Canon

Type-33 needler: Difference between revisions

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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|UP|HGN}}
{{Disambig header|the models in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3|other variants of the Needler|Needler}}
'''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher (T-33 GML)''', also known as the '''Type-33 Needler''', is the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s [[Type classification system|type classification]] for four distinct patterns of the [[Needler]], a [[Covenant]] [[Needle-based weaponry|needle-based]] infantry automatic weapon that launch [[Subanese crystal]]line shards capable of homing-in on targets.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}} Although the four distinct patterns of the Needlers possessed aesthetic and functional differences, their shared UNSC type designation suggests that they were all catalogued and classified in [[2533]].


{{Weapon
==''Nahle'hax-pattern'' needle launcher==
| image=[[Image:Bnetneedler.jpg|300px]]
{{Main|Nahle'hax-pattern needler}}
| name=Needler
The ''Nahle'hax''-pattern needle launcher is designated as '''T-33 GML'''.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}} This variant was commonly employed by the Covenant and its remnants.{{Ref/Game|HR|gameplay}}{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=85}}{{Ref/Game|H4|gameplay}}
| manufacturer=Covenant
<gallery class=center>
| model=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
File:HReach-NeedlerSide.png|The first chassis with blue lights on side of the upper cowling.
| type=
File:Enc22-Nahle'haxNeedler.png|The second chassis with metallic braces on the channel braces.
| cost=
File:H4-Needler.png|The third chassis with no lights on the side of the upper cowling.
| size=[[Halo 1]]/[[Halo 3]]: Handheld, Two Handed
</gallery>
<br>[[Halo 2]]: Handheld, [[Dual Wield]]able
 
*Needler (Halo 1)
==Fleet of Particular Justice variant==
**length: 66.8 centimeters
{{Weapon infobox
**width: 20 centimeters
|image=[[File:Needler-HaloCE.png|300px]]
**height: 60 centimeters
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
*Needler (Halo 2)
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
**length: 57.9 centimeters
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Game|HCE|[[Halo: Combat Evolved manual#Covenant Weapons|game manual]]}}
*Needler (Halo 3)
|cost=
**Length: 57.8 cm (22.75 in.)
|length=
**Length (barrel): 16.25 cm (6.4 in.)
|weight=
**Weight (empty): 3.74 kg (8.25 lbs)
|width=
**Weight (loaded): 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs)
|height=
| damage per hit= Variable - Low to Instant Kill
|capacity=
*7 DU (Halo 1)<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Games/HaloPC/page.aspx?section=Guides&subsection=WeaponsVehiclesPages&page=2 Bungie.net's summary of Halo PC weapons]</ref>
|feed=20 shards/magazine{{Ref/Game|Id=hcegameplay|HCE|gameplay}}
| magazine= *Halo 1: 20 needles
|ammotype=Subanese crystalline shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
*Halo 2: 30 needles
|operation=
*Halo 3: 19 needles
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}}
| maxammo= *Halo 1: 100 needles
|velocity=
*Halo 2: 120 needles
|optics=
**Dual-wielding: 240 needles
|range=
*Halo 3: 95
|service=
| fire= Automatic
;Human-Covenant War
*Muzzle velocity: 54 m/s (177 f/s)
*[[Battle of Installation 04]]{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}}
| ammotype= Crystalline Explosive Projectiles
| operation= Unknown
| rate of fire= 510 rnds/min (Halo 3)
| accuracy= High (Homing)
| range= 64 meters (210 ft)
*Short-Medium Range
| era=
| counterpart=
*Halo 1: [[MA5B Assault Rifle]]
*Halo 2: [[SMG]]
*Halo 3: [[MA5C Assault Rifle]]
| counterwep= *At Close Range: [[Energy Sword]], [[Shotgun]], [[Gravity Hammer]]
*At Medium Range: [[Battle Rifle]], [[Covenant Carbine]], [[M6D]]
| affiliation=[[Covenant]]
}}
}}


{{Quote|First order of business when dealing with a hostile armed with a needler is finding cover; second order of business is killing the mike foxtrot with the needler.|Anonymous serviceman}}
This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}


The '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher'''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3needler</ref>, better known as the '''Needler''', is a [[Covenant]] infantry [[weapon]] that fires a homing projectile capable of doing lethal damage.
===Design details===
This Needler pattern is characterized by an additional handguard around the grip between the cowlings. It also possesses a longer handguard extending from the lower cowling,{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}} though, unlike other Needlers with this attribute, the handguard is angled downwards rather than curving upwards.{{Ref/Game|HCE|In-game model}}
<gallery class=center>
File:Needler.png|The HUD icon for this T-33 GML pattern.
File:Needlers and Ammo.jpg|Scattered Needlers and their ammunition boxes.
</gallery>


