Energy sword (fiction): Difference between revisions

The '''Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword''', commonly known as the '''energy sword''', is a traditional [[Sangheili]] close-quarters weapon.<ref name="BungieReach">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25438 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo Reach Ordnance Guide: T1 EW/S'']</ref><ref name="Waypoint">[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/gallery/energy-sword/87ebf6e2-3874-4e5c-8133-b72c20a46d7f '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Energy Sword'']</ref>

The energy sword is the signature weapon of the Sangheili and has been their chief weapon of nobility since its creation during one of the [[Ages of Discovery]].<ref>'''[http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/ancient_tablets/Tablet4.gif The Covenant Hall of Murals]'''</ref> The Sangheili pride themselves on their skills with the weapon,<ref>'''Halo Graphic Novel''' ''page 12 - 14''</ref> which they regard as holy,<ref name="enyc127">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' ''page 127''</ref> and believe that it is better for a Sangheili to fall on his sword to redeem his honor than to die dishonorably.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''' ''page 53''</ref><ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''' ''page 141''</ref><ref name="enyc127"/> The Sangheili are very strict on who can be trained in the art of swordsmanship; in civilian life only [[aristocrat]]s are permitted to wield energy swords.<!-- Note that The Essential Visual Guide confirms that non-aristocratic use of the energy sword is forbidden only within civilian society. This policy is not upheld within the military.--><ref name="essential"/> Sword wielders are not eligible for marriage, though they may breed with any female they choose, married or otherwise, to ensure successful transmission of "swordsman" genes.<ref>'''[[Bestiarum]]''' ''Sangheili section''</ref><ref name="Waypoint"/>

Within the [[Covenant military]], use of the energy sword is not restricted to aristocrats.<ref name="essential"/> [[Sangheili Minor]]s are generally not permitted to wield the sword because of the high regard in which it is held,<ref name="enyc127"/> though exceptions have been witnessed.<ref>'''Halo 2''', ''[[Another Day at the Beach]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo Wars''', ''introductory cinematic''</ref><ref name="Package">'''Halo Legends''', ''The Package''</ref> It is unknown whether this extends to [[Sangheili Major|Majors]], as at least one has been witnessed using an energy sword.<ref name="Package"/> [[Sangheili Ultra|Ultras]], [[Sangheili Zealot|Zealots]], [[Sangheili General|Generals]], [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations]] and [[Stealth Sangheili|stealth troops]], and [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|honor guardsmen]] commonly use energy swords. Contrary to the original Covenant, [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|reformed sect]] seems less stringent about traditional wielding protocol; as such, members of the [[Sangheili Storm|Storm]] class (analogous to Minors) are quite often seen wielding energy swords.<ref>''Halo 4''</ref>

The energy sword's design is seen as the logical evolution of an ancient lineage of traditional Sangheili weapons, most notably the twin-scythe and the [[curveblade]];<ref name="H4EVG">'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 92''</ref><ref name="Waypoint"/> superficially, the twin-scythe's influence on the energy sword's design is unmistakable.<ref>'''Halo Legends''': ''The Package''</ref> Modern energy swords are manufactured by the [[Merchants of Qikost]], a prominent group of arms makers from one of [[Sanghelios]]' [[Qikost|moons]].<ref name="essential"/> The energy sword consists of a curved hilt, which houses an energy storage and generation device, as well as the blade projector; that forms a blade of superheated [[plasma]], stabilized by two small magnetic field generators built into the handle of the weapon—this forms and contains the oval shaped, ionized blades for which the weapon is recognized.<ref name="BungieReach"/> The weapon is powered by a small battery that supplies power to the plasma generation device and magnetic field generators which generate and contain the plasma needed to form the blade.<ref name="enyc">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''' ''page 335''</ref> The battery's energy is reduced for each successful strike. Each strike from the sword will drain the battery by 10% of its maximum energy output. Once the battery power is fully depleted, the sword will deactivate unless recharged. The horizontal hilt forces the wielder to use a punching motion to stab rather than the thrusting motion of most knives and swords.

The energy sword contains a fail-safe mechanism that can permanently disable the weapon if the Sangheili wielding it drops it.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 74''</ref> When dropped, the failsafe engages by deactivating the magnetic field before dispersing the plasma. The plasma then consumes the handle and thus destroys the weapon.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved'''</ref> The fail-safe is included to prevent enemy infantry from acquiring the weapon and using it, and gives insight to Sangheili tactics.

