Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle: Difference between revisions

|length={{Convert|62.1|cm|in|sp=us}}<ref name="essential"/><ref name="universe"/>

|width={{Convert|15.4|cm|in|sp=us}}<ref name="universe"/>

|height={{Convert|37.3|cm|in|sp=us}}<ref name="universe"/>

|weight={{Convert|5.9|kg|lb}}<ref name="bnet"/>

|ammotype=Superheated [[plasma]]<ref name="universe"/>

|rate=Fully automatic (360–540 RPM)<ref name="bnet"/>

|velocity=126 m/s (413 f/s)<ref name="bnet"/>

|range={{Convert|50|m|ft}}<ref name="bnet"/>

{{Quote|You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kinda gingerly—but then you see an [[Sangheili|Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo's]] head with one—the things are built tough.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman<ref name="bnet"/>}}

The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'''<ref name="bnet"/> ('''T25 DER'''),<ref name="bnet reach">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28439 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance - Plasma Rifle'']</ref> more commonly known as the '''plasma rifle''' or '''plasma gun''', is a fully automatic rifle, formerly serving as a [[Covenant]] infantry weapon. The Type-25 DER was the primary weapon of the Covenant's officer corps,<ref name="bnet"/> standard-issue to [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]]. However, lower-caste species within the Covenant who had attained significant rank within the [[Covenant military]] were also issued this weapon during operations. The Type-25 DER was one of the earliest and most frequently encountered Covenant [[plasma]] weapons. It occupies a role very similar to the [[human]] [[assault rifle]].<ref name="bnet reach"/>

The earliest iterations of the plasma rifle were in use by the Sangheili warrior class for millennia, long before the Covenant itself was established. Human researchers of the [[UNSC]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] believe that the plasma rifle's current design dates back at least five hundred years, with only slight modifications made to the rifle over time.<ref name="universe"/> In the post-[[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] era, though, it has been largely phased out for the [[Type-55 storm rifle]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-locke-load '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Canon Fodder - Locke & Load'']</ref>

{{Quote|It's got no sight-line, it's awkward to hold, and if it overheats it'll cook the hair right off of your wrists.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman<ref name="bnet"/>}}

The Type-25 plasma rifle is a battery-powered [[directed-energy weapon]] that is capable of fully automatic fire.<ref name="bnet"/> The two segmented portions of the rifle function as large [[plasma]] generator subassemblies.<ref name="universe"/> The pair of curved bodies are joined via the trigger guard,<ref name="PLAS2"/> creating the rifle's distinctive smooth, streamlined shape.<ref name="universe"/> The rifle, like most Covenant weapons, is smooth and aerodynamic, almost organic in appearance.<ref name="PLAS2">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]], ''page 110''</ref> The plasma rifle's design has only changed slightly over its centuries of service. The weapon's contemporary design was the result of [[Forerunner]] technology, [[Sangheili]] craftsmanship, and [[San'Shyuum]] artistry.<ref name="universe"/> The plasma rifle's design was noted to be jawlike, a design that perhaps unconsciously mimicked a Sangheili's mandibles.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 113'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Placed atop one another, the rifle's generators fire in a "stagger" pattern taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it at the charging and accelerator poles. This design allows for a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. Despite the efficiency of the plasma rifle's design, a significant amount of waste heat is produced by the rifle's generators. As a result, the wielder is forced to fire short, controlled bursts or risk overheating;<ref name="universe"/> the latter of which is a tendency of the weapon.<ref name="enc335">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 335'' (2011)</ref> The side of the weapon has a small temperature gauge. This visually informs the wielder how close the weapon is to overheating.<ref name="PLAS2"/>

Covenant technology possesses no instrumentality, meaning none of the surface controls or triggers connect in any way [[human]] scientists can understand.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]] - November 22nd, 2535''</ref> By late [[2552]], these scientists were awaiting [[Treaty of 2552|treaty]] negotiations with the Sangheili with the aim of receiving specifics of the plasma rifle.<ref name="bnet"/><ref name="enc335"/>

{{Quote|The Type-25 DER has no recoil to speak of; it tears up shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it's on the heavy side though.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman<ref name="bnet"/>}}

The plasma rifle is a [[directed-energy weapon]] that uses [[plasma|superheated ionized gas]] as ammunition. The weapon's inner workings are comprised of several components, including a power cell that keeps the weapon active, powers the magnetic containment field, and carries out the firing cycle. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire between 360 and 540 rounds per minute.<ref name="bnet"/> Unlike the [[Type-25 plasma pistol]], the plasma rifle is capable of both semi-automatic and full automatic fire.

The lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this type of injury destroys the outer layer of skin and the entire layer beneath; the wound is cauterized instantly upon impact.<ref name="plas3">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 130''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 328''</ref> Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 22''</ref> fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target. At close range two bursts from the Type-25 DER have enough thermal transfer and kinetic energy to pass through victims with ease,<ref name="plas4">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 129''</ref> close-range impacts can also cause dismemberment of limbs.<ref name="plas3"/> Near-misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass; this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris, both non-heated and heated, that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 15''</ref> Generally two hits from a plasma rifle will kill a light-armored or unarmored target.<ref name="plas4"/>

As with most [[Covenant]] weaponry, modifying the plasma rifle was seen as blasphemous at best, [[List of known Covenant heretics|heretic]]al at worst. This is due to the weapon's incorporation of [[Forerunner]] technology and [[San'Shyuum]] designs. However, a small quantity of plasma rifle variants have been manufactured over the years of its service history. Occasionally, influential clients and heroes of the Covenant—who were considered to be above [[Covenant#Government and politics|Ministry]] sanction—were able to commission Sangheili [[artisan-armorer]]s to produce custom variants of the plasma rifle to suit their needs.<ref name="universe"/>

One of the most renowned variants of the plasma rifle is the [[Type-25 Brute plasma rifle]]. Although most plasma rifles are produced by [[Iruiru Armory]], this variant was manufactured at [[Sacred Promissory]]'s assembly forges on ''[[High Charity]]''. Ordered by the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] in preparation for his [[Great Schism|genocide]] against the Sangheili, the variant was modified to tailor to his [[Jiralhanae]] allies' aggressive nature. The rifle was modified to increase rate of fire and damage. Had it not been for the [[Hierarch]]'s blessing, these modifications to the weapon would have been deemed heretical.<ref name="universe"/>

In [[2535]], during the [[Human-Covenant War]], several plasma rifles were modified by [[Kig-Yar]] for [[human]] use. These variants were again covertly sanctioned by the High Prophet of Truth, who had the Kig-Yar install tracking devices into the weapons with the intent of locating [[Earth]] and other [[human colonies]].<ref name="cp229">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 229-236''</ref> These rifles featured ammo readouts with human numerals<ref name="PLAS2"/> and pop-up sights.<ref name="cp145">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 145-146''</ref> The Kig-Yar, posing as Covenant deserters, sold these rifles to human [[Insurrectionist]] [[black market]]s in [[the Rubble]].<ref name="cp229"/> The plan failed when the weapons were discovered by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] and was declared to be heresy, resulting in the Hierarch ordering [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]] to end the weapon modification.<ref name="cp145"/>