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This topic has moved here: Subject: How big is the Covenant Super Carrier?
  • Subject: How big is the Covenant Super Carrier?
Subject: How big is the Covenant Super Carrier?
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While playing Halo Reach, I thought that the Covenant super carrier looked to be a lot bigger than the carriers we've seen in Halo 2 and 3. I didn't have any actual measurements, but just doing some quick estimates in my head based on the scene in LNoS when the Corvette is docking with carrier made me think that it was way bigger than the Halo 2/3 assualt carriers.

Someone at HBO has actually gone and done the scaling, and the general impression of it being big is correct. It's over 5x (125x the volume...) bigger. Here it is compared to a few other ships. It appears to be really -blam!- big.

But is it really? The encyclopedia lists it's lenght as being only 8 meters longer than the Assault Carrier(is that length ever stated anywhere else?), but it does mention the class as being extremely large, rare, and powerful.

It also wouldn't be the first time the in game scaling has been screwed up. There's the discrepancy between the interior and exterior of the autumn in the first game, and all the problems with the portal/dreadnought/covie ships in Halo 3.

Still, I like the idea of a massive 25+ km Covenant ship. We've seen the Covenant can construct massive structures(look at the UH and parts of HC) and the size might explain there rarity, given the immense amount of resources that would go into constructing and operating one. And it would truly deserve the 'super' modifier.

What does the Universe forum think? 5 km? 25 km? Somewhere in between?

[Edited on 09.26.2010 2:24 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 2:24 PM PDT
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I've heard the size of the Reach SuperCarrier was around 3.3km.

  • 09.26.2010 2:27 PM PDT
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Posted by: MOB74656
I've heard the size of the Reach SuperCarrier was around 3.3km.


3.3 miles, but only if you go by the number in the encyclopedia. Scaling based on the Corvette docking scene, you get a much bigger number(over 15 miles). Even if it isn't entirely precise, it's a decent estimate that shows that the ship(in that scene) is way bigger than 3.3 miles.

[Edited on 09.26.2010 2:30 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 2:29 PM PDT

We believe that the universe is unbounded: this is not the same as infinite: the 2-D surface of a sphere, wrapped around a 3rd dimension, has a finite size, but has no end. If you start off in a given direction on the surface of a sphere, you could return to your start point without having to turn around -- you simply go all the way around. But wouldn't that mean the universe has an escape velocity like the earth?

Using my Halo Encyclopedia, the Covenant Supercarrier was 5,354m (17,570 ft) across. oh and opog, the Encyclopedia is Bungie canon, the cutscene must have made it seem inflated.

~B2

[Edited on 09.26.2010 2:32 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 2:31 PM PDT
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Posted by: Bungie2
Using my Halo Encyclopedia, the Covenant Supercarrier was 5,354m (17,570 ft) across. oh and opog, the Encyclopedia is Bungie canon, the cutscene must have made it seem inflated.

~B2


The encyclopedia is wrong in many places, and either way Games > books and newer > older. I'd trust scaling based on the actual game a lot more than a number in the encyclopedia.

[Edited on 09.26.2010 2:35 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 2:34 PM PDT

We believe that the universe is unbounded: this is not the same as infinite: the 2-D surface of a sphere, wrapped around a 3rd dimension, has a finite size, but has no end. If you start off in a given direction on the surface of a sphere, you could return to your start point without having to turn around -- you simply go all the way around. But wouldn't that mean the universe has an escape velocity like the earth?


Posted by: opogjijijp
Posted by: Bungie2
Using my Halo Encyclopedia, the Covenant Supercarrier was 5,354m (17,570 ft) across. oh and opog, the Encyclopedia is Bungie canon, the cutscene must have made it seem inflated.

~B2


The encyclopedia is wrong in many places, and either way Games > books and newer > older. I'd trust scaling based on the actual game a lot more than a number in the encyclopedia.


Well with that you have a point. I could do a scaling using a covenant corvette and seperating it per meter to provide accuracy if you wish.

~B2

  • 09.26.2010 2:42 PM PDT

What i want to know is WHAT is a supercarrier. Is it the same as the assault carrier we all know or is it a bigger version of it?

  • 09.26.2010 2:54 PM PDT

We believe that the universe is unbounded: this is not the same as infinite: the 2-D surface of a sphere, wrapped around a 3rd dimension, has a finite size, but has no end. If you start off in a given direction on the surface of a sphere, you could return to your start point without having to turn around -- you simply go all the way around. But wouldn't that mean the universe has an escape velocity like the earth?

Here, Im too lazy to explain.

