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{{Era|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Flood infobox
{{Flood Species Infobox
|name=Pure Form
|name=Pure Form
|image=[[Image:BestiarumFlood.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:BestiarumFlood.jpg]]
|height=Varies on type of Form
|height=Varies on type of Form
|distinctions=Vary based on the type of form, but they all have the distinctive Flood greenish-grey skin
|distinctions=Vary based on the type of form, but they all have the distinctive Flood greenish-grey skin
|species=[[Stalker Form]], [[Ranged Form]], [[Tank Form]],[[Flood Infector Form|Infector Form]], [[Flood Transport Form|Transport Form]], [[Flood Stealth Form|Stealth Form]]   
|species=[[Flood stalker form|Stalker Form]], [[Flood ranged form|Ranged Form]], [[Flood tank form|Tank Form]],[[Flood infector form|Infector Form]], [[Flood transport form|Transport Form]], [[Flood stealth form|Stealth Form]]   
|attacks=Varies on type of Form
|attacks=Varies on type of Form
|notable=
|notable=
}}
}}
{{Quote|Alas Brother. The Flood... it has evolved!|Sangheili Commando<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Floodgate]]</ref>}}
{{Quote|Alas, brother. The Flood... it has evolved!|Sangheili Commando<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>}}
This type of [[Flood]] is first featured in ''[[Halo 3]]''. As implied by their name, '''Pure Forms''' are not the product of infecting a biological host, but are instead composed entirely of Flood biomass. Because they employ a calcium-based exoskeleton for protection, these forms are significantly more resilient than the conventional Flood forms encountered in the first two Halo games. Genetically, they are composed of the same Flood "super-cell" which infects and transforms all other victims of the Parasite, but are made up entirely of recycled bones, muscles and other biomass collected by the Flood, rather than temporarily reanimated host bodies.
'''Pure Forms''', also rendered '''pureforms''',<ref>''[[Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds]]'', ''pages 102-103''</ref> are an advanced type of [[Flood]] form. They are only available for the Gravemind to put together during the [[Coordinated Stage]] of Flood development, and are not created by infecting an alien host.
This biological configuration affords significant advantages. Many weapons such as the [[shotgun]], [[battle rifle]], [[carbine]] and [[assault rifle]], which easily dismember other Flood forms, prove largely ineffective against these calcium-hardened opponents. However, once you do kill them, they cannot [[reanimation|reanimate]], much like non-Flood enemies. There are six types of pure forms: [[Stalker Form]], [[Ranged Form]], [[Tank Form]], [[Flood Infector Form|Infector Form]], [[Flood Transport Form|Transport Form]] and [[Flood Stealth Form|Stealth Form]]. Any one Form can mutate between these sub-forms at will, with the Stalker seeming to be the "base parasite" that the other two forms mutate from. (i.e., if a Tank wanted to become a Ranged Form, it would first have to turn into the Stalker, but there have been occasions when a Tank mutates into a Ranged).


Weaponry that HAS proven effective against these Flood types includes the [[Flamethrower]], the [[Energy Sword]], and the [[Needler]]. The [[Plasma Rifle]] can be effective at very long ranges, even on [[Legendary]]. For Lower Difficulties melees with Brute Weapons have considerable damage often only needing one or two hits. Incendiary Grenades are one of the most effective weapons against this Flood Form, taking down any Flood form with one hit and incurring subsequent damage to any nearby Flood. As a general rule, heat-based weaponry (that which utilizes any form of [[plasma]] or flame), or percussive weaponry ([[Gravity Hammer]], [[Rocket Launcher]], [[Brute Shot]] or any kind of grenade), are the easiest ways to dispatch Pure Forms.  
==Overview==
Unlike the more "conventional" Flood forms such as Combat and Carrier Forms, Pure Forms are not the product of infecting a sentient host, but are instead composed entirely of converted Flood biomass. Tissue from consumed victims is transformed into Flood Super Cells, which are then attached to a framework of recast bone modified for the Flood's purposes. The resulting Flood form is capable of mutating between 3 (possibly more) different forms depending upon the necessities of combat.


