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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{disambig header|the Covenant structure|other uses of "Spire"|Spire}}
<center>''For Halo: Reach's multiplayer map, see [[Spire]].''</center>
[[File:Spire general.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on [[Reach]].]]
[[File:Spire_general.jpg|thumb|300px|One of the many Spires placed on Reach.]]
'''Deployment spires''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=225}}  or '''shield spires''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p221|Enc22|Page=221}} are [[Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground [[battle|engagements]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} They function as [[slipspace translocation|teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Level|HR|Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace|Quote=That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked Covenant super-carrier}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/Detail/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Type-28 Troop Carrier|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Vehicles|D=12|M=07|Y=2012}}
'''Spires''' are [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] structures that serve as bases of operation during ground engagements. They function as [[teleportation]] hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting [[energy shielding|energy shields]] over a large radius. Covenant forces often utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.<ref name="tip">'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]'' (''"That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked [[Covenant supercarrier|Covenant super-carrier]]"'')</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/spirit/1676cbba-efbb-44b8-9dd3-3f6f38b1320a?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Type-28 Troop Carrier'']</ref>


==Description==
==Overview==
The Spire consists of multiple sections: a lower section, which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it, as well as a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it. The Spires are used to teleport ground forces to the surface from a large vessel such as a [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]], and also appear to serve as bases and staging areas.
===Design details===
Deployment spires are Covenant designs, poorly-based on [[slipspace translocation]] technology originally created by the [[Forerunner]]s.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/haloreach/Maps|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo: Reach - Maps|D=12|M=10|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Games/Halo: Reach}} They are designed to transport materiel and personnel seamlessly through [[Slipspace portal|portal]] networks. Typically, a deployment spire is established as a ground base on a given world and linked to an orbiting capital warship such as a [[Covenant carrier|carrier]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Troops teleporting through the spire commonly utilize an air vehicle, generally a [[dropship]] such as a [[Phantom]], as the objects being teleported will materialize in the space between the upper and lower main sections of the structure.  


There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire.
The spire itself consists of multiple sections: a lower section which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it as well as powering a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it via application of an [[electromagnetic pulse]].{{Ref/Level|Id=ToTS|HR|Tip of the Spear}} They can be selectively permeable, and are engineered in such a way as to allow the passage of small vehicles and personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p221}} There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same [[gravity lift]]s that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire.{{Ref/Map|Id=SpireMP|HR|Spire (map)|Spire}} A spire's gravity lifts are extremely powerful, and are as such capable of being used in a manner similar to that of a [[space elevator]] - ferrying troops and materiel from ground the space (and vice versa) over massive distances.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=222}}


Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]]s or [[Type-38 Anti-Aircraft Cannon]]s. The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure. These controls are typically manned by [[Sangheili Ultra]]s.
Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}s or {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}s. The shield itself is powered by a [[pinch fusion reactor]], and requires a [[Capital ship|warship]]-level weapon to deplete or collapse.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p221}} The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}


Covenant Spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by the nature of the only Spire ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height.
Covenant spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by at least the nature of the only Spire known to be ever observed at close range, [[Spire One]]. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height.{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}{{Ref/Reuse|SpireMP}}


==Use in combat==
Despite their usage, the rough imitation of Forerunner systems makes Spires a dangerous and enormously inefficient system. As such, they were rarely employed by the Covenant at large.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
Covenant Spires are used primarily as command posts and teleportation sites for troops. Their shields make them difficult to attack, as they can only be disabled by ground forces after they infiltrate the structure. They also presumably make effective watch-towers.


Spires also appear to be able to somehow generate a "cloaking field," similar to active camouflage. Ships above the Spire (or a network of them) can become completely invisible to both instruments and sight, as seen with the [[Covenant supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''. However, it is possible that the Long Night of Solace generated the field itself, which a ship of its size would likely be able to do, and the Spires were simply used to conceal the origin of the smaller transport and attack craft it was sending to Reach.
==Operational history==
A deployment spire may have been employed during the [[Battle for Arcadia]] in [[2531]]. During the ground campaign, a large dome-shield was projected by the invading Covenant forces over the [[Arcadia Forerunner ruins|Forerunner complex]] on [[Arcadia]], allowing them to construct a large [[Covenant citadel|base]] and a {{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} beneath the shield's protection. The shield was ultimately partially disabled by combined artillery fire from a battery of [[M145D Rhino]], allowing for a large [[orbital bombardment]] by {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}.{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}} The shield generated in this engagement exhibited many similar properties to that of the deployment spire, though whether it was the site of such a deployment is unknown.


