Boasting more ground vehicles than any other faction, the UNSC’s dominance over land cannot be ignored. Let’s take a look under the hood of the UNSC’s most popular vehicles.
Mantis
Primary Weapon: Machine gun
Secondary Weapon: Missile launcher
Number of Passengers: 1 (driver/operator)
A mighty armored walker, the Mantis is the only UNSC vehicle that enjoys regenerative shielding. This allows the Mantis to survive through extended operations, assuming it’s piloted by a seasoned Spartan who knows when to fall back and recharge. The Mantis features a machine gun that makes short work of ground troops and a guided missile launcher that can track and obliterate more hardened targets. If foes threaten to swarm the Mantis, its pilot can unleash a powerful foot stomp to knock all nearby foes for a loop.
» Arguably the most powerful UNSC vehicle due to its tracking missiles and regenerative shields.
» Can endure extensive operations with the aid of its unlimited ammo and regenerative shielding.
» Lightly armored and unable to withstand much direct fire once its shields go down. Keep close to cover and advance with care.
Mongoose
Primary Weapon: Twin grenade launchers (Gungoose variant only)
Secondary Weapon: None
Number of Passengers: 2 (driver, passenger)
Similar to (but smaller than) Warthogs, Mongooses are compact four-wheelers used to whisk troops to key positions on the field. They can support up to two occupants: a driver and a passenger, who can hop on the back. The driver has no form of weaponry, unless the Mongoose has been outfitted with twin grenade launchers; then the driver can fire grenades at will. (Mongooses with grenade launchers are known as Gungooses.) A Mongoose’s passenger can unleash personal firearms to pepper pursuers with whatever weaponry he or she happens to be wielding.
» Faster and lighter than Warthogs, they can’t sustain much direct fire.
» Driver and passenger are almost totally exposed to enemy fire.
» The Gungoose variant is largely considered a high-risk, high-reward vehicle.
Pelican
Primary Weapon: None
Secondary Weapon: None
Number of Passengers: Several (troop deployment)
Pelicans are fast, armored fliers designed to ferry UNSC troops and vehicles into the heat of combat. Though you never get to pilot a Pelican during the Campaign, you do make use of them several times to reach various areas over the course of your adventure.
» Armored troop transport.
» Can also deploy vehicles.
» Not designed for offensive maneuvers.
Scorpion Tank
Primary Weapon: Cannon
Secondary Weapon: Machine gun
Number of Passengers: 6 (driver, gunner, up to four side passengers)
One of the UNSC’s most fearsome combat vehicles, the Scorpion Tank is a heavily armored war machine. Its sting is supplied by its massive cannon, which the tank’s driver uses to deliver an unlimited number of explosive shells to threats clear across a battlefield. A teammate can hop in and man the Scorpion’s top-mounted machine gun, which can be rotated around to fire on closer threats that the tank’s primary cannon can’t sight. Up to four additional allies can ride on the tank (two per side), where they are highly exposed but also free to return fire with whatever weapons they’re carrying.
» Arguably the mightiest UNSC vehicle, with its thick, durable armor plating and devastating cannon.
» Slow and easy to hit, it relies on its thick armor to endure ranged fire and a machine gunner to ward off advancing foes.
» Up to four allies can ride on the sides of the tank (two per side).
Warthog
Primary Weapon: Chaingun, Gauss, or Rocket Turret (type varies)
Secondary Weapon: None
Number of Passengers: 3 (driver, gunner, passenger)
Warthogs are swift, sturdy military jeeps designed to transport troops across rough and dangerous terrain. Many Warthogs feature a powerful mounted turret that a teammate can man by hopping into the back of the vehicle. Another teammate can ride up front next to the driver and unleash whatever weaponry they happen to be brandishing. Warthogs are fast and maneuverable, but they won’t last long when pitted against superior firepower. Use its speed to present a challenging target, and immediately abandon the vehicle if it sustains heavy damage and catches fire.
» Swift troop transports outfitted with powerful gun turrets.
» Lightly armored but sturdy enough to withstand brief spats of fire.
» Passengers can fire whatever weapons they happen to be carrying.