== Sub Forms ==
Pure Forms can only be produced when a Flood outbreak has amassed considerable amounts of biomass and formed a Gravemind. Once this threshold is reached, the Pure Forms provide combat support to the mainline Flood forms the Flood has at its disposal. As the parasite grows in strength the key minds begin to cultivate tumorous masses and mucus-like lakes of pure Flood cells using nonessential biomass as food. Most of the Flood cells are used to form hives and [[blightlands]], but some are harvested to create deadly war-forms. With the sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh these creatures transform themselves to best confront the threats they encounter, contorting and reshaping their anatomy into grotesque but lethal shapes as they lead hordes of lesser combat forms into battle.<ref name="Pure Forms">'''Halo Wars 2''', ''[[Phoenix Logs]]'' - Pure Forms</ref>
=== [[Stalker Form]] ===
[[Image:1223689721_Stalker_Attack.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A Stalker Form attacking]]
[[Stalker form]]s are extremely agile and can jump large distances. They tend to crawl on ceilings and walls before leaping at an opposing enemy. Generally speaking, the Stalker Form, even on the [[Normal]] and [[Heroic]] settings of the game, are too fast to be aimed at for any significant period of time. However, should one drop down from the ceiling, the best policy is to melee it, as a melee is a one hit kill on any difficulty other than [[Legendary]]. Don't waste ammo trying to shoot it, they are very resistant to bullets. They attack far more rarely than the other two forms. If you leave one alone for some time or if you get close to it, it will either become a Tank or Ranged form.
{{clear}}


=== [[Ranged Form]] ===
==Sub-forms==
[[Image:Pure_Form_Ranged.JPG|right|thumb|200px|A Range Form]]
===Stalker form===
Ranged Forms can usually be found clinging to ceilings or walls, though unlike the Stalker Form, they rarely move from a given spot. They can fire sharp projectiles at you, without the need of a weapon. These are slightly more tricky to kill due mainly to the fact that they can have you pinned down in a position for a very long time. If they are left alone for some time, they will change back into a Stalker form, get a better angle, and become a Ranged form again. The general consensus is, however, that if you have access to a Needler at a medium distance and fire a volley, they go down easily enough. [[Plasma Rifles]] tend to work just as well at closer distances. Also note that this Pure Form may shield its self by curling up, it is then almost invulnerable (the [[Flamethrower]], [[Energy Sword]], [[Gravity Hammer]], general explosives, and sustained [[Spiker]] fire will still kill it). A [[Brute Shot]] may be the best way to knock a Pure Ranged Form off of a wall by means of one or two shots. Please note that when changing form it is easiest to kill, seeing how it can't move while changing and it seems to have the health of the Stalker Form.
{{Main|Flood stalker form}}
{{clear}}
Stalker forms are extremely agile and can jump large distances. They tend to crawl on ceilings and walls before leaping at an opposing enemy. The Stalkers attack far more rarely than the other two forms. If threatened, it will transform into either a Tank or Ranged form. Their chesspiece role is to seek out enemies and then decide whether to transform into Ranged or Tank forms accordingly.
=== [[Tank Form]] ===
[[Image:Floody.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A Flood Tank Form.]]
[[Tank Form|Tank Forms]] are large and easily spotted. Unlike the other [[Flood]] Pure Forms, they can not climb on walls and ceilings. These Flood can take a tremendous amount of damage and can kill you in one hit in higher difficulties. They also occasionally spew Infection Forms from their 'mouths'. The [[Energy Sword]] is the only weapon that can kill one of these flood forms in one hit on Legendary. A [[Flamethrower]] can also kill a Tank Form with only a small amount of flame used, along with one Firebomb Grenade. A [[Plasma Rifle]] has also proven effective to a certain degree. Also, the melee of a Brute Shot can be very effective, especially if used in a "hit and run" style, with the player rushing up, meleeing, and then retreating (2 hits are needed on [[Legendary]], or a shot and a melee). This tactic is very effective when [[Tank Form|Tank Forms]] are supporting a large number of [[Combat Forms]], as it frees up much needed ammo for fighting other [[Flood]] troops. Also it is helpful as the [[Brute Shot]] melee has infinite "ammo," so one can essentially take down a whole horde with clever melee tactics. However, please note that when changing form it is easiest to kill, seeing how it can't move while changing and it seems to have the health of the [[Stalker Form]]. When use of a Shotgun is necessitated, get close and aim for the target's "mouth", however the Pure form will occasionally attempt to cover its "mouth" with its left arm while charging, much in the way a [[Hunter]] utilizes its large shield, making headshots difficult.
{{clear}}


