Needle-based weaponry: Difference between revisions
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
(Created page with "{{Status|Canon}} thumb|350px|[[John-117 dual wielding Type-33 needlers, the most common needle weaponry in the Covenant.]] '''Needle weaponry''', or '''needle-based weaponry''',{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} refers to projectile weapons that launch explosive Subanese crystalline shards to do damage to a target. While the Forerunners have dev...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
Needle weapons are characterized by their ammunition: the pink crystal substance mined from Suban, one of | Needle weapons are characterized by their ammunition: the pink crystal substance mined from Suban, one of the [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Upon impaling a target, the shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p479|Enc22|Page=479}} If multiple shards make contact, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties supercombine and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are are relatively ineffective against energy shielding.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021}} | ||
Covenant needle weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The [[needler]], the most popular class of needle weaponry, contains an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking targeted heat signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} In contrast, the {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} was not designed to charge its needles with the ability to home in on a living target,{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=127}} so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle|D=14|M=05|Y=2021}} | Covenant needle weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The [[needler]], the most popular class of needle weaponry, contains an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking targeted heat signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} In contrast, the {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} was not designed to charge its needles with the ability to home in on a living target,{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=127}} so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle|D=14|M=05|Y=2021}} | ||
Revision as of 13:49, April 9, 2023
Needle weaponry, or needle-based weaponry,[1][2] refers to projectile weapons that launch explosive Subanese crystalline shards to do damage to a target. While the Forerunners have developed at least one class of needle weapon, the Covenant most likely reverse-engineered the technology,[3] leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and its remnants, particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.[4][5][6]
Operation
Needle weapons are characterized by their ammunition: the pink crystal substance mined from Suban, one of the Sangheilios' two moons.[4] Upon impaling a target, the shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.[1][7] If multiple shards make contact, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties supercombine and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.[1][7] While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are are relatively ineffective against energy shielding.[8]
Covenant needle weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The needler, the most popular class of needle weaponry, contains an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking targeted heat signatures.[4] In contrast, the Gadulo-pattern needle rifle was not designed to charge its needles with the ability to home in on a living target,[9] so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.[10]
List of needle weapons
Handheld weapons
- Blood of Suban variant of the Mosa-pattern carbine
- Needler
- Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Mounted weapons
Sources
- ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 128
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 230
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 237
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 479
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needler (Retrieved on Apr 21, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 127
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle (Retrieved on May 14, 2021) [archive]
