Editing Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle

{{Era|Covenant|HCW|Post}}

{{Weapon
| image=[[File:HaloReach-PlasmaRifleSide-transparent.png|290px]]
| manufacturer=[[Iruiru Armory]]<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 145''</ref>
| series=
| type=Directed Energy Rifle
| cost=
| variant= *[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant]]
| service= 
| affiliation=[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
*[[Covenant Loyalist]]
*[[Covenant Separatist]]
| weight= {{Convert|5.9|kg|lb}}<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'']</ref>
|length= {{Convert|62.1|cm|in}}<ref name="essential"/>
| ammotype=Superheated Plasma
| feed= 100 battery units
| operation=All Purpose
| rate=360~540 shots/min <ref name="bnet"/>
| velocity=126 m/s (413 f/s)<ref name="bnet"/>
| range= {{Convert|50|m|ft}}<ref name="bnet"/>
}}

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

The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle''',<ref name="bnet"/> more commonly known as the '''Plasma Rifle''', is a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] infantry weapon.

==Design Details==
[[File:Plasma-rifle 02.png|thumb|left|160px|A Plasma Rifle's schematics.]]
The '''Plasma Rifle''' is a Covenant [[Directed Energy Weapon]] that uses a superheated ionized gas called [[Plasma]] instead of projectile ammunition. The weapon's inner workings is comprised of several components, a power cell that keeps the weapon active, power the magnetic containment field, and carry out the firing cycle. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire 360~540 rounds per minute. Unlike the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]], the plasma rifle is capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. The plasma rifle consists of two large semiautomatic weapons welded together one on top, the other beneath. The pair of curved bodies are joined via the trigger guard.<ref name="PLAS2">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 110''</ref> Placed atop one another, these projectors fire in a "stagger" pattern taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it, this design allows a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. The side of the weapon has a small temperature gauge this visually informs the wielder how close the weapon is to overheating.<ref name="PLAS2"/> The rifle, like most Covenant weapons are smooth and aerodynamic, almost organic in appearance.<ref name="PLAS2"/> Covenant technology poses no instrumentality, meaning none of the surface controls or triggers connect in any way human scientists can understand.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]]''' ''November 22nd, 2535''</ref> Like most Covenant weapons, the Plasma Rifle has no sights. It appears to rely entirely on the user's HUD reticule for aim assistance. 

The Type-25 DER is the primary weapon of the Covenant’s officer corps,<ref name="bnet"/> standard issue to [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]], lower caste species within the Covenant who have attained significant rank within the Covenant military are issued this weapon during operations. The Type-25 DER was one of the earliest and most frequently encountered Covenant plasma weapon. It occupies a role very similar to the human assault rifle.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28439 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance - Plasma Rifle'']</ref> In the post-war era the T25 DER is still the primary weapon of the of the Sangheilian armed forces.<ref name="bnet"/>

The lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this type of injury destroys the outer layer of skin and the entire layer beneath; the wound is cauterized instantly upon impact.<ref name="plas3">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 130''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 328''</ref> Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 22''</ref>, fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target. At close range two bursts from the Type-25 DER have enough thermal transfer and kinetic energy to pass through victims with ease,<ref name="plas4">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 129''</ref> close range impacts can also cause dismemberment of limbs.<ref name="plas3"/> Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris both non-heated and heated that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 15''</ref> Generally two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle will kill a light or unarmored target.<ref name="plas4"/>

===Advantages===
The plasma rifle is a close to medium range weapon, and as such can inflict very high damage at range. The plasma rifle can also be used at long range if the user fires slowly and aims carefully by leading the target. The rifle is extremely efficient at killing "soft" targets, while doing lethal amounts of damage to a heavily armored target. Enough infantry equipped with Type-25 rifles can halt enemy infantry advance with its ability to deliver harassing suppressive fire; this tactic is also reflected in the Covenant's combat doctrine: destroy enemy morale with harassing fire from distant or hidden snipers and intimate exposure to the alien-ness of their infantry. SPARTAN-IIs and Elites have the ability to dual-wield plasma rifles, doubling their efficiency in close to medium range combat situations. The plasma rifle's high velocity bolt coupled with its kinetic impact to a target can temporarily stun a target like a SPARTAN-II.

===Disadvantages===
The plasma rifle, when fired continuously, overheats very quickly because of the rapid cycling, loading, ignition, and release sequence of energy; to prevent the weapon from being damaged, the Type-25 DER temporarily shuts down and opens heating vents to allow the excess heat to dissipate before the weapon reactivates. This process leaves the weapon inoperable and useless. Careless infantry who are not aware of the function of the Plasma Rifle can get themselves killed because of this. 

Human military experts and scientists do not understand how Covenant plasma weapons work, or how they are recharged; as such, when the battery is depleted, the rifle must be discarded or replaced. At 10% charge level, the plasma rifle will begin to misfire, this is due to the power cells inability to deliver enough energy to start and complete the ignition and release phase of operation, hampering the operator's use of the weapon. 

Although the plasma rifle can strike a target at longer ranges, it is not suited for long range combat, due to two distinct properties of the weapons operation. The first is the rate of thermal expansion which is determined by the rate of the bloom of the bolt. The second factor is speed: the faster the bolt goes, the farther the bolt will travel before the magnetic field begins to weaken, causing the temperature of the bolt to cool before the magnetic field becomes unstable and finally dissipates. The bolt also loses velocity and kinetic impact with longer travel distance.

==Changes==
===Halo: Combat Evolved===
The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' is far more powerful than its ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'' counterparts; also the weapon holds the unique ability to stun opponents that were hit by high amount of 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 continuous fire. While stunned, the weapon will often overheat before the opponent is killed, especially if it is an Elite or Hunter. Despite this drawback, the stun ability is a useful and potent feature in the hands of an experienced user. Beware that the Plasma Rifle decreases in accuracy while heating up. However, firing in bursts can counteract this and is much more useful over longer ranges. In the campaign, the Plasma Rifle is best used against the [[Sentinels]] and Elites. Fully charged Plasma Rifles can be obtained by killing Elite [[Combat Forms]] or killing Elites riding on [[Ghost]]s and [[Banshee]]s.

===Changes From Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2===
The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2'' is not as powerful as its predecessor and lacks the ability to stun. In addition it is also noticeably less accurate, especially at long range. These drawbacks are compensated by a higher rate of fire and the ability to dual-wield, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of other weapons. The changes done to the weapon are directly related to the inclusion of dual-wielding for balancing purposes. The Plasma Rifle, along with many other weapons from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', has been tweaked to better fit the new game engine. A Plasma Rifle is much more efficient at taking out the shields of an opponent compared to ballistic weaponry, but it is less efficient against flesh. This version of the Plasma Rifle behaves more as an SMG rather than a rifle. The Plasma Rifle now has a new firing sound effect to give it along with other plasma weapons a distinct sound to distinguish it easier. In addition to that a new variant, the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae Variant|Brute Plasma Rifles]], is introduced.

