Editing Type-33 needler

{{Ratings}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|UP|HGN}}
{{Weapon
| image=[[Image:Bnetneedler.jpg|300px]]
|  name=Needler
| manufacturer=[[Covenant]]
| model=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
| type=Munitions Launcher
| cost=
| size=[[Halo 1]]/[[Halo 3]]: Hand held, Two Handed<br/>
[[Halo 2]]: Hand held, One Handed, [[Dual Wield]]able
*Needler (Halo 1)
**length: 66.8 cm (26.29 in.)
**width: 20 cm (7.87 in.)
**height: 60 cm (23.62 in.)
*Needler (Halo 2)
**length: 57.9 cm (22.79 in.)
*Needler (Halo 3)
**Length (o/a): 57.8 cm (22.75 in.)
**Length (barrel): 16.25 cm (6.4 in.)
**Weight (empty): 3.74 kg (8.25 lbs)
**Weight (loaded): 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs)
| damage per hit= Variable - Low to Instant Kill
*7 DU (Halo 1)<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Games/HaloPC/page.aspx?section=Guides&subsection=WeaponsVehiclesPages&page=2 Bungie.net's summary of Halo PC weapons]</ref>
| magazine= *Halo 1: 20 needles 
*Halo 2: 30 needles
*Halo 3: 19 needles
| maxammo= *Halo 1: 100 needles 
*Halo 2: 120 needles 
**Dual-wielding: 240 needles 
*Halo 3: 95
| fire= Automatic
| ammotype= Crystalline Explosive Projectiles
| operation= Unknown
| rate of fire= 8.5 rnds/sec (Halo 3)
| velocity= 54 m/s (177 f/s)
| accuracy= High (Homing)
| range=Short-Medium Range
*64 meters (210 ft)
| era=
| counterpart=
*Halo 1: [[MA5B Assault Rifle]] 
*Halo 2: [[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]]
*Halo 3: [[MA5C Assault Rifle]] 
| counterwep= 
*At Close Range: [[Energy Sword]], [[Shotgun]], [[Gravity Hammer]]
*At Medium Range: [[Battle Rifle]], [[Covenant Carbine]], [[M6D]], [[SMG]]
| affiliation=[[Covenant]]
}}

{{Article Quote|First order of business when dealing with a hostile armed with a Needler is finding cover; second order of business is killing the mike foxtrot with the Needler.|Anonymous serviceman}}

The '''Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher'''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3needler</ref>, more commonly known as the '''Needler''', is a [[Covenant]] infantry [[weapon]] that fires a glowing, pink-blue homing projectile capable of doing lethal damage. Once [[List of "Seven" References in Halo|seven]] "needles" (which is a refernce to Bungies love of the number seven) embed themselves into an enemy, they explode, killing the enemy in almost all encounters.

==Summary==
'''The Needler''' is one of the less popular weapons of the [[Halo]] trilogy. It is an extremely unusual [[Covenant]] weapon that fires pink, translucent, crystalline projectiles with a tinge of blue. It is most often wielded by [[Grunts]], [[Elites]], [[Drones]], and sometimes even [[Jackals]] have been seen utilizing this weapon. [[Enforcers]] also have a larger version of the Needler mounted on themselves, along with one [[Sentinel]] which [[Needler Sentinel|equips this weapon through a glitch]]. [[Brutes]] are also compatible to wield the firearm but is only ever seen doing so in cutscenes.

Its razor sharp crystalline projectiles are fired from this elaborately designed [[Covenant]] weapon; it is widely believed that they use heat or organic signatures to home in on targets and may have some relation to the [[plasma grenade]] as they both react to living tissues. Although easily deflected by [[energy shields]], the needles cause a chemical reaction in close proximity resulting in an explosive effect, which can have a devastating effect on the victim.<ref>[http://halo3.com halo3.com]</ref>While a single needle will shatter and do very little damage, after seven or more needles have entered a hostile combatant, the energy of the needles will combine and cause a violent explosion, causing massive internal damage that always results in death and sending micro shrapnel and a pink mist through the air.  In [[Halo: The Fall of Reach]] it is stated that the micro shrapnel can embed itself in nearby organisms; thus, friendly fire is often a necessary consideration in close quarters.

