User:JackVibe/Sandbox

A trio of Unggoy using plasma pistols.

"[The plasma pistol] is the bread and butter of Covenant small arms—almost as common as the MA5 is with the UNSC. After the Covenant Carrier jumped there were some areas of Mombasa where plasma pistols covered the ground like leaves—that maneuver killed a bunch of dudes on both sides."

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

Plasma pistols are a class of single-handed, semi-automatic Covenant infantry directed-energy sidearm manufactured by Assembly Forges and Iruiru Armory. The Covenant and its remnants formally designated the plasma pistol as simply pistols, while the United Nations Space Command's Office of Naval Intelligence has typically type-classified encountered plasma pistols under the designation of Directed Energy Pistol. Nicknames for the plasma pistol include The Little C, Green, Greenboy, Greenie, P-Pistol, and PP.

Overview

Design details

The upper firing coil inside an Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol.

"It’s just the right size and it feels good in your hands, but give me an em seven or an em eh five any day of the week."

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

The plasma pistol's origins dates as far back as the Sangheili society before their encounter with the San'Shyuum. The weapon was initially reverse-engineered from a Forerunner device, and, following the Writ of Union, the plasma pistol saw improvements from the San'Shyuum that resulted in the weapon's distinctive scaled burst ability. The weapon's success in the field has led to very few change in its design since the earliest models first enter production, though this may also be the result of the San'Shyuum's restrictions over legacy designs, which likely also informed the Covenant's centralized manufacturing control. That being said, there are cases of superficial and functional changes, as the most common plasma pistol design—the Eos'Mak-pattern—is associated with numerous sub-variants.

The general design of the plasma pistol remains consistent across different variants; the weapon is made up of two main components: an upper component, which includes the main rear grip and a firing coil, and a lower component which also functions as foregrip for the weapon (though only humans have been observed to wield the weapon with two hands). As a directed-energy weapon, the plasma pistol fires superheated plasma from its muzzle, where, when the weapon is active, the upper and lower charging poles create a constant plasma energy; on certain variants, the charging poles take on a claw-like appearance. The charging poles tend to emit a deep green glow; at the lowest setting, the firearm is an effective source of light. The lower charging pole is connected to the lower component, which extends downwards from the midsection of the upper component of the firearm. The upper component contains the upper firing coil; the coil is covered by a hatch, which opens to function as a venting port, as it lifts and exposes the internal components when the weapon overheats, either from firing consistently at its default firing mode or after firing a scaled burst. The rear grip features the holographic charge display—a circular progress bar which indicates the weapon charge as it is fired—the display indicates when the weapon is about to overheat from its semi-automatic fire, or when the weapon is fully charged for a scaled burst. On the left side is another small button; this lifts the cover over the upper firing coil and allows access to the weapon's internal components. Certain variants of the plasma pistol also features a tracking iron sight.

The weapon is powered by a battery cell. This battery can be recharged using a variety of power sources, including UNSC generators, provided an appropriate adaptor is at hand. Plasma pistols have a core power output of 100-150 KV at 2~3 dA, but when overcharged, the power output can reach 1.5 MV @ 2~3 dA.

An Unggoy fires the plasma pistol's semi-automatic bursts while a Kig-Yar holds a plasma pistol in its overcharged state.

Operation

"The trigger is soft—no feedback—there’s no break that tells you when the overcharge is gonna kick in. First time I did it was on accident and it damn near sprained my wrist."

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

While weak on its own, the plasma pistol has a wide variety of functions and becomes deadly in large numbers. The plasma pistol has two modes of fire. The first option is rapidly firing the semi-automatic short bursts of plasma capable of quickly degrading dissipative energy shields or vaporizing flesh. The second option is holding down the trigger to activate its scaled burst function, which overcharges the weapon's energy output and fires a blast of plasma which briefly tracks a targeted enemy. The large bolt from the scaled burst has increased damage, but notably carries a devastating short-range EMP effect that can disabled electronics and vehicles on impact. However, after the overcharged bolt is fired, the pistol will automatically overheat. Until it cools down, the pistol cannot be fired again, giving an enemies enough time to counterattack.

Semi-automatic bursts

When rapidly tapping the trigger, the plasma pistol will fire small bolts of plasma. The semi-auto firing mode can be used until the weapon overheats, after which it must cool down for a few seconds before it can be used again. As the weapon approaches low battery, it may sputter and fail to fire. These bolts deal little damage to targets protected by energy shields, though still more than most kinetic weapons. Against unarmored targets, though, the lethality of the plasma pistol is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this level of injury causes the wound to be cauterized instantly upon impact. Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact. 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. 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. Should the plasma strike cover, the impact can cause splash damage by flinging heated debris, though the blast radius is smaller than most Covenant explosive weapons.

Scaled burst

A trio of Unggoy Minors being disintegrated by an overcharged bolt from Myras Tyla's plasma pistol.

