Editing M19 SSM Rocket Launcher

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<center>''Were you also looking for the [[M19-B SAM Missile Launcher]], mentioned in [[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]], or the [[M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher]], used in [[Halo 3]]?''</center>
{{Weapon
| image=[[Image:Rocketlauncher.jpg|M19 Rocket Launcher|300px]]
| name=M19 SSM Rocket Launcher
| manufacturer=
| model=M19 SSM Rocket Launcher
| type=Rocket Launcher
| cost=
| size=
*Shoulder-mounted
*length: 134.9 centimeters (4.426 feet)
| damage per hit=Very High
| magazine=2 rockets
| maxammo=
*Halo 1:10 rockets or 5 magazines
*Halo 2:8 rockets or 4 magazines
| ammotype=[[102mm High-Explosive Anti-Tank]] (Shaped Charge)
| operation=
| rate of fire=Moderate
| accuracy= In Games:
*Halo 1: High, no homing
*Halo 2: Very High. Perfect when homing to vehicles
| range=Medium to Long Range
| era=Battle of Installation 04 to the battle of High Charity
| counterpart=[[Fuel Rod Gun]]
| counterwep=[[Sniper Rifle]],[[Brute Shot]],[[Shotgun]]
| affiliation=*[[United Nations Space Command]]
*[[United Rebel Front]]
}}
The '''M19 SSM Rocket Launcher'''<ref>In the Halo PC manual</ref> is a heavy ordnance [[weapon]] used by [[UNSC]] forces in the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]''<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo2/gamemanual.htm</ref> eras to combat armored vehicles. It features a 2x scope, and, in ''Halo 2'', lock-on capabilities. It is designed so that it can be used by all [[UNSC Marine Corps]] personnel. It is also known as the SPNKr, or ''"Spanker"'' for the letters painted on the side, as a reference to its namesake from Bungie's previous Marathon franchise.



==Summary==
The '''M19 SSM Rocket Launcher''', alternatively called the ''SPNKr'', ''Jackhammer'', ''Rox'', or ''Hunter Killer'' (by some fans, due to its effective use against [[Hunters]] and their heavy armor) is a heavy ordnance weapon of the [[UNSC]] arsenal used in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', ''Halo 2'' and Halo 3. It fires H.E.A.T. (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rockets. The launcher sports a 2x scope and can fire rockets over long distances with devastating accuracy, although in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' it falls in altitude and moves at a very slow rate if fired from a long distance.

The weapon consists of two disposable barrels and the weapon unit, allowing two consecutive shots. When reloading, the spent barrels are discarded and a new pair inserted. With this mechanism, a Marine can greatly reduce the weight he carries without throwing the weapon away like with modern day disposable rocket launchers, and reduced production costs as only the barrels are thrown away. A [[Spartan]] wielding one is also very effective, since their augmentations have given them the ability to wield both a Rocket Launcher and a small sidearm at the same time, though this is only seen in a cinematic in the ''Halo 2'' level [[Delta Halo (level)|Delta Halo]], and cannot be done during actual gameplay. Still, it is a heavy ordnance weapon and is very effective at killing the enemy, but if fired at a target that is too close, the splash damage can and most likely will kill the user.

==Advantages==
The Rocket Launcher spreads a huge amount of damage over a large area. It is capable of taking out entire groups of targets at any range and can kill both the passengers and crew of nearly any vehicle (with the exception of the [[Scorpion Tank]] or [[Wraith]]  which takes two to three hits) with one direct hit. It is very useful for killing [[Hunters]], which are often the most difficult enemies to kill. For an anti-tank weapon it is capable of inflicting mass damage to tanks and wraiths because of its ability to quickly launch two consecutive shots, so it is effective in close range assaults against tanks. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', it was originally possible to kill someone with a single running or jumping version of the Rocket Launcher's melee attack. This has since been corrected. Also in ''Halo 2'' and ''[[Halo 3|3]]'' it has a nice propulsion alternative for the "[[grenade jump]]" if done correctly. With the Rocket Launcher you do not have to have perfect aim as the blast's splash damage will be enough to kill them. The lock-on feature in ''Halo 2'' makes aiming much easier and makes killing vehicles almost a guarantee. This feature was deleted in ''Halo 3'' since the [[Missile Pod]] has the lock-on feature in a package that Bungie considers to be more balanced gameplay-wise. The rocket launcher is also very hard to dodge.

