Editing Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle

{{Ratings}}
{{Era|HW|FOR|H1|TF|HGN|H2|GOO|H3}}
{{HaloWikiLink|Plasma_Rifle}}
{{Nominated}}
{{Weapon
| image=[[Image:Plasmarifle.jpg|300px]]
| name=Plasma Rifle
| manufacturer=Unknown Covenant maybe the Elites
| model=Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle
| type=Rifle
| cost=Unknown
| size=Handheld, Single Handed ([[Dual Wield]]able)
*length: 66 centimeters
*width: 17.8 centimeters
*height: 37.9 centimeters
*weight: 5.9 kg (13 lbs)
| damage per hit=Medium
*10 DU (Halo 1)<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Games/HaloPC/page.aspx?section=Guides&subsection=WeaponsVehiclesPages&page=2</ref>
| magazine=400 charges per energy core per rifle 
| maxammo=400 charges per energy core per rifle
| fire=Semi-Automatic, Automatic
| ammotype=Superheated Plasma
| operation=
| rate of fire=High, 360~540 shots/min
*Muzzle velocity:126 m/s (413 f/s)
| accuracy=Moderate
| range=50 meters (155 ft, Short to Medium Range)
| era=
| counterpart=
*Human:[[SMG]]
*Brute:[[Type-25 Carbine]]
| counterwep=See [[Plasma_Rifle#Counterweapons|below]].
| affiliation=[[Covenant]]
}}

<center>{{Article Quote| You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kind’a gingerly—but then you see an [[Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo]]'s head with one—things are built tough.
- Anonymous Serviceman}}</center>

The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle</ref> or '''Plasma Rifle''' is a [[Covenant]] ground firearm.

It is a common light [[weapon]] in the Covenant army, primarily wielded by [[Elites]] and invented by Ijka 'Snovoli<ref name="HBO">[http://halo.bungie.org/damail.html Halo.Bungie.Org mailbag Thursday, June 23, 2005]</ref> . The Plasma Rifle uses induced plasma instead of projectile ammunition, firing directed energy bolts. This means that the weapon draws from a power source to generate its energy bolts rather than firing individual cased projectiles like a conventional weapon. The base power output of the rifle is 100-150 Kv @ 2-3 dA, and the rate of fire is 420 to 600 rounds per minute.<ref name="Library">[http://library.psyjnir.net/?id=50 Halo Library]</ref> The Plasma Rifle is particularly effective against shielded opponents.

It is often found throughout the Halo series on [[Elites]] and [[Brutes]], but has also been wielded by [[Jackals]], [[Grunts]], and is found quite often in [[Covenant Weapons Holder]]s.

The Plasma Rifle is powered by an ultra-dense extreme high temperature superconducting matrix capacitor bank, grown using an unknown molecular deposition technique. The bolts are developed by manipulating a high voltage, low current spark. There are two elongated toroidal electromagnets above and below the spark gap electrodes within the weapon. These turn at high velocities in opposite directions to create interacting magnetic fields which force the ionic plasma in the spark into a toroidal shape which is inturn forced forward away from the electrodes. As long as these plasma toroids move above a certain velocity, these the ions cannot recombine and hence blooming can not occur. The trigger is non-mechanical, it is a pressure pad that completes a circuit when a threshold is reached. The outer-shell of the weapon concists of boric and cobalt composite ceramic. The weapon can only be recharged at non-mobile consoles.

==Combat==
===Advantages===
The Plasma Rifle has a very high rate of fire and deals out a very high amount of shield damage.  Like other plasma weapons, the Plasma Rifle is effective at depleting [[shields]], though not as effectively as the [[Plasma Pistol]]'s overcharged shot. The Plasma Rifle is also dual wieldable. A quick two-second burst from two dual-wielded plasma rifles into a [[Hunter|Hunter's]] weak spot will kill it instantly and they are also very useful against all Flood forms. The plasma rifle is quite easy to aim, so there is a big advantage against flood combat forms because you can  aim the plasma rifle at the center of the flood where the parasite's legs are sticking out for an instant kill, but be aware of parasites, as they can revive the combat form if you do this.

===Disadvantages===
The Plasma Rifle overheats very fast when used in automatic firing mode and rapid firing. Also, the Plasma Rifle cannot be reloaded or recharged. While extremely effective at cutting down enemies' shields, the Plasma Rifle doesn't deal as much physical damage as solid projectile weapons. This can be avoided by Duel Wielding a solid projectile weapon in your other hand, for example the SMG or the Spiker. It also runs out of ammo really quickly when in automatic firing mode.

