Energy sword (fiction)

The Covenant Energy Sword, was thought at first to be purely ceremonial. They are rarely seen in combat, but are invariably carried by high-ranking Elites, and sometimes, Brutes.

Background
In Halo: Combat Evolved, they are first encountered in Truth and Reconciliation, first wielded by an Infiltrator Elite, then by Zealot Commanders.

While in Halo 2, they are occasionally used by Spec-Ops Elites in the first two levels, otherwise the first level in which they will always appear is Metropolis after killing the Ultra in the Scarab, although you will not use it for too long because it appears at the end of the level.

Though its true functionality is unknown, it seems that the sword's plasma energy is held into a blade-like form with small magnetic field generators built into the handle mechanism. This technology is found in all the Covenant plasma weapons. In Halo:CE, if the wielder drops the weapon, a fail-safe activates, deactivating the magnetic field without first dispensing the plasma, consuming the handle and destroying the weapon. In Halo 2, a similar fail safe is active when not wielding the weapon directly. The handle must be under pressure from the handler to be activated, so the weapon can be stored. Both the "new" and the "old" Energy Swords show through Active Camouflage. However, in Campaign, the sword cannot be seen by enemies through Active Camouflage.

It has a charge of 100 battery units in single player. Varying amounts of energy are taken up by the various means of killing a foe, however normal swipes that merely harm the foe do not consume power. Therefore it may be prudent to hurt a foe until he nears death and finish off with a weapon that has more readily-available ammunition. Around 10 energy is taken by killing a normal opponent, but only 2-3 energy is used when killing Flood with it. Killing Infection Forms does not use any battery.

In multiplayer, there is no limit on the amount of energy the Energy Sword can use before running out. However, like all other "power" weapons, there is always only one Energy Sword on the map in all standard game types.

The Energy Sword is one of the very few weapons that can dismember the bodies of dead Combat Forms, preventing their revival by Infection Forms. Doing this, however, will still take up energy.

Most Zealots in Halo: CE (gold Elites) carry an Energy Sword. However, in Halo 2, all Zealots carry swords, and White Elites will pull one out if you get close enough. It will only drop the Sword if it has pulled it out; not if you killed it while it is still using its ranged weapon. The sword is extremely powerful and, seen in action in a cut-scene during the Halo 2 level The Oracle, the Arbiter slices through extremely thick metal in order to destroy the wires suspending a Gas Mine used as a base by the Heretics. He does this to force Heretic Commander Sesa 'Refumee to come out of hiding and face him in combat (a battle which the Arbiter eventually wins).

Even after an energy sword has been used up, it can still prove to be a useful melee weapon. From the severe and violent attack animations this melee weapon has been dubbed "The Widowmaker," it has other names such as "Des"(pronounced "dez" for dead energy sword), "Wifebeater," "Phantom Sword", or the "Ghetto Stick". It has the quickest, and most consistent melee attack rate of any other weapon in the game. It has the same attack speed as a lit plasma sword when not locked and lunging, some have even said it to be equal in ferocity to that of a charging Brute's attack. The advantages to such a weapon is not only it's speed, but also the ability of knockback. This weapon can be used in any level that has energy swords.

Dodging Sword Lunges
It is possible to dodge a blow from the Covenant Energy Sword. To do this, one must move quickly to the right (when facing the lunging opponent) towards his left hand which does not hold the sword. Conversely, to avoid being dodged while lunging, simply jump. Jumping reduces all chances of missing or being dodged by an opponent.

Infinite Energy
It is possible to have an infinite amount of energy in the sword in campaign. All you have to do is empty all of the energy of the sword before completing a level. When you crossover to the next level you'll still have your empty energy sword, but it acts like a normal one. And when you cloak you can see an outline of the sword. Its great for the level Oracle. Just remember to have an empty sword by the end of the Arbiter level or Delta Halo.

Campaign
It's not much but you will notice that enemies without shields always recoil after taking a melee hit, with rapid successive blows, the enemy will fall quickly. Enemies with shields won't recoil as much. It's most effective (and satisfying) against Grunts, Jackals, Drones, shieldless Elites and Sentinels. Be warned though, killing Sentinels with melee attacks harm the player slightly, and on Legendary will bring the players shield down entirely. People looking for a challenge might want to take on a charging Brute with this weapon. It's semi-effective on shielded Elites and extremely useful on Flood, but, by itself, completely useless against Hunters.

Multiplayer
In multiplayer, there is no limit on the amount of energy the Energy Sword can use before running out. However, like all other "power" weapons, there is always only one Energy Sword on the map in all standard game types.

