Editing Gadulo-pattern needle rifle

{{Title|''Gadulo''-pattern needle rifle}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Gadulo''-pattern Needle Launcher
|image=[[File:HReach-T31NeedleRifleSide.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=*[[Sacred Promissory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11|Enc11|Page=335}}{{Ref/Book|Id=evg|EVG|Page=127}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=294}} {{C|formerly}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Needle Rifle|D=14|M=5|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle.html}}
*[[Maeleesh Bazaar]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|series=
|type=[[Needle-based weaponry|Needle-based]] [[rifle]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|cost=
|variant=
|length={{Convert|126.7|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|width={{Convert|24.1|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|height={{Convert|37.4|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|weight={{Convert|7.9|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|ammotype=[[Subanese crystal]]line shard{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|capacity=
|feed=21 shards/magazine{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|operation=Automatic, semi-automatic{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
|operation-title=Firing mode
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=2× magnification optics{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|range=Medium to long{{Ref/Reuse|evg}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Reach_Sandbox_Preview|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Point of Impact|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}}
|service=*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
}}

The '''''Gadulo''-pattern Needle Launcher''' {{Type|31|Needle Rifle}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} also known as the '''needle rifle''',{{Ref/Site|Id=hrbnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=24583|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Ordnance Page - Type-31 Rifle|D=07|M=02|Y=2021}} is an infantry weapon originally manufactured by the [[Covenant]]'s [[Sacred Promissory]], formerly in service with the [[Covenant military]].{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=294}} After the [[Fall of High Charity|fall]] of [[High Charity]] in [[2552]], [[Maeleesh Bazaar]] took over the production of the needle rifle.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} 

==Overview==
===Design details===
{{Main|Needle-based weaponry}}
[[File:ReachSchematic - NeedleRifle.png|thumb|left|250px|[[HUD]] icon of the needle rifle.]]
As its name suggests, the ''Gadulo''-pattern needle rifle is one of the many Covenant needle-based projectile weapons, and shares operational functionality with the ubiquitous [[needler]], but notably features an electronic sighting optics system.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The needle rifle fires unconventional, long and razor sharp [[Subanese crystal]]line shards, which detonate several seconds after coming to rest in soft tissue.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The needles are stored within the midsection weapon, with several protruding from the shroud. The rear end of the weapon appears to be on a hinge, indicating it may be able to collapse into a more compact form.

Similar to other needle-based weapons, the needle rifle's internal mechanism snaps off crystalline shards into individual charged projectiles, which are launched linearly at the intended target. However, unlike the needler, the needle rifle's projectiles are not designed to home in on a target.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} Given that the [[needler]] uses an additional magnetic auger within the weapon to catalyze the shards so they can track heat signatures,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} the needle rifle likely lacks a magnetic auger. However, the needle rifle's shards travel much faster than that of the needler, leaving the needle rifle's only destructive similarity to the needler being the individual/collected needle explosion.

The rifle's crystalline shards are held in an ammo cylinder. The reload process for the needle rifle is very similar to that of the {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} and {{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}. The only difference between the reloads for the carbine and the needle rifle is that the canister for the carbine is not covered by any sort of hatch, which, in the case of the needle rifle, is the weapon's top module—also where the optics system is mounted. When reloading, the top module flips open to expose the ammo canister that ejects upon opening, allowing the user to insert a new canister. When the top module locks in place, the crystalline shards are splintered and then extrude from apertures on the weapon's shroud.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} 

===Usage===
Without the needles' tracking ability, the needle rifle must be fired like a marksman rifle.{{Ref/Reuse|evg}} The needle rifle is operated in a similar role to the ''Vostu''-pattern carbine,{{Ref/Reuse|enc11}} and was commonly employed by [[Skirmisher]]s, [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s, and [[Sangheili]] during the [[Fall of Reach]];{{Ref/Level|HR|ONI: Sword Base}}{{Ref/Level|HR|Nightfall}}{{Ref/Level|HR|Tip of the Spear}} notably, a [[Sangheili Field Marshal]] used a needle rifle to kill [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-III]] [[Catherine-B320]] with a headshot during the [[Siege of New Alexandria|Siege]] of [[New Alexandria (location)|New Alexandria]].{{Ref/Level|HR|New Alexandria}} Within the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its splinter factions]], the needle rifle is used by [[Sangheili]], [[Jiralhanae]], [[Kig-Yar]], and [[Yanme'e]].{{Ref/Novel|SOI}} Following the dissolution of the Covenant, the needle rifle was inherited by [[Covenant remnants|its splinter factions]], including the [[Swords of Sanghelios]],{{Ref/Novel|Out|Chapter=1}} [[Merg Vol]]'s [[Merg Vol's Covenant|Covenant]],{{Ref/Level|HSA|Hunt for the Cult Leader}} and [[Sali 'Nyon]]'s [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant|Covenant]].{{Ref/Comic|HEsc|Issue=23}}

