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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon infobox
'''Energy projectors''' are a broad classification of naval weaponry used by the [[Covenant]] aboard their [[Covenant starship|spacecraft]]. They operate as high-tier [[plasma weaponry]] firing streams of high-intensity [[plasma]] at a target typically guided by a combination of magnetic fields and [[gravitic]] energy.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=261}}
|name=Energy projector
|image=[[File:H2A Cutscene EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|series=
|type=[[Plasma weaponry]]<ref name="FB">'''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'''</ref>
|cost=
|variant=
|service=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=[[Plasma]]{{Ref/Reuse|FB}}
|feed=
|operation=Continuous beam<ref name="Regret">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''</ref>
|rate=Continuous{{Ref/Reuse|Regret}}
|velocity=''c'' (299,792,458 m/s)<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p.373'' (2010 reissue)</ref>
|range=100,000 kilometers<ref name="for">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', p.320</ref>
|hidec=yes}}
{{Article quote|The titanic vessel [[Jacob Keyes|Keyes]] had seen before was back. It fired its brilliant blue-white beam - a lance across space - that struck the destroyer ''[[UNSC Herodotus|Herodotus]]'', one hundred thousand kilometers distant. The beam cut clean through the ship, stem to stern, bisecting her.{{Ref/Reuse|for}}
}}
An '''energy projector''', also known as a '''cleansing beam''',<ref>''Halo Wars''</ref><ref name="EVG">''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', 'p.???''</ref> ''plasma lance'',{{Ref/Reuse|FB}} or ''ventral beam'' due to its most common placement on warships,<ref>''Halo: Mortal Dictata''</ref> is a [[Covenant]] weapon used exclusively by large [[capital ship]]s. It fires a thin beam of the energized matter known as [[plasma]],{{Ref/Reuse|FB}} capable of destroying ships effortlessly at long range{{Ref/Reuse|for}} and "[[glassing]]" planets, systematically rendering them sterile and incapable of sustaining life.


==Design details==


===Operation===
==Overview==
===Design details===
[[File:Halo3 E3 TRAILER 2007 720p30 ST 6300Kbps 002 0001.jpg|thumb|300px|A {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} using its energy projector to help contain the [[Flood]] outbreak in [[Voi]].]]
[[File:Halo3 E3 TRAILER 2007 720p30 ST 6300Kbps 002 0001.jpg|thumb|300px|A {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} using its energy projector to help contain the [[Flood]] outbreak in [[Voi]].]]
Energy projectors employ the use of [[gravitics|gravitic impellors]] and magnetic lensing to accelerate, focus and direct beams of high-intensity plasma generated by the ship's [[pinch fusion reactor]]. The most powerful energy projectors form tight beam lances for excavation and cutting, while lesser mechanisms emit streams of plasma which are bent towards targets using magnetic fields.<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo]]'', Glossary - p.90</ref> When preparing to fire, energy projectors employ targeting vanes that iris into position around a magnetized muzzle, ready to direct the plasma they fire.<ref>''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''</ref>
Energy projectors employ the use of [[gravitics|gravitic impellors]] and magnetic lensing to accelerate, focus and direct beams of high-intensity plasma generated by the ship's [[pinch fusion reactor]]. The most powerful energy projectors form tight beam lances for excavation and cutting, while lesser mechanisms emit streams of plasma which are bent towards targets using magnetic fields.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=90}} When preparing to fire, energy projectors employ targeting vanes that iris into position around a magnetized muzzle, ready to direct the plasma they fire.{{Ref/Novel|HSoI}} This charging period is signified with a buildup of plasma around the targeting mechanism and a bright glow, before the firing sequence commences.