Many players have complained that the Energy Sword is 'unfair,' since any player with some skill can dominate a whole game with the sword. However they seem to forget that the sword has its disadvantages like any other Halo weapon. For example, it is only a close-range weapon; therefore, a swordsman would need to get close to his victims before actually closing in for the kill. This means that anyone skilled at long range and, possibly, middle-to-long range grenade throwing could dispose of a swordsman with ease; that is, if the swordsman isn't skilled and/or stealthy. Open spaces are also bad to be wielding a sword, as the sword is seen as a primary threat to take out (and harmless at a distance).

Nevertheless, this, in turn, makes many games into races for the sword and shotgun, since only a shotgun-wielder has a decent chance against a sword-wielder of any skill. The chief component to the sword's perceived unfairness, however, is its 'lunge' attack- an instant kill, yet ridiculous and nigh physically impossible to dodge. However, if you are very skilled you can stick the wielder of the sword and kill him. You will die, but you can at least halt their kill score, and if you're lucky you can get the sword.

Difference
In Halo: Combat Evolved the energy sword has light blue glow. It is mostly used by the Zealots. Master Chief cannot use the energy sword in Halo 1. Once a Zealot is defeated the energy sword will activate a fail-safe and disintegrate. In Halo 2 the energy sword is blue and somewhat purple. It can only be used by higher-ranking Elites.

Character Compatibility

 * Elites
 * Brutes (Brute Chieftains only)
 * Spartans
 * Flood Combat Form (Human)
 * Flood Combat Form (Elite)

Appearances
The energy sword has appeared in the original Halo, but it could not be wielded by the player. It replaced the flamethrower from Halo PC. It returned again for Halo 2, and this time could be wielded. In Halo 3, the Sword will have a limited battery supply in multiplayer, and more time will be needed to unsheathe it.

Dual Wielding
Due to the energy sword's power and effectiveness and the fact that it only requires one hand to operate, the possibility of the energy sword being made dual wieldable is a recurring topic of discussion among Halo players. In support of this hope, an Elite can be seen dual wielding energy swords in one of the Halo Wars wallpapers and the concept art that comes with the themes (for Xbox 360 dashboard) available in the Xbox marketplace, an animation of an Elite killing a Brute while dual wielding energy swords can be seen during the Halo 3 ViDoc "Et Tu, Brute?" and as seen in the Halo Graphic Novel story The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor. The notable omission of the energy sword from the multiplayer beta has further fueled speculation that Bungie is hiding some change to the sword, such as dual wieldability.



Critics of this theory point out that the sword's lunge attack is already a one hit kill, and therefore a second sword would be of little value. Supporters of dual swords counter this by pointing out that the Halo 3 energy sword could differ from the the Halo 2 sword in any number of ways (the loss of the lock-on and/or lunge, a decrease in power, and the ability to parry being among the most common suggestions) and therefore dismissing dual wielding as being inevitably unbalanced is fallacious.

Another theory is that dual-wielding the Energy Sword would allow for chain lunges. Any player who has lunged a target knows the slight "cool down" moment, when the player is unable to attack with the sword. Holding two swords would possibly allow for a lunge with one sword, then while the recoil is in effect, lunge with the second. Also, on higher difficulties (i.e. Legendary) one lunge doesn't guarantee a kill. Dual-wielding swords allows for a lunge-slash attack, downing a Legendary Elite.

Trivia

 * In the Halo 3 ViDoc: Is Quisnam Protero Damno! a red Spartan can be seen with an Energy Sword on his thigh as if it were a secondary weapon. In the ViDoc, the sword is clearly engaged, even though it is in the secondary position. In the Beta, however, it is in its disengaged state when not in use.
 * When it comes to the Energy Sword it pretty much sabotages the saying "Never bring a knife to a gunfight".
 * The Energy Sword can be found in Outskirts on Heroic and Legendary after killing one of the cloaked Elites just after Sergeant Johnson leaves. The sword can also be found in Outskirts on any difficulty after Sergeant Johnson leaves via Pelican in a building with a dead UNSC Sniper on the floor. Above there is an Energy Sword lodged in the floor. Its first official appearance is The Arbiter, however, there is a trick on the Outskirts level in which the Master Chief can wield a sword for the first time on Earth. Occasionally, one can be obtained on Cairo Station when at the end of the level an Ultra Elite is present. If you come close to him, he will pull out his sword and if you kill him, you have the sword.
 * While playing as the Arbiter if you have a drained Energy Sword(0% charge) and use active camouflage you will see a camouflaged outline of the blade despite the blade not actually existing.
 * If you play multiplayer and get the other person to wield a 0% energy sword, get him to swap to another weapon and back.you can see blue gas coming out from the handle.
 * In Halo 3 there are Covenant glyphs on the handle.

Related Links

 * Unlimited Sword
 * Energy Sword Locations (Multiplayer)