==Summary==
===Usage===
[[Image:Nedlound.jpg]]
This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle]] of [[Installation 04]] by the forces deployed from the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]].{{Ref/Reuse|hcegameplay}} It was particularly popular among [[Special Operations Unggoy]] combating the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Level|HCE|Keyes (level)|Keyes}}{{Ref/Level|HCE|The Maw}}
The Needler is a highly unusual [[Covenant]] weapon in that it fires pink, translucent, crystalline projectiles. It is most often wielded by [[Unggoy]] (Grunts), [[Sangheili]](Elites), and [[Yanme'e]] (Drones), but [[Kig-Yar]] (Jackals) have also been seen utilizing this weapon.
<gallery class=center>
File:Curlback.png|An [[Unggoy Major]] wielding the Needler.
File:HCE Zuka Screenshot 6.jpg|Two SpecOps Unggoy firing their Needlers in the wreckage of {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}.
File:Keyes.jpg|[[Captain (NAVCOM)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] notably used a Needler after [[Raid on the Truth and Reconciliation|his rescue]].
</gallery>
{{clear}}


Its razor sharp crystalline projectiles are fired from this elaborately designed Covenant weapon; it is widely believed that they use heat or organic signatures to home in on targets. Although easily deflected by energy shields, the needles cause a chemical reaction in close proximity resulting in an explosive effect.<ref>[http://halo3.com halo3.com]</ref>After a number of needles have entered a hostile combatant, they will shatter and explode, causing massive internal damage that usually results in death.
==Fleet of Sacred Consecration variant==
{{Weapon infobox
|image=[[File:Needler-H2.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h2manual|H2|[[Halo 2 manual#Covenant Weapons|game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length=
|weight=
|width=
|height=
|capacity=
|feed=30 shards/magazine{{Ref/Reuse|h2manual}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h2gameplay|H2|gameplay}}
|ammotype=Subanese crystal shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Harvest campaign]]{{Ref/Level|HW|Relic Interior}}
*[[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
*[[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]]{{Ref/Level|H2|The Arbiter}}{{Ref/Level|H2|The Oracle}}
*[[Battle of Installation 05]]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
*[[Fall of High Charity|Fall of ''High Charity'']]{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
}}


===Advantages===
This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
This weapon fires enemy-tracking needles that embed themselves in the flesh of a target before exploding to cause damage. The rate of fire increases with continuous fire. If ''[[7]]'' or more needles accumulate in the target, the needles' combined strength will create a large explosion, killing the target and causing splash damage to other nearby enemies. Needles can penetrate the energy [[shields]] of Elites, [[Sentinels]], and [[Spartans]], but bounce off [[Jackal Personal Arm Shield]]s. They are especially useful against the unshielded [[Brutes]] in Halo 2's [[Campaign]] mode.


When dual wielding, the effectiveness and rate of fire of the needlers can be increased by firing them "out of phase". This is accomplished when the user begins firing one of his needlers a fraction of a second before the other, and continues to fire them in full-auto so that the shots from each weapon are fired in a "one-two punch" pattern. You can tell when the pattern is just right because the guns will sound as if they are firing much more rapidly. This allows for a more constant and consistent stream of fire. Since each needle is in it's own slot in the firing sequence, the failure of one needle to impact the target no longer means that two will fail.
===Design details===
This Needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths.{{Ref/Game|H2|In-game model}}


In Halo 3, the Needler is more powerful than ever before. With a faster rate of fire, greater accuracy, quicker projectiles, better homing capabilities and higher damage, the Needler has been improved in virtually every area. As the Needler now behaves more like a rifle than an [[SMG]], it can no longer be dual-wielded. However, it's no longer necessary to do so. [[Frankie]] has been quoted as saying that the Needler is now nearly a power weapon on its own.
===Usage===
This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]] during the [[Battle of Mombasa]] and [[Battle of Installation 05]]. Members of [[Sesa 'Refumee]]'s [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic faction]], especially the [[Heretic Unggoy|Unggoy]], favored this Needler pattern as well.{{Ref/Reuse|h2gameplay}}
<gallery class=center>
File:HW-NeedlerElite.png|A Stealth Sangheili wielding the Needler during the [[Harvest campaign]].
File:Heretic grunts.jpg|Two Unggoy fielding the Needler in the [[Threshold gas mine]].
</gallery>
{{clear}}