===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3'' is much more powerful than its ''Halo 2'' counterpart, but is still weaker than the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' version. Like most of the plasma weapons featured in ''Halo 3'', they have the same overheating rate as their predecessors. To better balance the the weapon the Plasma Rifle now fires as fast as the Brute Plasma Rifle did in ''Halo 2''. Plasma bolts fired by the Plasma Rifle and all other plasma weapons in Halo 3 have been graphically redesigned to have a more vivid look. The bolts now seem to travel faster than from previous games, reducing the need to lead the shots at mid-to-long ranges. However it takes fewer shots of constant fire for the plasma bolts to become very inaccurate. It is considerably harder to come across the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3 campaign'', because of the lack of Elites and the introduction of new Brute weapons such as the [[Type-25 Carbine|Spiker]].

===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach===
In ''Halo: Reach'' the Plasma Rifle, like the other plasma weapons in the game, have been dramatically redesigned and retooled to function closer to their ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' versions. The Plasma Rifle makes a very prominent appearance in the campaign and is wielded by Sangheili, Unggoy and occassionally Kig-Yar. The weapon is available in Forge but is not placed on any multiplayer map by default excluding community maps. This weapon also replaced the [[Needler]] for the [[Armor Lock]] [[loadout]] in [[Elite Slayer]]. The weapon appears to fire faster but still not as fast as the [[Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved|Plasma Repeater]]. The weapons animations are far more detailed and are meant to give it a more menacing and dangerous look. Like the Plasma Pistol the design of the weapon has changed considerably from previous games, The grip has been altered, and appears to be more ergonomic (to Elites at least) and now sports a darker blue color. The Plasma Rifle is the only weapon that is dual-wielded in ''Reach'', with certain Sangheilli seen wielding pairs of them in the Campaign and in Firefight.

==Tactics==
===Campaign===
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved|''Halo: Combat Evolved'']], it is good to carry the [[M6D Personal Defense Weapon System|M6D pistol]] as a secondary weapon. Use the Plasma Rifle to take down Elite or Jackal shields, and use the pistol to secure headshots on unshielded opponents, Grunts and Hunters. However, an [[MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]] works better on [[Flood]]-based levels.
*In [[Halo 2]], dual-wielded Plasma Rifles work extremely effective against a Hunter's back. It seems to stop and "stun" a [[Hunter]] from using its back melee on the player. This is very useful on higher difficulties. 
*In ''Halo 3'' Campaign, plasma rifles work the best against the Flood. [[Dual-wielding|Dual-wielded]] Plasma Rifles work as well as the [[Brute Shot]] over longer ranges and pick off more distant Forms, especially [[Ranged Form]]s and [[Combat Forms]]. By zooming in, and looking at the bottom of the [[heads-up display]], one will see red numbers indicating their distance - Plasma Rifles works best against hostiles within 50 meters. Opening short bursts of fire will immobilize them easily, as they flinch and cease fire when being shot.

===Multiplayer===
In all of the Halo games, plasma-based weapons such as the Plasma Rifle are the best weapons to deplete the enemy shields, especially [[overshield]]ed players. Although its range limits the weapon to close-quarter and medium range firefights, if used properly a player can quickly dispose of a distant enemy. It is recommended that players use the Plasma Rifles first to eliminate the opponents' shields and finish them off with a human weapon such as the [[Assault Rifle]], [[Battle Rifle]] or [[SMG]]. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Plasma Rifle has the ability to stun opponents, enabling players to quickly incapacitate their opponents quickly with a quick melee when close-by. In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', dual-wielding increases the combined rate of fire and damage.

*In close-quarters, like all other weapons, it is preferable to just take out the opponent's energy shield with a few rounds, followed by a melee attack.

*Like all plasma-based weaponry, it is great against shields, but it takes a slightly longer time to take down an unshielded opponent compared to ballistic weapons like the Assault Rifle.

*In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', dual-wielding in conjunction with a weapon that does high flesh damage (i.e. SMG or Mauler) can be very effective if the Plasma Rifle is first used to deplete the target's shields, followed by the next weapon used to secure the kill. Keep in mind that accuracy of both dual-wielded weapons will be reduced.

==[[UNSC]] Remarks==
*''“The Type-25 DER has no recoil to speak of; it tears up shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it's 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 sight-line, 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 of gingerly—but then you see an Elite crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo]]'s head with one—the things are built tough.”''
*''“Yeah, and I’ve seen some 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 sorta makes sense."''

==Trivia==
*In the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' instruction booklet there is a Plasma Rifle picture over a picture of the [[Needler]].
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved,'' the Plasma rifle and the Plasma Pistol use the same sound file.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Plasma Rifle has 2 shots per 1% charge, totaling 200 shots. In ''Halo 2'' and ''3'', it has 4, totaling 400 shots.
*In ''Halo 2'', the Brutes normally wield the Brute Plasma Rifle, except in the level "[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]", where Brutes driving vehicles will be found wielding the normal Plasma Rifle. Also in the level "[[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]]", a few dead Brutes have Plasma Rifles beside their corpses.
*In ''Halo 2'', when playing as the Arbiter, allies wielding Plasma Rifle have the weapon in "overheat" mode.
*If the player remains idle for a while in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the in-game character will inspect the weapon on both sides; in ''Halo 2'' he/she will open the cooling vents; in ''Halo 3'', he/she will pull on the top.
*In [[Halo: Reach]], Plasma Rifles are one of the few weapons which has a reticule that never changes size. 
*In the Original Trilogy, the Plasma Rifle's UNSC counterpart seems to be the MA5B ICWS or the [[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]]. However, in ''Halo: Reach'', the way a Spartan or Sangheili wield the Plasma rifle is identical when wielding an [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Magnum]], even with [[alert carry]], which implies that the Plasma rifle's counterpart is also the M6G Magnum.
*Modified Plasma Rifles appeared in ''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''. They featured ammo readouts with Arabic numerals and pop-up sights,and were sold to Humans from [[Kig-yar]] black markets in [[The Rubble]]. This was discovered by the rest of the Covenant and seen as heresy, when it was really a plan devised by the Prophet of Truth to find the location of earth.
*Laser Tag maker Jasman Toys produced a Plasma Rifle Laser Tag model. There is also a Plasma Pistol model, both of which use the same targeting frequency and are compatible. The Plasma Rifle has full automatic fire, but "overheats" after 20 rounds and the player must wait for it to "cool off" and close the thermal vents.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
File:Overheat.png|A Plasma Rifle overheating in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A [[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps Elite]] holding a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:1206987304 Elite Councilor.jpg|A Councilor with a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2V Compare.png|A comparison between the standard Plasma Rifle and the [[Brute Plasma Rifle]].
File:Plasma Rifles.jpg|Two Plasma Rifles in ''Halo 3''.
File:1179041973.jpg|A first person view of a player dual-wielding Plasma Rifles.
File:Halo-3-20070701114858951.jpg|A [[SPARTAN-II]] welding two Plasma Rifles.
File:Halo3-N'tho 'Sraom-Thumb1024.png|[[N'tho 'Sraom]] with a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3''.
File:Plasma rifle.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:H2 Plasma Rifle.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo 2''.
File:PlasmaRifle-HaloCE.png|A profile render of the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:PlasmaRifle-H2.png|A profile render of the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2''.
File:1771662-gallery.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo Legends: Homecoming''.
File:Plasmarifle.jpg|A render of the Plasma rifle in ''Halo 3''.
File:Plasmarifle.png|A [[Halo: Reach Beta|''Halo Reach'' Beta]] render of the Plasma Rifle.
File:Plasma Rifle turnarounds.jpg| Views of the Plasma rifle from ''Halo Reach'''s development.
File:HaloReach-PlasmaRifleSide-transparent.png|An in-game profile render from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:PlasmaRifle-Transparent.png|An in-game profile render of the Plasma Rifle from ''Halo 3''.
File:H3-PlasmaRifle-transparent.png|Another in-game profile render of the Plasma Rifle from ''Halo 3''.
File:PlasmaRifle-scantransparent.png| A transparent scan of the Plasma Rifle from the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]'', with a curious purplish hue.
</gallery>

