Reanimation

From Halopedia, the Halo Wiki

4.00

(2 votes)

Infection Forms reanimating Covenant corpses.

The Flood Infection Form's single goal is to embed itself within the chest cavity of a suitable host, either dead or still alive. Once this has been achieved, the form begins re-writing the host-species' DNA, converting it into one of many Flood forms.

While the exact process by which the Infection Form reanimates its host is unknown, there are several important factors. The host must, for example, possess enough biomass to make it worthwhile to infect^[1]. The host must also possess enough calcium within its physiology^[2] - the Flood use this calcium to lay the basis for other Flood forms^[3]. And finally, the host must usually be sentient and self-aware. Non-sentient animals can be used as hosts, but sentient hosts allow the Flood access to their memories and technologies, as well as the locations of their planets and colonies.

The Prophet of Regret was reanimated by the Gravemind.

If a Flood Combat Form is "killed," but the corpse remains intact, another Infection Form is able to re-reanimate the Combat Form. To prevent this, it is recommended that the body is destroyed prior to reinfection. The Energy Sword and, in Halo 3, the Gravity Hammer have both proved effective, although melee strikes are also able to destroy the corpses, as well as the Flamethrower and Sentinel Beam.^[4]

[edit] Trivia

• Because Infection Forms could not infect corpses in Halo: Combat Evolved, the original Combat Forms would merely resurrect after a given time, unless sufficient damage is sustained. In Halo 2 and Halo 3, this was changed so that a Combat Form needs an Infection Form to reanimate.
• Pure Forms are the only types of Flood forms that cannot reanimate.

[edit] Sources

1. ↑ Halo: Combat Evolved, Two betrayals
2. ↑ Halo 2 s6 Human Flood Action Figure
3. ↑ Halo 3, Bestiarum
4. ↑ Halo 3