Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol

Introduction
The Plasma Pistol, like the Plasma Rifle, fires directed energy bolts instead of traditional Human ballistic ammunition. This Covenant weapon is capable of quickly firing low-powered shots, or of charging a single high-powered blast which can rapidly deplete energy shielding. This high powered shot makes the Plasma Pistol a formidable strategic weapon if used in concert with other infantry weapons.

Description
Capable of quickly firing low-powered shots, or of firing a single high-powered blast which tracks its target to some degree. This blast is capable of immediately dissipating Spartans', Elites', and Jackals' shields. It fires two rounds to 1% battery, and one overcharge shot to 11% battery. The core power output is, like the plasma rifle, 100-150 Kv @ 2-3 dA, but, when overcharged, the power output is 1.5 Mv @ 2-3 dA. It will also instantly destroy an unshielded Sentinel with one overcharge shot. An overcharged shot will also usually knock down or kill a flood combat form, buying the player time to switch to a more effective weapon. The Overcharged shot can kill Grunts, Jackals, and more on low difficulties levels in Halo 1 (in Halo 2 its overcharge has little effect on unshielded enemies). The low-powered shots, however, can be fired faster than those of the Plasma Rifle. It is not known exactly what mechanism is used for ammunition or firing, but has been suggested that a burst of matter is shot into the electrical current, ionizing it with a charge, or using a electro magnet to strip and fire the plasma out of a pilot flame. This charge may be what brings down Spartan and Elite shields. It should be noted that in Halo 2, if one attacks an enemy in melee combat while wielding this weapon, he/she will strike with his left fist instead of hitting the enemy with the weapon. In Halo 3, the tracking capabilities of the plasma pistol are limited, but the overcharged shot gains the ability to stop the engine of vehicles.

Advantages
The plasma pistol is dual-wieldable, as well as being able to temporarily take down a spartan or elite's shields, overshielded or not. The plasma pistol is an especially good combination with Magnums taking advantage of the unsheilded enemy. Dual-wielding plasma pistols and shooting each one individually, like other dual-wieldable weapons, would give one gun time to cool from temporary dischargement, keeping continous fire until ammunition/power ran out.

Disadvantages
It overheats when fired rapidly for extended periods, and overcharge uses 11 percent of the charge (15 percent in Halo 2). Also, the rounds are low-powered and the overcharged shot is not fully homing and dissipates at long distances. The battery cannot be recharged and in Halo 2, the overcharged shot is only capable of depleting energy shields and will not harm or kill any enemy. In Halo 3 holding the Plasma Pistol in overcharge will deplete the battery gradually.

Influences
The plasma pistol was inspired by the human "Zeus-class fusion pistol" from the Marathon series. Like the fusion pistol, the plasma pistol is a reasonably damaging single-shot weapon with an overcharge mode. However, the fusion pistol's overcharge was far more damaging and could kill nearly any enemy in the game, with one caveat: if the gun was left overcharged for too long, it would explode, killing its wielder.

Role in Halo 3 multiplayer (beta)
The Pistols overcharge distance at which it can track has been reduced, and the overheat has been increased very slightly. You can disable vehicles by shooting the vehicle, the vehicle will stall or become disabled for a small amount of time. The Pistol, when overcharged, will now slowly deplete its energy core every second the plasma pistol is overcharged. If you fire the Plasma pistol at any type of metal in the environment it will "melt".



Multiplayer Role
The only saving grace with the Plasma pistol is the overcharge shot, which brings down shields instantly. It is useful to bring down the enemy's shields with an overcharge for a quick pistol headshot or melee kill. Also, it will bring down the driver of a vehicle's shields down with a single overcharge shot, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Its low powered shots have the longest range of non sniping/heavy weapons. However, their low speed makes them easy to avoid.

In Halo: Combat Evolved, the plasma pistol is very useful on higher difficulties, such as Legendary. A charged shot will not only take out an Elite's shield, it will also temporarily incapacitate it making it stand still for a few seconds. Combat Evolved's plasma pistols can also spray a powerful stream on weaker enemies. A popular, effective strategy is to use the overcharge shot to take down and elite's shield to momentarily distract it, and then throw a plasma grenade to stick the immobile elite, giving an easy kill. Also in Halo 2 the Plasma Pistol's homing capability prooves very useful on higher difficulties. dual wielding the pistol with the magnum, or using another human weapon after hitting the enemy with a charged shot can be very effective. Many players find a combination of the Plasma Pistol and the Magnum or Battle Rifle in Halo 2 to be an excellent combination. An overcharge shot deteriorates the shield, followed by a quick shot of the Battle Rifle or Magnum is known to cripple foes. This is generally frowned upon, however, and has become widely known as the "noob combo". However, there are ways to defeat it - if you can manage to avoid the overcharge, then you can swiftly bring down the wielder with a Headshot weapon.

Dual M6C Magnums are also very effective for taking this combo down.

Effective Against

 * Grunts
 * Jackals (Disabling Shields and Doing Damage)
 * Elites (Disabling Shields)
 * Spartans (Disabling shields)
 * Sentinels

Character Compatibility

 * Grunts
 * Elites
 * Jackals
 * Drones
 * Brutes (have animation but not used)
 * Spartans
 * Marines
 * Flood Combat Forms

Links

 * http://h2.halowiki.net/p/Plasma_Pistol