Canon

Heavy plasma mortar

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(Redirected from Scorch mortar)
This article is about the heavy variant of the plasma mortar mounted on Wraiths. For other ground-based plasma mortars, see Plasma mortar.
A heavy plasma mortar on a Zurdo-pattern Wraith during the Siege of New Alexandria. From Halo: Reach campaign level Exodus.
The heavy plasma mortar mounted on a Zurdo-pattern Wraith.

The heavy plasma mortar, also known as plasma mortar cannon,[1] is a type of plasma mortar and the primary armament of the Wraith.[2][3] The United Nations Space Command's Office of Naval Intelligence has typically type-classified encountered heavy plasma mortars based on the type classifications of Wraiths under the designation of Directed Energy Mortar (DEM).[2][4] It is nicknamed PM, Comet, and Brimstone.[5]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The heavy plasma mortar is extremely powerful and is one of the most powerful ground-based application of Covenant energy weapon technology.[5] The plasma blast is typically a blue-white or red orb that is 0.91 metres (3.0 ft) in diameter,[5] which burns the air it passes.[6] The plasma blast travel rather slowly in the air, so it can be out-maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle, including Warthogs.[7] However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything—titanium battle plates, concrete, or flesh—within 20 metres (66 ft) at the point of impact,[8] all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.[7] The blast has a kill radius of 6.09 metres (20.0 ft), and damages any targets caught in a radius of 15.24 metres (50.0 ft).[5]

Usage[edit]

The heavy plasma mortar is attached to the rear of the Wraith; the vehicle's propulsion drive can absorb almost all of its recoil.[1] The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,[5] as it can destroy heavily reinforced defenses from a long distance. However, it is also fairly effective in closer engagements, especially if in the hands of a skilled operator.[4]

Known types[edit]

Types Description Vehicles
Infusion-modified plasma mortar[9] A heavy plasma mortar modified by the Banished's Voridus that launches a roiling torrent of infusion matter that leaves an uncontrollable firestorm of exotic energy at the point of impact.[9]
Scorch plasma mortar[9] A heavy plasma mortar that launches mortar rounds with residual energy that leaves boiling plasma on the ground after its detonation. The plasma creates a volatile and deadly crater at the point of impact.[9]
Type-26 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 35m DEM)[2] Customary heavy plasma mortar catalogued by ONI in 2526.
Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage (T-26 AGC)[2]
Type-58 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-58 35cm DEM)[2][4] Customary heavy plasma mortar catalogued by ONI in 2558.
Type-58 Light Assault Gun Carriage (T-58 LAGC)[4]
Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Ultra Wraiths A heavy plasma mortar that fires a plasma blast with cluster munitions that detonate upon impact, with several secondary explosions following shortly after.[12]
Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Temple Wraiths A heavy plasma mortar that has a higher rate-of-fire.[13]
Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Banished Wraiths[Note 1] A heavy plasma mortar that fires red plasma blasts.[15][16]

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Given that Banished Wraiths were augmented from Covenant Wraiths,[14] the "plasma mortar" listed in specifications of Banished Wraiths in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) were likely intended to be "heavy plasma mortars".

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 257
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 117, 228
  3. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 274
  4. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Wraith (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
  5. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 347
  6. ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 35
  7. ^ a b Halo: The Flood, chapter 6
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 12
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 469
  10. ^ Halo Wars 2, Banished Foundry: Wraith upgrade - Scorch Mortar "New ability, Shots continue to cause damage after impact."
  11. ^ Halo Wars, Factory: Wraith level 2 upgrade - Scorch "Special attack leaves a bubbling plasma splash on the ground for added damage."
  12. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Wraith Ultra description "Wraith Ultras are dedicated siege vehicles fitted with a new plasma mortar that can blanket large areas in superheated destruction with a single shot. Superior Wraith with heavy armor and significantly upgraded armament."
  13. ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Temple Wraith description "In the distant past, Zealots alone had the terrible responsibility of destroying parasite-tainted Forerunner gifts that ran amok after activation. Masterwork Wraith with hardened armor, improving handling, and a faster rate-of-fire for the plasma mortar."
  14. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 468
  15. ^ Halo Wars 2, Wraith in-game unit
  16. ^ Halo Infinite, Wraith in-game vehicle