==Sources==
<references/>

==Related pages==
*[[Type-25 Carbine]]
*[[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]]
*[[Plasma Repeater]]

{{Covenant Weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Infantry plasma weapons]]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Title|''Okarda'phaa''-pattern plasma rifle}}
+{{Era|Covenant|HCW|Post}}
-{{Status|Canon}}
-{{Weapon infobox
+{{Weapon
-|name=''Okarda'phaa''-pattern Rifle
+| image=[[File:HaloReach-PlasmaRifleSide-transparent.png|290px]]
-|image=[[File:H2A T25DER.png|300px]]
+| manufacturer=[[Iruiru Armory]]<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 145''</ref>
-|manufacturer=[[Iruiru Armory]]{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=145|Id=essential}}
+| series=
-|series=
+| type=Directed Energy Rifle
-|type=[[Directed-energy weapon|Directed-energy rifle]]{{Ref/Site|Id=bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle|Page=Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Site=Bungie.net}}
+| cost=
-|cost=
+| variant= *[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant]]
-|variant={{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-rifle|Page=Plasma Rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint}}
+| service=
-|service=[[War of Beginnings]]<br>[[Human-Covenant War]] <br> [[Great Schism]] <br> [[Blooding Years]] <br> [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
+| affiliation=[[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]
-|length={{Convert|62.1|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
+*[[Covenant Loyalist]]
-|width={{Convert|15.4|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
+*[[Covenant Separatist]]
-|height={{Convert|37.3|cm|in|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
+| weight= {{Convert|5.9|kg|lb}}<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'']</ref>
-|weight={{Convert|5.9|kg|lb}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}
+|length= {{Convert|62.1|cm|in}}<ref name="essential"/>
-|ammotype=Superheated [[plasma]]{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
+| ammotype=Superheated Plasma
-|capacity=
+| feed= 100 battery units
-|feed=100 battery units
+| operation=All Purpose
-|operation=
+| rate=360~540 shots/min <ref name="bnet"/>
-|rate=Fully automatic (360–540 RPM){{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}
+| velocity=126 m/s (413 f/s)<ref name="bnet"/>
-|velocity=126 m/s (413 f/s){{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}
+| range= {{Convert|50|m|ft}}<ref name="bnet"/>
-|optics=
-|range={{Convert|50|m|ft}}{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}
 }}
-{{Quote|You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kinda gingerly—but then you see an [[Sangheili|Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo's]] head with one—the things are built tough.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}}}
-The '''''Okarda'phaa''-pattern Rifle'''{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=290}} {{Type|25|Directed Energy Rifle|DER}},{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}{{Ref/Site|Id=bnet reach|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28439|Page=Halo: Reach - Ordnance - Plasma Rifle|Site=Bungie.net}} more commonly known as the '''plasma rifle''' or '''plasma gun''', is a fully automatic rifle, formerly serving as a [[Covenant]] infantry weapon. The Type-25 DER was the primary weapon of the Covenant's officer corps,{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} standard issue to [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]]. However, lower-caste species within the Covenant who had attained significant rank within the [[Covenant military]] were also issued this weapon during operations. The Type-25 DER was one of the earliest and most frequently encountered Covenant [[plasma]] weapons. It occupies a role very similar to the [[human]] [[assault rifle]].{{Ref/Reuse|bnet reach}}
-The earliest iterations of the plasma rifle have been in use by the Sangheili warrior class for several millennia as of the 26th century and were in service long before the Covenant itself was established. Human researchers of the [[UNSC]]'s [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] believe that the plasma rifle's current design dates back at least five hundred years, with only slight modifications made to the rifle over time.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In the post-[[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] era, though, it has been largely phased out for the {{Pattern|Kelos'vaarda|storm rifle}}.{{Ref/Site|Id=LockeLoad|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-locke-load|Page=Canon Fodder - Locke & Load|Site=Halo Waypoint}}
-==Overview==
-===Design details===
-{{Quote|It's got no sight-line, it's awkward to hold, and if it overheats it'll cook the hair right off of your wrists.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}}}
-[[File:Plasma-rifle 02.png|thumb|180px|left|The schematics of a plasma rifle]]
-The Type-25 plasma rifle is a battery-powered [[directed-energy weapon]] that is capable of fully automatic fire.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} The two segmented portions of the rifle function as large [[plasma]] generator subassemblies.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The pair of curved bodies are joined via the trigger guard,{{Ref/Reuse|PLAS2}} creating the rifle's distinctive smooth, streamlined shape.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The rifle, like most Covenant weapons, is smooth and aerodynamic, almost organic in appearance.<ref name="PLAS2">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]], ''page 110''</ref> The plasma rifle's design has only changed slightly over its centuries of service. The weapon's contemporary design was the result of [[Forerunner]] technology, [[Sangheili]] craftsmanship, and [[San'Shyuum]] artistry.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} The plasma rifle's design was noted to be jawlike, a design that perhaps unconsciously mimicked a Sangheili's mandibles.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 113'' (Google Play edition)</ref>
-Placed atop one another, the rifle's generators fire in a "stagger" pattern taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it at the charging and accelerator poles. This design allows for a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. Despite the efficiency of the plasma rifle's design, a significant amount of waste heat is produced by the rifle's generators. As a result, the wielder is forced to fire short, controlled bursts or risk overheating;{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} the latter of which is a tendency of the weapon.<ref name="enc335">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 335'' (2011)</ref> The side of the weapon has a small temperature gauge. This visually informs the wielder how close the weapon is to overheating.{{Ref/Reuse|PLAS2}}
+{{Quote|You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kinda gingerly—but then you see an [[Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo's]] head with one—the things are built tough.|Anonymous Serviceman}}
-Covenant technology possesses no instrumentality, meaning none of the surface controls or triggers connects in any way [[human]] scientists can understand.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]] - November 22nd, 2535''</ref> By late [[2552]], these scientists were awaiting [[Treaty of 2552|treaty]] negotiations with the Sangheili with the aim of receiving specifics of the plasma rifle.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc335}}
+The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle''',<ref name="bnet"/> more commonly known as the '''Plasma Rifle''', is a [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] infantry weapon.
-===Ammunition===
+==Design Details==
-[[File:H4 Elite with Sword and Plasma Rifle.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[Sangheili Storm]] wielding a plasma rifle with an energy sword.]]
+[[File:Plasma-rifle 02.png|thumb|left|160px|A Plasma Rifle's schematics.]]
-{{Quote|The Type-25 DER has no recoil to speak of; it tears up shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it's on the heavy side though.|Anonymous UNSC serviceman{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}}}}
