Kez'katu-pattern Phantom: Difference between revisions

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m (→‎Operation: added the third variant of Phantoms)
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|passengers= 27 (24 in cargo hold) for [[Halo 3]] or 16 for [[Halo 2]]
|passengers= 27 (24 in cargo hold) for [[Halo 3]] or 16 for [[Halo 2]]
|capacity=
|capacity=
|Armament= *Heavy plasma auto-cannon (1)
|armament=
|*Plasma Cannons (2)
;''Halo 2''
* Heavy plasma auto-cannon (3)
 
;''Halo 3/ODST''
* Heavy plasma auto-cannon (1)
* Side-mounted [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]] (2)
 
;''Halo: Reach''
* Heavy plasma auto-cannon (1) or [[light plasma mortar]] (1)
* Side-mounted [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]] (2)
|consumables=
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
Line 32: Line 41:
*Support ship
*Support ship
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], later [[Covenant Separatists]] and [[Covenant Loyalists]]
|affiliation
;[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
:[[Covenant Separatists]] and [[Covenant Loyalists]]
}}
}}
The '''Type-52 Troop Carrier''' (abbreviated '''Type-52 TC'''), also known as the '''Phantom''', is a type of [[dropship]] used by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. They are used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and dropping large groups of soldiers while providing suppressing fire. They are much more heavily armed than the Spirit, with three plasma turrets that offer 360-degree turning radius.
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 are more heavily armed than the [[Type-25 Troop Carrier|Spirit dropship]], sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.
 
== Specifications ==
=== Design details ===
The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|Pelican Dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Whereas the Spirit was designed primarily as a cargo transport, the Phantom is a dedicated troop carrier/gunship with superior maneuverability and firepower.{{fact}}


== Operation ==
=== Crew and complements ===
[[File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|left|thumb|200px|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]].]]
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 could take up as many as sixteen passengers inside it in ''Halo 2'', though this number was increased to twenty-seven passengers in ''Halo 3''. Troops inside are deployed from a [[gravity lift]] installed in the bottom of the ship or the openings on both sides. In ''Halo 3'', Covenant soldiers can be deployed through the sides of the dropship for quick deployment. 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]] and essential equipments such as [[Deployable Lookout Tower]]s, and components of [[Anti-Aircraft Battery|Anti-Aircraft Batteries]] using its gravity lift.
The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the [[UNSC]] [[Pelican Dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Whereas the Spirit was designed primarily as a cargo transport, the Phantom is a dedicated troop carrier/gunship with superior maneuverability and firepower.


The Phantom was produced in three versions, one of which featured three separate, fully rotational Plasma Turrets that served to barrage the enemy with cover fire while its payload of troops is deployed. Its second variant has the same chin-mounted turret, but swaps its internally controlled side-turrets for two [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|Type-52 Plasma Cannons]]. The third and final variant has a [[Light Plasma Mortar]] cannon as the main gun, instead of the internally controlled chin-mounted turrets like on the others, this variant also includes two Type-52 Plasma Cannons on both sides on the ship, and was only seen during the invasion of [[Reach]]. These Plasma Cannons can be folded into the dropship for environments that lack an atmosphere, although this greatly reduces its amount of available firepower. In atmospheric combat situations, the second and third variants are superior to the first; the Type-52 Plasma Cannons boast a far higher rate of fire than the internally controlled turrets and fire faster-moving plasma bolts, the new design allows the Phantoms to fire in three directions at once, whereas the first model could only focus all three turrets on a single target, also the Light Plasma Mortar cannon found only on the third variant punches a much deadlier and more devastating blow than that of the Plasma turrets.
=== Armaments ===
The Phantom has three armament layout/design. The first design, used in ''Halo 2'', sports three separate, fully rotational heavy plasma auto-cannons that served to barrage the enemy with cover fire while its payload of troops is deployed. The second design, used in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo: Reach'', 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-cannons with a [[light plasma mortar]] and includes two Type-52 Plasma Cannons.


