MA5B assault rifle: Difference between revisions

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One significant aspect of the MA5B's design is its capacity for modification. During the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, [[Spartans]] made use of MA5Bs that had been altered in order to mount [[Silencer|silencers]], combating the conspicuous audible report of the weapon's firing.<ref name="TFoR20">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', Chapter 20</ref> Early in the [[Covenant War]], Spartans also frequently employed MA5Bs with underslung [[M301 40mm Grenade Launcher|M301 40mm launchers]] to fire HE grenades, notably during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]] and the [[Skirmish over Netherop|salavage operation on Netherop]].<ref name="Oblivion13">''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'', Chapter 13</ref>

The most characteristic part of the MA5B's architecture is the accentuated shroud mounted atop the cowling, which houses the weapon's integrated computer and display. While all [[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS rifles]] feature this to some extent, on the MA5B, it is tallest and most bulky. The magazine which feeds the rifle is inserted behind the thumbhole pistol grip, making it a rifle in the "bullpup" configuration, another trait typical of the MA5 series. The charging handle is an inconspicuous rounded-off protrusion on the left of the weapon's body, and the ejection port is situated on the right. The weapon's horizontal foregrip plays host to a forward-facing flashlight, bearing a prominent green button on both sides of the weapon. The barrel of MA5B lacks any form of muzzle brake, and the stock features a prominently adjustable shoulder brace segment. The finish of the weapon is a dull grey, with a darker grey color for the fore and rear grips.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]'', [http://images/f/f7/AR.jpg UNSC Assault Rifle cinematic model]</ref>

The most characteristic part of the MA5B's architecture is the accentuated shroud mounted atop the cowling, which houses the weapon's integrated computer and display. While all [[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS rifles]] feature this to some extent, on the MA5B, it is tallest and most bulky. The magazine which feeds the rifle is inserted behind the thumbhole pistol grip, making it a rifle in the "bullpup" configuration, another trait typical of the MA5 series. The charging handle is an inconspicuous rounded-off protrusion on the left of the weapon's body, and the ejection port is situated on the right. The weapon's horizontal foregrip plays host to a forward-facing [[flashlight]], bearing a prominent green button on both sides of the weapon. The barrel of MA5B lacks any form of muzzle brake, and the stock features a prominently adjustable shoulder brace segment. The finish of the weapon is a dull grey, with a darker grey color for the fore and rear grips.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]'', [http://images/f/f7/AR.jpg UNSC Assault Rifle cinematic model]</ref>

===Functionality===

[[File:HW Sergeant Forge with MA5B.png|thumb|right|[[UNSC Marine Corps]] [[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]], armed with an MA5B during the [[Battle of the Etran Harborage]].]]

As is typical of human firearms, the MA5B is fired by the depression of a trigger positioned at the top of the main grip. When the trigger is pulled, the round in the weapon’s chamber is fired, and the weapon’s gas-systems harness some of the energy from the deflagrating propellant to cycle the bolt back into its open position. As the bolt travels back, the spent casing from the expended round is pushed out of the ejection port. After the bolt opens, the weapon’s recoil system pushes it forward again to strip a fresh round from the currently loaded magazine and lock it into the firing chamber. Over the course of these actions, the ammunition counter situated on the display of the weapon’s integrated computer will register the expenditure of one round from the total supply provided by the magazine and tick down by that value.<ref name="HCE"/> From this point, one of three things will occur. If the weapon’s fire-selector was used set to the mode of fire to semi-automatic, the trigger will have to be released and pulled again before another round fires.<ref name="SilentStorm27"/> If the weapon is set to 3-round burst fire mode, each pull of the trigger will result in 3 successive shots.<ref name="SilentStorm24"/> If the weapon is set to fully-automatic, however, the trigger can be held down, and the firing action will repeat successively until the magazine is expended or the trigger is released.<ref name="HCE"/>

Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle on the left side of the weapon will lock back, indicating that the bolt is open and no round is chambered. After the depleted magazine is exchanged for a fresh one, the charging handle must be nudged to cause the bolt to close, chambering the round and preparing the weapon to fire again. If the magazine is exchanged before the weapon is fully emptied, this process can be ignored as the cycle of the bolt will have been uninterrupted.<ref name="HCE"/>

