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Flood Forms

The basic Flood form is the infection form, unique in its distinctive spherical shape. The infection form is used to infect organisms of other species, physically adhering to their surfaces and inserting tentacles, forcibly "hacking" into its host's nerve system, completely changing its psychology to that of the Flood's, and eventually physiologically mutating it into one of the various parasitic Flood forms of whomever the victim may be. There are 7 direct, Flood only, forms.

Flood Spores

Flood Spores are the most simple Flood organism, facilitating the creation of infection forms out of available biological material to advance infestation. These are small airborne contaminants, capable of terraforming the surrounding environment.

Flood Infection Form

The Infection Form is the second most basic and simple form of the Flood, and is larger only than the Flood Spores, and thus the easiest to defeat. It is believed to be the most essential form to the flood, as it is the Flood's most common method of infecting and assimilating other species, as these infections attack in dozens or even hundreds at a time. Interestingly, the infection forms pop like balloons when you destroy them in Halo:CE.

Flood Combat Form

After an Infection Form has successfully assimilated a sentient creature with sufficient biomass and combat potential, it will neurologically and physiologically mutate the host, twisting it into a Combat Form. Combat Forms oftentimes maintain the general profile of the original host organism, and possess the original clothing and armor they were wearing before infection. Infection forms have been seen mutating Humans, Sangheili, Jiralhanae, Unggoy, Yanme'e and Kig-Yar into combat forms. Mgalekgolo cannot be infected due to their lack of sufficient calcium and a central nervous system.

When a Combat form has served its usefulness, the infection form may dislodge itself from the body and look for a new host, leaving the body for use as spare biomass. Alternatively, the Combat form could be made into a Carrier form.

Flood Carrier Form

The exact origin of Carrier Forms is unknown, although they are theorized to be former combat forms that are too damaged, or too aged to be useful for future combat. The purpose of a Carrier Form is to nurture and disseminate Infection forms upon attack or proximity to a host. It is also rumored that flood carrier form's may just be grunts transformed by the flood into carrier forms. Although the legs are rather stumpy, much like a grunt's, the inflated "body mass" that houses the infection forms is far too big to actually be a grunts, considering if grunts skin was stretched out, it would not nearly cover enough space to be the size of the actual form, although it could just be the infections "skin" that could be covering the rest.

Pure Forms

This type of Flood is first featured in Halo 3. As implied by their name, Pure Forms are not the product of infecting a biological host, but are instead composed entirely of Flood biomass. They are a new stronger strain of Flood that develops once a coordinated stage has secured sufficient resources, namely in the form of calcium from host species. The Flood make use of those reservoirs of calcium to develop an adaptable framework upon which the Flood Super Cell is attached, which creates a fearsome biological war machine. Initially, this form's primary function is to aid Infection Forms by securing more biomass in the form of hosts, as well as enough complex neurological systems to strengthen the local Gravemind. This duty overlaps with the Combat Form, but once enough Pure Forms have developed, the Combat Forms are relegated to defensive roles, or adding to the biomass and calcium reservoirs. Flood Stalker forms, Tank forms, and Ranged forms are Flood Pure forms that appear in Halo 3. Flood Transport forms, Infector forms, and Stealth forms are Pure forms that were cut from the final version of Halo 3. Flood Bomber forms, Swarm forms, and Thrasher forms could possibly be Pure forms, but this is unlikely. The Pure Forms also bear a lot of resemblance to the Mgalekgolo and use the same animations for melee's.

Flood Stalker Forms

Stalker forms are extremely agile and can jump over large distances. They tend to crawl on ceilings and walls before leaping at an opposing enemy to attack. A stalker form usually turns into a tank form when a target gets close to it, and a ranged form if you're shooting at it and a wall is nearby. Ranged forms mainly turn back into stalkers before transforming into tank forms.

Flood Ranged Forms

Ranged Forms can usually be found clinging to ceilings or walls, though unlike the Stalker Form, they rarely move from a given spot. They can fire sharp projectiles at you, without the need of a weapon. The ranged form is susceptible to the Covenant Needler. It is especially weak against plasma, spike, and firebomb grenades, though they don't usually have a long range. The ranged form can also fold itself while remaining on a wall; when folded, it is much harder to kill. Also the spikes may look familiar because they are similar to spikes from a Brute Spiker. Sometimes, when on Legendary difficulty, the Ranged Form will drop Spike Grenades, and like Spike Grenades, their projectiles do no damage to Deployable Cover, making it an ideal defense against them.

