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Energy sword (fiction): Difference between revisions
addressing references and facts.
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{{Weapon | {{Weapon | ||
|name= Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword | |name= Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword | ||
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[[File:Sword.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo 3''.]] | [[File:Sword.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo 3''.]] | ||
[[File:ReachSchematic - Sword.png|left|150px|thumb|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo: Reach''.]] | [[File:ReachSchematic - Sword.png|left|150px|thumb|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo: Reach''.]] | ||
The | The Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword consists of a curved hilt, which houses an energy storage and generation device, as well as the blade projector; that forms a blade of superheated [[plasma]], stabilized by two small magnetic field generators built into the handle of the weapon — this forms and contains the oval shaped, ionized blades that, the weapon is recognized for.<ref name="BungieReach"/> The weapon is powered by a small battery, that supplies power to the plasma generation device and magnetic field generators; that generates and contains the plasma needed to form the blade.<ref name="enyc">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' ''page 335''</ref> The battery's energy is reduced for each successful strike. Each strike from the sword will drain the battery by 10% of its maximum energy output. Once the battery power is fully depleted, the sword will deactivate unless recharged. | ||
The | The Type-1 Energy Weapon contains a failsafe mechanism that can permanently disabled the weapon if the Sangheili wielding it, drops it.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 74''</ref> When dropped the failsafe engages by deactivating the magnetic field before dispersing the plasma, the plasma consumes the handle and thus destroys the weapon.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'''</ref> The failsafe is included to prevent enemy infantry from acquiring the weapon and using it, and is yet another insight to Sangheili tactics. | ||
The energy sword | The energy sword is the signature weapon of the Sangheili, and has been their weapon of nobility since its creation during one of their [[Age of Discovery|Ages of Discovery]].<ref>'''[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/ancient_tablets/Tablet4.gif The Covenant Hall of Murals]'''</ref> Viewed as a holy weapon<ref name="enyc127">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' ''page 127''</ref> the Sangheili pride themselves on their skills with this weapon<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''' ''page 12 - 14''</ref> and believe that it is better for a Sangheili to fall on his sword as an act to redeem his honor, or to die by it.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''' ''page 53''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''' ''page 141''</ref><ref name="enyc127"/> The Sangheili are also very strict on who can be trained in the art of swordsmanship, only [[aristocrat]]s are permitted to wield energy swords and sword wielders are no longer eligible for marriage; however, they may breed with any female they choose, married or otherwise, to ensure successful transmission of "swordsman" genes.<ref>'''[[Bestiarum]]''' ''Sangheili section''</ref> In service to the Covenant, Sangheili of a high, or important rank are permitted to wield this weapon — [[Minor Domo Sangheili|lower ranks]] are not permitted to wield the sword because of its high status.<ref name="enyc127"/> In the Covenant [[Sangheili Zealot]]s, [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations units]], and [[Stealth Sangheili|stealth troops]], as well as [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman]], are permitted to use energy swords. | ||
The | ===Advantages=== | ||
The Type-1 Energy Weapon is an extremely powerful and effective melee weapon in close quarters combat. A single strike can penetrate through the energy shield systems and into the armor and flesh of a [[SPARTAN Program|SPARTAN]] or a Sangheili. This is thanks in part to the design of the weapon which utilizes ionized gas rather than traditional shap solid matter — because the Type-1 Energy Weapon lacks any solid material in which to hold, or impale anything, the sword does not cut or carve in the traditional sense, but rather boils anything it comes into contact with,<ref name="enyc"/> this allows the weapon to pass though any type of material including the toughest metal with ease.<ref name="cole">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''' ''page 84''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''' ''page 72''</ref> | |||
Injuries to living creatures by the Type-1 Energy Weapon can range from bad, to gruesome. Stabs wounds by the Type-1 Energy Weapon are, in most cases, fatal — as the blade passes through the body, the innards of the body are burned and cauterized by the extreme temperatures produced by the blades.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions]]''' '''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''' ''page 91''</ref> Body fluids in the area of the stab wound are flash vaporized upon contact — organs within the area of the stab wounds can suffer life threatening damage dependent upon the type of organ struck, effects of fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the victim. Survival is minimal at best and in the case of non-vital organs being stabbed with the energy sword, proper medical treatment must be applied as soon as possible to ensure long term survival. Because of the swords sheer destructive power dismemberment is another common form of fatality to victims, ranging from decapitation,<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions]]''' '''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]''' ''page 101''</ref> to bodies being sliced in half.<ref name="cole"/><ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''' ''page 360''</ref> Loss of limbs are a common injury,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''' ''page 30''</ref> while not fatal, will permanently disable a victim for life. | |||
The sheer destructive power of the sword makes it a weapon to be feared on any battlefield and is known for its physiological affects on Human soldiers.<ref name="enyc"/> The strength and lethality of the sword in the games are compensated for the sake of gameplay. | |||
===Disadvantages=== | ===Disadvantages=== | ||
The | The Type-1 Energy Weapon's main disadvantage is that it is purely a close-quarters weapon, any weapon outside of the effective range puts the wielder at risk. It is for this reason the Sangheili approach sword combat on the battlefield in two different ways, by funneling the enemy into close-quarters to allow them to strike, or to apply a form of stealth though both technology and technique. Without these, the Sangheili is vulnerable to attack by different types of weapons both Human and Covenant. Infantry with [[Overshield|over-shielding]] are also more resistant when facing this weapon as it can take two strikes before the shield system fails. | ||