In addition to the ammunition counter, a compass icon is also present on the weapon’s integrated display. This can be assigned to highlight a specific point to orientate the user in combat or confusing terrain; during the [[Battle of Alpha Halo]], this point was the relative direction of the gas giant [[Threshold]].<ref name="CEM"/> Additionally, in low-light conditions, the flashlight mounted beneath the barrel of the weapon can be activated to provide illumination.<ref name="HCE"/>

===Performance===

The capabilities of the MA5B are seemingly deemed to be sufficient by soldiers of the [[UNSC]], with [[John-117]] regarding the weapon as "powerful."<ref name="TheFlood1">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Chapter 1</ref> While the rifle is very capable of harming foes wearing physical body armor, and even light vehicles,<ref name="TheFlood2">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Chapter 2</ref> [[Energy shielding|personal energy shielding]] represents a significant detriment to its stopping power, as a great deal of concentrated fire from multiple MA5Bs - or an extended period of continuous automatic fire from a single rifle - is needed to overwhelm such systems.<ref name="TheFlood1"/>

One positive attribute of the weapon is the 60-round magazines with which it is typically used, an attribute that was comforting to [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC marines]] wielding it in battle.<ref name="ENC318">[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe (2011 edition)]], Page 318</ref> So well-liked was this attribute that even in light of reliability issues brought on by spring wear, the switch toward 32-round magazines with the later [[MA5C assault rifle]] was met with frustration by the marines of [[E2-BAG/1/7]].<ref>Bungie.net, MA5C Assault Rifle</ref>

When firing this weapon, it has been noted that short, controlled bursts are more accurate than continuous automatic fire. While the cyclic automatic rate of fire is high,<ref name="TFoRPrologue"/> functional rate of fire in combat is dictated by the user's own familiarity and dexterity with the weapon in relation to engaging targets and reloading.<ref name="CEM"/>