===Disadvantages===
==Truth's fleet pattern==
[[Image:H3_needler_sm.gif|thumb|right|250px|A side profile of the needler]]
{{Weapon infobox
The needles are slow, and are not effective against vehicles. The needles also take time to hit/explode on the target, leaving the target time to move in and inflict some of the explosive splash damage on the shooter. It is nearly impossible to hit [[Active Camouflage|invisible]] Elites with the Needler, as they do not home in on camouflaged targets. The learning curve of the "lead" needed to hit strafing targets is also high. And when faced with experienced opponents in multiplayer (who often randomize their strafing patterns) the weapon is almost always overshadowed by better, more reliable options. Against larger and more heavily armored opponents, such as Hunters, the Needler is generally ineffective.  In addition, the needles themselves do not inflict much damage, and that only the general explosion inside the enemy will kill them.  Therefore, combinations of shooting/meleeing to get a kill are not feasible with this weapon. Also, this mean that, on Halo 2, the needler should be dual wielded only with another needler.
|image=[[File:H3-NeedlerProfile.png|300px]]
|name=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
|manufacturer=[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|type=[[Needler]]{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Site|Id=h3bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3Needler|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007|D=16|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/Needler}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3manual|H3|[[Halo 3 manual#Weapons|game manual]]}}
|cost=
|length=
*'''Overall''': {{Convert|57.8|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc09|Enc09|Page=323}}
*'''Barrel''': {{Convert|16.25|cm|in}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|weight=
*'''Empty''': {{Convert|3.74|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
*'''Loaded''': {{Convert|4.3|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
|width=
|height=
|capacity=
|feed=19 shards{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}{{Ref/Game|Id=h3gameplay|H3|gameplay}}
|ammotype=Subanese crystalline shards{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
|operation=
|rate =Automatic{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}} (510 rounds/minute){{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|velocity=54 meter/second (177 feet/second){{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}
|optics=
|range={{Convert|64|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|h3bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc09}}
|service=
;Human-Covenant War
*[[Operation: FIRESIDE]]{{Ref/Comic|HHj|Issue=4}}
*[[Battle of Line Installation 1-4]]{{Ref/Comic|HBL|Issue=4}}
*[[Battle of Mombasa]]{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|gameplay}}
*[[Battle of Voi]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
*[[Battle of Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
}}


==Description and Appearance==
This pattern designated as '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher''' was manufactured by the [[Sacred Promissory]].{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}
While the Needler first appeared in the original [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], the individual crystalline needles used as a hand to hand weapon appear in the Halo novel, Contact Harvest. It made a return in [[Halo 2]], and was made slightly less powerful with the advent of [[dual wielding]]. However, after Halo 2's 1.1 [[multiplayer]] patch, the weapon was toned down even more. The weapon returns in [[Halo 3]]. This time it is not dual wieldable, but the weapon has been significantly rebalanced to allow it to stand on its own; it is one of the most effective medium-ranged weapons in the game, especially when used against [[Brute]]s or [[Flood]].


== UNSC Remarks ==
===Design details===
"I don’t know how it works, but it seems the needles can only follow you if they can see you."
This Needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths. In addition, there are purple light fixtures around the barrel and its adjoining channel braces.{{Ref/Game|H3|In-game model}}


"Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those’re gonna cook off too."
===Usage===
This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s [[Truth's fleet|fleet]] during the [[Battle of Voi]] and the [[Battle of Installation 00]]{{Ref/Reuse|h3gameplay}}
<gallery class=center>
File:BL Thon attacks Three.png|[[Otto-031]] firing a Needler at [[Thon 'Talamee]] during the [[Battle of Line Installation 1-4]].
File:HTMCC-H3ODST DroneNeedler.jpg|A [[Yanme'e Ultra]] firing a Needler during the [[Battle of Mombasa]].
File:HTMCC-H3ODST BruteNeedler.jpg|A [[Jiralhanae Minor]] with a Needler during the Battle of Mombasa.
</gallery>
{{clear}}