The Type-1 Energy Weapon is also vulnerable to other magnetic fields, as they can block, disrupt, or possibly even alter the functionality of the sword. Two energy swords clashing together create a small disruption of energy as a result of the same type of magnetic fields clashing together, this clash has a slight area of effect damage that can affect the combatants. | |||
Like most other Covenant weapons, the Type-1 Energy Weapon is battery powered, requiring the user to either recharge the weapon or discard it when the power is depleted. Although the handle can be used as a club, the Energy Sword's combat effectiveness at that point is minimal. | |||
==Changes== | ==Changes== | ||
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===In other media=== | ===In other media=== | ||
In ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''<nowiki />'s [[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]], there is a variety of sword-type weapons hanged on a wall in the dueling chamber of the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''</ref> These range from apparent energy clubs to sickle-like plasma weapons. The swords used by [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and [[Kusovai]] in their duel change its design a number of times to exhibit the basic structure of the Type-1 with a few slight differences. In the story | In ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''<nowiki />'s [[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]], there is a variety of sword-type weapons hanged on a wall in the dueling chamber of the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', '''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''' ''page 14''</ref> These range from apparent energy clubs to sickle-like plasma weapons. The swords used by [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and [[Kusovai]] in their duel change its design a number of times to exhibit the basic structure of the Type-1 with a few slight differences. In the story Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa, a Sangheili is shown with a very odd, light-pink, sword, with very thin blades.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', '''[[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]]''' ''page 95''</ref> | ||
In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the [[Arbiter (Title)|Arbiter]], [[Ripa 'Moramee]], sported two energy swords with modified hilts and hand guards. In the ''[[Halo Evolutions]]''<nowiki />'s [[Headhunters]] short story, a new energy sword variant is introduced; it is described of being composed of a reddish energy combined with the white flicker of electricity, which gives it a blood-colored glow. | In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the [[Arbiter (Title)|Arbiter]], [[Ripa 'Moramee]], sported two energy swords with modified hilts and hand guards. In the ''[[Halo Evolutions]]''<nowiki />'s [[Headhunters]] short story, a new energy sword variant is introduced; it is described of being composed of a reddish energy combined with the white flicker of electricity, which gives it a blood-colored glow. | ||
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*It was originally going to be usable in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but was cut when the game became a First-Person Shooter. <ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''[[E3|E3 2000 Announcement Trailer]]''</ref> | *It was originally going to be usable in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but was cut when the game became a First-Person Shooter. <ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', ''[[E3|E3 2000 Announcement Trailer]]''</ref> | ||
*In the Halo 3 Vidoc [[Et tu Brute?]] there is an unfinished animation depicting a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] wielding an Energy Sword. This is, however, never seen in the hands of Jiralhanae in the final game. | *In the Halo 3 Vidoc [[Et tu Brute?]] there is an unfinished animation depicting a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] wielding an Energy Sword. This is, however, never seen in the hands of Jiralhanae in the final game. | ||
*The ''Fable 2: Limited Edition'' comes with "Hal's Sword", a crystal blade shaped like an Energy Sword for in-game use, to coincide with the use of "Hal's Armour", which resembles MJOLNIR armor. | *The ''Fable 2: Limited Edition'' comes with "Hal's Sword", a crystal blade shaped like an Energy Sword for in-game use, to coincide with the use of "Hal's Armour", which resembles MJOLNIR armor. [http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/16/fable-2s-spartan-armor-and-energy-sword-pictured/ '''Joystiq''': ''Fable 2's Spartan armor and energy sword pictured''] | ||
*In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', a glitch can be performed to give the player a [[Silhouette Sword]]. | *In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', a glitch can be performed to give the player a [[Silhouette Sword]]. | ||
*In ''Halo 3'', [[seven]] [[Forerunner]] glyphs are visible on each side of the Energy Sword's hilt. | *In ''Halo 3'', [[seven]] [[Forerunner]] glyphs are visible on each side of the Energy Sword's hilt. | ||
*It is possible to get a [[Sword Spree Medal]], even a [[Slice 'N Dice Medal]] with an Energy Sword that's out of battery. | *It is possible to get a [[Sword Spree Medal]], even a [[Slice 'N Dice Medal]] with an Energy Sword that's out of battery. | ||
*The distinctive shape of the energy sword is apparently based on ceremonial Sangheili swords. In ''[[The Duel]]'', [[Harka]] is seen wielding a large bladed weapon that is almost aesthetically identical to the energy sword | *The distinctive shape of the energy sword is apparently based on ceremonial Sangheili swords. In ''[[The Duel]]'', [[Harka]] is seen wielding a large bladed weapon that is almost aesthetically identical to the energy sword. | ||
*When it spawns in most multiplayer maps, rather than lying on the ground, it will be floating in mid-air blades pointing up until it is hit by any damage or grabbed by a player. One exception is the Halo 2 Vista exclusive map, Uplift, where it respawns lying down. | *When it spawns in most multiplayer maps, rather than lying on the ground, it will be floating in mid-air blades pointing up until it is hit by any damage or grabbed by a player. One exception is the Halo 2 Vista exclusive map, Uplift, where it respawns lying down. | ||
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Sangheili armor now has a built-in miniature Energy Sword used to assassinate (serving as an equivalent to the [[Combat Knife|UNSC Combat Knife]] utilized by Spartans in assassinations). Its appearance is nearly identical to that of the original Energy Sword. The only differences are that the blade is shorter and extends from the top of the wrist rather than from a handle. | *In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Sangheili armor now has a built-in miniature Energy Sword used to assassinate (serving as an equivalent to the [[Combat Knife|UNSC Combat Knife]] utilized by Spartans in assassinations). Its appearance is nearly identical to that of the original Energy Sword. The only differences are that the blade is shorter and extends from the top of the wrist rather than from a handle. | ||