Heatwave

The Heatwave is a semi-automatic hardlight projector once used by Warrior-Servants of the Forerunner military.

Design details
The Heatwave, like most Forerunner small arms, is constructed via Ferrarius Assembler Vats. The Heatwave fires energized shards of purple hardlight that are tuned to slice through living creatures, while bouncing off of dense terrain or architecture. Upon imploding, the hardlight projectiles can disintegrate organic targets, like many Promethean weapons.

It is equipped with two different firing modes, allowing its user to tune the weapon’s variable impact geometry on demand. When in the first firing mode, both sides of the front cowling are extended outward, and it fires six projectiles in a horizontal pattern. The second firing mode has the side cowlings retract inward to fire the six projectiles in a vertical diamond pattern. In both modes, the projectiles can bounce off of hard surfaces like walls and ceilings.

Usage
Designed by the Forerunners, the Heatwave was utilized by Warrior-Servants before the Halo Array's activation and the ecumene's self-banishment from the galaxy.. It was favored by the Scutarii naval infantry forces, and heavily used by their shock troopers during boarding actions. This usage allowed the weapon to be used to great effect by clearing corridors, or even firing blindly around corners.

During the Battle for Zeta Halo, Sentinel Eliminators were manufactured wielding the Heatwave. It was also salvaged and employed by high ranking Sangheili and Jiralhanae.

Variants

 * Scatterbound Heatwave: A variant of the Heatwave with a white chassis. Its projectiles have enhanced tracking capabilities against enemies after a ricochet. Used by Ordo 'Mal during the Battle for Zeta Halo.

In-game information
"Semi-automatic hardlight weapon that fires six projectiles in a set pattern. Alt-fire allows wielder to change firing geometry."

- Description from the Academy's Weapon Drills menu.

The Heatwave does relatively low damage per shot to enemy players, but combined with its high rate of fire and unique alternate firing mode, is a formidable power weapon in the hands of skilled players. A common strategy with the Heatwave is to combine a single shot with melee for quick kills. The weapon’s effectiveness is particularly dependent on how many bolts hit the intended target, as well as how far away the player is from the intended target. The Heatwave is capable of ricocheting rounds like the Scattershot and piercing through targets like the Halo Infinite Sentinel Beam. In the Campaign, the Heatwave is wielded by Sentinel Eliminators, Sangheili Ultras, and Jiralhanae Warlord Captains.

Production notes
The Heatwave was first revealed in the A New Generation multiplayer gameplay trailer, released on June 13, 2021. Its name was revealed by Jeff Easterling on Twitter.

List of appearances

 * Halo Infinite