Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle

Template:Ratings Template:Weapon Infobox

The Type-50 Directed Energy Rifle/Heavy or T50 DER/H,^[1] otherwise known as the Concussion Rifle, is a Covenant infantry weapon.

Design details

The T50 DER/H fires explosive bolts of superheated plasma. When the plasma bolt hits a surface, it produces area-of-effect damage and a small "kick" to users and objects. It also has a slight downward arc to its shots. 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.

The weapon has been described as the Covenant counterpart to the M319 Individual Grenade Launcher.^[2] In general, the Concussion Rifle's effects resemble those of the Brute Shot, despite different appearances and modes of operation. Unlike these weapons, however, the Concussion Rifle's bolts do not bounce or ricochet.

This weapon is suitable for clearing out narrow corridors or corners. Because of the weapons splash damage the Concussion Rifle should be fired and treated like a rocket but the power will be significantly less. It will not far well in wide open terrain and should be used as a "corridor sweeper".

Ironically enough, 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 (exactly how far depends on its trajectory). The kinetic energy from its blasts can also be used to push an opponent off of a tall structure or cliff to their deaths.

Trivia

The Concussion Rifle was meant to be a replacement for the previous Covenant grenade launcher, the Brute Shot, as players will face far more Elites than Brutes during the campaign; this goes as far as the Halo: Reach guidebook occasionally referring to the weapon as the "Elite Shot". However, the Concussion Rifle is seen being wielded by both Elites and Brutes throughout the game.
It is possible - although extremely difficult - to shoot the grenades out of the air with a precision weapon such as a DMR.
In Halo: Reach, Shade turrets and the turrets mounted on Phantoms and Spirits fire projectiles that look like and do the same amount of damage as a Concussion Rifle, this could possibly be a variant used by vehicles.

Gallery

A first-person view of the concussion rifle's targeting reticule in SPARTAN-B312's HUD.
A Sangheili Ultra wielding a concussion rifle.
A Sangheili Officer wielding a concussion rifle seen in the Halo: Reach E3 Firefight trailer.
A pack of Jiralhanae wielding concussion rifles in Firefight.