The Phantom crew consists of a pilot, a co-pilot, a navigator, and an operations officer who is in charge of the defensive Plasma Cannons. Troops inside were deployed from a Gravity Lift installed in the bottom of the ship or the openings on both sides. As many as sixteen Covenant warriors could be carried inside the ship in ''Halo 2'', while in ''Halo 3'' it can transport up to twenty-seven Covenant personnel, including [[Hunters]]. It also has the capability to take vehicles into battle which could be brought in these specific combinations: two separate [[Ghosts]], two separate [[Brute Choppers]], a single [[Spectre]], or a single [[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]. It could also carry [[Shade]]s, [[Deployable Lookout Tower]]s, and components of [[Anti-Aircraft Battery|Anti-Aircraft Batteries]] to be assembled upon deployment.
In vacuum atmosphere, the two Type-52 Plasma Cannons are folded into the dropship and reduces its available firepower.


===In Combat===
==Combat==
[[File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|thumb|right|A Phantom dropping a [[Spectre]].]]
[[File:Phantom with Spectre.jpg|thumb|right|A Phantom dropping a [[Spectre]].]]
The role of the Phantom was to transport squads of [[Covenant]] troops and/or vehicles to a combat zone with speed and efficiency. This tactic is known as air assault. It was capable of carrying [[Grunt]]s, [[Jackals]], [[Drones]], [[Brutes]], [[Elites]] and [[Engineers]]; it could also carry a pair of [[Hunters]]. Phantoms were seen transporting units throughout the Covenant's invasion of [[Earth]] and had become a great hindrance to the UNSC Special Forces when they attempted to repel the Covenant from [[New Mombasa]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]]. Their use across [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]] was also particularly devastating, especially to units which were not equipped with anti-vehicle weapons.
The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency, otherwise known as air assault. Phantoms were seen transporting units throughout the Covenant's invasion of [[Earth]] and had become a great hindrance to the UNSC Special Forces when they attempted to repel the Covenant from [[New Mombasa]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]]. Their use across [[Installation 05|Delta Halo]] was also particularly devastating, especially to units which were not equipped with anti-vehicle weapons.
 
Possessing three rapid firing plasma cannons makes the Phantom a much more challenging adversary than the Spirit. However, the Phantom's turrets can be destroyed using ground turrets, vehicles, [[Rocket Launcher]]s, and other similarly powerful weapons. It is fairly vulnerable to fire with the Rocket Launcher, and a single blast from a [[Scorpion Tank]] to the underside of the Phantom can easily neutralize its offensive capabilities, reducing it to little more than an armored personnel carrier. The Phantom has been known to strike fear into their opponents when they are heard cruising over the battlefield, their approach foreshadowing a large assault on an area.
 
As their hull is heavily reinforced, Phantoms are almost invulnerable to small arms fire. In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom was invincible and could not be destroyed. In ''Halo 3'', the Phantom is destructible. The Phantom's weak spots are the two "engine bulbs" on both sides of the front of the Phantom, and the two tails in the back. The frontal bulb and the corresponding tail in the back seem to make up an engine in the Phantom. A Phantom will go down with four hits from a [[Fuel Rod Gun]] to one of the frontal bulbs or one of the tails, on any difficulty. The damage is tied between them, meaning two shots to the front and two to the back will take it down. Most other changes are superficial, including different color schemes both for the Phantom itself and the plasma bolts it fires.


=== Separatist Phantom ===
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. Destroying these defensive weapons would render the Phantom defenseless, reducing it to little more than an armored personnel carrier. The Phantom has been known to strike fear into their opponents when they are heard cruising over the battlefield, their approach foreshadowing a large assault on an area.
[[File:Separatist Phantom.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Separatist Phantom.]]
The Separatist Phantom is a modified variant of the Phantom in use by the [[Covenant Separatists|Covenant Separatist]] armed forces during the [[Great Schism]]. It differs little in terms of usage, but it has several distinctions that separate it from the standard model. They are piloted by Sangheili - if the player destroys the Separatist Phantom on the level "The Covenant" that drops [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] off at the third tower, a Sangheili corpse will fall from the nose section between the two "engine bulbs" of the Phantom, which are most likely the cockpit. Separatist Phantoms are colored gunmetal gray instead of purple and emit yellowish energy instead of the purplish energy emitted by Loyalist Phantoms; they also possess green running lights. There is no difference in the amount of damage the Separatist and Loyalist Phantoms take. Separatist Phantoms also [[Active Camoflauge|cloak]] on several levels.


