Energy sword (fiction): Difference between revisions
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|name= Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword | |name= Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword | ||
|image= [[File:Type-1 Sangheili Energy Sword.png|300px]] | |image= [[File:Type-1 Sangheili Energy Sword.png|300px]] | ||
|manufacturer= [[Sangheili]] | |manufacturer= [[Sangheili]] | ||
|model= Type-1 | |model= Type-1 | ||
|type= Energy Weapon/Sword | |type= Energy Weapon/Sword | ||
|size= Handheld, Single- | |size= Handheld, Single-handed<br /> | ||
*Energy Sword (''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'') | *Energy Sword (''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'') | ||
**length: 126.5 centimeters (4.15 feet) | **length: 126.5 centimeters (4.15 feet) | ||
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|damage per hit = 1 and 2/3 of shield, fatal if lunge, and in ''[[Halo CE]]'', instant death | |damage per hit = 1 and 2/3 of shield, fatal if lunge, and in ''[[Halo CE]]'', instant death | ||
|magazine= | |magazine= | ||
|maxammo= 100 | |maxammo= 100 battery units | ||
*Enough for 10 [[Covenant]] enemies | *Enough for 10 [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] enemies | ||
*Enough for 40 [[Combat | *Enough for 40 [[Flood Combat Form]]s | ||
|fire= Melee | |fire= Melee | ||
|ammotype= Plasma | |ammotype= Plasma | ||
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|accuracy= 100% if jump lunge, extremely high | |accuracy= 100% if jump lunge, extremely high | ||
|range= | |range= | ||
|era= | |era= | ||
|counterparts= | |counterparts= | ||
|counterwep= | |counterwep= | ||
|affiliation= | |affiliation= [[Sangheili]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Quote|A noble and ancient weapon, wielded by the strongest of Sangheili, requires great skill and bravery to use, and inspires fear in those who face its elegant plasma blade.|then-[[ | {{Quote|A noble and ancient weapon, wielded by the strongest of Sangheili, requires great skill and bravery to use, and inspires fear in those who face its elegant plasma blade.|then-[[Supreme Commander]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee <ref>'''[[Halo 2: Special Collector's Edition Manual]]</ref>'''}} | ||
The '''Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword''' (also known as the '''Energy Sword''') is a close quarters weapon of the [[Covenant Empire]] exclusively used by the [[Sangheili]]. | The '''Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword''' (also known as the '''Energy Sword''') is a close quarters weapon of the [[Covenant Empire]] exclusively used by the [[Sangheili]]. | ||
==Design Details== | ==Design Details== | ||
[[File:Sword.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A blueprint of the | [[File:Sword.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo 3''.]] | ||
[[File:ReachSchematic - Sword.png|left|150px|thumb|A blueprint of the | [[File:ReachSchematic - Sword.png|left|150px|thumb|A blueprint of the energy sword in ''Halo: Reach''.]] | ||
The | The energy sword consists of a curved hilt housing an energy storage and generation device, along with the blade projector that when activated, shapes and contains a blade of superheated [[plasma]], stabilized within two small magnetic field generators built into the handle of the weapon to help form the oval shaped, ionized blades that the weapon is recognized for.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=25438 '''Halo Reach Ordnance Guide: T1 EW/S''']</ref> The energy sword runs on battery power; an active sword, however, does not deplete the battery's energy: only when the sword makes contact with an object does the battery's energy deplete. Each strike from the sword will drain the battery by 10% of its maximum energy output, but if its user is careful, light strikes will not drain battery power. Once the battery power dies out the sword will deactivate and be rendered useless unless recharged. It is unknown how the battery is recharged. The energy sword also contains a failsafe device that can be activated if the Sangheili wielding it drops it; the fail-safe option is always on, and a Sangheili must deactivate the failsafe by applying pressure to the hilt before he can safely store the weapon. When the sword is dropped without disengaging the fail-safe, the weapon will deactivate the magnetic field without first dispersing the plasma, consuming the handle and thus destroying the weapon. The failsafe is included to prevent enemy infantry from acquiring the weapon and using it, and is yet another insight to Sangheili tactics. | ||
The | The energy sword is the signature weapon of the Sangheili, and has been part of their culture since the [[Age of Discovery|Fourth Age of Discovery]], The Sangheili pride themselves on their skills with this weapon and believe that it is honorable for a Sangheili to fight and die by the sword. The Sangheili are also very strict on who can be trained in the art of swordsmanship, only [[aristocrat]]s are permitted to wield energy swords and sword wielders are no longer eligible for marriage; however, they may breed with any female they choose, married or otherwise, to ensure successful transmission of "swordsman" genes. In service to the Covenant, only the most skilled warriors of the Sangheili, such as [[zealot]]s, [[Special Operations Sangheili|special operations units]], and [[Stealth Sangheili|stealth troops]], are permitted to use energy swords, and it is implied that they spend years building and improving their skills in order to become combatants in the lethal art of sword fighting. | ||
===Advantages=== | ===Advantages=== | ||
