- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Sorry just neede to do this so I didn't develop some eye disorder. Thanx for the info.
Posted by: Monk007
I wrote this article for the Event Horizon chapter, but I thought the rest of the community would enjoy hearing it. So here it is for everyone to enjoy:[color=orange]
Warthog:
This 3 person vehicle will be returning in Halo 2, with many welcome changes and additions. No longer will you have to be a expert driver to handle the Warthog. The controls have been tightened, so that fishtails will be a thing of the past. But those who want to pull off mad stuntz need not fear; a simple pull of the left trigger button will engage the emergency brake so that slides can be performed. And for those teammates who always seem to get in the way, you can ask them to clear out by honking with the right trigger button. Also new are the varieties of Warthog, such as the Rocket version. It is unconfirmed whether the other styles of Warthog will make it into multiplayer, like the Moon, Jungle, and Troop Carrier varieties, although there is a good chance that they will include an option for style selection in multiplayer.
Ghost:
A favorite of flag runners, this vehicle will most likely not be available for those lucky enough to capture their enemy's flag, since Bungie is encouraging you to earn your captures rather than quick vehicle getaways. The new incarnation of the Ghost rides much lower, making runovers much easier. The main weapon also appears to fire faster than before, although the damage dealt with each hit will probably be lower. One of the most talked-about features is boosting. By holding down the left trigger, the engines flare and your speed is doubled. However you cannot fire while boosting and controling the
Ghost's direction becomes much more difficult. This will make on-foot assaults on maps that have Ghosts available that much more dangerous, as the threat of rundown is much higher.
ATV:
This small 'chair on wheels' is actually quicker than the Ghost(though not while boosting), and may be the only single-person vehicle that can be driven while carrying the flag. Besides the ATV, flag carries may only occupy passenger positions, such as those on the Warthog or Covenant Shadow, making the ATV the flag runner's dream and the base defender's worst nightmare. While the ATV has no built-in weapons, you can fire any single-handed weapon, provided that you are not also carrying a flag. While it doesn't seem that human vehicles will be able to boost, this one doesn't really have any need to. Very fast and highly manueverable, you'll be hard-pressed to keep this lightly armored vehicles in your sights.
Covenant Shadow:
This little-talked about vehicle is the Covenant's answer to the Warthog, and has the capacity for 3 players, with one taking a gunners position. It hovers just off the ground, with bulbous left and right sections that house the vehicles engines. It is unknown exactly what purpose the two forward seats are for, as they appear to be identical in construction and compostion. However, this does not appear to be a vehicle to be underestimated, as the on-board weapon may prove more powerful than most.
Scorpion Tank:
This tank will almost certainly be the most durable of all vehicles in Halo 2. The thick armor plating and protected driver compartment should make the Scorpion still operable even after periods of heavy battle. We can probably expect heavier (Magnum) rounds being used for the automatic gun, and the accuracy of the barrel being improved as well. One very useful feature that may be impletemented is armored walls on the tank tread sections, so that players who ride on the top may be afforded some critically needed protection.
Wraith Tank(?):
While no official mention of this tank being available in multiplayer has been made, it can be assumed that the Covenant need a heavy artillary vehicle to respond to the massive firepower provided by the Scorpion. The addition of one or even two ride-along seats may be put in to offer close range support that the Wraith is so infamously lacking. While this may be ineffective in smaller maps, in larger ones(and there will be very large maps) this could prove very powerful indeed.
Banshee:
An excellent aerial support vehicle, this made limited appearences in Halo 1, but will be fully available in Halo 2 multiplayer. While not exactly the most graveful of air vehicles, it's firepower is a force to be reckoned with. The plasma cannons can daze and deplete shields while the fuel rod cannon delivers the knockout blow. The addition of the boost feature will enable quick hit-and-run tactics and may be able to break a rocket's lock onto it. Even if no human aerial vehicles are planned, this is one well-balanced vehicle that deserves a second look. [/color]
Sources: Frankie's weekly update, Halo 2 FAQ and concept art, and common sense.