==Background==
Multiple spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]]. Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of an army deployed by the supercarrier ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'', flagship of the [[Fleet of Valiant Prudence]]. [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a [[UNSC]] [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|counter-offensive operation]].{{Ref/Reuse|ToTS}}
Multiple Spires were seen during the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]].<ref name="tip"/> Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of a [[Covenant supercarrier]], ''[[Long Night of Solace]]''.<ref name="tip"/> [[Spire One|One]] of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a UNSC counter-offensive operation.<ref name="tip"/>
 
During the war, at least four deployment spires' shield generators were captured and used as the basis for experimental R&D by [[Watershed Division]]. The resulting project was {{UNSCShip|Antaeus}}; a "shield ship" consisting of a modified dropfreighter with the shield generators installed.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFDigsiteDiscourse|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-digsite-n-discourse|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Digsite 'n' Discourse|D=24|M=06|Y=2024}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*A similar energy shield structure can be seen in the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' level [[Dome of Light]]. This structure may be an earlier version of the Spires used on Reach.
A similar energy shield structure is encountered in the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' level ''[[Dome of Light]]''. This structure may be a different version of the spires used on Reach.
*Strangely enough, although there are multiple lifts leading to the top of the spire, there are no "conventional" ways of getting back down. The only survivable ways of getting off of the top of the spire are to use an aircraft, jetpack, or to land on the pillar-like gravity lifts placed around the structure seemingly for this purpose. It is unlikely that the [[Unggoy]] stationed at the top would be able to use the latter two methods, but the reason for a lack of exits may be that the operating crew of the spire is expected to stay on top of the structure until it is decommissioned or they are required elsewhere. If this were to be the case, then the design of a spire would allow troops to go to the top to defend the controls from an attacker, but would save resources on constructing a lift for personnel that could just be picked up by a phantom if they needed to be relocated. It is also entirely possible that the polarity of the Spire's two gravity lifts can be reversed.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 1.jpg|Early concept sketches for the Spire. Note the early ideas involving the Spire being comprised of a landed Covenant supercarrier.
File:HR CovenantSpire Concept 2.jpg|Refined concept sketches for the Spire.
File:HR_CovenantSpireTop_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure.
File:HR_CovenantSpireBottom_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure.
File:HR TotSSpireConcept.jpg|Concept art of a Spire near [[Szurdok Ridge]].
File:Spire_afar.jpg|An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance.
File:Spire_afar.jpg|An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance.
File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground.
File:HaloReach - Spire.jpg|The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground.
File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom dropship]].
File:Phantom Teleport.jpg|A Spire teleporting a [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom dropship]].
File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed.
File:Spire_MAC'd.jpg|[[Spire One]] being destroyed by the ''[[UNSC Grafton]]''.
File:HR_CovenantPowerModule_Spire.jpg|A [[Covenant power module]] stored in the Spire's control room.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
[[Category:Covenant technology]]
 
[[Category:Fortifications]]
[[Category:Covenant buildings]]
[[Category:Covenant buildings]]

Latest revision as of 09:17, July 22, 2024

This article is about the Covenant structure. For other uses of "Spire", see Spire.
One of the many Spires placed on Reach.

Deployment spires,[1] or shield spires,[2] are Covenant structures that serve as bases of operation during ground engagements.[1] They function as teleportation hubs for invading forces, and are also capable of projecting energy shields over a large radius. Covenant forces utilize these teleportation spires during large-scale operations.[3][4][5]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Deployment spires are Covenant designs, poorly-based on slipspace translocation technology originally created by the Forerunners.[6] They are designed to transport materiel and personnel seamlessly through portal networks. Typically, a deployment spire is established as a ground base on a given world and linked to an orbiting capital warship such as a carrier.[1] Troops teleporting through the spire commonly utilize an air vehicle, generally a dropship such as a Phantom, as the objects being teleported will materialize in the space between the upper and lower main sections of the structure.

