Emp'seam-pattern Antlion

Emp'seam-pattern Sky Striker
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Assembly Forges
Type:	Artillery
Specifications
Length:	10.0 meters (32.8 ft)
Weight:	222.7 metric tons (219.2 LT; 245.5 ST)
Ammunition type:	1 siege plasma mortar
Crew:	2 operators or remote link
Rate of fire:	Three-shot burst
Effective range:	Long
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War Post-Covenant War conflicts

The Emp'seam-pattern Sky Striker, more commonly known as the Antlion or mega turret is a giant ground stationary weapon built by the Covenant. It is essentially a long-range, heavy siege plasma mortar.

Overview

Design details

The Antlion is a massive stationary plasma turret of Sangheili origin. It consists of an independently-constructed base mounting a large turret with a full 360 degrees of rotation. Due to their heavy and stationary nature, mega turrets are rarely employed in the field on expeditionary campaigns; they require assembly at the point of deployment and are totally immobile. They can be crewed by two operators, or completely crewed via a remote link.

Armament

The primary armament of the system is a single siege plasma mortar, which has massive range. When firing, the Emp'seam charges for a short time before firing a volley of three plasma rounds, similar in nature to the Ra'aam-pattern burst cannon. The siege mortar is capable of levelling enemy fortifications and leaving glass at the bottom of a crater.

Variants

• Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion - a variant of the Antlion created for use by the Banished and widely adopted across the various clans - only second to the Gorespike cannon.

• 

  A Banished Antlion turret.

Usage

Antlion mega turrets were originally designed by the Sangheili as emplacements for use in inter-keep conflicts as opposed to more general Covenant military service. During the height of the empire, the turret was used by the Covenant to protect Covenant military and religious installations such as citadels, though they were also used at remote colonies and outposts guarding nothing of obvious value. They were rarely deployed in offensive actions due to their static nature, and only saw service in niche situations in which orbital fire support from glassing or a plasma bombardment mortar was unavailable, or the Covenant were unwilling to risk damaging a Forerunner artifact in the vicinity of the strike.

With the Covenant empire's collapse, many such weapons have been left abandoned where they stood - now reflexively firing upon any who approach them without the proper authorisation codes for friendly transit.

Operational history

During the Battle for Arcadia, the Covenant deployed an Antlion near one of Arcadia City's spaceports shortly before the evacuation ships were due to launch. The turret failed to stop the launch and two of the ships escaped. Another Antlion was deployed in the outskirts of Arcadia City, but was destroyed by the UNSC forces from the UNSC Spirit of Fire. During the Battle of Trove, the Covenant forces abandoned one of their Antlions near the exit that led to the surface of the shield world.

Several Antlions were deployed by Merg Vol's Covenant during the Battle of Draetheus V in order to secure a series of bridges at the Epsilon Expanse. At least five Antlions were deployed during contemporaneous operations on Draetheus V's artificial moon, X50. During the Second Ark Conflict the Banished would make use of their own version of the Antlion.

Gameplay

Halo Wars

In Halo Wars the Antlion is a strong and resilient stationary unit. The only instances that they can be controlled are on the campaign level Escape and Skirmish level Tundra. A burst from the turret is strong enough to wipe out a squad of Marines. To destroy one, it is recommended to use units that has a high speed, because they can reach the turret before it fires at them. Another tactic is to attack from its back, since it takes time for it to turn around and fire. One can also exploit its long recharge time by sending a cannon fodder unit as a distraction for the turret to eliminate, and then attack the turret with full force while it recharges. In the level Escape, the Antlion is located next to the initial Covenant citadel, and can be used to destroy the base. Thanks to its long range of attack, one can also use it to destroy the Scarabs encountered in the level. An additional advantage is that it can fire on targets obscured by "the fog of war", requiring no nearby allies around its target unlike most leader abilities.

In order to use the Antlion the player must station an infantry squad inside the structure and pay resources in order to fire it at a location. The player must wait until the turret recharges before they can fire it again.

A hidden Antlion is in the level Repairs, but outside of the map since its blasts are being to used to represent those of the Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer. The only way to see it is through the Repairs glitch.

Halo: Spartan Assault

In Halo: Spartan Assault the Antlion is a stationary unit with strong durability. It can destroy Wraiths in three direct shots and Ghosts in one direct shot, and can also kill player with one direct hit. The only setback is the turret will give a warning where it will fire, giving the player a chance to evade it. The Antlion can be destroyed with one C4 explosive or several rounds of anti-armor weaponry; other weapons are not recommended due to its strong health. When firing, it emits two separate mortar projectiles. The Antlion cannot be disabled with a charged plasma pistol.

Gallery

• 

  Concept art of the Covenant Antlion for Halo Wars.

• 

  A Covenant Antlion firing upon attacking UNSC forces in Halo Wars.

• 

  A Covenant Antlion.

• 

  An Antlion on the map Crevice in an early build of Halo Wars.

• 

  An Antlion on Draetheus V in Halo: Spartan Assault.

• 

  An Antlion destroyed by an M850 Grizzly.

• 

  Closeup of a Antlion in Halo: Spartan Assault.

• 

  An M850 Grizzly fighting a Antlion on X50.

List of appearances

• Halo Wars (First appearance)
• Halo: Spartan Assault