Editing Shepsu-pattern plasma cannon

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Title|''Shepsu''-pattern plasma cannon}}
{{Disambig header|the plasma turret introduced in [[Halo 2]]|other models of plasma cannon|plasma cannon}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Shepsu''-pattern Sweeping Turret
|image=[[File:H2A T42DESW.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=300}}
|series=
|type=[[Class-1 directed energy cannon|Light plasma cannon]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|length={{Convert|51.8|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=[[Plasma|Superheated plasma]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|capacity=
*Unlimited {{C|mounted}}
*300 units {{C|dismounted}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|feed=
|operation=
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
}}
The '''''Shepsu''-pattern Sweeping Turret'''{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} {{Type|42|Directed Energy Support Weapon|DESW}}{{Ref/Anthology|Id=Hotel|Evo|Palace Hotel}} is a model of a [[Class-1 directed energy cannon|light plasma cannon]] utilised by the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Site|Id=WP09|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/plasma-cannon/7e7f4e70-db67-4477-9ee9-3956d2155fcc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Plasma Cannon|D=24|M=04|Y=2012|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Weapons#Plasma Cannon}}{{Ref/Book|Id=vis|EVG|Page=140}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The ''Shepsu'' is one of the most compact models of plasma cannons, with an elongated body resembling that of the {{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}}.{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}} The weapon is carried and operated in a similar fashion to the [[M247 machine gun|M247 GPMG]] of the [[United Nations Space Command]]. In the portable form, it includes a two-part foldable mount that contacts the ground in the shape of a "V"—with the weapon's lightweight nature allowing it to be easily carried even by diminutive [[Unggoy]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} 

A plasma generator, developed by the [[San'Shyuum]], is built into the tripod which allows the gun to fire indefinitely. These generators were considered so efficient they were deemed borderline heretical centuries before the Covenant War, as they encroached too closely on the "divine perfection" of [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-cannon|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Plasma Cannon|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}} When detached from the tripod mount, the weapon has a capacity of 300 battery units.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Usage===
Used as a support weapon in ground combat, the ''Shepsu'' is used to provide a rapid stream of powerful plasma rounds to suppress enemy movements and offensive actions. They are generally operated by an [[Unggoy Heavy]], although it can occasionally be used by a [[Sangheili Major]] or a [[Sangheili Ranger]]. Its lightweight nature makes it a favourite of Covenant strike teams deployed within excavation fleets{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}—during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Alpha Halo campaign]] in [[2552]], one such group led by Third Commander [[Sesa 'Refumee]] were equipped with a number of ''Shepsu''s when they [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|defected from the Covenant]].{{Ref/Level|H2|The Arbiter}}{{Ref/Level|H2|The Oracle}}

Within the [[Covenant military]], the ''Shepsu'' served as the most common model of plasma cannon used throughout the majority of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}} Towards the war's end, the weapon began to be replaced by the more advanced {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}, due to the ''Pek''{{'}}s better performance.{{Ref/Reuse|vis}} The weapon was [[Type classification system|type-classified]] by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] in [[2542]], leading to its designation of Type-42. However, analysis of the weapon continued into the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war]] era, by which time ONI were beginning to become aware that the internal mechanisms of the weapon were much more advanced than initially assumed.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}

==In-game information==
===''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
The ''Shepsu''-pattern plasma cannon appears in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and its [[Halo 2: Anniversary|Anniversary remaster]]. On several missions, Gunner Grunts can sometimes be seen carrying a plasma turret over their shoulders as [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] do with the cut-down version of the M247 GPMG. The first time this is seen is on the mission ''[[Cairo Station]]'' when the players get to [[Hangar A-02]]. This behavior can also be witnessed in [[Commons B-01]], and again by a Sangheili Ranger outside the station. On ''[[Outskirts]]'' and ''[[Metropolis]]'', Heavy Grunts are found manning plasma cannons in and around the tunnel, and on ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]'', two Gunners are deployed near the start of the level to take out the [[John-117|Master Chief]]. While on ''[[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]]'', a [[Special Operations Unggoy]] is seen carrying a plasma turret over his shoulder, then deploying it and firing on the [[Heretics]]. 

