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{{Era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
The '''heavy needle cannon'''<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 200''</ref> is a much larger and more powerful version of the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] found on certain vehicles and turrets. The heavy needle cannon's primary use is to assault ground troops, but it is also quite effective in taking out enemy aircraft as well. These three foot long [[Crystalline Explosive Projectiles]], like the smaller version's, home on to enemy targets, embed themselves into that target, then detonate, causing devastating damage to the aircraft. In the prologue of ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', the Covenant camp started to fire on [[Frederic-104|Fred-104]] and [[Kelly-087]] with the Heavy Needler after the Spartans delivered the nuke into the ship in the stolen [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]]. [[Joshua-029]] was killed by them. Fred described them as being like regular needles, but about 3 feet long.
{{center|For the [[Enforcer]]'s twin needle-type weapons, see [[shard cannon]].}}
[[File:H5G-Grunt Goblin 1.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''Pnap''-pattern Goblin wielding a needle cannon mounted on its right arm.]]
'''Needle cannons''' are a class of heavy mounted weapon typically used by the [[Covenant]] and its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. Needle cannons, as their name suggests, employ the use of [[Subanese crystal]] (or "Blamite") as their primary munitions.


==Description==
==Overview==
[[File:Web vampire.jpg|thumb|right| The Covenant [[Vampire]], one of the few examples of a Heavy Needler.]]
Needle cannons operate on the fundamentally same basis as most other [[Needle-based weaponry|needle weaponry]]; a large Subanese crystal is broken into needle-like shards, which are catalysed by a magnetic auger to fire. These weapons exhibit "predatory" tracking properties against their targets and explode upon impact.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=294}} Unlike their smaller forebears, needle cannons refer to heavy armaments mounted on vehicles, aircraft, and static turret emplacements. In this context, they are often used as [[anti-aircraft weapon]]s, serving a similar role to the multiple-launch rocket systems favoured by the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Such usage includes as part of a modular upgrade package on the static {{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}},{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Citadel|Enc22|Page=301}} and as part of the air-air armament of the {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}}.{{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCSVampire|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Summit.aspx#Vampire|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Vampire|D=30|M=03|Y=2018|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Covenant#Vampire}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVGVampire|EVG|Page=200}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Vampire|Enc22|Page=289}}
The Heavy Needler is featured in ''[[Halo Wars]]'', and is the main weapon of the [[Vampire]], a Covenant Air vehicle.<ref>http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Summit.aspx#Vampire</ref> The [[Covenant automated plasma turret|Heavy Plasma Turret]] can be upgraded to feature this weapon as well if you choose to upgrade the turret with an Anti-Air weapon.


It was vaguely mentioned in ''Halo: First Strike'', described by Fred as a larger version of the normal Needler round (about three feet long). The Heavy Needler is mainly used by the Covenant as an anti-aircraft weapon. Its projectiles are very effective against aircraft, homing on to the target, embedding itself, then detonating.
The {{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} developed by the [[Unggoy]] employs a single needle cannon on its right arm in its most common configuration. These weapons are predominantly used for anti-infantry or anti-light vehicle roles.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFBuzz|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-buzz-generating|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating|D=08|M=11|Y=2020}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Goblin|Enc22|Page=277}} This loadout is copied aboard the [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Goblin|specialised variant]] of the Goblin developed by the [[Eklon War-Forges]] for the [[Banished]], though the needle cannon is relocated to the left arm.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22BanGob|Enc22|Page=466}}


==Trivia==
===Heavy needle cannons===
*It seems the heavy needle cannon was replaced by the [[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|AA Wraith]] [[Class-2 Projectile cannon|Fuel Rod Cannon]] as an anti-aircraft weapon during the events in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
Heavy needle cannons, or heavy needler cannons,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Vampire}} are a distinct class of weaponry apparently separate to standard needle cannons, though to date few specifics are known on how these systems are distinct to standard needle cannons. The only such observed example is the single heavy needle cannon mounted as the primary armament of the {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} air superiority fighter used by the [[Covenant military]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVGVampire}}{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSVampire}} The weapon fires dense shards of self-tracking Subanese crystal fragments, with the large crystals protruding out of the 360-degree rotational turret on the top of the craft.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Vampire}}
*The [[Gorgon (cut vehicle)|Gorgon]], a deleted Covenant vehicle set to appear in Halo Wars, had a Heavy Needler for a body.
 
