Canon

Flaktura Workshop Skewer

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Flaktura Workshop Heavy Speargun
A transparent crop of the Flaktura Workshop Skewer in-game model. Courtesy of User:BaconShelf.
Production overview

Manufacturer:

Flaktura workshop
Forge of Teash[1]

Type:

Anti-tank launcher[2][3]

Variants:

Volatile Skewer

Specifications

Length:

174 centimeters (68.7 in)[1]

Ammunition type:

Armor-piercing spike ammunition[1]

Feed system:

Muzzle-loaded spear[1][Note 1]

Rate of fire:

Single-shot[1]

Service history

In service:

 
Bold and brutal, this Banished weapon fires a single massive armor-piercing harpoon. It has proven useful in hunting both beast and machine on Zeta Halo.[6]

The Flaktura Workshop Heavy Speargun,[1] also known as the Skewer, is an infantry-portable anti-tank spike weapon employed by the Jiralhanae, notably the Banished.[7][3][4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

"Please never ever get Skewered."
FRET during a War Games simulation.[8]

The Skewer is an anti-tank weapon employed by Banished Jiralhanae, with such operators known as "Skewer-bearers".[3] The launcher fires a rocket-sized spike—also known as a harpoon[9]—capable of piercing through the armor of a main battle tank, or punch through the energy shields and titanium shell of GEN3 MJOLNIR armor, even from range.[3][4] The launcher has an emitter of some kind, likely of gravitic operation similar to other Jiralhanae spike weaponry, which is used to launch the spike round and can be intensified[7]—presumably to adjust the muzzle velocity of the fired projectile. The Skewer was manufactured by the Forge of Teash and developed by the Flaktura workshop.[1]

When ready to fire, the Skewer's spike projectile in the barrel can be seen sticking out of the weapon; underneath the barrel is a sword-length bayonet.[3] When used against infantry, the force of the projectile impact is enough to send the target flying back, or knock them off elevated surfaces.[7] They can also be used as anti-air weapons, with the spikes capable of penetrating the armored cockpit of a Phantom dropship.[10] Interestingly, when wielded by the large Skewer-bearers, it resembles an assault rifle, whilst human users instead hoist it over the shoulder like a rocket launcher.

Development history[edit]

The Skewer's design is a traditional one of Jiralhanae origin, predating the Brutes' joining of the Covenant hegemony circa 2492.[4] Its precursor, the heavy speargun, was used by Jiralhanae in big-game hunting,[1] especially the dengkra.[9]

Usage[edit]

Skewers are operated by Banished Skewer-bearers. Ostensibly intended for an anti-tank role, Jiralhanae troops frequently take glee in using them as mortars to devastating effect against enemy infantry.[3][4] The Jiralhanae Choros wielded a Skewer during the raid on the keyship Anodyne Spirit during the Second Ark Conflict.[7] Later, several Skewers were employed by Banished forces on Reach during Operation: WOLFE.[3] During the Battle for Zeta Halo in 2560, the Skewer was employed by Jiralhanae Snipers in the Banished.[5] While the weapon was intended for both hunting and anti-vehicular combat,[6] the Jiralhanae gleefully use them against enemy infantry.[9]

Variants[edit]

During the war on Installation 07, unique variations of the Skewer were widely circulated among Banished Jiralhanae hunting parties operating on the ring.[1]

In-game information[edit]

Halo Infinite[edit]

Kinetic weapon that shoots a single, hit damage spike.[12]

The Skewer is a powerful anti-materiel rifle that fires one round, similarly to previous games' Railgun minus the splash damage and charge-up delay. It is capable of destroying light and air vehicles in 1-2 shots and pushing back heavy vehicles. In the campaign, the Skewer is wielded exclusively by Jiralhanae Snipers. In singleplayer, being hit by a Jiralhanae Sniper's spike will deal a significant, but non-lethal amount of damage to the player on lower difficulties, while in multiplayer, it is capable of killing a Spartan in one hit regardless of where it hits the target.

Production notes[edit]

Despite the in-game informational pop-up describing the skewer as breach-loaded, it is, in fact, muzzle-loaded.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Sacrifice, the short story included in certain copies of Halo: Shadows of Reach, described the Skewer as magazine-fed. However, gameplay from Halo Infinite later proved this false. It is possible that the Skewer was originally intended to be magazine-fed, but was redesigned after the story was published.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 476
  2. ^ Halo Support, Halo Infinite Weapon, Equipment, and Vehicle Inventory (Retrieved on May 5, 2023) [archive]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 12
  4. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Showcase Sensitive (Retrieved on Jun 16, 2021) [archive]
  5. ^ a b Halo Infinite, gameplay
  6. ^ a b Halo Infinite, Forge - Skewer description: "Bold and brutal, this Banished weapon fires a single massive armor-piercing harpoon. It has proven useful in hunting both beast and machine on Zeta Halo."
  7. ^ a b c d Halo: Shadows of Reach - Adjunct: Sacrifice
  8. ^ Halo Infinite, Personal AI dialogue
  9. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - If They Want Lore, We'll Give 'Em Lore (Retrieved on Feb 21, 2024) [local archive] [external archive]
  10. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach - Adjunct: Sacrifice "[Choros launched] his Skewer's immense spikes at an attacking Phantom's closed cockpit. One must have struck true, because the ship suddenly canted, slamming into the platform and then falling into darkness."
  11. ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - Volatile Skewer description: "Skewer refitted to fire an explosive spike that detonates on impact."
  12. ^ Halo Infinite, Academy - Weapon Drills - Skewer description