Pez'tk-pattern fuel rod gun: Difference between revisions

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The '''{{PAGENAME}}''', also known as the '''Fuel Rod Gun''', is a [[Covenant]] shoulder-mounted indirect-fire mortar weapon launching explosive fuel rods.  In [[Halo PC]], this weapon has a failsafe in campaign that destroys it after the wielder is killed, while in multiplayer, it fires 28 rods from a battery and could overheat.  In [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]], the battery and overheating was eliminated and instead it fires clips of 5 rods that fly more slowly and arc less.  The Fuel Rod Gun is most commonly wielded by [[Unggoy|Grunts]], but in Halo 3, it is the preferred weapon of Brute [[War Chieftain|War Chieftains]].  It is generally not available in Halo 2 and Halo 3 multiplayer.


The '''Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon'''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod</ref>, also known as the Fuel Rod Gun, is a [[Covenant]] indirect-fire mortar with ground and air applications that appears in all three games of the ''[[Halo]] Trilogy'', although with minor changes in appearance. It is occasionally wielded by higher-ranking [[Grunts]], and often wielded by higher-ranking [[Elites]] and [[Brutes]]. It is known that some versions are equipped with a "dead man's switch" similar to that of the [[Energy Sword]], most notably in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
==Design==
In Halo: Combat Evolved, the Fuel Rod Gun has a purple body and a gray muzzle with a recoil damper.  The body and muzzle were changed to a gold color in Halo 2, and it remained this way in Halo 3. In Halo:  Combat Evolved, the gun was equipped with a failsafe that destroyed it after the wielder was killed.  This almost killed [[Grace-093]]<ref>Halo, First Strike, chapter 20, page 187</ref>.


==Introduction==
===Ammunition===
In Halo PC, the Fuel Rod Gun fires 28 bolts from a form of a battery, similarly to other Covenant weapons.  But it overheats after five shots, giving down-time similar to reloading in later games.  In Halo 2 and 3, it fires rods from an internal magazine.  Rods appear to be fed in belts of five through the top of the weapon.  In Halo 3, the rods are equipped with an activation delay that protects the wielder from explosions caused by carelessly firing fuel rods into nearby objects, but rods will detonate if they are fired into enemies at point-blank range.


The {{PAGENAME}}, also known as the '''Fuel Rod Gun''', is a [[Covenant]] shoulder-held weapon launching explosive fuel rods.  In [[Halo PC]], this weapon has a failsafe in campaign that destroys it after the wielder is killed, while in multiplayer, it fires 28 rods from a battery and could overheat.  In [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]], the battery and overheating was eliminated and instead it fires clips of 5 rods that fly more slowly and arc less.  The Fuel Rod Gun is most commonly wielded by [[Unggoy|Grunts]], but in Halo 3, it is the preferred weapon of Brute [[War Chieftain|War Chieftains]].  It is generally not available in Halo 2 and Halo 3 multiplayer.
===Advantages===
 
The Fuel Rod Gun has a larger clip and a greater rate of fire than the [[M41 SSR MAV/AW|Rocket Launcher]], and its rods track slightly and do more damage than [[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]] grenades. It also has a 2x scope that makes it relatively easy to fire accurately at long range. In Halo 3, it has a safety feature in the form of an activation delay that the Rocket Launcher and Brute Shot lack. In the hands of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] and [[Sangheili|Elite]] allies, the Fuel Rod Gun is far more devastating because allies fire the weapon quickly and accurately, even from vehicles, and allies do not consume ammo as they fire.
==Appearances==
[[Image:800px-SpecOpsGrunt.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A [[Special Operations Grunt]] shoulders a Fuel Rod Gun in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.]]
In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the Fuel Rod Gun is purple with a gray muzzle. It sports a green energy/ammunition meter on its side as well as a purplish core temperature meter. It is used solely by Grunts in the campaign, however, only [[Special Operations Grunt]]s  and [[Major Grunts]] are seen with the deadly weapons (minor grunts may occasionally wield it). It was impossible to pick up discarded Fuel Rod Guns from enemy corpses in the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, as there were fail-safes that made the weapons self-destruct with the force, appearance, and effects of fired bolts.  These fail-safes were stripped away in ''[[Halo PC]]'' multiplayer. [[Image:1215454542 Spartanwithfuelrodgun.jpg|right|thumb|A Spartan in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' (PC) Multiplayer wielding a Fuel Rod Gun.]]
 
