorpions into the installation's quarantine zone in search of the Activation index, seeking to keep it out of the Covenant's hands. Upon the deactivation of the containment shield by Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee, the Flood were unleashed upon the UNSC forces. By the time 'Vadamee and his team of Special Operations Sangheili passed through the quarantine zone on their way to the Library, many of these tanks had been captured by the Flood, who were using them, along with other UNSC and Covenant vehicles, to great effect against the Sentinel defenders.[21]

By 2558, the M808C remained the only variant of the original Scorpion in service with Army and Marine Corps armored units, the M808B having been replaced with the M820 Scorpion.[6]

Variants[edit]

  • M808B2 Sun Devil: The M808B2 Air Defense System[22] is built on a slightly modified Scorpion tank hull, the Sun Devil uses a full-rotation turret fitted with two twin-linked 40mm autocannons. Ostensibly an anti-aircraft vehicle, the Sun Devil was used in anti-personnel role throughout the insurrection years, and proved to be very effective in clearing Covenant light infantry from contested points.[23]
  • M808B3 Tarantula: Heavy fire support variant. Armed with twin Scimitar 40x178mm hypervelocity rocket pods. Mostly reequipped as M808Bs due to ineffectiveness against Covenant forces.[2][6]
  • ODST Scorpion: A variant of the heavily armored main battle tank, The ODST Scorpion has been secretly designed for the 105th Special Forces with a stealth gray armor that emits a low RADAR detection signature. Its revamped turret houses a heavily modified 90mm High Velocity Cannon with dual recoil brakes to minimize muzzle blast for greater accuracy and stealth when firing.[24]
  • M808B2 Sun Devil.

    M808B2 Sun Devil.

  • ODST Scorpion.

    ODST Scorpion.

Known individual tanks[edit]

The M808B saw a large number of locally-produced variants and field upgrades over nearly two centuries of use. Periodically, the UNSC Army made attempts to codify these modifications but met with little success.[6] Consequently, many individual tanks (identifiable by the serial number) have slight differences which distinguish them from factory standard M808Bs and each other:

  • 030569 - A variant that was attached to Fireteam Zulu during the Battle of Installation 04 in September 2552.[15]
  • 052496 - Painted with a camouflage.[25]
  • 12-9F5 - Painted brown, this Scorpion had a wider-set track and an enhanced undercarriage, making it ideal for urban warfare.[2]
  • 957-A3 - Painted gray, the 957-A3 had enhanced electronics for a more accurate cannon shot.[2]
  • 957-A4 - A variant used on the War Games simulation Bloodline.
  • UE8-14 - Painted olive green, this variant had thinner armor, was lighter, and was designed for medium-armor warfare.[2]
  • TB-SB-1 - Painted black, the TB-SB-1 had thicker armor than the standard Scorpion and featured a sturdier chassis.[2]
  • HJ3-213 - With thicker treads than the standard M808B, this variant had a sturdier chassis and was built for rough terrain.[2]

Gameplay changes[edit]

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2[edit]

  • Players now cannot ride on the tank's tread covers. Standing on them is much easier with the revamped physics engine.
  • The reticule for the tank has also changed and is a lot smaller, for increased accuracy.
  • The tank now moves a lot slower, further limiting its movement and its evasive capabilities.
  • The tank's canopy has been replaced with a solid metal cover like in Halo: Combat Evolved's Campaign, preventing the driver from being sniped while it is intact. However, vehicle damage has been added to human vehicles, and so the player is in danger of the tank exploding if too much damage is taken.
  • The main cannon reloads twice as fast, requiring only a two second delay. The dots during the reload time are now removed. It is also more accurate.
  • The machine gun is now much more accurate. Previously, the machine gun fired in a very wide area.
  • Driving and aiming controls are now completely divorced allowing for greater maneuverability when firing. Previously the aiming and steering controls were linked, meaning the player had to steer more or less in the same direction they were aiming.
  • Tank shell projectile now travels faster and can no longer be seen with the naked eye.
  • The Scorpion tank is no longer indestructible.

Halo Wars[edit]

Renders of the M808B Scorpion and its upgrades.
From left to right: the Scorpion from the least to the most upgraded variant in Halo Wars.

The Scorpion is the mainline UNSC vehicle, and can be produced from the Vehicle Depot. 500 resources, three population slots, and a tech level 2 is required to build one. It has the following upgrades:

  • Canister shell - A special attack with a blast radius which is devastating to infantry. The upgrade costs 400 resources and requires a tech level of 3.
  • Power turret - The turning speed of the turret is doubled. The upgrade costs 900 resources and requires a tech level of 4.
  • Grizzly - Turns M808B Scorpion into the M850 Grizzly (available only if Sergeant Forge is the leader). The upgrade costs 1800 resources and requires a tech level of 4.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • The color scheme of the Scorpion is now a brighter olive-green shade.
  • The rear of the Scorpion is less boxy, higher off the ground and more angular.
  • The turret is wider, and has more protrusions in its armor plating. The assembly to pitch the turret is no longer one contiguous piece.
  • The barrel has a muzzle break, and has an optical sight or sensor below it.
  • The spare track piece on the top of the body is now smaller and offset, with raised armor extending from the cockpit taking its place.
  • Headlights are now affixed above the front tracks.
  • The identification decal originally reading "12-9F5" now reads "S-052", and is instead on the rear of the turret.
  • The cockpit canopy is now wider at the rear, and has three small windows in its front.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer[edit]

