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| {{Status|Canon}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| {{disambig header|the ground-based plasma mortars|the plasma mortars mounted on Covenant starships|Plasma bombardment mortar}} | | {{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|TF|FS|H3R|}} |
| [[File:HW2-BlitzMegaturret.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]] firing its siege plasma mortar.]] | | [[Image:H3 Wraith.jpg|right|thumb|125px|A plasma mortar is mounted on the top of the [[Type-25 Wraith|Wraith.]]]] |
| The '''plasma mortar''', also known as '''energy mortar''',{{Ref/Novel|Id=fs12|FS|Chapter=12}} is a classification of [[Plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] artillery weapon.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p347|Enc11|Page=347}} | | The '''Plasma Mortar''' is the primary weapon of the [[Wraith]] and also of the [[Covenant Air Artillery]].<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2]]-[[Outskirts]] Level''</ref><ref>''[[Halo 2]] [[E3]] Demo''</ref> |
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| The plasma mortar launches shaped blast of superheated [[plasma]], which arc in a parabolic trajectory and explode violently upon impact.{{Ref/Novel|Id=tf6|TF|Chapter=6}} As with any [[:Category:Mortar|mortar weapon]], the plasma mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the operator to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around or over terrain.
| | ==Introduction== |
| | [[Image:Shield_grenade.jpg|right|180px|thumb|A bolt of a Plasma Mortar.]] |
| | The [[Plasma]] mortar fires huge bolts of superheated plasma which, when they hit, have a fairly large explosion radius. The weapon has a relatively slow rate of fire. It is extremely powerful, usually killing infantry in a single hit and can destroy just about anything on the battlefield in a minimal amount of shots. Its plasma projectile moves relatively slowly, making it more susceptible to gravity, causing it to fire in an arc, which allows for it to simply go over obstructions such as barricades and hills which can be effective in ambush attacks. The plasma bolt can be out maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle such as the [[Ghost]] or [[Mongoose]]. The mortar is very effective against dug in enemies, which can deplete the amount of resistance the [[Covenant]] ground troops are going to have to face in battle. |
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| Since they can be mounted on a variety of emplacements or vehicles, plasma mortars are employed similarly in a variety of roles, including anti-personnel,{{Ref/Game|Id=citadelturret|HW|Covenant citadel base turret}} anti-vehicle, and shelling fortifications.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p347}}
| | The Wraith's Plasma Mortar serves as an excellent long range bombardment style projectile. The arching projectiles allow the Wraith to stay at a particular position, without the worry of having to aim projectiles around and over terrain. |
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| ==Known types==
| | In the Halo novels, the physical effect of plasma weapons result in extreme heat and the melting/boiling of enemy armour. This effect is never shown in the Halo games, with the plasma having an explosive reaction instead. |
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| ===Burst cannon=== | | ==Tactics== |
| {{Main|Ra'aam-pattern burst cannon}}
| | [[Image:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|right|180 px|thumb|A Wraith firing a Plasma Mortar.]] |
| While originally designed as a naval weapon aboard [[Vestige|aging warship]]s of the [[Sangheili]], the {{Pattern|Ra'aam|burst cannon}} was taken by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] and repurposed as an emplaced plasma mortar.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=305}}
| | *A Plasma Mortar fires in an arc so it is somewhat difficult to hit a target. The further away you are, the higher you will have to aim to actually hit the target. |
| | *Due to its slow-moving nature, the Plasma bolt will be much easier to avoid than a human projectile. |
| | *Remember that even if you are behind cover, you may still not be protected from the plasma's curved trajectory. |
| | *Plasma mortars are usually used for close range in Multiplayer due to the difficulty of hitting people with the arc involved. |
| | *In the Halo 3 campaign, the Wraith's AI is so skilled with the plasma mortar that it can hit you from very far away. Keep moving. |
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| ===Class-2 medium plasma mortar=== | | ==[[Covenant Artillery]]== |
| {{Main|Class-2 medium plasma mortar}}
| | A giant stationary plasma mortar was seen destroying buildings in the [[Halo 2]] E3 Demo video. [[Sergeant]] [[Banks]] called in an airstrike and a group of [[C709 Longsword-class Starfighter|Longsword]] fighters flew in and destroyed it. |
| The Class-2 medium plasma mortar is mounted on the rear of the {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}}.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=154}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p275|Enc22|Page=275}} While charging, the plasma blast possesses a bluish tinge, though it is red when it is fired. The weapon has a less pronounced parabolic arc than its larger counterparts.{{Ref/Game|Id=revenant|HR|Revenant in-game vehicle}}
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| ===Incendiary plasma mortar===
| | The stationary plasma mortar can be seen on the beaches of New Mombasa in the Halo 2, but they are never seen firing. Several large plasma mortars can be seen firing opposite a couple of Sentinel Factory ships, one plunging down, on the level [[Quarantine Zone]], but it's never confirmed if these are from stationary plasma mortar cannons, or otherwise. However, due to the area containing the two Wraiths fighting Enforcers, and its close proximity with the destroyed remains of the factory, it is likely that they are the Wraiths Plasma Mortars. It is even possible to see those same Wraiths fire at the remains of the factory, when the player destroys the Enforcers before the Wraiths are immobilized. |
