Editing Needle-based weaponry

'''Needle-based weaponry''' refers to weapons that incorporate explosive [[Suban]]ese [[Subanese crystal|crystal]] in their properties. Although there are [[melee]] weapons that were derived from the crystal,{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=307}} the most common needle-based weaponry are [[:Category:Projectile weapons|projectile weapons]] that launch the Subanese crystalline shards.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} While the [[Forerunner]]s have developed at least [[shard cannon|one class of needle-based weapon]], the [[Covenant]] most likely reverse-engineered the technology,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]], particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p294|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}

Needle-based weaponry are characterized by Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p479|Enc22|Page=479}} Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=349}} If multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties supercombine and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against [[energy shielding]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021}}

Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The [[needler]], the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} In contrast, the {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=127}} so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle|D=14|M=05|Y=2021}}