+The '''Plasma Rifle''' is a Covenant [[Directed Energy Weapon]] that uses a superheated ionized gas called [[Plasma]] instead of projectile ammunition. The weapon's inner workings is comprised of several components, a power cell that keeps the weapon active, power the magnetic containment field, and carry out the firing cycle. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire 360~540 rounds per minute. Unlike the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]], the plasma rifle is capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. The plasma rifle consists of two large semiautomatic weapons welded together one on top, the other beneath. The pair of curved bodies are joined via the trigger guard.<ref name="PLAS2">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 110''</ref> Placed atop one another, these projectors fire in a "stagger" pattern taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it, this design allows a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. The side of the weapon has a small temperature gauge this visually informs the wielder how close the weapon is to overheating.<ref name="PLAS2"/> The rifle, like most Covenant weapons are smooth and aerodynamic, almost organic in appearance.<ref name="PLAS2"/> Covenant technology poses no instrumentality, meaning none of the surface controls or triggers connect in any way human scientists can understand.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal]]''' ''November 22nd, 2535''</ref> Like most Covenant weapons, the Plasma Rifle has no sights. It appears to rely entirely on the user's HUD reticule for aim assistance.
-The plasma rifle is a [[directed-energy weapon]] that uses [[plasma|superheated ionized gas]] as ammunition. The weapon's inner workings are comprised of several components, including a power cell that keeps the weapon active, powers the magnetic containment field, and carries out the firing cycle. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire between 360 and 540 rounds per minute.{{Ref/Reuse|bnet}} Unlike the [[Type-25 plasma pistol]], the plasma rifle is capable of both semi-automatic and full automatic fire.
-The lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle is extreme. Injuries inflicted on a victim are severe third-degree burns, this type of injury destroys the outer layer of skin and the entire layer beneath; the wound is cauterized instantly upon impact.<ref name="plas3">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 130''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 328''</ref> Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 22''</ref> fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target. At close range two bursts from the Type-25 DER have enough thermal transfer and kinetic energy to pass through victims with ease,<ref name="plas4">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 129''</ref> close-range impacts can also cause dismemberment of limbs.{{Ref/Reuse|plas3}} Near-misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass; this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris, both non-heated and heated, that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 15''</ref> Generally two hits from a plasma rifle will kill a light-armored or unarmored target.{{Ref/Reuse|plas4}}
+The Type-25 DER is the primary weapon of the Covenant’s officer corps,<ref name="bnet"/> standard issue to [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]], lower caste species within the Covenant who have attained significant rank within the Covenant military are issued this weapon during operations. The Type-25 DER was one of the earliest and most frequently encountered Covenant plasma weapon. It occupies a role very similar to the human assault rifle.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28439 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance - Plasma Rifle'']</ref> In the post-war era the T25 DER is still the primary weapon of the of the Sangheilian armed forces.<ref name="bnet"/>
-==Variants==
+The lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this type of injury destroys the outer layer of skin and the entire layer beneath; the wound is cauterized instantly upon impact.<ref name="plas3">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 130''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 328''</ref> Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 22''</ref>, fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target. At close range two bursts from the Type-25 DER have enough thermal transfer and kinetic energy to pass through victims with ease,<ref name="plas4">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 129''</ref> close range impacts can also cause dismemberment of limbs.<ref name="plas3"/> Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris both non-heated and heated that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 15''</ref> Generally two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle will kill a light or unarmored target.<ref name="plas4"/>
-[[File:H2A BrutePlasmaRifle.png|thumb|160px|left|A Jiralhanae plasma rifle]]
-As with most [[Covenant]] weaponry, modifying the plasma rifle was seen as blasphemous at best, [[List of known Covenant heretics|heretic]]al at worst. This is due to the weapon's incorporation of [[Forerunner]] technology and [[San'Shyuum]] designs. However, a small quantity of plasma rifle variants have been manufactured over the years of its service history. Occasionally, influential clients and heroes of the Covenant—who were considered to be above [[Covenant#Government and politics|Ministry]] sanction—were able to commission Sangheili [[artisan-armorer]]s to produce custom variants of the plasma rifle to suit their needs.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
-One of the most renowned variants of the plasma rifle is the {{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}}. Although most plasma rifles are produced by [[Iruiru Armory]], this variant was manufactured at [[Sacred Promissory]]'s assembly forges on ''[[High Charity]]''. Ordered by the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] in preparation for his [[Great Schism|genocide]] against the Sangheili, the variant was modified to tailor to his [[Jiralhanae]] allies' aggressive nature. The rifle was modified to increase the rate of fire and damage. Had it not been for the [[Hierarch]]'s blessing, these modifications to the weapon would have been deemed heretical.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
+===Advantages===
+The plasma rifle is a close to medium range weapon, and as such can inflict very high damage at range. The plasma rifle can also be used at long range if the user fires slowly and aims carefully by leading the target. The rifle is extremely efficient at killing "soft" targets, while doing lethal amounts of damage to a heavily armored target. Enough infantry equipped with Type-25 rifles can halt enemy infantry advance with its ability to deliver harassing suppressive fire; this tactic is also reflected in the Covenant's combat doctrine: destroy enemy morale with harassing fire from distant or hidden snipers and intimate exposure to the alien-ness of their infantry. SPARTAN-IIs and Elites have the ability to dual-wield plasma rifles, doubling their efficiency in close to medium range combat situations. The plasma rifle's high velocity bolt coupled with its kinetic impact to a target can temporarily stun a target like a SPARTAN-II.
-In [[2535]], during the [[Human-Covenant War]], several plasma rifles were modified by [[Kig-Yar]] for [[human]] use. These variants were again covertly sanctioned by the High Prophet of Truth, who had the Kig-Yar install tracking devices into the weapons with the intent of locating [[Earth]] and other [[human colonies]].<ref name="cp229">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 229-236''</ref> These rifles featured ammo readouts with human numerals{{Ref/Reuse|PLAS2}} and pop-up sights.<ref name="cp145">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''pages 145-146''</ref> The Kig-Yar, posing as Covenant deserters, sold these rifles to human [[Insurrectionist]] [[black market]]s in [[the Rubble]].{{Ref/Reuse|cp229}} The plan failed when the weapons were discovered by the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] and was declared to be heresy, resulting in the Hierarch ordering [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]] to end the weapon modification.{{Ref/Reuse|cp145}}
+===Disadvantages===
+The plasma rifle, when fired continuously, overheats very quickly because of the rapid cycling, loading, ignition, and release sequence of energy; to prevent the weapon from being damaged, the Type-25 DER temporarily shuts down and opens heating vents to allow the excess heat to dissipate before the weapon reactivates. This process leaves the weapon inoperable and useless. Careless infantry who are not aware of the function of the Plasma Rifle can get themselves killed because of this.
