Grappleshot

Grappleshot
Production overview
Type:	Equipment
Service history
In service:	Post-Covenant War conflicts

The grappleshot is a piece of wrist-mounted UNSC equipment.

Overview

Design details

The grappleshot consists of a magneto-impulse projector, a high-tensile nanofiber line, and a self-sharpening Titanium-A fluke contained inside a compact, modular casing. The device interfaces directly with the user's MJOLNIR armor and BIOS systems. The grappleshot has a limited range of eight meters and the fluke cannot always attach itself to ultradense armor plating or energy shielded surfaces. Only augmented personnel can use the grappleshot without extreme risk of injury.

Development history

Main article: Project MAGNES

The Grappleshot was the product of Project MAGNES in 2549. The grappleshot fires a grappling hook that can attach to a surface and pull its user towards it, allowing for easier traversal of their environment.

Operational history

In October 2559, Fred-104 used his grappleshot to strangle an enemy Jiralhanae during Operation: WOLFE, before pulling himself even enough with the Jiralhanae to stab it in the back of the neck. John-117 made use of a grappleshot with his MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN3] Mark VI, during the Battle for Zeta Halo in May 2560.

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Silver Timeline

This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.

John-117 grappling Var 'Gatani on Halo.

By 2553, Silver Team had grappleshots integrated into their Mark VI armor.

During his final duel with Arbiter Var 'Gatanai, John-117 used his grappleshot as a method of attacking the Sangheili warrior. However, Var cut the grappleshot line with his energy sword during the struggle.

In-game information

Halo Infinite

The grappleshot is a piece of usable equipment in Halo Infinite, which the player can use to move rapidly towards a location or enemy. It can also be used to retrieve distant items, such as fusion coils or a gravity hammer. The grappleshot can also be used to stagger Kig-Yar Freebooters and Raiders, knocking their hand-held shields aside and briefly rendering them exposed. The grappleshot itself also deals minor damage, enabling it to finish off severely damaged enemies. After use, the grappleshot has a short cooldown time before it can be used again. If the grappleshot fails to connect to a surface, is used to stagger a Kig-Yar, or is used to finish off a wounded enemy, the cooldown will not be triggered. Like other pieces of equipment in the campaign, the grappleshot can be upgraded by collecting and spending Spartan cores.

The grappleshot is available in multiplayer as well, but with only 3 to 5 uses before running out of charges.

Upgrades

In the campaign, the Grappleshot can be upgraded using Spartan cores.

• Voltaic (1 Core): Grappleshot stuns grappled enemies for several seconds. Stunned enemies will either be electrocuted or will assume defensive postures and freeze in place.

• Quickshot (2 Cores): Reduces Grappleshot cooldown by 40%.

• First Strike (3 Cores): Delivers a powerful shockwave blast when holding the melee button while grappling.

• Reachfall (3 Cores): Increases the damage and radius of the shockwave blast. Enemies within it will be stunned.

Notes

• The grappleshot's Voltaic attack may not always stun grappled enemies. Typically, high ranking enemies, such as Jiralhanae Chieftains, will not be affected. However, there is a chance that even a common, low-ranking enemy will be able to resist the Voltaic attack.
• The player does not need to grapple an enemy to perform a First Strike.
• Reachfall will also stun nearby Marines.

Trivia

• During a cutscene in the mission Excavation Site, John-117 uses his grappleshot to swing a loose container at Bassus, an ability not available during actual gameplay.

Production notes

While the Grappleshot's first in-game appearance occurred in Halo Infinite, the idea of a grappling hook has been around for many years, with Bungie or 343 Industries trying the mechanic on several prior Halo titles, ultimately shelving it due to the mechanic not working well.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Concept art

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  Early concept art exploration of the Grappleshot that would ultimately inspire the design of the Shroud Screen.

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  Finalized concept art of the Grappleshot.

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  Finalized concept art of the Grappleshot, focusing on its function and how it mounts onto the user's arm.

Screenshots

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  The Grappleshot being used in Halo Infinite.

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  Grappling the underside of a Kywasky Workshop Gorespike cannon in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Trailer.

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  Grappling a Fusion coil in Halo Infinite.

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  HUD icon for the Grappleshot in Halo Infinite.

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  The grappleshot icon in the Campaign upgrade menu.

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  A Spartan-IV using the Grappleshot to board an AV-49 Wasp on Behemoth.

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  An Aviator-clad Spartan-IV grappling with an oddball on Recharge.

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  A hit from the grappleshot staggers a Kig-Yar Freebooter.

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  John-117 uses an upgraded Grappleshot to stun a Jiralhanae warrior.

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  John-117 uses his Grappleshot to deliver a shockwave attack to a stunned Sangheili mercenary.

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  The resulting blast from the Grappleshot's shockwave attack.

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  The grappleshot used to stun a cloaked Special Operations Sangheili.

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  The grappleshot is used to stun a Jiralhanae Berserker at close range.

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  The grappleshot being used to hijack a Banished Banshee.

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  A grappled Jiralhanae warrior assumes a defensive posture.

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  This grappled Jiralhanae warrior continues firing during a First Strike attack.

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  An AKIS-II GRD-clad Spartan-IV using a grappleshot on Catalyst.

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  The Chief uses his grappleshot to avoid a hazardous material spill.

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  Using the grappleshot to electrocute a lone Grunt.

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  Using a grappleshot to stun a red Jiralhanae sniper.

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  Using a grappleshot on a Jiralhanae Chosen Warrior.

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  A Jiralhanae Warlord Chieftain stunned by a Reachfall attack.

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  Using the grappleshot to finish off a Kig-Yar Raider.

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  John-117 uses his grappleshot to swing a container at Bassus.

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  A third-person view of the grappleshot being fired.

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  A third-person view of the upgraded grappleshot being fired.

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  Spartan-IVs using their grappleshots in tandem on Highpower.

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  A grappleshot with the cruel tread effect.

List of appearances

• Become
  • Step Inside (First appearance)
  • Project Magnes
  • Carry On
  • Forever We Fight
• Halo: Shadows of Reach
• Halo Infinite
• Halo: The Television Series Season One
  • Solace
• Halo: The Rubicon Protocol
• Halo: The Television Series Season Two
  • Sanctuary
  • Halo