Editing Plasma mortar

{{Status|Canon}}
{{disambig header|the ground-based plasma mortars|the plasma mortars mounted on Covenant starships|Plasma bombardment mortar}}
[[File:HW2-BlitzMegaturret.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]] firing its siege plasma mortar.]]
The '''plasma mortar''', also known as '''energy mortar''',{{Ref/Novel|Id=fs12|FS|Chapter=12}} is a classification of [[Plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] artillery weapon.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p347|Enc11|Page=347}}

The plasma mortar launches shaped blast of superheated [[plasma]], which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact.{{Ref/Novel|Id=tf6|TF|Chapter=6}} As with any [[:Category:Mortar|mortar weapon]], the plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the operator to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around or over terrain.

Since they can be mounted on a variety of emplacements or vehicles, plasma mortars are employed similarly in a variety of roles, including anti-personnel,{{Ref/Game|Id=citadelturret|HW|Covenant citadel base turret}} anti-vehicle, and shelling fortifications.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p347}}

==Known types==

===Burst cannon===
{{Main|Ra'aam-pattern burst cannon}}
While originally designed as a naval weapon aboard [[Vestige|aging warship]]s of the [[Sangheili]], the {{Pattern|Ra'aam|burst cannon}} was taken by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] and repurposed as an emplaced plasma mortar.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=305}}

===Class-2 medium plasma mortar===
{{Main|Class-2 medium plasma mortar}}
The Class-2 medium plasma mortar is mounted on the rear of the {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}}.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=154}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p275|Enc22|Page=275}} While charging, the plasma blast possesses a bluish tinge, though it is red when it is fired. The weapon has a less pronounced parabolic arc than its larger counterparts.{{Ref/Game|Id=revenant|HR|Revenant in-game vehicle}}

===Incendiary plasma mortar===
Each {{Pattern|N'weo|Gigas}} craft is armed with two incendiary plasma mortars, allowing the fighter-bomber to deploy incendiary carpet bombs.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p289|Enc22|Page=289}}

===Infantry-deployed energy mortar===
There is a Covenant infantry-deployed energy mortar.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo38|GoO|Chapter=38}} These mortars require at least a trio of [[Unggoy]] to assemble on-site, but once assembled, they can generate [[energy shielding]] for protection.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo39|GoO|Chapter=39}}

===Heavy plasma mortar===
{{Main|Heavy plasma mortar}}
[[File:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|thumb|250px|A {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} firing its heavy plasma mortar.]]
The heavy plasma mortar is the primary armament of the [[Wraith]].{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=117, 228}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p274|Enc22|Page=274}} It launches a plasma blast that is typically a blue-white orb which travels slowly in the air.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything at the point of impact,{{Ref/Reuse|fs12}} all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p257|Enc11|Page=257}} but it is also fairly effective in closer engagements.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/wraith|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Wraith|D=11|M=5|Y=2021}} The heavy plasma mortar has seen numerous variations, including, but not limited to, the scorch plasma mortar on [[Ironclad Wraith]]s and an infusion-modified variant on [[Terror Wraith]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p469|Enc22|Page=469}}

===Plasma mortar===
The seemingly standard variant of the plasma mortar fires medium-sized blasts of superheated plasma. While it was an optional armament on the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} during the [[Human-Covenant War]],{{Ref/Reuse|citadelturret}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}} it is primarily mounted on the [[Banished]]’s [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p464|Enc22|Page=464}}

===Siege plasma mortar===
The siege plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}} and its Banished successor, the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]. The siege plasma mortar fires a devastating volley of [[plasma torpedo]]es{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Mega Turret}} at an astonishing range, easily turning enemy fortifications into glassy craters.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p305|Enc22|Page=305}} The Banished variant is heavily augmented and overclocked to increase its effectiveness and range.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p481|Enc22|Page=481}}

===Ultra-heavy plasma mortar===
The ultra-heavy plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Zo'op|Weevil}}, which provides fire support over large segments of enemy-contested area.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}}

===XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer===
{{Main|XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer}}
The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer]] is the closest equivalent to a plasma mortar employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, the weapon fires a 320mm artillery shell with [[fuel rod]] filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=155}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p141|Enc22|Page=141}} It is mounted on [[M145D Rhino]] prototypes, which were used in at least [[2531]], when five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield during the [[Battle of Arcadia|Battle]] of [[Arcadia]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}

== Production notes ==
*Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of ''[[Wikipedia:Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]]''.
*The [[Cut Halo Wars units#Air Artillery|Covenant Air Artillery]], a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'', would have used three plasma mortars.
*Early ''Halo: Reach'' concept art by Glenn Israel featured [[Cut Halo: Reach weapons#Covenant mortar|a Covenant mortar]] held in a manner akin to the [[Brute Shot]] or {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}, or able to be deployed as a static emplacement. Some of the sketches of the weapon drew influences from the plasma mortars on Revenants and  Wraiths.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSiLEZHgJ5/|Site=Instagram|Page=Glenn Israel|Quote=Halo Reach - Covenant mortar exploratory sketches (2009)|D=28|M=04|Y=2022}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Shield grenade.jpg|A blast from a {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}'s heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in ''[[Starry Night]]''.
File:HWDE-CitadelTurret AI.jpg|The anti-infantry variants of the ''Kewu Umppi'pa{{'}}''-pattern turrets with mounted plasma mortars in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:SCN05 MegaTurret-screenshot.jpg|A blast from an {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}}'s siege plasma mortar arcing through the air in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HR GaussHog&Revenants.jpg|Two {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}}s fire their medium plasma mortars at a [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:H2A WraithsGuardingBridge.png|A {{Pattern|Muz|Wraith}} fires its heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:HW2 MarauderMortars.png|A group of [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]]s firing their plasma mortars in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HFR Mission 6.png|The arc of a plasma blast from a ''Muz''-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''.
File:HINF-ScarrWraith.png|A [[Bolroci Workshop Wraith]] firing its heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Armor Testing]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Starry Night]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
**''[[Sadie's Story]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Duel]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]
*''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''
{{Col-end}}

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

{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Mortar]]