Editing Cut Halo 5: Guardians weapons

{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Title|Cut ''Halo 5: Guardians'' weapons}}
{{GameFiles}}
{{Series/Cut/H5}}
During the [[Development of Halo 5: Guardians|development]] of ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', a number of various weapons were concepted and prototyped by [[343 Industries]] for inclusion in the game, though were ultimately cut for various reasons.

==Human weapons==
===Arm-mounted railgun===
Concepted by [[:Category:Images by Paul Richards|Paul Richards]], the "UNSC Arm-Mounted Railgun" appears to be a [[railgun]] weapon intended for mounting in the back compartment of a [[D79-TC Pelican]]. The weapon is equipped with an arm connected to the dropship, as to support the Spartans holding it.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://thepaulrichards.tumblr.com/post/131981842894/for-freelance-inquiries-contact-paul-richards-at|Site=Tumblr|Page=Paul Richards|D=26|M=01|Y=2021}}
<gallery>
File:H5G ArmMountedRailgun Concept.jpg
</gallery>

===Glass cutter===
The glass cutter was likely intended to be a [[Weapon types#Turret|turret weapon]] based around the concept of a tool developed for cutting through the [[Lechatelierite|glass]] on [[Meridian]]. The weapon was concepted by [[:Category:Images by David Bolton|David Bolton]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/human-glass-cutter|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo 5: Guardians concept art|D=09|M=6|Y=2016}}
<gallery>
File:H5G - Glass Cutter concept 1.jpg|Concept art of the cutter with a pointed end.
File:H5G - Glass Cutter concept 2.jpg|Concept art of the cutter with an open end.
File:H5G - Glass Cutter model 1.jpg|A [[marine]] holding a version of it.
File:H5G - Glass Cutter model 2.jpg|A marine holding another version.
</gallery>

===Grenade launcher CLUSTER===
The Grenade Launcher CLUSTER is an unused [[Requisition system|REQ]] weapon that can be found within the files of ''[[Halo 5: Forge]]''. The weapon appears to have been fully modelled, textured, and functionally implemented in-game based on the existing [[Grenade Launcher]]. It is unknown why it was cut from the game.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=GCREQs|VWxvwvl2_es|Gamecheat13|Halo 5 REQ Leaks - ONI Wasp, Grenade Launcher Variants, and Scopes}}

Like other [[M319 grenade launcher]]s, it can be fired immediately or held down to manually detonate on release. Additionally, manual detonation results in an [[EMP]] effect. Upon detonation, the projectile will split into 8 separate projectiles dealing damage in an area. Due to the spread and EMP effect, the secondary fire could be useful in disabling air vehicles. The splinters attempt to assemble into the same shape made by splinters of the traditional splinter grenade. Said shape is a plus-shape viewed from one side and a horizontal hexagon viewed perpendicular to that side.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}

<gallery>
File:GL_Cluster_sideview.png|The Grenade Launcher CLUSTER.
File:GL_Cluster_inhand.png|First-person view of the weapon
File:GL_Cluster_spread1.png|The projectile shortly after exploding
File:GL_Cluster_spread2.png|Another view of the projectiles. Note that the projectiles are trying to form the aforementioned shape.
</gallery>

===Other weapons===
Other weapon silhouettes were produced by Paul Richards.
<gallery>
File:H5G HumanWeaponSilhouette Concept.jpg
</gallery>

==Covenant weapons==
===Early Needler design===
This cut Needler design was originally prototyped by artist [[:Category:Images by Can Tuncer|Can Tuncer]] for use in ''Halo 4'' - but was ultimately never realised in the final game. It was later taken and expanded upon by [[:Category:Images by Kolby Jukes|Kolby Jukes]] for inclusion in ''Halo 5: Guardians'', with additional bio-organic detail based on the [[Za'zayara-pattern Harvester|Harvester]] Jukes had previously created for [[Spartan Ops]]. Ultimately, this design was never realised in either game.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/KAdgR|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo 5: Guardians - Needler concept|Quote=This is a concept sculpt I made for the Covenant Needler for Halo 5. The model is based on Can Tuncer's model from Halo 4. I was tasked with exploring a redesign of the weapon, applying the bio-mech Covenant style I had used for the Harvester for Halo 4: Spartan Ops. Ultimately this concept/model wasn't used. Halo 5 shipped with a Covenant Needler designed by Glenn Israel and Modeled/Textured by Andrew Bradbury.|D=10|M=02|Y=2022}}
<gallery>
File:H4 Alpha EarlyNeedler.jpg|The early Needler being held in ''Halo 4''.{{Ref/Twitter|___Gal4xy___|1487325923984748544|Galaxy|Quote=Can't forget the Needler as well.|D=10|M=02|Y=2022}}
File:H5G Needler Concept.jpg|Kolby Jukes' model of the Needler created for ''Halo 5'', based on Can Tuncer's model for this Needler in ''Halo 4''.
</gallery>