The Type-1 Energy Sword is an extremely powerful and effective melee weapon in close range combat. A single strike can blow out energy shield systems and cut into the armor and flesh of a [[SPARTAN-II]] or Sangheili. Infantry with over-shielding are only slightly more resistant as it can take two strikes before the shield system fails. In the hands of a skillful Sangheili warrior or SPARTAN-II, the sword can be fatal unless the enemy has enough stopping power in their hands. The sheer destructive power of the sword makes it a weapon to be feared on any battlefield. The energy sword can cut through any material with ease and can burn through most armor and slice infantry in half. Even stab wounds to infantry can be fatal if not treated in time, as the blade passes through the body, the innards of the body are burned by the extreme temperatures produced by the blade and body fluids in the area of the stab wound are flash vaporized. The wound, upon contact, is cauterized by the heat. In | The Type-1 Energy Sword is an extremely powerful and effective melee weapon in close range combat. A single strike can blow out energy shield systems and cut into the armor and flesh of a [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]] or a Sangheili. Infantry with [[Overshield|over-shielding]] are only slightly more resistant as it can take two strikes before the shield system fails. In the hands of a skillful Sangheili warrior or SPARTAN-II, the sword can be fatal unless the enemy has enough stopping power in their hands. The sheer destructive power of the sword makes it a weapon to be feared on any battlefield. The energy sword can cut through any material with ease and can burn through most armor and slice infantry in half. Even stab wounds to infantry can be fatal if not treated in time, as the blade passes through the body, the innards of the body are burned by the extreme temperatures produced by the blade and body fluids in the area of the stab wound are flash vaporized. The wound, upon contact, is cauterized by the heat. In-game, the energy sword's strength and lethality are compensated for the sake of gameplay. | ||
===Disadvantages=== | ===Disadvantages=== | ||
The | The energy sword is purely a close-quarters weapon, which makes it useless past close range. A skilled SPARTAN-II can take down infantry with the sword by using a weapon outside their effective range: the [[M7/Caseless Sub Machine Gun|M7 SMG]] and the [[MA5 Series|MA5 assault rifle]] are staple examples of weapons capable of taking down anyone holding a sword in combat. The energy sword, like most other Covenant weapons, has a battery, requiring the user to either recharge the weapon or discard it. Although the handle can be used as a club, the Energy Sword's combat effectiveness at that point is minimal when its energy runs out. | ||
==Changes== | ==Changes== | ||
===Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2=== | ===Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2=== | ||
In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' the | In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' the energy sword has a cyan glow, has a far less defined edge and makes a dull clunk when striking something or someone. It is only used by Stealth Elites and Zealots. The player cannot use the energy sword in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', because once a Zealot is defeated, the fail-safe on the sword will activate, forcing the plasma of the former blade to collapse onto the handle, vaporizing the weapon. | ||
In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the energy sword is blue with purple undertones and electrical energy crackling on it when the blade is activated, the white glow seen in ''Halo: CE'' is also replaced with a more glass like transparency. In the campaign, it is only used by higher-ranking Elites, such as Spec-ops, [[Ultra | In ''[[Halo 2]]'', the energy sword is blue with purple undertones and electrical energy crackling on it when the blade is activated, the white glow seen in ''Halo: CE'' is also replaced with a more glass like transparency. In the campaign, it is only used by higher-ranking Elites, such as Spec-ops, [[Sangheili Ultra|Ultras]] and Zealots, however the sword can now be used by a player. The sword in campaign has a battery and can only be used against a limited number of enemy forces before the battery runs out. When the energy sword runs out of energy, it can still be used to attack your enemies, and the damage is now equal to a regular melee attack and will take a longer time to kill, unless the player assassinates their enemy. | ||
The sword is usable in Multiplayer but with an infinite battery, like in campaign the sword has two major attacks, a lunge attack and a swing attack, the lunge attack is very powerful and can send the player flying towards an enemy if the reticule is red. | The sword is usable in Multiplayer but with an infinite battery, like in campaign the sword has two major attacks, a lunge attack and a swing attack, the lunge attack is very powerful and can send the player flying towards an enemy if the reticule is red. | ||
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===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach=== | ===Changes from Halo 3 to Halo: Reach=== | ||
In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the | In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the energy sword appears to be much more reliable and efficient than in previous games, having a slightly faster swing than its ''Halo 3'' incarnation. It also appears that the two blades are closer together, and the sword, overall, more closely resembles the incarnation from ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. When the sword is active, it now lights up the surrounding area, giving a much clearer indication of where the user is. Additionally, a sword lunge can be blocked by a well-timed melee.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=26366 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Beta Survival Guide'']</ref> | ||