It is possible that the brighter section of the projectiles is the "Heart". When it embeds in something or goes on for too long a distance, the outer casing is penetrated, hitting the heart, setting off a catalyst, or is worn away too much and then it does the same catalyst effect. This may also fit the fact enough needles put in a target "Combine" their catalyst effects, creating a violent explosion wrecking from the very inside.

[[Image:1208118989_Needlers_and_Ammo.jpg‎|left|thumb|250px|Needlers and their ammunition.]]

===Advantages===
This weapon fires homing needles that embed themselves in the flesh of a target before exploding to cause damage. The rate of fire increases with continuous fire. If seven or more needles strike the target, the needles' combined strength will create a large purple/pink explosion, killing the target and causing splash damage to other nearby enemies. This is another reference to the number [[Seven]] in the [[Bungie]] games. Needles can penetrate the energy [[shields]] of [[Elites]], [[Sentinels]], and [[Spartans]], but bounce off [[Jackal Personal Arm Shields]] and a [[Hunter]]'s large metal shield. They are especially useful against the [[Brutes]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'''s [[Campaign]] mode if many needles hit the Brute. In addition, the secondary explosions often kill surrounding enemies. For example, if you fire an entire magazine into a charging [[Flood]] horde, then you will finish over half of them through secondary explosions of the Needler.

In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the '''Needler''' can be useful for taking out several enemies clumped together; the first seven shots will kill the enemy and the rest of a magazine will set off secondary explosions. In Campaign, the explosions will set off grenades, making the Needler very deadly against groups of enemies or powerful foes such as the Elites. It is also a good weapon in tight corridors, where it is impossible for enemies to dodge the needles by moving left or right, or any wide places with little to no cover. Also, you may use this weapon to kill the driver while not damaging the vehicle, provided you can get close enough for the needler to even be effective.

In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the only game in the trilogy where you can [[dual-wield]] the weapon (which suggests that a lighter model is used in that game), the effectiveness and rate of fire of the Needlers can be increased by firing them "out of phase". This is accomplished when the user begins firing one of his Needlers a fraction of a second before the other, and continues to fire them in full-auto so that the shots from each weapon are fired in a "one-two punch" pattern. You can tell when the pattern is just right because the guns will sound as if they are firing much more rapidly. This allows for a more constant and consistent stream of fire. Since each needle is in its own slot in the firing sequence, the failure of one needle to impact the target no longer means that two will fail. 

In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the '''Needler''' is much more powerful than ever before. With a faster rate of fire, greater accuracy, quicker projectiles, better homing capabilities and higher damage, the Needler has been improved in virtually every area. As the Needler now behaves more like a rifle than an [[SMG]], it can no longer be dual-wielded. However, it's no longer necessary to do so. [[Frankie]] has been quoted as saying that the Needler is now nearly a power weapon on its own.

When playing the ''Halo 3'' Campaign, until reaching [[Legendary]], it will not be considered as too much of a powerful weapon, but when it is, it's one of the best weapons to kill Brutes and many other opponents such as the [[Flood]]. It only takes those seven needles, even on higher difficulties, and the homing makes it practically unaffected by the difficulty setting. Most [[skulls]] do not alter the Needler's effectiveness. The only skull that makes it less effective is Tough Luck, as enemies are liable to dodge the homing needles.