====Operation====
In ''Halo 2'', the Phantom was invincible and could not be destroyed, apart from its defensive weapons. In ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the Phantom is destructible.
The Separatist Phantom, like the regular Phantom, is roughly equivalent to the UNSC [[Dropship 77-Troop Carrier|Pelican dropship]] in terms of function and performance. Unlike the Spirit, this ship serves more as a troop transport than a cargo transport. It was used by the Separatists for the transport of armed combat teams into combat zones. Notably, some Sangheili can be seen wearing [[Assault Harness|assault armor]] when they exit Phantoms. It makes use of active camouflage generators to fade from sight, making them difficult to find and allowing them to continue to support ground teams even in heavy combat. Like the original Phantom, the Separatist Phantom incorporates a chin-mounted plasma cannon, as well as two side-mounted [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]] to support ground forces and engage aerial threats.


==Changes==
==Changes==
[[File:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construction equipment in Halo 3, as seen in this image.]]
[[File:Phantom Construction 2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construction equipment in Halo 3, as seen in this image.]]
===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
*The Phantom is now destructible, being vulnerable to [[Fuel Rod Cannons]], [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] rounds, [[Missile Pods]], [[Spartan Laser]] shots, [[Fuel Rod Guns]], [[M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher]]s' [[HEAT]] rockets, and missiles fired from [[Hornets]]. It was, nevertheless, very durable and able to take up to four shots from a Scorpion tank (four Fuel Rod Cannon shots can take one down, as mentioned above under the combat section. Three hits from the Rocket Launcher could also do the job).
*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'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 fires shots that are now a blue color, rather than a vivid red.
*The Phantom delivers troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*The Phantom can deliver troops by opening side doors, not just by the gravity lift.
*The Phantom no longer has three separate turrets - they now have just one mounted on the front, and two Plasma Cannons manned by Grunts or Brutes (or Elites when manned by the Separatists) on either side of the troop bay.
*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 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 engines make a different sound in ''Halo 3''.
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The main cannon's rate of fire is slower.
*The two upper tail-like parts in the rear of the Phantom appear smaller.
*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===
===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo 3: ODST===
*When destroyed in ''Halo 3: ODST'', it explodes into pieces of small wreckage, rather than larger wreckage like in ''Halo 3''.
*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 has the ability to carry [[Huragok|Engineers]] in pod-like cases in ''Halo 3: ODST''.


===Troop clamps===
===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach===
Troop clamps are equipment used by any Phantoms in ''[[Halo 3]]''. They are best observed on the [[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]], when the first Phantom drops a [[Brute]] and a cluster of [[Grunt]]s and [[Jackal]]s near the [[Missile Pod]]. They can only be seen via [[Theater Mode]] by pausing and moving the camera inside and out of the specific Phantom. It seems they are on the ceiling. The purpose of troop clamps is to launch infantry out of the [[gravity lift]] when deploying troops via the lift. They're only used during times when you are not supposed to see them - for example, in ''[[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]]'', when you see Phantoms deploying, all of the troops aboard the Phantom simply jump out.
*The Pahntom can be equipped with a [[light plasma mortar]] instead of its standard heavy plasma auto-cannon.