The weapon fires a thin beam of highly energetic particles, or plasma. It typically requires a brief charging period, during which a visible maelstrom of plasma appears around the emitter. The beam has an effective range of over 100,000 kilometres.{{Ref/Reuse|for}} The beam varies in color, possibly according to power output, but it generally appears as a silver-white color,  similar to the scintillation effect that is seen when a Covenant ship's energy shields are hit. Beams in the red, purple, orange and blue spectra have also been observed.
Some classes of Covenant [[space station]]s also carry energy projectors as their main defensive capability; one of the few known instances of this was when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} encountered a [[Oth Lodon station|Covenant battlestation]] orbiting the gas giant [[Oth Lodon]] in [[2558]]. In this engagement the station, commandeered by [[Insurrectionist]]s of the [[New Colonial Alliance]] fired the station's main energy projector upon the UNSC flagship, severely damaging it with a single shot. This particular projector was mounted upon the station's central "tower", allowing for maximum range and effect against approaching targets.{{Ref/Comic|Id=HE5|HEsc|Issue=5}}


The energy projector's long range allows a ship armed with such weapons to 'snipe' targets during ship-to-ship combat. The weapon has been observed to gut UNSC ships from stem to stern, as happened to the [[UNSC frigate|frigate]] {{UNSCShip|Gettysburg}} over Reach.{{Ref/Reuse|for}}
==Types of energy projector==
There are multiple kinds of energy projector used by the Covenant. In the same way that [[coilgun]] technology is used by [[human]]ity in a wide variety of applications ranging from small [[point-defense gun]]s to gargantuan [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s, so do energy projectors for the Covenant.


===Effects===
===Excavation beams===
[[File:GlassySurface.png|thumb|left|275px|The "glass" seen on the surface of Reach after being melted by an energy projector.]]
{{Main|Excavation beam}}
Against UNSC vessels, the weapon is able to pierce dozens of centimeters of [[Titanium-A armor]] with comparative ease, rendering any form of physical defense useless. A single hit can potentially disable or destroy vital systems, such as the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] or engines, as seen during the [[Battle of Earth]] when a single pulse from an [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carrier's]] dorsal energy projector crippled a {{Class|Marathon|heavy cruiser}}. If an energy projector strikes in a critical area, such as the reactors of a ship, it could destroy the ship instantly.
Excavations beams serve aboard the largest Covenant ships as tools for mining and [[orbital bombardment]], and are as such typically placed on the ship's ventral surface - giving rise to the colloquialism "ventral beams". They are used on only the largest [[capital ship]]s, and can have their output dialled as such to excavate [[Forerunner]] artefacts with fine-tuned precision or obliterate ground installations with plasma until the surface is but glass.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


The beam is functionally similar to the infantry-issued [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]], albeit on a vastly larger scale. It is also speculated that the beam can be focused to varying degrees. In space, the beam can be focused to a smaller, more concentrated, and thus more powerful beam generally used to decimate enemy fleets from afar. It also seems to drain all or most of the energy in a Covenant ship for a brief period, unless the ship is big enough to supply the power without too much of a drain.
Excavation beams are generally only equipped on the largest Covenant [[capital ship]]s; [[Covenant carrier|carriers]], [[Covenant cruiser|cruisers]] and [[Covenant destroyer|destroyers]] all see them as a standard fitting - with generally only one excavation beam per-ship (the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} serves as a notable exception to this rule, hosting multiple arrays of excavation beam).
<gallery>
File:Mombasa_Glassing.jpg|A {{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}} glassing [[New Mombasa]] with its ''Infernus''-pattern superheavy excavation beam.
</gallery>


When used for "glassing" a planet, the energy projector causes near-total atmospheric and biospheric destruction. The beam vitrifies the soil, converting massive swaths of terrain into molten glass, and causes massive atmospheric disruption. The climate of the planet is drastically altered, sometimes permanently; Harvest's global temperature dropped after being glassed, sending the planet into an "ice age."
===Plasma lances===
{{Main|Plasma lance}}
Unlike excavation beams, plasma lances serve as a primary anti-[[warship]] weapon aboard the largest Covenant ships, serving in a role similar to the [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s of [[humanity]]. Plasma lances fire tightly-focused streams of high-velocity plasma that deal damage via both thermal and kinetic means, able to bisect unshielded warships entirely.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


An energy projector beam also generates massive electromagnetic disturbances; energy shield systems are known to fail when within several miles of an active beam.
Plasma lances are distributed more throughout the Covenant naval forces than excavation beams; while still predominantly used on larger warships, they also see some use on the smaller vessels of the Covenant too. Notable examples include the {{Pattern|Rothen|fireship}} and {{Pattern|Mutan Et|storm cutter}}.
<gallery>
File:Invasion - Sniper vs Autumn.png|A {{Pattern|Kewu|battleship}} firing its ''Muesh''-pattern flensing lance during the [[Fall of Reach]].
File:H2A_Cutscene_EnergyProjectorPiercing.png|A {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}} firing its dorsal ''Urpeon''-pattern superheavy plasma lance during the [[Battle for Earth]].
</gallery>