In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the Fuel Rod Gun had been given a major appearance change, with the body now a shade of yellow and the battery replaced by clips of 5. This powerful weapon is mostly found on the level [[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]], where the [[Heretic]] Grunts make extensive use of the weapon. Outside of this level, it is very hard to find, although higher ranked Elites and Grunts will use this weapon against you to great effect. The Fuel Rod Gun is not available in ''Halo 2'' Multiplayer due to frame-rate issues.
 
In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the Fuel Rod Gun underwent drastic changes. The blasts are weakened to 65% of their previous strength, to compensate for the cannon's large number of rounds per clip, fast rate of fire, and the noticeably lessened distance that the rounds fall en route to the target. Also, when fired, projectiles are affected by gravity at a much higher degree and now need time to ignite after being fired from the cannon and failure to give the rounds proper distance to accomplish this will result in a ricochet if a non-enemy surface is struck at an angle. In ''Halo 3'' it has a slight homing feature on vehicles and is devastating when used against slow moving tanks. In campaign, if given to an AI controlled ally they will also get the bonus of the weapon's rounds homing in on enemy foot soldiers. Shots from an enemy's Fuel Rod Gun will home on you and your allies to a degree. It becomes increasingly difficult to dodge in higher difficulties. It can still get you if you only try to step to the side. It was wielded by Grunts, [[War Chieftain]]s and [[Brute Captains]] (Majors and Ultras only) in Campaign.
 
It is also worth noting that the weapon does not appear by default in any multiplayer maps nor in [[Matchmaking]], and thus is only seen if placed on a custom map by using [[Forge]].
 
In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the Fuel Rod Gun makes almost no appearance. It is, however, available as an upgrade to replace the [[Prophet of Regret]]'s plasma cannons to increase his damage. Two can also be added to Covenant Turrets as an anti-vehicle add on.
 
==Usage==
The '''Fuel Rod Gun''' is the [[Covenant]] counterpart of the [[M19 SSM Rocket Launcher]]. It is mainly used as an anti-vehicle weapon, but is sometimes used as an anti-personnel weapon. It fires glowing green bolts of radioactive incendiary gel that travel to the target in a parabolic arc. This indirect line of fire makes the Fuel Rod Gun often a difficult weapon to wield, yet can be useful if your target is hiding behind a wall or other object.  The bolt is also ponderously slow compared to the [[Spartan Laser]] shot and even to the Rocket, making it rather difficult to wield effectively in comparison to more readily available power weapons.
 
In the PC version, the Fuel Rod Gun is arguably the most powerful weapon in the game. It runs as another battery operated weapon and overheats for a while after five quick shots. Indirect hits will remove between half and a fourth of a enemy's total health, and direct hits will destroy over two thirds of the total health. It also has the ability to stun a hit target, as long as the victim was hit by the explosion, he will only be able to move and look around at a 33% speed for 3 seconds. Also a variant, the [[Fuel Rod Cannon]] is used as a secondary weapon on [[Banshees]], that are commonly called Banshee Bombs. The Fuel Rod Cannon is also used in the AA rounds on an [[Anti-Air Wraith]]. In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', the Fuel Rod Gun was widely changed. The weapon is gold in color, and can be reloaded. The overheat feature has also been removed. The Fuel Rod Gun's projectiles now arc less, and track slightly over long ranges, but are also significantly slower in speed.
 
 
[[Image:1210493411 Elite Commander.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Elite]] with a Fuel Rod gun. Note the one-handed grip.]]
 
