Mgalekgolo Flak
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"Flak" hunters[1] are a type of Mgalekgolo employed by the Covenant. They are notably distinguished by their gold armor plating, as opposed to the typical blue.[2]
Overview
So-called "flak" hunters are a rank or role of Mgalekgolo gestalt. They are primarily distinguished from their typically-deployed brethren thanks to their distinctive gold armor. Additionally, they wield a variant of assault cannon that fires single shots of incendiary gel, while their blue-armored comrades fire streams of the gel. The "flak" hunters' role is unclear within the Covenant, as other hunter types have been observed with the same (or similar) weapon systems as the "flak" hunters. It is possible that the "Flak" role was instituted very late into the Human Covenant War, as their only known appearances were during the Battle of Earth. What's more, no blue armored hunters seen during the Battle of Earth use the same weapon systems Flak hunters do, suggesting the Covenant had only began to assign this role to specific hunters after the Battle of Installation 04, and as such this position may have only existed for less than a year. These gold hunter variants are deployed in both exclusive "flak" pairs, and as paired with a regular "blue" hunter.[2]
Operational history
Battle for Earth
Following the departure of the Prophet of Regret during the Battle of Mombasa and the Battle for Earth in October 20, 2552, the remaining forces of the Fleet of Sacred Consecration deployed several gold-armored hunters almost immediately after the slipspace event. Following his crash-landing, a "flak" hunter was encountered by Edward Buck near Tayari Plaza while he searched for Veronica Dare's SOEIV.[3] Later on, several gold-armored hunters were part of the forces deployed by the Covenant to the Office of Naval Intelligence's Alpha Site, though they were ultimately killed by Dutch and Mickey.[4] Several hours following the initial battle, gold hunters patrolled the deserted and darkened streets of New Mombasa before the city's eventual glassing by a Jiralhanae-led excavation fleet sent by the Prophet of Truth that arrived the next day.[5][6]
Gameplay
"Flak" hunters appear only in Halo 3: ODST as special hunter enemies in the campaign and Firefight. Regular "blue" hunters appear in the game, behaving similarly to their Halo 2 and Halo 3 counterparts by firing long streams of incendiary gel at enemies while "flak" hunters fire single bolts more similar to their Halo: Combat Evolved or later Halo: Reach etc. counterparts. One appears in the level Tayari Plaza in the final section before the player finished the level alongside a regular hunter, and later again during the inner courtyard on ONI Alpha Site. They appear as enemies wandering the streets of New Mombasa in the Mombasa Streets level.
Aside from their unique appearance and weapon, the "flak" hunters behave identically to their regular counterparts, with no AI or health etc. differences.[1]
Production note
The so-called "flak" hunter is never named in any official source, in-game or otherwise, and their unique appearance has never been elaborated on or seen outside Halo 3: ODST. The "flak" hunters' name is derived from the campaign enemy's filename - Flak Hunter, in the absence of any other official name or designation. In game files, the fuel rod cannon they use is referred to as the "flak gun".
Gallery
Edward Buck fighting a "flak" hunter in Tayari Plaza.
- Gold Hunter.png
Two gold hunters in Alpha Site.
List of appearances
- Halo 3: ODST (First appearance)
Sources
- ^ a b Halo 3: ODST - in-game unit file name
- ^ a b Halo 3: ODST
- ^ Halo 3: ODST - campaign level Tayari Plaza
- ^ Halo 3: ODST - campaign level ONI Alpha Site
- ^ Halo 3: ODST - campaign level Mombasa Streets
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Vergil Reality
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