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{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|H2}}
{{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.


==Introduction==
==Overview==
The '''Heavy [[Needler]]''' is only seen in ''[[Halo 2]]''. It is first seen on the level [[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]] when [[Tartarus]] explains to you how to destroy an [[Enforcer]]. If you stay alive long enough, the Enforcer will start to shoot at you with its Heavy Needlers, which fire crimson needles that are larger and more powerful than the weaker purple variety which the [[Covenant]] use. These needles don't home in on a target or do not explode on contact, but still pack quite a punch and can take down the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] (you) after a couple of direct hits. This weapon is particularly useful against the hordes of [[Flood]] that the Sentinels face and was most likely developed specifically for combat use against [[Flood|an infected lifeform]]. The Enforcer will attack you with it on the levels [[Sacred Icon]] and [[Quarantine Zone]].
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}}


==Use==
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}}
The Enforcer will only engage targets with the Heavy Needler that are few and far between, such as the Arbiter, and ''very'' small groups of Flood. The Enforcer is not known to otherwise engage targeted hostiles with this weapon.


In combat, it acts very similarly to the Brute Spiker, which the same damage and same method of inflicting it.
===Heavy needle cannons===
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}}


==Speculation==
===Usage===
The Heavy Needler fires and uses rounds somewhat similar to the Needler. It is possible that Needlers were reverse engineered from the Enforcers' weapons. Bungie did plan for another Sentinel weapon to be usable by the player referred to as the "Heavy Needler", "Sentinel Needler", "Red Needler", and/or "Red Spiker". For reasons left only to Bungie, this weapon was not in the game, but the Enforcer's weapon is most likely the same gun. It is entirely possible that Bungie had already been testing them in gameplay on sentinels, because there is a glitch that gave one Sentinel, known simply as the [[Needler Sentinel]], a normal needler.
;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}}


==Trivia==
;Heavy needle cannons
*The Heavy Needler can't be used by the player, but it was intended to be able to.
*{{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}} - 1x heavy needle cannon{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Vampire}}
*The Heavy Needler is used by Enforcers seen in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
 
*The Heavy Needler is actually a standard Needler shot painted maroon which does not home in on targets.
==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}}
 
{{Forerunner2}}


[[Category:UNSC]]
{{Covenant heavy weapons}}
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Covenant air 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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