==Combat Tactics==
====Advantages====
[[Image:1217473684 Fuel Rod--Pre-activity.jpg|thumb|right|A Fuel rod before becoming "active."|300px]]
The Fuel Rod Gun fires faster, and reloads at a slightly faster rate than the Rocket Launcher but does less damage per hit while holding much more ammunition. The Fuel Rod Gun has a limited lock-on ability; its projectile follows targets in the air. While easy to avoid at long range, the 2x scope of the cannon can allow for an accurate original blast and increased chance to catch the victim in the explosive radius.
 
The high ammo capacity, rate of fire, and damage of the Fuel Rod Gun makes it a force to be reckoned with, and it's better than the Rocket Launcher in personnel fights, having barely any splash damage and more ammo (2.5x more).
In campaign mode giving your allies (Elites especially) the Fuel Rod Gun gives you a massive advantage over your enemies. On levels like [[Arbiter (level)|the Arbiter]] and [[Uprising]] an Elite with a Fuel Rod Gun can fire the 5 bolts in quick succession with surprising accuracy. This can easily eliminate a group of foes even on [[Legendary]] difficulty. The fact that allies have unlimited ammo makes this valuable as well. The opposite holds true for giving Grunt allies the Fuel Rod Gun, however, due to their lack of shields. Grunts holding the Fuel Rod Gun tend to fire rods slightly more often and "wilder" than Elites.
 
Other advantages include a ricochet effect at wide angles, while firing parallel to a wall the shots can "skip" off. To obtain an effect the angle has to be obtuse and the person firing must be near parallel to the targeted wall, this however does not cause the shell to explode but instead sends it off in a new predictable trajectory. You will not be affected by it ricocheting off the ground because its arc will extremely diminish the effect. The ricochet effect will only work before the fuel rod has "ignited".
 
It can be fired from behind cover, so it is very possible to kill enemies without them being able to hit you.
 
Maps recommended in: [[Construct]], [[Epitaph]], [[Guardian]], (maybe) [[High Ground]], and [[Narrows]].


===Disadvantages===
===Disadvantages===
The ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' Fuel Rod Gun doesn't have a tracking device. The bolts are fast but they arch greatly over big distances. At long range you will have to aim high and it takes 2-3 bolts to kill a hostile with splash damage, or a single bolt if it hits directly. The overheating of the Fuel Rod Gun is not conducive to streams of radioactive fire. At short range, however, a single direct or almost-direct hit can take down someone's shield, killing an enemy with two hits.
Rods from the Fuel Rod Gun do less damage and have a smaller explosive radius than rockets from the Rocket Launcher. In addition, both rockets and Brute Shot grenades fly more quickly and arc less than Fuel Rods in both Halo 2 and Halo 3. The large size of the weapon obscures the wielder's peripheral vision.  Furthermore, the weapon is not completely safe to use; while it has a safety feature, rods will detonate upon impact with any character or vehicle. In Halo 3, the bright color of the weapon makes the wielder easy to spot, even when the weapon is backpacked. While it is possible to give a Fuel Rod Gun to a Grunt ally in Halo 2, Grunts are very careless and often kill themselves, the player's allies, or the player himself.
 
The Fuel Rod Cannon is less powerful than the [[Rocket Launcher]], as it takes two strikes to kill a [[Hunter]] on the normal difficulty while the Rocket Launcher can take it out in one shot.
 
Furthermore, the large size will often obscure one's vision, making it harder to see who's there to kill the wielder of this ungainly weapon.
 
Additionally, when used at close to medium range the user should take caution (just like the [[Brute Shot]] or the Rocket Launcher), careless players have a good chance of taking damage from their own fire.
 
The Fuel Rod Gun has a very dark purple colour, making you hard to spot by snipers if you are carrying one. You cannot hide it in Halo 3, since in Halo 3 your secondary weapon is seen on your hip/back.
 
