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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Outofdate|Halo: Fleet Battles}}
{{Disambig header|the starship weapon|other uses|Plasma cannon}}
{{Disambig header|the starship weapon|other uses|Plasma cannon}}
{{Weapon Infobox
[[File:Corvette plasma cannons.jpg|300px|thumb|The {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' firing its plasma cannons.]]
|image=[[File:Corvette plasma cannons.jpg|300px]]<br>An {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}} firing its plasma cannons
'''Plasma cannons''' are starship-mounted weapon systems used by the [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. They serve aboard [[Covenant starship]]s as a form of naval artillery, filling a role similar to the [[naval autocannon]]s of [[human]]ity. They have rapid-fire capabilities, though in return fire their plasma bolts at at much slower velocities than other weapons as to conserve energy. In battle, they are fired in massed barrages to form suppressive screens, creating walls of fire.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Naval|Enc22|Page=261}} There is some overlap between the [[Heavy plasma cannon|heavy]] and [[Ultra-heavy plasma cannon|ultra-heavy]] classifications of ground plasma cannon, with the Hesduron {{Pattern|Chwich|Saker}} artillery piece retrieved from the hulls of aging [[Vestige]] warships to bolster the ground forces of [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=305}}
|name=Plasma cannon
|manufacturer=
|series=
|type=Starship [[plasma weapon]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]
|weight=
|height=
|width=
|length=
|ammotype=Magnetically-contained superheated plasma
|feed=
|operation=Plasma bolt guided by shaped magnetic fields
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
}}


'''Plasma cannons''' are starship-mounted weapon systems used by the [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]].<ref name="evg cannon">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''pages 13, 28, 41''</ref> Unlike [[plasma torpedo]] turrets, plasma cannons appear to be able to fire only in a straight line and are less powerful than plasma torpedoes. The bolts fired by plasma cannons are typically blue or blue-purple.<ref name="lnos">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref> These cannons are most prominently mounted in arrays on a variety of Covenant warship classes, such as {{Class|SDV|heavy corvette}}s.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/universe/vehicles/covenant-corvette '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant Corvette'']</ref><ref name="hwp sor">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/song-of-retribution '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Song of Retribution'']</ref><ref name="evg cannon"/> ''SDV''-class corvettes use the cannons for both ship-to-ship combat and ground assaults, and feature manned control stations from which each cannon can be operated individually.<ref name="lnos"/><ref group="note">For an elaboration on the plasma cannons' relation to plasma torpedoes and the ambiguities in distinguishing between the two weapon systems, see [[Plasma torpedo#Terminology]].</ref>
[[Plasma lance]]s serve as a form of ultra-heavy plasma cannon, firing tightly-focused streams of high-velocity plasma at targets.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Naval}} Unlike [[plasma torpedo]] turrets, plasma cannons appear to be able to fire only in a straight line and are less powerful than plasma torpedoes. The bolts fired by plasma cannons are typically blue or blue-purple.{{Ref/Note|For an elaboration on the plasma cannons' relation to plasma torpedoes and the ambiguities in distinguishing between the two weapon systems, see [[Plasma torpedo#Terminology]].}}


==Variants==
==Models==
{{col-begin}}
===Heavy plasma cannons===
'''Plasma cannons'''
;''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannon
*''Gaff Naran''-pattern - Used on the Hekar Taa-pattern Blockade Runner
The ''Melusean'' is a widely-used pattern of heavy plasma cannon used across the Covenant fleet.
*''Sono''-pattern - Used on the Ket-pattern CCS-class battlecruisers
*{{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} - 6x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Corvettes|Enc22|Page=268-269}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=64-65}}
*{{Pattern|Makar|light corvette}} - 4x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Corvettes}}
*{{Pattern|Mjern|agricultural support ship}} - 12x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannon arrays{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Corvettes}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=68-69}}
*{{Pattern|Rasus|interdictor}} - 24x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Warships}}
*{{Pattern|Sinaris|heavy destroyer}} - 24x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Warships|Enc22|Page=266-267}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=60-61}}
*{{Pattern|Wik|light destroyer}} - 24x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Warships}}
*{{Pattern|Varric|heavy cruiser}} - 48x ''Melusean''-pattern heavy plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Cruisers|Enc22|Page=264-265}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=76-77}}


'''Heavy plasma cannons'''
===Plasma cannons===
*''Melusean''-pattern - Used on the Sinaris-pattern CPV-class heavy destroyer, the Varric-pattern ORS-class heavy cruiser, the Mjern-pattern DSC-class support ship, and the SDV-class heavy corvette
;''Gaff Naran''-pattern plasma cannon
{{col-end}}
*{{Pattern|Hekar Taa|blockade runner}} - 24x ''Gaff Naran''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Vestiges|Enc22|Page=270-271}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=78-79}}
*{{Pattern|R'sikosh|man o' war}} - 8x ''Gaff Naran''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Vestiges}}
 
;''Morfen''-pattern plasma cannon
*{{Pattern|Ruma|light carrier}} - 7x ''Morfen''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Carriers|Enc22|Page=262-263}}
*{{Pattern|Maugen|armored cruiser}} - 22x ''Morfen''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Cruisers}}
 
;''Sey''-pattern plasma cannon
*{{Pattern|Ester|armored frigate}} - 30x ''Sey''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Warships}}
 
;''Sono''-pattern plasma cannon
*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}} - 42x ''Sono''-pattern plasma cannons{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Cruisers}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=62-63}}
 
