Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle

This article is about Jiralhanae variant Plasma rifle. For standard variant, see Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle.

Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Sacred Promissory
Type:	Directed energy rifle
Specifications
Length:	66 centimetres (26 in)
Width:	17.8 centimetres (7.0 in)
Height:	37.9 centimetres (14.9 in)
Weight:	5.9 kilograms (13 lb)
Ammunition type:	Superheated plasma
Feed system:	100 battery units (400 shots per cell)
Rate of fire:	Semi-automatic, automatic (360–540 shots/min)
Muzzle velocity:	126 m/s (413 f/s)
Effective range:	50 metres (160 ft)
Service history
In service:	Human-Covenant War Great Schism Post-Covenant War conflicts

The Kewu R'shi'k-pattern rifle is a design pattern variation in the plasma rifle series of weapons employed by the Covenant and its remnants. In common lexicon, the Kewu R'shi'k is colloquially known as the "blood-hand" by Jiralhanae, and consists of a modification of the standard Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle intended for Brute use—earning it the moniker of Brute plasma rifle among human forces.

Unlike the standard plasma rifles, historically constructed by Iruiru Armory, the Kewu R'shi'k plasma rifle was specially-commissioned for manufacture in the Sacred Promissory by the Prophet of Truth.

Design details

Main article: Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle

A Plasma Rifle's schematics.

Aesthetics

The Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle is visually almost identical to the standard Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle employed by standard Covenant infantry. While identical in overall shape and form to the Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle, the variant employed by the Jiralhanae features a distinctive crimson red outer shell, as opposed to the traditional blue-purple of most Covenant weaponry including the original plasma rifle. The white to red indicator lights on the original plasma rifle are replaced with blue to purple indicators to better stand out against the recolored body. Like other plasma rifles, the precise surface texture and grip design varies from model to model (presumably dependent on design pattern differences), though all function very similarly. Due to its origins in Covenant design language rather than those of the Jiralhanae (such as the Jovokada Workshop brute shot or the Paegaas Workshop Spiker), it is one of few Jiralhanae weapons that doesn't retain a primitive design language and the iconic blades found on almost all other Jiralhane weaponry.

Mechanism

As its name suggests, the Jiralhanae plasma rifle fires plasma as opposed to ballistic ammunition. The weapon is powered from an internal battery cell, and when firing has a power output of 100-150 KV @ 2~3 dA, and can fire 360~540 rounds per minute in fully-automatic fire thanks in part to its dual plasma collimator design. Placed atop one another, these collimators fire in a "stagger" 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 Kewu R'shi'k-pattern rifle design boasts a far greater rate of fire than standard Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle variants, alongside a more powerful plasma projectile—though this is mitigated by the more rapid rate of overheating.

Variants

While two major designs of "standard" the Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle have been seen observed in use, several major sub-variants additionally exist;

• Sorrow of Teash - an improved Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle design with better heat dissipation and accuracy.
• Scale of Soirapt - a rare Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle built in the image of the lifeless corpse-moon that orbits Doisac, with secrets that only the most cunning Jiralhanae can unlock.

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  One major design pattern variation.

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  Another major design pattern variation.

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  Sorrow of Teash.

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  Scale of Soirapt.

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  Tem'Bhetek wielding a modified Brute Plasma Rifle during the Ambush at Duraan.

Operational history

Atriox firing a Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle in Halo: Rise of Atriox.

While the plasma rifle was the standard weapon of the Covenant's officer corps throughout most of the Human-Covenant War, the emergence of Jiralhanae as the Covenant military's front line shock troops saw the emergence of the red variant of plasma rifle to suit their more aggressive demeanour. The weapon was manufactured in secret by the Sacred Promissory under the orders of the Prophet of Truth in preparation for the Jiralhanae's takeover of the Covenant military, with modifications to fire rate and damage that would have been deemed heretical were it not for the hierarch's personal blessing.

The Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle was in service in some capacity by at least around 2548, with several employed by Atriox and his clan during the Algolis Invasion. By October 2552, Jiralhanae equipped with these plasma rifles were present in the Fleet of Sacred Consecration during its attack on Earth, with Jiralhanae deployed into New Mombasa brandishing the weapons. By this time, the weapons were known to the UNSC, though their method of operation and significance were largely unknown to humanity. Jiralhanae wielding their plasma rifles were later encountered by John-117 during the Fall of High Charity and Thel 'Vadam during the Battle of Installation 05, wherein they used them to combat Sangheili-led separatist forces. The fall of High Charity to the Flood ultimately resulted in the Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle becoming a rare weapon, and by the time of the later stages of the Battle of Voi and Battle of Installation 00, Jiralhanae troops had begun employing the standard and more easily accessible regular plasma rifle instead of their dedicated Jiralhanae counterpart.