Additionally, if you hit a target at close range before the mid air blast, their shields will be completely depleted, whereas the Rocket Launcher will usually get a one hit kill.


Finally, you will have to take gravity into account when using it. Unlike the Human counterpart, the [[Rocket Launcher]], it obeys the laws of Gravity (because it has a relatively low velocity) and will curve.
==Tactics==
The Fuel Rod Gun is best used against armor at medium range and against enemy positions and gun emplacements at long range.


==[[Assault Cannon]]==
===Campaign===
[[Image:Fuel Rod Beam Cannon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A Hunter's Fuel Rod Gun known as the Assault Cannon.]]
The Fuel Rod Gun in Halo 2 generally appears only on [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] and [[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]. On the former, it is best to collect 30 rods and hold it until the fight with Sesa 'Refumee. On the latter, it is best in the hands of Elites.
[[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] also brandish a variant of the Fuel Rod Gun. These work differently than other versions of the Fuel Rod Gun because it can fire in multiple modes, rather than just firing single bolts. In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', these shoot out streams of gel. A Hunter's immense strength nullifies the weight of the weapon. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', their cannons fire explosive bolts, like the troop-carried model. In [[Halo: Contact Harvest]], it was explained that the gel can be fired in both single globules and a stream.{{fact}} The Fuel Rod variant is integrated into a Hunter's armor, so the weapon cannot be obtained.


==Multiplayer Tactics==
In Halo 3, the Fuel Rod Gun appears far more frequently. The best thing to do with it is to give it to a Marine, who then rides shotgun.  It is very useful against enemy heavy armor and gun emplacements, but it is not effective against light armor and infantry.
The Fuel Rod Gun is able to be used by the player only in ''Halo PC'' [[multiplayer]], not in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' Campaign nor multiplayer, and neither ''Halo PC'' campaign.
Being an effective suppression weapon, one tactic in multiplayer [[Capture the Flag]] is to bombard the enemy base from afar with a Fuel Rod Gun. Furthermore, the gunner can fire from a position obscured from enemy view, owing to the indirect-fire properties of the Fuel Rod Gun. Since the view of the targeted area is mutually obscured from the gunner's position (due to having to compensate for the arc and having to aim high), such is unlikely to kill a player, but it is intended to at least deal cover fire for an assault on the flag, and most likely to inflict damage on the flag carrier. Note that the Fuel Rod Gun's splash damage is similar to the ones of a Rocket Launcher. If fired at very close range, the projectile will most likely to harm the player slightly.  


A more common tactic is to simply use it an anti-infantry weapon, as it is easier to kill hostile infantry at closer range.
===Multiplayer===
In Halo PC, the Fuel Rod Gun is best used as a mortar to bombard the enemy base.  It has an advantage of being able to hit enemies that are in cover and over hills, a feature otherwise only possible through the use of grenades.  If the wielder uses it against vehicles, correct lead is essential.


An easy way to dodge the blast is simply to sidestep, where as when the user overheats the gun, the opponent will most likely take the opportunity to fight back.
In Halo 2 and Halo 3, the Fuel Rod Gun does not appear in multiplayer unless it is added through Forge.


The high ammo capacity, rate of fire, and damage of the Fuel Rod Gun makes it a force to be reckoned with.
===Advanced===
 
On "The Broken Path," the Fuel Rod Gun can be used to destroy the two Phantoms:  fire four rods into one of the engines, and the Phantom will explode.  A wielder using it to combat heavy armor should aim for the engine or the plasma mortar; the Wraith will go down in three shots. Experienced players can use the safety feature to send rods around corners.
One useful tactic is to fire in a star or fan effect making it harder to dodge. Also in at a high point it is also useful to fire in a straight line towards an enemy vehicle, like bombs from a jet.


