Canon

Kez'katu-pattern Phantom: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

mNo edit summary
 
(224 intermediate revisions by 68 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Era|UNSC|HCW}}
{{Title|''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom}}
{{cleanup}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{references}}
{{Disambig header|the Phantom introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''|other Phantom models|Phantom}}
<center>''Were you looking for the [[Spirit]]-class dropship used in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo Wars]]?''</center>
{{Ship class infobox
{{Ship Class Infobox
|image=[[File:H2A Render Phantom.png|300px]]
|image= [[File:Phantom2large-transparent.png|300px]]
|name = ''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport
|name = Type-52 Troop Carrier
|manufacturer = [[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=137}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|manufacturer = [[Assembly forges]]<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 137''</ref>
|class = [[Phantom]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|class = Type-52
|length = {{Convert|106.2|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|length = {{Convert|32.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 268''</ref>
|width = {{Convert|66.8|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|width = {{Convert|20.5|m|ft}}<ref name="ENC"/>
|height = {{Convert|39.7|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|hull=Unknown Covenant material
|mass={{Convert|174.6|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|crew=5 personnel
|hull=
*1 Pilot
|crew=*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*1 Co-pilot
*1 co-pilot{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*1 Heavy gunner
*1 navigator{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
*2 Light gunners
*1 operations officer{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}
|complement=*Ghosts (2) or Wraith (1)
|complement=*24 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*16 passengers (''[[Halo 2]]'')
*2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*27 passengers (24 in cargo hold) (''[[Halo 3]]'')
|engine=Twin [[impulse drive]] system{{Ref/Site|Id=HW|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/phantom|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Phantom|D=26|M=11|Y=2015}}
|skeleton=1 pilot
|slipspace drive=
|capacity=
|armament=3 [[medium plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|armament=
|introduced=[[2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
;''Halo 2''
|othersystems=[[Gravity lift]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
* Heavy plasma auto-cannon (3)
|role=*[[Dropship]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*Gunship{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*Support{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}
*[[Great Schism]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
**[[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]]{{Ref/Book|Id=HSOI|Halo: Shadow of Intent}}
**[[Blooding Years]]{{Ref/Book|Id=mythos|Mythos}}
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
*[[Covenant separatists]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
**[[Fleet of Retribution]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]{{Ref/Reuse|mythos}}
**[[San'Shyuum flotilla]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=HDW|Halo: Divine Wind}}
***[[Dhas Bhasvod's Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}{{Ref/Reuse|HDW}}
**[[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=ttw133|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=133}}
**[[Swords of Sanghelios]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSOI}}
}}


;''Halo 3/ODST''
The '''''Kez'katu''-pattern Warrior Transport'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=282}} {{Type|52|Troop Carrier|TC}}, more commonly known as the '''Phantom''', is a [[dropship|troop carrier]] and gunship in service with the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}  They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/phantom/b5b73b06-50fa-4bcf-b624-ae5110223eb2|Site=Halo Official Site|Page=Phantom Halo Official Site|D=28|M=12|Y=2011}}
* Heavy plasma auto-cannon (1)
* Side-mounted [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]] (2)


;''Halo: Reach''
==Overview==
* [[Heavy plasma cannon]] (1)
===Design details===
* Side-mounted [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]] (2)
[[File:H2A Render PhantomInterior-Cropped.png|thumb|left|250px|The interior of a ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom.]]
|consumables=
The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the [[Human-Covenant War|War of Annihilation]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and [[Covenant Special Operations|special operation]] details.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin [[impulse drive]] propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} On either side of the [[dropship]] lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral [[gravity lift]] that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: The Thursday War|Page=???}} An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Mortal Dictata|Page=142}}
|othersystems=
|firstuse=[[2531]]
|role=*Dropship
*Gunship
*Support ship
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]], [[Great Schism]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]  
*Later [[Covenant Separatists]] and [[Covenant Loyalists]]
}}
The '''Type-52 Troop Carrier''', otherwise known as the '''Phantom''' or '''Type-52 TC''', is a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] troop carrier and gunship.<ref name="ENC"/> They are used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying soldiers while providing suppressing fire.


