M'tara-pattern focus rifle: Difference between revisions

|name=''M'tara''-pattern focus rifle

|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]<ref name="guide">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 71''</ref>

|series=Special Applications Rifle<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/focus-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Focus Rifle'']</ref>

|type=[[Particle beam weapon]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|length={{Convert|57.2|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|width={{Convert|7.9|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|height={{Convert|24.3|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|weight={{Convert|37.7|lb|kg}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

|ammotype=[[Plasma|Electromagnetically guided plasma]]{{Ref/Reuse|guide}}

The '''''M'tara''-pattern fire rifle'''{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=293}} {{Type|52|Special Applications Rifle|SAR}}<ref name="Bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25436 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance Page'']</ref> commonly known as the '''focus rifle''',<ref name="Informer">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/31/exclusive-interview-on-the-halo-reach-sandbox.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Exclusive Interview On The Halo: Reach Sandbox'']</ref> is a [[directed-energy weapon]] used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Trailer|Multiplayer Trailer]]''</ref> The marksman rifle is in the same "lineage" as the [[Type-27 beam rifle]] and the [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

==Design details==

[[File:Focusrifle.png|thumb|200px|left|A blueprint of a focus rifle.]]

The Focus Rifle is a [[sniper]]-style weapon based on reverse-engineered [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} Despite its visual similarities to the [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]], it functions quite differently, being designed for ranged suppression rather than for anti-personnel roles. The smooth and organic appearance and purple coloration of the weapon is reflective of typical Covenant aesthetic tendencies, as such, its ergonomic grip is designed for [[Sangheili]] use. Although powerful and intimidating, the combat effectiveness Focus Rifle is crippled by several glaring flaws in the design. The beam fired by the weapon is extraordinarily visible; firing the weapon immediately reveals the user's position. Although highly effective at depleting shields, the weapon is only marginally effective against armored targets, causing negligible damage to vehicles and requiring continuous fire to ensure lethality against organic targets. If the weapon overheats, it will automatically vent excess plasma, burning the user and rendering the weapon inoperable for several seconds.

The focus rifle copies some elements of the [[Sentinel beam|sterilization beams]] employed by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s, though the magnetic accelerators and particle guide beam emitters are novel creations of Covenant origin. These features present a counterpoint to the idea that the Covenant never innovated when it comes to technological development.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=193}} Instead of a firing a single beam in one shot like the Covenant [[beam rifle]], the rifle fires a continuous purple-tinted beam of magnetically contained plasma, similar in operation to a [[Sentinel Beam]], the [[Forerunner]] weapon from which the T-52 SAR was reverse-engineered. The plasma is formed in a cylindrical module and directed through a channel of electromagnetic coils, forming a precise beam. Like most Covenant infantry weapons, the weapon draws its power from a battery. The weapon requires high power expenditure and the battery is easily depleted.{{Ref/Reuse|guide}} The exact mechanism by which it functions was under investigation by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] as of August 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|Bnet}}

The weapon is equipped with a 3.5-9.5× magnification scope and uses the same [[smart-link]] firmware as the Particle Beam Rifle, but uses a different scope. As with the Particle Beam Rifle, the smart-link feed shows the weapons remaining power and accumulated heat level. The link also displays diagnostic information and allows semi-automatic adjustment of the plasma beam angle when interlinked with the hardware in Sangheili combat harnesses or Kig-Yar marksman sets. This provides a limited amount of moving-target tracking without the firer having to adjust their aimpoint at distant targets.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} These targeting protocols are unusual and incompatible with most interlink translation software.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}

Because of the focus rifle's tremendous power requirements which the Covenant were unable to solve, the weapon was primarily utilized by shock troops or used to lay down suppressive fire. Although several patterns were produced, only the ''M'tara''-pattern saw extensive usage throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]], most notably during the [[Fall of Reach]].{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}

*It deals relatively low damage compared with the [[sniper rifle]], and it is quite visible and audible when firing. Despite this, if a target is unaware or caught in the open they are very easy targets; the Focus Rifle can eliminate a fully shielded Spartan in mere seconds, and is a very effective long-range suppression and support weapon.  

*On the [[Firefight]] map [[Waterfront]], [[Kig-Yar sniper]]s with Focus Rifles will spawn on one of the background hills, and can be deadly to weakened players who are not aware of their surroundings.

*The [[Forge/Halo: Reach|Forge]] [[Monitor]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' appears to possess a Focus Rifle. It appears at the top right when the player first switches from a [[Spartan]] to a [[Monitor]]. In game files, the monitor's weapon has the id <code>monitor_beam</code>.

*The Focus Rifle is mainly used by [[Sangheili Ranger]]s, [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s and occasionally some [[Skirmishers]] and rarely other Sangheili.  

*The Focus Rifle was one of the few weapons found in Bungie's 30th anniversary event as the first legendary trace rifle Retraced Path in ''Destiny 2''.

===Concept art===

File:focus rifle.jpg|The Focus Rifle in first-person during the [[Halo: Reach Beta]].

File:Reach FocusRifle Beta.jpg|A different angle of a Spartan-III firing the Focus Rifle during the Halo: Reach Beta.

File:Render - focusrifle.jpg|A render of the Focus Rifle.

File:T52sar_ref.jpg|A turnaround reference of the Type-52 SAR.

File:Focus_Rifle_Cropped.png|A view of the focus rifle.

File:HR-T52SARFocusRifle-Side.png|In-game side view of the Focus Rifle from ''Halo: Reach''.

File:Unknown Beam Weapon-Covenant.jpg|A [[Spartan-III Program|Spartan]] firing the Focus Rifle.

File:HReach - Ranger Sangheili.png|A Sangheili Ranger wielding the Focus Rifle.

File:Halo-reach-20100428014611035.jpg|First-person view of the Focus Rifle in the final build of ''Halo: Reach''.

File:HR_FocusRifle_Overheat.png|A Focus Rifle overheating.

File:Halo-reach-20100428021430811.jpg|View through the Focus Rifle's scope, with the beam striking a Spartan's shields.

File:Halo-reach-20100428021521247.jpg|Another view through the Focus Rifle's scope, with a Spartan almost dead center.