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energy projector is what they use for low range bombardment. Remember that depending on the clas, a Covenant ship has over 12 different weapons.
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Durandal-217 (talk | contribs) m (energy projector is what they use for low range bombardment. Remember that depending on the clas, a Covenant ship has over 12 different weapons.) |
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====Orbital Bombardment==== | ====Orbital Bombardment==== | ||
The first and the most common method used, is when the Covenant's large warships aim their | The first and the most common method used, is when the Covenant's large warships aim their plasma turrets, towards the planet's surface and build up plasma along their lateral lines. The plasma is then discharged in lances from the warship as it continues to orbit the planet - contained within a magnetic bubble, the lances are guided towards the surface by the ships automation, striking an area and converting the top soil and other surface geology into a mineral called lechatelierite that is similar to glass<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lechatelierite Wikipedia's article on '''Lechatelierite''']</ref>, hence its name. The process also vaporizes any bodies of water the planet may possess, or at least reduces the remaining water to pools choked with ash<ref>[http://www.halowars.com Halowars.com]</ref>. The ecosystem of a planet is also disposed of through this process. This is repeated until every square centimeter of the planet is destroyed; depending on the planet, the technology and the amount of ships in the Covenant fleet, it can take the Covenant a minimum of some hours, or up to two days to glass a planet.<ref>Eric Nylund, Halo: Legends Bonus Features, Halo: The Story So Far</ref> | ||
The impact of the plasma bolt is similar to that of a nuclear detonation on a much different scale. When the plasma bolt impacts the surface, the magnetic field sustaining and guiding the plasma collapses, and, depending on how powerful the release of energy is, the initial zone of impact is obliterated instantly. The areas outside of the initial impact zone are affected by the heat wave generated by the blast; depending on the range, those closest outside of the blast zone are instantly killed by the intense heat. As thermal expansion takes over, the resulting flames fan out and create a pyroclastic surge,<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surge Wikipedia's article on '''Pyroclastic Surge''']</ref> which will continue to burn the areas it comes into contact with until it has cooled enough that it cannot harm the surface. | The impact of the plasma bolt is similar to that of a nuclear detonation on a much different scale. When the plasma bolt impacts the surface, the magnetic field sustaining and guiding the plasma collapses, and, depending on how powerful the release of energy is, the initial zone of impact is obliterated instantly. The areas outside of the initial impact zone are affected by the heat wave generated by the blast; depending on the range, those closest outside of the blast zone are instantly killed by the intense heat. As thermal expansion takes over, the resulting flames fan out and create a pyroclastic surge,<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyroclastic_surge Wikipedia's article on '''Pyroclastic Surge''']</ref> which will continue to burn the areas it comes into contact with until it has cooled enough that it cannot harm the surface. | ||
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====Low Range Bombardment==== | ====Low Range Bombardment==== | ||
The second method is used when a ship must effectively destroy a ground target from low range. This method involves focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the underside of the ship, most notably the area where a ships grav-lift is located, and then discharged as a narrow beam; this method of low-range glassing has only been witnessed a few times, most notably during the [[Operation: TORPEDO|Battle]] of [[Pegasi Delta]]<ref>''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]'' Prologue, page 25</ref>, the glassing of [[New Mombasa]] and [[Voi]] during the [[Battle of Earth]]. This method and use, is not to be confused with the Covenant Excavation Beam<ref>[[Halo 3: ODST]] [[Coastal Highway (Level)]]</ref> a type of weapon on Covenant [[CCS-class Battlecruiser|Cruisers]] and [[Assault Carrier|Carriers]] used to excavate areas of interest to the Covenant. This powerful beam serves a dual purpose while primarily used to excavate an area using plasma to "burn" through an area, as well as a tool to destroy large structures. If any living thing is in the path of the beam, it is disintegrated instantly. | The second method is used when a ship must effectively destroy a ground target from low range. This method involves focusing plasma though a magnetic envelope from the [[Energy Projector|Energy Projectors]] located on the underside of the ship, most notably the area where a ships grav-lift is located, and then discharged as a narrow beam; this method of low-range glassing has only been witnessed a few times, most notably during the [[Operation: TORPEDO|Battle]] of [[Pegasi Delta]]<ref>''[[Halo:Ghosts of Onyx]]'' Prologue, page 25</ref>, the glassing of [[New Mombasa]] and [[Voi]] during the [[Battle of Earth]]. This method and use, is not to be confused with the Covenant Excavation Beam<ref>[[Halo 3: ODST]] [[Coastal Highway (Level)]]</ref> a type of weapon on Covenant [[CCS-class Battlecruiser|Cruisers]] and [[Assault Carrier|Carriers]] used to excavate areas of interest to the Covenant. This powerful beam serves a dual purpose while primarily used to excavate an area using plasma to "burn" through an area, as well as a tool to destroy large structures. If any living thing is in the path of the beam, it is disintegrated instantly. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||