Phantoms were seen transporting units throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], particularly near its end. They were present during the Covenant's invasions of [[Reach]] and [[Earth]] among others and had become a great hindrance to the UNSC when they attempted to repel the Covenant from [[New Mombasa]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].
One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77-TC Pelican]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional [[Spirit]] dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=268}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=281}}


==Design details==
===Armament===
The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|Pelican Dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Spirit dropship]], sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius. Whereas the Spirit was designed primarily as a cargo transport, the Phantom is a dedicated troop carrier/gunship with superior maneuverability and firepower.{{fact}}
Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the {{Pattern|Mikpramu|Phantom}}) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation [[heavy plasma cannon]] turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational [[medium plasma cannon]]s, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.{{Ref/Game|Id=h2|H2|Detail=''campaign gameplay''}}


===Crew and complement===
===Crew and complement===
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot, a navigator, and an operations officer who is in charge of the defensive heavy plasma auto-cannons. The Phantom can carry thirty passengers inside its troop bay (twenty-seven in Halo 3, sixteen in Halo 2). Troops are deployed from the [[gravity lift]] installed in the bottom of the ship and the doors on either side. Like the Spirit dropship, the Phantom is capable of carrying vehicles such as [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghosts]] and [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraiths]], as well as essential equipment such as [[Deployable Lookout Tower]]s, and components of [[Anti-Aircraft Battery|Anti-Aircraft Batteries]] using its gravity lift.
The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral [[gravity lift]] and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, [[Mgalekgolo]] soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} Like the Spirit dropship and the older {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s or a single {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} or {{Pattern|Wuzum|Spectre}}.{{Ref/Reuse|h2}}


===Armaments===
===Usage===
The Phantom has several armor and armament configurations. In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom sports three separate, fully rotational heavy plasma auto-cannons. In ''Halo 3'', the Phantom retains the chin-mounted heavy plasma auto-cannon but replaces its internally-controlled side-cannons for two [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Type-52 Plasma Cannons]]. The third design, used in ''Halo: Reach'', replaces the heavy plasma auto-cannon with a different variety of plasma cannon, and includes two Type-52 Plasma Cannons.  
Introduced into the [[2552|final year]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was created by [[Assembly Forges]] to replace the earlier {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} as its improvement over it in every way.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}} It was one of the primary Covenant [[dropship]]s and the most well-known of Phantoms among the [[human]]s, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the [[Fall of Reach]] and [[Battle for Earth]], though many Covenant forces never used it before the [[Fall of High Charity|loss]] of [[High Charity]] that effectively ended its production.{{Ref/Reuse|HW}}


==Variants==
==Identified Phantoms==
A variant of Phantom outfitted exclusively for space combat, known as the [[Phantom Gunboat]], swaps its Type-52 Plasma Cannons for five plasma auto-turrets mounted around the hull, and a chin-mounted heavy plasma cannon.
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' – Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' during [[skirmish on Infinite Succor|skirmish]] above [[Battle of Installation 04|Installation 04]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=hgnp16|HGN|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor|Page=16}}


The Covenant Separatists used customized Phantoms following the [[Great Schism]]. These Phantoms were green instead of the usual purple (to match the UNSC's vehicle color schemes) and were equipped with cloaking technology, something not seen on most ships of their size.
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===''The Duel''===
{{Main|The Duel}}
By around [[2152|400 years]] before the [[2552|climax]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]], several {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s and ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantoms were present above [[Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Film|Id=duel|Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}}{{Ref/Note|Id=hld|Text=While ''The Duel'' anime film used the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom model from ''[[Halo 2]]'' unlike other ''[[Halo Legends]]'' series which used the ''Ru'swum''-pattern Phantom from ''[[Halo 3]]'' instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the ''Kez'katu''-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.}}


==Known Phantoms==
===Silver Timeline===
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|b4doITNi2RE|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=3|D=14}}


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier]] serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom was invincible and could not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. In ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the Phantom is destructible.
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.


===Tactics===
In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.
* Taking down a phantom is tempting to do so in Firefight or Campaign; however, it is unwise to do so if there are phantoms traveling in groups, as they might pin you down with their plasma guns or in the most extreme cases, kill you.
`* It is recommended to destroy the Phantom's armaments before taking it out, or you will be damaged by the plasma guns.
* If possible, stay under the Phantom and shoot at the drop-off zone where Covenant jump off. You can get a few easy kills with that.
* Use a heavy weapon to destroy a Phantom. A [[Spartan Laser]], the Warthog's LAAV guns, or a Rocket Launcher will do the trick.