Also, the | Also, the Sangheili character model now has a different stance when holding an energy sword. The sword also appears to be a bit darker in color, and the animation for the lunge is a bit different. The sword rests differently when unused on the Spartan and Elite character models. The energy sword also has its own assassination animations, which are used in place of the SPARTAN combat knife and the Elite wrist blade.{[Citation needed}} | ||
===In Other Media=== | ===In Other Media=== | ||
In the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', there is a variety of sword-type weapons that appear on a wall in the dueling chamber of the [[ | In the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', there is a variety of sword-type weapons that appear on a wall in the dueling chamber of the ''[[Seeker of Truth]]''. These range from apparent energy clubs to sickle-like plasma weapons. Also, the swords that [[Rtas 'Vadum]] and [[Kusovai]] duel with in the story change shape a number of times to exhibit the basic structure of the Type-1 with a few slight differences, as they are used for training, and not battle. In the story [[Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa]], an Elite is shown with a very odd, light-pink, sword, with very thin blades.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''' - ''Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa''</ref> | ||
Also, [[Ripa 'Moramee|the Arbiter]] from ''[[Halo Wars]]'' uses two energy swords with | Also, [[Ripa 'Moramee|the Arbiter]] from ''[[Halo Wars]]'' uses two energy swords with modified hilts and hand guards. In the ''[[Halo Evolutions]]'' story ''[[Headhunters]]'', a new energy sword variant is introduced; it is described of being composed of a reddish energy combined with the white flicker of electricity, which gives it a blood-colored glow. In concept art for ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' an energy sword is seen with several spikes protruding from the side. | ||
==Tactics== | ==Tactics== | ||
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*In [[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions]], a blood red Energy Sword is used by the [[Commando Unit]]. | *In [[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe|Halo: Evolutions]], a blood red Energy Sword is used by the [[Commando Unit]]. | ||
*One can see by the shape of the hilt that the Energy Sword was meant to be an Elite exclusive weapon. Its odd central protrusion is perfect for the two central fingers to grab on to, while the back fingers support them from behind. It is certainly not meant to be wielded by humans, as SPARTAN-IIs hold it in an uncomfortable-looking way; the main four fingers separate between the middle and ring fingers to accommodate for the central protrusion (two on each side) while the thumb acts as the only support from behind. Nevertheless, Spartans wield it just as effectively as any Elite. | *One can see by the shape of the hilt that the Energy Sword was meant to be an Elite exclusive weapon. Its odd central protrusion is perfect for the two central fingers to grab on to, while the back fingers support them from behind. It is certainly not meant to be wielded by humans, as SPARTAN-IIs hold it in an uncomfortable-looking way; the main four fingers separate between the middle and ring fingers to accommodate for the central protrusion (two on each side) while the thumb acts as the only support from behind. Nevertheless, Spartans wield it just as effectively as any Elite. | ||
*The distinctive shape of the energy sword is apparently based on ceremonial Sangheili swords. In | *The distinctive shape of the energy sword is apparently based on ceremonial Sangheili swords. In ''[[The Duel]]'', [[Harka]] is seen wielding a large bladed weapon that is almost aesthetically identical to the energy sword; it is likely that this is a type of [[curveblade]], an ancient Sangheili weapon. | ||
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Sangheili armor now has a built-in miniature Energy Sword used to assassinate (serving as an equivalent to the [[Combat Knife|UNSC Combat Knife]] utilized by Spartans in assassinations). Its appearance is nearly identical to that of the original Energy Sword. The only differences are that the blade is shorter and extends from the top of the wrist rather than from a handle. | *In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Sangheili armor now has a built-in miniature Energy Sword used to assassinate (serving as an equivalent to the [[Combat Knife|UNSC Combat Knife]] utilized by Spartans in assassinations). Its appearance is nearly identical to that of the original Energy Sword. The only differences are that the blade is shorter and extends from the top of the wrist rather than from a handle. | ||
*When it spawns in most multiplayer maps, rather than lying on the ground, it will be floating in mid-air blades pointing up until it is hit by any damage or grabbed by a player. One exception is the Halo 2 Vista exclusive map, Uplift, where it respawns lying down. | *When it spawns in most multiplayer maps, rather than lying on the ground, it will be floating in mid-air blades pointing up until it is hit by any damage or grabbed by a player. One exception is the Halo 2 Vista exclusive map, Uplift, where it respawns lying down. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