==Gameplay==
===''Halo: Fleet Battles''===
In ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]'', plasma cannons can be used aboard several Covenant ships. They generally have a range of 10/20" and Forward/Port/Starboard firing arcs. Ships that use plasma cannons include:
*[[Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runner|Blockade runner]]
*[[Ket-pattern battlecruiser|CCS-class battlecruiser]]
*[[Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship|DSC-class support ship]]
*[[Varric-pattern heavy cruiser|ORS-class heavy cruiser]]
*[[Maugen-pattern armored cruiser|RCS-class armored cruiser]]
*[[Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette|SDV-class heavy corvette]]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<!--For the sake of categorization, this article assumes that the blue, unguided plasma bolts seen in the games are plasma cannon projectiles rather than plasma torpedoes. For more, see the "Terminology" section on the "Plasma torpedo" page.-->
<!--For the sake of categorization, this article assumes that the blue, unguided plasma bolts seen in the games are plasma cannon projectiles rather than plasma torpedoes. For more, see the "Terminology" section on the "Plasma torpedo" page.-->
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:AC Fire.jpg|The {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' firing one of its plasma cannons in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:HaloCE-PoA-Damaged.jpg|Plasma bolts impacting the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:Corvette plasma cannons.jpg|Three of ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'''s plasma cannons, one of which is firing.
File:HaloReach - civiliantransport.jpg|An ''SDV''-class heavy corvette's plasma bolt impacting an evacuating [[Egret Spaceliner|civilian transport]] during the [[Fall of Reach]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HaloReach - civiliantransport.jpg|An ''SDV''-class heavy corvette's plasma bolt impacting an evacuating [[Unidentified civilian transport craft|civilian transport]] during the [[Fall of Reach]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]].
File:HR-CovenantCorvetteCannon.jpg|Render of the ''Ardent Prayer''{{'}}s plasma cannon.
File:HR-CovenantCorvetteCannon.jpg|Render of the ''Ardent Prayer'''s plasma cannon.
File:HR-CovenantCorvetteCannon-crop.png|Cropped render of the previous image.
File:Corvette plasma cannons interior.jpg|The controls of the ''Ardent Prayer'''s plasma cannons.
File:Corvette plasma cannons interior.jpg|The controls of the ''Ardent Prayer''{{'}}s plasma cannons.
File:Reach 468930 Full.jpg|A view of the plasma cannons on the ''Ardent Prayer''.
File:Reach 468930 Full.jpg|A view of the plasma cannons on the ''Ardent Prayer''.
File:HReach - SDV plasma cannon fire.jpg|Two of a corvette's plasma cannons firing.
File:HReach - SDV plasma cannon fire.jpg|Two of a corvette's plasma cannons firing.
File:HaloCE-PoA-Damaged.jpg|Plasma bolts impacting the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:H5G-Blockaderunnerplasma.png|The plasma fire from a {{Pattern|Hekar Taa|blockade runner}} in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
File:H5G-Blockaderunnerplasma.png|The plasma fire from a [[Blockade Runner]] in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''


==Notes==
==Notes==
<references group="note"/>
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
__NOTOC__


{{Covenant Weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant naval weapons]]
[[Category:Starship weapons]]
[[Category:Directed-energy weapons]]

Latest revision as of 05:55, August 13, 2023

This article is about the starship weapon. For other uses, see Plasma cannon.
The Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette Ardent Prayer firing its plasma cannons.

Plasma cannons are starship-mounted weapon systems used by the Covenant and its remnants. They serve aboard Covenant starships as a form of naval artillery, filling a role similar to the naval autocannons of humanity. They have rapid-fire capabilities, though in return fire their plasma bolts at at much slower velocities than other weapons as to conserve energy. In battle, they are fired in massed barrages to form suppressive screens, creating walls of fire.[1] There is some overlap between the heavy and ultra-heavy classifications of ground plasma cannon, with the Hesduron Chwich-pattern Saker artillery piece retrieved from the hulls of aging Vestige warships to bolster the ground forces of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.[2]

Plasma lances serve as a form of ultra-heavy plasma cannon, firing tightly-focused streams of high-velocity plasma at targets.[1] Unlike plasma torpedo turrets, plasma cannons appear to be able to fire only in a straight line and are less powerful than plasma torpedoes. The bolts fired by plasma cannons are typically blue or blue-purple.[Note 1]

Models[edit]

Heavy plasma cannons[edit]

Melusean-pattern heavy plasma cannon

The Melusean is a widely-used pattern of heavy plasma cannon used across the Covenant fleet.

Plasma cannons[edit]

Gaff Naran-pattern plasma cannon
Morfen-pattern plasma cannon
Sey-pattern plasma cannon
Sono-pattern plasma cannon

Gameplay[edit]

Halo: Fleet Battles[edit]

In Halo: Fleet Battles, plasma cannons can be used aboard several Covenant ships. They generally have a range of 10/20" and Forward/Port/Starboard firing arcs. Ships that use plasma cannons include:

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ For an elaboration on the plasma cannons' relation to plasma torpedoes and the ambiguities in distinguishing between the two weapon systems, see Plasma torpedo#Terminology.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 261
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 305
  3. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 268-269
  4. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 64-65
  5. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 68-69
  6. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 266-267
  7. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 60-61
  8. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 264-265
  9. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 76-77
  10. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 270-271
  11. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 78-79
  12. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 262-263
  13. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 62-63

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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