Sulok-pattern beam rifle: Difference between revisions

{{Status|Canon}}

{{Disambig header|the weapon featured in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3''|other beam rifle models|particle beam rifle}}

{{Weapon infobox

|image=[[File:H5G Beam rifle render.png|300px]]<br>

[[File:H3-T50SRSParticleBeamRifleSide.png|300px]]

|manufacturer=*[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=71|Detail=This page lists the manufacturer of the beam rifle to be the same as that of the {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}}.}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=293}}

*[[Iruiru Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=134}}

|series=

|type=[[Particle beam rifle]]

|cost=

|variant=

|service=[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Great Schism]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]

|affiliation=[[Covenant]] <br> [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]] <br> [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]]

|weight={{Convert|39.6|lb|kg|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}

|length=

*''Halo 3'' variant:

**Overall: {{Convert|63.1|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=335}}{{Ref/Note|Id=Length|The original Bungie.net and ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'' page 321 lengths given for the beam rifle list it as having an overall length of {{Convert|63.2|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}} and a barrel length of {{Convert|32.5|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}. This was changed in the encyclopedia's [[Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|2011 reprint]] and the later ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' release to the statistic listed on this page's infobox. Given the deliberate repetition of this stat, this page treats the updated 2011 length statistic as the canon one for the ''Halo 3'' beam rifle variant.}}

*''Halo 5'' variant:

|ammotype=Ionized accelerated [[hydrogen]] particles{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}

|operation=[[Particle beam weapon|Particle beam]]

|velocity=3,657 m/s (12,000 ft/s){{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}{{Ref/Note|Despite Bungie's official article on the weapon describing its particle beam as traveling at just over hypervelocity speeds, nearly every subsequent source describes it as traveling at near-lightspeed instead. While it is possible that it has two different speed settings, it is more likely that this number has been ignored or retconned in later works.}}

|optics=

|range=1,829 meters (6000 ft){{Ref/Book|Halo: Oblivion}}

 

As with the other military equipment types used by the [[Covenant]], the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] is considerably more invested in [[Type classification system|cataloguing]] beam rifle variants than the Covenant itself. As such, several individual beam rifle types fall under the wider ''Sulok''-pattern umbrella with changes and differences mostly considered beneath the Covenant's care.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/beam-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Beam Rifle|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}

This beam rifle is a variant employed by the [[Jiralhanae]] forces of [[Truth's fleet]] in the final weeks of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Game|H3|Beam Rifle in-game weapon}}{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|Beam Rifle in-game weapon}} It saw a notable increase in usage among Covenant forces toward the war's closing weeks, though it remained unknown to the UNSC as to whether this was due to a change in doctrine or a reorganisation of battlefield units.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} This beam rifle has an overall length of {{Convert|63.1|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|Length}}

 

This beam rifle variant was used by the troops operating in the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] and [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration]], under [[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee and the [[Prophet of Regret]], respectively.{{Ref/Game|H2A|Beam Rifle in-game weapon}}{{Ref/Game|H5G|Halo 2 Beam Rifle in-game weapon}} This model was created according to the traditions of the Sangheili sea-hunter guilds on [[Feldokra]], and has an overall length of {{Convert|62.8|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}. It was unequalled during the war with humanity, and so popular that it retains a high usage among the Covenant's splinter factions in the post-war era.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

 

* '''[[Type-50 Alpha beam rifle|T-50α]]''': [[Kig-Yar]] snipers assigned the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] displayed uncharacteristic bravery in their valiant defense against the [[Flood]] [[Battle of Installation 04|onslaught]] on [[Installation 04]]. This Alpha variant of the T-50 is an improved Beam Rifle with a faster rate of fire and increased hipfire accuracy.<ref name="CF">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-buzz-generating ''Halo Waypoint'': Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating]</ref> It is classified as an Ultra Rare REQ and can be summoned in Warzone at Level 6 energy while giving 150 REQ points if sold.{{Ref/Reuse|H5G}}

