Editing M'tara-pattern focus rifle

|manufacturer=[[Assembly Forges]]{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=71}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WP09|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/focus-rifle/5877d3be-206a-477c-892a-67ff5094e284|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Focus Rifle|D=28|M=09|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Weapons#Focus Rifle}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/focus-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Focus Rifle|D=14|M=5|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=293}}

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|length={{Convert|57.2|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}

|optics=3.5× and 9.5× magnification{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}}{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}

The '''''M'tara''-pattern Fire Rifle''' {{Type|52|Special Applications Rifle|SAR}}{{Ref/Site|Id=bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25436|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo: Reach Intel - Ordnance - Focus Rifle|D=7|M=2|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}} commonly known as the '''focus rifle''', is a [[directed-energy weapon]] used by the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Reuse|EN}} The marksman rifle is in the same "lineage" as [[particle beam rifle]]s such as the {{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}} and the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

The focus rifle is a [[sniper]]-style weapon based on reverse-engineered [[Forerunner]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|EN}}{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}} Despite its visual similarities to the {{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}, it functions quite differently, being designed for ranged suppression rather than for anti-personnel roles. The smooth and organic appearance and purple coloration of the weapon are reflective of typical Covenant aesthetic tendencies, as such, its ergonomic grip is designed for [[Sangheili]] use. Although powerful and intimidating, the combat effectiveness focus rifle is crippled by several glaring flaws in the design. The beam fired by the weapon is extraordinarily visible; firing the weapon immediately reveals the user's position. Although highly effective at depleting shields, the weapon is only marginally effective against armored targets, causing negligible damage to vehicles and requiring continuous fire to ensure lethality against organic targets. If the weapon overheats, it will automatically vent excess plasma, burning the user and rendering the weapon inoperable for several seconds.

The focus rifle copies some elements of the [[Sentinel beam|sterilization beams]] employed by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}} and [[Z-510 focus turret|focus turrets]]{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=103}}, though the magnetic accelerators and particle guide beam emitters are novel creations of Covenant origin. These features present a counterpoint to the idea that the Covenant never innovated when it comes to technological development.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=193}} The focus rifle's electromagnetic compositors are a design shared with the {{Pattern|Elutuzem|stalker rifle}}.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=479}} Instead of firing a single beam of ionised hydrogen in one shot like the Covenant [[particle beam rifle]]s, the rifle fires a continuous purple-tinted beam of magnetically contained plasma, similar in operation to a [[Sentinel Beam]], the [[Forerunner]] weapon from which the ''M'tara'' was reverse-engineered. The plasma is formed in a cylindrical module and directed through a channel of electromagnetic coils, forming a precise beam. Like most Covenant infantry weapons, the weapon draws its power from a battery. The weapon requires high power expenditure and the battery is easily depleted.{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}}{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}} The exact mechanism by which it functions was under investigation by the [[United Nations Space Command]] as of August 2552,{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} and remains mysterious even as of the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post-war era]].{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}}

The weapon is equipped with a 3.5-9.5× magnification scope and uses the same [[smart-link]] firmware as Covenant particle beam rifles, but uses a different scope. As with the particle beam rifle, the smart-link feed shows the weapon's remaining power and accumulated heat level. The link also displays diagnostic information and allows semi-automatic adjustment of the plasma beam angle when interlinked with the hardware in [[Sangheili harness|Sangheili combat harnesses]] or [[Kig-Yar targeting headgear|Kig-Yar marksman sets]]. This provides a limited amount of moving-target tracking without the firer having to adjust their aim point at distant targets.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} These targeting protocols are unusual and incompatible with most interlink translation software.{{Ref/Reuse|WP09}}{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}

==In-game information==