===Distribution===
===Plasma beams===
According to [[Frederic-104]], "Only the big ships have them". {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}}s, [[Covenant assault carrier|assault carriers]], {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}s, {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}}s, {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s, and {{Pattern|Kewu|battleship}}s are known to be equipped with energy projectors. Assault carriers are armed with one energy projector underneath the bow, one on their dorsal sides, and one near the [[gravity lift]]. ''Ket''-pattern battlecruisers feature one under the bow and one on the underside of the gravity lift platform.
{{Main|Plasma beam emitter}}
Plasma beams function as a scaled down-form of plasma lance for use as a more general-purpose anti-ship weapon comparable in form to human [[Naval autocannon|naval coilgun]] turrets. They are found on most Covenant warships in higher numbers than plasma beams, and serve as a major weapon system for use in combat.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
<gallery>
File:HCD_-_AlphaCorviSpaceBattle.jpg|A {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} firing its ''Aljordan''-pattern plasma beam in the [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II]].
</gallery>


Covenant {{Pattern|Zanar|light cruiser}}s carry their own ventral beam weapons - most likely smaller, less powerful versions of the energy projectors used by their larger cousins. This weapon charges up like an energy projector, but glows green. In [[2557]], a Covenant light cruiser orbiting [[Requiem]] attempted to destroy the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} using its ventral energy weapon, but was stopped when John-117 destroyed the cruiser with a [[M4093 Hyperion nuclear delivery system|Hyperion-class nuclear missile]].
===Focus cannons===
 
{{Main|Focus cannon}}
Some classes of Covenant [[space station]]s also carry energy projectors as their main defensive capability; one of the few known instances of this was when the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} encountered a [[Oth Lodon station|Covenant battlestation]] orbiting the gas giant [[Oth Lodon]] in [[2558]]. In this engagement the station, commandeered by [[Insurrectionist]]s of the [[New Colonial Alliance]] fired the station's main energy projector upon the UNSC flagship, severely damaging it with a single shot. This particular projector was mounted upon the station's central "tower", allowing for maximum range and effect against approaching targets.<ref name="HE5">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''' — ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 5|Issue #5]]''</ref>
Focus cannons are small-scale energy projectors used by the Covenant for [[Planetary warfare|ground warfare]] and excavation. Unlike their aforementioned counterparts, focus cannons are generally not mounted on starships, but instead on the ground vehicles of the Covenant. They are most prominently used on [[excavator]]s such as [[Locust]]s and [[Scarab]]s, though select heavy ground vehicles like the {{Pattern|Zashk|Draugr}} may also use them too.{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}
 
<gallery>
==Known types==
File:1216050538 Scarab.jpg|A {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} firing its focus cannon in the [[Battle of Voi]].
'''Excavation beams'''
</gallery>
*''Pherex''-pattern - Used on the [[Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runner|''Hekar Taa''-pattern blockade runner]].
*''Profero''-pattern - Used on the {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s.
 
'''Superheavy excavation beams'''
*''Infernus''-pattern - Used on the {{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} and the ''Kerel''-pattern [[CAS-class assault carrier|assault carrier]].
*''Phar''-pattern - Used on the {{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}}.
*''Lux''-pattern - Used on the {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}}
 
==History==
[[File:Reach glassed.png|thumb|250px|Energy projectors were used in the large-scale glassing of planets, such as Reach.]]
The energy projector was first encountered by the [[UNSC]] during the [[Second Battle of Harvest]], where it was used by a {{Pattern|Rasus|interdictor}}. It was more frequently seen in later years, such as during the [[Harvest]] [[Harvest Campaign|campaign]] and [[Operation: TORPEDO]]. Throughout the course of the [[Fall of Reach|Covenant invasion of Reach]], the population centers suffered tremendous structural damage due to the Covenant's glassing of the planet.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', campaign level ''[[New Alexandria]]''</ref> Similarly, several frigates fell prey to the energy projectors during the engagement.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref>
 
In a bid to kill [[John-117]], the ''[[Solemn Penance]]'' used an energy projector to destroy the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s temple after his assassination by the Spartan on [[Installation 05]].{{Ref/Reuse|Regret}} In the [[Battle of Earth]], the city of [[Voi]] was glassed by the [[Fleet of Retribution]] to stop a [[Flood]] infestation.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref> According to Lord Hood, half of the African continent was glassed shortly after, though it was almost certainly an exaggeration given the lack of damage when Voi is later seen<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> and his distaste for the Sangheili.
 