* '''[[Type-50 Alpha beam rifle|T-50δ]]''': The [[Prophet of Truth]] employed an elite team armed with powerful master-crafted weapons to hunt down his political enemies during the [[Great Schism]]. The T-50 Beam Rifle's Delta variant creates an unstable gravimetric vortex at point of impact.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}} It is classified as a Legendary REQ and can be summoned in Warzone at Level 7 energy while giving 200 REQ points if sold.{{Ref/Reuse|H5G}}

The ''Sulok''-pattern beam rifle was crafted according to the traditions of [[Feldokra]]'s sea-hunter guilds.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}. It was employed throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]] alongside its ''Zubo''-pattern brother, though the Covenant made little distinction between variants.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} They were typically primarily employed by [[Sangheili]] and [[Kig-Yar Sniper|Kig-Yar]] [[sniper]]s, raiders and scout-executors.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}}<ref>''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', Halo 2 Beam Rifle [[List of REQ cards/Power Weapons|REQ card]]</ref> It was employed during the [[Harvest campaign]], [[Battle for Arcadia]] and [[Battle of Trove]] in [[2531]].<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]''</ref> However, the weapon would remain a rarer sight throughout the war and Covenant tactical doctrine did not typically make the full use of the capabilities of Beam Rifles. However, as the war with humanity continued, human snipers showed the Covenant how pinpoint, accurate firepower could lead armies into disarray. This prompted a change in the final few months of [[2552]]{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}, with the Beam Rifle becoming selected as the most tactically optimal and ecclesiarchy-blessed of the various Covenant analogues of the human SRS99 and put in an elevated production priority.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

The UNSC were unaware of the Beam Rifle's new precedence within the Covenant doctrine, unknown as to whether the change was spurred by a new direction in doctrine or local unit organisation.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} The [[Fleet of Particular Justice]]'s Kig-Yar snipers employed the [[T-50α particle beam rifle|Type-50 Alpha]] beam rifle during the [[Battle of Installation 04]] in September 2552,<ref>''Halo 5: Guardians'', Halo 2 Beam Rifle Alpha [[List of REQ cards/Power Weapons|REQ card]]</ref> while shortly later the [[Prophet of Truth]] deployed an elite team armed with the [[T-50δ particle beam rifle|Type-50 Delta]] beam rifle to hunt down his enemies during the [[Great Schism]] in October 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|CF}}<ref>''Halo 5: Guardians'', Halo 2 Beam Rifle Delta [[List of REQ cards/Power Weapons|REQ card]]</ref>

During the [[Battle for Earth]], the ''Sulok''-pattern would be employed by Kig-Yar snipers operating in [[New Mombasa]],<ref>''[[Halo 2]]'', campaign level [[Outskirts]]</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]]'', [[Another Day at the Beach]]</ref> particularly during the night-time.<ref>''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', campaign level [[Mombasa Streets]]</ref> During the [[Second Battle of New Mombasa]], Snipers would operate the T50 to great effect. During this battle, [[J-011-422]] did not discard his point-defence gauntlet like most snipers did.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Believe]] - [[Diorama]]</ref> By the time of the [[Battle of Voi]] and later [[Battle of Installation 00]], [[Jiralhanae]] troops had replaced the Sangheili in operating the beam rifle.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]''</ref> Following the end of the war and the loss of [[High Charity]], beam rifle production slowed but did not stop. Though costly to create, manufactories on [[Sanghelios]], [[Hesduros]], [[Eayn]], and other developed colonies continue to produce the weapon.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The weapon is employed by several [[Covenant remnants]], including [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group]].<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3]]''</ref>

At some point, the weapon was one of many subjects of the UNSC report [[Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present]]. By this time, the UNSC did not yet know of the weapon's maximum effective range (awaiting procurement of working examples for investigative purposes) and cartridge type (pending negotiations with the Swords of Sanghelios).{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

==Gameplay==

=== Advantages ===

Similarly to the SRS99 AM sniper rifle series, the ''Sulok''-pattern Rifle is excellent at picking off enemies at great distances. Its pulses are very useful at passing through any type of material, armored or non-armored; this makes the particle beam rifle's overpenetration ability much more effective at killing a wide range of enemy infantry. As the beam passes through the body at nearly the speed of light, the particles transfer their kinetic energy to the atoms in the molecules of the target area. Upon impact, the area is rapidly superheated, cauterizing the wound at the same time - a direct hit on skull area of a target will be killed instantly, and body shots depending on the area will be fatal in most cases. A rare non-fatal strike to a target can also cause radiation damage and will require additional treatment, and near misses can produce second or third degree burns to light armored targets. The beam rifle's relative silence, as opposed to the sniper rifle's loud bang, gives it a bit of a stealth advantage; however, this is compensated by the greater visibility of the Type-50's beam. In the context of the ''Halo'' games, the particle beam rifle's strength and lethality are weakened for the sake of gameplay.

