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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Era|HCW|Post}} |
| [[File:Two Scarabs.jpg|thumb|x300px|''Shua'ee''-pattern Locusts and ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarabs firing their weapons in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.]] | | |
| '''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}} | | [[File:Walkers.JPG|thumb|250px|T-30 Locusts and T-47B 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. |
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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| ===Design details===
| | 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-47B Scarab]], and [[Type-30 Locust]]. A focus cannon can be used to take down large scale objects, that either may be in the way of infantry objectives, or to excavate an area.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Scarab'']</ref> If faced with a large military presence assault platforms can use their focus cannon to cut through armor and infantry with ease. |
| 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}}
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| 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.
| | 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. |
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| 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}}
| | Scarabs use their Ultra-heavy focus cannon to destroy large structures that may be blocking infantry objectives, or if an 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. |
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| ===Variants===
| | Covenant capital ships also have a weapon similar to the focus cannon, commonly referred to as the [[energy projector]]. It is commonly fired from the belly of the ship right where the ship's central [[gravity lift]] is deployed when unloading troops and supplies. |
| *'''Bloodfuel beam:''' a special variant of light focus cannon equipped on the [[Bloodfuel Locust|Bloodfuel]] variant of the [[Locust]] walker used by the [[Banished]].
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| *'''Infused focus cannon:''' a specially modified focus cannon created by [[Voridus]] to fire and spread infusion gel.{{Ref/Reuse|PLInf}}
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| <gallery>
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| File:HW2_Blitz_Bloodfuel_Locust.png|A Bloodfuel Locust sporting a very heavily-modified Bloodfuel beam.
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| </gallery>
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| ==Usage== | | ===Advantages=== |
| ;Ultra-heavy 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|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}} | | *A Plasma Beam is easy to control, and can destroy with precision and accuracy. |
| *{{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}} | | *Can be used to destroy a large enemy presence with destructive ease. |
| *{{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Manual}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
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| *{{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
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| *{{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus drill{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
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| ;Heavy focus cannons
| | ===Disadvantages=== |
| *[[Barukaza Workshop Scarab]] - 1x heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}}
| | *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. |
| *{{Pattern|Zashk|Draugr}} - 5x heavy focus cannons{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}
| | *The beam can only sustain fire for a short amount of time before recharging. |
| | | *Fast and nimble vehicles can out-maneuver the weapon. |
| ;Light focus cannons
| | *It is ineffective at long range, as the magnetic field loses its energy at long distances. |
| *{{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}}
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| *[[Barukaza Workshop Locust]] - 1x light focus cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}} | |
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| ;Undefined
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| 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. | |
| *{{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} - 1x ''Emim''-pattern focus beam{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Excavators}} | |
| *[[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.}} | |
| *{{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} - 1x focus cannon (select "Beam Goblin" variants-only)
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| ==Gallery== | | ==Gallery== |
| <gallery> | | <gallery> |
| File:H2 scarab fire.jpg|Closeup of the {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}'s focus cannon prior to firing in ''[[Halo 2]]''. | | File:H2 scarab fire.jpg|Closeup of the T-47A Scarab's focus cannon prior to firing in ''[[Halo 2]]''. |
| File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} destroying an [[M808B Scorpion]] in [[New Mombasa]]. | | File:Scarabcannon.jpg|A T-47A Scarab destroying an [[M808B Scorpion]] in [[New Mombasa]]. |
| File:69504874-Full.jpg|A {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} firing its main weapon at an [[M808C Scorpion]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''. | | File:69504874-Full.jpg|A T-47B Scarab firing its main weapon at an [[M808C Scorpion]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''. |
| File:1216050538 Scarab.jpg|A {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}'s weapon destroying a vehicle in ''Halo 3''. | | File:1216050538 Scarab.jpg|A T-47B Scarab's weapon destroying a vehicle. |
| File:HW ScarabFiring.png|A ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
| | File:H2A - Scarab cannon.jpg|A T-47A Scarab preparing to fire its focus cannon in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''. |
| File:HW Scarab&Locusts.png|A ''Deutoros''-pattern Scarab and two {{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}}s firing their focus cannons in ''Halo Wars''.
| | File:H5G-BeamGoblin.jpg|A Goblin firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. |
| File:Harvester firing mining laser.png|A {{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}} firing its ultra-heavy focus drill in ''[[Spartan Ops]]''.
| | File:HW2-BlitzScarab.png|A Banished T-47B Scarab firing its focus cannon in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''. |
| File:H4-SpOps HarvesterExcavation.png|The result of a Harvester's excavation.
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| File:H4-SpOps HarvesterTunnel.png|Interior of a tunnel shortly after being excavated by a Harvester's focus beam.
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| 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 4]]''
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| **''[[Spartan Ops]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' | | *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' |
| *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' | | *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' |
| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' | | *''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' |
| *''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]''
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| ==Notes==
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| {{Ref/Notes}}
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Covenant heavy weapons}} | | {{Covenant Weapons}} |
| [[Category:Covenant weapons]] | | [[Category:Covenant Weapons]] |
| [[Category:Plasma weapons]] | | [[Category:Plasma weapons]] |