===Plasma launcher===
The initial release of the [[Warzone Firefight]] update saw the inclusion of the {{Pattern|Kopasa'mada|plasma launcher}} into ''Halo 5'' for a brief time. The weapon was featured as used by Grunt enemies in the [[Warzone Firefight (gametype)|Warzone Firefight]] gamemode, and could be picked up and used by players. The weapon had no first-person model, but could be viewed in third-person. When fired, the plasma shots had no visible model or effect. The weapon was eventually removed from the game.
<gallery>
File:Plasma Launcher Halo5 Firefight.png|A Plasma Launcher in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:H5G-PlasmaLauncher-Render.png|Model shown in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' multiplayer.
File:H5G - Spartan with Plasma Launcher.png|A Spartan-IV using the Plasma Launcher in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
</gallery>

==Forerunner socket weapons==
For the most part these weapons were concepted by [[:Category:Images by Paul Richards|Paul Richards]] as part of the [[Forerunner socket system]] extensively developed for - and cut from - the game.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://thepaulrichards.tumblr.com/post/131980600424/for-freelance-inquiries-contact-paul-richards-at|Site=Tumblr|Page=Paul Richards|D=26|M=01|Y=2021}}
<gallery>
File:H5G SocketWeapons Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the socket weapons.
File:H5G SocketWeapons Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the socket weapons.
</gallery>

==Brute weapons==
Files within ''Halo 5: Guardians'' show that 343 Industries was planning on releasing some [[:Category:Jiralhanae weapons|Brute weapons]] into the ''Halo 5'' sandbox - possibly to coincide with the release of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''. These weapons coincide with a new [[#Brute scopes|scope variant]] planned for inclusion for use on loadout weapons.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=Brute|eFD_vgzrFSk|Gamecheat13|Halo 5 REQ Leaks - Brute Prototype Weapons}} These weapons may have also served as prototypes for the Brute sandbox later featured in ''Halo Infinite''.

===Brute sniper rifle===
The brute sniper rifle was going to be a weapon in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' that would have served the role of a precision sniper rifle. The weapon holds four rounds in its magazine, with an additional 12 rounds storage for a total capacity of 16 rounds. The [[Subanese crystal]] needle fired from the sniper is the same model fired by the [[Needler]], albeit recoloured and larger - intended as a placeholder. These rounds impale themselves in players and scenery upon impact and explode a few seconds after hitting their target, though the explosion is fairly small and likely only to hit the enemy if they stand atop the spike or are impaled. It takes one body shot with the explosion effect to drop a Spartan's  [[energy shielding]] and another body shot to kill, though headshots cause an instalkill. The Brute sniper rifle has a 3.5 second reload speed.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}
<gallery>
File:H5G_brute_sniper.jpg|The Brute sniper rifle using the [[M395 DMR|DMR]] placeholder model with the brute scope.
</gallery>

===Brute magnetic missile===
The Brute magnetic missile was to serve as Brute-themed rocket launcher equivalent. The weapon holds only one round in its magazine, with a reserve of 5 rounds. The rocket fired from the weapon is a shot that splits into five smaller rounds mid-flight, which then proceed to arc downward explode after a few seconds after hitting the ground. The explosive effect of the projectiles cause an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] which can completely disable vehicles, alongside dealing heavy damage.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}

The magnetic missile can kill a Spartan in one shot, and has a reload speed of five seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}
<gallery>
File:H5G_Brute_magnetic_missile.jpg|The brute magnetic missile using the [[M41 SPNKR|SPNKR]] placeholder model
</gallery>

