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Needle-based weaponry: Difference between revisions

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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:H2A-JohnNeedlers.jpg|thumb|350px|[[John-117]] [[dual wielding]] [[Type-33 needler]]s, the most common needle-based weapon in the [[Covenant]].]]
[[File:HTMCC-HR NeedleRifle&Needler.jpg|thumb|350px|A [[Skirmisher Minor]] and a [[Skirmisher Champion]] wielding a [[needler]] and a {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}}, respectively.]]
'''Needle-based weaponry''' refers to weapons that incorporate explosive [[Suban]]ese [[Subanese crystal|crystal]] in their properties. Although there are [[melee]] weapons that were derived from the crystal,{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=307}} the most common needle-based weaponry are [[:Category:Projectile weapons|projectile weapons]] that launch the Subanese crystalline shards.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} While the [[Forerunner]]s have developed at least [[shard cannon|one class of needle-based weapon]], the [[Covenant]] most likely reverse-engineered the technology,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]], particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p294|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}
'''Needle-based weaponry''' refers to weapons that incorporate explosive [[Suban]]ese [[Subanese crystal|crystal]] in their properties. Although there are [[melee]] weapons that were derived from the crystal,{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=307}} the most common needle-based weaponry are [[:Category:Projectile weapons|projectile weapons]] that launch the Subanese crystalline shards.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} While the [[Forerunner]]s have developed at least [[shard cannon|one class of needle-based weapon]], the [[Covenant]] most likely reverse-engineered the technology,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]], particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p294|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}


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*[[Needler]]
*[[Needler]]
**{{Pattern|Posu'gelka|needler}}
**{{Pattern|Posu'gelka|needler}}
**{{Pattern|Nahle'hax|needler}}
**[[Type-33 needler]]
**[[Type-33 needler]]
***{{Pattern|Nahle'hax|needler}}
**[[Type-56D needler]]
**[[Type-56D needler]]
*[[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle]]
*[[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle]]

Revision as of 05:52, April 10, 2023

Needle-based weaponry refers to weapons that incorporate explosive Subanese crystal in their properties. Although there are melee weapons that were derived from the crystal,[1] the most common needle-based weaponry are projectile weapons that launch the Subanese crystalline shards.[2][3] While the Forerunners have developed at least one class of needle-based weapon, the Covenant most likely reverse-engineered the technology,[4] leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and its remnants, particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.[5][6][7]

Operation

Needle-based weaponry are characterized by Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the Sangheilios' two moons.[5] Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.[2][8] Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.[9] If multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties supercombine and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.[2][8] While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against energy shielding.[10]

Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The needler, the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.[5] In contrast, the Gadulo-pattern needle rifle was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,[11] so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.[12]

List of needle-based weapons

Handheld projectile weapons

Melee weapons

Mounted weapons

Sources

  1. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 307
  2. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 128
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 230
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 237
  5. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
  6. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
  7. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
  8. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 479
  9. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 349
  10. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needler (Retrieved on Apr 21, 2021) [archive]
  11. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 127
  12. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle (Retrieved on May 14, 2021) [archive]