==[[UNSC]] Remarks==
==[[UNSC]] Remarks==
[[Image:1211317365 Fuel Rod.jpg|thumb|right|A Fuel Rod Gun's shot in mid-flight.]]
*“Those things are scary as hell. Ya hear that weird “whump” sound and even if ya see it comin' you're transfixed—these big green blobs flying at you throwin’ off sparks!”
*“Those things are scary as hell. Ya hear that weird “whump” sound and even if ya see it comin' you're transfixed—these big green blobs flying at you throwin’ off sparks!”
*“It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a Fuel Rod Gun, but it’s kinda funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks.”
*“It’s so weird. I don’t know who first called it a Fuel Rod Gun, but it’s kinda funny. I suppose the projectile is reminiscent of how you might expect to see a nuclear fuel rod depicted in a gee eh cartoon—all glowing green and throwing off sparks.”
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*[[Spartans]]  
*[[Spartans]]  
*[[Marines]]
*[[Marines]]
*[[Brutes]] (''Halo 3'' only)
*[[Brutes]]
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Hunters]] ([[Assault Cannon]])


==Trivia ==
==Trivia==
[[Image:1212466468 Fuel Rod Gun.gif|thumb|right|250px|A Fuel Rod Gun render.]]
 
*The Halo: [[Combat Evolved]] Fuel Rod Gun had rods on the top, but used a battery. The battery overheated after 5 consecutive shots, like giving a sort-of "reload" time before it could fire again. Note the '''''5''''' shots before the "reload," like a normal fuel rod gun.
===Glitches===
*The Fuel Rod Gun is the only weapon in the trilogy which has a separate animation and timer when throwing a grenade, there is approximately a 0.5 second longer delay before you throw the grenade.
*When a player wields a Fuel Rod Gun, there is a slightly longer delay between the priming of a grenade and the throwing of the grenade.
*When using the Bump Possession cheat in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' to control a [[Hunter]], holding left click down and repeatedly right clicking allows the controlled Hunter to rapidly fire its Fuel Rod Gun without overheating.  Whether this accelerated manner of attack is actually utilized at all in AI controlled opponents' behavioral patterns is unknown.
*When a Marine wields a Fuel Rod Gun, the animation is the same as for the Rocket Launcher, which has a slightly different orientation of the front grip.
*[[Elites]] cannot spawn these weapons by default, except in ''[[Halo 2]]'' in the level Gravemind, where one of the three Ultra Elites in the [[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]] will use one on the [[Brutes]].
*In Halo 2, Grunts react very strongly to receiving Fuel Rod Guns.  When they perform their animation, one arm extends through the weapon.
*There is a discrepancy about how much the weapon actually weighs. In ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]] had difficulty lifting the gun when he attempted to shoulder it. However, Grunts seem to have no problem hefting the gun around in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', so whether the situation is between the gun's weight or a comparison of [[Unggoy|Grunts']] and [[Marine|Marines']] strengths is unknown. It is strongly believed however, that Grunts are in fact stronger than their size lets on. Also, the model of the Fuel Rod Gun used in Halo: CE and First Strike might have been heavier than the most recent variants. Or Locklear never expected the thing to be so heavy.
 