==Gameplay==

===Advantage ===

MA5B assault rifle: Difference between revisions

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@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 One significant aspect of the MA5B's design is its capacity for modification. During the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV, [[Spartans]] made use of MA5Bs that had been altered in order to mount [[Silencer|silencers]], combating the conspicuous audible report of the weapon's firing.<ref name="TFoR20">''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', Chapter 20</ref> Early in the [[Covenant War]], Spartans also frequently employed MA5Bs with underslung [[M301 40mm Grenade Launcher|M301 40mm launchers]] to fire HE grenades, notably during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]] and the [[Skirmish over Netherop|salavage operation on Netherop]].<ref name="Oblivion13">''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'', Chapter 13</ref>
-The most characteristic part of the MA5B's architecture is the accentuated shroud mounted atop the cowling, which houses the weapon's integrated computer and display. While all [[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS rifles]] feature this to some extent, on the MA5B, it is tallest and most bulky. The magazine which feeds the rifle is inserted behind the thumbhole pistol grip, making it a rifle in the "bullpup" configuration, another trait typical of the MA5 series. The charging handle is an inconspicuous rounded-off protrusion on the left of the weapon's body, and the ejection port is situated on the right. The weapon's horizontal foregrip plays host to a forward-facing flashlight, bearing a prominent green button on both sides of the weapon. The barrel of MA5B lacks any form of muzzle brake, and the stock features a prominently adjustable shoulder brace segment. The finish of the weapon is a dull grey, with a darker grey color for the fore and rear grips.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]'', [http://images/f/f7/AR.jpg UNSC Assault Rifle cinematic model]</ref>
+The most characteristic part of the MA5B's architecture is the accentuated shroud mounted atop the cowling, which houses the weapon's integrated computer and display. While all [[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS rifles]] feature this to some extent, on the MA5B, it is tallest and most bulky. The magazine which feeds the rifle is inserted behind the thumbhole pistol grip, making it a rifle in the "bullpup" configuration, another trait typical of the MA5 series. The charging handle is an inconspicuous rounded-off protrusion on the left of the weapon's body, and the ejection port is situated on the right. The weapon's horizontal foregrip plays host to a forward-facing [[flashlight]], bearing a prominent green button on both sides of the weapon. The barrel of MA5B lacks any form of muzzle brake, and the stock features a prominently adjustable shoulder brace segment. The finish of the weapon is a dull grey, with a darker grey color for the fore and rear grips.<ref>''[[Halo Wars]]'', [http://images/f/f7/AR.jpg UNSC Assault Rifle cinematic model]</ref>
+===Functionality===
+[[File:HW Sergeant Forge with MA5B.png|thumb|right|[[UNSC Marine Corps]] [[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]], armed with an MA5B during the [[Battle of the Etran Harborage]].]]
+As is typical of human firearms, the MA5B is fired by the depression of a trigger positioned at the top of the main grip. When the trigger is pulled, the round in the weapon’s chamber is fired, and the weapon’s gas-systems harness some of the energy from the deflagrating propellant to cycle the bolt back into its open position. As the bolt travels back, the spent casing from the expended round is pushed out of the ejection port. After the bolt opens, the weapon’s recoil system pushes it forward again to strip a fresh round from the currently loaded magazine and lock it into the firing chamber. Over the course of these actions, the ammunition counter situated on the display of the weapon’s integrated computer will register the expenditure of one round from the total supply provided by the magazine and tick down by that value.<ref name="HCE"/> From this point, one of three things will occur. If the weapon’s fire-selector was used set to the mode of fire to semi-automatic, the trigger will have to be released and pulled again before another round fires.<ref name="SilentStorm27"/> If the weapon is set to 3-round burst fire mode, each pull of the trigger will result in 3 successive shots.<ref name="SilentStorm24"/> If the weapon is set to fully-automatic, however, the trigger can be held down, and the firing action will repeat successively until the magazine is expended or the trigger is released.<ref name="HCE"/>
+Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle on the left side of the weapon will lock back, indicating that the bolt is open and no round is chambered. After the depleted magazine is exchanged for a fresh one, the charging handle must be nudged to cause the bolt to close, chambering the round and preparing the weapon to fire again. If the magazine is exchanged before the weapon is fully emptied, this process can be ignored as the cycle of the bolt will have been uninterrupted.<ref name="HCE"/>
+In addition to the ammunition counter, a compass icon is also present on the weapon’s integrated display. This can be assigned to highlight a specific point to orientate the user in combat or confusing terrain; during the [[Battle of Alpha Halo]], this point was the relative direction of the gas giant [[Threshold]].<ref name="CEM"/> Additionally, in low-light conditions, the flashlight mounted beneath the barrel of the weapon can be activated to provide illumination.<ref name="HCE"/>
+===Performance===
+The capabilities of the MA5B are seemingly deemed to be sufficient by soldiers of the [[UNSC]], with [[John-117]] regarding the weapon as "powerful."<ref name="TheFlood1">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Chapter 1</ref> While the rifle is very capable of harming foes wearing physical body armor, and even light vehicles,<ref name="TheFlood2">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Chapter 2</ref> [[Energy shielding|personal energy shielding]] represents a significant detriment to its stopping power, as a great deal of concentrated fire from multiple MA5Bs - or an extended period of continuous automatic fire from a single rifle - is needed to overwhelm such systems.<ref name="TheFlood1"/>
+One positive attribute of the weapon is the 60-round magazines with which it is typically used, an attribute that was comforting to [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC marines]] wielding it in battle.<ref name="ENC318">[[Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe|Halo Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Halo Universe (2011 edition)]], Page 318</ref> So well-liked was this attribute that even in light of reliability issues brought on by spring wear, the switch toward 32-round magazines with the later [[MA5C assault rifle]] was met with frustration by the marines of [[E2-BAG/1/7]].<ref>Bungie.net, MA5C Assault Rifle</ref>
+When firing this weapon, it has been noted that short, controlled bursts are more accurate than continuous automatic fire. While the cyclic automatic rate of fire is high,<ref name="TFoRPrologue"/> functional rate of fire in combat is dictated by the user's own familiarity and dexterity with the weapon in relation to engaging targets and reloading.<ref name="CEM"/>
 ==Gameplay==
 ===Advantage ===