=== [[Flood Infector Form|Infector Form]]s ===
===Ranged form===
The Infector is a three-limbed form that features the ability to regenerate destroyed limbs within ten seconds, making it a formidable foe. Their body is very similar in appearances to the Carrier Form, except that the infector form is designed to shoot out spores, not explode and release infection forms.
{{Main|Flood ranged form}}
Ranged Forms can usually be found clinging to ceilings or walls, though unlike the Stalker Form, they cannot move from a given spot. They can fire sharp projectiles from a long range without the need of a weapon. These are slightly more tricky to kill due mainly to the fact that they can pin an enemy down in a position for a very long time. If they are left alone for some time, they will change back into a Stalker Form, get a better angle, and become a Ranged Form again. Their role as chesspiece is to pin down enemies with suppressing fire from afar so that the close-combat reliant flood forms can advance on the enemy undisturbed. They are to flood what machine gunners are to humans and Covenant as they lack the subtlety to be snipers, though they are just as accurate.


=== [[Flood Transport Form|Transport Form]]s ===
===Tank form===
The Flood Transport Form was a Flood Purestrain form. Unlike the Carrier Form, the Transport carries up to six unarmed Combat Forms. It had four triple-jointed walking arms to move it's load of troops around, and featured numerous tentacles to consume or recycle bio-mass.
{{Main|Flood tank form}}
Named for their immense endurance and strength, Tank Forms are the largest variety of Pure Form and are easily spotted from a distance. Unlike the other Flood Pure Forms, they can not climb on walls and ceilings due to not having a stealth background. These Flood can take a tremendous amount of damage and can kill you in one hit on higher difficulties. They also occasionally spew Infection Forms from their 'mouths'. It takes a long time to kill one with other weapons, but the [[Energy Sword]] can kill them in one hit. Their chesspiece role is close-ranged attacks to soften enemies up for infection.


=== [[Flood Stealth Form|Stealth Form]]s ===
===Infester form===
Like the Stalker Form, it excelled in the art of stealth to defeat the enemy. And was the only Pure Form to be able to use weapons with the aid of two four-tentacled hands. It was cut out from the final game.
{{Main|Flood infester form}}
The Infester Form is a Pure Form that was created for combating the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] and the [[Banished]] on [[Installation 00]] in [[2559]] after the Banished breached the remains of [[High Charity]] and released Flood forms still residing within. Its primary purpose is to break open vehicles and infest within in order to take control of them and expand the Flood's forces killing the Infester in the process. If an Infester cannot locate any vehicles then they will target any other non-Flood entity and attack.