==Disadvantages==
[[Image:Rocket2.jpg|left|thumb|250px| The [[Master Chief]] in Mk. V armor fires a [[HEAT|rocket]] at a [[Covenant]] [[Wraith]].]]
Several things counterbalance the rocket launcher's sheer power:
*The rocket, though powerful, is an anti-vehicle weapon, not specifically targeting infantry. Consequently, many enemies who would have perished had they been in a [[vehicle]] can survive. For example, Elite [[Zealots]] within a vehicle cannot survive, while Zealots engaging in direct combat will merely lose their shields and some health.
*Its reload time is quite slow - about three to five seconds.
*The rockets leave a trail of black smoke in their wake, giving away your exact position if you are hidden.
*Ammunition is often unavailable, and the player can carry only 10 rockets in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and 8 in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3''.
*The splash damage of a rocket can severely injure or kill its operator if fired carelessly into surrounding terrain or an enemy at extremely short range.
*The rocket travels slowly enough to be dodged, and trying to hit moving vehicles from long range will require very precise timing and predictable driving by the opponent. In ''Halo 2'', this is not an issue due to the homing rockets. Also the Rocket Launcher has only two rockets making an inexperienced wielder dead if he misses. The [[Fuel Rod Gun]] is better for rapidly launching more than two shots in succession, but gives up the high exploding power.
*In ''Halo 2'', you can lose a rocket lock if you are in a [[banshee]] by pointing the nose as high as you can, getting out then back in quickly by pressing the X button rapidly.
*If the game jumps when you are about to kill someone you could aim at the ground by mistake and fire, killing yourself.

==[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]==
The Rocket launcher of [[Halo: Combat Evolved|Halo: CE]] is known to be the strongest out of all in the Halo universe, for example one shot can destroy a [[Ghost]] or a [[Banshee]], and kill you at point-blank range, even with full overshields on. It holds up to 10 rockets (2 in the barrel and 8 in reload position). The size of the Rocket launcher is bigger than the one in [[Halo 2]]. Also, it shoots slower than its [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] counterparts, but can kill a large group of enemies. A downside to this variant of the rocket launcher is that it doesn't lock on to an enemy vehicle like in [[Halo 2]]. However, in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' Campaign, enemy [[Ghost|Ghosts]], [[Wraith|Wraiths]] and even [[Banshee|Banshees]] are driven in straight lines, making them very easy to destroy when moving towards you. Usually, it only takes one rocket to kill a Hunter on lower difficulties.

==[[Halo 2]]==
In [[Halo 2]], the Rocket Launcher is much weaker than the one from [[Halo:Combat Evolved]], although it still can destroy a small sized vehicle with one shot. Despite how many rockets it takes to take out a vehicle, the Halo 2 rocket launcher has a lock on system that tracks an enemy vehicle and nearly always hits its mark, destroying it. It can also shoot much faster.

==[[Halo 3]]==
The rocket launchers in Halo 3 are a different model, known as the [[M41 SSR MAV/AW]].

==Changes from [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] to [[Halo 2]]==
*Maximum ammo 8 rockets instead of 10.
*Different firing sound effect.
*Faster reload.
*Faster melee.
*Locks on to vehicles.
*Ammunition indicated in scope when zoomed in.
*HUD ammo indicator illustration changed.
*Less firepower & splash damage.

==Effective Against==
Regularly most enemies, vehicles, and even particularly heavier vehicles such as the [[Wraith]] and [[Scorpion]] can be succumbed by one shot; one accurate shot can kill a Scorpion's driver in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. Two quick shots to the front or close up on the flank will destroy it. A Wraith may take two hits to the front before getting destroyed. Sometimes, it will take three, but in certain instances it will take one hit in the back to destroy it if the shot hits the exact weak spot. However, against enemy vehicles on their flanks and at medium ranges it is arguably useless and ineffective over the map, unless in flat terrain and using extreme leading. It performs poorly against [[Ghosts]] and [[Warthogs]] due to their high speed and agility. If fired at an oncoming vehicle at medium range it can usually be avoided. It can also be used with deadly efficiency in some of the indoor multi player levels if the player can predict the rockets impact point and where the target will be at that given time. This is easier than it sounds due to the "splash" radius of the [[HEAT|rocket]].

