Eos'Mak-pattern plasma pistol: Difference between revisions

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(We don't really need a Gameplay section if there's already a Gameplay subarticle. One of them should be merged.)
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{{Quote|The Type-25 DEP is the bread and butter of [[Covenant]] small arms—almost as common as the [[MA5 series|MA5]] is with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. After the [[Solemn Penance|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.|Unidentified UNSC serviceman}}
{{Quote|The Type-25 DEP is the bread and butter of [[Covenant]] small arms—almost as common as the [[MA5 series|MA5]] is with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. After the [[Solemn Penance|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.|Unidentified UNSC serviceman}}


The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol'''<ref name="bung">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmapistol '''Bungie.net''': ''Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol'']</ref>, also known as the '''Plasma Pistol''', is a Covenant infantry firearm, carried commonly by the smaller species, such as the [[Unggoy]], [[Kig-Yar]], and the [[Yanme'e]]<ref name="ency">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 320''</ref>, but is occasionally used by larger species such as the [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]]; as such it is the most commonly encountered Covenant energy weapon.<ref name="ency"/>
The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol'''<ref name="bung">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmapistol '''Bungie.net''': ''Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol'']</ref>, also known as the '''Plasma Pistol''', is a Covenant infantry firearm, carried commonly by the smaller species, such as the [[Unggoy]], [[Kig-Yar]], and the [[Yanme'e]]<ref name="ency">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 320''</ref>, but is occasionally used by larger species such as the [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]]; as such it is the most commonly encountered Covenant energy weapon.<ref name="ency"/> While weak on its own, the Plasma Pistol has a wide variety of functions and becomes deadly in large numbers.


==Specifications==
==Design and usage==
===Design details===
===Design details===
[[File:Plasma-pistol.png|thumb|left|130px|A blueprint of a plasma pistol.]]
[[File:Plasma-pistol.png|thumb|left|130px|A blueprint of a plasma pistol.]]
The plasma pistol is a Covenant [[directed energy weapon]] that was reverse-engineered from a [[Forerunner]] device.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: Plasma Pistol'']</ref> The weapon is powered by a battery cell and has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, but when overcharged, the power output is 1.5 MV @ 2~3 dA.<ref name="bung"/> The Type-25 DEP is a semi-automatic weapon using a single collimator design that gives the weapon its smooth and aerodynamic, claw like appearance. The Type-25 DEPs functionality is straightforward, the rear section of the pistol has a holographic display which indicates temperature as the weapon is fired — in the center of the holographic display is a small red pad, this pad is the Type-25 DEPs safety and activation mechanism. Before the plasma pistol can be fired the user must place his thumb on the pad, the pistol then activates and can be fired. On the left side is another small red button this opens the top heating vent and allows access to the internal components of the Type-25 DEP. It has two modes of fire, semi-automatic direct and semi-guided area of effect (AOE); the latter rapidly drains its battery life.<ref>'''Halo Waypoint:''' Halo: Reach Stats</ref>
The plasma pistol is a Covenant [[directed energy weapon]] that was reverse-engineered from a [[Forerunner]] device.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: Plasma Pistol'']</ref> The weapon is powered by a battery cell and has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, but when overcharged, the power output is 1.5 MV @ 2~3 dA.<ref name="bung"/> The Type-25 DEP is a semi-automatic weapon using a single collimator design that gives the weapon its smooth and aerodynamic, claw like appearance. The Type-25 DEP's functionality is straightforward, the rear section of the pistol has a holographic display which indicates temperature as the weapon is fired — in the center of the holographic display is a small red pad, this pad is the Type-25 DEP's safety and activation mechanism. Before the plasma pistol can be fired the user must place his thumb on the pad, the pistol then activates and can be fired. On the left side is another small red button this opens the top heating vent and allows access to the weapon's internal components.  


Against infantry, the lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy 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.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 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. 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><ref group="note">In the context of the ''Halo'' games, all of the plasma weapons' strength and lethality are compensated for both the sake of the ESRB rating and gameplay.</ref> Generally two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or [[Plasma Rifle]] will kill a light or unarmored target. The Type-25 Pistol also has the ability to charge a single superheated bolt, which can instantly deplete almost any form of [[Energy Shield|energy shielding]]<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 116''</ref> and disable [[vehicle]] mechanics temporarily, and if an overcharged bolt were to hit an unarmored flesh target, it will result in an instant kill.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 81''</ref> This high-powered shot makes the Plasma Pistol a formidable strategic weapon, however like its counterpart, over-extended periods of fire will overheat the weapon.
With the dissolution of a centralized manufacturing control—as a result of the [[Great Schism]] and fall of the [[Covenant]]—new production of Plasma Pistols have appeared in a bewildering variety of casing styles and adornments. Much to the consternation of UNSC intelligence officers tasked with categorizing new plasma pistol variants, within this broad type classification are innumerable, different sub-classes. This is due to the Covenant's loose (by human standards) interpretation of "standardization" and disdain of serial manufacturing techniques.<ref name="waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: Plasma Pistol'']</ref>


With the dissolution of a centralized manufacturing control—a result of the [[Great Schism]]—new production of Plasma Pistols have appeared in a bewildering variety of casing styles and adornments. Much to the consternation of UNSC intelligence officers tasked with categorizing new plasma pistol variants, within this broad type classification are innumerable, different sub-classes. This is due to the Covenant's loose (by human standards) interpretation of "standardization" and disdain of serial manufacturing techniques. The [[Hesduros]]-manufactured pistols used by [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|forces]] fire more powerful plasma bolts, with a comparable increase in energy use per shot.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-pistol '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: Plasma Pistol'']</ref>
The Plasma Pistol has two modes of fire, semi-automatic direct and semi-guided area of effect (AOE), also known as "overcharge".<ref>'''Halo Waypoint:''' Halo: Reach Stats</ref>
 
===Default firing mode===
When rapidly tapping the trigger, the Plasma Pistol will fire small bolts of plasma. These bolts deal little damage to targets protected by [[Energy shielding|energy shields]], though still more than most bullet weapons. Against unarmored targets, though, the lethality of the Type-25 DEP 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.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 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. 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><ref group="note">In the context of the ''Halo'' games, all of the plasma weapons' strength and lethality are compensated for both the sake of the ESRB rating and gameplay.</ref>
 
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.
 
===Overcharge mode===
[[File:H2A Beach - Noob Combo.jpg|right|thumb|285px|An [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODST]] primes a Plasma Pistol's overcharge.]] If the Plasma Pistol's trigger is held for a few seconds, the plasma at the tip will gather into a large spherical mass. 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. If the target is protected by energy shields, all but the strongest shields will break, allowing their body to take damage.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 116''</ref> 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 an instant kill.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 81''</ref>
 
However, after the overcharged bolt is fired, the pistol will automatically overheat. Until it cools down the pistol cannot be fired in this mode, giving an opposing target enough time to counterattack. Using the overcharge frequently will also drain the battery faster than usual. The [[Hesduros]]-manufactured pistols used by [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|forces]] fire more powerful plasma bolts, with a comparable increase in energy use per shot.<ref name="waypoint"/>


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==