In ''Halo 2'', the Plasma Turret cannot be detached, but can be meleed or shot off using UNSC or Covenant firearms. Also, the turret can be manned after it has been mounted by an [[Unggoy Heavy]].

==Production notes==
An early take on the {{Pattern|Kez'katu|Phantom}} dropship in ''Halo 2'' originally featured door-mounted ''Shepsu'' plasma cannons, in a fashion similar to the {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} configuration featured from ''[[Halo 3]]'' onward. This early Phantom was used in the [[Halo 2 E3 demo|''Halo 2'' E3 demo]] and later restored by the [[Digsite]] team for use in [[Modding|modded content]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Discoveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-discoveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Discoveries|D=17|M=07|Y=2023}}

In early builds of ''[[Halo 3]]'', the ''Halo 2'' Plasma Turret was used as a placeholder before the ''Halo 3'' Plasma Turret was finalized into the game.{{Ref/Marketing|H3|Halo 3 ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute?}} During the ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]'', the {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}} (T-52 DESW) featured in the game was erroneously labeled as "Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon" in [[Bungie.net]] game stats reports. This was not fixed for the final game.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===''Halo 2''===
<gallery>
File:H2_TheArbiter_V3_Storyboard_Intro_27.jpg|An early [[Halo 2 storyboards|storyboard]] featuring a Sangheili door gunner manning an early take on the ''Shepsu'' design.
File:H2 Digsite E3Phantom.jpg|A screenshot of the early cut Phantom, with ''Shepsu'' cannons in its door bays.
File:H2 - T42 DESW front.png|Forward view of the ''Shepsu''-pattern plasma cannon.
File:H2 - T42 DESW rear.png|Rear view of the ''Shepsu''.
File:H2-T42DESW-PlasmaCannon.png|Another profile view of the ''Shepsu''-pattern plasma cannon.
File:Turret Grunt.jpg|An Unggoy Heavy carrying a ''Shepsu'' in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Halo2 Weapons Pack.jpg|The ''Shepsu''-pattern plasma cannon alongside other weapons in the [[Joyride Studios]] [[Joyride Studios/Halo 2 Exclusives#Heavy Weapons Battle Pack|''Halo 2'' Heavy Weapons Pack]].
File:T42plasmacannon.png|Enhanced profile view of an action figure depiction of the ''Shepsu''.
File:H3_EarlyChieftain.jpg|A [[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]] in an early ''Halo 3'' build carrying a ''Shepsu'' during the [[ViDoc]] ''[[Halo 3 ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute?|Et Tu, Brute?]]''
</gallery>
===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:H2A-pavel-belov-wpn-plasma-cannon.jpg|Concept art of the ''Shepsu'' in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A PlasmaCannon HiPoly Render 1.jpg|A model of the ''Shepsu'' for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A PlasmaCannon HiPoly Render 2.jpg|A model of the ''Shepsu'' for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A PlasmaCannon HiPoly Render 3.jpg|A model of the ''Shepsu'' for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A PlasmaCannon HiPoly Render 4.jpg|A model of the ''Shepsu'' for ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2ACP-T42.png|A ''Shepsu'' during the Battle of Earth.
File:H2ACP-T42HUD.png|HUD of the ''Shepsu'' in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' campaign.
File:H2AMP-T42PlasmaCannonHUD.png|HUD of the ''Shepsu'' in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
File:H2AMP-T42PlasmaCannon.png|A Sangheili using a ''Shepsu'' on [[Skyward]].
File:H2A OmegaTeam BreachArmour.jpg|A screenshot of [[Robert-025]] utilising a ''Shepsu''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]'' {{C|Formal designation revealed}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''

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

{{Covenant heavy weapons}}

[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]