== Trivia ==  
===Spawner form===
*The [[Energy Sword]] is the ''only'' weapon that can kill a Tank Form with one hit. However, on lower difficulties, it is possible to kill a tank form with one melee hit from a [[Brute Shot]].
{{Main|Flood spawner form}}
*It is theorized that the [[Flood Juggernaut]], a [[Flood]] Form cut from ''[[Halo 2]]'', was an early render of the ''[[Halo 3]]'' Pure Form. The [[Drinol]], another deleted species from Halo 2, may have served as the inspiration for the [[Tank Form]] This is further proven by a piece of concept art on the Essentials disc of the collector's edition of Halo 3 that appears to be three Flood Juggernauts engaging several [[Marine]]s and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] in combat.
Spawner Forms, like the Infester Form, were created to counter the threats on Installation 00. They seek out uninfected areas where they will create other Flood forms that will infest the area.
*If a Pure Form is stuck by either a [[Plasma Grenade]] or [[Spike Grenade]] while mutating, the grenade will be "absorbed" and no explosion will occur.
 
*If you kill a Pure Form in the middle of changing, it may appear with strange deformities e.g. if a Ranged form is transforming to a Stalker and you kill it, depending on when you kill it, it can appear as a Ranged form with stalker feet or, more often, a stalker with over sized feet, etc.
==Production notes==
*With the [[IWHBYD Skull]] turned on sometimes if you are killed by a [[Tank Form]], the [[Gravemind]] will laugh using the Tank Form.
*The [[Flood Juggernaut]], a [[Flood]] Form cut from ''[[Halo 2]]'', was an early concept of the ''[[Halo 3]]'' Pure Form.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Feast_of_Bones '''Bungie.net''': ''Feast of Bones'']</ref> The [[Sharquoi]], a deleted Covenant species from ''Halo 2'', may have served as the inspiration for the [[Flood tank form|Tank Form]]. This is further proven by a piece of concept art in [[The Art of Halo 3]] that appears to be three Flood Juggernauts engaging several [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] in combat.
*The Tank form has sometimes been mistaken for a [[Hunter]] form. However, the idea of a Hunter form is made impossible by the fact that the Hunter has no central nervous system, only a collection of semi-sentient worms, and is therefore uninfected. The Hunter also doesn't have bones, and therefore would be unable to provide enough calcium for a Flood Infection to sustain itself over a long period of time.
*If a Pure Form is stuck by either a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|Plasma Grenade]] or [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|Spike Grenade]] while mutating, the grenade will be "absorbed" and no explosion will occur. In addition, if a player kills a Pure Form in the middle of transforming, it may appear with strange deformities. If a Ranged form is transforming to a Stalker and the player kills it, depending on when the player kills it, it can appear as a Ranged Form with a Stalker's feet or, more often, a Stalker with oversized feet.
*Ranged Pure Forms are incredibly resilient against munitions and plasma based weaponry, but a single [[melee]] attack will render them dead, also particularly effective is the [[Flamethrower]]
*A Tank Form is featured on the map [[Cold Storage]] in a cryo-container, but is partially dismembered and will occasionally twitch and spasm, suggesting that it may be under some sort of drug that neutralizes its hostility.
*A Tank Form is featured on the map [[Cold Storage]] in a cryo-container, but is partially dismembered and will occasionally twitch and spasm, suggesting that it may be under some sort of drug that neutralizes its hostility, but it is fighting it.
 
===Cut Forms===
{{Quote|I think ultimately, we tried to do too much. One form that transformed three times to different sizes that had totally different functionalities was probably more than necessary.|[[Shi Kai Wang]]<ref>'''Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds''', ''page 102''</ref>}}
====Infector form====
{{main|Flood infector form}}
The Infector is a three-limbed form that features the ability to regenerate destroyed limbs within ten seconds, making it a formidable foe. Their bodies are very similar in appearance to the Carrier Form, except that the infector form is designed to shoot out spores, not explode and release infection forms. It was cut from the final game.
 
====Transport form====
{{Main|Flood transport form}}
The Flood Transport Form was a Flood Purestrain form. Unlike the Carrier Form, the Transport carries up to six unarmed Combat Forms. It had four triple-jointed walking arms to move its load of troops around, and featured numerous tentacles to consume or recycle bio-mass. It was cut from the final game.
 