In order to destroy ''[[Enduring Conviction]]'', [[Professor Anders]] and [[Douglas-042]] immobilized the carrier and depleted its shields, allowing [[Isabel]] and [[Jerome-092]] to enter the ship with [[Alice-130]]'s assistance. Hijacking the weapon systems, Isabel fired on [[Installation 00]] to trigger the defense network.<ref>'''Halo Wars 2''', campaign level ''[[Hold the Line]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars 2''', campaign level ''[[Under the Dark]]''</ref>


==''Halo Wars''==
==''Halo Wars''==
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To use it, the player must select the Prophet of Regret and press the '''Y''' button. The player can then use the left thumbstick to move the beam around the Prophet's field of view. The Cleansing Beam can damage all units, including the player's and allies' forces; however, Regret himself cannot be damaged by the beam. The beam's color is dependent upon the player's team color.
To use it, the player must select the Prophet of Regret and press the '''Y''' button. The player can then use the left thumbstick to move the beam around the Prophet's field of view. The Cleansing Beam can damage all units, including the player's and allies' forces; however, Regret himself cannot be damaged by the beam. The beam's color is dependent upon the player's team color.
==Trivia==
*The color of the energy projector's beam is not the same in every game. In ''[[Halo 2]]'', it is purple. In ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', it is blue. In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', it is red, In ''[[Halo Wars]]'' it changes depending on what the team color is. This may be indicative of different power settings, as the energy projectors of {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s have been seen in all three colors.
*The time an energy projector takes to charge also varies. The ''Ket''-pattern battlecruiser fought at the end of ''Halo: Reach'' takes 20 seconds to charge its energy projector, while ships of the same class in [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]] are shown charging theirs in only two, then sustaining fire for [[seven]] seconds. Likewise, a ''CAS''-class assault carrier in ''ODST'' is shown charging its projector in thirty-six seconds, but an earlier one charges its own indefinitely until the player passes through a gate. This could be explained by a difference in operation, such as the cruisers at New Alexandria needing to expend less energy to destroy some buildings at New Alexandria while needing more to cut through the heavily armored ''{{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}''.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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File:AC Cargobay.jpg|Large Covenant ships, such as the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', have energy projectors located on their undersides.
File:AC Cargobay.jpg|Large Covenant ships, such as the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', have energy projectors located on their undersides.
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|A Covenant assault carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]] with an energy projector.
File:Mombasa Glassing.jpg|A Covenant assault carrier glassing [[New Mombasa]] with an energy projector.
File:Glassinglaz0r.jpg|The Cleansing Beam in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HW Screenshots E3 3.jpg|The Cleansing Beam in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HaloReach - Glassing.jpg|A ''Ket''-pattern battlecruiser glassing [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]].
File:HaloReach - Glassing.jpg|A ''Ket''-pattern battlecruiser glassing [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]].
File:Energy_Projector.jpg|The {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' using its energy projector on the {{UNSCShip|Grafton}} during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|Battle of Viery]].
File:Energy_Projector.jpg|The {{Pattern|Sh'wada|supercarrier}} ''[[Long Night of Solace]]'' using its energy projector on the {{UNSCShip|Grafton}} during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge|Battle of Viery]].

Latest revision as of 13:53, December 22, 2023

Energy projectors are a broad classification of naval weaponry used by the Covenant aboard their spacecraft. They operate as high-tier plasma weaponry firing streams of high-intensity plasma at a target typically guided by a combination of magnetic fields and gravitic energy.[1]


Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

A Ket-pattern battlecruiser using its energy projector to help contain the Flood outbreak in Voi.

