Methane Tank

Methane Tanks are cylindrical, pyramidal, and in Halo: Combat Evolved, cones that curl-at-the-ended structures used by Covenant Unggoy (Grunts).

Description
They are back mounted, moderately large, and resemble small fuel tanks of modern trucks.

When they are of the large variety, they provide a place for the creatures to breathe their methane atmosphere outside of their suits. Thus, Grunts remove their suits when entering the huge methane filled tank, as they are not needed.

There is a main chamber for the Grunts to reside in and a smaller chamber in front where the Grunts can change into and out of their suits. These structures often have posted guards to prevent the creatures inside from being caught off guard.

When shot in Halo Wars, the tanks sometimes explode due to methane's high flammability. Sometimes if you shoot the gas tank, you can see blue gas seep out. In fact if you destroy all methane tanks in mission 2 of Halo Wars you get the "endless fun" achievement.

It is interesting that the Unggoys' methane tanks explode so easily when hit by Human projectile bullets, one would think the Covenant would have considered their tanks being hit by super-heated plasma and would have reinforced them against such an accident. It may be that those who designed the suits wanted to keep Unggoy population under control, but this is still shaky since the explosion of flame could endanger other soldiers as well, it could also be blamed on production costs and how unimportant the Unggoy's role in combat was anyway. It seems that some grunts are addicted to the methane (which is unlikely, since it is what they always breathe) or that an addictive substance is placed in the tanks.

It was also noted in the Halo 3 level Sierra 117 that the Brutes may have added some form of addictive gas that increases their bravery and willingness to fight, similar to steroids. If this is true then the Final Grunt's words ("...it's the gas, man. When I'm on the gas, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!") make sense. However, as the Final Grunt was meant as an easter egg, we cannot use him as proof. However, it does explain why the grunts are braver. However, this can also be because of the Brute's threats to slaughter them for meat that rallied them.However, Truth would have likely demanded the steroid be added to the methane tanks, to make sure the grunt's will fight, rather then run away from the Brutes or wet themselves. In any case, the theory still stands.

Related Pages

 * Methane
 * Atmosphere Pit
 * Methane Suite