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M363 sticky detonator

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Template:Weapon Infobox The M363 Remote Projectile Detonator (M363 RPD), colloquially known as the "Sticky Detonator", is a single-shot handheld, remotely detonated, adhesive/explosive weapon. It is manufactured by Acheron Security and is used by the UNSC Armed Forces.[1]

Specifications

The M363 RPD is a low-profile single-shot weapon that launches a magnetically latched explosive, which the operator can remotely detonate when at a safe distance. Although previously manufactured in low quantities, this weapon’s size and ease-of-transportability has made it ubiquitous in the years which followed the Human-Covenant War.[2] The weapon has a fold-out screen on the left side which shows a motion tracker display from the view of the fired projectile.[3] Once fired, the projectile activates a strobe light indicating its status.[4]

Operational history

Sticky detonators were created by Saskia Nazari's parents who worked as weapons designers for Chalybs Defense Solutions.

In 2548, the Nazari's stored a sticky detonator prototype in a locked room of their house on Meridian along with prototypes of their other weapons. Due to her parents' ties to Insurrectionists who they often sold their weapons to, Saskia believed that the prototype weapons might not be totally legal. During the Battle of Meridian, Saskia eventually led Spartan-III Owen-B096, Victor Gallardo, Evie Rousseau and Dorian Nguyen to the room holding the prototype weapons which they began practicing with for their operation to rescue the survivors of Brume-sur-Mer.[5] When the group set out, Evie chose to arm herself with the sticky detonator alongside a Covenant plasma pistol.[6] Later, while rescuing Victor, Dorian and Owen on Brume Beach, Evie used the sticky detonator to take out part of a squad of Sangheili, firing the weapon one-handed out the window while driving Victor's car. As Victor and Dorian struggled to get Owen into the car, Evie reloaded and fired another shot into the heart of the advancing Covenant soldiers, blowing many of them up and allowing the four time to escape.[7]

In July 2557, the Master Chief used a sticky detonator to help kill two Hunters during the Raid on Ivanoff Station.[8]

Gameplay

The Sticky Detonator can be used as a highly effective tactical weapon. While it is not overly effective at straight on engagement, it can be fired onto the floor of heavily trafficked areas, or into vehicles, and then delay-detonated when an enemy appears. This strategy is best used with cloak, or with a faraway teammate (preferably a sniper) to spot when the targets arrive.

In the campaign, it is found only in the mission Composer. Using it in that mission to kill two Hunters unlocks the "Give Him the Stick" achievement.

Trivia

  • The weapon first appeared in Halo 4's Awakening announcement trailer, in which John-117 grabs an RPD floating in zero gravity and uses it to blow a piece of debris out of his way while escaping the exploding wreckage of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn. It was originally believed to be a variant of the pistol due to its grip.
  • The sticky detonator has two melee animations: One is the standard "punch" animation used by similar pistol-like weapons. The other is a "backhand" smack.
  • The weapon is referred to as the "Sticky Grenade Launcher" in the multiplayer carnage report.
  • If motion tracker is disabled, the sticky detonator's will also be disabled.
  • Interestingly, only a certain number of grenades can be attached to a single target. If any more than that number are attached, the first projectile attached will detonate. This is most commonly seen in Custom Games, as the number of attached grenades is practically impossible to achieve in matchmaking.
  • The M363 may be inspired by the German Wurfkörper 361 grenade projector, a flare pistol that was modified for use as a handheld grenade launcher. Both weapons resemble handguns with a bulbous warhead protruding from the barrel.
  • The M363 RPD was the only Halo 4 weapon to not return in any form in Halo 5: Guardians.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources