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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H1|TF}}
[[File:H2A AntimatterCharge.png|thumb|350px|A ''Chershi''-pattern Void Maker antimatter charge.]]
{{stub}}
{{Quote|The Covenant must have brought something with them. A bomb.|[[Cortana]]{{Ref/Level|Id=cairo|H2|Cairo Station}}}}
An '''antimatter charge''', formally designated as a '''void maker''',{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=306}} is a [[Covenant]] [[antimatter]] [[Wikipedia:Antimatter weapon|weapon]] employed as an explosive.{{Ref/Level|Id=poa|CE|The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=tf|TF|Chapter=1}} Sizes and uses of antimatter charges vary,{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} with some being a counterpart to the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s tactical [[nuclear weapon]]s. The UNSC are known to operate at least one model of antimatter bomb—the [[Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mine]].


== Purpose ==
==Overview==
[[File:Athensstation.jpg|thumb|200px|An antimatter charge's explosion destroys the [[Athens Station]].]]
===Design details===
Covenant antimatter charges utilize the annihilation of matter and antimatter to create an explosive. They have various shapes and sizes,{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} ranging from an infantry-portable small sphere, like the {{Pattern|Riruku|void maker}},{{Ref/Game|Id=hr|HR|[[Riruku-pattern void maker|Covenant bomb]] in-game object}} to a long bulbous shape with many spikes protruding from it, such as the {{Pattern|Chershi|void maker}}.{{Ref/Reuse|cairo}} Charges typically have a smooth, heavily armored casing with an interface that displays status symbols, warning glyphs, and a countdown timer.{{Ref/Film|Id=tp|HLeg|Ep=The Package (animated short)}} Explosions from smaller charges may be used for demolition purposes, whereas larger charges are capable of cratering entire cities or crippling capital ships.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}


The '''Antimatter Charge''', is a powerful explosive [[weapon]] used by the [[Covenant]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref>
===Usage===
Antimatter charges are employed for a variety of destructive purposes, such as breaching enemy fortifications, sabotaging enemy ships during [[naval boarding]], or large-scale excavation.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} Infantry-portable versions are typically used for demolition purposes, detonated individually or collectively from a centralized detonator.{{Ref/Level|Id=relicapproach|HW|Relic Approach}}{{Ref/Note|Id=hw|Given their shared resemblance—albeit at a smaller size—the explosives charges in ''Halo Wars'' could be reasonably inferred as a similar type of antimatter charge to the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge.}} Little is known of the smaller variant used by Covenant troops to breach UNSC vessels,{{Ref/Reuse|poa}}{{Ref/Reuse|tf}} though a larger variant has been seen with more frequency.{{Ref/Reuse|cairo}} Some warships, such as the {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} ''[[Mayhem]]'', are armed with '''antimatter mines''' which are supposedly a specialized form of antimatter charge.{{Ref/Novel|Id=hitd|HitD|Chapter=7}}


They use antimatter charges, in a variety of ways, such as to create an opening in ship armor during boarding action or as an anti-vehicle and anti-personnel weapon. They are mentioned first in Halo: CE in the beginning cutscene when Cortana exclaims that the Covenant have destroyed the MAC cannon with the charges. These appear to be the choice and trademark explosives of [[Ranger Elite]] teams or boarding parties , as they have sometimes been used to destroy [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|Magnetic Accelerator Cannons]] aboard ship-to-ship engagements. The bomb seen in [[Halo 2]] uses anti-matter.
===Known types===
*{{Pattern|Chershi|void maker}}
*{{Pattern|Riruku|void maker}}
*Unidentified infantry-portable charge{{Ref/Reuse|relicapproach}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|hw}}
*Unidentified antimatter mines{{Ref/Reuse|hitd}}


Any contact between antimatter and normal matter causes a complete conversion, of mass to energy, causing a release of electromagnetic radiation.
==Operational history==
Several antimatter charges were utilized by the Covenant during [[Operation: WARM BLANKET]] in [[2544]], with charges being placed within a number of {{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}s as decoys designed to vaporize the attacking [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-IIs]]. One of the Spartans, [[Solomon-069]], was successfully lured onto one of the battlecruisers and subsequently killed by the antimatter charge onboard.{{Ref/Reuse|tp}} In [[2552]], [[Cortana]] believed Covenant boarding parties used an antimatter charge to disable the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}'s [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]] during the opening stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].{{Ref/Reuse|tf}}