=== Disadvantages ===

While the ''Sulok''-pattern beam rifleexcels at material penetration, in the games, the particle beam rifle does not have much difference than its UNSC counterpart, although in canon it is much stronger.{{Citation needed}} The Type-50 is also unable to perform rapid shots in quick succession - after two shots are fired within a second of each other, the weapon will overheat and will shut down to prevent damage to its internal components, temporarily rendering the weapon useless. The particle beam rifle can only fire 18 shots before the battery is used up and the weapon must be replaced. Like its human counterpart, the particle beam rifle is ineffective at close range combat unless its user is skilled at close range combat with the sniper rifle. The beam of purple light produced from the beam rifle is very easy to see, but somewhat quicker at dissipating compared with the [[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel|Sniper Rifle]], as a sniper's position is more likely to be compromised because of this, requiring the sniper to relocate quickly before being detected.

== Changes ==

=== Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 3'' ===

* The weapon's energy barrel can now be clearly seen.

* Coloring has been changed to a brighter shade of purple.

* The battery drains 5% each shots making it a total of 20 shots until it runs out of battery. (The multiplayer only drains 10% each shots which makes it a total of 10 shots.)

=== Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' ===

* The T-50 SRS is available only in the campaign, while its older ''Zubo''-pattern counterpart is a multiplayer-only weapon instead.

* The weapon now has a more angular design and appears much thicker on the front.

** The front now also has several pairs of blue lights.

* The round section carrying the weapon's "ammunition" now has multiple lights, colored pink and turquoise.

* The coloring is now an even stronger shade of purple.

=== Changes from ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' to ''Halo 5: Guardians'' ===

* Mirroring the T-27 SASR in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', the T-50 SRS is now available only in multiplayer, while the T-27 SASR is available both in campaign and multiplayer.

* Shots now deplete 10% of the weapon's battery instead of 5.56%.

* The weapon is now more similarly colored to the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' version of the T-27 beam rifle.

* Overheating animations have been altered.

*It is classified as a Rare [[REQ]] and can be summoned in [[Warzone]] at Level 6 energy while giving 100 REQ points if sold.<ref name="H5G">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''</ref>

== UNSC remarks ==

* ''“Makes less noise than a Battle Rifle; has less felt recoil than an M6; is at least as accurate as 99 AM—it’s big and heavy and the balance is weird but I can’t wait ‘til I get my hands on another one.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

* ''“It’s deadly accurate. The scope is a little hard to take though—made me nauseous when I first figured out how to engage it—it’s useful enough and easy to understand. Still hurts my eyes though.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

* ''“Maybe with the Elites on our side we’ll finally find out how to reload or recharge these weapons or whatever… I have a feeling we shouldn’t start holding our breath anytime soon though.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

* ''“Not as much recoil as the ninety-nine but then again the mechanism is entirely different—don’t worry about the machine; a steady hand, breath control, and patience are the key to success with either one.”''{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

* ''“The Type-50 SRS is not completely silent nor is it invisible. Jackals may be superb marksmen and they’re very sneaky, but that doesn’t make them excellent snipers—they’re a little too bloodthirsty for that”.''{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}

==Trivia==

<gallery>

File:Control room battle.png|A member of [[Black Team]] firing a ''Sulok''-pattern beam rifle in ''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''.

File:Headhunters - Roland.png|Roland wielding a ''Sulok''-pattern beam rifle the ''[[Headhunters (story)|Headhunters]]'' motion comic.

{{Covenant rifles}}

[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]

[[Category:Particle beam rifles]]