Canon

Sentinel beam

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For other uses of the term beam, see here.
Sentinel beam
An Aggressor Sentinel firing its Sentinel beam on Installation 07. From Halo Infinite campaign.
H3-SentinelBeam.png H2A-SentinelBeam-SideProfile.png A render of the Safeguard Sentinel Beam. A transparent crop of the Halo Infinite Sentinel Beam in-game model. Courtesy of User:BaconShelf. Cutout of the Sentinel Beam from Campaign Evolved.
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Ferrarius Assembler Vats[1]

Model series:

Containment/Sterilization Instrument[2]

Type:

Particle beam weapon

Specifications

Length:

Varies

63.7 centimetres (25.1 in)[2] 77.2 centimetres (30.4 in)[1]

Ammunition type:

Superheated negative charged ion particle beam[2]

Feed system:

100 battery units housing

Rate of fire:

Automatic

Effective range:

Infinite

Service history

In service:

 

"You can totally dig the bug-bots' own blasters out of their guts and use 'em yourself!"
— Otto-031[3]

The sentinel beam, also known as the sterilization beam,[4] is a Forerunner directed energy weapon, most commonly used by Aggressor Sentinels.[1] The weapon is particularly effective against small Flood outbreaks, and is efficient at stripping energy shields. Although typically integrated into the structure of an Aggressor, it can be used as a hand-held weapon if scavenged from a destroyed machine.[3][5][6]

Design details[edit]

The Sentinel Beam was designed to effectively destroy Flood biomatter, and is intended for use against minor Flood outbreaks. Although the weapon is integrated into an Aggressor's structure, a limited internal power supply allows it to function independently if its wielder is destroyed, though it remains unknown how exactly users trigger the beam. However, when it is not hooked up to an Aggressor, its battery life is very short. The weapon projects a yellow-orange or blue beam of superheated anion particles, which is capable of effectively cutting through flesh, bone and metal.[7] The Sentinel Beam was manufactured and developed by Ferrarius Assembler Vats.[1]

Two variants of the Sentinel Beam are seen: the standard yellow-orange one in the silver housing, and the more powerful blue beam, which is encased in a gold housing.[5]

There is a battery housing on side of the weapon, which has a calibration dial on it and can be adjusted by the user.[Note 1][2]

The beams used by the Sentinels at Onyx were a golden color, with temperatures as high as 15,000 Kelvin.[8] Although this variation of the weapon took significantly longer to charge, it is thought to have been capable of depleting a fully shielded MJOLNIR Mark V Armor suit. Furthermore, Onyx Sentinels were capable of cooperating to generate golden beams capable of destroying entire Covenant cruisers.

Advantages[edit]

Continuous contact from a Sentinel Beam can be devastating even for armored opponents, and its ability to rapidly drain energy shields makes it an effective weapon against the Aggressors themselves. The weapon can temporarily overheat if 20% of the battery is used up in one continuous shot; the weapon vents excess heat in an attempt to counter this.

It is, obviously enough, extremely effective when used against Flood, and will cut down any form — including the vaunted pure forms — if aimed properly.

It possesses a decent damage rate, amazing accuracy and range, and sustained attacks with the weapon will inflict large amounts of damage. The weapon's melee attack is about as strong as that of a Rocket Launcher, and is likewise considerably slow. The melee is also capable of disintegrating a Flood comba