Plasma mortar: Difference between revisions

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[[File:H3 Wraith.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A plasma mortar is mounted on the top of the [[Type-25 Wraith|Wraith.]]]]

The '''plasma mortar''' is a [[Plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] [[Covenant]] artillery weapon.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', ''[[E3]] Demo''</ref>

The plasma mortar fires huge bolts of superheated [[plasma]], which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact. The weapon has a relatively slow rate of fire. It is extremely powerful, usually killing infantry in a single hit and can destroy just about anything on the battlefield in a minimal amount of shots. While composed of superheated plasma, the projectile fired by the mortar appears to have very high mass, allowing it to simply arc over obstructions such as barricades and hills which can be effective in ambush attacks. The plasma bolt can be out-maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle such as the [[Ghost]] or [[Mongoose]]. The mortar is very effective against dug in enemies, which can deplete the amount of resistance the Covenant ground troops are going to have to face in battle.

The Wraith's plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the Wraith to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around and over terrain.  

==Application==

===Covenant artillery===

{{Main|Covenant artillery}}

A giant stationary plasma mortar was seen destroying buildings in the [[Halo 2]] [[Halo 2 E3 Demo|E3 Demo video]]. [[Sergeant]] [[Banks]] called in an airstrike and a group of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longsword]] fighters flew in and destroyed it.

Several smaller plasma mortars can be seen on the beaches of New Mombasa in the Halo 2, but they are never seen firing.

===Wraith===

{{Main|Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage}}

The Wraith is essentially a mobile plasma mortar. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', that was the sole purpose of the Wraith, lacking any other weapon systems. In ''Halo 2'', the Wraith was armed with two plasma cannons for protection. In ''Halo 3'', the Wraith was turned into an all-out tank with its own gunner seat.

===Revenant===

{{Main|Class-2 medium plasma mortar}}

The [[Type-48 Light Assault Gun Carriage]], more commonly known as the Revenant, is equipped with a smaller, less powerful variant of the Wraith's plasma mortar.

===UNSC===

{{Main|M-145D Rhino}}

The [[United Nations Space Command]] also used a type of plasma mortar, but it was in prototype form upon [[Rhinos]] which were used in at least 2531. Five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield and reveal a [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Super Scarab]], a Covenant superweapon, during the [[Battle of Arcadia]].

==Halo Wars==

{{Main|Halo Wars}}

In Halo Wars, if you play as a Covenant leader ([[Ripa 'Moramee]], [[Jiralhanae Army Commander|Brute Chieftain]] or [[Prophet of Regret|Regret]]), you can upgrade your

turret to a plasma mortar. This version of the turret specializes in taking out infantry ([[Unggoy|Grunts]], [[UNSC Marine Corps/Gameplay|Marines]], [[Hellbringers]], [[Kig-yar|Jackals]], [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartans]] and [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]]). The [[Covenant Air Artillery]], a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'', would have also used the Plasma Mortar.

==Tactics==

[[File:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|right|180 px|thumb|A Wraith firing a Plasma Mortar.]]

*A Plasma Mortar fires in an arc so it is somewhat difficult to hit a target. The further away you are, the higher you will have to aim to actually hit the target.

*Timing is critical, if perfected, it may flip a smaller vehicle over, allowing you to launch a second mortar and obliterate the vehicle and the crew.

*Due to its slow-moving nature and high visibility, the plasma bolt is much easier to avoid than a human projectile.

*Remember that even if you are behind cover, you may still not be protected from the plasma's curved trajectory.

*Plasma mortars are usually used for close range in Multiplayer due to the difficulty of hitting people with the arc involved.

*In the ''Halo 3'' campaign, the Wraith's AI is so skilled with the plasma mortar that it can hit you from very far away. Keep moving.

*When a Plasma Mortar is discharged, it makes a distinctive whining noise as if flies through the air. Use this to your advantage, and keep moving. Chances are, you will be able to completely avoid the shot with some deft maneuvering.

*On larger maps like Valhalla, if you continuously launch volleys toward the enemy base, you will eventually get a kill. You can also kill teammates too, so be careful where the shots are placed.

== Trivia ==

*In the ''Halo 3'' [[Starry night]] trailer, plasma mortar bolts move faster than normal.

*During the level [[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'', several large plasma mortars can be seen firing opposite a couple of [[Sentinel Constructor Factory|Sentinel Factory platforms]], one plunging down, but it's never confirmed if these are from stationary plasma mortar cannons, or otherwise. However, due to the area containing the two Wraiths fighting Enforcers, and its close proximity with the destroyed remains of the factory, it is likely that they are the Wraiths' Plasma Mortars. It is even possible to see those same Wraiths fire at the remains of the factory, when the player destroys the Enforcers before the Wraiths are immobilized.

*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''

*''[[Halo: Reach]]''

*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''

**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''

<references/>

{{Template:Covenant Weapons}}

[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]

[[Category:Artillery]]