===Disadvantages===
The fired needles are slow and ineffective against [[vehicles]] to the point of just bouncing off them. In Halo 3 the Needler's magazine size is quite small (19 needles), considering the rate of fire and the fact that you can't dual-wield it. The needles also take time to hit/explode on the target, leaving the target time to move in and inflict some of the explosive splash damage on the shooter. This is best illustrated when dealing with the [[Flood]] or a [[Zealot]] wielding an [[Energy Sword]]. It is nearly impossible to hit [[Active Camouflage|invisible]] enemies with the Needler because in '''Halo: Combat Evolved''' and [[Halo 2]], it does not home in on invisible targets, but in ''Halo 3'' the Needler is able to home in on camouflaged [[Brutes]]. The learning curve of the "lead" needed to hit strafing targets is also high. And when faced with experienced opponents in multiplayer (who often randomize their strafing patterns) the weapon is almost always overshadowed by better, more reliable options. An enemy who goes in a circular path will always dodge the Needler rounds; you can empty magazines into the air and not hit him or her. Against larger and more heavily armored opponents, such as [[Hunters]], the Needler is generally ineffective. The Needler also proves ineffective against [[Jackal|Jackals]] because the needles will harmlessly repel off the shields unless flanked. Unless one can fire sideways with the Jackal caught unawares, as the projectiles are slow, and the Jackal will have time to place their shield in front of themselves. The only way to easily kill Jackals with the Needler is to fire at point-blank range, but the proximity would be so close that a melee would be better suited instead. Therefore, any other weapon is preferable to wipe them out. Thus, the needles themselves do not inflict much damage, and that only the general explosion inside the enemy will kill them. Therefore, combination's of shooting/[[melee]]ing to get a kill are not ideal with this weapon. Also, this means that, in  [[Halo 2]], the Needler should be dual wielded only with another Needler or a plasma weapon for draining Jackal shields. In addition, the Needler is more or less useless against enemies with protection (ex. the Hunter's shield). The reason is that the needles will bounce harmlessly away. Only if you aim extremely carefully will you be able to hit them at all, much less fill them up. [[Covenant]] species in this category include [[Hunter]]s and Jackals.
[[Image:H3_needler_sm.gif|thumb|right|250px|A render of the Needler.]]
Additionally, the Needler is among the worst of weapons to finish off a player who's shields are drained.  This is due to the fact that each needle only inflicts a small amount of damage and that it will still most likely take the seven needles to kill the player despite the fact that only one or a few shots from any other weapon could kill him or her.

The Needler's ammunition is limited. Even at maximum magasines, the Needler will run out in a short time, after killing only four or five shielded enemies. Other weapons, like the [[MA5C Assault Rifle]] are more effective, carrying up to five times more ammo, and requiring only half-3/4 of a clip to kill an enemy.

==Description and Appearance==
While the Needler appeared in the original ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the individual crystalline needles were used as a hand to hand weapon in the novel, [[Halo: Contact Harvest]]. It made a return in ''Halo 2'', and was made a bit less powerful with the advent of dual wielding. However, after ''Halo 2'''s 1.1 [[multiplayer]] patch, the weapon was toned down even more. The weapon returns in ''Halo 3''. This time it is not dual-wieldable, but the weapon has been significantly rebalanced to allow it to stand on its own; it is one of the most effective medium-ranged weapons in the game, especially when used against [[Brutes]] or Flood.  However, some people prefer not to use it. It is noticed that in Halo 3, in front of the barrel of the Neddler there is an electricity-like pink plasma charge, similar to the charge on the plasma rifle and pistol. This is probably where the needles become energized.

===Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2===
[[Image:1210496382 1203957011 926632 20071030 screen015.jpg|thumb|right|An [[Elite]] armed with a Needler.]] Needler is smaller compared to the player.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the gun, as well as the needles before and after firing, had a slight blue tinge to them, this is all but eliminated.
*It is wielded far less often by enemy [[Elites]] and [[Grunts]].
*The magazine size is increased to thirty needles. Maximum ammunition increases from 100 needles to 120. Maximum amount of magazines decreases by 1.
*Explosion has significantly less splash damage to harm those nearby.
*Only one explosion is needed to kill any [[Covenant]] enemy; in [[Halo: CE]], up to three were needed to kill high ranking Elites on difficulties as low as [[Normal]].
*Needles fly faster.
*Only one explosion will go off within an enemy, in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' multiple explosions could go off in one body, even after death.
*The melee attacks are faster than in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
*Slower rate of fire in ''Halo 2''.
*Melee animation is different, and seems to do less damage.
*Dual-wieldable.
*Needler no longer has magazines on the ground.

=== Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3===
*Reticule must be red in order for the needles to seek.
*Magazine size has been decreased to 19 rounds.
*Rate of fire has been dramatically increased.
*Needles appear to travel faster.
*Weapon can no longer be dual wielded because it was deemed, "Over powered". 
*Will never be wielded by [[Elites]] unless you give them one.
*Power Increased.
*A large explosion can only be attained when you have shot [[List of "Seven" References in Halo|seven]] needles into the target.
*Unexploded needles remain impaled to the victim after impact.
*The needles do explode, however, after a given period of time, but the explosions are small and do little to no damage.

== UNSC Remarks ==
"I don’t know how it works, but it seems the needles can only follow you if they can see you."

"Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too."

“I caught three in the leg as I was diving behind a broken wall—they lodged right in there where the greave meets the boot. When they went off it damn near broke my ankle and flung like little splinters of glass or crystal or whatever all up my left side—the corpsman was pulling the shards outta me for the better part of two hours.”

“Luckily—listen to me “luckily”—the needles only detonate when they’re embedded in living tissue. Now that’s lucky because it’s not gonna blow a hole in the wall you’re hiding behind or tear the tires off of the vehicle you’re trying to escape in.”

“It’s about as close to a fire-and-forget small arm that we're likely to ever see—and it ain’t ours. This is why we’re losing.”

“First order of business when dealing with a hostile armed with a Needler is finding cover; second order of business is killing the mike foxtrot with the Needler.”
[[Image:1211479378 Needler Shard.jpg|thumb|right|A Needler's Needle in mid-flight.]]
==Character Compatibility==
*[[Master Chief]]
*[[Sgt. Johnson]]
*[[Captain Keyes]]
*[[Elites]]
*[[Spartans]]
*[[Drones]]
*[[Grunts]]
*[[Marines]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form|Combat Form (Human)]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form|Combat Form (Elite)]]
*[[Needler Sentinel]] [[Easter Egg]] (Bungie Error)