Energy projectors employ the use of gravitic impellors and magnetic lensing to accelerate, focus and direct beams of high-intensity plasma generated by the ship's pinch fusion reactor. The most powerful energy projectors form tight beam lances for excavation and cutting, while lesser mechanisms emit streams of plasma which are bent towards targets using magnetic fields.[2] When preparing to fire, energy projectors employ targeting vanes that iris into position around a magnetized muzzle, ready to direct the plasma they fire.[3] This charging period is signified with a buildup of plasma around the targeting mechanism and a bright glow, before the firing sequence commences.

Some classes of Covenant space stations also carry energy projectors as their main defensive capability; one of the few known instances of this was when the UNSC Infinity encountered a Covenant battlestation orbiting the gas giant Oth Lodon in 2558. In this engagement the station, commandeered by Insurrectionists of the New Colonial Alliance fired the station's main energy projector upon the UNSC flagship, severely damaging it with a single shot. This particular projector was mounted upon the station's central "tower", allowing for maximum range and effect against approaching targets.[4]

Types of energy projector[edit]

There are multiple kinds of energy projector used by the Covenant. In the same way that coilgun technology is used by humanity in a wide variety of applications ranging from small point-defense guns to gargantuan Magnetic Accelerator Cannons, so do energy projectors for the Covenant.

Excavation beams[edit]

Main article: Excavation beam

Excavations beams serve aboard the largest Covenant ships as tools for mining and orbital bombardment, and are as such typically placed on the ship's ventral surface - giving rise to the colloquialism "ventral beams". They are used on only the largest capital ships, and can have their output dialled as such to excavate Forerunner artefacts with fine-tuned precision or obliterate ground installations with plasma until the surface is but glass.[1]

Excavation beams are generally only equipped on the largest Covenant capital ships; carriers, cruisers and destroyers all see them as a standard fitting - with generally only one excavation beam per-ship (the Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier serves as a notable exception to this rule, hosting multiple arrays of excavation beam).

Plasma lances[edit]

Main article: Plasma lance

Unlike excavation beams, plasma lances serve as a primary anti-warship weapon aboard the largest Covenant ships, serving in a role similar to the Magnetic Accelerator Cannons of humanity. Plasma lances fire tightly-focused streams of high-velocity plasma that deal damage via both thermal and kinetic means, able to bisect unshielded warships entirely.[1]

Plasma lances are distributed more throughout the Covenant naval forces than excavation beams; while still predominantly used on larger warships, they also see some use on the smaller vessels of the Covenant too. Notable examples include the Rothen-pattern fireship and Mutan Et-pattern storm cutter.

Plasma beams[edit]

Main article: Plasma beam emitter

Plasma beams function as a scaled down-form of plasma lance for use as a more general-purpose anti-ship weapon comparable in form to human naval coilgun turrets. They are found on most Covenant warships in higher numbers than plasma beams, and serve as a major weapon system for use in combat.[1]

Focus cannons[edit]

Main article: Focus cannon

Focus cannons are small-scale energy projectors used by the Covenant for ground warfare and excavation. Unlike their aforementioned counterparts, focus cannons are generally not mounted on starships, but instead on the ground vehicles of the Covenant. They are most prominently used on excavators such as Locusts and Scarabs, though select heavy ground vehicles like the Zashk-pattern Draugr may also use them too.[5]

Halo Wars[edit]

In Halo Wars, the Prophet of Regret uses the Cleansing Beam as his leader power. An orbiting vessel "glasses" the target, and has the power to destroy almost anything. The weapon's capabilities can be upgraded to progressively increase power and decrease supply usage at the temple. The upgrades are named Regret's Sentence, Regret's Doom, and Regret's Condemnation, respectively.

To use it, the player must select the Prophet of Regret and press the Y button. The player can then use the left thumbstick to move the beam around the Prophet's field of view. The Cleansing Beam can damage all units, including the player's and allies' forces; however, Regret himself cannot be damaged by the beam. The beam's color is dependent upon the player's team color.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 261
  2. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 90
  3. ^ Halo: Shadow of Intent
  4. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue 5
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]

v • d • e
 
Heavy weaponry in service of the Covenant and its remnants
Support weapons
Stationary weapon emplacements
Vehicle-mounted weapons
Starship weapons
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