Combat barrier

A pair of UNSC Marines use Combat Barriers to defend against the Covenant boarding of the UNSC Pillar of Autumn.

A Combat Barrier is a mobile ground barrier used by UNSC infantry forces. They can be deployed and set up relatively quickly to aid the defense of a strategic position on ground, ship, etc. .

In Halo 3's Forge, two types -- both concrete and destructible, but differing in height -- may be placed.

Background

Combat Barriers are placed and situated all around strategic locations as defensive mechanisms against enemy weapons flanking fire. Several types of barriers exist, but all are made of thick battle plating, presumably made of titanium or titanium-ceramic armor. These barriers cannot be moved or be deployed.

Combat barriers are used to protect soldiers of all types that are located in bases, dug-in fortifications, and other facilities (such as ships). While they are almost impenetrable to plasma and projectile weapons, they do not protect well against the concussive force of an explosion, though they do a good job of absorbing shrapnel and flying debris. In gameplay, they are "invincible".

Combat Barriers work by manipulating lines of sight. They have a small slit or corner for someone inside to shoot out of and have full line of fire on his enemies, but the enemies must hit a very small target. Combat Barriers in Halo 3, however, lack these slits -- combatants using them for protection must stand up or creep out from the side to fire on an enemy, exposing themselves in the process.

Trivia

• Combat barriers first appeared in Halo: Combat Evolved.
• There are two types of combat barriers in Halo 2, but neither of them resemble their Halo: Combat Evolved counterpart.
• In Halo 3, there are three types of combat barriers, but only two of them are usable in multiplayer. The other type -- used by the Covenant during Campaign -- can be acquired through modding.

Gallery

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  Barriers as seen in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A Marine taking cover behind a barrier.

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  Barriers as seen in Halo 2.

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  A Halo: Combat Evolved era barrier.