== Trivia==
[[Image:1225556878 Needler explosion.jpg|thumb|right|A Needler explosion]]
*The Needler is part of the infamous [[Noob Combo]] with the [[Rocket Launcher]], it earned this title as it has the ability to lock on to its target.
*The Needler can have up to 180 ammo when it is dual wielded in [[Halo 2]].
*Instead of each needle on top of the gun pushing into the gun separately as you fire like you may think, like a visible magazine, they all push in slightly for each shot fired.
*If you fire needler rounds into a vehicle (indestructible works best) and then get in before they explode, you will take damage when they do.
*Archie Gates made four songs about the Needler weapon.
*In [[Halo 3]] and [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], Elites don't use Needlers as much as they did in [[Halo 2]].
*It is highly speculated that the Needler was inspired by Half-Life's Hive Hand (The one that spits out bee-like insects) due to its similar ability to lock on to enemies in a homing manner.{{Fact}}
*In the [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] instruction book, there are Needler blueprints under the Plasma Rifle blueprints.
*It takes seven or more needles to set off the full explosion and kill targets such as Spartans or Elites. This is another early incarnation of [[Bungie]]'s fascination with the number [[7]].
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' on [[Easy]] difficulty, it is possible to kill a [[Hunter]] using a Needler, but it takes exactly three magazines of ammunition to do so.
*In the [[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]] in the first [[Enforcer]] fight behind the Gondola there are three overloaded Needlers with 135 ammo each.
*[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Jacob Keyes]] and [[Sgt. Johnson]] are the only main [[UNSC]] characters that use a Needler in-game.
*When a [[Grunt]] wields a Needler, it will always have 90 ammo.
*The only levels in all three games of the [[Halo]] trilogy where Needler ammunition can be found outside of the weapon is [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]] and the Truth and Reconciliation when you first get in the ship in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
[[Image:Plasma Needles Halo 3.jpg|thumb|right|Two needles of a Needler, with one of them exploding.]]
*In ''Halo 3'', if you look at your shadow while holding a Needler (regardless of how many needles are protruding from the top) there will not be any needles visible in the top of the Needler in your shadow. This is to compensate with simple reloading and the third person of the person with the Needler.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' you could melee the enemy using the needled side.
*In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the Needles appear bluish-pink when in the Needler, although they've always been pink when shot.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'', the force of the Needler explosion was reduced along with the multiple explosions of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2''.
*If you shoot a weapon in ''[[Halo 3]]'' with at least seven needles, then quickly pick it up while still firing, the weapon will explode and you will die. This glitch counts as a suicide.
*A second suicide method is to crouch on a floor that rebounds Needler shots, aim at your foot, and eventually, through continual fire (About 4 magazines) you will die. 
*A third, faster way to commit suicide is to walk into a fence and your arms and the Needler will be outside of the fence and your chest will be against the fence. The needles actually fire from further back from the Needler about where the fence is. You will die before your magazine runs out and the last 3-4 shots will not explode.
*In ''Halo 3'''s [[Forge]] mode, there's a minor glitch where by default, the Needler will have 3 spare clips, but if you change the option, it can only have 1 or 2 spare ones instead.
*The ''[[Halo 3]]'' Needler is incorrectly labeled as having 30 needles per magazine, instead of the actual 19.
*Needlers cause two types of damage. ''Penetration'', getting hurt on impact of the crystalline needles, and ''Explosive'', implosion and explosion of needles wedged in the body and splash damage to surrounding units.
*The Needler is [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]'s next-to trademark weapon, the other being the [[Energy Sword]].
*The Needler is one of the few Covenant weapons that use re-loadable ammunition. The others are the [[Fuel Rod Gun]], the [[Carbine]], the [[Spiker]], the [[Mauler]] and the [[Brute Shot]]. This is of course simple speculation, as the UNSC has not found a way to reload the battery of any plasma weapon. 
*In [[Halo Custom Edition]], there are approximately four ways to reload a Needler.
*There is a glitch in [[Halo 2]] where you can get a [[Jackal]] to fire a Needler, but no needles will come out. To read more, go to [[Charging needler glitch|this page]].
*Some players amid [[Halo 3]]'s [[Multiplayer]] discern the Needler as a cheap way of getting a simple kill as it does not require much talent to aim a homing weapon.
*There is a [[Sentinel]] that fires Needler rounds and when destroyed it drops a Needler. It is found on the level [[Quarantine Zone]] in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*In [[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]] the Needler is referred to as a pistol. This may be because in the large hands of a [[Sangheili]] warrior where it appears on a smaller scale than if it were in [[Human]] hands.
*It is impossible to destroy a [[Scorpion]] tank on [[Halo 3]] with a Needler, unless you somehow open the hatch and shoot the pilot in the inside of the vehicle.
*The Needler is used to acquire the [[Fear the Pink Mist]] achievement in [[Halo 3]].
*Normally if you shoot at a [[Jackal]]'s shield with a Needler it will bounce off. But if you shoot the center of the shield, it will penetrate and injure or kill the [[Jackal]] (Halo 2).
*Halo 3 is the only game where the needle's smaller explosions after it impacts won't hurt you.
*[[Grunts]] reload the Needler by shaking it.
* In the books the Needler is referred to as a pistol when in [[Ghosts of Onyx]] an elite kills his crazed shipmaster with one.
*Should you manage to stick [[7]] needles onto a person riding a [[Warthog]], there is a very good chance that you can destroy the [[vehicle]] and/or kill anyone else in the [[Warthog]].
*After a player is killed with a Needler some needles will stay on the dead body.
* in halo 2 i t is very noticable that it takes more than 7 needles to cause an explosion.

== Related Links ==
*[[Covenant Weapons]]
*[[Fear the Pink Mist]]
*[[Energy Cutlass]]
*[http://halowiki.net/p/Needler Needler at halowiki]

==Images==
<gallery>
Image:Halo3 Spartan-needler-01.jpg|A Spartan in [[EVA]] armor wields the needler.
Image:Needler-1.jpg|Dual Wielding the Needler.
Image:GruntUltra03.jpg|[[Grunt]]s are often seen with the needler.
Image:Needler Halo 3.jpg|The [[Halo 3]] Needler.
Image:1218569564 Needler.jpg|[[Master Chief]] firing a Needler.
Image:NeedlerBoom.jpg|A [[Jackal]] killed by a Needler explosion.
Image:News H3 MP Assembly-1p02.jpg|A player wields the Needler on [[Assembly]].
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

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