Only one kilogram of antimatter reacting with one kilogram of matter would yield an explosion of 42.96 megatons, which is almost equivalent to three thousand Hiroshima-bombs (45 Mt combined). An antimatter-matter explosion is the most efficient way of liberating energy, with a 100% yield in the form of radiation.
[[File:Master Chief Collection - Chief with bomb in space.png|thumb|250px|John-117 removes an antimatter charge from Cairo Station during the Battle for Earth.]]
A number of these weapons were used during the early stages of the [[Battle for Earth]] to destroy [[Earth]]'s [[orbital defense platform]]s. Covenant boarding parties manually delivered the ordnance and detonated them from a safe distance, destroying both [[Athens Station|Athens]] and [[Malta Station|Malta]] stations. The bomb destined for [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]] was secured by [[John-117]] and Cortana. John-117 later performed a micro-gravity maneuver to deliver the device to the Covenant {{Pattern|Syfon|assault carrier}} ''[[Day of Jubilation]]'', entering a breach in the ship's hull created by a pair of [[GA-TL1 Longsword|Longswords]]. The charge was activated within the ship's reactor core, and John launched himself from the vessel shortly before its destruction.{{Ref/Reuse|cairo}}


== Trivia ==
During [[Operation: FAR STORM]], [[N'tho 'Sraom]] ordered that his {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}} ''[[Mayhem]]'' deploy a collection of low-yield antimatter mines against attacking [[Retriever Sentinel]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|hitd}}
*An antimatter particle, colliding with a matter particle releases an intact 100% of the energy contained within the particles, while an H-bomb (Hydrogen bomb) only releases about 7% of this energy. This gives a clue to how effective and powerful this force really is.
*[[Jen Taylor]], as [[Cortana]], had trouble recording the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' line, "It must have been one of their boarding parties, I'd suggest an antimatter charge!", joking that "It sounds so weird!".


== Related Articles ==
==Production notes==
*[[Covenant]]
*[[Jason Jones]] of [[Bungie]] referred to the antimatter charge as a "giant Covenant space pickle".{{Ref/Game|Id=Commentary|H3|[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]|Detail=Essentials, Disc Two - [[Halo 2]] [[List of Halo 2 Cinematic Cutscenes|Cinematics]] Commentary}} This nickname is referenced in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', in which a [[Weapon customization/Charm|Weapon Charm]] depicting the antimatter charge is named the "Space Pickle".
*[[Covenant Bomb]]
*The antimatter charge was not originally going to be included in ''Halo 2''. Instead there was to be a level called ''[[Covenant Ship]]'', where the Master Chief would board the Covenant assault carrier and destroy it from within. Due to time constraints however, the level was cut and the antimatter charge was instead introduced as a means of destroying the carrier.{{Ref/Reuse|Commentary}}


