M'tara-pattern focus rifle: Difference between revisions

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The '''''M'tara''-pattern Fire Rifle'''{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=293}} {{Type|52|Special Applications Rifle|SAR}}<ref name="Bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25436 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance Page'']</ref> commonly known as the '''Focus Rifle''',<ref name="Informer">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/31/exclusive-interview-on-the-halo-reach-sandbox.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Exclusive Interview On The Halo: Reach Sandbox'']</ref> is a [[directed-energy weapon]] used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Trailer|Multiplayer Trailer]]''</ref> The marksman rifle is in the same "lineage" as the {{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}} and the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
The '''''M'tara''-pattern Fire Rifle'''{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=293}} {{Type|52|Special Applications Rifle|SAR}}<ref name="Bnet">[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25436 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance Page'']</ref> commonly known as the '''Focus Rifle''',<ref name="Informer">[http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/03/31/exclusive-interview-on-the-halo-reach-sandbox.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''Exclusive Interview On The Halo: Reach Sandbox'']</ref> is a [[directed-energy weapon]] used by the [[Covenant]].<ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: Reach]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Trailer|Multiplayer Trailer]]''</ref> The marksman rifle is in the same "lineage" as the {{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}} and the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


==Design details==
==Overview==
===Design details===
[[File:Focusrifle.png|thumb|200px|left|A blueprint of a focus rifle.]]
[[File:Focusrifle.png|thumb|200px|left|A blueprint of a focus rifle.]]
The Focus Rifle is a [[sniper]]-style weapon based on reverse-engineered [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} Despite its visual similarities to the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}, it functions quite differently, being designed for ranged suppression rather than for anti-personnel roles. The smooth and organic appearance and purple coloration of the weapon are reflective of typical Covenant aesthetic tendencies, as such, its ergonomic grip is designed for [[Sangheili]] use. Although powerful and intimidating, the combat effectiveness Focus Rifle is crippled by several glaring flaws in the design. The beam fired by the weapon is extraordinarily visible; firing the weapon immediately reveals the user's position. Although highly effective at depleting shields, the weapon is only marginally effective against armored targets, causing negligible damage to vehicles and requiring continuous fire to ensure lethality against organic targets. If the weapon overheats, it will automatically vent excess plasma, burning the user and rendering the weapon inoperable for several seconds.
The Focus Rifle is a [[sniper]]-style weapon based on reverse-engineered [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} Despite its visual similarities to the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}, it functions quite differently, being designed for ranged suppression rather than for anti-personnel roles. The smooth and organic appearance and purple coloration of the weapon are reflective of typical Covenant aesthetic tendencies, as such, its ergonomic grip is designed for [[Sangheili]] use. Although powerful and intimidating, the combat effectiveness Focus Rifle is crippled by several glaring flaws in the design. The beam fired by the weapon is extraordinarily visible; firing the weapon immediately reveals the user's position. Although highly effective at depleting shields, the weapon is only marginally effective against armored targets, causing negligible damage to vehicles and requiring continuous fire to ensure lethality against organic targets. If the weapon overheats, it will automatically vent excess plasma, burning the user and rendering the weapon inoperable for several seconds.


===Operation===
===Operation===
The focus rifle copies some elements of the [[Sentinel beam|sterilization beams]] employed by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s, though the magnetic accelerators and particle guide beam emitters are novel creations of Covenant origin. These features present a counterpoint to the idea that the Covenant never innovated when it comes to technological development.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=193}} Instead of firing a single beam in one shot like the Covenant [[beam rifle]], the rifle fires a continuous purple-tinted beam of magnetically contained plasma, similar in operation to a [[Sentinel Beam]], the [[Forerunner]] weapon from which the T-52 SAR was reverse-engineered. The plasma is formed in a cylindrical module and directed through a channel of electromagnetic coils, forming a precise beam. Like most Covenant infantry weapons, the weapon draws its power from a battery. The weapon requires high power expenditure and the battery is easily depleted.{{Ref/Reuse|guide}} The exact mechanism by which it functions was under investigation by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] as of August 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|Bnet}}
The focus rifle copies some elements of the [[Sentinel beam|sterilization beams]] employed by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s, though the magnetic accelerators and particle guide beam emitters are novel creations of Covenant origin. These features present a counterpoint to the idea that the Covenant never innovated when it comes to technological development.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=193}} The focus rifle's electromagnetic compositors are a design shared with the {{Pattern|Elutuzem|stalker rifle}}.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=479}} Instead of firing a single beam in one shot like the Covenant [[beam rifle]], the rifle fires a continuous purple-tinted beam of magnetically contained plasma, similar in operation to a [[Sentinel Beam]], the [[Forerunner]] weapon from which the T-52 SAR was reverse-engineered. The plasma is formed in a cylindrical module and directed through a channel of electromagnetic coils, forming a precise beam. Like most Covenant infantry weapons, the weapon draws its power from a battery. The weapon requires high power expenditure and the battery is easily depleted.{{Ref/Reuse|guide}} The exact mechanism by which it functions was under investigation by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] as of August 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|Bnet}}


The weapon's name and visual appearance suggest a shared operating mechanism with the larger [[Scarab]]-mounted [[focus cannon]].
The weapon's name and visual appearance suggest a shared operating mechanism with the larger [[Scarab]]-mounted [[focus cannon]].