Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle

The Kewu R'shi'k-pattern rifle is a design pattern variation in the plasma rifle series of weapons employed by the Covenant and its remnants. In common lexicon, the Kewu R'shi'k is colloquially known as the "blood-hand" by Jiralhanae, and consists of a modification of the standard intended for Brute use - earning it the moniker of Brute plasma rifle among human forces.

Unlike the standard plasma rifles, historically constructed by Iruiru Armory, the Brute plasma rifle was specially-commissioned for manufacture in the Sacred Promissory by the Prophet of Truth.

Aesthetics
The Brute plasma rifle is visually almost identical to the standard plasma rifle employed by standard Covenant infantry. While identical in overall shape and form to the standard plasma rifle, the variant employed by the Jiralhanae features a distinctive crimson red outer shell, as opposed to the traditional blue-purple of most Covenant weaponry including the original plasma rifle. The white to red indicator lights on the original plasma rifle are replaced with blue to purple indicators to better stand out against the recolored body. Like other plasma rifles, the precise surface texture and grip design varies from model to model (presumably dependant on design pattern differences), though all function very similarly. Due to its origins in Covenant design language rather than those of the Jiralhanae (such as the brute shot or spiker), it is one of few Jiralhanae weapons that doesn't retain a primitive design language and the iconic blades found on almost all other brute weaponry.

Mechanism
As its name suggests, the Jiralhanae plasma rifle fires plasma as opposed to ballistic ammunition. The weapon is powered from an internal battery cell, and when firing has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire 360~540 rounds per minute in fully-automatic fire thanks in part to its dual plasma collimator design. Placed atop one another, these collimators fire in a "stagger" taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it, this design allows a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. The Brute plasma rifle design boasts a far greater rate of fire than standard plasma rifle variants, alongside a more powerful plasma projectile - though this is mitigated by the more rapid rate of overheating.

Variants
While two major designs of "standard" Brute plasma rifle have been seen observed in use, several major sub-variants additionally exist;
 * Sorrow of Teash - an improved Brute plasma rifle design with better heat dissapation and accuracy.
 * Scale of Soirapt - a rare Brute plasma rifle built in the image of the lifeless corpse-moon that orbits Doisac, with secrets that only the most cunning Jiralhanae can unlock.

Operational history
While the plasma rifle was the standard weapon of the Covenant's officer corps throughout most of the Human-Covenant War, the emergence of Jiralhanae as the Covenant military's front line shock troops saw the emergence of the red variant of plasma rifle to suit their more aggressive demeanour. The weapon was manufactured in secret by the Sacred Promissory under the orders of the Prophet of Truth in preparation for the Jiralhanae's takeover of the Covenant military, with modifications to fire rate and damage that would have been deemed heretical were it not for the hierarch's personal blessing.

The Brute plasma rifle was in service in some capacity by at least around 2548, with several employed by Atriox and his clan during the Algolis Invasion. By October 2552, Jiralhanae equipped with Brute plasma rifles were present in the Fleet of Sacred Consecration during its attack on Earth, with Jiralhanae deployed into New Mombasa brandishing the weapons. By this time, the weapons were known to the UNSC, though their method of operation and significance were largely unknown to humanity. Jiralhanae wielding their plasma rifles were later encountered by John-117 during the Fall of High Charity and Thel 'Vadam during the Battle of Installation 05, wherein they used them to combat Sangheili-led separatist forces. The fall of High Charity to the Flood ultimately resulted in the Brute plasma rifle becoming a rare weapon, and by the time of the later stages of the Battle of Voi and Battle of Installation 00, Jiralhanae troops had begun employing the standard and more easily accessible regular plasma rifle instead of their dedicated Brute counterpart.

Despite the collapse of the Covenant, Brute plasma rifles have seen prominence in the hands of Jiralhanae warlords and raiding groups in the Post-Covenant War conflicts, with newly-manufactured specimens originating from currently-unknown suppliers. In 2553, a heavily modified Brute plasma rifle was employed by Prelate Tem'Bhetek during his ambush of Shadow of Intent, with his regular Brute forces employing non-modified Brute plasma rifles. Brute plasma rifles have since become a mainstay of the Banished. By 2558, Brute plasma rifles and several sub-variants have been incorporated into UNSC War Games simulations, in which they are wielded by Sangheili Warriors.

Gameplay
In Halo 2, the Brute Plasma Rifle appears later in the game in the hands of Jiralhanae enemies. It boasts several stat differences from the standard plasma rifle including faster rate of fire, lower damage and accuracy. The weapon did not reappear in Halo 3, but does appear in Halo 3: ODST. However in ODST, the weapon is simply a retextured plasma rifle, and boasts no mechanical or stat differences from the regular Halo 3 plasma rifle. The weapon later reappeared in Halo 5: Guardians in the Memories of Reach update as a power weapon in the Requisition system for use in Warzone. The Brute Plasma Rifle REQ card has the following attributes;


 * Brute Plasma Rifle
 * Rarity: Uncommon
 * Energy required:

The Brute plasma rifle in Halo 5: Guardians has two variants, the Scale of Soirapt and Sorrow of Teash. The weapon appears in Halo Wars 2 in the hands of Sangheili Enforcers. The Brute plasma rifle was added to the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3 when Halo 3: ODST was added to PC with stats similar to its Halo 2 counterpart.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3: ODST

 * Reduced rate of fire.
 * Increased time to overheat.
 * Plasma bolts have a much higher velocity.
 * Identical to the Type-25 plasma rifle from Halo 3, albeit colored red.
 * Cannot be dual-wielded.

Changes from Halo 3: ODST to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * In the campaign, this weapon is identical to its original depiction in every aspect.
 * In multiplayer, this weapon overheats at roughly the same speed.
 * Increased rate of fire.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

 * Increased damage, takes a Spartan's shields down in 4 shots and kills in another 8. A vast improvement over the 18 shot kill Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2 and Halo 2: Anniversary.
 * Overheats much more quickly, similarly to the original Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2.
 * Like all other weapons in Halo 5: Guardians, it can be smart-scoped.
 * Cannot be dual-wielded.

Trivia

 * In Halo 2 the "wings" on each side of the Brute Plasma Rifle appear to be burnt or distorted, while the Elite version keeps a normal color.
 * It, along with the Sentinel Beam are the only weapons not shown in the Halo 2 instruction manual.
 * The Plasma Rifle and Needler in Halo 3 have exactly the same rate of fire as the Brute Plasma Rifle. They all start off slowly, then rapidly gain speed until it either overheats, or the battery is drained.
 * The Brute Plasma Rifle has a slightly higher tone than the regular, due to the higher rate of fire and Brute design.
 * The Yanme'e in Halo 3: ODST are now able to use this weapon with deadly precision. The Drones that use these weapons, are either a pale yellow or red color, and have energy shields like the Sangheili.
 * Initially, when the Brute plasma rifle was added to Halo 5: Guardians, it had the sounds of a plasma pistol. However, after the release of the Warzone Firefight update, the weapon received more unique sound effects.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo 3
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo: Shadow of Intent
 * Halo Wars 2
 * Halo: Rise of Atriox
 * Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
 * Halo: Meridian Divide
 * Halo: Divine Wind