Editing Sentinel beam

{{Era|Forerunner|HCW|Post}}
{{Newcontent|[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]}}
{{Weapon
|image = [[File:H3-SentinelBeam.png|300px]]
|manufacturer= [[Forerunner]]
|series= Containment/Sterilization Instrument<ref name="vis">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 168''</ref>
|type= [[Particle beam weapon]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=*Forerunner Era
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation = Forerunner
|weight=
|length= {{Convert|63.7|cm|in}}<ref name="vis"/>
|ammotype = Superheated negative charged ion particle beam<ref name="vis"/>
|feed= 100 battery units housing
|operation=
|rate= Automatic
|velocity = 
|range = Infinite
}}

{{Quote|You can totally dig the [[Aggressor Sentinel|bug-bots]]' own blasters out of their guts and use 'em yourself!|[[Otto-031]]<ref name="bl"/>}}

The '''Sentinel beam''' is a [[Forerunner]] [[directed energy weapon]] used by [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s. The weapon is particularly effective against small [[The Flood|Flood]] outbreaks, and is efficient at stripping [[Energy shielding|energy shields]]. Although typically integrated into the structure of an Aggressor, it can be used as a hand-held weapon if scavenged from a destroyed machine.<ref name="bl">'''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''', ''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 3|Issue 3]]''</ref><ref name="h2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]'''</ref>

==Design details==
The Sentinel beam was designed to effectively destroy Flood biomatter, and is intended for use against minor Flood outbreaks. Although the weapon is integrated into an Aggressor's structure, a limited internal power supply allows it to function independently if its wielder is destroyed, though it remains unknown how exactly users trigger the beam. However, when it is not hooked up to an Aggressor, its battery life is very short. The weapon projects a yellow-orange or blue beam of superheated particles, which is capable of effectively cutting through flesh, bone and metal.<ref name="Encyclopedia">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 339''</ref>

Two variants of the Sentinel beam are seen: the standard yellow-orange one in the silver housing, and the more powerful blue beam, which is encased in a gold housing.<ref name="h2"/>

There is a battery housing on side of the weapon, which has a calibration dial on it and can be adjusted by the user.<ref group="note">In-game, the calibration dial cannot be adjusted.</ref><ref name="vis"/>

The beams used by the [[Onyx Sentinel|Sentinels]] at [[Onyx]] were a golden color, with temperatures as high as 15,000 Kelvin.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 156''</ref> Although this variation of the weapon took significantly longer to charge, it is thought to have been capable of depleting a fully shielded [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|MJOLNR Mark V Armor]] suit. Furthermore, Onyx Sentinels were capable of cooperating to generate golden beams capable of destroying entire [[Covenant]] [[Covenant cruiser|cruisers]]. 

===Advantages===
Continuous contact from a Sentinel beam can be devastating even for armored opponents, and its ability to rapidly drain energy shields makes it an effective weapon against the Aggressors themselves. The weapon can temporarily overheat if 20% of the battery is used up in one continuous shot; the weapon vents excess heat in an attempt to counter this. 

It is, obviously enough, extremely effective when used against Flood, and will cut down any form — including the vaunted [[Flood pure form|pure forms]] — if aimed properly.

It possesses a decent damage rate, amazing accuracy and range, and sustained attacks with the weapon will inflict large amounts of damage. The weapon's [[melee]] attack is about as strong as that of a [[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon|Rocket Launcher]], and is likewise considerably slow. The melee is also capable of disintegrating a [[Flood combat form]], although this process takes many hits and is impractical in most situations.

===Disadvantage===
When compared to the standard silver variant, the golden Sentinel beam is more powerful, however it overheats more quickly and its charge depletes faster. This difference is very similar to the relationship between the Covenant [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifle]] and the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant|Brute Plasma Rifle]].

==Changes==
===Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2===
*Like the [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] and the [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Gun]], the Sentinel beam cannot be used by players in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. In ''Halo 2'', the Sentinel beam can finally be wielded.
*A golden Aggressor variant is introduced along with its blue-colored beam. This beam is more powerful, but it overheats and depletes faster.