==Changes==
==Production notes==
===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
According to [[Shi Kai Wang]], when ''Halo 2'' began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Type-25 Spirit]]'s design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter2|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design.  When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality.}} At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter3|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906031826542596|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape.  As indicated by this sketch here.  But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had. So this felt like a half, or step backwards. The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally.}} After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter4|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906038747144195|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic.  Which animal?}}, based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter5|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906042010279937|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra.  The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design.  That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'.}}
*The Phantom is now destructible, vulnerable to heavy weapons and explosives. It is, nevertheless, very durable and able to take up to four shots from a Scorpion tank.
*The Phantom's hull is now a medium-dark violet in ''Halo 3'', rather than magenta as it is in ''Halo 2''.
*The Phantom fires shots that are now a blue color, rather than a vivid red.
*The Phantom can deliver troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*The Phantom no longer has three separate auto-cannons - they now have one chin-mounted auto-cannon, and two Type-52 Plasma Cannons on either side of the troop bay.
*The troop bay is open on both sides where the plasma turrets are. It is fully accessible by the player and he/she can leap into it before it takes off. The player is usually killed when the Phantom hits a [[Invisible wall|death barrier]].
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
*A Separatist variant is introduced. The Separatist variant is used by the Elites and has the ability to camouflage itself.


===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo 3: ODST===
When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter6|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906045256626177|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details.  If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back.  But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun.}} At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter7|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906048754749442|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam.  Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube.  But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun.}} The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.{{Ref/Site|Id=twitter1|D=28|M=2|Y=2021|URL=https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1365906029863571457|Site=Twitter|Page=Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed.  One of my personal favorite redesigns.}}
*When destroyed in ''Halo 3: ODST'', it explodes into pieces of small wreckage, rather than larger wreckage like in ''Halo 3''.
*The Phantom has the ability to carry [[Huragok|Engineers]] in pod-like cases in ''Halo 3: ODST''.


*The Phantom can be equipped with a searchlight for night missions.
==Trivia==
=== Production notes ===
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a [[Pelican]]. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
*In the ''[[Art of Halo]]'', there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
*In ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in ''Halo 4''.{{Ref/Game|Id=model|H2A|Detail=''3D model data''}}


===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach===
==Gallery==
*The auto-cannon is replaced by a cannon that has a slower rate of fire and has a more explosive effect upon impact, similar to a [[Type-50 Directed Energy Rifle/Heavy|Concussion Rifle]].
===Concept art===
*The two front engine turbines no longer glow blue.
<gallery>
*There are no longer any "weak points"; it takes the same amount of weapons fire to destroy regardless of hit location.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_1.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art for the Phantom.
*When hit by weapons fire, it no longer takes visible damage aside from chin and side guns being knocked off.
File:H2_Phantom_Concept_2.jpg|''Halo 2'' concept art.
*When destroyed, instead of having an "overload" phase were it drops, then explodes, the target Phantom instantly explodes as soon as it takes enough damage.
File:H2A Phantom Cockpit Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's cockpit.
*Far less debris is left behind when destroyed; only the debris from the chin gun, the Type-52 Plasma Cannons on the sides, and a portion of the cockpit will be left when it explodes. Furthermore, not all Phantoms encountered are destructible.
File:H2A Phantom TroopBay Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's troop bay.
*The Phantom's armor seems to be stronger; it is able to withstand up to six Wraith shots before exploding.
File:H2A Phantom Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom.
*A variant outfitted for space combat, called the [[Phantom Gunboat]], is introduced.
File:H2A Phantom Gun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's gun.
File:H2A Phantom SideGun Concept.jpg|''Halo 2: Anniversary'' concept art of the Phantom's side guns.
</gallery>


