Editing Spike weaponry

{{Status|Canon}}

Spike weapons—or at the very least, the ubiquitous [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|spike rifle]]—originated from the Jiralhanae conflicts on [[Doisac]] prior to the species' induction to the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=186}} Precursors to spike weapons, like the heavy speargun, were also used by Jiralhanae in big-game hunting.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p476}} After the Jiralhanae joined the Covenant, most of the Jiralhanae-designed weapons—including spike weapons—were still manufactured by clan workshops on Doisac, albeit under the supervision of Covenant missionaries.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p295|Enc22|Page=295}} Regardless, spike weapons were not commonly encountered in combat, with many Jiralhanae shock troops deferring to the [[San'Shyuum]]'s guidance and adopting [[directed-energy weapon]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p476|Enc22|Page=476}} However, in the months leading up to the [[Great Schism]] in [[2552]], the [[Prophet of Truth]] ordered the [[Sacred Promissory]] on ''[[High Charity]]'' to secretly expand its scope to the production of all Jiralhanae matériel, including many spike weapons, for the impending purge of the [[Sangheili]].{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=128}} Spike weaponry then became a common sight in the final battles of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Level|H3|[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]}} Following the Great Schism and the dissolution of the Covenant, in the absence of the San'Shyuum, the Jiralhanae returned to their primitive, savage nature; Jiralhanae-designed spike weapons, such as the [[Ukala Workshop Mangler]], returned to widespread circulation, especially within the [[Banished]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p476}}

Spike weapons fire eponymous spike projectiles at enemies; the spike rifle—the most common spike weapon—fires long, sharp projectiles made of superheated tungsten alloy,{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/spike-rifle/bb559bc8-65c5-4572-8ffd-f7c05680380c|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spike Rifle|D=29|M=09|Y=2011|LocalArchive=Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Weapons#Spike Rifle}}{{Ref/Note|Id=metal|On the Halo Waypoint article for the Spiker, the blades are noted as being created from the same metal as that of the weapon's ammunition, making both made of tungsten alloy.}} which are coated in a pyrophoric compound unique to Doisac. When fired and exposed to atmospheric oxygen, the coating burns with a white-hot intensity, rendering the spikes superheated and semi-molten. The spikes thus glow with a yellow-white light for a short time after impact, before they cool.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM190|OSFM|Page=190}} The spike rifle uses a [[gravitic accelerator]] to launch the spike at targets;{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p295}} it is likely other spike weaponry employ a similar mechanism.

In contrast, the varied roles and applications of spike weapons also likely determine the property of spike projectiles they fire: smaller armor-piercing spike projectiles fired from spike rifles can easily penetrate flesh and bones, even pinning a target to an object behind them,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p295}}{{Ref/Film|HLa|Episode=HLOS}} whereas their larger counterparts, like those fired from the [[Flaktura Workshop Skewer|skewer]], can perforate a vehicle's battle plates or even a [[Spartan]]'s [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|armor]] with relative ease.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p476}} Furthermore, larger spike projectiles tend to possess explosive properties: the [[35mm autocannon|spike cannon]]—mounted on [[Chopper]]s—and the infantry-portable [[Volatile Skewer]] fire spike projectiles that detonate upon impact.{{Ref/Game|H3|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|HI|gameplay}} Spike cannons are also equipped on aircraft such as the [[Dovotaa Workshop Griever]] and [[Qavardu Workshop Gravemaker]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=473}}

While nearly all spike weapons fire single-use spike projectiles, exceptions have been found within the [[Banished]]. The [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Spirit#Spirit gunship|gunship variant of the Eklon'Dal Workshop Spirit]] uniquely employs a spike harpoon that allows the gunship to rapidly close its distance to a target.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p475|Enc22|Page=475}} The Banished has also incorporated spikes, rather than blades, at the fore of their vehicles, including the [[Ironclad Wraith]] and [[Terror Wraith]], for the purpose of increased ramming damage or repelling enemies.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=469}}