===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
*The Sentinel beam has a few visual upgrades and several technical fixes. 
*The weapon now has virtually infinite range and fires a much stronger beam that, if held consistently on an enemy, can destroy them within seconds.

===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo 4===
*The beam fired is now colored purple.
*The Sentinel beam can no longer be acquired, even after killing an Aggressor Sentinel.

===Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 2 Anniversary===
*In the remastered multiplayer component of ''Halo 2 Anniversary'', the Sentinel beam has been made noticeably more powerful than in the original ''Halo 2''.<ref name="H2A teamB">[http://teambeyond.net/warlock-coming-halo-2-anniversary/ '''Team Beyond''': ''Warlock coming to Halo 2 Anniversary'']</ref>
*The lights on the Sentinel beam now change color and build up along the firing channel's shroud to indicate the level of the weapon's heating.<ref name="H2A teamB"/>

==Trivia==
{{linkbox|gallery=yes|gameplay=yes|gallerypage=Images of Sentinel Beam}}
*The only way to use the Sentinel beam in the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' engine without extensive use of the Developer Mode is to use ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]''. Such usage is to acquire the Sentinel beam involves using bump possession to attain an Aggressor Sentinel, then switching back to Master Chief and have him destroy said Aggressor, and exchange a weapon for the Beam. The beam is not visible from the first- or third-person view, and if the player presses the fire button a damaging red beam will appear from the center of the screen.
*Flood Combat Forms are able to wield Sentinel Beams with one hand.
*In ''Halo 2'', an [[Enforcer]] will fire an invisible Sentinel beam if all of its other weapon system have been destroyed. If the Enforcer is destroyed, there will not be any Sentinel beam left in its wreckage for the player to use.
*In ''Halo 2'', if the player throws a grenade when his/her Sentinel beam is overheating, sometimes the animation for throwing the explosive will not appear, and a grenade will just "fly" out from the player.
*In ''Halo 3'', the beam appears to impact with large force, as it is able to flip an airborne Warthog with minimal effort, a feat that not even explosive weapons can achieve. This is easily witnessed during the Warthog run near the end of the game.
*In ''Halo 3'', the weapon does not spawn on any unaltered multiplayer maps, and [[gametype]]s cannot be used to force it to spawn; it is only available in [[Forge]]d map variants, the [[Bungie vs World]] playlist and the Maption Sack playlist. This is likely due to the weapon's increased power and range, which make it devastating in Multiplayer matches.
*The [[Forerunner automated turret]] in ''Halo 3'' fire beams similar to that of the Sentinel beam.
*The Covenant [[Type-52 Special Applications Rifle|Focus Rifle]] is an attempt at reverse-engineering the Sentinel beam, though it has several functional differences.<ref name="vis">'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 71''</ref>
*Although the Aggressor Sentinel does make an appearance in ''Halo 4'', when destroyed by Covenant remnant forces, if the wreckage of the sentinels is investigated, the player will find no leftover sentinel beams. This is because sentinels in ''Halo 4'' disappear instead of producing pieces of wreckage.<ref> '''Halo 4 Prima Official Game Guide''' (Collector's Edition), page 110 </ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2-SentinelBeam-FPV-HUD.jpg|First-person of the Sentinel Beam in ''Halo 2''. 
File:H2-SentinelBeam-Side-Screen.png|An in-game side view of a Sentinel Beam in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-SentinelBeam-Side.png|Extracted view of the Sentinel Beam in ''Halo 2''.
File:8311761-Full.jpg|A Sentinel beam on the [[Ark]].
File:H3-SentinelBeam-FirstPerson.png|First-person view of the Sentinel Beam in the player's hands in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo-3-20070923023602661.jpg|The Sentinel beam's targeting reticule in ''Halo 3''.
File:Sentinel Warthog.jpg|A player firing the weapon from the passenger seat of a Warthog. Note the single-handed wielding.
File:Sentinel Firing.jpg|A Sentinel Aggressor firing its Sentinel beam.
File:Warlord-5.png|The Sentinel Beam being used in ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]'' multiplayer.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo 2 Anniversary]]''

==Notes==
<references group="note"/>

==Sources==
<references/>

{{Forerunner|weapons|category=no}}
[[Category:Forerunner weapons]]
[[Category:Directed-energy weapons]]