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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
 
[[File:Walkers.JPG|thumb|x300px|T-30 Locusts and T-47B Scarabs firing their weapons in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.]]
[[File:Walkers.JPG|thumb|250px|T-30 Locusts and T-47B Scarabs firing their weapons in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.]]
'''Focus cannons''' are a classification of heavy [[plasma weaponry]] used by the [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]].{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=13|M=04|Y=2016}}
The term '''focus cannon'''<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''game manual''</ref> is used to describe a type of [[Covenant]] weapon, able to fire superheated [[plasma]] in a concentrated beam.


==Overview==
==Overview==
Typically, the Covenant fire their plasma in bolts, which is accomplished by forming a magnetic bubble around the superheated ionized gas - once fired, the magnetic bubble holding the plasma is guided towards its destination. Plasma fired in a narrow, concentrated beam is accomplished by modifying the magnetic field so that the superheated plasma is guided continuously in a straight line towards its destination. The focus cannon is usually reserved for assault platforms like the {{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}}, {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}, and {{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}}. A focus cannon can be used to take down large scale objects, that either may be in the way of infantry objectives, or to excavate an area.<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Scarab'']</ref> If faced with a large military presence assault platforms can use their focus cannon to cut through armor and infantry with ease.
===Design details===
Focus cannons are a type of [[energy projector]] similar to the capital-grade models used on [[Covenant starship]]s. They can be individually tuned to allow for fine-excavation of [[Forerunner]] reliquaries or massive destruction of enemy ground forces.{{Ref/Reuse|WPScarab}}


Locusts use their Charged Plasma Cannon<ref>[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Factory.aspx#Locust '''Official Halo Wars Community Site''': ''Locust'']</ref> to deal with structures that may be too small for a larger assault platform to destroy. Locusts may be able to perform hunter-killer roles, finding infantry and eliminating them. They can also fulfill an anti-armor role, capable of destroying heavy armor if needed.
The exact specifics on the operation of focus cannons are vague; while classed as a large type of [[plasma cannon]], they generally operate by firing continuous streams of plasma at their targets - usually in a yellow-green colouration as opposed to the blue-red-purple of standard plasma weapons. As a form of energy projector, they presumably utilise the same magnetic confinement and [[anti-gravity technology]] to contain the plasma streams.


Scarabs use their Ultra-heavy focus cannon to destroy large structures that may be blocking infantry objectives, or if an area must be effectively destroyed. Their main weapon can be used against vehicles if they are within the Scarab's line of sight. They cannot, however, be used in hunter-killer situations against single, or small groups of infantry.
The plasma streams fired bear great resemblance to the [[assault cannon]]s of the [[Mgalekgolo]], though it is unknown to what degree the two technologies are related. Some focus cannons, such as those of the {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}, can be observed dripping some kind of green, glowing fluid after firing{{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis}} - indicating that they may additionally use [[incendiary gel]] in their operation similar to the aforementioned assault cannons. Some models of focus cannon can be modified to support the injection and firing of [[infusion gel]] (itself a derivative of incendiary gel), further lending credence to this implication.{{Ref/Game|Id=PLInf|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infused Scarab}}


Covenant capital ships also have a weapon similar to the focus cannon, commonly referred to as the [[energy projector]]. It is commonly fired from the belly of the ship right where the ship's central [[gravity lift]] is deployed when unloading troops and supplies.
===Variants===
{{Expand-section}}
<!--
*Bloodfuel
*Infused
*Focus Beam/Focus Drill differences from main
*Banished Lich has a "plasma cannon" despite obv being a focus beam
*Protos Scarab has one of the most powerful focus cannons
*Type-29 Scarab has the most powerful
-->
==Usage==
;Ultra-heavy focus cannons
*{{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon
*{{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon{{Ref/Book|Halo: Reach manual|Page=9}}
*{{Pattern|Sumda'te|Scarab}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon
*{{Pattern|Za'zayara|Harvester}} - 1x ultra-heavy focus drill


===Advantages===
;Heavy focus cannons
*Weapons with the ability to fire a Plasma Beam can destroy obstacles with ease and speed, cutting down the time it would take Plasma Mortars to accomplish the same job.
*[[Barukaza Workshop Scarab]] - 1x heavy focus cannon
*A Plasma Beam is easy to control, and can destroy with precision and accuracy.
*{{Pattern|Zashk|Draugr}} - 5x heavy focus cannons{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}
*Can be used to destroy a large enemy presence with destructive ease.


