M145D Rhino

The M-145D Rhino is a prototype UNSC plasma artillery piece that was entering service in 2531. It saw its first deployment on Arcadia, where five were used to break through a Covenant energy shield. Though unusable in multiplayer, the Rhino is usable in the campaign, and plays similarly to the Cobra, including the soundeffects of its artillery cannon.

Appearance

File:Ilmhalowarstheme1MediaBlade.jpg

Rhino concept

The Rhino seems to be a similar looking tank to the Scorpion, with several differences. While it has a similar bogey set up for its tracks, it has six track sets. It's also greater in size, has a more robust gun turret, and an even more unconventional track layout. The tracks are in similar places to the Scorpion, but then there are two sets behind the vehicle, possibly providing better support for the large gun in front. There are also two stabilizers that deploy from the rear of the vehicle during long range bombardment.

Stats

• Air Damage: 0
• Vehicle Damage: 19
• Infantry Damage: 15
• Structure Damage: 42
• Defense: 36

Function

File:Rhino Time.jpg

The tank like vehicle in this concept art picture is thought to be the Rhino, sharing traits such as grey armor, frontal configuration, and a similar large calibre artillery armament similar to its more powerful Scorpion cousin.

The Rhino is meant to be a building destroyer, similar to the Destroyer class from Ensembles previous game and the second to last of the Ensemble games altogether, Age of Mythology: The Titans. It's power is weaker than that of the Scorpion or the super powered Grizzly, but its base defense is stronger than the Scorpion's. A group of these tanks is powerful enough to take out other enemy Heavy armour, but should be more of a fire support role alongside a large UNSC force, than a small group of these taking on a large Covenant army, but once fought into a Covenant base, a small group of these tanks could critically damage the Covenant's chances of winning, or could take the base out altogether (with the right amount of Infantry and Air Support supporting them). Its Y-button ability deploys it in a similar "lockdown" mode to that of the Cobra and Elephant, for a more powerful and longer range attack.

The Rhino is a unit exclusive to the campaign of Halo Wars, where it is used in a couple of missions: on the level Dome of Light for a specific purpose - to eliminate a Covenant energy shield, and on the level Scarab as a bonus unit. After that, the Rhino is not seen again. It is unusable in multiplayer, but besides its importance to the plot, otherwise plays similarly to the Cobra artillery in terms of speed, firepower, and even the sound effects of its deployed artillery cannon.

Trivia

• It is unknown if the Rhino was born as a prototype tank or if it was a SPMA/Tank which was then refitted with a Plasma Mortar.
• Though appearing in several screenshots of the pre-Alpha test version of Halo Wars, later screenshots failed to show any sign of the unit, leading some to believe it had been cut from the game like the Cougar. It later returned in screenshots, and the presence of the Rhino Hugger Achievement for the game has confirmed its presence.
• Curiously it isn't shown and listed in the Halo Wars game manual. This may be due to its very limited presence in the game itself.
• There is a tank of the same name in Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2.
• The ship that supplied the Plasma Rhinos used by the crew of the Spirit of Fire was the Pillar of Autumn.

Gallery

• Rhino.JPG

  Rhino in campaign. The style seems to be the same as above.

Related Links

• M808B Scorpion MBT - The UNSC Marine Corps and Army Main Battle Tank.
• SP42 Cobra - a similar-function unit
• Wraith - Covenant equivalent of the Scorpion/Rhino.
• Rhino stats in gameplay video