Spike turret

Spike turret
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Banished
Specifications
Ammunition type:	Spike projectiles; Superheated plasma (optional); Fuel rods (optional); Thrasher missiles (optional);
Service history
In service:	Second Ark Conflict

This article is about the Banished base turret in Halo Wars 2. For other types of automated turret employed by various factions, see Automated turret.

Spike turrets are an emplaced weapon utilised by the Banished.^[1]^[2]

Overview

Design details

Spike turrets are automated emplacements primarily used for the defence of Banished outposts on the ground. As standard, up to four spike turrets can be built on any outpost, with a dedicated slot provided at each of the four corners of the base. The turret itself sits atop four legs, and is able to rotate 360^o around the base to provide full overlapping fields of fire alongside other defences. These turret slots can also be used to install Cloaking Generators, shield generators, and Sensor Towers.^[3]^[4]

When deployed, they are generally carried into position by a dropship such as an Eklon'Dal Workshop Spirit.^[3]^[2]

Armaments

The spike turret's primary armament consists of its eponymous Spike cannon,^{[Note 1]} presumably gravitic in nature similar to the Spikers used by Jiralhanae infantry, with twin barrels that alternate firing. To bolster its capabilities, the spike turret is capable of receiving a number of upgrades to make it more effective against select kinds of targets. Unlike its human and Covenant counterparts (respectively the M5 Talos and Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern citadel turret), it is not restricted to only one of these upgrades, and is instead capable of mounting any combination of all three. They are as follows:

Anti-infantry - installs twin plasma cannons onto the turret.
Anti-vehicle - installs a fuel rod cannon into the turret between the two spike cannons.
Anti-aircraft - installs twin Thrasher missile launchers onto the turret.

Careful Banished base overseers are generally careful to not install all three upgrades onto their turrets needlessly, instead adapting to the situation as needed.^[4]

In-game information

Halo Wars 2

Info: Can be upgraded with anti-vehicle, air and infantry weapons
Tier: 1
Cost: 300
Upgrades:
- Add Anti-Infantry Upgrade: Adds an anti-infantry weapon.
  - Tier: 1
  - Cost: 200
- Add Anti-Vehicle Upgrade: Adds an anti-vehicle weapon.
  - Tier: 1
  - Cost: 200
- Add Anti-Air Upgrade: Adds an anti-air weapon.
  - Tier: 1
  - Cost: 200

Spike turrets can be built at any Banished base upgraded to Citadel or Fortress. They cost 300 to build, and can mount all three specialist upgrades at once (unlike their UNSC counterparts). Each upgrade can be purchased for 200.^[3]

Overall turret upgrades can be researched at the War Council building.

Phoenix log

**Phoenix Log - Turret**
Defense emplacements. Weapon towers around the Outpost deter attack from the UNSC. Sentinels, and rival overseers who hope to capitalize on momentary weaknesses. Most Outposts can fit up to four Turrets. Each Turret can be upgraded to be more effective against aircraft, vehicles, and infantry. Unlike UNSC turrets, these upgrades can be combined. Banished turrets start as moderately effective defensive structures, but they can be improved as time and resources allow. Canny overseers do not attempt to upgrade every turret to its full potential all at once, instead taking advantage of momentary surpluses and keen tactical analysis to upgrade based on current threats. Fully upgraded Banished turrets are extremely deadly, and only the most foolish UNSC commander would run directly at a fully upgraded defense line. But do not assume the Banished will be content to wait behind their turrets, Atriox commands that the best defense is always a good offense.

Gallery

Developmental images

Unused Phoenix Log artwork for the anti-infantry spike turret.
Unused Phoenix Log artwork for the anti-vehicle spike turret.
Unused Phoenix Log artwork for the anti-air spike turret.
Models of various Spike turrets in Halo Wars 2.
Models of Spike Turrets in the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta.
Concept art of Flood defensive buildings, including a consumed Spike turret (far right).

Screenshots

The standard spike turret in Halo Wars 2.
The spike turret upgraded with anti-infantry plasma cannons in Halo Wars 2.
The spike turret upgraded with an anti-vehicle fuel rod cannon in Halo Wars 2.
The spike turret upgraded with anti-aircraft thrasher missile pods in Halo Wars 2.
A spike turret firing its spike cannons in Halo Wars 2.
A spike turret firing its thrasher missiles in Halo Wars 2.

List of appearances

Halo Wars 2 (First appearance)

Notes

^ ^a ^b The spike turrets fire projectiles that are identical to those fired from the Barug'qel Workshop Chopper's spike cannons. Given its name, it can be reasonably inferred that the spike turret employs the same spike cannons as the Chopper.

Sources

^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 442-443
^ ^a ^b Halo Wars 2, Blitz card: Spike Turret
^ ^a ^b ^c Halo Wars 2, Banished Turret in-game unit
^ ^a ^b Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Turret

[spikecannon-1] The spike turrets fire projectiles that are identical to those fired from the Barug'qel Workshop Chopper's spike cannons. Given its name, it can be reasonably inferred that the spike turret employs the same spike cannons as the Chopper.

[Enc22-2] Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 442-443

[Blitz-3] Halo Wars 2, Blitz card: Spike Turret

[HW2-4] Halo Wars 2, Banished Turret in-game unit

[PL-5] Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Turret

[Note 1]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]