Rocket Launcher

"Make some noise! Twin-tube shoulder-fired rocket launcher with Smart-Link sights."

- Halo 5: Guardians REQ description, SPNKr Rocket Launcher

The Rocket Launcher, also referred to as the M41 SPNKr in Halo Infinite, is a human power weapon first introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved, but featured prominently throughout the entire series. It is a semi-automatic weapon which fires slow-moving rockets which explode on impact, and deal enough damage to kill most enemies - including other players in multiplayer - in a single detonation, if they are nearby the point of impact. To compensate for its incredible power, it only has two rockets per magazine, and can usually only carry 2 to 4 mags in reserve, with ammo being very difficult to come by.

Universe and lore
Better known by its nicknames "SPNKr" and "Jackhammer", Misriah Armoury's M41 rocket launcher is by far the most prominent shoulder-launched rocket launcher in the UNSC's arsenal, and has been in service at least as early as the Insurrection. The M41 consists of a reusable launcher, and a magazine in the form of two disposable firing tubes which contain the rockets themselves. It can fire both M19 surface-to-surface missiles, and M21 antipersonnel rockets. At least three production models of the M41 exist, including the M41D, and the cut-down M41B. The M41 rocket launcher typically features either a brown or grey-black body, with the launch tubes consistently being a lighter grey.

Despite the M41 having been functionally obsolete since before the start of the Human-Covenant War, it was not until after the end of the war that it began to be phased out, in favour of a new weapon, the M57 Pilum. Both cheaper and lighter than the M41, the Pilum was instead manufactured by a competitor to Misriah, Chalybs Defense Solutions. Unlike its predecessor, the M57 Pilum features a reusable firing tube, and instead loads its ammunition into the tube using a detachable box magazine. The Pilum features a dark green body, with a lighter yellow-green on the handle, magazine and sights.

Overview
The Rocket Launcher is one of the most powerful weapons in any given Halo game. It features in both campaign and multiplayer, but is a rare weapon. In multiplayer, it is a power weapon and will typically be found in central map locations, where its spawn can be easily contested by multiple players. In campaign, it can be found in a handful of places in certain levels, and should only be used against more powerful enemies or vehicles due to the rarity of its ammo. It is capable of outright killing most enemies in a single detonation, even if not a direct hit, and dealing substantial damage to more powerful foes. To balance this out, as well as its ammunition being rare, it has a small magazine and both its reload speed and firing rate are slow.

Counterparts
The Halo games have only featured two notable weapons similar in role to the Rocket Launcher, one for each major enemy faction.

On the Covenant side is the Fuel Rod Gun. Similar to the Rocket Launcher, it fires a relatively slow-moving explosive projectile, which is capable of instantly killing most enemies. However, unlike the Rocket Launcher, the Fuel Rod Gun typically has a larger magazine featuring 5 shots, and its projectiles move slightly faster - though at the cost of a reduced explosion radius and slightly reduced damage. One notable exception to this is Halo: Combat Evolved, where the Fuel Rod Gun performs substantially differently, using a battery ammunition system rather than a magazine and firing shots that arc significantly, deal less damage than a rocket launcher's, but have a comparable explosion radius.

Secondly, there is the Forerunner Incineration Cannon. In Halo 4, where it was first introduced, the Incineration Cannon was more powerful than the Rocket Launcher, dealing more damage with a larger explosion radius, and spawning four secondary projectiles upon detonation which would travel slightly in perpendicular directions before detonating themselves, further increasing the effective explosion radius. To compansate for this more powerful attack, the Incineration Cannon only had one shot per magazine. By comparison in Halo 5: Guardians, the Incineration Cannon used a battery ammo system and had two firing modes. When fired normally, it shot a burst of two moderately powerful explosive projectiles, which had a significant trajectory arc. It could also fire a single very powerful explosive projectile when charged up, which had no arc and dealt more damage than the standard projectile. However, these costed more battery to fire.