*It is possible that the heavy needle cannon was developed by the Covenant from the [[Enforcer]]'s [[pulse beam|main weapon]].
===Usage===
;Needle cannons
*{{Pattern|Pnap|Goblin}} - 1x needle cannon{{Ref/Reuse|CFBuzz}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Goblin}}
**[[Eklon'Dal Workshop Goblin]] - 1x needle cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22BanGob}}
*{{Pattern|Kewu Umppi'pa'|citadel turret}} - 1x needle cannons, as part of an optional modular anti-air upgrade package.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Citadel}}
 
;Heavy needle cannons
*{{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} - 1x heavy needle cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Vampire}}
 
==Production notes==
Needle cannons are a fairly staple fixture of several [[Cut Halo Wars units|cut ''Halo Wars'' units]]. These include the [[Gorgon (cut vehicle)|Gorgon]], a bipedal anti-air walker with a heavy needler comprising its main body, and the [[Hydra (cut vehicle)|Hydra]] - a cut aircraft with several large needles sticking out of the sides of its wings.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicles.jpg|Several cut Hydras (top-right) displaying what appear to be heavy needle cannon armaments.
File:HW Gorgon Render.jpg|A render of the cut Gorgon walker.
File:HW Vampire Render.jpg|The T-29 Vampire with a heavy needle cannon in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HWDE-CitadelTurret AA.jpg|The anti-air variants of the ''Kewu Umppi'pa{{'}}''-pattern turrets with mounted heavy needle cannons.
</gallery>
 
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Template:Covenant Weapons}}
 
{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
[[Category:Covenant air weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant air weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant Weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant weapons]]
[[Category:Needle weaponry]]

Latest revision as of 13:11, December 19, 2023

For the Enforcer's twin needle-type weapons, see shard cannon.
A Pnap-pattern Goblin wielding a needle cannon mounted on its right arm.

Needle cannons are a class of heavy mounted weapon typically used by the Covenant and its remnants. Needle cannons, as their name suggests, employ the use of Subanese crystal (or "Blamite") as their primary munitions.

Overview[edit]

Needle cannons operate on the fundamentally same basis as most other needle weaponry; a large Subanese crystal is broken into needle-like shards, which are catalysed by a magnetic auger to fire. These weapons exhibit "predatory" tracking properties against their targets and explode upon impact.[1] Unlike their smaller forebears, needle cannons refer to heavy armaments mounted on vehicles, aircraft, and static turret emplacements. In this context, they are often used as anti-aircraft weapons, serving a similar role to the multiple-launch rocket systems favoured by the United Nations Space Command. Such usage includes as part of a modular upgrade package on the static Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern citadel turret,[2] and as part of the air-air armament of the Bkowe'nei-pattern Vampire.[3][4][5]

The Pnap-pattern Goblin developed by the Unggoy employs a single needle cannon on its right arm in its most common configuration. These weapons are predominantly used for anti-infantry or anti-light vehicle roles.[6][7] This loadout is copied aboard the specialised variant of the Goblin developed by the Eklon War-Forges for the Banished, though the needle cannon is relocated to the left arm.[8]

Heavy needle cannons[edit]

Heavy needle cannons, or heavy needler cannons,[5] are a distinct class of weaponry apparently separate to standard needle cannons, though to date few specifics are known on how these systems are distinct to standard needle cannons. The only such observed example is the single heavy needle cannon mounted as the primary armament of the Bkowe'nei-pattern Vampire air superiority fighter used by the Covenant military.[4][3] The weapon fires dense shards of self-tracking Subanese crystal fragments, with the large crystals protruding out of the 360-degree rotational turret on the top of the craft.[5]

Usage[edit]

Needle cannons
Heavy needle cannons

Production notes[edit]

Needle cannons are a fairly staple fixture of several cut Halo Wars units. These include the Gorgon, a bipedal anti-air walker with a heavy needler comprising its main body, and the Hydra - a cut aircraft with several large needles sticking out of the sides of its wings.

Gallery[edit]

  • Several cut Hydras (top-right) displaying what appear to be heavy needle cannon armaments.

    Several cut Hydras (top-right) displaying what appear to be heavy needle cannon armaments.

  • A render of the cut Gorgon walker.

    A render of the cut Gorgon walker.

  • The T-29 Vampire with a heavy needle cannon in Halo Wars.

    The T-29 Vampire with a heavy needle cannon in Halo Wars.

  • The anti-air variants of the Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern turrets with mounted heavy needle cannons.

    The anti-air variants of the Kewu Umppi'pa'-pattern turrets with mounted heavy needle cannons.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
  2. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 301
  3. ^ a b Official Halo Wars Community Site, Vampire (Retrieved on Mar 30, 2018) [local archive] [external archive]
  4. ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 200
  5. ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
  6. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Buzz Generating (Retrieved on Nov 8, 2020) [archive]
  7. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
  8. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 466

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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