==Known ''Phantoms''==
==Known Phantoms==
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.
*''[[Glorious Advance]]'' - Used for a boarding action against the ''[[Infinite Succor]]''.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*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.
*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.
*Some of the Phantoms in ''Halo 2'' have their turrets folded into the Phantom because they don't need them at the moment. This can be seen on Uprising and The Great Journey. In the ending cutscene of Uprising, two Phantoms have their turrets folded in (one goes to drop off Tartarus with Miranda and the other goes to the bridge). Halfway through The Great Journey, you see the Phantom at the bridge with its turrets out.
*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.
*In the [[E3]] 2003 Preview of ''Halo 2'', the Phantom does not have a 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.
*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]].
*It was noticeable that the [[Brute 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]].
*On the ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Campaign level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]], once on board the Phantom in single player where the Arbiter and [[343 Guilty Spark (Monitor)|343 Guilty Spark]] leave, if you kill an [[Elite]] manning a Plasma Cannon, you can get on the turret. Then, when it flies away and cloaks, you will also cloak with it and not fall to your death. Dismounting or detaching the turret will decloak you, causing you to fall through the ship.
*In ''Halo 3'' it takes the same amount of hits from a Scorpion to destroy both a Phantom and a Wraith - about four hits on [[Normal]].
*In [[Campaign Scoring]] charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
*In [[Campaign Scoring]] charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', when you destroy the Heavy Plasma Cannon, in some cases, you will receive the "[[Used Car Salesman]]" achievement.
*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]]''.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', if you destroy a Separatist Phantom, it will emit a green gas instead of the purple from the [[Covenant]] counterparts.
*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.
*A Phantom has never been known to have been taken over by the [[Flood]], although the [[UNSC]]'s Pelican has in ''[[Halo 2]]'', and the Spirit has in the [[Halo Graphic Novel]].
*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 potentially be an oversight made by the artists.
*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. The headlight also appears in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*Oddly enough, in the ''Halo 3'' E3 trailer, the Phantom seen makes the sound of a [[Hunter]] charging its [[Assault Cannon]], or a [[Scarab]] in ''Halo 3'' right before the final explosion it makes when destroyed.
*In the ''Halo 2'' E3 trailer, the rear is open, suggesting it was meant to have a rear door. This was later cut from the Halo 2 and in Halo 3 it was replaced with side doors.
*While it was originally suggested that the Phantom replaced the Spirit, this appears to be proven false due to ''Halo Wars: Genesis'' and the fact that both the Spirit and Phantom appear alongside each other in ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. The appearance of both of them in ''Reach'' may mean that the Phantom and Spirit have different functions than one another despite both being troop transports; it is possible that the Spirit retained its use as mainly a cargo transport while the Phantoms were usually assigned with troop transport, or that the Spirit was slowly being phased out of service. It has been suggested that perhaps the fleet that attacked [[Reach]] was equipped with prototype Phantoms, or conversely, that the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] from [[Installation 04]] had yet to replace their Spirits with Phantoms.
*When a Wraith is being carried, it is invincible until dropped (except in ''[[Halo 2]]''). This is best seen in the [[Halo 3: ODST]] mission, ''[[ONI Alpha Site]]''. When the Phantoms comes around for the second wave, the player can fire his Spartan Laser at the Wraiths they carry. The Wraith can take four to five shots without being scratched until dropped.
*In [[The Art of Halo]], there is a ''Halo 2'' Phantom render that has its side doors down and has heavy plasma turrets on them.
*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
* In [[Halo: Reach]]'s level [[Long Night of Solace]] the Phantoms appear to be sheilded.<ref>http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-space-halo-reach/701419#_text at 53 seconds</ref>
*In Halo Reach Phantoms' front cannon is changed. It now fires slower, but each plasma burst explodes on contact.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="120" orientation="landscape" captionalign="left">
<gallery widths="160">
File:Phantom-Fleet.JPG|A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around [[High Charity]].
File:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two [[Banshees]] on [[The Ark]].
File:Banshee phantom escort.jpg|A Phantom escorted by two [[Banshees]] on [[The Ark]].
File:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Covenant Separatists Phantom exploding.
File:1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg|A Covenant Separatists Phantom exploding.
Line 124: Line 120:
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] - The UNSC equivalent of the Phantom.
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] - The UNSC equivalent of the Phantom.
*[[Type-25 Troop Carrier]] - Otherwise known as the ''Spirit'', the older Covenant dropship.
*[[Type-25 Troop Carrier]] - Otherwise known as the ''Spirit'', the older Covenant dropship.
*[[Phantom Riding Glitch]]
{{CovenantShips}}
{{CovenantShips}}
{{Covenant Vehicles}}
{{Covenant Vehicles}}

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Were you looking for the Spirit-class dropship used in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo Wars?

Template:Ship The Type-52 Troop Carrier, otherwise known as the Phantom or Type-52 TC, is a Covenant troop carrier and gunship.[1] They are used primarily as troop transports, flying into combat zones and deploying soldiers while providing suppressing fire. Phantoms are more heavily armed than the Spirit dropship, sporting three defensive weapons that offer 360-degree turning radius.

