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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H3|H3R|}}
{{Weapon infobox
{{Cleanup}}
|name=Flare
{{Weapon
|image=[[File:H3-Flare.png|300px]]
| image=[[Image:Flare.jpg]]
|manufacturer=[[Jiralhanae]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=341}}
| name=Flare
|series=
| manufacturer=Brutes
|type=[[Equipment]]
| type=Equipment
|cost=
| size=Dimensions
|variant=
*Weight : 3.1 kilograms (6.82 pounds)<ref>http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=877576</ref>
|service=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight={{Convert|3|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
|ammotype=
|capacity=
|feed=
|operation=
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
}}
}}
The '''Flare''' is a piece of [[equipment]] in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. It is used to blind enemy personnel.
The '''flare''' is a piece of [[equipment]] created and used by the [[Jiralhanae]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} troops of the [[Covenant]],{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=47}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Image:H3 Flare.jpg|left|thumb|200px|An unarmed Flare in bright light.]]
Flares are similar to the [[power drain]] and [[radar jammer]] equipment also built by the Covenant, and appear to be based on the same technology. They consist of a spherical device with yellow lights. They were designed and built by Covenant Jiralhanae troops,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} and prominently used during the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|Flare in-game equipment}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3ODST|H3ODST|Flare in-game equipment}}
Flares are visually identical to [[Radar Jammer]]s and [[Power Drain]]s save for their varying colors; flares have a yellow glow. When a player picks up a Flare, the equipment piece is represented on the [[HUD]] by a circle with multiple rays coming from it.


Though Flares can be [[Forge]]d into every map in the game, they do not appear in any maps by default. They used to spawn in [[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]] and [[Isolation (Level)|Isolation]], but were removed during a title update as a result of the [[Equipment Jumping]] glitch, which allowed players to use Flares and other items to reach inordinate heights in [[Matchmaking]]. Because of this, Flares are only useful in modified map variants and some [[Campaign]] levels.
The flare functions in a similar manner to a [[Flashbang grenade|flashbang grenade]], blinding enemies by emitting an extremely bright flash of light. However, unlike conventional stun grenades, the flash of light lasts for several seconds before dimming. Personnel who are within close range of a flare are completely blinded regardless of whether their vision is directed elsewhere, whereas personnel at a distance are able to retain their vision if they look away from the flash while the flare is in operation.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}{{Ref/Reuse|H3ODST}}


It functions in a similar manner to a [[Wikipedia:Hand grenade#Stun|stun grenade]], blinding foes and allies alike.<ref>Leaked scans of September issue of EGM.</ref> Unlike stun grenades, however, Flares do not "pause" the vision of affected players. Instead, Flares only blind players who look at them and players within close proximity -- in other words, the Flare exhibits a temporary but continuous [[Wikipedia:area of effect|area of effect]]. (It could be considered to have ''two'' areas of effect: players in extremely close proximity are completely blinded, whereas players who are a few feet away can restore their vision by simply looking away.)
==In-game information==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes}}
===''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST''===
{{Quote|See a bunch of people guarding the [[flag]]? Throw the flare down. By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too.|[[Jaime Griesemer]]{{Ref/Mag|Electronic Gaming Monthly|Year=2007|Month=September|Issue=217|Title=Halo 3: The Multiplayer|Page=72}}}}
Flares were introduced as a piece of equipment in ''[[Halo 3]]'', and operate similarly to the [[power drain]] and [[radar jammer]]. When the player uses the flare, they throw it out, at which point it emits a bright light and noise for several seconds, disorienting nearby allies and enemies with a screen effect similar to being lit on fire by a [[Orgudam Workshop firebomb|firebomb]] or [[Flamethrower (gameplay)|flamethrower]]. Despite the name, the flare does not actually light up dark areas, instead relying on the screen effect to confuse players. Despite this, a player's [[heads-up display]], [[motion tracker]] and [[reticle]] are unaffected. Turning away from an active flare can mitigate some of its effects.


