Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle

Template:Weapon Infobox The Type-50 Directed Energy Rifle/Heavy (T50 DER/H), commonly known as the Concussion Rifle, is a Covenant infantry weapon.^[1] The general design of the Concussion Rifle was engineered by a group of Sangheili merchants from Qikost long before the signing of the Writ of Union; when the Sangheili joined the Covenant, the Concussion Rifle entered service within the hegemony. Though the physical configuration of the weapon has changed over the millennia, its function has remained the same.^[2]

The weapon has only seen limited use, its most notable combat use being in the Fall of Reach. Because of its relative rarity, the UNSC has theorized that its use is restricted either by branch or unit. Indeed, the weapon is only used by top-tier Sangheili ranks, including Zealots and Special Operations warriors, as well as certain Jiralhanae shock troops.^[2]

The Concussion Rifle remains in use by the Covenant remnant faction occupying the Forerunner shield world Requiem.

Design details

The T50 DER/H fires explosive bolts of superheated plasma, with a single magazine containing six shots. When the plasma bolt hits a surface, it produces area-of-effect damage and a small "kick" to users and objects. The weapon shares many of its features with the heavier plasma mortar, including a slight downward arc to its shots.^[2]

The weapon can be considered a Covenant counterpart to the UNSC Army's M319 Individual Grenade Launcher.^[3] In general, the Concussion Rifle's effects resemble those of the Type-25 Brute Shot, despite different appearances and modes of operation. Unlike these weapons, however, the Concussion Rifle's bolts do not bounce or ricochet.

Ammunition

Much like the feed system of the Type-33 Fuel Rod Gun, the Concussion Rifle utilizes a magazine cell instead of a battery system where most Covenant weapons do.^[2]

Tactics

This weapon is suitable for clearing out narrow corridors or corners. Because of the weapon's splash damage, the Concussion Rifle should be fired and treated like a rocket launcher, though it has considerably less firepower. It does not fare well in wide open terrain and should instead be used as a "corridor sweeper".

The weapon can sometimes utilize objects around it to a more lethal effect than the bolts it fires. A small crate shot at from close range can be launched fast enough to kill any enemies within a relatively short range, thought the exact distance depends on its trajectory. The kinetic energy from its blasts can also be used to push an opponent off a tall structure or cliff to his death.

Trivia

The concussion rifle serves as the in-game counterpart of the Brute Shot, as Elites are encountered much more frequently than Brutes during the campaign. In reference to this, the Halo: Reach strategy guide occasionally identifies the weapon as the "Elite Shot". However, the concussion rifle is wielded by both Elites and Brutes throughout the game, though this may be because Brute Shots were not implemented in Halo: Reach.
It is possible, although extremely difficult, to shoot concussion rifle projectiles out of the air with a precision weapon. They can also impact on rockets or fuel rods when they are in its path and be locked on to by a Target Locator.^{[citation needed]}
In Halo: Reach and Halo 4, the turrets mounted on Type-44 and Type-52 Phantoms and Spirit dropships fire projectiles that are identical to and have the same firepower as concussion rifle rounds. This may be a vehicle-mounted variant of the Concussion Rifle.

Gallery

Reference model sheet for the Concussion Rifle in Halo 4.
A render of the Concussion Rifle
A turnaround reference of the Concussion Rifle.
A profile render of the Concussion Rifle in Halo: Reach.
In-game side view of the Concussion Rifle in Halo: Reach.
The Concussion Rifle as it appears in the Halo: Reach Beta.
A Sangheili Ultra wielding a concussion rifle.
A Sangheili Major wielding a concussion rifle seen in the Halo: Reach E3 Firefight trailer.
A pack of Jiralhanae wielding concussion rifles in Firefight.
A first-person view of the concussion rifle's targeting reticule in SPARTAN-B312's HUD.
First-person view of the Concussion Rifle in Halo 4.