== Sources ==
==Gallery==
<references/>
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Antimatter charges}}
===''Halo 2''===
<gallery>
File:Halo2-AntimatterCharge.png|The ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge.
File:H2-AntimatterCharge-SideProfile-02.png|Alternate view of the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge .
File:H2 covbomb mchief.jpg|John-117 removing the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge from Cairo Station.
File:Covenant bomb and core.jpg|[[John-117]] delivering the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge to the ''[[Day of Jubilation]]''{{'}}s [[fusion reactor]].
File:H2-MasterChief-ArmingBomb.jpg|John-117 arming the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge.
</gallery>
===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:H2A - Master Chief and antimatter charge.png|John-117 dragging the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge.
File:H2A-JohnWithCovenantBomb.jpg|John-117 delivering the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge to the ''Day of Jubilation''{{'}}s fusion reactor.
File:H2A-AntimatterChargeActivate.jpg|John-117 arming the ''Chershi''-pattern antimatter charge.
File:H2A - Carrier destroyed.jpg|The antimatter charge detonates, completely destroying the assault carrier.
</gallery>
===''Halo Wars''===
<gallery>
File:HW_RelicCinematicExplosive.png|An Unggoy carrying an antimatter charge.
File:HW RelicGruntsExplosive.png|Three Unggoy carrying antimatter charges.
File:HW RelicDetonator.png|The detonator connected to multiple charges.
File:HW RelicInteriorExplosion.png|The explosion from an antimatter charge.
</gallery>
===''Halo Legends''===
<gallery>
File:Package bomb countdown.png|The countdown of an antimatter charge in ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''.
File:HaloLegends-AntimatterCharge.png|[[Solomon-069]] in front of an antimatter charge in ''The Package''.
File:HaloLegends-AntimatterCharge-ArmingScreen.png|The arming screen of an antimatter charge in ''The Package''.
File:HaloLegends-ArmScreen1-Preblast.png|The antimatter charge's arming screen, just prior to detonating in ''The Package''.
File:HaloLegends-ArmScreen2-Postblast.png|The antimatter charge's arming screen as it detonates in ''The Package''.
</gallery>
===''Halo: Reach''===
<gallery>
File:HR Covenant Bomb.jpg|The ''Riruku''-pattern antimatter charge.
File:Covybomb.jpg|A Sangheili carrying the ''Riruku''-pattern antimatter charge.
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{c|Charm only}}


{{Explosives List}}
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
{{Ref/List}}


[[Category:The Covenant]]
{{Covenant ordnance}}
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Bombs]]
[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant weapons]]

Latest revision as of 16:04, January 13, 2024

Antimatter charge cutout
A Chershi-pattern Void Maker antimatter charge.

"The Covenant must have brought something with them. A bomb."
— Cortana[1]

An antimatter charge, formally designated as a void maker,[2] is a Covenant antimatter weapon employed as an explosive.[3][4] Sizes and uses of antimatter charges vary,[2] with some being a counterpart to the UNSC's tactical nuclear weapons. The UNSC are known to operate at least one model of antimatter bomb—the Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mine.

Overview[edit]

An antimatter charge's explosion destroys the Athens Station.

Design details[edit]

Covenant antimatter charges utilize the annihilation of matter and antimatter to create an explosive. They have various shapes and sizes,[2] ranging from an infantry-portable small sphere, like the Riruku-pattern void maker,[5] to a long bulbous shape with many spikes protruding from it, such as the Chershi-pattern void maker.[1] Charges typically have a smooth, heavily armored casing with an interface that displays status symbols, warning glyphs, and a countdown timer.[6] Explosions from smaller charges may be used for demolition purposes, whereas larger charges are capable of cratering entire cities or crippling capital ships.[2]

Usage[edit]

Antimatter charges are employed for a variety of destructive purposes, such as breaching enemy fortifications, sabotaging enemy ships during naval boarding, or large-scale excavation.[2] Infantry-portable versions are typically used for demolition purposes, detonated individually or collectively from a centralized detonator.[7][Note 1] Little is known of the smaller variant used by Covenant troops to breach UNSC vessels,[3][4] though a larger variant has been seen with more frequency.[1] Some warships, such as the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette Mayhem, are armed with antimatter mines which are supposedly a specialized form of antimatter charge.[8]

Known types[edit]

Operational history[edit]

Several antimatter charges were utilized by the Covenant during Operation: WARM BLANKET in 2544, with charges being placed within a number of Ket-pattern battlecruisers as decoys designed to vaporize the attacking Spartan-IIs. One of the Spartans, Solomon-069, was successfully lured onto one of the battlecruisers and subsequently killed by the antimatter charge onboard.[6] In 2552, Cortana believed Covenant boarding parties used an antimatter charge to disable the UNSC Pillar of Autumn's Magnetic Accelerator Cannon during the opening stages of the Battle of Installation 04.[4]

John-117 removes an antimatter charge from Cairo Station during the Battle for Earth.

