Editing Zasqi-pattern fuel rod gun

{{Title|''Zasqi''-pattern fuel rod gun}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the fuel rod gun introduced in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''|other variants of the fuel rod gun|Fuel rod gun}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Zasqi''-pattern Flak Launcher
|image=[[File:MCC Menu CEFuelRod.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Merchants of Qikost]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|series=
|type=[[Fuel rod gun]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|length={{Convert|68.7|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=Class-2 [[Fuel rod]]s{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|capacity=5 rounds{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|feed=Battery-powered
|operation=
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=None{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|range=
}}
The '''''Zasqi''-pattern Flak Launcher'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=299}} is a type of [[fuel rod gun]] that was in service within the [[Covenant]]'s [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] in [[2552|September 2552]]. It is a shoulder-mounted, battery-powered weapon which fires [[fuel rod]]s, and was often carried by [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec-Ops Unggoy]] during the later stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].{{Ref/Game|CE|Id=CECamp|Campaign}}{{Ref/Comic|Halo Graphic Novel|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor|Id=HGN}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The ''Zasqi''-pattern fuel rod gun is a powerful, shoulder-mounted infantry weapon which fires explosive fuel rod ammunition, similar to vehicle-mounted weapons such as the [[fuel rod cannon]], but which have a very pronounced downward arc. Unlike other fuel rod gun models such as the {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun|}} and {{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun|}}, the ''Zasqi''-pattern design draws from a battery reserve, instead of a physical magazine. As such, it is subject to the same limitations as other Covenant battery-powered weaponry: notably, it will overheat if fired rapidly for too long, and it cannot easily be recharged on the battlefield.{{Ref/Game|Id=CEMP|HPC|Multiplayer}} The core power output of the weapon is 250–300 kV : 4-5 dA, while the overcharge power output is 2.5 mV : 4-5 dA.{{Ref/Book|Id=PCManual|Halo: Combat Evolved manual|Page=16|Detail=PC port edition}}

Some versions of this weapon were known to be equipped with a failsafe "dead man's switch", which caused the weapon’s breach-pin to detonate the remaining ammunition if its wielder was killed in combat, rendering the weapon inoperable and useless and potentially damaging any enemies—or allies—nearby.{{Ref/Reuse|CECamp}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=77}} This was common for other types of fuel rod gun too, such as the ''Pez'tk''-pattern.{{Ref/Game|Id=CEACamp|CEA|Campaign}}{{Ref/Site|Id=bnetfuelrodgun|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|D=31|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon}} However, the concept was phased out by the Covenant in late 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|bnetfuelrodgun}}

As of September 2552, the UNSC was unaware of how to replace the weapon's power cell.{{Ref/Reuse|PCManual}}

===Operational history===
The weapon was commonly seen wielded by [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec-Ops Unggoy]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04]], particularly during the later stages after the release of the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Reuse|CECamp}} [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee's strike team included Spec-Ops Grunts wielding the weapon during his [[Skirmish on Infinite Succor|mission]] to the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' which took place concurrently.{{Ref/Reuse|HGN}}

==In-game information==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
[[File:HCE FuelRodGunCampaign Crop.png|thumb|right|250px|The campaign model for the fuel rod gun.]]
{{Main|Fuel Rod Gun (gameplay)#Halo: Combat Evolved}}
In the [[Xbox]] version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the fuel rod gun (known in the game's [[tag]]s as <code>plasmacannon</code>) exclusively appears in the game's [[campaign]] as a weapon fielded by [[Special Operations Unggoy|SpecOps Grunts]]. This version of the weapon cannot be wielded by the player, and will explode once its operator has been killed, similarly to the [[Energy Sword (gameplay)|Energy Sword]]. The campaign variant of the weapon is magazine-fed and requires a charge-up to fire, similarly to the [[Mgalekgolo|Hunter's]] [[assault cannon]]. 

In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the weapon's model is replaced with that of the {{Pattern|Korva|fuel rod gun}} from ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.

