Plasma mortar: Difference between revisions

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The plasma mortar launches shaped blast of superheated [[plasma]], which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact.{{Ref/Novel|Id=tf6|TF|Chapter=6}} As with any [[mortar weapon]], the plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the operator to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around or over terrain.
The plasma mortar launches shaped blast of superheated [[plasma]], which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact.{{Ref/Novel|Id=tf6|TF|Chapter=6}} As with any [[mortar weapon]], the plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the operator to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around or over terrain.


Since they can be mounted in a variety of emplacements or vehicles, plasma mortars are employed similarly in a variety of roles, including anti-personnel,{{Ref/Game|HW|Covenant citadel base turret}} anti-vehicle, and shelling fortifications.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p347}}
Since they can be mounted on a variety of emplacements or vehicles, plasma mortars are employed similarly in a variety of roles, including anti-personnel,{{Ref/Game|Id=citadelturret|HW|Covenant citadel base turret}} anti-vehicle, and shelling fortifications.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p347}}


==Known types==
==Known types==
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{{Main|Heavy plasma mortar}}
{{Main|Heavy plasma mortar}}
[[File:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|thumb|250px|A {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} firing its heavy plasma mortar.]]
[[File:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|thumb|250px|A {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} firing its heavy plasma mortar.]]
The heavy plasma mortar is the primary armament of the [[Wraith]].{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=117, 228}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p274|Enc22|Page=274}} It launches a plasma blast is typically a blue-white orb that travels slowly in the air.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything at the point of impact,{{Ref/Reuse|fs12}} all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p257|Enc11|Page=257}} but it is also fairly effective in closer engagements.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/wraith|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Wraith|D=11|M=5|Y=2021}} The heavy plasma mortar has seen numerous variations, including, but not limited to, the scorch plasma mortar on [[Ironclad Wraith]]s and an infusion-modified variant on [[Terror Wraith]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p469|Enc22|Page=469}}
The heavy plasma mortar is the primary armament of the [[Wraith]].{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=117, 228}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p274|Enc22|Page=274}} It launches a plasma blast that is typically a blue-white orb which travels slowly in the air.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything at the point of impact,{{Ref/Reuse|fs12}} all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p257|Enc11|Page=257}} but it is also fairly effective in closer engagements.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/wraith|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Wraith|D=11|M=5|Y=2021}} The heavy plasma mortar has seen numerous variations, including, but not limited to, the scorch plasma mortar on [[Ironclad Wraith]]s and an infusion-modified variant on [[Terror Wraith]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p469|Enc22|Page=469}}


===Plasma mortar===
===Plasma mortar===
The seemingly standard variant of the plasma mortar fires medium-sized blasts of superheated plasma. While it was an optional armament on the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} during the [[Human-Covenant War]],{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}} it is primarily mounted on the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p464|Enc22|Page=464}}
The seemingly standard variant of the plasma mortar fires medium-sized blasts of superheated plasma. While it was an optional armament on the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} during the [[Human-Covenant War]],{{Ref/Reuse|citadelturret}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}} it is primarily mounted on the [[Banished]]’s [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p464|Enc22|Page=464}}


===Siege plasma mortar===
===Siege plasma mortar===
The siege plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}} and its Banished successor, the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]. The siege plasma mortar fires a devastating volley of plasma at an astonishing range, turning enemy fortifications into glassy craters.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p305|Enc22|Page=305}} The Banished variant is heavily augmented and overclocked to increase its effectiveness and range.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p481|Enc22|Page=481}}
The siege plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}} and its Banished successor, the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]. The siege plasma mortar fires a devastating volley of plasma at an astonishing range, easily turning enemy fortifications into glassy craters.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p305|Enc22|Page=305}} The Banished variant is heavily augmented and overclocked to increase its effectiveness and range.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p481|Enc22|Page=481}}


===Ultra-heavy plasma mortar===
===Ultra-heavy plasma mortar===
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===XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer===
===XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer===
{{Main|XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer}}
{{Main|XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer}}
The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer]] is the closest equivalent to a plasma mortar employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, the weapon fires a 320mm artillery shell with [[fuel rod]] filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=155}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p141|Enc22|Page=141}} It is mounted on [[M145D Rhino]] prototypes, which were used in at least [[2531]], when five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield during the [[Battle of Arcadia]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}
The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer]] is the closest equivalent to a plasma mortar employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, the weapon fires a 320mm artillery shell with [[fuel rod]] filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=155}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p141|Enc22|Page=141}} It is mounted on [[M145D Rhino]] prototypes, which were used in at least [[2531]], when five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield during the [[Battle of Arcadia|Battle]] of [[Arcadia]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}


== Production notes ==
== Production notes ==
*Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of ''[[Wikipedia:Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]]''.
*Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of ''[[Wikipedia:Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]]''.
*The [[Cut Halo Wars units#Air Artillery|Covenant Air Artillery]], a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'', would have used three plasma mortars.
*The [[Cut Halo Wars units#Air Artillery|Covenant Air Artillery]], a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'', would have used three plasma mortars.
*Early ''Halo: Reach'' concept art by Glenn Israel featured [[Cut Halo: Reach weapons#Covenant mortar|a Covenant mortar]] held in a manner akin to the [[Brute Shot]] or {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}, or able to be deployed as a static emplacement. Some of the sketches of the weapon drew influences from the plasma mortars on Revenants and  Wraiths.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSiLEZHgJ5/|Site=Instagram|Page=Glenn Israel|Quote=Halo Reach - Covenant mortar exploratory sketches (2009)|D=28|M=04|Y=2022}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''