-== Gameplay ==
+Human military experts and scientists do not understand how Covenant plasma weapons work, or how they are recharged; as such, when the battery is depleted, the rifle must be discarded or replaced. At 10% charge level, the plasma rifle will begin to misfire, this is due to the power cells inability to deliver enough energy to start and complete the ignition and release phase of operation, hampering the operator's use of the weapon.
-=== Advantages ===
-The Plasma Rifle is a close-to-medium-range weapon, and as such can inflict very high damage at that range. The rifle is extremely efficient at killing "soft" targets while doing lethal amounts of damage to a heavily armored target. Enough infantry equipped with Type-25 rifles can halt enemy infantry advance with its ability to deliver harassing suppressive fire; this tactic is also reflected in the Covenant's combat doctrine: destroy enemy morale with harassing fire from distant or hidden snipers and intimate exposure to the alien-ness of their infantry. SPARTAN-IIs and Elites have been observed to be able to dual-wield plasma rifles, doubling their efficiency in close to medium-range combat situations. The Plasma Rifle's high-velocity bolt coupled with its kinetic impact on a target can temporarily stun a target like a SPARTAN-II.
-=== Disadvantages ===
+Although the plasma rifle can strike a target at longer ranges, it is not suited for long range combat, due to two distinct properties of the weapons operation. The first is the rate of thermal expansion which is determined by the rate of the bloom of the bolt. The second factor is speed: the faster the bolt goes, the farther the bolt will travel before the magnetic field begins to weaken, causing the temperature of the bolt to cool before the magnetic field becomes unstable and finally dissipates. The bolt also loses velocity and kinetic impact with longer travel distance.
-The Plasma Rifle, when fired continuously, overheats very quickly because of the rapid cycling, loading, ignition, and release sequence of energy; to prevent the weapon from being damaged, the Type-25 DER temporarily shuts down and opens heating vents to allow the excess heat to dissipate before the weapon reactivates. This process leaves the weapon inoperable and useless. Careless infantry who are not aware of the function of the Plasma Rifle can get themselves killed because of this.
-The rifle has no known methods of restoring its battery ammunition; as such, when the battery is depleted, the rifle must be discarded or replaced. At a 10% charge level, the plasma rifle will begin to misfire, this is due to the power cell's inability to deliver enough energy to start and complete the ignition and release phase of operation, hampering the operator's use of the weapon.
+==Changes==
+===Halo: Combat Evolved===
+The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' is far more powerful than its ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'' counterparts; also the weapon holds the unique ability to stun opponents that were hit by high amount of 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 continuous fire. While stunned, the weapon will often overheat before the opponent is killed, especially if it is an Elite or Hunter. Despite this drawback, the stun ability is a useful and potent feature in the hands of an experienced user. Beware that the Plasma Rifle decreases in accuracy while heating up. However, firing in bursts can counteract this and is much more useful over longer ranges. In the campaign, the Plasma Rifle is best used against the [[Sentinels]] and Elites. Fully charged Plasma Rifles can be obtained by killing Elite [[Combat Forms]] or killing Elites riding on [[Ghost]]s and [[Banshee]]s.
-Although the Plasma Rifle can strike a target at longer ranges, it is not suited for long-range combat, due to two distinct properties of the weapon's operation. The first is the rate of thermal expansion which is determined by the rate of the bloom of the bolt. The second factor is speed: the faster the bolt goes, the farther the bolt will travel before the magnetic field begins to weaken, causing the temperature of the bolt to cool before the magnetic field becomes unstable and finally dissipates. The bolt also loses velocity and kinetic impact with a longer travel distance.
+===Changes From Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2===
+The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2'' is not as powerful as its predecessor and lacks the ability to stun. In addition it is also noticeably less accurate, especially at long range. These drawbacks are compensated by a higher rate of fire and the ability to dual-wield, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of other weapons. The changes done to the weapon are directly related to the inclusion of dual-wielding for balancing purposes. The Plasma Rifle, along with many other weapons from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', has been tweaked to better fit the new game engine. A Plasma Rifle is much more efficient at taking out the shields of an opponent compared to ballistic weaponry, but it is less efficient against flesh. This version of the Plasma Rifle behaves more as an SMG rather than a rifle. The Plasma Rifle now has a new firing sound effect to give it along with other plasma weapons a distinct sound to distinguish it easier. In addition to that a new variant, the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae Variant|Brute Plasma Rifles]], is introduced.
-== Changes ==
+===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
-=== ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' ===
+The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3'' is much more powerful than its ''Halo 2'' counterpart, but is still weaker than the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' version. Like most of the plasma weapons featured in ''Halo 3'', they have the same overheating rate as their predecessors. To better balance the the weapon the Plasma Rifle now fires as fast as the Brute Plasma Rifle did in ''Halo 2''. Plasma bolts fired by the Plasma Rifle and all other plasma weapons in Halo 3 have been graphically redesigned to have a more vivid look. The bolts now seem to travel faster than from previous games, reducing the need to lead the shots at mid-to-long ranges. However it takes fewer shots of constant fire for the plasma bolts to become very inaccurate. It is considerably harder to come across the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3 campaign'', because of the lack of Elites and the introduction of new Brute weapons such as the [[Type-25 Carbine|Spiker]].
-[[File:Plasma rifle.png||thumb|250px|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.]]
-The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' kills fully-shielded Spartans in 9 shots; the weapon also holds the unique ability to stun opponents hit by a high amount of 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 continuous fire. While stunned, the weapon will often overheat before the opponent is killed, especially if it is an Elite or Hunter. Despite this drawback, the stun ability is a useful and potent feature in the hands of an experienced user. Beware that the Plasma Rifle decreases in accuracy while heating up. However, firing in bursts can counteract this and is much more useful over longer ranges. In the campaign, the Plasma Rifle is best used against the [[Sentinels]] and Elites. Fully charged Plasma Rifles can be obtained by killing Elite [[Combat Forms]] or killing Elites riding on {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}s and [[Banshee]]s.
-In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the Plasma Rifle utilizes ''Reach''<nowiki />'s design and features remastered audio as well as firing effects.
+===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach===
