Class-2 directed energy cannon: Difference between revisions

{{Era|HCW}}

{{Weapon

|image           =[[File:C2wes.png|260px]]

|name           =Plasma Cannons

| manufacturer   = Covenant

| model          = Class-2 Energy Gun

| type          = Anti-Personnel/Vehicular Weapon

| size          = Vehicle mounted

|damage per hit  = Medium 

|ammotype       = Superheated [[Plasma]]

|rate of fire    = High

|accuracy        = Medium to High

|range           = Medium

|counterpart    = [[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]

|counterwep      = [[102mm High-Explosive Anti-Tank|102mm HEAT]] rockets

|affiliation     = [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]

The Class-2 energy weapon is a [[directed energy weapon]] that is mounted onto small Covenant craft and is a newer [[plasma]]-based projectile weapon system. The weapons power output is 100-250kW.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]] Manual''', ''page 18''</ref> The design of the weapon does not differ much from standard Covenant plasma weapons, using a single collimator covered with a two-piece metal case. The class 2 weapon system is used for heavy combat situations and is employed for both anti-vehicle and ship-to-ship combat, but can be extremely effective in infantry support and suppressive roles. The class 2s role as a anti-vehicle weapon means that the firepower produced by this weapon is considerably high, able to punch through and melt multiple layers of armor until the target vehicles is destroyed, or inoperable. The class 2 energy weapon functions like most plasma based weapons used by the Covenant by rapidly cycling, loading, ignition, and release of plasma at high velocities. The plasma is contained and guided by a electromagnetic bottle which guides the plasma until it either travels too far away from the magnetic source and dissipates, or strikes its intended target.

Against infantry, the lethality of the Class-2 energy weapon is severe as injuries inflicted to infantry with light body armor are severe fourth-degree burns, this level of injury completely burns away all flesh, leaving only bone tissue. Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, and fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small steam explosions causing additional damage to the body. Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass, this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris both non-heated and heated that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 15''</ref> Damage to light armored vehicles is high as the plasma's high kinetic energy and extreme temperatures can punch through it with ease, more heavily armored vehicles can withstand a certain amount of fire before its armor can be penetrated. In the context of the Halo games, all plasma weapons' strength and lethality are compensated for both the sake of ESRB rating and gameplay.  

There are several known variants of the Class-2 Energy Gun, but they all work more or less the same way. Ghosts have a pair of cannons mounted on their front, which can raise and lower to hit targets of varying altitude. Banshees have bulkier cannons that recoil with each shot. Covenant exo-atmospheric craft, such as Banshee Interceptors and Phantom Gunboats, are equipped with more powerful weapons known as [[heavy plasma cannon]]s.

The class-2 energy weapon is a medium range weapon, and can inflict very high damage against armor and infantry — the weapon however excels at destroying light armored vehicles and is the primary reason a good number of Covenant vehicles use this weapon system. Vehicles equipped with class 2 weapon systems can halt enemy infantry advance with its ability to deliver harassing suppressive fire; this tactic is also reflected in the Covenant's combat doctrine: destroy enemy morale with harassing fire from distant or hidden snipers and intimate exposure to the alien-ness of their infantry. The weapons small power source coupled with the vehicles design allows prolonged continuous fire without overheating the weapon, excess heat is vented through small vents placed on the vehicle.

*While boosting in a Ghost or Banshee, you cannot fire the plasma cannons because the energy used to fire them is being channeled to the boosters.

File:C-2 EWS Bolt Study temp.jpg|A study of the Class-2 Energy Gun's bolt.

*''[[Halo Wars]]''

*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}

*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''

*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''

*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''

<references/>

{{Covenant Weapons}}

[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]