| Each {{Pattern|N'weo|Gigas}} craft is armed with two incendiary plasma mortars, allowing the fighter-bomber to deploy incendiary carpet bombs.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p289|Enc22|Page=289}}
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| ===Infantry-deployed energy mortar===
| | You cannot shoot the plasma cannon on the wraith in halo 2. |
| There is a Covenant infantry-deployed energy mortar.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo38|GoO|Chapter=38}} These mortars require at least a trio of [[Unggoy]] to assemble on-site, but once assembled, they can generate [[energy shielding]] for protection.{{Ref/Novel|Id=goo39|GoO|Chapter=39}}
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| ===Heavy plasma mortar=== | | ==[[Halo Wars]]== |
| {{Main|Heavy plasma mortar}}
| | In Halo Wars, if you play as a Covenant leader (Ripa Moramee, Brute Chieftain, Regret), you can upgrade your |
| [[File:1216011812 Wraith.jpg|thumb|250px|A {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}} firing its heavy plasma mortar.]] | | turret to a plasma mortar. This version of the turret specializes in taking out infantry (Grunts, Marines, Flamethrowers, Jackals, Spartans, Hunters). |
| The heavy plasma mortar is the primary armament of the [[Wraith]].{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=117, 228}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p274|Enc22|Page=274}} It launches a plasma blast that is typically a blue-white orb which travels slowly in the air.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything at the point of impact,{{Ref/Reuse|fs12}} all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.{{Ref/Reuse|tf6}} The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p257|Enc11|Page=257}} but it is also fairly effective in closer engagements.{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/wraith|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Wraith|D=11|M=5|Y=2021}} The heavy plasma mortar has seen numerous variations, including, but not limited to, the scorch plasma mortar on [[Ironclad Wraith]]s and an infusion-modified variant on [[Terror Wraith]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p469|Enc22|Page=469}}
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| ===Plasma mortar=== | | ===[[UNSC]]=== |
| The seemingly standard variant of the plasma mortar fires medium-sized blasts of superheated plasma. While it was an optional armament on the {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} during the [[Human-Covenant War]],{{Ref/Reuse|citadelturret}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}} it is primarily mounted on the [[Banished]]’s [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p464|Enc22|Page=464}} | | The UNSC also used plasma mortar, but it was in prototype form upon [[Rhinos]] which were used in at least 2531. Five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield and reveal a Super Scarab, a Covenant superweapon. |
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| ===Siege plasma mortar=== | | == Trivia == |
| The siege plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}} and its Banished successor, the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]. The siege plasma mortar fires a devastating volley of [[plasma torpedo]]es{{Ref/Game|Id=PL|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Mega Turret}} at an astonishing range, easily turning enemy fortifications into glassy craters.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p305|Enc22|Page=305}} The Banished variant is heavily augmented and overclocked to increase its effectiveness and range.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p481|Enc22|Page=481}}
| | *Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of ''Starship Troopers''. |
| | *In Halo 3, if you play on the [[Legendary]] difficulty setting, even a glancing blow from the Plasma Mortar can kill you. |
| | *It is unknown why the plasma of the mortar arcs, since plasma is a ionized gas and gravity shouldn't have that much effect on it. Though it is likely the Covenant simply engineered it to have an arcing flight path so it can be used to shoot over obstacles. |
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| ===Ultra-heavy plasma mortar=== | | == References == |
| The ultra-heavy plasma mortar is mounted on the Covenant's stationary {{Pattern|Zo'op|Weevil}}, which provides fire support over large segments of enemy-contested area.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p305}}
| | <references/> |
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| ===XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer===
| | {{Template:Covenant Weapons}} |
| {{Main|XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer}}
| | [[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved]] |
| The [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer]] is the closest equivalent to a plasma mortar employed by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, the weapon fires a 320mm artillery shell with [[fuel rod]] filler that unleashes a powerful barrage of plasma at its targets.{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=155}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p141|Enc22|Page=141}} It is mounted on [[M145D Rhino]] prototypes, which were used in at least [[2531]], when five of these were used by [[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] to collapse a Covenant energy shield during the [[Battle of Arcadia|Battle]] of [[Arcadia]].{{Ref/Level|HW|Dome of Light}}
| | [[Category:Halo 2]] |
| | | [[Category:Halo 3]] |
| == Production notes ==
| | [[Category:Covenant Weapons]] |
| *Plasma mortars may have been inspired by the Plasma Bugs in the film adaptation of ''[[Wikipedia:Starship Troopers (film)|Starship Troopers]]''.
