Grappleshot

Grappleshot
Production overview
Manufacturer:	United Nations Space Command
Type:	Equipment
Service history
In service:	Post-Covenant War conflicts Operation: WOLFE Battle for Zeta Halo

"At the height of the Human-Covenant conflict, a civilian engineer built a prototype for the rapid mass manipulation of heavy objects."

— UNSC Archives Entry 2549.10.16

The grappleshot is a piece of wrist-mounted UNSC infantry equipment compatible with the MJOLNIR (GEN3) armor.

Overview

Design details

The grappleshot consists of a magneto-impulse projector, a high-tensile nanofiber line, and a self-sharpening Titanium-A fluke contained inside a compact, modular casing. The device interfaces directly with the user's MJOLNIR armor and BIOS systems. The grappleshot fires a grappling hook that can attach to a surface and pull its user towards it, allowing for easier traversal of their environment. The grappleshot has a limited range of eight meters and the fluke cannot always attach itself to ultradense armor plating or energy shielded surfaces. Only augmented personnel can use the grappleshot without extreme risk of injury.

Development history

Main article: Project MAGNES

The Grappleshot is the product of Project MAGNES from 2549.

Operational history

The grappleshot was commonly used after its introduction to the Spartan arsenal. In October 2559, Fred-104 notably used his grappleshot to strangle an enemy Jiralhanae during Operation: WOLFE, before pulling himself even enough with the Jiralhanae to stab it in the back of the neck. During the opening stages of Battle for Zeta Halo, John-117 carried a grappleshot on his MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN3] Mark VI, which remained on his armor after his armor was locked down until May 2560. Tomas Horvath also carried a grappleshot, notably using it in an attempt to escape a ring fragment after it was broken off from the main superstructure.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Silver Timeline

This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.

John-117 grappling Var 'Gatani on Halo.

By 2553, Silver Team had grappleshots integrated into their Mark VI armor.

During his final duel with Arbiter Var 'Gatanai, John-117 used his grappleshot as a method of attacking the Sangheili warrior. However, Var cut the grappleshot line with his energy sword during the struggle.

In-game information

Halo Infinite

“

A retractable hook for personal transportation and retrieving objects.

”

The grappleshot is a piece of usable equipment in Halo Infinite, which the player can use to move rapidly towards a location or enemy. It can also be used to retrieve distant items, such as fusion coils or a gravity hammer. The grappleshot can also be used to stagger Kig-Yar Freebooters and Raiders, knocking their hand-held shields aside and briefly rendering them exposed. The grappleshot itself also deals minor damage, enabling it to finish off severely damaged enemies. After use, the grappleshot has a short cooldown time before it can be used again. If the grappleshot fails to connect to a surface, is used to stagger a Kig-Yar, or is used to finish off a wounded enemy, the cooldown will not be triggered. Like other pieces of equipment in the campaign, the grappleshot can be upgraded by collecting and spending Spartan cores.

The grappleshot is available in multiplayer as well, but with only 3 to 5 uses before running out of charges.

Upgrades

In campaign, the grappleshot can be upgraded by collecting and spending Spartan cores. In multiplayer, the fully-upgraded grappleshot can be selected as "Grappleshot (Campaign)" under Sandbox settings. In Forge, the fully-upgraded grappleshot can spawn at an equipment pad by enabling the Legendary variant option.

• The grappleshot's Voltaic attack may not always stun grappled enemies. Typically, high-ranking enemies, such as Jiralhanae Chieftains, will not be affected. However, there is a chance that even a common, low-ranking enemy will be able to resist the Voltaic attack.
• The player does not need to grapple an enemy to perform a First Strike.
• Reachfall will also stun nearby Marines.

List of Upgrades

Name	Spartan core cost	Description
Voltaic	1 SC	Grappleshot stuns grappled enemies for several seconds. Stunned enemies will either be electrocuted or will assume defensive postures and freeze in place.
Quickshot	2 SC	Reduces Grappleshot cooldown by 40%.
First Strike	3 SC	Delivers a powerful shockwave blast when holding the melee button while grappling.
Reachfall	3 SC	Increases the damage and radius of the shockwave blast. Enemies within it will be stunned.

Production notes

• While the Grappleshot's first in-game appearance occurred in Halo Infinite, the idea of a grappling hook has been around for many years, with Bungie or 343 Industries trying the mechanic on several prior Halo titles, ultimately shelving it due to the mechanic not working well.
• During a cutscene in the mission Excavation Site, John-117 uses his grappleshot to swing a loose container at Bassus, an ability not available during actual gameplay.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Concept art

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  Early concept art exploration of the Grappleshot that would ultimately inspire the design of the Shroud Screen.

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  Finalized concept art of the Grappleshot.

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  Finalized concept art of the Grappleshot, focusing on its function and how it mounts onto the user's arm.

Development images

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  The grappleshot in the Xbox Game Showcase 2020.

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  The Grappleshot being used in the Xbox Game Showcase 2020.

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  Grappling the underside of a Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Trailer.

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  Grappling a Fusion coil in Halo Infinite.

Screenshots

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  HUD icon for the Grappleshot in Halo Infinite.

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  The grappleshot icon in the Campaign upgrade menu.

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  John-117 firing his grappleshot at an Mk50 Sidekick.

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  The grappleshot on John-117's armor.

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  John-117 firing a grappleshot from first-person view.

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  John-117 uses his grappleshot to swing a container at Bassus.

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  The Chief uses his grappleshot to avoid a hazardous material spill.

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  A Spartan-IV firing a grappleshot.

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  A Spartan-IV using the grappleshot to board an AV-49 Wasp on Behemoth.

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  An Aviator-clad Spartan-IV grappling with an oddball on Recharge.

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  A third-person view of the grappleshot being fired.

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  A third-person view of the upgraded grappleshot being fired.

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  A hit from the grappleshot staggers a Kig-Yar Freebooter.

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  Using a grappleshot on a Jiralhanae Chosen Warrior.

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  The grappleshot being used to hijack a Banished Banshee.

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  John-117 uses an upgraded Grappleshot to stun a Jiralhanae warrior.

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  The grappleshot used to stun a cloaked Special Operations Sangheili.

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  The grappleshot is used to stun a Jiralhanae Berserker at close range.

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  Using the grappleshot to electrocute a lone Grunt.

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  John-117 prepares to deliver the First Strike attack.

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  The resulting blast from the Grappleshot's First Strike attack.

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  A Jiralhanae Warlord Chieftain stunned by a Reachfall attack.

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  Using the grappleshot to finish off a Kig-Yar Raider.

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  Spartan-IVs using their grappleshots in tandem on Highpower.

List of appearances

• Become
  • Step Inside (First appearance)
  • Project Magnes
  • Carry On
  • Forever We Fight
• Halo: Shadows of Reach
• Halo Infinite
• Halo: The Television Series Season One
  • Solace
• Halo: The Rubicon Protocol
• Halo: The Television Series Season Two
  • Sanctuary
  • Halo