Zubo-pattern beam rifle

Template:Weapon Infobox

For the beam rifle used in the original Halo Trilogy, see Type-50 particle beam rifle. For other uses of the term beam, see here.

The Type-27 Special Application Sniper Rifle (T-27 SASR), otherwise known as the beam rifle, is a long-range Covenant weapon.^[1]

Overview

Service history

The T27 SASR is manufactured by the Merchants of Qikost. As evidenced by its designation, the Type-27 was cataloged much earlier in the Human-Covenant War than the comparable Type-50 Sniper Rifle System, which shares the "beam rifle" moniker. Though the T50 was encountered as early as 2531,^[2] it was not cataloged until 2550 and did not become a particularly common weapon until 2552,^[3] which suggests that the Type-27 saw more predominant use throughout most of the war. Despite being supplemented or perhaps replaced by functionally similar weapons, the Type-27 saw continued use among Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces as late as October, 2558.^[1]^[4] The T-27 SASR is now the Covenant’s primary long-range special application weapon, used almost exclusively by scouting personnel and designated marksmen. It is ranked a Rare REQ in Warzone simulations, and is available at Level 6 energy while giving 100 REQ points if sold.

Design details

The Type-27 beam rifle is quite similar in design to the Type-50, suggesting that both weapons were derived from the same ancient Sangheili design.^[5] However, the Type-27 has a bulkier profile akin to that of the Type-52 Special Applications Rifle. In comparison with the Type-50, the weapon's firing channel is better concealed and is set closer to the muzzle. It features an enclosed focusing crystal compartment rather than its counterpart's open layout. Another major difference is that the Type-27's grip faces straight back, whereas the Type-50's is angled upward; this allows the user to maintain a conventional shooting posture rather than being forced to fire from below the shoulder. The weapon's grip also differs from the Type-52's in the fact that the Sangheili-designed ergonomic grip has been reconfigured to a smaller thumbhole with additional hand grips, usable by multiple species with different hand structures.^[1] Through the ionization of hydrogen gas and the use of a linear accelerator, a powerful beam is emitted at hypervelocity speeds, lethally striking enemy targets. The weapon features a 4× to 10× smart-linked scope which will give off a bright purple shine while zoomed in.^[4]

Variants

Sword of the Faithful: The Sword of the Faithful is the personalized beam rifle of the Prophet of Regret's majordomo. It is an improved T-27 that features enhanced hipfire accuracy, faster heat dissipation, and a higher rate of fire compared to normal T-27 beam rifles. It is ranked an Ultra-Rare REQ in Warzone simulations, and is available at Level 6 energy while giving 150 REQ points if sold.^[4]
Krith's Left Hand: Krith's Left Hand was reclaimed from the Kig-Yar Pirate Prince's personal vaults by Ripa 'Moramee sometime before the latter became the Arbiter.^[6] Unlike other beam rifles, Krith's Left Hand is an advanced T-27 that fires in three-round bursts with one pull of the trigger. A single burst will kill a Spartan in War Games. It is ranked a Legendary REQ in Warzone simulations, and is available at Level 7 energy while giving 200 REQ points if sold.^[4]

Sword of the Faithful.
Krith's Left Hand.

Gameplay

Changes from the Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle in Halo 3

Each shot fired now depletes 10% of the weapon's battery.
Jackal Snipers can no longer kill the player instantly with the Beam Rifle even on Legendary.
Zoom levels have been upgraded to 5× and 10×.
Overheating animation is moderately different.

Changes from Halo 4 to Halo 2: Anniversary

The T-27 SASR is available only in multiplayer, as in the campaign, the newer T-50 SRS takes its place instead.
Coloring is changed from pale blue to purple, with hexagon patterning added onto the weapon.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

The T-27 SASR is available in both the campaign and multiplayer.
Zoom levels have been downgraded to 3.5× and 9.5×, respectively.
Jackal Snipers armed with Beam Rifles can now fully deplete the player's health in one hit on Legendary again.
A second melee animation is now present with the weapon.
Weapon coloring has been changed to be more similar to the Halo 4 version.

Gallery

Normal gallery

The Type-27 Beam Rifle in Halo 4.
HUD Icon of the Type-27 Beam Rifle.
Alternate render of the T-27 Beam Rifle.
A Rogue-clad Spartan-IV wielding the T-27 SASR.
A Jackal Sniper wielding the beam rifle.
First-person view of the beam rifle by John-117 in the Halo 4 campaign.
First-person view of the beam rifle in the Halo 4 multiplayer.
The Beam Rifle being used in Halo 4's multiplayer.
View through the beam rifle's scope in Halo 4.
Render of the beam rifle's scope in Halo 4.
In-game view through the beam rifle's scope in Halo 4 multiplayer.
Jul 'Mdama using a T-27 beam rifle during Operation: ATHENA in Halo: Escalation.
The Type-27 Beam Rifle in Halo 2 Anniversary.
A Hoplite-clad Spartan using the T-27 Beam Rifle in Halo 2: Anniversary.
First-person view of the T-27 on Stonetown.
The 5× zoom on the T-27.
The 10× zoom on the T-27.
The T-27 overheating in Halo 2: Anniversary.
First-person view of the T-27 by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
Fred-104 using the T-27 SASR's 3.5× zoom.
Fred-104 using the T-27 SASR's 9.5× zoom.
The T-27 SASR overheating in Fred-104's hands.
Fred-104 using the T-27 SASR on Genesis.
First-person view of the T-27 SASR on Riptide in Halo 5: Guardians.
The 3.5× zoom on the T-27 SASR.
The 9.5× zoom on the T-27 SASR.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV with an overheated T-27 beam rifle on Molten.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV with a T-27 beam rifle on Molten.
A Scanner-clad Spartan-IV using Smart scope with the T-27 on Escape from ARC.
A Kig-Yar Sniper with a T-27 beam rifle in Halo 5: Guardians.
First-person view of the Sword of the Faithful.
A Helioskrill-clad Spartan-IV using the Sword of the Faithful.
First-person view of Krith's Left Hand.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV using Krith's Left Hand.
The glare given off while using smart scope with Krith's Left Hand.
A T-27 beam rifle in comparison to a T-50 beam rifle in Halo 5: Guardians.
A Venator-clad Spartan-IV and a Decimator-clad Spartan-IV using T-27 and T-50 beam rifles, respectively, on Molten.
The Type-27 Beam Rifle in Halo Online.