==Trivia==
===Renders===
*The Separatists Phantom resembles [http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Romulan Romulan] ships from ''[http://memory-alpha.org/index.php/Star_Trek Star Trek]'' in both its lime-green color and its cloaking ability.
<gallery>
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one Plasma Cannon.
File:H2-PhantomDropship-Underside.png|The underside of the early Phantom Dropship in the ''Halo 2 E3 Demo''.
*It was noticeable that the [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]] spent most of his time pursuing [[Thel 'Vadamee]] in a Phantom throughout ''Halo 2''. The ship's ability to travel through space made it invaluable to the Covenant's strike teams when engaging the [[Heretics]] and Flood as they sought to uncover the mysteries of [[Installation 05]].
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled render of the Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
*In [[Campaign Scoring]] charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
File:H2-PhantomDropship.png|An angled view of the Phantom as it appears in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*In the [[Keep It Clean (Trailer)|trailer]] for ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', a Phantom is seen on patrol using two bright searchlights to sweep the streets. Oddly, the lights are located in the exact location as the Phantom's chin mounted gun, possibly meaning that this Phantom was specifically adapted for patrol or that its gun had a headlight mounted alongside it. In the cutscene where the Rookie receives a transmission from Dare, the Phantom that passes by has a searchlight mounted on the front turret. This headlight feature also appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:H2-PhantomDropshipSide.png|An in-game profile view of the Phantom in ''Halo 2''.
*In the [[Art of Halo]], there is a Phantom render for ''Halo 2'' which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
File:H2APhantom.jpg|A model of the Phantom for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
*In the [[Halo Legends]] short film, ''[[Prototype]]'', a Phantom is seen carrying a Wraith ''inside'' its troop bay, as opposed to hovering below it. This may be a means to protect the Wraith from being destroyed before it is deployed or it could simply be an oversight made by the artists.
File:H2A Phantom Ventral Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's ventral surface.
*In [[Halo: Reach]], a player can pilot a Phantom through the [[Flyable Pelican and Phantom]] easter egg.
File:H2A Phantom Aft Render.jpg|A render of the Phantom's aft.
*In Halo Reach's Firefight mode, the Phantom cannot be destroyed.
</gallery>


==Gallery==
===Screenshots===
<gallery widths="160">
<gallery>
File:PhantomH3.png|A render of the Phantom as it appears in Halo 3.
File:Halo2-PhantomDropship-transparent.png|A render of the Phantom as it appears in Halo 2.
File:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Phantom engaging a Pelican in [[2531]] from ''Halo Wars: Genesis''.
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Halo2 - Phantom Gravity Lift.jpg|The gravity lift of a Phantom from ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a [[Spectre]] in ''Halo 2''.
File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|A Phantom dropping a Spectre in ''Halo 2''.
File:1216048876 Phantom front.jpg|A front view of a Loyalist Phantom.
File:H2A-Phantoms.jpg|Phantoms during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].
File:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two Banshees on [[Installation 00]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:HM-BloodingYears.jpg|Phantoms participating at [[Siege at Kolaar]].
File:Inside a phantom.jpg|Inside a Phantom.
File:HTV-Reckoning Phantom.png|A Phantom in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Separatist Phantom exploding.
File:Active Camo Phantom.jpg|A Separatist Phantom coming out of active camouflage in the level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]].
File:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construction equipment in Halo 3, as seen in this image.
File:H3R - Phantom Headlights.png|A Phantom, seen through the "eyes" of the [[Superintendent]], using a pair of high-intensity searchlights to sweep the ruined streets of [[New Mombasa]] in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:Phantom2large.jpg|A view of the Phantom in ''Halo: Reach'', on the level [[Nightfall]].
File:DeliverHope - CCSHangar.png|A hanger bay in a [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]] with two Phantoms being loaded with [[Covenant Empire|troops]].
File:HaloReach - Screenshot 05.jpg|An alpha build of ''Halo: Reach'', showcasing the Phantom.
File:Phantom_Teleport.jpg|A Phantom being teleported onto the [[Viery Territory]].
File:Phantom_NA.jpg|Noble Six shooting at a Phantom in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Phantom_Rough.jpg|A rough model of a Phantom, used in background battles.
File:PhantomAszod.jpg|A Phantom participating at the [[Battle of Aszod]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
**''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Duel]]'' {{c|Non-canonical appearance}}
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Allegiance]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
{{Col-end}}
 
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


==See also==
{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] - The UNSC equivalent of the Phantom.
*[[Type-28 Troop Carrier]] - Otherwise known as the ''Spirit'', another Covenant dropship.
*[[Phantom Riding Glitch]]


{{CovenantShips}}
[[Category:Phantom variants]]
{{Covenant Vehicles}}
[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 06:25, January 19, 2024

This article is about the Phantom introduced in Halo 2. For other Phantom models, see Phantom.
Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport
A render of the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model used in Blur Studio's cutscenes (cropped from this image).
Production information

Manufacturer:

Assembly Forges[1][2]

Class:

Phantom[2]

Role:

Technical specifications

Length:

32.4 meters (106.2 ft)[2]

Width:

20.4 meters (66.8 ft)[2]

Height:

12.1 meters (39.7 ft)[2]

Mass:

174.6 metric tons (171.8 LT; 192.5 ST)[2]

Engine(s):

Twin impulse drive system[3]

Other system(s):

Gravity lift[4]

Armament:

3 medium plasma cannons[2]

Complement:

  • 24 passengers[2]
  • 2 light vehicles or 1 heavy vehicle[4]

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Introduced:

2552[3]

Affiliation:

 

The Kez'katu-pattern Warrior Transport[2] (UNSC Type classification: Type-52 Troop Carrier, T-52 TC), more commonly known as the Phantom, is a troop carrier and gunship in service with the Covenant.[2] They were used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying infantry while providing suppressing fire.[11]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The interior of a Kez'katu-pattern Phantom.