===Disadvantages===
;Light focus cannons
*The range of destruction is not as effective as a Plasma Mortar, as the resulting impact will not spread outside of the initial impact zone.
*{{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}} - 1x light focus cannon (alternatively termed a "charged plasma cannon"){{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCS|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Summit.aspx#Vampire|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Game Info - Covenant Factory|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Covenant#Locust|D=22|M=01|Y=2010}}
*The beam can only sustain fire for a short amount of time before recharging.
*[[Barukaza Workshop Locust]] - 1x light focus cannon
*Fast and nimble vehicles can out-maneuver the weapon.
*It is ineffective at long range, as the magnetic field loses its energy at long distances.


== Variants ==
;Undefined
* '''Bloodfuel''': This weapon is armament in specialized [[Bloodfuel Locust|Locusts]] employed by [[Decimus]]. This variant is able to repair the vehicle once it's fired upon an enemy.  
The "light"/"heavy" classification of focus cannon (if any) for the following weapons is unknown, meaning where they are placed in the hierarchy of focus cannon power is presently unknown.
* '''Infusion''': [[Infusion gel]] was infused with the [[Barukaza Workshop Scarab]]'s focus cannon, which causes the beam to leave a huge pool of infusion whever the Scarab fires its cannon.
*{{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} - 1x ''Emim''-pattern focus beam
*{{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} - 1x focus cannon (select "Beam Goblin" variants-only)


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 08:53, September 6, 2023

File:Walkers.JPG
T-30 Locusts and T-47B Scarabs firing their weapons in Halo Wars.

Focus cannons are a classification of heavy plasma weaponry used by the Covenant and its remnants.[1]

Overview

Design details

Focus cannons are a type of energy projector similar to the capital-grade models used on Covenant starships. They can be individually tuned to allow for fine-excavation of Forerunner reliquaries or massive destruction of enemy ground forces.[1]

The exact specifics on the operation of focus cannons are vague; while classed as a large type of plasma cannon, they generally operate by firing continuous streams of plasma at their targets - usually in a yellow-green colouration as opposed to the blue-red-purple of standard plasma weapons. As a form of energy projector, they presumably utilise the same magnetic confinement and anti-gravity technology to contain the plasma streams.

The plasma streams fired bear great resemblance to the assault cannons of the Mgalekgolo, though it is unknown to what degree the two technologies are related. Some focus cannons, such as those of the Protos-pattern Scarab, can be observed dripping some kind of green, glowing fluid after firing[2] - indicating that they may additionally use incendiary gel in their operation similar to the aforementioned assault cannons. Some models of focus cannon can be modified to support the injection and firing of infusion gel (itself a derivative of incendiary gel), further lending credence to this implication.[3]

Variants

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Usage

Ultra-heavy focus cannons
Heavy focus cannons
Light focus cannons
Undefined

The "light"/"heavy" classification of focus cannon (if any) for the following weapons is unknown, meaning where they are placed in the hierarchy of focus cannon power is presently unknown.

Gallery

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Apr 13, 2016) [archive]
  2. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis
  3. ^ Halo Wars 2, Phoenix Logs: Infused Scarab
  4. ^ Halo: Reach manual, page 9
  5. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
  6. ^ Official Halo Wars Community Site, Game Info - Covenant Factory (Retrieved on Jan 22, 2010) [local archive] [external archive]

v • d • e
 
Heavy weaponry in service of the Covenant and its remnants
Support weapons
Stationary weapon emplacements
Vehicle-mounted weapons
Starship weapons
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