===Campaign Recommendations===
In Both [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and Halo 2, The Plasma Rifle's high rate of fire and moderate damaging can be used to quickly neutralize low level enemies such as [[Grunts]], [[Drones]], and [[Infection Forms]]. Against the [[Elites]] the Plasma Rifle can quickly deplete their [[Elite Personal Energy Shield|Shields]] and leave them vulnerable to a lethal headshot from an [[M6]] pistol, [[Covenant Carbine]] or [[Battle Rifle]], or some sprays from an [[SMG]]. However the Plasma Rifle can be ineffective against some enemies notably the [[Brutes]], [[Hunters]], and [[Flood]] [[Combat Forms]].
In [[Halo 3]], dual wielding Plasma Rifles is a very effective way of combating the [[Flood]] in campaign on all difficulties, most specifically the shielded [[Elite]] variant, which proves to be one of the most trying enemies.

===Multiplayer Recommendations===
The Plasma Rifle has limited uses in [[Multiplayer]], but is still a useful weapon, especially if dual wielded. Although its range limits the weapon to close quarter fire fights, if used properly a player can quickly dispose of a far-away enemy. It is also advisable to carry a mid to long range weapon such as a [[Battle Rifle]] or [[Sniper Rifle]] for backup against targets outside of the Plasma Rifle's range. It  has the fastest [[melee]] attack of any weapon except for the energy sword. In Halo 3, this weapon can easily overpower an [[Assault Rifle]] if the melee is used in conjunction well with the energy shield depleting shots, allowing an easy takedown.

==Variations Between the Halo Games==
[[Image:MinorElite12.jpg|right|thumb|200px| A [[Minor Elite]] wielding its favorite weapon, the Plasma Rifle.]]
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
The Plasma Rifle in [[Halo:Combat Evolved]] is far more powerful and accurate than its Halo 2 counterpart. Furthermore, the weapon held a unique ability to [[stun]] opponents that were hit by high velocity plasma rounds, this effect greatly reduces the victim's ability to move and dodge the incoming projectiles and allows the user to easily hold the opponent in the weapon's firing arc. However, the drawback was that this effect is only felt with sustained fire. While stunned, the weapon will often overheat before the opponent is completely killed. Despite this drawback, the stun ability is a useful and potent feature in the hands of an experienced user. In Campaign mode, the Plasma Rifle is best used against the [[Sentinels]] and [[Elites]]. Sentinels always nurse a soft spot to Covenant weapons and it can be very useful in taking down Elites shields when rapid firing. It should also be noted that this weapon behaved more like a rifle than its successor, having about twice the firing range. It should be noted that this weapon decreases its accuracy while heating up, becoming as inaccurate as its Halo 2 counterpart, however this can be counteracted by burst-firing the weapon, releasing 2-3 bolts per firing.  This will allow the weapon to be used for a longer period of time before it actually overheats.

===''Halo 2''===
''[[Halo 2]]'''s Plasma Rifle is not as powerful or accurate as its predecessor and lacks the ability to stun. These drawbacks are compensated by a higher rate of fire and the ability to dual wield the weapon, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of other weapons from ''[[Halo 2]]'' and creating powerful combinations. The changes to the weapon are directly related to the inclusion of dual wielding and more higher rate of fire. For purposes of balance, the Plasma Rifle, along with many others from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', was tweaked to better fit the new game's fighting style. The weapon takes an opponent's shields off with five shots, but it takes many more to kill. This version of the plasma rifle behaves more as a Sub-Machine (SMG) Gun rather than a rifle.

It has a medium accuracy, but, when dual wielded, if both rifles are fired simultaneously, the accuracy will decrease a lot

Plasma Rifles are also the basis for several other weapon systems, including the [[Twin Plasma Cannon]]s on [[Ghosts]] and [[Banshees]].<ref name="Library"/> The weapon is not to be confused with the [[Brute Plasma Rifle]], which is red instead of blue. The Brute Plasma Rifle does NOT do more damage than the Plasma Rifle, as some may think, but fires at a significantly higher rate of fire and overheats more quickly than its Elite counterpart.<ref name="Neoseeker"/>

===''Halo 3''===
In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Plasma Rifles are made more powerful. Their bolts are graphically redesigned to be more vivid. The bolts seem to travel faster than those of previous versions, reducing the need to lead the shots at midrange. After a few shots the weapon becomes very inaccurate, so fire in short controlled bursts. Also, unlike in previous games, the PR is very effective against the [[Flood]], even more so than its human counterpart. It takes 18 blasts when single wielded or 20 when dual wielded to kill an enemy with normal shields in Halo 3. This makes it effective against shields and semi-effective for flesh, making it a much more formidable weapon then its previous version. The weapon also gets a slight graphical overhaul, making it slightly more detailed and generally shinier.<center>
{|style="margin: 0 2em 0em 0em;font-size:85%;" id="toc"
|[[Image:Halo-3-20070701114858951.jpg|60px|center]]
|[[Image:MCwithSMGs.jpg|100px|center]]
|style="width: 33%;"|[[Image:Spikers.jpg|100px|center]]
|-
|colspan=3 style="text-align: center;"|The Plasma Rifle and its counterparts, the [[Human]] [[M7 Caseless Sub Machine Gun|SMG]] and the [[Brute]] [[Type-25 Carbine|Spiker]].
|}
</center>