===Brute spiker===
The Brute spiker was a weapon presumably intended to bring the [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]] previously featured in ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' into ''Halo 5: Guardians''. The weapon holds 30 rounds in its magazine, with a reserve of 80 for a total of 110 rounds. The weapon uses Blamite Needler rounds as a placeholder to represent the spikes and the model of the [[Z-110 Boltshot|Boltshot]] in lieu of a proper Spiker weapon model. Although using the Needler's ammunition, the Spiker behaves akin to its ''Halo 3'' incarnation, and has no lock on capabilities. It takes roughly twelve rounds to drop shields while hitting the body, and then six or more for the kill.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}

The Spiker has a 1.5 second reload speed.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}

<gallery>
File:H5G_Brute_spiker.jpg|The brute spiker using the [[Z-110 Boltshot|Boltshot]] placeholder model
</gallery>

===Brute gatling mortar===
Intended as the Brutes' [[support weapon]], the gatling mortar uses the model of the [[assault cannon]] as a placeholder. The weapon does not have an ammunition count, instead displaying the HUD icon for the [[Shea'p-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannon]] and its ammo percentage meter. Despite the presence of this HUD element, the meter does not count down while firing, likely due to the weapon's unfinished nature. The projectiles that are fired from the gun are fast firing explosive bolts. It takes only five of these rounds to drop a fully shielded player, when hit anywhere on the body.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}

Interestingly, the gatling mortar has some broad similarities to the [[Grenflekt Workshop Scrap Cannon]] featured in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
<gallery>
File:H5G_Brute_gatling_mortar.jpg|The brute gatling mortar using the [[Assault cannon|Hunter cannon]] placeholder model.
</gallery>

==Scopes==
===Brute scopes===
Contained within the files of ''Halo 5: Forge'' are [[Weapon attachment|scopes]] of [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] origin. The scopes are compatible with the [[Battle Rifle]] and [[Assault Rifle]], and may have been intended to coincide with the [[2016]]-[[2017]] release of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' - which primarily focused on the [[Banished]] as an enemy.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}
<gallery>
File:H5G BruteScope FP.png|Using the scope.
File:H5G BruteScope DMR.png|The scope mounted on an [[M395B DMR]].
File:H5G BruteScope BR.png|The scope mounted on an [[BR85N battle rifle]].
File:H5G BruteScope AR.png|The scope mounted on an [[MA5D assault rifle]].
</gallery>

===Early Promethean scope===
Early builds and concept art show an earlier revision of the [[Morph sight]] available for use in the final game.{{Ref/Reuse|GCREQs}}
<gallery>
File:H5G_EarlyPrometheanScope_AR.png|Using this scope.
</gallery>

==Test weapons==
These weapons can be found within the files of ''Halo 5: Forge'' and made functional via [[modding]]. They consist of various weapon prototypes tested by 343 Industries but ultimately never implemented.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=H5Test|aW1OSu-9jK8|Gamecheat13|Halo 5 Mods - Unused Test Weapons}}

===Test laser guided===
The laser guided weapon test uses the [[Binary Rifle]] model. When fired, it launches a large explosive projectile. While firing from the hip, the projectile simply travels on the vector it was initially fired - ultimately detonating when it impacts an obstacle. By comparison, while aimed in, the weapon allows the user to guide the projectile where they aim.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Test}}

===Test launcher===
The test launcher uses the [[Incineration Cannon]] model, and seems to perform more-or-less the same as its ''Halo 4'' incarnation.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Test}}

===Test mine layer===
The mine layer employs an untextured model of the [[Concussion Rifle]]. When fired, it launches a small projectile that bounces on the ground before exploding. If the projectile hits a character, it will stick to them like a {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}. Given these effects, the mine layer may have been an early test for the [[Plasma Caster]].{{Ref/Reuse|H5Test}}

===Test multi lock===
The multi lock uses the [[Railgun]] model. When fired, it launches three small projectiles that stick to surfaces and characters, and detonate after a small time.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Test}}

===Test supercombine rifle===
The supercombine rifle uses an untextered [[Beam Rifle]] model. When fired, the weapon exhibits effects similar to the supercombine function of the [[Needler]] and [[Needle Rifle]] - the first projectile to hit a character will do moderate damage, while the second will cause a supercombine explosion and kill them completely.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Test}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

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