M12G1 Gauss Warthog

The M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle (abbreviated M12G1 LAAV), more commonly known as the Gauss Warthog, or Gauss Hog, is a United Nations Space Command ground vehicle.

It is a variant of the Warthog series of vehicle, but is much less common than the ubiquitous M12 Warthog LRV. So far it is seen only in Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 3 ODST, and is never referred to in any of the Halo novels, suggesting that it is a very recently developed model. However, it does appear in Halo Wars, so this doesn't seem to be the case.

Overview

The M12G1 Warthog is almost exactly the same in every detail to the standard M12 Warthog LRV, except that the LAAG on the back has been replaced with a M68 Gauss Cannon. The Gauss Cannon is an anti-vehicular weapon based on the technology of the Magnetic Accelerator Cannon and the M99 Special Application Scoped Rifle, and it fires 25mm hypersonic speed projectiles by asynchronous magnetic acceleration in the base of the cannon. It takes about a half a second to recharge between shots.

Applications

The vehicle is primarily used as a light anti-armor vehicle, designed to quickly and efficiently defeat light to medium armored vehicles such as the Chopper and Ghost. Its cannon is powerful, destroying light vehicles in a one or two shots (depending on where the shell hits) and tanks in four or five. Its mobility and maneuverability, at the same time, make it difficult for a tank's ponderous guns to successfully track the intended target. This, in addition to its ability to kill infantry in a single shot, gives it a unique influence on the shape of multiplayer combat.

Appearances

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The Gauss Warthog in Halo 2.

Although the Gauss Warthog was featured in Halo 2, the only official level in which you will be offered a Gauss Warthog is "Metropolis". You can find one late in the level "Quarantine Zone", but since you are probably alone by then, it is of little use unless in Co-op or if there's an Elite ally with you. In Halo 3, it is featured on the levels "The Ark" and "The Covenant". They seldom appear by default on multiplayer maps; in Halo 2, they were only found on "Zanzibar" and "Headlong". In Halo 3, in Matchmaking, they are found on modified variants of "Standoff" and "Sandtrap", called "Standoff Heavy" and "Sandtrap Heavy". However, by default it does not appear on any Halo 3 maps, but can be added in Forge on a few large maps. It also appears in Halo 3: ODST on the "Coastal Highway" level.

The Gauss Warthog also appears in Halo Wars as the final upgrade to the standard Warthog, replacing its previous M41 LAAG at a cost of 800 resource units and a minimum technological requirement of three power units. The result is a dramatic increase in combat capability versus vehicles and also to a slightly lesser extent, infantry.

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Two Spartans and an Elite in a Gauss Warthog on sandtrap

Strategy and Counter-Strategy

Multiplayer Strategy

The Gauss Warthog is very effective against light to medium vehicles, armor, and even infantry, but tends to be ineffective against tanks, as it takes multiple direct hits to kill the driver and even more hits to destroy the tank itself. In general, it is advisable to circle the tank to be destroyed, driving erratically but smoothly, so as to both avoid fire from the tank and hit it more accurately in the cockpit and driver's seat. Beware of the tank's anti-infantry gunner, who will likely be more able to target the fast-moving Gauss Warthog than the pilot. Be especially careful of Ghosts, as they can strafe quickly enough to avoid the Gauss cannon and do fatal damage in just seconds. Despite it being a light anti-armor vehicle meant for taking out Ghosts, Choppers, even Banshees, it is extremely powerful against infantry as it is a one-hit-kill on them. Even though it doesn't have a zoom feature, the reticule is accurate enough that you can pick off infantry with it at medium to long range, with satisfying effect. If you are playing solo, drive the Warthog to a high, elevated position or a location far away from action but with a straight line of fire if you're just using it as a turret, watch out for Spartan Lasers and rocket launchers. Such usage can be demonstrated on hilly maps like "Standoff" and "Sandtrap". It is also extremely useful in blocking teleporters because when the turret is manned you can block both the sender and a receiver teleporter.