+In ''Halo: Reach'' the Plasma Rifle, like the other plasma weapons in the game, have been dramatically redesigned and retooled to function closer to their ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' versions. The Plasma Rifle makes a very prominent appearance in the campaign and is wielded by Sangheili, Unggoy and occassionally Kig-Yar. The weapon is available in Forge but is not placed on any multiplayer map by default excluding community maps. This weapon also replaced the [[Needler]] for the [[Armor Lock]] [[loadout]] in [[Elite Slayer]]. The weapon appears to fire faster but still not as fast as the [[Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved|Plasma Repeater]]. The weapons animations are far more detailed and are meant to give it a more menacing and dangerous look. Like the Plasma Pistol the design of the weapon has changed considerably from previous games, The grip has been altered, and appears to be more ergonomic (to Elites at least) and now sports a darker blue color. The Plasma Rifle is the only weapon that is dual-wielded in ''Reach'', with certain Sangheilli seen wielding pairs of them in the Campaign and in Firefight.
-===Changes from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' to ''Halo 2''===
+==Tactics==
-[[File:H2 Plasma Rifle.png|thumb|250px|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo 2''.]]
+===Campaign===
-The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2'' kills fully-shielded Spartans in 18 shots and lacks the ability to stun. In addition, it is also noticeably less accurate, especially at long range. These drawbacks are compensated by no longer misfiring when on low battery and the ability to dual-wield, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of other weapons. The changes done to the weapon are directly related to the inclusion of dual-wielding for balancing purposes. The Plasma Rifle, along with many other weapons from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', has been tweaked to better fit the new game engine. This version of the Plasma Rifle behaves more like an SMG rather than a rifle. The Plasma Rifle now has a new firing sound effect to give it along with other plasma weapons a distinct sound to distinguish it easier. In addition to that a new variant, the [[Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle|Brute Plasma Rifle]], is introduced.
+*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved|''Halo: Combat Evolved'']], it is good to carry the [[M6D Personal Defense Weapon System|M6D pistol]] as a secondary weapon. Use the Plasma Rifle to take down Elite or Jackal shields, and use the pistol to secure headshots on unshielded opponents, Grunts and Hunters. However, an [[MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]] works better on [[Flood]]-based levels.
+*In [[Halo 2]], dual-wielded Plasma Rifles work extremely effective against a Hunter's back. It seems to stop and "stun" a [[Hunter]] from using its back melee on the player. This is very useful on higher difficulties.
+*In ''Halo 3'' Campaign, plasma rifles work the best against the Flood. [[Dual-wielding|Dual-wielded]] Plasma Rifles work as well as the [[Brute Shot]] over longer ranges and pick off more distant Forms, especially [[Ranged Form]]s and [[Combat Forms]]. By zooming in, and looking at the bottom of the [[heads-up display]], one will see red numbers indicating their distance - Plasma Rifles works best against hostiles within 50 meters. Opening short bursts of fire will immobilize them easily, as they flinch and cease fire when being shot.
-===Changes from ''Halo 2'' to ''Halo 3''===
+===Multiplayer===
-The Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3'' is much better at draining energy shields than its ''Halo 2'' counterpart, though it still requires 18 shots to kill a fully-shielded Spartan. Plasma bolts fired by the Plasma Rifle and all other plasma weapons in Halo 3 have been graphically redesigned to have a more vivid look. The bolts travel much faster than from Halo 2, reducing the need to lead the shots at mid-to-long ranges. However, it takes fewer shots of constant fire for the plasma bolts to become very inaccurate. It is considerably harder to come across the Plasma Rifle in the campaign, because of the lack of Elites and the introduction of new Brute weapons such as the [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Spiker]].
+In all of the Halo games, plasma-based weapons such as the Plasma Rifle are the best weapons to deplete the enemy shields, especially [[overshield]]ed players. Although its range limits the weapon to close-quarter and medium range firefights, if used properly a player can quickly dispose of a distant enemy. It is recommended that players use the Plasma Rifles first to eliminate the opponents' shields and finish them off with a human weapon such as the [[Assault Rifle]], [[Battle Rifle]] or [[SMG]]. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Plasma Rifle has the ability to stun opponents, enabling players to quickly incapacitate their opponents quickly with a quick melee when close-by. In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', dual-wielding increases the combined rate of fire and damage.
-===Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo: Reach''===
+*In close-quarters, like all other weapons, it is preferable to just take out the opponent's energy shield with a few rounds, followed by a melee attack.
-In ''Halo: Reach'' the Plasma Rifle, like the other plasma weapons in the game, has been dramatically redesigned and retooled to function closer to their ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' versions, although in Reach the absence of the stun effect and bonus headshot damage makes it less so. The Plasma Rifle makes a very prominent appearance in the campaign and is wielded by Sangheili, Unggoy and occasionally Kig-Yar. The weapon is available in Forge but is not placed on any multiplayer map by default excluding community maps. This weapon also replaced the [[Needler]] for the [[Armor Lock]] [[loadout]] in [[Elite Slayer]]. The weapon appears to fire faster but still not as fast as the [[Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater|Plasma Repeater]]. The weapons animations are far more detailed and are meant to give it a more menacing and dangerous look. Like the Plasma Pistol, the design of the weapon has changed considerably from previous games, The grip has been altered, and appears to be more ergonomic (to Elites at least) and now sports a darker blue color. The Plasma Rifle is the only weapon that is dual-wielded in ''Reach'', with certain Sangheili seen wielding pairs of them in the Campaign and in Firefight.
-===Changes from ''Halo: Reach'' to ''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
+*Like all plasma-based weaponry, it is great against shields, but it takes a slightly longer time to take down an unshielded opponent compared to ballistic weapons like the Assault Rifle.
-*Both plasma rifles in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' perform nearly identical to their ''Halo 2'' incarnation.
-*It can once again be dual-wielded.
-===Changes from ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' to ''Halo 5: Guardians''===
+*In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'', dual-wielding in conjunction with a weapon that does high flesh damage (i.e. SMG or Mauler) can be very effective if the Plasma Rifle is first used to deplete the target's shields, followed by the next weapon used to secure the kill. Keep in mind that accuracy of both dual-wielded weapons will be reduced.
-*The plasma rifle is absent while the Brute plasma rifle is included.
-*It uses 1% battery every 3.2 shots and overheats every 16 shots nonstop.
-*It cannot be dual-wielded.
-*Rate of fire is approximately 600 rounds per minute.
-*Range and damage are significantly increased.
-*The Smart-scope mechanic has been added.
-==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
+==[[UNSC]] Remarks==
-===Silver Timeline===
+*''“The Type-25 DER has no recoil to speak of; it tears up shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it's on the heavy side though.”''
-{{Notice/Silver|category=no}}
+*''“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?”''
-Plasma rifles are used by the Covenant against humanity.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|5KZ3MKraNKY|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=1|D=30}}
+*''“It’s got no sight-line, 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 of gingerly—but then you see an Elite crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo]]'s head with one—the things are built tough.”''
+*''“Yeah, and I’ve seen some 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 sorta makes sense."''
 ==Trivia==
-{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes}}
 *In the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' instruction booklet there is a Plasma Rifle picture over a picture of the [[Needler]].
 *In ''Halo: Combat Evolved,'' the Plasma rifle and the Plasma Pistol use the same sound file.