It is mainly used to surprise and blind your opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering you just as much as your opponent and is useful for planning your escape from your enemies. Flares serve as effective distractions. [[Bungie]] employee [[Jaime Griesemer]] described one strategy: "See a bunch of people guarding the [[flag]]? Throw the flare down. By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too."<ref>EGM September 2007 Issue</ref>
In [[campaign]] it is used by Brutes against the player and can be picked up and used in return, though has no effect on [[non-playable character]]s (NPCs). In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', as with all equipment, the flare cannot be used by the player at all, and only appears if used by NPCs against the player.


== Disadvantages ==
In [[multiplayer]], flares appear on several maps, and can be spawned on any map in [[Forge/Halo 3|Forge mode]]. They can be used for [[equipment jumping]] tricks to gain unfair advantages, which caused them to be removed from [[Guardian (map)|Guardian]] and [[Isolation]] in [[matchmaking]]. They can be used to surprise and blind opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering the user and their allies just as much as the target. If an active flare gets stuck by a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenade]], the grenade will cease to exist and the flare will continue as if nothing happened.
When deploying a Flare, a player will almost always find themselves within the Flare's area of effect; this causes the user to be blinded. A blinded player's [[HUD]], [[Motion Tracker]], and [[reticule]], however, are unaffected. This allows a target to simply look around rapidly, shooting when the reticule turns red. Similarly, both the user and the target of a Flare can turn around rapidly before or as it activates, mitigating the resulting loss of vision. These traits serve as both disadvantages and advantages, depending on who uses them. Such strategies work best when used against people who are unfamiliar with them.


==Strategies==
==Gallery==
*In [[CTF]], the user can throw the Flare in the flag room, run in, and collect the flag (if the user can take the flag and run away in the right direction).
*When deployed in narrow corridors, it is very useful for blinding everyone in a nearby vicinity.
*If used in small areas in [[Infection]], it is good for making quick escapes.
*Throwing the Flare at the sniper makes it nearly impossible to see you, allowing for a quick and easy dispatch.
*A simple but annoying tactic in Forge is to set the Flare to [[Forge/Tricks#Instant Respawn|respawn instantly]] after being picked up. The player can then continue to throw Flares in the same place and create a miniature sun. The standard extreme light of the Flare is amplified and the entire screen goes completely white, with the exception of the motion tracker and HUD. It can be used to simply annoy other players, or if used with a partner, a sniping asset. Silhouettes of the players in the Flare's radius are visible, and for a sniper located farther away, it is an easy way to rack up kills. However, the Flare-dropper can also be killed by accident by the sniper, thus ending the "flashlight of death".
*On the level [[High Ground]], a Flare can be used with the [[Portable Gravity Lift]] to penetrate the Turret/Sniper Guards.
*The Flare is best used on the level [[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]], since it has many small rooms and hallways.
*A Flare can be used to draw both allies and enemies to a location.
*Two players can cooperate, using a Flare and a [[Radar Jammer]], to capture a flag with ease.
*If one is attentive, even when blinded by a Flare you can see the red names of your enemies; the key is paying attention to your reticule.
 
== Trivia ==
*In Campaign, the Flare has no effect whatsoever on enemies. They will be able to shoot you regardless; this is because AI-controlled NPCs use a raytracing-like algorithm to detect targets, and this algorithm does not take light or color into account. It seems as if the Flare's sole purpose for existing in Campaign is for enemies to use them against you. However, at some point, it will sometimes make [[Grunts]] and [[Brutes]] dodge or panic; the Grunts flee and the Brutes go berserk.
*The Flare is visually identical to the Radar Jammer and Power Drain save for its yellow glow. The Flare's color denotes its purpose, as a bright yellow is commonly associated with light or the Sun.
*The flare was cut from Matchmaking as a result of the [[Equipment Jumping]] glitch.
*If an active Flare gets stuck by a [[Plasma Grenade]], the grenade will cease to exist and the Flare will continue as if nothing happened.
*Despite the blinding effect, the Flare does not appear to illuminate its surrounding environment when seen from a distance.
*If a player accidentally looks at an active flare, looking away will not completely get rid of the effects, though they will diminish.
 