Specifications

Design details

The Phantom is roughly equivalent to the Pelican Dropship in terms of function and performance. Whereas the Spirit was designed primarily as a cargo transport, the Phantom is a dedicated troop carrier/gunship with superior maneuverability and firepower.Template:Fact

Crew and complements

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 could take up as many as sixteen passengers inside it in Halo 2, though this number was increased to twenty-seven passengers in Halo 3. Troops inside are deployed from a gravity lift installed in the bottom of the ship or the openings on both sides. In Halo 3, Covenant soldiers can be deployed through the sides of the dropship for quick deployment. Like the Spirit dropship, the Phantom is capable of carrying vehicles such as Ghosts and Wraiths and essential equipments such as Deployable Lookout Towers, and components of Anti-Aircraft Batteries using its gravity lift.

Armaments

The Phantom has three armament layout/design. The first design, used in Halo 2, sports three separate, fully rotational heavy plasma auto-cannons that served to barrage the enemy with cover fire while its payload of troops is deployed. The second design, used in Halo 3 and Halo: Reach, retains the chin-mounted heavy plasma auto-cannon but replaces its internally-controlled side-cannons for two Type-52 Plasma Cannons. The third design, used in Halo: Reach, replaces the heavy plasma auto-cannons with a light plasma mortar and includes two Type-52 Plasma Cannons.

In vacuum atmosphere, the two Type-52 Plasma Cannons are folded into the dropship and reduces its available firepower.

Combat

A Phantom dropping a Spectre.

The role of the Phantom is to transport squads of Covenant troops and vehicles into a combat zone with speed and efficiency, otherwise known as air assault. Phantoms were seen transporting units throughout the Covenant's invasion of Earth and had become a great hindrance to the UNSC Special Forces when they attempted to repel the Covenant from New Mombasa during the Battle of Mombasa. Their use across Delta Halo was also particularly devastating, especially to units which were not equipped with anti-vehicle weapons.

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. Destroying these defensive weapons would render the Phantom defenseless, reducing it to little more than an armored personnel carrier. The Phantom has been known to strike fear into their opponents when they are heard cruising over the battlefield, their approach foreshadowing a large assault on an area.

In Halo 2, the Phantom was invincible and could not be destroyed, apart from its defensive weapons. In Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, the Phantom is destructible.

Changes

Phantoms are often used to carry parts and construction equipment in Halo 3, as seen in this image.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3

  • 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 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 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 Engineers in pod-like cases in Halo 3: ODST.

Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach

  • The Pahntom can be equipped with a light plasma mortar instead of its standard heavy plasma auto-cannon.

Known Phantoms

Trivia

  • The Separatists Phantom resembles Romulan ships from Star Trek in both its lime-green color and its cloaking ability.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • In Campaign Scoring charts, it counts as both a "Heavy" and a "Giant" vehicle.
  • In the 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.
  • 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 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 potentially be an oversight made by the artists.

Gallery

  • A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around High Charity.

    A Phantom seen leaving a Covenant fleet around High Charity.

  • A Phantom escorted by two Banshees on The Ark.

    A Phantom escorted by two Banshees on The Ark.

  • 1211317370 Phantom Wreckage.jpg

    A Covenant Separatists Phantom exploding.

  • 1216048876 Phantom front.jpg

    A front view of a Loyalist Phantom.

  • A Separatist Phantom coming out of active camouflage in the level The Covenant.

    A Separatist Phantom coming out of active camouflage in the level The Covenant.

  • 1222028774 Gravity lift Phantom.jpg

    The gravity lift of a Phantom from Halo 2.

  • 1223676286 Dareaudio-large.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.

  • Phantom and Pelican.png

    A Phantom engaging a Pelican in 2531.

  • A Phantom as it appears in Halo: Reach.

    A Phantom as it appears in Halo: Reach.

  • Inside a Phantom.

    Inside a Phantom.

  • REACHn6phantom.PNG

    Another view of the Phantom, with Noble Six shooting at it.

Sources

  1. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ENC

Related Pages

Template:CovenantShips Template:Covenant Vehicles

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