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gameplaypage=Type-31 needle rifle/Gameplay}}
*The scope of the needle rifle has a hash-mark compass. To the right of the scope, it also features a symbol which turns red when the crosshairs are aimed at an enemy.
*Killing an opponent with a supercombine of the needle rifle's needles will grant the player a [[Needle Combine Kill|Needle Kill]] [[List of Halo: Reach medals|medal]].
*During the ''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]'', the needle rifle had an 18-round magazine. This was increased to 21 rounds (to match the three round increase in the DMR's magazine size) for the final game. In both cases, the model for a fully-loaded needle rifle only shows 12 needles sticking out.

==Gallery==
===Concept art and illustrations===
<gallery>
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_1.jpg|Early [[2008]] concept art of the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_2.jpg|Early 2008 concept art of the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_3.jpg|Early 2008 concept art of the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_4.jpg|Early 2008 concept art of the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_5.jpg|Early 2008 concept art of the needle rifle.
File:HR NeedleRifle Silhouette Concept.jpg|Later 2009 shape exploration for the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Functional_Concept.jpg|2009 functional studies for the needle rifle's function.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_ModelSheet_Concept.jpg|Finalised modelsheet and functional refinement for the needle rifle.
File:HR_NeedleRifle_Concept_6.jpg|Finalised material pass concept of the needle rifle.
File:HE23-Sali forces.jpg|[[Sangheili Storm]] part of [[Sali 'Nyon's Covenant]] armed with needle rifles during [[Operation: ATHENA]] in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''.
</gallery>

===Renders===
<gallery>
File:Needle Rifle.png|A pre-Alpha render of the needle rifle in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''; note the green lights and needles.
File:Type-31 Rifle.png|Another early version of the needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach''; note the green lights.
File:HFR_NeedleRifle_Render_1.jpg|A render of the needle rifle from ''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''.
File:HFR_NeedleRifle_Render_2.jpg|Another render of the needle rifle from ''Halo: Fireteam Raven''.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:Needle Rifle - Gameplay.jpg|A pre-Alpha screenshot of the HUD view of the needle rifle in use in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HaloReach - Screenshot 07.jpg|A pre-Alpha screenshot of [[Noble Six]] utilizing the needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Reach TotS FP02.jpg|First-person view of the needle rifle in the ''Halo: Reach'' campaign.
File:Reach FF Overlook01.jpg|First-person view of the needle rifle being used in the ''Halo: Reach'' multiplayer.
File:Reach Firefight Versus1.jpg|First-person view of the needle rifle in use in ''Halo: Reach'' Firefight.
File:Needle Rifle Zoom.png|View through the needle rifle's scope in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR AirviewBattle.jpg|A [[Sangheili Ranger]] firing a needle rifle at a Warthog in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR SkirmishersNeedleRifles.png|Two [[Skirmisher Major]]s wielding the needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HTMCC-HR SkirmisherCommando&NeedleRifle.png|A [[Skirmisher Commando]] with the needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HTMCC-HR DamagedWatchtower.png|A Kig-Yar Sniper firing a needle rifle from a watchtower in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR SkirmisherMurmillones.jpg|A trio of [[Skirmisher Murmillo]]nes with the needle rifles in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR Spartan Commando 1.png|A Spartan carrying a needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach'' multiplayer.
File:Species inline.jpg|A [[Special Operations Sangheili]] wielding a needle rifle  in ''Halo: Reach'' multiplayer.
File:NeedleFace.jpg|A Spartan shot in the head with a needle in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR_JackalSniper_NeedleRifle.jpg|A Kig-Yar Sniper armed with a needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach'' Firefight.
File:Reach FF Courtyard06.jpg|A Sangheili with a needle rifle in ''Halo: Reach''{{'}}s Firefight Versus.
File:H4FUD-JackalSniper-NeedleRifle.jpg|A [[Kig-Yar sniper]] wielding a needle rifle during the [[Battle of Circinius IV]] in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''

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

{{Covenant rifles}}
[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Small arms]]