Canon

Kelos'vaarda-pattern storm rifle

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Kelos'vaarda-pattern Rifle
H5G-Storm Rifle.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Lodam Armory[1][2][3]

Type:

Directed-energy weapon

Variants:

Specifications

Length:

47.1 inches (120 cm)[1][2]

Width:

6 inches (15 cm)[1][2]

Height:

12.2 inches (31 cm)[1][2]

Weight:

7.9 kilograms (17.4 lb)[2]

Ammunition type:

Superheated plasma[2]

Capacity:

100 battery units/200 shots[2]

Optics:

No magnification;[3] integrated holographic reflex sights[4]

Service history

In service:

Blooding Years
Post-Covenant War conflicts

 

The Kelos'vaarda-pattern Rifle[3] (UNSC Type classification: Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced, T-55 DER/A)[5] more commonly known as the Storm Rifle, is directed-energy weapon developed and primarily used by the Sangheili.

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The Kelos'vaarda-pattern was created to be a successor to and direct evolution of the widely used Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle;[6] however, it is more similar to the Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater, itself an upgrade of the T25, in both form and function. The weapon features such modifications as a rotating modular coil set, a high-mounted cooling shroud, and an extended barrel, which improve upon the features of the standard plasma rifle it replaced the role of.[5]

Variants[edit]

  • Fury: Ancient Sangheili script carved on the plasma generator casing is a curse aimed at any wielder without bloodstained hands. Fury is an improved Storm Rifle with improved heat dissipation and better accuracy. It is classified as an Uncommon REQ and can be summoned in Warzone at Level 2 energy while giving 75 REQ points if sold.[7]
  • Blissful Slumber: There is no rest for the weary merchants of death who labor to feed the fires of war on Sanghelios. Blissful Slumber is an advanced Storm Rifle with increased damage and knockback on hit. Each plasma bolt has an arcing trajectory and detonates on impact, causing a small secondary explosion with a damage radius of 2.75 meters. It is classified as a Rare REQ and can be summoned in Warzone at Level 3 energy while giving 100 REQ points if sold.[8]

Development history[edit]

After decades of success with armor systems, Lodam Armory branched out into creating weaponry, with their first desire being to fashion a multi-role rifle meant to replace the Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle within the Covenant ranks. The result would be the Storm Rifle, a directed energy rifle that carried with it the heritage of Lodam's Storm harness. While the baseline Storm Rifle wouldn’t be fully catalogued and designated until 2555 by the UNSC, its existence spans decades, and in that time, Lodam Armory produced several experimental and enhanced variants.[9] Earlier iterations of the weapon were often more specialized and employed by Storm-class units within the Covenant. Eventually, the design was improved by Lodam Armory by 2553[10] and saw use during Sangheili civil conflicts following the Human-Covenant War's conclusion.[11]

Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and the Swords of Sanghelios both use the Type-55 as their standard-issue weapon. The Spartan-IVs deployed aboard the UNSC Infinity also use the Storm Rifle as part of their on-mission loadouts, despite it being of non-UNSC origin.[12] It is ranked a Common REQ in Warzone simulations, and is available at Level 1 energy while giving 50 REQ points if sold.[13]

Gameplay[edit]

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

  • Fire rate increased. Time to overheat raised accordingly.
  • Increased damage, killing a fully-shielded Spartan in 6 bolts instead of 12.
  • Smart-scope functionality, allowing for more accurate fire.
  • Battery capacity has been cut by at least 50%.

Trivia[edit]

  • "Storm Rifle" is a literal translation of the German "sturmgewehr". The StG-44 was the first assault rifle to see widespread deployment during the latter stages of World War II.
  • The Sangheili Ranger action figure included a code for unlocking the "Chill" skin for the storm rifle in Halo 4.
  • Strangely, the Storm Rifle does not count toward automatic loadout weapon commendations in War Games, despite its predecessors all being considered automatic and its firing system being so.
  • The weapon's reticule is similar in both appearance and bloom behavior to the Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater from Halo: Reach. The weapons' firing styles are also similar, though the Storm Rifle lacks the "fire through overheat" feature that the Plasma Repeater has.
  • It is possible to use equipment while the Storm Rifle is venting, which has lead to a tactic combining it with the Thruster Pack, whereupon the user fires till it overheats, jets to the side or in reverse to avoid incoming fire, and then re-engages their target with the now-cooled weapon.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art and illustrations[edit]

Halo 4[edit]

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

Halo 4 skins[edit]

Halo 5: Guardians REQ cards[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 86
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Waypoint, Storm Rifle (Retrieved on Jan 4, 2021) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 291
  4. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Storm Rifle in-game weapon
  5. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Halo 4 Interactive Guide - Weapons: Storm Rifle (Retrieved on May 1, 2013) [local archive] [external archive]
  6. ^ Halo 4, Loadout customization - Primary Weapon - Storm Rifle description: "Fully automatic energy weapon widely considered the successor to the traditional Plasma Rifle."
  7. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Fury REQ card: "Ancient Sangheili script carved on the plasma generator casing is a curse aimed at any wielder without bloodstained hands. Improved Storm Rifle with improved heat dissipation and better accuracy."
  8. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Blissful Slumber REQ card: "There is no rest for the weary merchants of death who labor to feed the fires of war on Sanghelios. Advanced Storm Rifle with increased damage and knockback on hit. Each plasma bolt detonates on impact, causing a small secondary explosion."
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Fury's Road (Retrieved on Dec 12, 2018) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo: The Thursday War
  11. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Locke & Load (Retrieved on Aug 2, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  12. ^ Halo 4, Infinity
  13. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, gameplay