"How the foxtrot does it track anything? Whatever—I guess that’s why I carry an em eh five instead of a TACPAD."

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

If the plasma pistol's trigger is held for a few seconds, the plasma at the tip will gather into a large spherical mass. Holding down the trigger continuously drains the battery. Releasing the trigger will fire a single bolt of larger size than usual. This bolt, if aimed correctly, will track its target for a short distance if they attempt to dodge. The overcharged bolt creates an electromagnetic pulse, stunning most electronics and even melting some systems. If the target is protected by energy shields, all but the strongest shields will break, allowing their body to take damage. If the overcharge strikes a vehicle, it will be temporarily disabled and rendered helpless for several seconds. As such, even the weakest Covenant infantry can thwart an assaulting Spartan or vehicle, forcing their foe to retreat or creating an opening for their allies. Should an overcharged bolt strike an unarmored flesh target, it will result in instant death. During the Battle of Cleveland, Myras Tyla, striking an Unggoy Minor trio with her plasma pistol, disintegrated three Unggoy rapidly from a single overcharged bolt strike.

Development history

"It’s a damned ray gun—how come we don’t have ray guns?"

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

Reverse-engineered from a Forerunner tool of indeterminate function, early plasma pistols, such as the Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol, were designed and forged by the Sangheili centuries prior to the Covenant's formation. The early plasma pistols were used Sangheili clan warriors during skirmishes on colony worlds. Following the Writ of Union, the San'Shyuum incorporated several design improvements to the plasma pistol, including a less volatile plasma generator core and the addition of overcharge safety restrictors, the latter of which granted the weapon to fire scaled bursts—large sustained expenditures of energy—capable of incapacitating an enemy and disabled power structures or vehicles via an electromagnetic pulse.

Following the Great Schism and the dissolution of the Covenant, along with its centralized manufacturing control, new variants of the plasma pistols have appeared in a bewildering variety of casing styles and adornments. Furthermore, in the absence of the San'Shyuum's strict restrictions over the usage of legacy design templates, the production of pre-Covenant variants has also resumed.

Usage

"It's great in built-up areas and clearing buildings. Anything over a couple dozen meters though? Not so much."

— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman

During the early interstellar expansion period of the Sangheili's history, the precursor of the plasma pistol was employed by Sangheili clan warriors during skirmishes on colony worlds. Following the formation of the Covenant, the San'Shyuum made modifications to the plasma pistol, and the weapon became the standard sidearm for most Covenant infantry. The weapon was effective and ideal in close quarters, as it provides a high rate of fire and reasonable accuracy over short distances. Sangheili are known to use the plasma pistol as a sidearm, or even dual wielding the plasma pistol with an energy sword. It was commonly used by members of the lower caste, such as the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. The Kig-Yar frequently fires the scaled burst, though high-ranking Unggoy like the Ultra are also known to use that function.

Due to their prevalence, plasma pistols are often scavenged by humans from the battlefield; even Spartans are known to pick up the plasma pistol from fallen enemies. Plasma pistols are also recovered by humans from the battles; guards of the Eridanus Secundus rebels had concealed plasma pistols in their possession. Although the UNSC first encountered and catalogued the plasma pistol during the the first contact with the Covenant in 2525, the exact mechanism by which the plasma pistol functions was still under investigation by United Nations Space Command in 2552, notably being one of the many Covenant weapons featured in Doctor Robert McLees' publication Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present.

Following the Human-Covenant war, the plasma pistol remains an attractive weapon for both Covenant splinter factions and human criminals, as the weapon is simple to use and requires almost no maintenance. Without the Covenant strict and centralized manufacturing control, both old and new variants of the plasma pistol have become a common sight.

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  The plasma pistol was employed across all ranks in the Covenant's lower caste.

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  The Kig-Yar tend to favor the plasma pistol's scaled burst function.

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  The Yanme'e overwhelm enemies with the plasma pistol's semi-automatic bursts.

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  A pair of Sangheili Minors dual wielding plasma pistols.

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  An ODST scavenged a plasma pistol and primes its scaled burst.

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  Three Sangheili armed with plasma pistols during an assault on the UNSC Infinity.

Known variants

Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol

Main article: Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol

The Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol, designated by ONI as "Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol", was the most common variant of the plasma pistol, often utilized by the frontline infantry like the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, and Yanme'e. Within the ONI's designation, however, there are innumerable different sub-classes, much to the consternation of UNSC intelligence officers tasked with categorizing new variants.

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  An Eos'Mak-pattern sub-variant employed by Fleet of Particular Justice

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  An Eos'Mak-pattern sub-variant employed by Fleet of Sacred Consecration

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  An Eos'Mak-pattern sub-variant employed by Truth's fleet

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  A sub-variant equipped with tracking sights

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  A Hesduros-manufactured sub-variant

Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol

Main article: Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol

The Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol was designed and commissioned per Let 'Volir's requests under a shadow contract between the Banished and Iruiru Armory. While functionally and visually similar to its precursor Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol, it features slight improvements to its durability and native-link compatibility.

• Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol: This variant of the plasma pistol features a display on the back of its upper chassis that corresponds to the crystals protruding from its upper cowling.
  • Unbound Plasma Pistol: A modified variant of the plasma pistol with a white chassis that fires faster, stronger bolts. In addition, its scaled burst fires six bolts instead of a single overcharge bolt; the bolts detonate in a "supercombine" explosion if they hit the same target.

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  Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol

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  Unbound Plasma Pistol

Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol

Main article: Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol

The Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol, designated by ONI as "Type-54D Directed Energy Pistol", was one of the original plasma pistol design templates from the Sangheili. Its chassis carries a noticeably bulbous design. With the dissolution of the Covenant and the San'Shyuum's restrictions over legacy templates, this variant became a common sight in the Post-Covenant War conflicts, particularly in the Blooding Years.

• Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol: This variant of the plasma pistol features a holographic Smart scope projector on its chassis.
  • Spitfire: This improved variant has a faster rate of fire and reduced heat generated per shot.
  • Void's Tear: An advanced variant that fires overcharged shots, which create an unstable gravimetric vortex at the point of impact by superheating exotic nuclear isomer. The vortex pulls in nearby objects before exploding.

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  Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol

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  Spitfire

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  Void's Tear

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Riz-028 using a T-25 plasma pistol to kill a Sangheili in Halo: The Television Series.

Silver Timeline

Main article: Silver Timeline

Plasma pistols are used by the Covenant against humanity.

Trivia

	See our gameplay information related to JackVibe/Sandbox on its gameplay page.
	Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

• The plasma pistol was inspired by the "Zeus Class Fusion Pistol" from the Marathon series. Like the Fusion Pistol, the plasma pistol is a reasonable-damage single-shot weapon with an overcharge mode. However, the Fusion Pistol's overcharge was far more deadly in-game and could kill nearly any enemy in the game, with one limitation: if the gun was left overcharged for too long, it would explode violently, killing the wielder.
• In all of the mainline Halo games (except Halo 4), if the player remain idle while wielding a plasma pistol, the player character will pull the top off the pistol, showing the plasma pistol's upper firing coil.
• In Konami's Super Bomberman R, the Plasma Pistol is the weapon and special ability used by the Grunt Bomber.
• The plasma pistol is the main facilitator for the Noob Combo, in which a player uses a plasma pistol's scaled burst to take down the shields of an enemy before using a headshot-capable weapon (such as the BR55 battle rifle) to headshot the unshielded enemy. In the "Another Day at the Beach" video from the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack, Butkus and Fones (Marcus Stacker in Halo 2: Anniversary) effectively used this combo to take down a Sangheili that had taken Walpole hostage.

Gallery

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  Kig-Yars armed with the Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol in Halo: Combat Evolved.

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  A swarm of Yanme'e armed with Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistols in Halo 2.

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  An Unggoy Major wielding the Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol in Halo 3.

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  A Yanme'e wielding an Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol in Halo 3.

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  An Unggoy Minor firing an Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A Kig-Yar Minor firing an Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol in Halo: Reach.

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  Sangheili, Unggoy, and Kig-Yar firing Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistols in Halo 4.

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  Unggoy Imperials wielding Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistols in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  John-117 firing a Zo'klada-pattern plasma pistol in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  An Unggoy Conscript wielding a Rohakadu-pattern plasma pistol in Halo Infinite.

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  First-person view of John-117 using plasma pistol in Halo: The Television Series.

List of appearances

Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance) Halo: Combat Evolved Halo: The Flood Halo: First Strike Halo 2 Halo Graphic Novel The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor Halo: Ghosts of Onyx Halo: Uprising Halo 3 Halo: Contact Harvest Halo: The Cole Protocol Halo Wars: Genesis Halo Wars Halo: Helljumper Halo 3: ODST Halo Legends The Duel Homecoming Origins Prototype The Package Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe Halo: Blood Line Halo: Reach Halo: Fall of Reach Covenant Invasion Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Terminals

Halo: The Thursday War Halo 4 Spartan Ops Halo: Spartan Assault Halo: Initiation Halo: Escalation Halo: Mortal Dictata Halo: Broken Circle Halo 2: Anniversary Terminals Halo: Spartan Strike Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series Halo: Shadow of Intent Halo: Ground Command Halo Mythos Halo: Fractures Breaking Strain Halo Wars 2 Halo: Envoy Halo: Retribution Halo: Recruit (Non-canonical appearance) Halo: Fireteam Raven Halo: Silent Storm Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual Halo: Lone Wolf Halo: Meridian Divide Halo: Shadows of Reach Halo: Divine Wind Halo: The Television Series Contact Homecoming Reckoning Transcendence