Flood Tank Forms

Tank Forms are large and easily spotted. Unlike the other Flood Pure Forms, they cannot climb on walls and ceilings. These Flood can take a tremendous amount of damage. They also occasionally spew Infection Forms from their 'mouths'. Tank forms may be mistaken for a (nonexistent) Hunter form, mainly because a tank form has one over sized hand (equivalent to a Hunter's shield), a small arm (equivalent to where a Hunter's gun would be), its roar which sounds similar to that of a Hunter, and even more similar body mass. It is however, impossible for a Hunter to be infected (despite these similarities) due to the fact that Hunters are a colony of invertebrate worms lacking bones (i.e. calcium) and with insufficient biomass per worm for an infection form to modify. There is speculation that it is a revised form of the Flood Juggernaut.

Flood Prophet Form

Prophet Forms are rare products of infestation. Because of this, many mechanisms and details of Prophet Forms are unknown, although it appears that the Prophet Form is directly infected and incorporated into one of the many tentacles of a Gravemind form, and fully retain the original voice and full intelligence of the former Prophet.

The Prophet Form is like the Combat Form in the physiological distinctions it shares with the original organism before infection: Prophet Forms can easily be compared to Prophets by their heads and, to a lesser extent, their chests, merely having a central body of the Gravemind tentacle. Only one infestation process of the Prophet form is seen, but yet to be completed (High Prophet of Truth in Halo 3).

Brain Form/"Proto-Gravemind"

A very rare form of flood is the Brain Form (a.k.a Proto-Gravemind). This form is unlike most other Flood forms since it lacks any sort of mobility or defense, and is passive. These are, theoretically, the beginning stages of a Gravemind form. It is believed to be the product of syntactical fusion of several combat forms, merging its entire subordinate forms into a massive, bloated spherical organism with spindle-like outgrowths that adhere to the surrounding environment.

Proto-Gravemind forms are unique in that the consciousness of the original host organisms are still vaguely maintained, greatly unlike most combat forms, allowing for slight manifestations of mental resistance to Flood assimilation and mental communication with other humans. However, the Flood is able to, with high intuitive perception, sift through the individual memories of the original hosts, deleting erroneous ones while seeking memories that are of great importance to the overall Flood species. Once such a memory is found, it is incorporated into the general consciousness of the Flood species.

The only known human example currently is Captain Jacob Keyes, who was originally assimilated into a Combat Form, and was then merged with the Proto-Gravemind on the bridge of the CCS-class battle cruiser, the Truth and Reconciliation. He was transformed into a Proto-Gravemind as he had superior knowledge about the Pillar of Autumn and Cortana. It was destroyed when a squad of Special Operations Elites infiltrated the bridge after John-117 had escaped the cruiser aboard a Covenant Banshee.

Gravemind

The Gravemind is the leader intelligence of the Flood. There can only be one at a time, although if one is killed another may form, though it is unknown if the dead Graveminds knowledge is passed on to the new one, but the statement above supports this. Another thing that may happen is that the Gravemind is the same from before in a different body. The Gravemind is the assumed highest state of transformation that a Flood form can achieve. It is believed that once a "critical mass" of Flood forms has been synthetically fused, similar to the Brain Form, but on a larger scale (and very likely the next stage of a brain form), a Gravemind form is created. It assumes a centralized sentient intelligence that is believed to lead the general Flood species itself through unknown means, possibly telepathic. It also appears to hold all of the Flood's memories, even those of individual organisms, and of the previous Gravemind as well, through extraordinary and enigmatic "genetic" means. While it is capable of directing the overall Flood species, it also possesses micro-managing capabilities for small encounters.

The Gravemind is the personification of Flood psychology, ravenously seeking to assimilate all sentient life in the galaxy, and is of unusual intelligence: of inventive plans for Flood propagation and serpentine delusions and betrayals, capable of manipulating others to do its bidding. It appears that only one is present at a time: one existed over 100,000 years ago, but was destroyed by the first firing of the Halos. Another was recreated afterward, and settled in the depths of Installation 05: it showed remarkable understanding of Forerunner technology, even going so far as to capture the resident Monitor, 2401 Penitent Tangent, manipulating the installation's teleportation system, and understanding the purpose and intricacies of the Halo installations. The Gravemind is also remarkably long-lived, surviving for a millennium.