A number of these weapons were used during the early stages of the Battle for Earth to destroy Earth's orbital defense platforms. Covenant boarding parties manually delivered the ordnance and detonated them from a safe distance, destroying both Athens and Malta stations. The bomb destined for Cairo Station was secured by John-117 and Cortana. John-117 later performed a micro-gravity maneuver to deliver the device to the Covenant Syfon-pattern assault carrier Day of Jubilation, entering a breach in the ship's hull created by a pair of Longswords. The charge was activated within the ship's reactor core, and John launched himself from the vessel shortly before its destruction.[1]

During Operation: FAR STORM, N'tho 'Sraom ordered that his Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette Mayhem deploy a collection of low-yield antimatter mines against attacking Retriever Sentinels.[8]

Production notes[edit]

  • Jason Jones of Bungie referred to the antimatter charge as a "giant Covenant space pickle".[9] This nickname is referenced in Halo Infinite, in which a Weapon Charm depicting the antimatter charge is named the "Space Pickle".
  • The antimatter charge was not originally going to be included in Halo 2. Instead there was to be a level called Covenant Ship, where the Master Chief would board the Covenant assault carrier and destroy it from within. Due to time constraints however, the level was cut and the antimatter charge was instead introduced as a means of destroying the carrier.[9]

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Halo 2[edit]

  • The Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

    The Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

  • Alternate view of the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge .

    Alternate view of the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge .

  • John-117 removing the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge from Cairo Station.

    John-117 removing the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge from Cairo Station.

  • John-117 delivering the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge to the Day of Jubilation's fusion reactor.

    John-117 delivering the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge to the Day of Jubilation's fusion reactor.

  • John-117 arming the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

    John-117 arming the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

  • John-117 dragging the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

    John-117 dragging the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

  • John-117 delivering the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge to the Day of Jubilation's fusion reactor.

    John-117 delivering the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge to the Day of Jubilation's fusion reactor.

  • John-117 arming the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

    John-117 arming the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

  • The antimatter charge detonates, completely destroying the assault carrier.

    The antimatter charge detonates, completely destroying the assault carrier.

Halo Wars[edit]

  • An Unggoy carrying an antimatter charge.

    An Unggoy carrying an antimatter charge.

  • Three Unggoy carrying antimatter charges.

    Three Unggoy carrying antimatter charges.

  • The detonator connected to multiple charges.

    The detonator connected to multiple charges.

  • The explosion from an antimatter charge.

    The explosion from an antimatter charge.

Halo Legends[edit]

  • The countdown of an antimatter charge in The Package.

    The countdown of an antimatter charge in The Package.

  • Solomon-069 in front of an antimatter charge in The Package.

    Solomon-069 in front of an antimatter charge in The Package.

  • The arming screen of an antimatter charge in The Package.

    The arming screen of an antimatter charge in The Package.

  • The antimatter charge's arming screen, just prior to detonating in The Package.

    The antimatter charge's arming screen, just prior to detonating in The Package.

  • The antimatter charge's arming screen as it detonates in The Package.

    The antimatter charge's arming screen as it detonates in The Package.

Halo: Reach[edit]

  • The Riruku-pattern antimatter charge.

    The Riruku-pattern antimatter charge.

  • A Sangheili carrying the Riruku-pattern antimatter charge.

    A Sangheili carrying the Riruku-pattern antimatter charge.

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Given their shared resemblance—albeit at a smaller size—the explosives charges in Halo Wars could be reasonably inferred as a similar type of antimatter charge to the Chershi-pattern antimatter charge.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 306
  3. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
  4. ^ a b c Halo: The Flood, chapter 1
  5. ^ Halo: Reach, Covenant bomb in-game object
  6. ^ a b Halo Legends, episode The Package (animated short)
  7. ^ a b Halo Wars, campaign level Relic Approach
  8. ^ a b c Halo: Hunters in the Dark, chapter 7
  9. ^ a b Halo 3, Legendary Edition: Essentials, Disc Two - Halo 2 Cinematics Commentary

v • d • e
 
Ordnance in service of the Covenant and its remnants
Directed explosive weapons
Projectile weapons
Mines
Explosives
Grenades
Ammunition
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