Covenant comm node

A communication node as seen in Halo 3.

A Spike of Obesience, also known as a Covenant communication node, is a mobile communication antenna that was used by the Covenant on the battlefield. These nodes connected to the Covenant battle network and functioned as a combination of proselytization network uplinks, communication hubs, and sensor relay nodes. The first link in the Covenant’s command and control of their ground units begins with the placement of these Spikes in areas the Covenant intended to dominate. Jul 'Mdama's Covenant made use of variants of the Spikes on Requiem.

Appearance and function

A comm node in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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 Sangheili 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, likely the nearby planet Threshold, and links to orbiting spacecraft. 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.^[1] 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. It is also possible that this could just be game mechanics because the nodes could be modified supply cases, which are also immobile. The objects are also considered scenery objects by the game, just as rocks and the like are, and are therefore made immobile by the game itself.

Changes between Halo games

Halo: Combat Evolved

One type of communication node was seen on Alpha Halo, and greatly resembled a Covenant supply case with three antennae. Although extremely similar in appearance to the supply case, their sides appear to have folded outwards, producing a small screen and keyboard for the communication interface.

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.^[2]

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. 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.

Halo: Reach

Two different varieties of communication nodes are featured in Halo: Reach. The default version is near-identical to the Halo 3 iteration, while the larger one has three vertical antennas covered in energy fields.

Halo 4

In Halo 4, there are two variants of communications nodes. The first, more common variant, resembles the three vertical energy-filled antennae type seen in Halo: Reach, now with the new purple-green Covenant color scheme for its base. The second variant is a newly-designed vertical structure sporting a pair of solid, curved prongs.

Trivia

The Halo: Combat Evolved communication nodes appear to be upside-down modified supply cases.
The comm will remain active if one of its leg has been break off, and can still be pick it up in Forge. To fully destroy it, one must break the tower off the base.
On the main body of the node, something resembling the Marathon symbol can clearly be seen.

Gallery

HCE - Covenant node concept.png

Concept art of a communication node for Halo: Combat Evolved.
Uplink Crate.jpg

A comm node in Halo: Combat Evolved, PC version.
Mugshot.jpg

The controls on a comm node as seen in Halo: Combat Evolved, PC version.
An antenna-type communications node in Halo 2.
Reach Comm Node.png

A larger communication node in Halo: Reach.
A larger communications node in Halo: Reach.
Another variant of the communications node in Halo: Reach.
A communications node in Halo 3.
The screen of the comm node in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
Concept art of a Covenant uplink node in Halo 4.