The Warthog is probably the best vehicle to use for a infection game as long as the zombies have melee weapons, such as Energy Swords or Gravity Hammers only. It is also hard to get close enough to hijack it. Skilled gunners can easily achieve a Killionaire while manning this powerful force.

A close up of a Gauss Warthog's projectile mid-flight.

Multiplayer Counter strategy

The best way to stop the Gauss Warthog is also the best way to stop most vehicles: get a more powerful weapon. The Spartan Laser and missile pod are especially effective, but the rocket launcher, fuel rod gun, and Brute Shot are also effective if used properly. Using vehicles, especially tanks, against a Gauss Hog may be either an excellent idea or a bad one. In open space, the superior firepower and durability of the tank will triumph over the Gauss Hog; in closer quarters or areas with lots of cover, the 'Hog may be able to evade the tank's fire long enough to do lethal damage. Approaching a Gauss Warthog in any light vehicle besides another Gauss Warthog is nothing short of suicide. One or two shots will eliminate the vehicle and kill all those on board, unless the driver or gunner is already severely distracted. If you must fight a Gauss Warthog on foot, take care that you do not forget to use cover. The Gauss Warthog fires slowly but accurately, meaning that a proper and ample use of the environment as protection may spare your life long enough to land a killing shot. White-eyed snipers should quickly eliminate the pesky player on its gun to remove this dangerous threat immediately. Another way is to try to get into the Gauss Warthog's path and stick a plasma grenade onto it, before getting splattered by the vehicle or killed by the cannon. If a player tries to stick the vehicle with the cannon facing towards him/her, it is best advised that they do some evasive moves (Jumping left to right) since the Gauss Warthog is a bit inaccurate at medium distances.

Trivia

• The projectile beam from the M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle in Halo 2 is green; however, in Halo 3, the beam is blue.
• It is possible to knock a Deployable Lookout Tower off its anti-grav base by shooting it with the Gauss Hog's cannon shot.
• During the Halo 2 demo trailer, the Gauss was shooting at a fairly decent speed. In an early beta multiplayer phase, however, the Gauss seemed to be slowed down and also seemed to have lost all of its hype. It was later revamped to its original rate of fire during the game's final stages.
• In the E3 2000 Halo: Combat Evolved trailer, a Warthog had a turret similar to the Halo 2 Gauss turret, due to the fact it was originally part of Halo: Combat Evolved. However, just like many other things, it was cut and dropped, but then reappeared in Halo 2.
• Ferrex said in a thread, "While the Warthog Gauss rifle is modeled as a magnetic acceleration cannon, the sound and effects are actually those of a railgun, which operates on a different principle. However, the sound and effects were so cool that we couldn't not use them."
• Although the Gauss Warthog does not appear on any Halo 3 multiplayer maps by default, in Matchmaking it does appear on the "Heavy" variants of "Sandtrap" and "Standoff".
• In Halo 3 when you take the turret position of a vehicle, your primary weapon is visible, placed at your back. If you are manning the Gauss turret, your weapon is not shown.
• There are no Gauss Warthog spawns in any untouched map in Halo 3. Forge and certain "heavy" maps can make it useful to have this vehicle.
• In Halo 3, you cannot knock off all the "fenders" for the wheels, unlike in Halo 2.
• If you look at the "screen" on the turret while using it, there is a thermal targeting display. This is the same for the Prowler, as well as the Sniper Rifle.
• Bungie thanks an unnamed group in the credits of Halo 3: ODST for the gauss animation.
• A fan made vehicle can be made using this kind of Warthog called a rice bucket. It is simply two Combat Barriers laid down on top of the warthog, providing a shell of armor which is impervious to a Spartan Laser. The warthog must be driven carefully; if you drive too fast, they will fall off, as seen here in this video.
• Originally, the Gauss Warthog was supposed to be a "Rocket Warthog" in Halo 2.