Covenant comm node

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The Comm Node.

Covenant Communication Node is a global term encompassing any of the Covenant's mobile communication antennas used on the battlefield.

Halo: Combat Evolved

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The controls on a Comm Node in Halo:CE

An early version of the Comm Node was a specialized variant of the standard Covenant Supply Case. The Covenant used these large portable crates to tap into the Battlenet for communication. Although extremely similar in appearance to the supply case, their sides appear to have folded outwards, producing a small screen and keyboard for Battlenet interface. Their range is unknown and they may be able to function in many types of environment, as they have been seen in use in a wide variety of locations. It is speculated that their primary use is for relaying information from planet surfaces to Covenant ships in orbit, although it is equally possible that they are simply used for ground communications. Many times during the game the player will encounter an unfortunate Elite distracted using one of these, just ripe for being meleed from behind.

Appearance and Function

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A Comm Node in Halo:CE

The Comm Node appears to be either a modified storage crate or a similar device based on the same framework. It stands approximately eight feet tall, and the three antennae on top add about five feet of height. It has several fold out controls on it, but they are in the Covenant language and are completely useless to the player. It is notable however, that the screens on uplink crates usually contain readouts on a planetary surface and links to orbiting spacecraft. This too is interesting, as uplink crates are seen exclusively on the surfaces of the Halos, which are in fact, ring shaped, not spherical. The uplink crate emits a loud, random chirping noise and static when active. Its dark purple color affords it no camouflage whatsoever, tending to make it stand out. The only exception to this rule is when they are located in the interiors of Covenant vessels for transport. In this event, they provide extremely good cover, often blending into the background.

In Halo: Combat Evolved, the comm node is impervious to all forms of firepower or impact. They can be neither damaged nor moved, for which reason they make excellent cover. They are never seen knocked over or even tipped in any of the levels, suggesting the Flood are either capable of utilizing them, or cannot move their bulk. However, the first possibility seems more likely, as Flood are able to effortlessly move heavy machinery, up to and including armored vehicles. Nonetheless, the Master Chief, who can flip over an M12 LRV, is unable to budge the nodes an inch, suggesting that they are either fixed to the ground in some way or far heavier than they look. Even a direct impact from the 90mm shell of a Scorpion Tank can not scratch the heavily engraved metal alloy that protects the machine. In fact, a Warthog may even flip over on impact with a crate, thus making them rather dangerous obstacles.

Appearances

• Silent Cartographer - A pair of comm crates may be found in both the security sub system and in the Silent Cartographer itself. Additionally, several of them are found at the Pelicans' landing zone, mixed in with the normal supply crates.
• 343 Guilty Spark - In the swamp, they broadcast the same message as Victor 933's crash message, suggesting that V933's pilot was desperate enough to broadcast on all channels, even those occupied by the Covenant Battlenet.
• The multiplayer map Death Island, based on Silent Cartographer, contains several. Also, several may be found in the multiplayer map Damnation; this makes sense, as Damnation takes place in a Covenant hydro-processing facility.

Dimensions

Height: 13.8 feet

Halo 2

In Halo 2, they are similar to Covenant visual recording devices, but have large metal antennae protruding from the top of the casing. If the Crate is functioning, the antenna will be encased in a purple energy field. However, if the player shoots the crate, the charge over the antenna will flicker and disappear.

Appearance and Function

In Halo 2, the Comm Node received a complete overhaul. It is now a small device at the bottom, that looks like Covenant Visual Recording devices, with tall, large antennae protruding from the top. They can now be moved, and appear to be destructible.

Appearances

• Delta Halo - There are several of these scattered throughout the level.
• Regret
• Gravemind
• High Charity
• Uprising - Some are seen across the battlefield, and especially at the Brute encampment.
• The Great Journey - One can be seen on the bridge where you fight Jackals.

Halo 3

In Halo 3, the Communication Nodes were redesigned to have a more elegant shape. Again, they can be destroyed, in which case the bluish energy field will disappear.

Appearance and Function

They now have a more rounded and updated look. It still has the same basic shape as the Halo 2 model, with a device at the bottom and antennae at the top. It is now seen more frequently

Appearances

Campaign:

• Tsavo Highway
• The Ark - Several can be seen scattered across the battlefield.
• The Covenant - They are especially noticeable on this level, and many can be seen across the battlefield.

Multiplayer:

• Snowbound - Located near the Shotgun spawn next to two Plasma Batteries.
• Guardian - Found next to the Brute Shot spawn.

Note:They are also one of the available items in Forge on Snowbound.

History

The Comm Node has been a part of the Covenant for a relatively long time. Wherever Covenant are encamped, a comm node can be seen nearby. Often, they tend to serve as obstacles for the player, should he be driving a Warthog. However this is balanced by the excellent cover they provide (however, bullets from the Warthogs' mounted gun can be seen to pierce Comm Nodes, hitting objects and characters behind them). They are seen in the proximity of The Silent Cartographer and even the Flood Containment Facility. This denotes their importance to the continuity and smooth operation of ground and naval forces within the Covenant.