  • 09.26.2010 2:56 PM PDT

"Find where the liar hides, so that I may place my boot between his gums!" - Rtas 'Vadum

If it is only the super carrier number that is retconed here, then I would be fine with that. It is described as rare. If it is the new Assault Carrier, then to hell with the rest of the fiction. Space battles would be impossible I would think. It is explicitly stated as being "Super" carrier isn't it? I cannot remember.

Would SMACs do any good against this thing? Think of the shields it must have, the firepower and the hull thickness. It might be an explanation for the lack of UNSC ships and ODPs in the area. Honestly, looking at the size of it, ship based MAC rounds would be like pea shooters I think. I do not think the number of ODPs around Reach would be enough to tackle that thing either. So perhaps they pulled back and went with UPPERCUT, rather than waste most of the defence line on one ship. Granted, if they threw in everything then it would be destroyed, but it would not be leaving Reach with much of defence left would it?

Anyway, it looks as if it has been worked through right. If anything, it might be a bit bigger, as the Corvette was not all the way in yet.

  • 09.26.2010 2:56 PM PDT
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Posted by: evilcam
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3-19-07

lol @ people linking Halowiki to opog.

  • 09.26.2010 2:59 PM PDT
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Would SMACs do any good against this thing? Think of the shields it must have, the firepower and the hull thickness. It might be an explanation for the lack of UNSC ships and ODPs in the area.

I was thinking the same thing. At over 5x the size of an assuakt carrier, it would 25x the surface area and 125x the volume. That's 25x the amount of surface area the mount weapons systems, and 125 times the amount of volume to carry internal weapons systems, as well as 125x the space for plasma and power generation.

Regret's two assault carriers destroyed quite a few ships in there push through earth defenses(I think I counted close to two dozen destroyed in the Halo 2 cutscene alone), and even then, all the forces at Earth only managed to take down one. Assaulting a ship with potentially 125 times more energy available to it could be very hard, which may be why the fleet at Reach hung back and waited for reinforcements.

  • 09.26.2010 3:05 PM PDT

We believe that the universe is unbounded: this is not the same as infinite: the 2-D surface of a sphere, wrapped around a 3rd dimension, has a finite size, but has no end. If you start off in a given direction on the surface of a sphere, you could return to your start point without having to turn around -- you simply go all the way around. But wouldn't that mean the universe has an escape velocity like the earth?


Posted by: Gzalzi
lol @ people linking Halowiki to opog.


No, no. That was for Fatal Factor who wanted an explanation as to what a Supercarrier is. Its fairly brief, but if gives FF a modest idea.

~B2

  • 09.26.2010 3:07 PM PDT

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Inside another dead body. It's the last place they'll look
A corpse within a corpse.
CORPSEPTION.
Win.

If it really is 27km long, then Regret's Carrier (at least in ODST) is actually a similar Supercarrier.

If you watch the scene when his carrier jumps, in ODST, you can see the In Amber Clad moving very close to it - using this scaling image that you gave us, it certainly looks that way.

http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/In_Amber_Clad Go to the Galley at the bottom to see IAC move to Regret's Carrier.

EDIT: I feel a more fitting name would be Hypercarrier, at that size - make a 7km ship and call that a 'super'.

[Edited on 09.26.2010 3:16 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 3:13 PM PDT

Plekpedia - The most epic site in the history of ever.

That is extremely fricken' big.

  • 09.26.2010 3:14 PM PDT

Damn thats huge.

But how big is High Charity?

  • 09.26.2010 3:17 PM PDT

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Posted by: opogjijijp
Would SMACs do any good against this thing? Think of the shields it must have, the firepower and the hull thickness. It might be an explanation for the lack of UNSC ships and ODPs in the area.

I was thinking the same thing. At over 5x the size of an assuakt carrier, it would 25x the surface area and 125x the volume. That's 25x the amount of surface area the mount weapons systems, and 125 times the amount of volume to carry internal weapons systems, as well as 125x the space for plasma and power generation.

Regret's two assault carriers destroyed quite a few ships in there push through earth defenses(I think I counted close to two dozen destroyed in the Halo 2 cutscene alone), and even then, all the forces at Earth only managed to take down one. Assaulting a ship with potentially 125 times more energy available to it could be very hard, which may be why the fleet at Reach hung back and waited for reinforcements.


It would provide a sensible reason for why the fleet didn't immediately attack. If they believed they didn't have the firepower needed it makes more sense to wait until you have more firepower before attacking such a huge target.

25km+ Covenant ships doesn't seem out of the question either. Considering they have such large structures as High Charity they should certainly be capable of producing ships at this size. Although I agree that it's not surprising that we haven't encountered them before as ships this large would take an incredible amount of resources and manpower to create.

