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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:Walkers.JPG|thumb|250px|Locusts and Scarabs firing their weapons.]]
[[File:Two Scarabs.jpg|thumb|x300px|''Shua'ee''-pattern Locusts and ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarabs firing their weapons in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.]]
The term '''focus cannon'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''game manual''</ref> is used to describe a type of [[Covenant]] weapon, able to fire superheated [[plasma]] in a concentrated beam.
'''Focus cannons''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Manual|Halo: Reach manual|Page=9}} or '''focus beams''',{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Excavators|Enc22|Page=278-279}} are a classification of heavy [[plasma weaponry]] used by the [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]].{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
Typically the Covenant fire their plasma in bolts, which is accomplished by forming a magnetic bubble around the superheated ionized gas - once fired, the magnetic bubble holding the plasma is guided towards its destination. Plasma fired in a narrow, concentrated beam is accomplished by modifying the magnetic field so that the superheated plasma is guided continuously in a straight line towards its destination. The focus cannon is usually reserved for assault platforms like the [[Type-36 Scarab]], [[Type-47 Scarab]] or the [[Type-30 Locust]]. A focus cannon is used to take down large scale objects, that either may be in the way of infantry objectives, or as part of destroying a habitable area. If faced with a large military presence assault platforms can use their focus cannon to cut through armor and infantry with ease.
===Design details===
Focus cannons are a type of [[energy projector]] similar to the capital-grade models used on [[Covenant starship]]s. They can be individually tuned to allow for fine-excavation of [[Forerunner]] reliquaries or massive destruction of enemy ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|WPScarab}}


Locusts use their Charged Plasma Cannon<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Factory.aspx#Locust '''Official Halo Wars Community Site''': ''Locust'']</ref> to deal with structures that may be too small for a larger assault platform to destroy. Locusts may be able to perform hunter-killer roles, finding infantry and eliminating them. They can also fulfill an anti-armor role, capable of destroying heavy armor if needed.
The exact specifics on the operation of focus cannons are vague; while classed as a large type of [[plasma cannon]], they generally operate by firing continuous streams of plasma at their targets - usually in a yellow-green colouration as opposed to the blue-red-purple of standard plasma weapons. As a form of energy projector, they presumably utilise the same magnetic confinement and [[anti-gravity technology]] to contain the plasma streams. A similar operation can be observed in the infantry-held {{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}} - with a similar beam colouration and operating mechanism.


Scarabs use their Ultra-heavy focus cannon to destroy large structures that may be blocking infantry objectives, or if a area must be effectively destroyed. Their main weapon can be used against vehicles if they are within the Scarab's line of sight. They cannot, however, be used in hunter-killer situations against single, or small groups of infantry.
The plasma streams fired bear great resemblance to the [[assault cannon]]s of the [[Mgalekgolo]], though it is unknown to what degree the two technologies are related. Some focus cannons, such as those of the {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}, can be observed dripping some kind of green, glowing fluid after firing{{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis}} - indicating that they may additionally use [[incendiary gel]] in their operation similar to the aforementioned assault cannons. Some models of focus cannon can be modified to support the injection and firing of [[infusion gel]] (itself a derivative of incendiary gel), further lending credence to this implication.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLInf|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infused Scarab}}


Covenant capital ships also have a weapon similar to the focus cannon, commonly referred to as the [[energy projector]]. It is fired from the belly of the ship right where the ship's central [[gravity lift]] is deployed when unloading troops and supplies.
===Variants===
*'''Bloodfuel beam:''' a special variant of light focus cannon equipped on the [[Bloodfuel Locust|Bloodfuel]] variant of the [[Locust]] walker used by the [[Banished]].
*'''Infused focus cannon:''' a specially modified focus cannon created by [[Voridus]] to fire and spread infusion gel.{{Ref/Reuse|PLInf}}
<gallery>
File:HW2_Blitz_Bloodfuel_Locust.png|A Bloodfuel Locust sporting a very heavily-modified Bloodfuel beam.
</gallery>
 
==Usage==
;Ultra-heavy focus cannons
*{{Pattern|R'awuw|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLore|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-give-em-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - If They Want Lore, We'll Give 'Em Lore|D=21|M=02|Y=2024}} - considered to be the most powerful of all known Scarab types{{Ref/Reuse|WPScarab}}
*{{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon - considered to be one of the most powerful ever fielded on a combat walker{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*{{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Manual}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*{{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*{{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus drill{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
 
;Heavy focus cannons
*[[Barukaza Workshop Scarab]] - 1x heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*{{Pattern|Zashk|Draugr}} - 5x heavy focus cannons{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}


===Advantages===
;Light focus cannons
*Weapons with the ability to fire a Plasma Beam can destroy obstacles with ease and speed, cutting down the time it would take Plasma Mortars to accomplish the same job.
*{{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}} - 1x light focus cannon (alternatively termed a "charged plasma cannon"){{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCS|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Summit.aspx#Vampire|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Game Info - Covenant Factory|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Covenant#Locust|D=22|M=01|Y=2010}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*A Plasma Beam is easy to control, and can destroy with precision and accuracy.
*[[Barukaza Workshop Locust]] - 1x light focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*Can be used to destroy a large enemy presence with destructive ease.


===Disadvantages===
;Undefined
*The range of destruction is not as effective as a Plasma Mortar, as the resulting impact will not spread outside of the initial impact zone.
The "light"/"heavy" classification of focus cannon (if any) for the following weapons is unknown, meaning where they are placed in the hierarchy of focus cannon power is presently unknown.
*The beam can only sustain fire for a short amount of time before recharging.
*{{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} - 1x ''Emim''-pattern focus beam{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
*Fast and nimble vehicles can out-maneuver the weapon.
*[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Lich]] - 1x focus cannon{{Ref/Note|The ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'' specifically notes the Banished Lich as equipped with a plasma cannon. However, the beam's depiction in-game is clearly intended to mimic the visual effect of the Lich focus beam in ''[[Halo 4]]'', and the Scarabs in prior titles.}}
*It is ineffective at long range, as the magnetic field loses its energy at long distances.
*{{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} - 1x focus cannon (select "Beam Goblin" variants-only)


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>   
<gallery>   
File:69504874-Full.jpg|A Scarab firing its main weapon at a [[M808 Scorpion]].
File:H2 scarab fire.jpg|Closeup of the {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}'s focus cannon prior to firing in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:1216050538 Scarab.jpg|A Scarab's weapon destroying a vehicle.  
File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} destroying an [[M808B Scorpion]] in [[New Mombasa]].
File:H2 scarab fire.jpg|Closeup of the Scarab's focus cannon prior to firing in ''Halo 2''.
File:69504874-Full.jpg|A {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} firing its main weapon at an [[M808C Scorpion]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A Scarab destroying a [[M808B Scorpion]] in [[New Mombasa]].
File:1216050538 Scarab.jpg|A {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}'s weapon destroying a vehicle in ''Halo 3''.
File:HW ScarabFiring.png|A ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HW Scarab&Locusts.png|A ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab and two {{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}}s firing their focus cannons in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Harvester firing mining laser.png|A {{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}} firing its ultra-heavy focus drill in ''[[Spartan Ops]]''.
File:H2A - Scarab cannon.jpg|A {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} preparing to fire its focus cannon in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H5G-BeamGoblin.jpg|A {{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
File:HW2-BlitzScarab.png|A [[Barukaza Workshop Scarab]] firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]''
 
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Covenant Weapons}}
{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]
[[Category:Plasma weapons]]
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