Advantages

 * Very high damage, typically an instant kill
 * Large explosion radius, making it easier to aim
 * Usually features a 2x zoom, for more precise shots
 * Sometimes features vehicle lock-on, allowing projectiles to track vehicles

Disadvantages

 * Ammo is very rare
 * Projectile travels slowly, making it ineffective at longer ranges unless lock-on is available
 * Reload speed is slow
 * Easy to accidentally kill yourself with, if the projectile impacts too close

Tactics and strategies

 * Among the most poweful weapons in the games.
 * In campaign, save it for powerful enemies like Zealots or Hunters, and if enemies are using it, prioritise killing them over any other enemies in the vicinity.
 * In multiplayer, ensure you or your teammates acquire the weapon before an enemy does, if possible.
 * Lead your shots, to account for the slow projectile travel time.
 * For airborne infantry enemies, fire at static structures or objects near the enemy, rather than the enemy themselves, to catch them in the detonation; hitting enemies with the rocket itself is much harder than hitting them with the splash damage.
 * In close quarters, fire the weapon at a floor or object nearby the enemy but far enough away that you will not be caught in the blast

Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2

 * The weapon has a different firing sound effect.
 * The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are faster.
 * Holding the right trigger allows the player to home on vehicles, gun turrets, and Sentinel Enforcers in the campaign.
 * Ammunition is indicated in the scope when zoomed in.
 * The HUD ammunition indicator illustration is changed.
 * The weapon's firepower and splash damage are decreased.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3 and ODST

 * The weapon's missiles travel faster.
 * The tubing has a metallic silver color rather than a synthetic black finish.
 * It lacks the homing feature from Halo 2.
 * It has a different firing sound effect.
 * The weapon's melee attack and reload speeds are further decreased.
 * The HUD ammunition indicator is again changed.

Changes from Halo 3 and ODST to Halo: Reach

 * The grips of the weapon are enclosed in a thumbhole design.
 * It can now lock on to aircraft, but not other types of vehicles.
 * It has slightly different firing and rocket detonation sounds.
 * Rockets travel noticeably faster.
 * Splash damage is increased.
 * Rockets are mildly affected by gravity.

Changes from Halo: Reach to Halo 4

 * Rockets' travel speed increased.
 * The sound of the weapon firing has been changed, akin to the "tube" sound of a grenade launcher.
 * The weapon no longer has an audible indicator to verify that a lock has been achieved.
 * The rocket now leaves a noticeable vapor trail when fired.
 * Rockets make more noise as they travel.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary

 * Like the original Halo 2 version the M41 can lock onto both aircraft and land vehicles.
 * While the campaign uses the Halo: Reach model, the multiplayer version uses the Halo 4 redesign.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

 * The M41, like its Halo: Reach and Halo 4 incarnations, can only lock onto aircraft.
 * The M41 comes in many variations.
 * Its firing sound is similar to the Halo: Combat Evolved version.
 * Features some minor color changes with some spots on the weapon being orange.

Changes from Halo Wars to Halo Wars 2

 * Rate of fire increased slightly.
 * Base damage decreased; damage increases proportionally to unit veterancy.
 * Projectiles move more slowly.
 * Research requirements for RPG Trooper becomes easier.
 * M41 SPNKr now can be wielded exclusively by Douglas-042 with Professor Anders as the leader on level 2 hero upgrade on non-campaign gameplay.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to Halo Infinite

 * The M41's rockets glow a deep orange, making them more obvious in flight.
 * The rockets' splash damage drops off more sharply, compared to previous games.

Skins and coatings
The Rocket Launcher has seen many equipable weapon skins and coatings across the various games it's been featured in.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Combat Evolved
 * Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
 * Halo 2
 * Halo 2: Anniversary
 * Halo 3
 * Halo Wars
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: Reach
 * Halo 4
 * Halo: Spartan Assault
 * Halo: Spartan Strike
 * Halo 5: Guardians
 * Halo Online
 * Halo Wars 2
 * Halo Infinite