[[File:HCE-FuelRodGun-Profile.png|thumb|right|250px|The multiplayer model of the fuel rod gun.]]
In the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|PC port]] of ''Halo'' the fuel rod gun was made useable by players for the first time in the game's [[multiplayer]], with the unique tag of <code>fuel rod gun</code>. However, this variant differs from the campaign iteration in many ways: it features a new model and texture that were redesigned by [[Gearbox Software]] to reflect the campaign design in higher-quality, albeit with a few minor differences. The most notable aesthetic change is the weapon's colour, going from the gold-black of the base game to a more distinct purple colouration. Gameplay-wise, the updated multiplayer fuel rod was changed from a magazine- to a battery-fed weapon, capable of firing a total of 28 rounds on a full charge. If fired at its maximum fire rate, it can shoot around five rounds before it overheats. Unlike the campaign version of the weapon, it does not explode when dropped by players and does not need to be charged to fire. This version of the weapon does not replace the original one found in the game's campaign.

In ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', the fuel rod gun was included as a piece of content in the ''Combat Evolved'' multiplayer segment alongside the [[Flamethrower (gameplay)|Flamethrower]] and [[M12A Rocket Warthog|Rocket Warthog]]. In [[Series 2: Spark]], a number of [[Skins (Halo: Combat Evolved)|weapon skins]] were added for the weapon, allowing its colour to be changed.

==Production notes==
*The campaign version of the Fuel rod gun uses the [[Oghal-pattern Banshee|Banshee]]'s cubemaps, making it appear purple in some lighting.{{Ref/YouTube |Id=HaloFiles |Code=fWnFiqOV6JY?si=6kA6mLp3gAWkH8QG |Channel=The Vengeful 'Vadam|VideoName=Halo CE's Campaign Fuel Rod Gun (Halo Files EP4)|Year=2025 |Month=10 |Day=09 }}
**This may have been the reason why the ''Halo PC'' multiplayer version was made a purple colour.

==Trivia==
*In ''Halo PC'' multiplayer, the weapon's barrel retracts into the weapon when fired. Whether this is the firing mechanism or a recoil compensator is unknown, but the weapon has very little recoil on the hands of the player character, supporting the latter.
*The fuel rod gun was originally meant to be a grenade launcher, but it was changed to a Covenant rocket launcher. It can be viewed on this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tqrfy4SR7I video.]

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===''Halo: Combat Evolved'' campaign model===
<gallery>
File:HCE FuelRod 1999 Mac Crop.png|An early model for the fuel rod gun, from the 1999 MacWorld build of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Fuel rod gun.png|A render of the fuel rod gun released by Bungie, with a gold shader more akin to the redesigns later featured in ''Halo 2''-onwards.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.bungie.net/Games/Halo/Gallery.aspx?Gallery=Renders&page=4|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo Renders (page 4)|D=20|M=02|Y=2005}}
File:800px-SpecOpsGrunt.jpg|A [[Special Operations Unggoy]] with a fuel rod gun in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
</gallery>

===''Halo: Combat Evolved'' PC multiplayer model===
<gallery>
File:Fuel-rod-schematic.jpg|A fuel rod gun schematic as seen in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:HaloCE-MasterChief-FuelRodGun.png|A Spartan holding a Fuel Rod Gun in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE Spartanwithfuelrodgun.jpg|A Spartan with a fuel rod gun in [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]] [[Multiplayer]].
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-FirstPerson.jpg|From a Spartan's point of view in the PC version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-Overheat.jpg|The Fuel Rod Gun overheating in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' PC.
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-Profile.png|A violet-colored Fuel Rod Gun from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HPC DangerCanyon Wallpaper.jpg|A Spartan holding the fuel rod gun on [[Danger Canyon]].
File:HPC FuelRod Wallpaper.jpg|A wallpaper of a Spartan holding the fuel rod gun.
</gallery>

===Miscellaneous===
<gallery>
File:HW GruntHeavy Icon.png|An icon for a [[Cut Halo Wars units#Grunt Heavies|cut unit]] in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', intended to be an [[Unggoy Heavy]] wielding a ''Zasqi''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''

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

{{Covenant ordnance}}

[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Rocket launchers]]