Also in the game is the Super Carrier cloaking itself or is it being cloaked by the units on the ground? If it is cloaking itself perhaps the huge size of the ship could go some way to explaining that. A ship of that magnitude would obviously need massive amounts of energy and perhaps some of that energy could be used for cloaking, although the size of the ship would of course make cloaking difficult (also sorry about any details here are incorrect, I seem to have forgotten what exactly happened here in Reach).

Posted by: opogjijijp
Posted by: Bungie2
Using my Halo Encyclopedia, the Covenant Supercarrier was 5,354m (17,570 ft) across. oh and opog, the Encyclopedia is Bungie canon, the cutscene must have made it seem inflated.

~B2


The encyclopedia is wrong in many places, and either way Games > books and newer > older. I'd trust scaling based on the actual game a lot more than a number in the encyclopedia.


Like opog has said, games will always outrank other sources of canon because they are the official channel. Newer pulbished work also trumps any older material. In this case, Halo: Reach is, at this moment, the primary source for canon.

Posted by: Gzalzi
lol @ people linking Halowiki to opog.


=)

[Edited on 09.26.2010 3:37 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 3:18 PM PDT
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If it really is 27km long, then Regret's Carrier (at least in ODST) is actually a similar Supercarrier.

If you watch the scene when his carrier jumps, in ODST, you can see the In Amber Clad moving very close to it - using this scaling image that you gave us, it certainly looks that way.

http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/In_Amber_Clad Go to the Galley at the bottom to see IAC move to Regret's Carrier.


I'm not certain, but it looks closer to the 5.whatever km size of the assault carrier. Wish there was a better angle and image size though. Wonder if it's possible to get out there in theater...

  • 09.26.2010 3:29 PM PDT

Oh hey there

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My question is what is this immensely powerful ship doing in what is now explained as a pre invasion fleet, instead of being part of the main force that eventually attack on the 30th? They are supposed to be rarely seen in the Covenant fleet and I doubt it would be used just to scout out a planet for invasion.

  • 09.26.2010 3:32 PM PDT

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Well, how diffrent is HBO's size from the encylopedia's?

if it's only off by a few kilometeres, then there's no issue.

  • 09.26.2010 3:38 PM PDT

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Posted by: Spartan1065
My question is what is this immensely powerful ship doing in what is now explained as a pre invasion fleet, instead of being part of the main force that eventually attack on the 30th? They are supposed to be rarely seen in the Covenant fleet and I doubt it would be used just to scout out a planet for invasion.


If it was sent by itself to Reach perhaps it was being used to covertly deploy ground forces onto the planet before the main fleet arrived in order to cause maximum destruction as quickly as possible. A ship that size could probably hold enough troops on its own to invade an entire planet.

Posted by: JABBERWOCK xeno
Well, how diffrent is HBO's size from the encylopedia's?

if it's only off by a few kilometeres, then there's no issue.


Encyclopedia says around 5km, Reach says 25km+.

Remember though that if that figure is accurate that the game takes precedent over the encyclopedia and thus the previous figure given in the encyclopedia would be retconned.

[Edited on 09.26.2010 3:43 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 3:39 PM PDT
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Posted by: JABBERWOCK xeno
Well, how diffrent is HBO's size from the encylopedia's?

if it's only off by a few kilometeres, then there's no issue.


It's a difference of about 20 kilometers/12 miles

  • 09.26.2010 3:42 PM PDT

Thats is Huge.

  • 09.26.2010 3:45 PM PDT
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But how big is High Charity?

348km/216 miles in diameter. Sure, it's built around an existing lump of rock, but it's clear that there are multi-kilometer large artificial structures all over it. Some look to be structures over 100 km long.

[Edited on 09.26.2010 4:08 PM PDT]

  • 09.26.2010 4:02 PM PDT

Do not want


Posted by: SilverBulitt82
Thats is Huge.
Your mom, she said this.

OT: I think it would be reasonable to say that there is different types. If I was a military power, I would just create the same ship of varying sizes and interiors so that I wouldn't have to have a new design for everything. I do believe that this is a super carrier and the ones in 2/3 were assault carriers.

  • 09.26.2010 4:07 PM PDT
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Some can come away from reading "War and Peace" thinking it a simple adventure story, while others can read the ingredients on a gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

What I don't understand is that the Covenant have the resources to build things like this, plus thousands of ships, and yet in Halo Wars Regret is complaining about not having enough ships.

I don't want to know what he considers "alot" to be.

  • 09.26.2010 4:18 PM PDT