Halo 3: Day of the Mongoose

Jan 11, 2007

Things are happening at Bungie.net. First we get the kick-ass Documentary of the Brute and less than a month later we're giddy with the idea of exactly how far we can powerslide on the newly implemented ultra-light all-terrain vehicle, the Mongoose.

Introduced in its latest Website update, Bungie's Mongoose provides an alternate to the Warthog for transporting messages, documents, and light cargo between units. According to Bungie's KPaul, the mongoose "may also be used to transport forward observers, reconnaissance personnel and sniper teams. Its proven versatility has made it a vital asset to field commanders when used as an alternate means of communication."

What does that mean in Netspeak? It's light, fast, and wily, motherf****. With a top speed of 60 MPH, light weight of 896 lbs., and a 1000cc liquid-cooled, longitudinally mounted, four-stroke, hydrogen-injected ICE. But while it's light and fast, the Mongoose is unarmed and prone to tipping over, requiring smart skilled players to successfully drive it.

Some of Bungie's observations illustrate its strengths and weaknesses:

"(The M274) is pretty nimble for its size; add to that the fact that it can do ninety plus kilo papa hotel over uneven terrain and you've got the ultimate commando hot rod."
"Speed is the only protection this vehicle provides; it is unarmored, noisy, and prone to roll-over. It demands a level of skill from its operator that is impossible to expect from the rank and file during combat conditions. Those not qualified as expert need not apply."
"That thing will go from zero to thirty in three seconds on anything short of snow covered ice."
"The M274 doesn't have a radio of its own, isn't equipped with GPS, it doesn't even have any gauges. The only piece of equipment more primitive is the crate it ships in."
"The first thing everybody does is yank the front cargo cage - if you were to carry anything on it your forward visibility would be obstructed out to about six meters - that and less weight equals more speed… anyway it's the first thing everybody does."
"It's a super versatile ATV in the tradition of the Sperry FCMMagLEV and Willys Jeep; without the former's vulnerable drivetrain or the latter's innards-rupturing suspension."
"If they're not gonna give us armor they should at least give us a mounted weapon. And you should be able to tow a trailer with it. And, god forbid, you try to ford bodies of water more than seven feet deep."
"The M274's range is excellent, and that's even before you consider that you can double or triple its range that without severely impacting its max load - just a couple of jerrys of slop? and a carbon feeler."
"Some fellas piss and moan about the M274's lack of offensive capability, but it's not meant to be an AFV! Still; with a brave fella riding pillion you should be able to put out enough disencouragement to break contact with all but the most bloodthirsty bravo kilo."
"The (M274) is definitely the most Buddhist land-based motive system in the UNSC's arsenal… I'll just let that sit with you for a while."

The Mongoose, it seems, is not a small Warthog. It's not a small tank or a bomb-equipped motorcycle. It's a quick, light-weight ATV. It's uses are narrow and shallow, but if used smartly, like a real SPARTAN, they can be devastating. The Mongoose offers limited offensive capabilities, but in a capture the flag game, for instance, it could in be instrumental in a quick strike. It's pretty fast, but moreover its quick acceleration is what makes it tough to shoot. Thus, while having no weapons-based defenses, it's quickness, maneuverability and acceleration become its offensive abilities. Oh yes, and there is the matter of the Spartan Laser, which is a slow but powerful laser canon that could devastate a Mongoose. Well, the Mongoose is equipped with an E-brake, giving it the ability to change direction quickly. With a good driver, the Mongoose could ferry a soldier from one campground to another without taking a single hit.

Bungie's new vehicle can only carry two people, the driver and a second soldier. According to Bungie's site, "The Mongoose's primary use is as an objective ferry. While you can use it to branch out quickly and gain control of key areas, ultimately the brass believes that the Mongoose's most appealing trait is its ability to carry the driver and a passenger holding an objective. A driver and passenger can go from base to base or two assailants can grab a Mongoose laying around at the enemy base to transport the flag back to their home base." Sounds like a flag might be a good item to hold while on a Mongoose. Pure speculation on our part, of course. Heh.

Take a look at the shots and for more on the Mongoose check Bungie's site .