Forerunner: Difference between revisions

The Forerunners used a broad variety of weapons, which mostly encompass several forms of [[directed energy weapon|energy beams]]. These weapons proved to be very effective when battling the Flood, burning Flood forms to the point that they cannot be revived by [[Flood infection form|infection forms]]. Many of these weapons were operated by dedicated automatons, allowing the Forerunners to battle the Flood without risking infection by sending biological beings to the front lines. The Forerunners made active use of [[plasma weaponry]] as well; the Covenant's own weapons and technology are based almost entirely on Forerunner artifacts. As one example of Forerunner weapons technology, certain types of beams could be merged together into one stream to amplify its power; this capability was used on both [[Unidentified Forerunner weapon|infantry weapons]] as well as [[Unidentified Forerunner dreadnought class|starship weaponry]].<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''Origins''</ref>

In combat, the Forerunners themselves used advanced [[powered exoskeleton|exoskeletons]] called [[combat skin]]s, powerful vehicles such as [[war sphinx]]es, and wielded a formidable arsenal of weaponry. Among these were handheld directed-energy weapons, such as the [[Scattershot]] and [[Lightrifle]]. These weapons utilize various forms of ammunition, including hard light, accelerated beams of ionized particles, antimatter,<ref>'''Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 101''</ref> or combinations thereof. During the conflict with the Flood, these weapons were designed to disintegrate their targets upon inflicting a critical hit, preventing the Flood from making use of any biological matter. Although they fill relatively basic roles and have clear analogues in human weaponry, many of these weapons also have exotic properties, such as the Scattershot's ricocheting projectiles or the [[Boltshot]]'s secondary burst function. Forerunner firearms, like the rest of their technology, are highly sophisticated; most are composed of disparate parts held together by energy fields and display self-assembling capabilities. Forerunner ground forces also use [[Z-040 Attenuation Field Generator/Localized|pulse grenades]] which generate an energy-drain field before collapsing, decimating any targets within its effective radius.<ref name="halo 4"/>

The many varieties of Forerunner [[sentinel]]s also carry a wide array of weaponry. The [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s use moderately effective [[Sentinel beam|beam weapons]], which can also be wielded by humans and certain Covenant races. Meanwhile, [[Enforcer]]s are equipped with [[Forerunner missile launcher|missile launchers]] and a pair of [[pulse beam]]s, which fire clusters of smaller red Needler-like projectiles or bolts of energy at an incredibly high rate of fire. The [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels of Onyx]] had significantly more powerful weaponry and shielding. Their energy weapons functioned via a single, slow-charging, extremely powerful golden beam which was effective against energy shields and armor alike.<ref name="GoO">''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''</ref> The Forerunners also constructed stationary [[Forerunner automated turret|automated turrets]], resembling stripped-down sentinels. [[Monitor]]s are capable of defending themselves with high-powered pulse weapons akin to those used by Sentinels, as well as with gravity manipulation technology.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>