The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom represented the most standardized pattern of the Phantom at the final stages of the War of Annihilation.[2] It was optimized for insertion runs, close air support, and special operation details.[2] The hull of a Phantom is nearly invincible to small-arms fire, although explosives can easily damage or destroy the dropship.[5][6] The Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is primarily composed of a curved central hull that features a closed operator cabin in the front and a twin impulse drive propulsion system that feature pivotal fins to control the direction of the thrust at the back of the Phantom.[3] On either side of the dropship lie bay doors that can be sealed for exoatmospheric environments. At the bottom of the Phantom, there is a ventral gravity lift that is able to tow and carry vehicles to and from destinations or deploy passengers. The gravity lift and bay doors were created to allow quick and simple infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type or environment.[11] A ramp is also attached to the dropship to allow passengers to simply walk off when the Phantom has landed.[12] An intruder countermeasure system is also found on Phantoms.[13]

One of the Covenant's primary dropships, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is capable of both infantry transportation and deployment in atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The Phantom is notably more maneuverable—capable of gracefully steering and weaving through tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns, or urban centers such as a city with ease.[11] The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the D77-TC Pelican in terms of function and performance. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the more traditional Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.[5][6]

Armament[edit]

Unlike most of Phantoms models (including the Mikpramu-pattern Phantom) which are typically armed with one single limited-rotation heavy plasma cannon turret and two smaller plasma cannon door guns on the flanks,[3] Kez'katu-pattern Phantom is more armored than any other Phantom chassis, armed with three separate automatic and fully rotational medium plasma cannons, directed by automated target sensors that are explicitly designed to provide coordinated suppressive fire in deployment fire without risk of opening the dropship's bay doors to do so.[2] These cannons also have a rate of fire that are even faster than that of other variants.[4]

Crew and complement[edit]

The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot,[2] sometimes alongside a navigator and an operations officer, who is in charge of the defensive automatic heavy plasma cannons.[5][6] The Phantom can carry from twenty-four soldier passengers in its troop bay.[2] Generally, passengers are deployed from the ventral gravity lift and from the doors located by either of the dropship's large side doors. However, due to their size, Mgalekgolo soldiers are deployed from the Phantom through the use of its gravity lift.[5][6] Like the Spirit dropship and the older Ru'swum-pattern Phantom, the Phantom is capable of carrying a variety of Covenant vehicles such as two Karo'etba-pattern Ghosts or a single Zurdo-pattern Wraith or Wuzum-pattern Spectre.[4]

Usage[edit]

Introduced into the final year of the Human-Covenant War, the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was created by Assembly Forges to replace the earlier Ru'swum-pattern Phantom as its improvement over it in every way.[3] It was one of the primary Covenant dropships and the most well-known of Phantoms among the humans, with its lustrous silhouette being marked in minds of wars survivors from the Fall of Reach and Battle for Earth, though many Covenant forces never used it before the loss of High Charity that effectively ended its production.[3]

Identified Phantoms[edit]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

The Duel[edit]

Main article: The Duel

By around 400 years before the climax of the Human-Covenant War, several Ket-pattern battlecruisers and Kez'katu-pattern Phantoms were present above Sanghelios.[15][Note 1]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Silver Timeline

Phantoms are used by the Covenant against humanity.[16]

Gameplay[edit]

The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency. While the T-25 "Spirit" Troop Carrier serves primarily as a dropship, the Phantom, with its heavier armament, also fills the role of a ground support gunship. As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are invulnerable to small arms fire. The Phantom has three defensive weapons, making it a more challenging adversary than the Spirit. Like the Spirit, the Phantom is mostly scripted to deploy troops and leave, sometimes without coming to a halt, though in rarer cases it may stick around to lay siege on the player.

In Halo 2, the Phantom is invincible and can not be destroyed, although its weapons can be taken out, forcing it to retreat. The two silver engine plates can also be destroyed, although it will have no effect on the Phantom's speed.

