Ruwaa-pattern Shadow

File:Fighting Shadow.jpg

A Warthog fires upon one as it drives by.

Shadows are the Covenant's main mode of moving large numbers of troops around on land. They can hold a driver, a gunner, and up to eight occupants, depending on the species of Covenant. They're outfitted to carry Elites, Brutes, Grunts, and Jackals, and are equipped with a Plasma Cannon (which can be used by the player), but the main purpose is to deploy infantry.

Shadows are also capable of carrying light vehicles such as ghosts. The mounted plasma cannon fires identically to the Shielded Plasma Cannon, except it fires at a much higher rate. It is an extremely effective weapon which can fire at fully automatic levels. This weapon can be used by the player, though the vehicle cannot be driven. The Shadow only appears in the level Outskirts, where Master Chief must destroy a convoy of them.

Character Compatibility

• Elites
• Spartans have animation, but game disables entry into seat without modding the -map file and unchecking a box in modding program
• Grunts have animation, but not used in actual gameplay. Although, they can be seen in Halo 2 E3 Demo.
• Jackals have animation, but not used and can be passengers only.
• Brutes don't have animation since they don't appear on same map that shadow does, but they were meant to.