Physically, it somewhat resembles an engorged Venus Fly Trap: it is a "massive, tentacled...entity" with a gigantic, fleshy neck and indistinct head, prominently featuring a massive mouth that speaks in low, gravely tones. It possesses massive tentacles of extraordinary length and strength, capable of stretching from the dark interior of Installation 05 and believed to be extending hundreds of kilometers to above the surface of the Halo. It is also believed that a Gravemind can weigh several thousand tons.

Halo Wars Forms
Flood Swarms

The Flood Swarms are the first seen flying incarnation of the Flood. They travel in large airborne packs and emit barb-like projectiles to puncture enemies similar to the Ranged Pure Form.

Flood Bomber Form

Another airborne parasite, these large floating creatures move slowly and have the ability to drop Flood Growth Pods full of Infection forms on enemies. This appears to be their only form of attack, making them very vulnerable when attacked from a long distance. The Bomber's role of dropping Infection forms on enemies is similar to the Carrier Form but instead of blowing itself up at close range, it drops pods filled with Infection forms from the air, thus making it more useful at spreading infections than the Carrier Form in most situations.

Thrasher Form

The Flood Thrasher Form is a Flood form, similar in purpose and behaviour to the Flood Tank Form, but larger and somewhat resembles a Thorn Beast. It is intended to quickly close with enemy ground units, using a devastating melee attack to deal significant damage. So far, they have only been witnessed as a part of the Flood forces on the Flood-controlled Shield World. These have only been seen in Halo Wars.

Building Forms

The Flood Barracks (called "Flood Den" in the final version) are organic structures that ceaselessly churn out a variety of Flood forms and are featured in Halo Wars.

They can't be destroyed by "conventional" weaponry, but players can damage them enough to force them into a withered, dormant state. The effect is only temporary, and given enough time, the Barracks will recover and begin producing more Flood forms. It is speculated that the Flood Barracks will only produce Pure Forms as it is a natural "building" and Combat Forms require a host to be created, although it has been stated that the flood have not achieved the "Pure Form level" at this time, as the Gravemind has not been fully spawned yet, and if that's the case, it probably "stores" infection forms, and constructs biomass, since on the picture shown, the flood biomass seems to be built around a Covenant Citadel, likely having plenty of hosts to send into battle.

Flood Root

The Flood Root resembles a large tentacle capable of "whipping" units that get close to it. It is perhaps the equivalent to a defensive Turret, although it is unable to attack air units and its effective range seems quite short. When attacking, it will swipe and slam enemy infantry. In some cases it will grab a unit and lift it into the air, after which it actually dissolves into the same matter that a Flood spore cloud is made of.

Colony Form 

They are seen in more heavily infested areas, and are attached to the Proto-Gravemind. When destroyed, the main building form becomes weaker. In the Halo Wars Campaign, the Colony Form cannot be destroyed by normal means, and instead can only be reduced to a dormant state which it will soon recover from. On multiplayer maps featuring the Flood, however, Colony Forms can be permanently killed.

Flood Nest

It can create Infection Forms and Carrier Forms. The Nest has a number of tentacles surrounding an opening which resembles a set of lips, which spits out swarms of Flood forms

Flood Launcher

It fires some form of flood-goo out of the hole at the top of the structure at enemy forces. In the level Shield World from Halo Wars, they are used as an anti-air unit, capable of shooting down the evacuation pelicans for Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Platoon. Unlike other Flood building forms in Halo Wars, it can be killed completely by conventional means, instead of going into a dormant state from which it will soon recover, in both Campaign and Multiplayer. It looks very similar to the Unnamed Organic Tower-Like Form perhaps they are the same Building. Occasionally, the Flood Launcher's ordnance will release a cloud of Flood spores.

Flood Den

The Flood Den is a medium-sized building form which Flood Swarms and Flood Thrasher Forms come out of. Like all Flood building forms in Halo Wars, it cannot be killed by conventional means, instead going into a dormant state from which it will eventually recover.

Flood Vent

The Flood Vent is a large vent covered in Flood biomass which creates Flood Bomber, Infection and swarm Forms. Like all Flood building forms in Halo Wars, it cannot be killed by conventional means, instead going into a dormant state from which it will eventually recover.

Flood Stalks

Flood Stalks are a structure that if destroyed, releases a couple of groups of infection forms. It seems to consist of a few of Flood Growth Pods on a biomass stalk.