| | [[Category:Explosives]] |
| *The [[Cut Halo Wars units#Air Artillery|Covenant Air Artillery]], a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'', would have used three plasma mortars.
| | [[Category:Weapons]] |
| *Early ''Halo: Reach'' concept art by Glenn Israel featured [[Cut Halo: Reach weapons#Covenant mortar|a Covenant mortar]] held in a manner akin to the [[Brute Shot]] or {{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}, or able to be deployed as a static emplacement. Some of the sketches of the weapon drew influences from the plasma mortars on Revenants and Wraiths.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSiLEZHgJ5/|Site=Instagram|Page=Glenn Israel|Quote=Halo Reach - Covenant mortar exploratory sketches (2009)|D=28|M=04|Y=2022}}
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery>
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| File:Shield grenade.jpg|A blast from a {{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}'s heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in ''[[Starry Night]]''.
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| File:HWDE-CitadelTurret AI.jpg|The anti-infantry variants of the ''Kewu Umppi'pa{{'}}''-pattern turrets with mounted plasma mortars in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
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| File:SCN05 MegaTurret-screenshot.jpg|A blast from an {{Pattern|Emp'seam|Antlion}}'s siege plasma mortar arcing through the air in ''Halo Wars''.
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| File:HR GaussHog&Revenants.jpg|Two {{Pattern|Rizvum|Revenant}}s fire their medium plasma mortars at a [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
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| File:H2A WraithsGuardingBridge.png|A {{Pattern|Muz|Wraith}} fires its heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
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| File:HW2 MarauderMortars.png|A group of [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Marauder]]s firing their plasma mortars in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
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| File:HW2 WraithMortar.png|An [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Wraith]] firing its heavy plasma mortar in ''Halo Wars 2''.
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| File:HW2 MegaTurretMortars.png|Two [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Antlion]]s firing their siege plasma mortars in ''Halo Wars 2''.
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| File:HFR Mission 6.png|The arc of a plasma blast from a ''Muz''-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''.
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| File:HINF-ScarrWraith.png|A [[Bolroci Workshop Wraith]] firing its heavy plasma mortar in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
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| </gallery>
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| ==List of appearances==
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| {{Col-begin}}
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| {{Col-2}}
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| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
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| *''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
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| *''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
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| **''[[Armor Testing]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
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| *''[[Starry Night]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars]]''
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| *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
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| **''[[Sadie's Story]]''
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| *''[[Halo Legends]]''
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| **''[[The Duel]]''
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| **''[[Prototype]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
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| **''[[Palace Hotel]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
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| **''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
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| {{Col-2}}
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| *''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
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| *''[[Halo 4]]''
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| **''[[Spartan Ops]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
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| *''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
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| *''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
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| *''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
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| *''[[Halo Mythos]]''
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| *''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
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| *''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
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| *''[[Halo Infinite]]''
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| *''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]
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| *''[[Halo: Winter Contention]]''
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| {{Col-end}}
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| ==Sources==
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| {{Ref/Sources}}
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| {{Covenant heavy weapons}}
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| [[Category:Covenant weapons]] | |
| [[Category:Mortar]] | |