The spire itself consists of multiple sections: a lower section which projects several energy beams that keep an upper section suspended high above it as well as powering a floating shield-generator array. From the upper level, a large dome-like energy shield is extended to the ground. This shield is resistant to conventional weapons, and is capable of disabling any enemy vehicles that pass through it via application of an electromagnetic pulse.[3] They can be selectively permeable, and are engineered in such a way as to allow the passage of small vehicles and personnel.[2] There are two ways to reach the top of the Spire: via the same gravity lifts that hold the upper level aloft, or off one of several lifts positioned at intervals around the Spire.[7] A spire's gravity lifts are extremely powerful, and are as such capable of being used in a manner similar to that of a space elevator - ferrying troops and materiel from ground the space (and vice versa) over massive distances.[8]

Unlike most other forward operations structure and vehicles, Spires do not have an easily accessible reactor core like Deutoros-pattern Scarabs or Cheru-pattern Tyrants. The shield itself is powered by a pinch fusion reactor, and requires a warship-level weapon to deplete or collapse.[2] The shields generated by the Spire must be deactivated manually through a control interface in the upper portion of the structure.[3]

Covenant spires are presumably deployed from starships and dropped directly onto their intended location; this is evidenced by at least the nature of the only Spire known to be ever observed at close range, Spire One. The Spire's base lay partially buried at the center of a massive crater, surrounded by blasted sand. This may have resulted from it being dropped from a great height.[3][7]

Despite their usage, the rough imitation of Forerunner systems makes Spires a dangerous and enormously inefficient system. As such, they were rarely employed by the Covenant at large.[1]

Operational history[edit]

A deployment spire may have been employed during the Battle for Arcadia in 2531. During the ground campaign, a large dome-shield was projected by the invading Covenant forces over the Forerunner complex on Arcadia, allowing them to construct a large base and a R'awuw-pattern Scarab beneath the shield's protection. The shield was ultimately partially disabled by combined artillery fire from a battery of M145D Rhino, allowing for a large orbital bombardment by UNSC Spirit of Fire.[9] The shield generated in this engagement exhibited many similar properties to that of the deployment spire, though whether it was the site of such a deployment is unknown.

Multiple spires were seen during the Covenant invasion of Reach. Covenant ground forces deployed these behemoth structures to cloak the presence of an army deployed by the supercarrier Long Night of Solace, flagship of the Fleet of Valiant Prudence. One of these Spires were disabled and destroyed in a UNSC counter-offensive operation.[3]

During the war, at least four deployment spires' shield generators were captured and used as the basis for experimental R&D by Watershed Division. The resulting project was UNSC Antaeus; a "shield ship" consisting of a modified dropfreighter with the shield generators installed.[10]

Trivia[edit]

A similar energy shield structure is encountered in the Halo Wars level Dome of Light. This structure may be a different version of the spires used on Reach.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • Early concept sketches for the Spire. Note the early ideas involving the Spire being comprised of a landed Covenant supercarrier.

    Early concept sketches for the Spire. Note the early ideas involving the Spire being comprised of a landed Covenant supercarrier.

  • Refined concept sketches for the Spire.

    Refined concept sketches for the Spire.

  • Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure.

    Concept art of the top area of the Spire structure.

  • Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure.

    Concept art of the bottom area of the Spire structure.

  • Concept art of a Spire near Szurdok Ridge.

    Concept art of a Spire near Szurdok Ridge.

  • An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance.

    An exterior view of a Spire's shield dome, with two more Spires in the distance.

  • The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground.

    The top of Spire One, as seen from the ground.

  • A Spire teleporting a Phantom dropship.

    A Spire teleporting a Phantom dropship.

  • Spire One being destroyed by the UNSC Grafton.

    Spire One being destroyed by the UNSC Grafton.

  • A Covenant power module stored in the Spire's control room.

    A Covenant power module stored in the Spire's control room.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 225
  2. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 221
  3. ^ a b c d e Halo: Reach, campaign level Tip of the Spear
  4. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace: "That spire was indeed a teleporter linked to a cloaked Covenant super-carrier"
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint, Type-28 Troop Carrier (Retrieved on Jul 12, 2012) [local archive] [external archive]
  6. ^ Halo Waypoint, Halo: Reach - Maps (Retrieved on Oct 12, 2014) [local archive] [external archive]
  7. ^ a b Halo: Reach, multiplayer map Spire
  8. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 222
  9. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Dome of Light
  10. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Digsite 'n' Discourse (Retrieved on Jun 24, 2024) [archive]
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