“I caught three in the leg as I was diving behind a broken wall—they lodged right in there where the greave meets the boot. When they went off it damn near broke my ankle and flung like little splinters of glass or crystal or whatever all up my left side—the corpsman was pulling that shit out’a me for the better part of two hours.”
==Trivia==
*On the ''Halo 2'' level ''[[Quarantine Zone]]'', there is [[Needler Sentinel|a lone Sentinel]] that fires Needler rounds and drops a Needler when it is destroyed.
*In ''Halo 3'', regardless of how many needles are loaded in the weapon, none will appear in the Needler's shadow.
*''[[Bungie.net]]''{{'}}s ''Halo 3'' statistics page claims that the Needler has thirty needles per magazine instead of the actual nineteen.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]'' and the ''Halo 2 Vista'' map ''[[Uplift]]'' are the only levels to feature Needler ammunition outside the Needler.
*When using Anniversary mode in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', dropped Needlers are always depicted as either being fully loaded or completely depleted. However, when playing Classic mode, the number of needles can be seen indicating how many remained in the magazine prior to the weapon being picked up.


“Luckily—listen to me “luckily”—the needles only detonate when they’re embedded ''[sic]'' in living tissue. Now that’s lucky because it’s not gonna blow a hole in the wall you’re hiding behind or tear the tires off of the vehicle you’re trying to escape in.”
==Gallery==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
<gallery>
File:HCE_Needler_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Needler.
File:HCE_Needler_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art of the Needler.
File:HCE EliteEarlyNeedler Screenshot.jpg|A [[Sangheili Minor]] wielding a Needler in an early build.
File:HCE-Needler-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the Needler.
File:HCE - CovSpecOps.jpg|A [[Special Operations Officer|SpecOps Sangheili]] wielding the Needler.
</gallery>


“It’s about as close to a fire-and-forget small arm that were likely to ever see—and it ain’t ours. This is why we’re losing.”
===''Halo 2''===
<gallery>
File:Needler-H2.png|A profile view of the Needler.
File:H2 Elite SpecOps.png|A SpecOps Sangheili wielding the Needler.
File:Heretic grunt.jpg|An [[Heretic Unggoy]] with the Needler.
File:H2-DualNeedlers-Gameplay.png|First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers.
File:H2-SingleNeedler-Gameplay.png|First-person view of single-wielding a Needler.
File:H2 e304 dualneedlers.jpg|First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers in multiplayer.
</gallery>


==Character Compatibility==
===''Halo 3''===
*[[Elites]]
<gallery>
*[[Spartans]]
File:Bnetneedler.jpg|Promotional image of the Needler.
*[[Brutes]] (have animation but not used)
File:Needler Halo 3.png|An angled view of the Needler.
*[[Jackals]]
File:H3-NeedlerProfile.png|A profile view of the Needler.
*[[Drones]]
File:Halo-3-20070923023617567.jpg|A first-person view of the Needler.
*[[Grunts]]
File:Needler123.jpg|A Spartan firing the Needler in multiplayer.
*[[Marines]]
File:Halo-3-legendary-map-pack--20080408000202983.jpg|A barrage of blamite shards in multiplayer.
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form|Combat Form (Human)]]
</gallery>
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form|Combat Form (Elite)]]
*[[Needler Sentinel]]
 
 
== Trivia ==
*On the level [[Sacred Icon]] in the first [[Enforcer]] fight behind the Gondola there are three overloaded Needlers with 135 ammo each.
*Given the complexity of this weapon and its similarity to the Kig-Yar Energy Cutlass, the Needler could be a Kig-Yar firearm adopted into the Covenant.
*It takes 38 needler rounds (with extra damage) on multiplayer to destroy a Warthog.
*The melee animation for the Needler has changed from Halo:CE to Halo 3. Where in Halo:CE the Chief swung the Needler, now he appears to punch with it.
* If one squints while looking at a Needler from a certain angle, the gun will appear to be similar in shape to a Jackal's head.
*Despite what one might think, the needles do not need to be fired all at once to achieve the detonation, only before they individually explode, not needing to dump the whole clip into the target.
*In Halo 3, a certain number of needles in a target is required for the explosion, having even one less will not cause the explosion. Also noted, if multiple needles are stuck in a target but do not explode, the target will not die from the needles even if their shield is down; the explosion is the only way to kill them.
*In Halo 3 if you look at your shadow while holding a Needler (regardless of how many needles are protruding from the top) their won't be any needles visible in the top of the Needler in your shadow.
*In [[Halo: CE]], the needles appear bluish-pink when in the Needler, although they are pink when shot.
* In Halo 3 the force of the needler explosion was reduced along with the multiple explosions of Halo:CE and 2
*Halo:CE veterans nicknamed it the "Elite Killer" because 7 or 8 needles stuck in an Elite means an instant kill.
 