==Images==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Flarehud.svg|The Flare HUD icon.
File:H3 Flare.jpg|An unarmed Flare in bright light.
Image:1218136093 Flare.jpg|The Flare equipment in action.
File:Flarehud.svg|The flare HUD icon.
File:1218136093 Flare.jpg|The flare equipment in action.
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Sources ==
==List of appearances==
<references/>
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
{{Clear}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Equipment List}}
{{Navbox/Pickups/Gameplay}}
[[Category:Equipment]]
[[Category:Equipment]]
[[Category:Halo 3]]
[[Category:Jiralhanae weapons]]

Latest revision as of 11:59, February 14, 2025

Flare
A cropped screenshot of a flare.
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Jiralhanae[1]

Type:

Equipment

Specifications

Weight:

3 kilograms (6.6 lb)[1]

 

The flare is a piece of equipment created and used by the Jiralhanae[1] troops of the Covenant,[2]

Overview[edit]

Flares are similar to the power drain and radar jammer equipment also built by the Covenant, and appear to be based on the same technology. They consist of a spherical device with yellow lights. They were designed and built by Covenant Jiralhanae troops,[1] and prominently used during the Great Schism.[3][4]

The flare functions in a similar manner to a flashbang grenade, blinding enemies by emitting an extremely bright flash of light. However, unlike conventional stun grenades, the flash of light lasts for several seconds before dimming. Personnel who are within close range of a flare are completely blinded regardless of whether their vision is directed elsewhere, whereas personnel at a distance are able to retain their vision if they look away from the flash while the flare is in operation.[3][4]

In-game information[edit]

Main-Legendary.png See our gameplay information related to Flare on its gameplay page.

Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST[edit]

"See a bunch of people guarding the flag? Throw the flare down. By the time the Flare's gone, their flag is too."
— Jaime Griesemer[5]

Flares were introduced as a piece of equipment in Halo 3, and operate similarly to the power drain and radar jammer. When the player uses the flare, they throw it out, at which point it emits a bright light and noise for several seconds, disorienting nearby allies and enemies with a screen effect similar to being lit on fire by a firebomb or flamethrower. Despite the name, the flare does not actually light up dark areas, instead relying on the screen effect to confuse players. Despite this, a player's heads-up display, motion tracker and reticle are unaffected. Turning away from an active flare can mitigate some of its effects.

In campaign it is used by Brutes against the player and can be picked up and used in return, though has no effect on non-playable characters (NPCs). In Halo 3: ODST, as with all equipment, the flare cannot be used by the player at all, and only appears if used by NPCs against the player.

In multiplayer, flares appear on several maps, and can be spawned on any map in Forge mode. They can be used for equipment jumping tricks to gain unfair advantages, which caused them to be removed from Guardian and Isolation in matchmaking. They can be used to surprise and blind opponents. However, a planned strategy and a close range weapon or a type of one-shot kill weapon can be used to almost certainly dispatch an enemy in conjunction with a flare. Without a very effective weapon, it is just a nuisance, hindering the user and their allies just as much as the target. If an active flare gets stuck by a plasma grenade, the grenade will cease to exist and the flare will continue as if nothing happened.

Gallery[edit]

  • An unarmed Flare in bright light.

    An unarmed Flare in bright light.

  • The flare HUD icon.

    The flare HUD icon.

  • The flare equipment in action.

    The flare equipment in action.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 341
  2. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 47
  3. ^ a b Halo 3, Flare in-game equipment
  4. ^ a b Halo 3: ODST, Flare in-game equipment
  5. ^ Electronic Gaming Monthly, September 2007 (Issue #217) - Halo 3: The Multiplayer, page 72

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List of map pickups in the Halo series
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