  • Numerous different decals are used across the Scorpion, and the "S-052" identification decal is replaced by "957-A4", and is also moved to the rear tread armor plating.
  • The color scheme is now a darker shade of green, with a large amount of black accenting across multiple pieces.
  • Bars have been added to the front tread armor plating.
  • The Scorpion has a slower rate of fire, taking longer to reload.
  • The HUD reticle is thinner, but also shows the reload progression as two bars either side of the center reticle.
  • The coaxial machine gun is placed further away from the barrel towards the edge of the turret.

Trivia[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to M808B Scorpion on its gameplay page.
Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved, the Scorpion tank's cannon was a solid object, but in Halo 2 and Halo 3, the player will go through if they try to walk on the barrel - the character's legs will separate from their body.
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, the M808B uses the M808's model from Halo: Reach, with the machine gun and its operator's compartment removed.

Gallery[edit]

  • Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

    Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

  • Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

    Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

  • Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

    Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

  • Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

    Very early sketches of a human tank for Halo: Combat Evolved, before the Scorpion's form was finalised.

  • Detail of the scorpion emblem.

    Detail of the scorpion emblem.

  • The Scorpion in Pre-Xbox Halo.

    The Scorpion in Pre-Xbox Halo.

  • The Scorpion accompanied by a group of Spartan-IIs in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    The Scorpion accompanied by a group of Spartan-IIs in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • Two Scorpions in Combat Evolved.

    Two Scorpions in Combat Evolved.

  • Render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank used in Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer.

    Render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank used in Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer.

  • A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • An M808B with the Bengal skin in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

    An M808B with the Bengal skin in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

  • A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in Halo 2.

    A render of the M808B Scorpion Main Battle Tank in Halo 2.

  • A Scorpion being delivered to New Mombasa in Halo 2.

    A Scorpion being delivered to New Mombasa in Halo 2.

  • Unit 957-A3 under fire by a Covenant Scarab in Halo 2.

    Unit 957-A3 under fire by a Covenant Scarab in Halo 2.

  • Scorpion tank, unit TB-SB-1.

    Scorpion tank, unit TB-SB-1.

  • A Scorpion tank being hijacked.

    A Scorpion tank being hijacked.

  • The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in Halo 2.

    The HUD of the M808B Scorpion in Halo 2.

  • The Scorpion tank in Halo Wars.

    The Scorpion tank in Halo Wars.

  • M808Bs on Harvest.

    M808Bs on Harvest.

  • M808Bs with canister shot.

    M808Bs with canister shot.

  • M808Bs with power turret.

    M808Bs with power turret.

  • A column of M808Bs on Chasms.

    A column of M808Bs on Chasms.

  • A render of the Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    A render of the Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • The Heads-Up Display when driving an M808B Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    The Heads-Up Display when driving an M808B Scorpion in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • An M808B Scorpion, as displayed in the Library feature of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    An M808B Scorpion, as displayed in the Library feature of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • M808Bs aboard the UNSC Pillar of Autumn.

    M808Bs aboard the UNSC Pillar of Autumn.

  • The M808B Scorpion in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    The M808B Scorpion in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • The HUD of the Scorpion in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    The HUD of the Scorpion in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • The Scorpion being used on Bloodline in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

    The Scorpion being used on Bloodline in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

  • The HUD of the Scorpion on Awash.

    The HUD of the Scorpion on Awash.

  • A M808B in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

    A M808B in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 164
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 238
  3. ^ a b c Halo: Combat Evolved, game manual
  4. ^ a b c Halo 2, game manual
  5. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 137
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Waypoint, "Scorpion"
  7. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  8. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 153
  9. ^ a b Halo Wars
  10. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 22
  11. ^ Halo: Warfleet, pg. 25
  12. ^ Halo: Fireteam Raven, campaign level Rubble
  13. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 5
  14. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 6
  15. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Assault on the Control Room
  16. ^ Halo: The Flood, chapter 8
  17. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Maw
  18. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  19. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "Palace Hotel"
  20. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Delta Halo
  21. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
  22. ^ Spartan Games - Store: UNSC Standard Armoured Battle Group
  23. ^ Halo Waypoint: Community Update - Blitz Coverage
  24. ^ Megabloks - ODST SCORPION
  25. ^ Megabloks - UNSC SCORPION

v • d • e
 
Scorpion MBT variants
M808 Scorpion variants
M820 Scorpion variants
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=M808B_Scorpion&oldid=1651153"