Phantom Gunboat

Phantom Gunboat

The Phantom Gunboat is a variant of the Type-52 troop carrier.

Design details
The Phantom Gunboat is similar in to the Type-52, the Gunboat however is designed more as a combat superiority craft, than a troop transport. It's equipped with a chin-mounted heavy Plasma Cannon and 4 side-mounted plasma auto-turrets, two on either side and one aft plasma auto-turret.

The Phantom Gunboat has a additional structure on it than the regular Phantom. It has two additional side tails located above and forward of the regular ones which are connected to an extra pair of engines. It has a curved bar extending from the tops of its "wings". It also has extra machinery attached to the top of said "wings".

Operational history
Several Phantom Gunboats assaulted Anchor 9 during the Fall of Reach, during Operation: UPPER CUT. They were escorted by Type-31 Seraph-class XMFs and Type-27 Banshee-class XMFs. All the attacking Gunboats were destroyed by Noble Six who was defending the station in a Sabre.

Tactics

 * It is recommended that you attack the Gunboat from behind or from above as the plasma cannons are extremely devastating against a Sabre and can deplete the shields in one shot.
 * If you have to attack the Gunboat from the side it is advisable to constantly do barrel rolls, while firing missiles, to avoid the plasma bolts and do damage.
 * Missiles should be used against the Gunboats as the Sabre's cannons do little noticeable damage.

Trivia

 * The Phantom Gunboat has an impenetrable energy shield that covers the front of the vessel which prevents Anchor 9's weapons from damaging them. The Sabres are required to destroy them by circling around and hitting them from the sides or back.
 * The shield can be rotated to defend the sides of the vessel but it will only do this before Anchor 9's cannons open up on them.
 * Strangely, you do not receive credit for destroying them.

List of Appearances

 * Halo: Reach
 * Long Night of Solace