The Type-1 energy sword is extremely powerful in close-quarters combat. A single strike can even penetrate the energy shield systems, armor, and flesh of a [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] or a Sangheili. This is due to the design of the weapon, which utilizes ionized gas rather than traditional shaped, solid matter—because the energy sword lacks any solid material in which to hold, or impale anything, the sword does not cut or carve in the traditional sense, but rather boils anything it comes into contact with.<ref name="enyc"/> This allows the weapon to pass through any type of material, including the toughest metal, with ease.<ref name="cole">'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''' ''page 84''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''' ''page 72''</ref>

[[File:Sword.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo 3''.]]

In ''Halo 3'', the sword has more of a light cyan tinge, similar to its appearance in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but still has a tint of purple near the handle. It also has an angle near the handle, whereas in the two previous games it was curved. Players are now able to parry with the Sword. The power exerted by the swords hitting each other will drain both players' shields, but will not kill them unless one makes the fatal blow. The sword's lunge attack has been reduced for balancing purposes. Aside from these changes in design and functionality, the power of the sword remains unchanged. In multiplayer, the sword now has a limited battery supply.

===Changes from ''Halo 3'' to ''Halo: Reach''===

In ''Halo: Reach'', the sword resembles closely to the design used in [[Halo: Combat Evolved|''Halo: Combat Evolved'']], albeit darker in color. When activated, the sword is capable of lighting up the surrounding area. When unused, the sword rests differently on the SPARTAN and Sangheili character models. The energy sword appears to have been balanced out compared with its earlier incarnations, having a slightly faster swing than its ''[[Halo 3]]'' incarnation, its lunge attack now does the same damage as a normal swing, the range has been reduced, and can now be blocked by a well-timed normal melee. Players can no longer lunge immediately after a normal swing. The energy sword also has its own assassination animations when used against Elites or Spartans, replacing the Spartan [[combat knife]] and the Sangheili [[energy dagger]]; these assassinations do not deplete the sword's charge, nor do they count toward the weapon spree medals [[Sword Spree]], [[Slice 'N Dice]], or [[Cutting Crew]]. Elites also hold the sword back more than a Spartan when used as an active weapon. When a player is playing as an Elite and uses the Energy Sword as a primary weapon, the camera will lower a bit; this is due to the Elite hunching down. Finally, parrying does slight damage and can kill a player.

===Changes from ''Halo: Reach'' to ''Halo 4''===

[[File:EnergySword-HUD.png|right|150px|thumb|HUD icon of the energy sword in ''Halo 4''.]]

Contrary to ''Halo: Reach'', ''Halo 4'' does not feature the possibility to block a sword lunge with a simple melee. Killing an opponent with an energy sword no longer rewards the player with a [[Bone Cracker|Pummel]] medal, it is instead replaced by the [[Sword Kill]] medal. The battery is also drained with every hit, so it's far less viable against Hunters and other powerful enemies.

{{Clear}}

==Trivia==

{{Linkbox|gameplay=yes|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Energy Sword}}

==Gallery==

<gallery>

File:Sword Study HRB 1.jpg|A study of the Energy Sword as seen in the game ''Halo: Reach''.

File:H3-EnergySwordHilt.png|A view of the hilt of the Energy Sword in ''Halo 3''.

File:H3-EnergySwordProfile.png|An in-game profile view of the Energy Sword from ''Halo 3''.

File:HaloWars-EnergySword-PlasmaBleed.png|An Energy Sword as seen in the ''Halo Wars'' announcement trailer.

File:Swordelite.jpg|A Zealot with an Energy Sword as it appears in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.

File:79621875-Medium.jpg|Two Spartans parrying in the air on [[Foundry (level)|Foundry]].

File:Type_1_Energy_Sword_Reticle.jpg|An Energy Sword's crosshair as seen in the ''[[Halo: Reach Beta]]''.

File:H4-EnergySword-FirstPerson.jpg|First-person view of the Energy Sword in ''Halo 4''.

File:LegendsPackage-John117-EnergySword.jpg|[[John-117]] wielding an energy sword against Thel 'Lodamee in ''Halo Legends: The Package''.

</gallery>