-*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Plasma Rifle has 2 shots per 1% charge, totalling 200 shots. In ''Halo 2'' and ''3'', it has 4, totalling 400 shots.
+*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the Plasma Rifle has 2 shots per 1% charge, totaling 200 shots. In ''Halo 2'' and ''3'', it has 4, totaling 400 shots.
 *In ''Halo 2'', the Brutes normally wield the Brute Plasma Rifle, except in the level "[[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]", where Brutes driving vehicles will be found wielding the normal Plasma Rifle. Also in the level "[[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]]", a few dead Brutes have Plasma Rifles beside their corpses.
 *In ''Halo 2'', when playing as the Arbiter, allies wielding Plasma Rifle have the weapon in "overheat" mode.
-*If the player remains idle for a while in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the in-game character will inspect the weapon on both sides; in ''Halo 2'', they will open the cooling vents; in ''Halo 3'', they will pull on the top.
+*If the player remains idle for a while in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the in-game character will inspect the weapon on both sides; in ''Halo 2'' he/she will open the cooling vents; in ''Halo 3'', he/she will pull on the top.
-*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Plasma Rifles are one of the few weapons which have a reticule that never changes size.
+*In [[Halo: Reach]], Plasma Rifles are one of the few weapons which has a reticule that never changes size.
-*In the Original Trilogy, the Plasma Rifle's UNSC counterpart seems to be the MA5B ICWS or the [[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]]. However, in ''Halo: Reach'', the way a Spartan or Sangheili wield the Plasma rifle is identical when wielding an [[M6G magnum]], even with [[alert carry]], which implies that the Plasma rifle's counterpart is also the M6G Magnum.
+*In the Original Trilogy, the Plasma Rifle's UNSC counterpart seems to be the MA5B ICWS or the [[M7 Caseless Submachine Gun]]. However, in ''Halo: Reach'', the way a Spartan or Sangheili wield the Plasma rifle is identical when wielding an [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|M6G Magnum]], even with [[alert carry]], which implies that the Plasma rifle's counterpart is also the M6G Magnum.
-*In ''[[Halo 4]]'', the plasma rifle is replaced by the functionally similar [[Kelos'vaarda-pattern storm rifle|storm rifle]] which also fills a similar in-game role. This marks the first ''Halo'' game in which the plasma rifle is not present in gameplay; however, the weapon appears briefly in the [[Prologue]] cinematic. It also appears in the DLC map [[Pitfall]] as part of the Elite targeting silhouettes.
+*Modified Plasma Rifles appeared in ''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''. They featured ammo readouts with Arabic numerals and pop-up sights,and were sold to Humans from [[Kig-yar]] black markets in [[The Rubble]]. This was discovered by the rest of the Covenant and seen as heresy, when it was really a plan devised by the Prophet of Truth to find the location of earth.
-*Until late in the development of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] (May 16, 2001), the Plasma Rifle and the [[Type-25 plasma pistol|Plasma Pistol]] had their functions switched completely. The Plasma Rifle's model had the overcharge function and lowered rate of fire. The converse is true for the Plasma Pistol.<ref>http://bs.bungie.org/fanfestv/</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/zvb3-tXttoY?t=365</ref>
+*Laser Tag maker Jasman Toys produced a Plasma Rifle Laser Tag model. There is also a Plasma Pistol model, both of which use the same targeting frequency and are compatible. The Plasma Rifle has full automatic fire, but "overheats" after 20 rounds and the player must wait for it to "cool off" and close the thermal vents.
-*The plasma rifle was the first weapon conceptualized by [[Shi Kai Wang]].<ref>https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1351703739371909121</ref> It was designed to be symmetrical in order to fit with the two opposable thumbs of an Elite's hand.<ref>https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1351703743205502977</ref> The "fins" on the back of the weapon were intended to be ammunition magazines or batteries that needed to be plugged in to shoot it, but it was considered too difficult to animate and convey the mechanic in first-person, so they were left as simple detailing.<ref>https://twitter.com/shiekthegeek/status/1351703748960157696</ref>
 ==Gallery==
-===Concept art and illustrations===
+<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape">
-<gallery>
+File:Overheat.png|A Plasma Rifle overheating in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
-File:HCE_PlasmaRifle_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
+File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A [[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps Elite]] holding a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
-File:Fight on Ascendant Justice.png|John-117 firing a plasma rifle in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''.
+File:1206987304 Elite Councilor.jpg|A Councilor with a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2''.
-File:Prototype PlasmaRifle Concept.png|Concept art of the plasma rifle for ''[[Halo Legends]], [[Prototype]]''.
+File:H2V Compare.png|A comparison between the standard Plasma Rifle and the [[Brute Plasma Rifle]].
-File:Homecoming PlasmaRifle Concept.png|Concept art of the plasma rifle for ''Halo Legends, [[Homecoming]]''.
+File:Plasma Rifles.jpg|Two Plasma Rifles in ''Halo 3''.
-File:Battle for Epsilon Expanse.png|A Sangheili Minors wielding a plasma rifle in ''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''.
+File:1179041973.jpg|A first person view of a player dual-wielding Plasma Rifles.
-File:Halo Legacy of Onyx cover.png|[[Molly Patel]] with a plasma rifle in ''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''.
+File:Halo-3-20070701114858951.jpg|A [[SPARTAN-II]] welding two Plasma Rifles.
-</gallery>
+File:Halo3-N'tho 'Sraom-Thumb1024.png|[[N'tho 'Sraom]] with a Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 3''.
-===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
+File:Plasma rifle.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
-<gallery>
+File:H2 Plasma Rifle.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo 2''.
-File:PXH MacworldElites Screenshot 2.jpg|A Sangheili firing a plasma rifle during early stage of development.
+File:PlasmaRifle-HaloCE.png|A profile render of the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
-File:HCE EliteEarlyPlasmaRifle Screenshot.jpg|A Sangheili Minor wielding a plasma rifle during development.
+File:PlasmaRifle-H2.png|A profile render of the Plasma Rifle in ''Halo 2''.
-File:HE32000-elitemajor2man.png|A Sangheili Major wielding a plasma rifle in the [[Halo announcement trailer|announcement trailer]].
+File:1771662-gallery.png|The Plasma Rifle as it appears in ''Halo Legends: Homecoming''.
-File:HCE - Majors.png|Three Sangheili Majors wielding plasma rifles.
+File:Plasmarifle.jpg|A render of the Plasma rifle in ''Halo 3''.
-File:SpecOpsElite.jpg|A [[Special Operations Sangheili]] holding a plasma rifle.
+File:Plasmarifle.png|A [[Halo: Reach Beta|''Halo Reach'' Beta]] render of the Plasma Rifle.
-File:HCE-T25PlasmaRifleSide.png|Profile view in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', PC version, with the standard blue color scheme due to missing/corrupted shaders.
+File:Plasma Rifle turnarounds.jpg| Views of the Plasma rifle from ''Halo Reach'''s development.
-File:PlasmaRifle-HaloCE.png|A profile view in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Mac version, with a green color scheme due to missing/corrupted shaders.
+File:HaloReach-PlasmaRifleSide-transparent.png|An in-game profile render from ''Halo: Reach''.
-File:HCE-PlasmaRifle-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the plasma rifle.
+File:PlasmaRifle-Transparent.png|An in-game profile render of the Plasma Rifle from ''Halo 3''.
-File:Overheat.png|First-person view of the plasma rifle overheating.
+File:H3-PlasmaRifle-transparent.png|Another in-game profile render of the Plasma Rifle from ''Halo 3''.
-File:HTMCC-HCE-BPR.png|A plasma rifle with the Brutal skin in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
+File:PlasmaRifle-scantransparent.png| A transparent scan of the Plasma Rifle from the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]'', with a curious purplish hue.
-</gallery>
-===''Halo 2''===
-<gallery>