====Stealth form====
{{Main|Flood stealth form}}
Like the Stalker Form, it excelled in the art of stealth to defeat the enemy. It was the only Pure Form to be able to use weapons with the aid of two four-tentacled hands. It was cut out from the final game.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H3 Stalker Attack.jpg|A Stalker Form.
File:Ranged Form.jpg|A Ranged Form.
File:Floody.jpg|A Flood Tank Form.
File:H3-WTFFlood.png|A Flood pure form that was killed by [[John-117]] and [[N'tho 'Sraom]] aboard High Charity halfway between transforming from a Flood stalker form to a Flood tank form.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Flood}}
{{Flood}}
[[Category:The Flood]]
 
[[Category:Flood forms]]

Latest revision as of 03:40, June 20, 2022

Pure Form
A typical Flood form, as depicted in the Bestiarum.
General overview

Distinctions:

Vary based on the type of form, but they all have the distinctive Flood greenish-grey skin

Height:

Varies on type of Form

Method of attack:

Varies on type of Form

 

"Alas, brother. The Flood... it has evolved!"
— Sangheili Commando[1]

Pure Forms, also rendered pureforms,[2] are an advanced type of Flood form. They are only available for the Gravemind to put together during the Coordinated Stage of Flood development, and are not created by infecting an alien host.

Overview[edit]

Unlike the more "conventional" Flood forms such as Combat and Carrier Forms, Pure Forms are not the product of infecting a sentient host, but are instead composed entirely of converted Flood biomass. Tissue from consumed victims is transformed into Flood Super Cells, which are then attached to a framework of recast bone modified for the Flood's purposes. The resulting Flood form is capable of mutating between 3 (possibly more) different forms depending upon the necessities of combat.

Pure Forms can only be produced when a Flood outbreak has amassed considerable amounts of biomass and formed a Gravemind. Once this threshold is reached, the Pure Forms provide combat support to the mainline Flood forms the Flood has at its disposal. As the parasite grows in strength the key minds begin to cultivate tumorous masses and mucus-like lakes of pure Flood cells using nonessential biomass as food. Most of the Flood cells are used to form hives and blightlands, but some are harvested to create deadly war-forms. With the sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh these creatures transform themselves to best confront the threats they encounter, contorting and reshaping their anatomy into grotesque but lethal shapes as they lead hordes of lesser combat forms into battle.[3]

Sub-forms[edit]

Stalker form[edit]

Main article: Flood stalker form

Stalker forms are extremely agile and can jump large distances. They tend to crawl on ceilings and walls before leaping at an opposing enemy. The Stalkers attack far more rarely than the other two forms. If threatened, it will transform into either a Tank or Ranged form. Their chesspiece role is to seek out enemies and then decide whether to transform into Ranged or Tank forms accordingly.

Ranged form[edit]

Main article: Flood ranged form

Ranged Forms can usually be found clinging to ceilings or walls, though unlike the Stalker Form, they cannot move from a given spot. They can fire sharp projectiles from a long range without the need of a weapon. These are slightly more tricky to kill due mainly to the fact that they can pin an enemy down in a position for a very long time. If they are left alone for some time, they will change back into a Stalker Form, get a better angle, and become a Ranged Form again. Their role as chesspiece is to pin down enemies with suppressing fire from afar so that the close-combat reliant flood forms can advance on the enemy undisturbed. They are to flood what machine gunners are to humans and Covenant as they lack the subtlety to be snipers, though they are just as accurate.

Tank form[edit]

Main article: Flood tank form

Named for their immense endurance and strength, Tank Forms are the largest variety of Pure Form and are easily spotted from a distance. Unlike the other Flood Pure Forms, they can not climb on walls and ceilings due to not having a stealth background. These Flood can take a tremendous amount of damage and can kill you in one hit on higher difficulties. They also occasionally spew Infection Forms from their 'mouths'. It takes a long time to kill one with other weapons, but the Energy Sword can kill them in one hit. Their chesspiece role is close-ranged attacks to soften enemies up for infection.