Production notes[edit]

According to Shi Kai Wang, when Halo 2 began it's development, Bungie was in the mindset of improving on what they learned on Halo: Combat Evolved, in a "box product" mentality. Wang, who didn't liked the Type-25 Spirit's design, wanted to give the Covenant dropship vehicle a more animalistic personality.[17] At first, Wang tried to redesign the Spirit into a curved shape, but after seeing it lacked the Spirit's personality, and functionally proved to be too hard to carry units, the design was discarded.[18] After many attempts, Wang managed to sketch the Phantom's characteristic silhoutte[19], based on the Cobra; the cobra's posture and "wing span" being the inspiration for the Phantom's shape and its curve posture when threatened being the inspiration for the Phantom's ability to carry vehicles.[20]

When the Phantom's base design was done, Wang tried to formulate where the units would deploy from inside the Phantom: originally, he tried units would deploy from the back, but the Spirit's troop deployment method showed it wouldn't be as fun.[21] At the end, Wang came up with the idea of a tractor beam in the Phantom's belly, using the Spirit's holographic tractor beams as a tube, forcing the troops to deploy one by one, allowing players to engage the enemy from any direction.[22] The Phantom's design end up being one of Shi Kai Wang's favourites.[23]

Trivia[edit]

Production notes[edit]

  • In the E3 2003 Preview of Halo 2, the Phantom does not possess any form of gravity lift and the troops are instead dropped off from the back, similar to a Pelican. The Phantom is also capable of carrying a Spectre or a Wraith by using hooks located under its "belly". It also seemed to have only one heavy plasma cannon.
  • In the Art of Halo, there is a Phantom render for Halo 2 which had its side doors down and sported heavy plasma turrets on them.
  • In Halo 2 Anniversary the cutscene Phantom is purple with the grey underside similar to previous game's Phantoms, in gameplay however the Phantoms are a more reddish colour including on their underside with also a slightly different design that is partially based on Type-44 Phantom in Halo 4.[24]

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Renders[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ While The Duel anime film used the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom model from Halo 2 unlike other Halo Legends series which used the Ru'swum-pattern Phantom from Halo 3 instead, this does contradict other media, which are clearly stated that the Kez'katu-pattern Phantom was introduced at the end of the Human-Covenant War in 2552 - making this panel therefore non-canon.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 137
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 282
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint, Phantom (Retrieved on Nov 26, 2015) [archive]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Halo 2: campaign gameplay
  5. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 268
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 281
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadow of Intent
  8. ^ a b Halo Mythos
  9. ^ a b Halo: Divine Wind
  10. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page 133
  11. ^ a b c Halo Official Site, Phantom Halo Official Site (Retrieved on Dec 28, 2011) [archive]
  12. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, page ???
  13. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, page 142
  14. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor, page 16
  15. ^ Halo Legends - The Duel
  16. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Mar 14, 2022)
  17. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (2/8)Like I said earlier, I didn't quite like the Spirit design. When Halo 2 came around, we were all in the mindset of improving on CE, box product mentality. Given that chance, I wanted to give the #halocovenant dropship a more animalistic personality. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  18. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (3/8)Initially, I tried redesigning the Spirit with more of a curved shape. As indicated by this sketch here. But it lacked the personality the Spirit already had. So this felt like a half, or step backwards. The curved transport also proved hard to carry units functionally. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  19. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (4/8)After many failed attempts to curve the Spirit, I sketched out a promising silhouette. This was the very first sketch of the now Phantom. It finally had a new but interesting personality, AND animalistic. Which animal? (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  20. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (5/8)The Phantom was based on the cobra. The graceful yet aggressive posture it has, and how it's narrow in the front but broadens out was such a beautiful natural design. That curvature doubled up as the negative space to hold vehicles under it's 'wing span'. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  21. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (6/8)Once the feel was set, it was time to figure out the details. If the concave portion can house the vehicles, where do the units come from? I attempted to have units come out the back. But the Spirit already proved 360 engagement was too much fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  22. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (7/8)Thus the magic tractor beam. Using the same technology as the Spirit holo tractor beams, the Phantom employs it as a tube. But this time to drop units down one by one to be engaged from any which direction, ready for sandbox fun. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  23. ^ Twitter, Shiek Wang 王峙凱 - (1/8)Let's talk about the #halo phantom design real quick before we go to bed. One of my personal favorite redesigns. (Retrieved on Feb 28, 2021) [archive]
  24. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary: 3D model data