Unused Flood Forms
Flood Juggernaut

The Flood Juggernaut is the name of a large Flood form (possibly pure) found encoded in the Halo 2 disc, but is not actually seen in gameplay. Named for its size and power, the Flood Juggernaut is very large, about twice as tall as SPARTAN-117 and Sangheilis, and its mighty tentacles can kill most enemies in a single strike. The Juggernaut was created for Quarantine Zone as a means to stop the Enforcers and one can imagine with its long legs and long tentacles, that it would have little problem snatching an Enforcer out of the sky and tearing it apart. The Flood Juggernaut can leap twice as far as the already impressive jumping capability of a Combat Form and it has the power of a Tank Form. It is also extremely durable, as seen during a battle where a pair of Juggernauts were modded into the level High Charity. They were not in the final version of Halo 2, and are only accessible on High Charity through modding. It is wondered why it was cut from the game, and what it came from. Most speculate that it was an early version of the Flood Tank Form. The weapon of choice to use against them is the M-19 SSR MAV/AW, believed to be the reason the rocket launcher is on the level High Charity. They were never meant to be incorporated into the final game.

Infector Forms

The Infector is a three-limbed form that features the ability to regenerate destroyed limbs within ten seconds, making it a formidable foe. Their body is very similar in appearances to the Carrier Form, except that the Infector Form is designed to shoot out spores, not explode and release infection forms. They are only seen in the Art of Halo 3.

Transport Forms

The Flood Transport Form was a Flood Purestrain form. Unlike the Carrier Form, the Transport carries up to six non-armed Combat Forms. It had four triple-jointed walking arms to move its load of troops around, and featured numerous tentacles to consume or recycle bio-mass. It is only seen in the Art of Halo 3.

Stealth Forms

Like the Stalker Form, it excelled in the art of stealth to defeat the enemy and is the only Pure Form to be able to use weapons with the aid of two four-tentacled hands. It is only seen in the Art of Halo 3

Pod Forms

Flood Growth Pods and Flood Dispersal Pod are biomass created forms for flood unit deploy in the battlefield. Flood Growth Pods are large, spherical collections of biomass that grow on the surfaces of ships, buildings, and other structures. They are started when mass Flood forms enter an area, or when Flood Spores enter the area. They incubate developing Infection Forms. They are only seen during stages of advanced Flood infestation when a Gravemind has formed and consumed enough flesh, to support Pure Forms. They have no forms of attacks, but if they are attacked, they explode and release their infectious spores and their Infection Forms. They tend to release about 25 Infection Forms if shot at or if hit by the blast from an explosion in their immediate vicinity.

They are first seen in Halo 2, during the Flood Invasion of High Charity, though it was only at development stage. Later in Halo 3, it was encountered more in the Campaign levels Floodgate and Cortana, and in the multiplayer maps Isolation and Cold Storage, though the multiplayer pods do not release infection forms.

The use of Flood Growth Pods, is quite similar to Carrier Form Flood, they incubate the Infection Forms for a certain time and if the pods are agitated (i.e. being shot) they burst open and spew Infection Forms (between 5 and 20 Infection Forms). Unlike the Carrier, however, the pods are completely idle and mostly defenseless. They can't suicide bomb the player like a Carrier can, but still pose a threat due to the large number of Infection Forms they release. In Halo Wars, the Flood Growth Pods now serve as double-edged swords: shooting them will sometimes releases precious resources for weapon and vehicle upgrades. But other times, they will release either a swarm of Infection Forms or a cloud of flood spores, both of which can destroy infantry squads in seconds.

The Flood Dispersal Pod is a Flood dissemination mechanism seen only in Halo 3 and rarely in Halo Wars on the level Cleansing (level) .

In essence, and in practice, the Flood Dispersion Pod is the equivalent of the HEV drop pods used by UNSC ODSTs and Orbital Insertion Pod used by Sangheili Special Forces. Rather than encasing its occupant(s) in protective Titanium-A and lead, the dispersal pod uses Flood biomass to shape the pod and protect the occupant from the stresses of orbital deployment.

Large dispersal Pods were deployed by High Charity as the Gravemind arrived with its army at Installation 00, scattering Flood forces all over the artificial world, delivering significant numbers of Combat Forms to the surface. It is presumed that the Flood infestation was spread across the unfinished Installation 04 (II). It is also unlikely that the pods have a navigation system. Later, after the destruction of High Charity, more pods were used to deliver Combat Forms to the Control Room of the new Halo built by the Ark, in an attempt by the Gravemind to stop the Halo's activation. They are similar to the Infection Forms in appearance, but obviously not in size. It might be possible that an infection form evolves into a dispersal pod. Or the pods might simply be based on captured knowledge of Human Entry Vehicle pods and the Covenant Orbital Insertion Pods.