UNSC Vehicle Basics

Vehicles

Vehicles fall into a unique category within Halo Reach. Each class of vehicle has a certain role to play at a given time. Generally the classes are Transport, Support, and Primary Attacker vehicles. Beside each vehicle description will be the class it fits into and why.

Vehicles tend to draw a lot of attention when used over a longer time. As such, using vehicles too much will result in them being overcome by a determined team. Plasma pistol charge shots and the emp effect from grenade launchers can stall vehicles.

Human (UNSC) Vehicles

Mongoose

The mongoose is an ATV transport. It has no weapons built onto it. It can carry occupants to locations very quickly. The passenger can fire weapons while riding, but the driver can not. Both passengers are very exposed, hence they are easy to pick off with DMR and Sniper Rifle fire.

Role: Transport (only)
Driver: 1
Passenger: 1
Armaments: None
Durability/Strength: Weak
Weaknesses: Tend to roll easily. No protection for passengers.

This vehicle is for transportation only and has no offensive capability.

The most effective way to use this vehicle is to dash to where you need to go then get off as soon as possible to avoid taking damage. Especially if you are alone you will not be able to shoot back if you stay onboard.


Warthog laag


The Warthog is a supportive transport vehicle. The Light Anti Aircraft Gun (chaingun) Warthog version is intended for anti-infantry and anti-aircraft support. As with the mongoose the driver only drives. The primary gunner operates the main gun. And there is a passenger seat for a third occupant, who can fire as well. The Warthog provides a moderate amount of protection for driver and passenger, with the gunner being exposed.

Role: Support and Transport
Driver: 1
Passenger: 1
Gunner: 1
Armaments: None
Durability/Strength: Weak
Weaknesses: Tends to roll. Large target for Anti-Vehicle weaponry.

The Warthog laag is mainly a support vehicle.
As such the LAAG will overheat if fired too much, and require cooling.

Effective uses of the warthog include circling around the battlefield to catch unsuspecting enemies off guard, generally those who stay out in the open. In objective based games the warthog can be an effective drop-off and pick-up transport for a flag carrier. (although somewhat obvious target and slower than a mongoose)

Don't expect a warthog to last long when attacked by a Rocket Launcher, Plasma Launcher or Spartan Laser.




Rocket Warthog



The RocketHog has the same purpose as the standard warthog, but with much more powerful armaments. This version fires off a full volley of several rockets each time the trigger is pulled, so caution is required.

Role: Support, Transport and Attack
Driver: 1
Passenger: 1
Gunner: 1
Armaments: None
Durability/Strength: Moderate vs light arms
Weaknesses: Tends to roll. Large target for Anti-Vehicle weaponry.

You only see this warthog version in Firefight missions and Custom gametypes, not in standard matchmaking.

Effective uses of the warthog include circling around the battlefield to catch unsuspecting enemies off guard, generally those who stay out in the open. In objective based games the warthog can be an effective drop-off and pick-up transport for a flag carrier. (although somewhat obvious target and slower than a mongoose)

Don't expect a warthog to last long when attacked by a Rocket Launcher, Plasma Launcher or Spartan Laser.




Falcon (aircraft )

The falcon is dubbed the 'warthog of the skies'. It is generally used as a support and attacking vehicle.

Role: Support and Attack
Driver: 1
Passenger: 2 (campaign only)
Gunner: 2 (one each side)
Armaments: 2x ChainGuns
Durability/Strength: Moderate/Strong vs vehicle and light arms
Weaknesses: Large target for anti-vehicle weaponry.

The falcon is the master of the sky, generally being quite durable against ground infantry. And even able to hold off airborne banshees. However it is not advised to use the falcon at close range where Tanks, or anti-vehicle weaponry is used. Falcons are most effectively used to support and protect front line troops or defend an objective.



Scorpion Tank


The Scorpion is one of two tanks in the halo reach vehicle pool, and possesses the most potent direct fire canon as well. As it can deal out and take a lot of punishment it's primary role is that of attacking the enemy.

Role: Attack (and support)
Driver: 1 (operated the main canon)
Passenger: 0
Gunner: 1 (machine gun, can not be used by driver)
Armaments: 1x main canon 1x machine gun
Durability/Strength: Heavy/Strong vs vehicles, light arms and anti vehicle weapons.
Weaknesses: Large target for anti-vehicle weaponry and easily  Hi-Jacked infantry.


The Scorpion Tank is the ultimate weapon on the battlefield. Its main purpose is to attack and hurt the enemy very quickly. Although the tank is slow and clumsy, not being as agile as a mongoose or warthog, it's stopping power is the Scorpion's party piece. Keeping enemies far away is vital. Another player can operate the machine gun, which acts as a close range protection for the driver, this can prove the deadliest combination in the game. Tanks should generally have infantry support as well to defend against enemy infantry jack attempts.



The next article will include covenant vehicles. coming soon.