==Ammo==
M19 Surface to Surface Missile (x2)
[[HEAT|102mm Shaped-Charge High-Explosive]] (as shown on Ammo Box in ''Halo Graphic Novel''). It has a very lethal explosion and when it hits a vehicle it releases a jet of what is essentially magma into the vehicle, crippling it.

==Influences==
Apart from its lock-on ability in ''Halo 2'', the M19 SSM is essentially a [[Halo Universe]] copy of the SPNKR-X18 SSM Launcher from the [[Marathon]] series, making the "SPNKr" on the side of the M19 SSM a possible inside joke for fans of [[Bungie]]'s former series. The M19 is also nicknamed the "''Spanker''" due to the "SPNKr" labeling on the launcher and the rectangular cases that contain rocket ammunition.

==Character Compatibility==
*[[Spartans]]
*[[Elites]] ([[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]])
*[[Marines]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form]] ([[Human]])
*[[Grunts]] (Can be given to them in [[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]].)
[[Image:1225555955 Rocket ammo.jpg|thumb|right|Rocket Launcher Ammunition.]]
==Trivia==
*This version of the Rocket launcher has a TEST button that, when pressed, spins the barrels around. This animation only happens when the player is idle.
*The rocket launcher in [[Marathon]] bore the same name, SPNKr (which is stenciled onto the side of the Rocket Launcher).
*Gamestop released a [[Halo 3]] Rocket Launcher missile case game holder to coincide with the release of Halo 3.
*The letters on the side say "SPNKr", which is pronounced "Spanker", prompting some players to yell "Spanked!" after killing an enemy with a rocket melee.[[Image:Rocketinflight.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The M19 SSM's rocket in flight.]]
*According to the diagram on the side of the Rocket Launcher, everybody using it is holding it on the wrong side. The only exception is the [[Master Chief]] in the [[Delta Halo]] cinematic.
*In the novel [[Halo: The Flood]], Hunters can actually deflect rockets (that is, redirect it). This is highly improbable, as the rocket explodes the moment it comes in contact with anything, unless it is hit at its side. So a possible explanation is that the Hunters mentioned timed it perfectly and gave it a swift hit at the rocket's side. John-117 performed a similar feat with the help of [[Cortana]] during a test on [[Reach]].
*In [[Halo 2]], if a player drives a vehicle to the top of the hill in a given map, and another player stands a certain distance away, locks on, drags the aiming reticule away to a certain point, and releases, the rocket will actually fly around the vehicle in a perfect circle until something gets in the way or the hill player moves. Furthermore, if the player in the vehicle gets out, the rocket will stop homing on to the vehicle and fly off at a random circular trajectory. This glitch is also seen in [[Halo 3]] with the [[missile pod]].
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], ''[[Halo 2]]'', and ''[[Halo: PC]]'', it is often referred to as the rocket "lawn chair".
*While your shields are upgraded to [[Overshield]] status, aim at the ground, jump, and fire a rocket at your jumps peak to be given a moderate jump boost. This is because the explosive shock wave of the rocket launcher causes you to fly a little, but is also only possible because during the short (around 2.5 second) period that your overshields charge, you are temporarily invincible.
*On [[Xbox Live]], the SPNKr is considered a "noob" weapon because new players often use it too often to get kills.
*Strangely, in [[Halo: CE]], it is the only weapon which [[Marine]]s cannot pick up (even if you bump-possess them). This is because they do not have the animation for it.
*If you seat yourself as a passenger in an enemy's [[Warthog]] in [[Halo 2]], and have the Rocket Launcher with you, you can lock onto to the vehicle as long as the driver is not on your team. It takes one to two shots to kill you both, although the gunner can survive.
* In [[Halo 2]] it is more of a missile launcher, because it can lock on to vehicles. Rockets are unguided.
*The only known image of a Marine wielding the Rocket Launcher in the "Combat Evolved"-era is on the concept cover for [[Halo: The Flood]] in the lower corner.

==Sources==
<references/>

==Related Pages==
*[[M19-B SAM Missile Launcher]]
*[[M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher]]
*[[Fuel Rod Gun]]

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{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}

[[Category:Held Weapons]]
[[Category:Human Weapons]]
[[Category:UNSC]]
[[Category:Weapons]]