== Related Links ==
*[[Covenant Weapons]]
*[[Fear the Pink Mist]]
*[[Energy Cutlass]]
*[http://halowiki.net/p/Needler Needler at halowiki]


==Images==
===''Halo Wars''===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Halo3 Spartan-needler-01.jpg|A Spartan in [[EVA]] armor wields the needler.
File:HW Jackal Concept 2.jpg|Concept art featuring Kig-Yar armed with Needlers and [[Particle beam rifle|beam rifles]].
Image:Needler-1.jpg|Dual Wielding the Needler.
File:HW deacon.jpg|An Unggoy [[Deacon]] with the Needler.
Image:GruntUltra03.jpg|Grunts are often seen with the needler.
Image:Needler Halo 3.jpg|The Halo 3 Needler.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==References==
==List of appearances==
<references/>
{{Col-begin}}
 
{{Col-2}}
<br clear="all">
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
{{WepList}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
 
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
 
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
[[Category:Weapons]]
*''[[Halo 2]]''
 
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
[[Category:Held Weapons]]
*''[[Believe]]'' 
**''[[Enemy Weapon]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]''
**''[[Reckoning]]''
**''[[Transcendence]]''
{{Col-end}}


[[Category:The Covenant]]
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
{{Covenant rifles}}
[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Small arms]]
[[Category:Needle weaponry]]

Latest revision as of 18:19, August 16, 2023

This article is about the models in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3. For other variants of the Needler, see Needler.

Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher (T-33 GML), also known as the Type-33 Needler, is the United Nations Space Command's type classification for four distinct patterns of the Needler, a Covenant needle-based infantry automatic weapon that launch Subanese crystalline shards capable of homing-in on targets.[1] Although the four distinct patterns of the Needlers possessed aesthetic and functional differences, their shared UNSC type designation suggests that they were all catalogued and classified in 2533.

Nahle'hax-pattern needle launcher[edit]

Main article: Nahle'hax-pattern needler

The Nahle'hax-pattern needle launcher is designated as T-33 GML.[2][1] This variant was commonly employed by the Covenant and its remnants.[3][4][5]

  • The first chassis with blue lights on side of the upper cowling.

    The first chassis with blue lights on side of the upper cowling.

  • The second chassis with metallic braces on the channel braces.

    The second chassis with metallic braces on the channel braces.

  • The third chassis with no lights on the side of the upper cowling.

    The third chassis with no lights on the side of the upper cowling.

Fleet of Particular Justice variant[edit]

Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
Needler-HaloCE.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Sacred Promissory[1]

Type:

Needler[1][6]

Specifications

Ammunition type:

Subanese crystalline shards[1]

Feed system:

20 shards/magazine[7]

Rate of fire:

Automatic[7]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War
 

This pattern designated as Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher was manufactured by the Sacred Promissory.[1]

Design details[edit]

This Needler pattern is characterized by an additional handguard around the grip between the cowlings. It also possesses a longer handguard extending from the lower cowling,[1] though, unlike other Needlers with this attribute, the handguard is angled downwards rather than curving upwards.[8]

  • The HUD icon for this T-33 GML pattern.

    The HUD icon for this T-33 GML pattern.

  • Scattered Needlers and their ammunition boxes.

    Scattered Needlers and their ammunition boxes.

Usage[edit]

This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed during the Battle of Installation 04 by the forces deployed from the Fleet of Particular Justice.[7] It was particularly popular among Special Operations Unggoy combating the Flood.[9][10]

Fleet of Sacred Consecration variant[edit]

Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
Needler-H2.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Sacred Promissory[1]

Type:

Needler[1][11]

Specifications

Ammunition type:

Subanese crystal shards[1]

Feed system:

30 shards/magazine[11][12]

Rate of fire:

Automatic[12]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War
 

This pattern designated as Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher was manufactured by the Sacred Promissory.[1]

Design details[edit]

This Needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths.[16]

Usage[edit]

This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the Fleet of Sacred Consecration during the Battle of Mombasa and Battle of Installation 05. Members of Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction, especially the Unggoy, favored this Needler pattern as well.[12]

Truth's fleet pattern[edit]

Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
H3-NeedlerProfile.png
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Sacred Promissory[1]

Type:

Needler[1][17][18]

Specifications

Length:

