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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:HTMCC-HR NeedleRifle&Needler.jpg|thumb|350px|A [[Skirmisher Minor]] and a [[Skirmisher Champion]] wielding a [[needler]] and a {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}}, respectively.]]
[[File:HTMCC-HR NeedleRifle&Needler.jpg|thumb|350px|A [[Skirmisher Minor]] and a [[Skirmisher Champion]] wielding a [[needler]] and a {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}}, respectively.]]
'''Needle-based weaponry''' refers to weapons that incorporate explosive [[Suban]]ese [[Subanese crystal|crystal]] in their properties. Although there are [[melee]] weapons that were derived from the crystal,{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=307}} the most common needle-based weaponry are [[:Category:Projectile weapons|projectile weapons]] that launch the Subanese crystalline shards.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} While the [[Forerunner]]s have developed at least [[shard cannon|one class of needle-based weapon]], the [[Covenant]] most likely reverse-engineered the technology,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]], particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p294|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}
'''Needle-based weaponry''' refers to weapons that incorporate explosive [[Suban]]ese [[Subanese crystal|crystal]] in their properties.{{Ref/Book|Id=evg128|EVG|Page=128}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=230}} Although there are [[melee]] weapons that were derived from the crystal,{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=307}} the most common needle-based weaponry are [[:Category:Projectile weapons|projectile weapons]] that launch the Subanese crystalline shards toward foes. While the [[Forerunner]]s have developed at least [[shard cannon|one class of needle-based weapon]], the [[Covenant]] most likely reverse-engineered the technology,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=237}} leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and [[Covenant remnants|its remnants]], particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p294|Enc22|Page=294}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=289}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=277}}


==Operation==
==Operation==
[[File:Journal Needler.png|thumb|200px|An exploded view of a needler, drawn by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]].]]
[[File:Journal Needler.png|thumb|200px|An exploded view of a needler, drawn by Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]].]]
Needle-based weaponry are characterized by Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p479|Enc22|Page=479}} Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=349}} If multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties supercombine and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against [[energy shielding]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021}}
{{Quote|Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too.|Anonymous UNSC [[E2-BAG/1/7]] serviceman{{Ref/Site|Id=h3bnet|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3needler|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007|D=16|M=01|Y=2021}}}}
Needle-based weaponry are characterized by their integration of Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the [[Sangheilios]]' two [[moon]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p479|Enc22|Page=479}} Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=349}} Similarly, if multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact with a living target, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties "supercombine" and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.{{Ref/Reuse|evg128}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p479}} While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against [[energy shielding]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needler|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needler|D=21|M=04|Y=2021}}


Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The [[needler]], the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} In contrast, the {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=127}} so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle|D=14|M=05|Y=2021}}
Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The [[needler]], the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p294}} In contrast, the {{Pattern|Gadulo|needle rifle}} was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=127}} so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/needle-rifle|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page= Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle|D=14|M=05|Y=2021}}

Revision as of 19:09, April 10, 2023

A Skirmisher and Skirmisher Champion wielding a needler and a Gadulo-pattern needle rifle, respectively. From Halo: Reach Firefight on Courtyard.
A Skirmisher Minor and a Skirmisher Champion wielding a needler and a Gadulo-pattern needle rifle, respectively.

Needle-based weaponry refers to weapons that incorporate explosive Subanese crystal in their properties.[1][2] Although there are melee weapons that were derived from the crystal,[3] the most common needle-based weaponry are projectile weapons that launch the Subanese crystalline shards toward foes. While the Forerunners have developed at least one class of needle-based weapon, the Covenant most likely reverse-engineered the technology,[4] leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and its remnants, particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.[5][6][7]

Operation

An exploded view of a needler, drawn by Dr. Catherine Halsey.

"Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too."
— Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman[8]

Needle-based weaponry are characterized by their integration of Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the Sangheilios' two moons.[5] Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.[1][9] Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.[10] Similarly, if multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact with a living target, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties "supercombine" and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.[1][9] While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against energy shielding.[11]

Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The needler, the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.[5] In contrast, the Gadulo-pattern needle rifle was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,[12] so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.[13]

List of needle-based weapons

Handheld projectile weapons

Melee weapons

Mounted weapons

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 128
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 230
  3. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 307
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 237
  5. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
  6. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
  7. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
  8. ^ Bungie.net, Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007 (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [archive]
  9. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 479
  10. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 349
  11. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needler (Retrieved on Apr 21, 2021) [archive]
  12. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 127
  13. ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle (Retrieved on May 14, 2021) [archive]
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