==Trivia==
*The Plasma Rifle seems to act like a slingshot when firing. 
*The Plasma Rifle is used mostly by Elites, but it is sometimes used by Brutes.
*On Halo:CE, if your character remains idle for a minute, he will check the weapon's integrity, but, on Halo 2, he will open the cooling vents to make sure they work well.
*In Halo 2 Brutes never used standard Plasma Rifles but their own [[Brute Plasma Rifle]]. There is one exception on the level The Great Journey; if you steal one of the Brutes' Ghosts in the beginning of the level, the displaced Brute will be holding a regular Plasma Rifle. However in Halo 3 they are never seen using the [[Brute Plasma Rifle]] as it is absent from the game but are seen wielding the normal Plasma Rifle frequently throughout [[Halo 3]].
*In the Halo Wars trailer it makes more of a crackling sound when fired.
*Despite being referred to as a rifle, the Plasma Rifle would more correctly be classified as a carbine due to its size. Ironically the [[Covenant Carbine]] would more likely be classed as a Rifle in comparison to the Plasma Rifle via size. 
*Like most [[Covenant]] weapons the Plasma Rifle has no sightings like the human shotgun or the Assault Rifle. It appears to rely entirely on the users HUD reticle for aim assisting.
*In Halo 3 multiplayer, with not damage modifiers on, this weapon has the 3rd lowest shot damage difference between single and dual wield. (the Plasma Pistol has no difference in shot damage and the Mauler takes only 1 more shot to kill dual wielded then when single wielded from 2x Overshield or more). At Normal Shield the shot difference is only 2 shots (18 single, 20 dual), at 4x Overshield the difference is only 3 shots (32 single, 35 dual)

==UNSC Remarks==
“[The Type-25 DER] has no recoil to speak of; it tears the crap out of shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it is on the heavy side though.”

“I realize that it uses a battery instead of a magazine, but nobody has figured out how to swap it or recharge it yet? Don’t we have scientists working for us or something?”

“It’s got no sightline, it’s awkward to hold, and if it overheats it’ll cook the hair right off of your wrists.”

“You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kind’a gingerly—but then you see an [[Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo]]'s head with one—thing’s are built tough.”

“Yeah, and I’ve seen some [[Sangheili|Elites]] swinging two of them around like it was nothing—scary shit.”

"These things are huge—but I guess the Elites are, too—so it sort’a makes sense."

==See Also==
*[[Brute Plasma Rifle]]
*[[Type-25 Carbine]]
*[[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]]

==Counterweapons==

{|style="margin: 0 2em 0em 0em;font-size:85%;" align=center> id=toc
!align=center bgcolor=#6699CC colspan=2|'''''Counter-Plasma Rifle Tactics'''''
|-
||[[Battle Rifle]] or [[Covenant Carbine]]|| While using either of these weapons, strafe back and forth at long range while firing. The longer range of the Battle Rifle or Carbine should be sufficient to neutralize the plasma rifle user, and strafing will help combat the long streams of incoming fire or the occasional plasma grenade.
|-
||[[Beam Rifle]] or [[Sniper Rifle]] || Although experienced plasma rifle users will retreat to cover if they detect a sniper, it is easy to pick off unwary hostiles from long range in open cover, or to "kill-steal" while a teammate or enemy engages the plasma rifle user.
|-
||[[Energy Sword]] or [[Shotgun]] || While the plasma rifle may seem ineffectual to close range specialists, you must be wary of the [[plasma grenades]] that may adhere to and destroy you. The best tactic is to move in close, as the stress of battle will negate the threat of these grenades. Engagement at medium-close ranges can lead to a deadly plasma firefight that could possibly kill the inexperienced sword-wielder.
|-
||[[M6D Pistol]] || In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' only, the M6D is one of the most powerful weapons, and can successfully counter.
|}

==Character Compatibility==
*[[Elites]]
*[[Spartans]]
*[[Brutes]]
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Jackals]]
*[[Marines]]
*[[Drones]] (have animation but not used)
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form]] [[Combat Form#Human Form|(Human)]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form]] [[Combat Form#Elite Form|(Elite)]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form]] [[Combat form#Brute Form|(Brute)]]

==Laser Tag==
{{Main|Halo 3 Replica Guns}}
In July 2007, it was announced that there is going to be a Halo laser tag game released, with a Plasma Rifle designed to actual proportions to look like it does in Halo 3.

==Images==
<gallery>
Image:Plasma-rifle 02.png|A Plasma Rifle.
Image:1179041973.jpg|In [[Halo 3]], the Plasma Rifle is much more detailed,powerful,and accurate.
Image:Plasma Rifles.jpg|Plasma Rifle in Halo 3
</gallery>

==Sources==
<references/>

{{WepList}}

[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Held Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
[[Halo games]]