Z-400 splinter grenade

The Z-400 Pursuit Disruption Grid Generator, more commonly known as the splinter grenade, is a multi-purpose, area-denial grenade used by the Forerunners.

Specifications
The Z-400 splinter grenade is an area-denial grenade that can be utilized for both offensive and defensive purposes. When inert, the splinter grenade is a box-like device with six pyramidal projections from each face and glowing red-orange highlights that is visually similar to the near-detonation phase of the Z-040 pulse grenade. Once the grenade detonates, the splinter grenade splits and forms into a ionized lattice cloud of several floating orange "sparks". When someone comes into contact with this field, some or all of the sparks will detonate and disintegrate the unfortunate victim. The sparks appear to linger in the air for some time before dissipating. The ionized lattice additionally creates an electromagnetic pulse effect on vehicles that enter the cloud. Reports of a proximity fuse and airburst functionality with some splinter grenades are currently under investigation by the UNSC Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence.

Despite the grenade's separate UNSC designation, the splinter grenade appears to be one of many programmable settings for the Z-040 pulse grenade. Though it remains unclear who or what unlocked the devices new functionality, it is presumed that Promethean forces used the splinter grenade over the pulse grenade mode once it was clear that a Flood infestation was not an immediate tactical concern. UNSC analysis has not yet unlocked the mechanism for changing the grenade's mode or discerned its other hidden functionality.

Gameplay
Due to the lingering effect and the fact the sparks are not very visible, it can be used as an effective trip mine, triggering when a player runs around a corner or pathway. Due to its near-instantaneous detonation time when it comes into contact with a surface, it can effectively take out a player without giving them much time to dodge it. It also has an EMP function that triggers upon a direct hit with a vehicle, which can facilitate boarding action.

Trivia
In the Halo 4: Official Game Guide, the pulse grenade is portrayed in it's near-detonation phase (cube with 6 spikes) which is identical to the splinter grenade's inert phase.

List of appearances

 * Halo 5: Guardians