  • Overall: 57.8 centimetres (22.8 in)[17][19]
  • Barrel: 16.25 centimetres (6.40 in)[17]

Weight:

  • Empty: 3.74 kilograms (8.2 lb)[17][19]
  • Loaded: 4.3 kilograms (9.5 lb)[17][19]

Ammunition type:

Subanese crystalline shards[1]

Feed system:

19 shards[19][20]

Rate of fire:

Automatic[20] (510 rounds/minute)[17]

Muzzle velocity:

54 meter/second (177 feet/second)[17]

Effective range:

64 metres (210 ft)[17][19]

Service history

In service:

Human-Covenant War
 

This pattern designated as Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher was manufactured by the Sacred Promissory.[1]

Design details[edit]

This Needler pattern is characterized by upper and lower cowlings of congruent lengths. In addition, there are purple light fixtures around the barrel and its adjoining channel braces.[24]

Usage[edit]

This pattern of the Needler was commonly employed by the forces deployed from the Prophet of Truth's fleet during the Battle of Voi and the Battle of Installation 00[20]

Trivia[edit]

  • On the Halo 2 level Quarantine Zone, there is a lone Sentinel that fires Needler rounds and drops a Needler when it is destroyed.
  • In Halo 3, regardless of how many needles are loaded in the weapon, none will appear in the Needler's shadow.
  • Bungie.net's Halo 3 statistics page claims that the Needler has thirty needles per magazine instead of the actual nineteen.
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved level 343 Guilty Spark and the Halo 2 Vista map Uplift are the only levels to feature Needler ammunition outside the Needler.
  • When using Anniversary mode in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, dropped Needlers are always depicted as either being fully loaded or completely depleted. However, when playing Classic mode, the number of needles can be seen indicating how many remained in the magazine prior to the weapon being picked up.

Gallery[edit]

Halo: Combat Evolved[edit]

  • Concept art of the Needler.

    Concept art of the Needler.

  • Concept art of the Needler.

    Concept art of the Needler.

  • A Sangheili Minor wielding a Needler in an early build.

    A Sangheili Minor wielding a Needler in an early build.

  • First-person view of the Needler.

    First-person view of the Needler.

  • A SpecOps Sangheili wielding the Needler.

    A SpecOps Sangheili wielding the Needler.

Halo 2[edit]

  • A profile view of the Needler.

    A profile view of the Needler.

  • A SpecOps Sangheili wielding the Needler.

    A SpecOps Sangheili wielding the Needler.

  • An Heretic Unggoy with the Needler.

    An Heretic Unggoy with the Needler.

  • First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers.

    First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers.

  • First-person view of single-wielding a Needler.

    First-person view of single-wielding a Needler.

  • First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers in multiplayer.

    First-person view of dual-wielding Needlers in multiplayer.

Halo 3[edit]

  • Promotional image of the Needler.

    Promotional image of the Needler.

  • An angled view of the Needler.

    An angled view of the Needler.

  • A profile view of the Needler.

    A profile view of the Needler.

  • A first-person view of the Needler.

    A first-person view of the Needler.

  • A Spartan firing the Needler in multiplayer.

    A Spartan firing the Needler in multiplayer.

  • A barrage of blamite shards in multiplayer.

    A barrage of blamite shards in multiplayer.

Halo Wars[edit]

  • Concept art featuring Kig-Yar armed with Needlers and beam rifles.

    Concept art featuring Kig-Yar armed with Needlers and beam rifles.

  • An Unggoy Deacon with the Needler.

    An Unggoy Deacon with the Needler.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 128
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
  3. ^ Halo: Reach, gameplay
  4. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 85
  5. ^ Halo 4, gameplay
  6. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, game manual
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Combat Evolved, gameplay
  8. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, In-game model
  9. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Keyes
  10. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Maw
  11. ^ a b Halo 2, game manual
  12. ^ a b c d e f Halo 2, gameplay
  13. ^ Halo Wars, campaign level Relic Interior
  14. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  15. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Oracle
  16. ^ Halo 2, In-game model
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h Bungie.net, Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007 (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [local archive] [external archive]
  18. ^ Halo 3, game manual
  19. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 323
  20. ^ a b c d e Halo 3, gameplay
  21. ^ Halo: Helljumper, issue 4
  22. ^ Halo: Blood Line, issue 4
  23. ^ Halo 3: ODST, gameplay
  24. ^ Halo 3, In-game model

v • d • e
 
Service weapons of the Covenant and its remnants
Projectile weapons
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