Editing Zasqi-pattern fuel rod gun

{{Title|''Zasqi''-pattern fuel rod gun}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the fuel rod gun introduced in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''|other variants of the fuel rod gun|Fuel rod gun}}
{{Weapon infobox
|name=''Zasqi''-pattern Flak Launcher
|image=[[File:MCC Menu CEFuelRod.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Merchants of Qikost]]{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|series=
|type=[[Fuel rod gun]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|length={{Convert|68.7|in|cm}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=Class-2 [[Fuel rod]]s{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|capacity=5 rounds{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|feed=Battery-powered
|operation=
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=None{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}
|range=
}}
The '''''Zasqi''-pattern Flak Launcher'''{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=299}} is a type of fuel rod gun that was in service within the [[Covenant]]'s [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] in [[2552|September 2552]]. It is a shoulder-mounted, battery-powered weapon which fires [[fuel rod]]s, and was often carried by [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec-Ops Unggoy]] during the later stages of the [[Battle of Installation 04]].{{Ref/Game|CE|Id=CECamp|Campaign}}{{Ref/Comic|Halo Graphic Novel|Story=The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor|Id=HGN}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The ''Zasqi''-pattern fuel rod gun is a powerful, shoulder-mounted infantry weapon which fires explosive fuel rod ammunition, similar to vehicle-mounted weapons such as the [[fuel rod cannon]], but which have a very pronounced downward arc. Unlike other fuel rod gun models such as the {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun|}} and {{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun|}}, the ''Zasqi''-pattern design draws from a battery reserve, instead of a physical magazine. As such, it is subject to the same limitations as other Covenant battery-powered weaponry: notably, it will overheat if fired rapidly for too long, and it cannot easily be recharged on the battlefield.{{Ref/Game|Id=CEMP|HPC|Multiplayer}} The core power output of the weapon is 250–300 kV : 4-5 dA, while the overcharge power output is 2.5 mV : 4-5 dA.{{Ref/Book|Id=PCManual|Halo: Combat Evolved manual|Page=16|Detail=PC port edition}}

Some versions of this weapon were known to be equipped with a failsafe "dead man's switch", which caused the weapon’s breach-pin to detonate the remaining ammunition if its wielder was killed in combat, rendering the weapon inoperable and useless and potentially damaging any enemies - or allies - nearby.{{Ref/Reuse|CECamp}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=77}} This was common for other types of fuel rod gun too, such as the ''Pez'tk''-pattern.{{Ref/Game|Id=CEACamp|CEA|Campaign}}{{Ref/Site|Id=BNet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3fuelrod|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|D=31|M=01|Y=2021|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/Fuel rod gun}} However, the concept was phased out by the Covenant in late 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|BNet}}

As of September 2552, the UNSC was unaware of how to replace the weapon's power cell.{{Ref/Reuse|PCManual}}

===Variants===
There are two variants of the ''Zasqi''{{'}}s design. Their primary difference is alternative [[nanolaminate]] colouration for the outer plating.
<gallery class="center">
File:Fuel rod gun.png|The gold version of the weapon used during the Battle of Installation 04.{{Ref/Reuse|CECamp}}
File:MCC Menu CEFuelRod.png|The purple version of the weapon used among Rtas 'Vadumee's strike team during the [[Skirmish on Infinite Succor]].{{Ref/Reuse|HGN}}
</gallery>

===Operational history===
The weapon was commonly seen wielded by [[Special Operations Unggoy|Spec-Ops Unggoy]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04]], particularly during the later stages after the release of the [[Flood]].{{Ref/Reuse|CECamp}} [[Rtas 'Vadum]]ee's strike team included Spec-Ops Grunts wielding the weapon during his [[Skirmish on Infinite Succor|mission]] to the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'' which took place concurrently.{{Ref/Reuse|HGN}}

==In-game information==
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''===
In the [[Xbox]] version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the weapon is unusable; being exclusive to special red Grunts (in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' these Grunts wear masks) and Spec-Ops Grunt enemies in the campaign. When in use, the Grunts need to charge the weapon to fire it. And when the weapon is dropped, it explodes, causing damage to anything near it, and can trigger grenade explosions if there were grenades littered inside blast radius. This version of the weapon is gold, but the texture of the weapon makes it look pink in dark areas. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', this Fuel Rod Gun was changed into the design of the {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}.

In the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|PC port]] there is a unique version of the weapon exclusive to [[multiplayer]], it is a battery-operated weapon, and can fire a total of 28 rounds, from its 100 battery unit charge. If fired at its maximum fire rate, it could shoot five rounds each before overheating. Unlike the campaign version of the weapon, it does not explode when dropped by players and does not need to be charged to be fired. This version of the weapon is purple, and has four silver vents at the side of it. This version of the weapon does not replace the one in the campaign.

==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*In ''Halo PC'' multiplayer, the weapon's barrel retracts into the weapon when fired. Whether this is the firing mechanism or a recoil compensator is unknown, but the weapon has very little recoil on the hands of the player character, supporting the latter.
*The fuel rod gun was originally meant to be a grenade launcher, but it was changed to a Covenant rocket launcher. It can be viewed on this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tqrfy4SR7I video.]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:800px-SpecOpsGrunt.jpg|A [[Special Operations Unggoy]] with a fuel rod gun in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:Fuel-rod-schematic.jpg|A fuel rod gun schematic as seen in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:HaloCE-MasterChief-FuelRodGun.png|A Spartan holding a Fuel Rod Gun in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE Spartanwithfuelrodgun.jpg|A Spartan with a fuel rod gun in [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]] [[Multiplayer]].
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-FirstPerson.jpg|From a Spartan's point of view in the PC version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-Overheat.jpg|The Fuel Rod Gun overheating in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' PC.
File:HCE-FuelRodGun-Profile.png|A violet-colored Fuel Rod Gun from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. 
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Covenant ordnance}}

[[Category:Covenant infantry weapons]]
[[Category:Rocket launchers]]