*When you give a Fuel Rod Gun to a Marine, their animation is the same as if they were holding a Rocket Launcher. If you look closely, their left hand is at an angle, just like holding a Rocket Launcher.
===References===
*In the Halo 2 campaign mode (most likely on [[Legendary]] difficulty), the bolts have a slight homing ability. Only enemies have this ability. If you strafe as the wielder fires upon you, it will turn very slowly into your direction. In ''Halo 3'', it also has a slight tracking ability, but this time it is allies only who get this ability.
*With the Juicy Filter enabled, the Fuel Rod Gun appears purple.
*In any Halo 2 level that you play as the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]], if you give a Grunt ally a Fuel Rod Gun, the Grunt will perform a little dance, or will start laughing crazily. Also if you watch their arm the Grunt will do a strange cocking motion during which his arm will go through the weapon and extend by about a foot.
*The Fuel Rods fired by this weapon resemble the ammunition of the [[Covenant Carbine]], only of a larger fraction in size and damage. The Carbine ammunition is also notably faster, probably in exchange for power.
*[[Spartan-093|Grace-093]] was almost killed by the weapon's fail-safe system in [[Halo: First Strike]]<ref>Halo: First Strike, Chapter 20, Page 187</ref>
*In Halo: CE PC Multiplayer, the weapon's barrel will retract into the weapon when fired. Whether this is the firing mechanism or a recoil compensator is unknown, but the weapon has very little recoil on the hands of the Spartan, supporting the latter.
*In [[Halo 3]], the "bounce" feature of the Fuel Rod Gun can be utilized to an expert player's advantage. It is possible to bounce the shot around corners without coming out of hiding, and can even be used to kill enemies such as snipers without putting yourself in their line of fire. Note that these tactics require extreme precision, thought, and taking into account angling and game physics. However, with much practice, this tactic could save you from a few deaths in your next match.
*This gun, like the [[Needler]] and [[Beam Rifle]], has many aesthetic markings on it that are not [[Forerunner]] symbols, yet seem to be important in [[Covenant]] culture.
*The ricochet effect may have its roots in an attempt to prevent soldiers from blowing themselves up with rounds fired too close. Conversely, it is very easy to kill oneself with a [[Rocket Launcher]]. A similar in flight arming system is used in the real-life [[wikipedia:M79_grenade_launcher|M79 Grenade Launcher]].
*Fuel Rods appear purple in multiplayer maps with the Juicy FX on.
*In [[Halo 3]] it takes about 8 shots to take down a [[Phantom]] with a Fuel Rod Gun and only 4 shots aimed at the Phantom's side engines, even on [[Legendary]] difficulty.
*The Fuel Rod Gun is the most widely used explosive in the [[Covenant]] arsenal, being found on [[Banshees]], [[AA Wraiths]], [[Hunter]]'s [[Assault Cannon]]s, and as an infantry weapon.
*The only appearance that the Fuel Rod Gun makes in [[Halo Wars]] is on [[Hunters]], the [[Prophet of Regret]], base turrets and [[Banshee]]s.
*In [[Halo: CE]], the Fuel Rod Gun is purple and runs on battery power (like plasma weapons), but on [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] it is golden and uses ammunition rounds instead.


==Sources==
===Discrepancies===
*There is a discrepancy about how much the weapon actually weighs. In ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', [[Corporal]] [[Locklear]] had difficulty lifting the gun when he attempted to shoulder it. However, Grunts seem to have no problem hefting the gun around in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', so whether the situation is between the gun's weight or a comparison of [[Unggoy|Grunts']] and [[Marine|Marines']] strengths is unknown. It is strongly believed however, that Grunts are in fact stronger than their size lets on. Also, the model of the Fuel Rod Gun used in Halo: CE and First Strike might have been heavier than the most recent variants, or Locklear never expected the thing to be so heavy.
 
==Sources==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>


==Related Links==
==Gallery==
===Internal Links===
<gallery>
*[[Fuel Rod Cannon]]
Image:800px-SpecOpsGrunt.jpg|A Special Operations Grunt with a Fuel Rod Gun in Halo:  Combat Evolved.
*[[Hunter]]s
Image:1215454542 Spartanwithfuelrodgun.jpg|A Spatan with a Fuel Rod Gun in Halo:  PC Multiplayer.
*[[Covenant Weapons]]
Image:1210493411 Elite Commander.jpg|An Elite with a Fuel Rod Gun.  Note the one-handed grip.
*[[Assault Cannon]]
Image:1217473684_Fuel_Rod--Pre-activity.jpg|A Fuel Rod that has not yet been activated.
 
Image:1211317365 Fuel Rod.jpg|A Fuel Rod in mid-flight.
===External Links===
Image:1212466468 Fuel Rod Gun.gif|A Fuel Rod Gun render.
</gallery>


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[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]