-File:PlasmaRifle-H2.png|In-game profile view of the plasma rifle.
-File:H2 EliteRanger Cairo.jpg|A [[Sangheili Ranger]] firing a plasma rifle.
-File:H2 Uplift InteriorBattle.jpg|A Spartan dual-wielding plasma rifles in multiplayer.
-File:H2-PlasmaRifleHUD.jpg|First-person view of the plasma rifle.
-File:HAV.jpg|First-person view of a player dual-wielding plasma rifles on [[Midship]].
-File:H2V Compare.png|A comparison between the standard plasma rifle and the {{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}}.
-</gallery>
-===''Halo 3''===
-<gallery>
-File:Halo3-Snowbound-FirstPerson-PlasmaRifles.jpg|First-person view of a player dual-wielding plasma rifles in the [[Halo 3 Beta|''Halo 3'' Beta]].
-File:Plasmarifle.jpg|Promotional image of the plasma rifle.
-File:H3-PlasmaRifle.png|An in-game profile view of the plasma rifle.
-File:H3 Elite Majors.jpg|A [[Sangheili Major]] with a plasma rifle.
-File:H3 TheArk BruteStalkers.jpg|A [[Jiralhanae Stalker]] with a plasma rifle.
-File:HTMCC-H3 DualWieldingDuo.png|Thel 'Vadam and John-117 dual-wielding plasma rifles.
-File:Halo-3-20070923023654130.jpg|First-person view of a player dual-wielding plasma rifles in the campaign.
-File:H3 DLC Foundry 1stPerson01.jpg|First-person view of a player wielding a plasma rifle on multiplayer map [[Foundry]].
-File:Halo-3-20070701114858951.jpg|A SPARTAN-II wielding two plasma rifles.
-File:H3 Plasma Rifle shot.jpg|A plasma bolt from a plasma rifle mid-flight.
-File:H3 PlasmaRifles Comparison FP.jpg|A comparison between the standard plasma rifle and the {{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}} in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
-</gallery>
-===''Halo: Reach''===
-<gallery>
-File:HR EliteMinor Concept 5.png|Concept art of a Sangheili Minor dual-wielding plasma rifles.
-File:Plasmarifle.png|A [[Halo: Reach Beta|''Halo Reach'' Beta]] render of the plasma rifle, showing a red-purple hue reminiscent of the ''Halo 3'' version. This is not present in the final game.
-File:HaloReach-PlasmaRifleSide.png|The plasma rifle in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
-File:Plasma Rifle turnarounds.jpg|Turnaround reference of the plasma rifle.
-File:HR - Officer Sangheili with Plasma Rifle.png|A Sangheili Officer with a plasma rifle.
-File:HTMCC-HR PlasmaRifleSupplyCase.png|A supply case of plasma rifles.
-File:HTMCC-HR GruntHeavyTrio&PR.png|Three [[Unggoy Heavy]] wielding plasma rifles.
-File:BOB2.jpg|A [[BOB]] dual-wielding plasma rifles.
-File:Dual wield.jpeg|A [[Sangheili Zealot]] dual-wielding plasma rifles.
-File:HR-PlasmaRifleHUD.png|First-person view of the plasma rifle.
-</gallery>
-===''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''===
-<gallery>
-File:HCEA-SangheiliShieldsFlicker.jpg|A Sangheili Minor with a plasma rifle.
-File:HCEA-TNR-PR-FirstPerson.png|First-person view of the plasma rifle in the trailer.
-File:HCEA-PlasmaRifleHUD.png|HUD of the plasma rifle  of the plasma rifle.
-</gallery>
-===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
-<gallery>
-File:H2A - Arbiter & Swords.png|Three Sangheili Majors prepare their plasma rifles in the Prologue.
-File:H2AMLGSpecopsElite.png|A [[Special Operations Sangheili]] dual-wielding plasma rifles in campaign.
-File:H2Aterm-SesaPlasmaRifle.jpg|[[Sesa 'Refumee]] disengages a plasma rifle's outer coverings, exposing the weapon's inner workings.
-File:H2A-Marinewithplasmarifle.png|A marine with a plasma rifle in campaign.
-File:H2A-Brutes vs Elites.jpg|Sangheili and Jiralhanae firing plasma rifles at each other in campaign.
-File:H2ACP-PlasmaRifleHUD.png|First-person view of the plasma rifle in campaign.
-File:H2ACP-PlasmaRifleDualWieldHUD.png|First-person view while dual-wielding in campaign.
-File:H2AMP-PlasmaRifleHUD.png|First-person view of the plasma rifle in multiplayer.
-File:H2AMP-PlasmaRifle.png|A Spartan using a plasma rifle on [[Stonetown]] in multiplayer.
-File:H2AMP-PlasmaRifleDualWieldHUD.png|First-person view while dual-wielding in multiplayer.
-File:H2AMP-PlasmaRifleDualWield.png|A Spartan dual-wielding plasma rifles in multiplayer.
-File:H2AMP-PR&BPRDualWieldHUD.png|A visual comparison between the standard plasma rifle and the Brute plasma rifle in multiplayer.
 </gallery>
-===''Halo Online''===
+==Sources==
-<gallery>
+<references/>
-File:HO-Plasma Rifle.png|A plasma rifle in ''[[Halo Online]]''.
-File:Plasma Rifle - Basic.jpg|The basic iteration of the plasma rifle in ''Halo Online''.
-File:Plasma Rifle - Power.jpg|The power iteration of the plasma rifle, seen on [[Diamondback]].
-</gallery>
-===''Halo: The Television Series''===
-<gallery>
-File:HTV-Contact-Sangheili.jpg|A group of Sangheili using plasma rifles on [[Madrigal]].
-File:HTV-elite minor.jpg|A Sangheili firing a plasma rifle on Madrigal.
-File:HTV-Contact-Ouch.png|An [[Insurrectionist]] is killed by a plasma rifle on Madrigal.
-</gallery>
-==List of appearances==
+==Related pages==
-{{col-begin}}
+*[[Type-25 Carbine]]
-{{col-2}}
+*[[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]]
-*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
+*[[Plasma Repeater]]
-*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
-*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
-*''[[Halo 2]]''
-*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
-**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
-*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
-*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
-*''[[Halo 3]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
-*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
-*''[[Halo Wars]]''
-*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
-*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' {{MCCo}}
-*''[[Halo Legends]]''
-**''[[The Duel]]''
-**''[[Homecoming]]''
-**''[[Origins]]''
-**''[[Prototype]]''
-**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
-*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
-**''[[Headhunters (short story)|Headhunters]]''
-*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
-*''[[Remember Reach]]''
-**''[[Deliver Hope]]''
-*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
-*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
-*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
-**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
-**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
-*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
-*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
-*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{c|[[Prologue]] only}}
-{{col-2}}
-*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
-*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
-*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
-*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
-**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
-*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
-*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
-*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
-*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{C|Sticker only}}
-*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
-*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
-*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
-*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
-*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
-*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
-*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
-*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
-*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
-*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
-*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
-*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
-*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
-*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR19|HSoR|Chapter=19}}
-**''[[Sacrifice]]''
-*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]''{{Ref/Novel|Id=POL15|POL|Chapter=15}}
-*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season One]]''
-**''[[Contact]]''
-**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]''
-**''[[Reckoning]]''
-**''[[Transcendence]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
-*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
-*''[[Halo: The Television Series Season Two]]''
-**''[[Halo (TV Series)|Halo]]''
-*''[[Halo: Age of Retribution]]''
-*''[[Halo: Flashpoint]]''
-{{col-end}}
-==Sources==
-{{Ref/Sources}}
-{{Covenant rifles}}
+{{Covenant Weapons}}
 [[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
 [[Category:Infantry plasma weapons]]