. Halo Guide - Ghost
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Halo Guide/Ghost

Crew: 1 pilot
Armament: 2x Light Plasma Cannons
The Ghost is the Covenant's standard reconnaissance and rapid attack vehicle. It is equipped with two of what are now accepted as the standard light vehicle mounted weapons: a directed energy weapon capable of projecting a bolt of super-heated plasma in the 100-250kW range. While the vehicle is fast and maneuverable, the driver is virtually unprotected.

Notes: With purple clearly the latest craze wherever the Covenant come from, don't expect a potent camouflage effect with this craft. It is, however, fast, quiet, and well-armed for its size. Its plasma weaponry will paralyze the craft's targets, and it is an effective fast-attack/light combat craft in multiplayer. In multiplayer, it is also an efficient roadkiller and tank hunter. Just watch the armor meter when engaging heavily-armed hostiles. The Master Chief can pilot the Ghost in Assault on the Control Room and Two Betrayals, as well as in multiplayer.

With:
My favorite vehicle (on land, at least), the Ghost is well-suited for hunting down flags, the hill, and most importantly, tanks. If you are going against a Scorpion and you would prefer a vehicle to do it in, the Ghost is for you. It is fast, and the only vehicle (besides the Wraith, which doesn't really count) capable of strafing. Use this - when facing an enemy head on, zigzag a bit to scatter their fire. When facing Scorpions, strafe around while shooting the tank to paralyze the turret and take out the driver. Watch out for rockets, though the Ghost is probably the best ground vehicle to dodge them with. While its armament is good enough, I occasionally find myself hitting the left trigger as if it had a Fuel Rod gun or something. Weird.

One thing to watch with the Ghost is its tendency to spin out. Clipping a rock can be enough to send you out of control, even at lower speeds. This can make the Ghost somewhat unwieldy in tight spaces, so practice your driving! Also, it is easy to get big air over small bumps, or even vehicles (notably the Scorpion), and landing properly can sometimes be difficult. Holding the A button will tilt the nose of the craft up, useful for a smooth landing or gaining more air, even for clipping an enemy perched on a rock (tilting the nose up can also help prevent fatal shots to the head when running down enemy snipers).

Much like the Warthog, the Ghost's speed is its greatest asset (and only real protection) in battle. Use its speed to dodge rockets and sniper rounds. In combat, hitting the vehicle itself does relatively little damage to the driver, so the bulbous front section of the craft can help protect the driver in frontal assaults from small weapons fire. Ghosts work well in packs, and can easily bring down careless tank squads (nothing can scare a lone Scorpion more than seeing a quartet of Ghosts flying over a hill towards him). The Ghost is also good at ferrying flags and skulls around. One thing to watch out for is enemies who duck out of the craft's way and shotgun the driver from behind. Also, watch out for grenade splash, which can send the hovercraft reeling out of control.

Unlike other vehicles, motion trackers are ineffective against closing Ghosts, as they can traverse the 15 metres to the target in a second or two, making them useful for running down camping snipers and such. Although near useless for roadkilling in campaign (enemies simply duck), it can kill a dodging Hunter, which adds to the crafts overall usefulness. If you do this, just try and use that strafing to dodge the Fuel Rods. One thing to watch out for is Banshees, as the Ghost's weapons have a low tilt (not to say it's impossible to take a Banshee on, it can just be difficult).

When attacking Warthogs, try and get the vehicle from behind. Take out the gunner first (the plasma should slow the turret traverse speed), then position yourself so you can fire upon the driver without being hit by the passenger. When facing other Ghosts, use your 1337 dodging skills to get behind your enemy and blast him (front on is hopeless, as hitting the front of the Ghost does comparatively low damage). Try and ambush him from above (for example, the cliffs in Sidewinder and the paths in Blood Gulch) and swoop down behind him, shooting as you fall. Against Scorpions, you should have no problem, as the plasma renders the turret nearly useless, assuming of course you manage to get close enough. Remember, the turret has a minimum range, though this can be nullified if a shot hits a wall or something.

Against:
The Ghost is a tricky thing to fight, as it is too fast for rockets and other vehicles, but can run down enemies on foot. That is why, when fighting a Ghost, try and get high (where its weapons cannot hit you and it can't run you down) and shoot the driver with a Pistol or something. A Scorpion isn't bad if you see the target coming (seeing a Ghost fly with a direct hit can be extremely satisfying). Just don't be stupid and face it in a Warthog (unless you have a passenger proficient with an RL) or on foot with a Needler or something. If you have to fight it on foot, a close-range rocket or a Shotgun blast to the rear of the craft is probably your best bet, if somewhat risky (remember, AI players can duck Ghosts - you can't). Plasma weapons can be effective also, due to their ability to paralyze the target (making them sniper fodder). Be careful when tagging with plasma grenades, as your average Ghost pilot has no compunction with keeping the score even by driving back at you.

Ghosts tend to die when it comes to fast-traveling explosive-type weapons. That means close-range rockets (try and rocket the vehicle while the pilot is getting in) and fuel rods (Banshee = ownage over AI controlled Ghosts, as they simply don't attempt to fire at you unless you drop right down to ground). In campaign, try and aim these weapons for the rear of the Ghost, preferably from above, so you are more likely to kill the driver (and save the precious vehicle); in multiplayer, feel free to aim at the amusingly bulbous front-end. A single rocket or two fuel rods usually does the trick. Of course if you want to kill the vehicle itself, you would be better off aiming for the bulky front section on foot with rockets or plasma grenades. If the craft is trying to run you down, try and dodge it and shotgun it from behind. Two or three shots to the pilot should bring him down.

© 2003 Jack Campbell and Chris Barrett. All rights reserved.