Flood dispersal pod
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The dispersal pod,[1] also known as a spore capsule when used to disperse spores in particular,[2] is a Flood infection form that contains Flood combat forms, pure forms, and spore clouds.[3] The dispersal pod uses hardened Flood biomass to shape the pod and protect the occupant from the stresses of orbital deployment.[3] In essence, and in practice, the Flood dispersal pod is the equivalent of the drop pods used by the Covenant, the Banished, and UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.[4][5]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
Dispersal pods are misshapen lumps of Flood biomatter grown to be disposable containers for Flood combat forms, pure forms, and spore clouds.[3] The pod bears several spikes on its front, while the rear trails several tentacles and what appears to be a stream of gas.[4] The pod is capable of limited self-propulsion: it uses a directed-discharge of built-up gases to propel itself across a great distance into targeted territory.[3]
Usage[edit]
Dispersal pods are deployed from a Flood-infected vessel down on to a world's surface, though they can also be expelled from ground-based hives.[3] Each pod can carry one or two combat forms, which emerge from the pod upon impact after the outer casing shatters.[4] Pods are one of the key infection vectors utilized by the Flood during its interstellar stage, plague ships quickly seeding worlds with the parasite without ever even needing to set down.[3]
History[edit]
Fall of Nomdagro[edit]
When the Flood invaded the planet Nomdagro circa 97,445 BCE, millions of dispersal pods were deployed to the surface. Their numbers were so vast that they darkened the sky. Many of the pods broke apart in the upper atmosphere, while others landed in the oceans or land, covering the entire biosphere of the planet in spores and thus quickly altering it to suit the Flood's purposes. Spore mountains were generated within moments, expediting the infestation of the planet. Many of these pods landed near the Ur-Didact and IsoDidact beside the planet's only Precursor artifact, putting an end to their confrontation and prompting the two, along with the Librarian, to escape to the greater Ark.[2]
Battle of Installation 00[edit]
Large numbers of dispersal pods were deployed from High Charity as the Gravemind arrived with its army at Installation 00, scattering Flood forces all over the artificial world, delivering significant numbers of combat forms to the surface.[5] The Flood infestation was also spread across the unfinished Installation 08. Later, after the destruction of High Charity, more pods were used to deliver combat forms to the control room of the new Halo built by the Ark, in an attempt by the Gravemind to stop the Halo's activation.[4]
Production notes[edit]
On rare occasions in Halo 3, a pod may land on the ground but will not open and release its occupants.
Gallery[edit]
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The impact of a Flood dispersal pod in Halo 3.
A attacker form emerging from the debris of a Flood dispersal pod in Halo 3.
Angled view of a Flood dispersal pod in Halo 3.
Flood dispersal pod arriving at Installation 08 in Halo 3.
A closeup of a flood dispersal pod in Halo 3.
A Flood dispersal pod in Halo Wars.
Multiple concepts of a Flood dispersal pod for Halo 4.
Concept art of a Flood dispersal pod for Halo 4.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo 3 (First appearance)
- Halo Wars
- Halo: Silentium
Sources[edit]
- ^ Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide, page 107
- ^ a b Halo: Silentium, chapter 26: "Even as we pick up the Librarian, prepare to rise to Audacity, and witness Mantle's Approach climb up behind us, matching our destination vector-the air is pierced by a plunging haze of millions of spore capsules."
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 407
- ^ a b c d Halo 3, campaign level Halo
- ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level The Covenant
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