Infester form[edit]

Main article: Flood infester form

The Infester Form is a Pure Form that was created for combating the UNSC and the Banished on Installation 00 in 2559 after the Banished breached the remains of High Charity and released Flood forms still residing within. Its primary purpose is to break open vehicles and infest within in order to take control of them and expand the Flood's forces killing the Infester in the process. If an Infester cannot locate any vehicles then they will target any other non-Flood entity and attack.

Spawner form[edit]

Main article: Flood spawner form

Spawner Forms, like the Infester Form, were created to counter the threats on Installation 00. They seek out uninfected areas where they will create other Flood forms that will infest the area.

Production notes[edit]

  • The Flood Juggernaut, a Flood Form cut from Halo 2, was an early concept of the Halo 3 Pure Form.[4] The Sharquoi, a deleted Covenant species from Halo 2, may have served as the inspiration for the Tank Form. This is further proven by a piece of concept art in The Art of Halo 3 that appears to be three Flood Juggernauts engaging several Marines and the Master Chief in combat.
  • If a Pure Form is stuck by either a Plasma Grenade or Spike Grenade while mutating, the grenade will be "absorbed" and no explosion will occur. In addition, if a player kills a Pure Form in the middle of transforming, it may appear with strange deformities. If a Ranged form is transforming to a Stalker and the player kills it, depending on when the player kills it, it can appear as a Ranged Form with a Stalker's feet or, more often, a Stalker with oversized feet.
  • A Tank Form is featured on the map Cold Storage in a cryo-container, but is partially dismembered and will occasionally twitch and spasm, suggesting that it may be under some sort of drug that neutralizes its hostility.

Cut Forms[edit]

"I think ultimately, we tried to do too much. One form that transformed three times to different sizes that had totally different functionalities was probably more than necessary."
— Shi Kai Wang[5]

Infector form[edit]

Main article: Flood infector form

The Infector is a three-limbed form that features the ability to regenerate destroyed limbs within ten seconds, making it a formidable foe. Their bodies are very similar in appearance to the Carrier Form, except that the infector form is designed to shoot out spores, not explode and release infection forms. It was cut from the final game.

Transport form[edit]

Main article: Flood transport form

The Flood Transport Form was a Flood Purestrain form. Unlike the Carrier Form, the Transport carries up to six unarmed Combat Forms. It had four triple-jointed walking arms to move its load of troops around, and featured numerous tentacles to consume or recycle bio-mass. It was cut from the final game.

Stealth form[edit]

Main article: Flood stealth form

Like the Stalker Form, it excelled in the art of stealth to defeat the enemy. It was the only Pure Form to be able to use weapons with the aid of two four-tentacled hands. It was cut out from the final game.

Gallery[edit]

  • A Stalker Form.

    A Stalker Form.

  • A Ranged Form.

    A Ranged Form.

  • A Flood Tank Form.

    A Flood Tank Form.

  • A Flood pure form that was killed by John-117 and N'tho 'Sraom aboard High Charity halfway between transforming from a Flood stalker form to a Flood tank form.

    A Flood pure form that was killed by John-117 and N'tho 'Sraom aboard High Charity halfway between transforming from a Flood stalker form to a Flood tank form.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Floodgate
  2. ^ Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds, pages 102-103
  3. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs - Pure Forms
  4. ^ Bungie.net: Feast of Bones
  5. ^ Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds, page 102

v • d • e
 
Known Flood forms
Regular Spore • Pod • Seeder • Tadpole • Dispersal pod
Growths Stalk • Blister
Other Flood Super Cell (FSC)
Infected
Structures
Hives Hive • Den • Nest • Colony • Spore Mound • Cocooned base • Blightlands
Defensive Launcher • Root
Other Porta • Vent
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