Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle: Difference between revisions

|type=Directed energy rifle

|length={{Convert|62.1|cm|in}}<ref name="essential"/>

|weight={{Convert|5.9|kg|lb}}<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3plasmarifle '''Bungie.net''' - ''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle'']</ref>

|rate=360~540 shots/min<ref name="bnet"/>

{{Quote|You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kinda gingerly—but then you see an [[Elite]] crack a [[Jiralhanae|Bravo Kilo's]] head with one—the things are built tough.|Anonymous serviceman<ref name="bnet"/>}}

The '''Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle''',<ref name="bnet"/> more commonly known as the '''plasma rifle''', is a [[Covenant]] infantry weapon. The Type-25 DER is the primary weapon of the Covenant's officer corps,<ref name="bnet"/> standard issue to [[Sangheili]] and [[Jiralhanae]], lower-caste species within the Covenant who have attained significant rank within the [[Covenant military]] are issued this weapon during operations. The Type-25 DER was one of the earliest and most frequently encountered Covenant plasma weapon. It occupies a role very similar to the [[human]] [[assault rifle]].<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=ordnance&cid=28439 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach - Ordnance - Plasma Rifle'']</ref>

In the post-[[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] era, the T25 DER is still the primary weapon of the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref name="bnet"/> It has also been used infrequently by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 16|Issue #16]]''</ref>

== Specifications ==

[[File:Plasma-rifle 02.png|thumb|160px|A Plasma Rifle's schematics.]]

The Plasma Rifle consists of two large semi-automatic plasma generator subassemblies<ref name="HU">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/plasma-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Universe: Plasma Rifle'']</ref> welded together one on top, the other beneath. The pair of curved bodies are joined via the trigger guard.<ref name="PLAS2">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 110''</ref> Placed atop one another, these projectors fire in a "stagger" pattern taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining it, this design allows a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second. The side of the weapon has a small temperature gauge. This visually informs the wielder how close the weapon is to overheating.<ref name="PLAS2"/> The rifle, like most Covenant weapons, is smooth and aerodynamic, almost organic in appearance.<ref name="PLAS2"/> Covenant technology possesses no instrumentality, meaning none of the surface controls or triggers connect in any way human scientists can understand.<ref>'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]''', ''November 22nd, 2535''</ref>

The Plasma Rifle has been a feature of the Sangheili warrior class for millennia, with the earliest versions used long before the formation of the Covenant. Meddling with the blend of [[Forerunner]] technology, Sangheili craftsmanship, and [[San'Shyuum]] artistry was seen as blasphemous at best, heretical at worst. That said, a handful of Plasma Rifle variants were produced over the ages as bespoke creations of Sangheili artisan-armorers for influential clients and heroes of renown who were above Ministry sanction. Though most early Covenant records were lost with the destruction of High Charity, [[ONI]] researchers believe the rifle's modern pattern dates back at least five hundred years, with only minor modifications made over that time.<ref name="HU"/>

The Plasma Rifle is a [[directed energy weapon]] that uses [[plasma|superheated ionized gas]] as ammunition instead of the humans' conventional projectile ammunition. While human military experts and scientists do not understand how Covenant plasma weapons work, or how they are recharged, they are able to identify the components of the feed system. The weapon's inner workings are comprised of several components, including a power cell that keeps the weapon active, powers the magnetic containment field, and carries out the firing cycle. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire 360~540 rounds per minute. Unlike the [[Plasma Pistol]], the Plasma rifle is capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire.

The lethality of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle is extreme. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, this type of injury destroys the outer layer of skin and the entire layer beneath; the wound is cauterized instantly upon impact.<ref name="plas3">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 130''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''pages 328''</ref> Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body after impact<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 22''</ref>, fluids trapped in organs or arteries in addition to the rapid expansion of heat would cause ruptures or small explosions causing additional damage to the target. At close range two bursts from the Type-25 DER have enough thermal transfer and kinetic energy to pass through victims with ease,<ref name="plas4">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 129''</ref> close range impacts can also cause dismemberment of limbs.<ref name="plas3"/> Near misses can also cause injury to the target, as they produce severe burns to the area they pass; this can also cause heat trauma or heat stroke from the extreme temperatures of the bolt.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 19''</ref><ref name="reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 315''</ref> Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris, both non-heated and heated, that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 15''</ref> Generally two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle will kill a light or unarmored target.<ref name="plas4"/>