Plasma weaponry: Difference between revisions
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Plasma weapons contain and guide the plasma in the form of a single bolt, beam, or continuous stream. Plasma is stabilized using magnetic fields. Without the field, the plasma dissipates too quickly to be of any real use. The field controls and contains the plasma, without interfering with firing. The [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|energy sword]] is an example of this technology, as the magnetic field holds the blade together while allowing it to cut through objects. | Plasma weapons contain and guide the plasma in the form of a single bolt, beam, or continuous stream. Plasma is stabilized using magnetic fields. Without the field, the plasma dissipates too quickly to be of any real use. The field controls and contains the plasma, without interfering with firing. The [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|energy sword]] is an example of this technology, as the magnetic field holds the blade together while allowing it to cut through objects. | ||
This is also how the [[plasma pistol]]'s overcharge shot works: A small magnetic generator is installed in the hilt of the pistol and, when fired, the bolt tracks its target using a very simple motion tracking system built into the magnetic generator which alters the field to make the plasma move. A larger version of this effect is seen in the [[plasma | This is also how the [[plasma pistol]]'s overcharge shot works: A small magnetic generator is installed in the hilt of the pistol and, when fired, the bolt tracks its target using a very simple motion tracking system built into the magnetic generator which alters the field to make the plasma move. A larger version of this effect is seen in the [[plasma turret]]s used by Covenant [[capital ship]]s. | ||
==Defense against plasma weaponry== | ==Defense against plasma weaponry== | ||
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==Applications== | ==Applications== | ||
Plasma-based weapons are the most common armament of Covenant infantry and vehicular forces, and the main armament of their warships, dominating almost their entire weapon arsenal. Small arms are designed to deplete [[shielding]] or melt infantry armor, while heavier weapons can destroy vehicles or buildings. The largest are mounted onto capital ships and are used for [[glassing|orbital bombardment]] and ship-to-ship combat, and can reduce a ship's hull to a pile of molten metal floating in space. When a plasma weapon is charging, a high quantity of beta particle radiation is emitted.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 147''</ref> | Plasma-based weapons are the most common armament of Covenant infantry and vehicular forces, and the main armament of their warships, dominating almost their entire weapon arsenal. Small arms are designed to deplete [[shielding]] or melt infantry armor, while heavier weapons can destroy vehicles or buildings. The largest are mounted onto capital ships and are used for [[glassing|orbital bombardment]] and ship-to-ship combat, and can reduce a ship's hull to a pile of molten metal floating in space. When a plasma weapon is charging, a high quantity of beta particle radiation is emitted.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 147''</ref> Covenant species have developed a natural resistance against the radiation emitted by their plasma weapons, a form of "forced evolution". During the [[Human-Covenant War]], UNSC scientists studied this phenomenon in an attempt to use it to their advantage, such as helping in the treatment of plasma burns on humans.<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', "[[The Mona Lisa]]", ''page 305''</ref> | ||
The [[UNSC]] has yet to develop its own plasma weaponry, using more conventional projectile-based weapon systems. However, the UNSC has been seen to operate captured Covenant plasma weapons, and in one case, UNSC forces were able to dramatically improve the lethality of a [[Ascendant Justice|capture Covenant starship's]] [[plasma turret]]s without significant technical modifications.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref> There was an attempt to produce a [[M-145D Rhino|tank]] with plasma-based weaponry for the [[UNSCDF|UNSC armed services]], but it was abandoned, falling back on projectile weaponry.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref> | The [[UNSC]] has yet to develop its own plasma weaponry, using more conventional projectile-based weapon systems. However, the UNSC has been seen to operate captured Covenant plasma weapons, and in one case, UNSC forces were able to dramatically improve the lethality of a [[Ascendant Justice|capture Covenant starship's]] [[plasma turret]]s without significant technical modifications.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref> There was an attempt to produce a [[M-145D Rhino|tank]] with plasma-based weaponry for the [[UNSCDF|UNSC armed services]], but it was abandoned, falling back on projectile weaponry.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]'''</ref> | ||
== Starship weaponry == | == Starship weaponry == | ||
