Canon

Grappleshot

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Grappleshot
A Grappleshot
Production overview

Manufacturer:

United Nations Space Command[1]

Type:

Equipment[2]

Service history

In service:

Post-Covenant War conflicts
 

"At the height of the Human-Covenant conflict, a civilian engineer built a prototype for the rapid mass manipulation of heavy objects."
— UNSC Archives Entry 2549.10.16[1]

The grappleshot is a piece of wrist-mounted UNSC infantry equipment compatible with the MJOLNIR (GEN3) armor.[2][3][4][5]

Overview

Design details

The grappleshot consists of a magneto-impulse projector, a high-tensile nanofiber line, and a self-sharpening Titanium-A fluke contained inside a compact, modular casing. The device interfaces directly with the user's MJOLNIR armor and BIOS systems. The grappleshot fires a grappling hook that can attach to a surface and pull its user towards it, allowing for easier traversal of their environment. The grappleshot has a limited range of eight meters and the fluke cannot always attach itself to ultradense armor plating or energy shielded surfaces. Only augmented personnel can use the grappleshot without extreme risk of injury.[5]

Development history

Main article: Project MAGNES

The Grappleshot is the product of Project MAGNES from 2549.[1]

Operational history

The grappleshot was commonly used after its introduction to the Spartan arsenal. In October 2559, Fred-104 notably used his grappleshot to strangle an enemy Jiralhanae during Operation: WOLFE, before pulling himself even enough with the Jiralhanae to stab it in the back of the neck.[6] During the opening stages of Battle for Zeta Halo, John-117 carried a grappleshot on his MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN3] Mark VI, which remained on his armor after his armor was locked down until May 2560.[7] Tomas Horvath also carried a grappleshot, notably using it in an attempt to escape a ring fragment after it was broken off from the main superstructure.[8]

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances

Silver Timeline

HTV-SilverTeam logo.png
This article contains information about the Silver Timeline, and is not a part of the established Halo canon.
Grappleshot my beloved
John-117 grappling Var 'Gatani on Halo.

By 2553, Silver Team had grappleshots integrated into their Mark VI armor.[9]

During his final duel with Arbiter Var 'Gatanai, John-117 used his grappleshot as a method of attacking the Sangheili warrior. However, Var cut the grappleshot line with his energy sword during the struggle.[10]

In-game information

Halo Infinite

A retractable hook for personal transportation and retrieving objects.[11]

The grappleshot is a piece of usable equipment in Halo Infinite, which the player can use to move rapidly towards a location or enemy. It can also be used to retrieve distant items, such as fusion coils or a gravity hammer. The grappleshot can also be used to stagger Kig-Yar Freebooters and Raiders, knocking their hand-held shields aside and briefly rendering them exposed. The grappleshot itself also deals minor damage, enabling it to finish off severely damaged enemies. After use, the grappleshot has a short cooldown time before it can be used again.[2] If the grappleshot fails to connect to a surface, is used to stagger a Kig-Yar, or is used to finish off a wounded enemy, the cooldown will not be triggered. Like other pieces of equipment in the campaign, the grappleshot can be upgraded by collecting and spending Spartan cores.

The grappleshot is available in multiplayer as well, but with only 3 to 5 uses before running out of charges.[4][12]

Upgrades

In campaign, the grappleshot can be upgraded by collecting and spending Spartan cores. In multiplayer, the fully-upgraded grappleshot can be selected as "Grappleshot (Campaign)" under Sandbox settings. In Forge, the fully-upgraded grappleshot can spawn at an equipment pad by enabling the Legendary variant option.

  • The grappleshot's Voltaic attack may not always stun grappled enemies. Typically, high-ranking enemies, such as Jiralhanae Chieftains, will not be affected. However, there is a chance that even a common, low-ranking enemy will be able to resist the Voltaic attack.
  • The player does not need to grapple an enemy to perform a First Strike.
  • Reachfall will also stun nearby Marines.
List of Upgrades
Name Spartan core cost Description
Voltaic 1 SC Grappleshot stuns grappled enemies for several seconds. Stunned enemies will either be electrocuted or will assume defensive postures and freeze in place.
Quickshot 2 SC Reduces Grappleshot cooldown by 40%.
First Strike 3 SC Delivers a powerful shockwave blast when holding the melee button while grappling.
Reachfall 3 SC Increases the damage and radius of the shockwave blast. Enemies within it will be stunned.

Production notes

  • While the Grappleshot's first in-game appearance occurred in Halo Infinite, the idea of a grappling hook has been around for many years, with Bungie or 343 Industries trying the mechanic on several prior Halo titles, ultimately shelving it due to the mechanic not working well.[13]
  • During a cutscene in the mission Excavation Site, John-117 uses his grappleshot to swing a loose container at Bassus, an ability not available during actual gameplay.

Gallery

Concept art

Development images

Screenshots

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Halo Infinite marketing, Become campaign, UNSC Archives: Project Magnes
  2. ^ a b c Halo Infinite, gameplay
  3. ^ Halo Support, Halo Infinite Weapon, Equipment, and Vehicle Inventory (Retrieved on May 5, 2023) [archive]
  4. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Campaign Evolved (Retrieved on Nov 6, 2021) [archive]
  5. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 85
  6. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 20
  7. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign mission Ringfall: Warship Gbraakon
  8. ^ Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, chapter 6
  9. ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Sword
  10. ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Halo
  11. ^ Halo Infinite, Campaign - Upgrades menu
  12. ^ Halo Waypoint, Infinite Inquiries (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  13. ^ Twitter, Vic Deleon (@vicdeleon): "Gameplay looks solid! The weapons feel and sound great. Not sold on the grappling hook- that’s a very difficult thing to implement well, was tried on several earlier Halos but never got working well enough and shelved." (Retrieved on Jul 23, 2020) [archive]