Despite the collapse of the Covenant, Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifles have seen prominence in the hands of Jiralhanae warlords and raiding groups in the Post-Covenant War conflicts, with newly-manufactured specimens originating from currently-unknown suppliers. In 2553, a heavily modified Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle was employed by Prelate Tem'Bhetek during his ambush of Shadow of Intent, with his regular Jiralhanae forces employing non-modified Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifles. Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifles have since become a mainstay of the Banished. By 2558, Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifles and several sub-variants have been incorporated into UNSC War Games simulations, in which they are wielded by Sangheili Warriors. During their conflict with the UNSC Spirit of Fire on Installation 00 in 2559, Banished Jiralhanae have been witnessed employing the Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle in combat as well.

Gameplay

In Halo 2, the Brute Plasma Rifle appears later in the game in the hands of Jiralhanae enemies. It boasts several stat differences from the standard plasma rifle including faster rate of fire, lower damage and accuracy. The weapon did not reappear in Halo 3, but does appear in Halo 3: ODST. However in ODST, the weapon is simply a retextured plasma rifle, and boasts no mechanical or stat differences from the regular Halo 3 plasma rifle. The weapon later reappeared in Halo 5: Guardians in the Memories of Reach update as a power weapon in the Requisition system for use in Warzone. The Brute Plasma Rifle REQ card has the following attributes;

• Brute Plasma Rifle
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Energy required: energy

The Brute plasma rifle in Halo 5: Guardians has two variants, the Scale of Soirapt and Sorrow of Teash. The weapon appears in Halo Wars 2 in the hands of Sangheili Enforcers. The Brute plasma rifle was added to the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3 when Halo 3: ODST was added to PC with stats similar to its Halo 2 counterpart.

Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3: ODST

• Reduced rate of fire.
• Increased time to overheat.
• Plasma bolts have a much higher velocity.
• Identical to the Type-25 plasma rifle from Halo 3, albeit colored red.
• Cannot be dual-wielded.

Changes from Halo 3: ODST to Halo 2: Anniversary

• In the campaign, this weapon is identical to its original depiction in every aspect.
• In multiplayer, this weapon overheats at roughly the same speed.
• Increased rate of fire.

Changes from Halo 2: Anniversary to Halo 5: Guardians

• Increased damage, takes a Spartan's shields down in 4 shots and kills in another 8. A vast improvement over the 18 shot kill Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2 and Halo 2: Anniversary.
• Overheats much more quickly, similarly to the original Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2.
• Like all other weapons in Halo 5: Guardians, it can be smart-scoped.
• Cannot be dual-wielded.

Trivia

	See our gameplay information related to Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle on its gameplay page.
	Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

• In Halo 2 the "wings" on each side of the Brute Plasma Rifle appear to be burnt or distorted, while the Elite version keeps a normal color.
• It, along with the Sentinel Beam are the only weapons not shown in the Halo 2 instruction manual.
• The Plasma Rifle and Needler in Halo 3 have exactly the same rate of fire as the Brute Plasma Rifle. They all start off slowly, then rapidly gain speed until it either overheats, or the battery is drained.
• The Brute Plasma Rifle has a slightly higher tone than the regular Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle, due to the higher rate of fire and Brute design.
• The Yanme'e in Halo 3: ODST are now able to use this weapon with deadly precision. The Drones that use these weapons, are either a pale yellow or red color, and have energy shields like the Sangheili.
• Initially, when the Brute plasma rifle was added to Halo 5: Guardians, it had the sounds of a plasma pistol. However, after the release of the Warzone Firefight update, the weapon received more unique sound effects.

Gallery

Halo 2 and Halo 2: Anniversary

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  A profile view of the Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2.

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  A visual comparison between the standard Plasma Rifle and the Brute Plasma Rifle.

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  Two Brute Captains wielding Brute Plasma Rifles in Halo 2.

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  The Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 2 Anniversary.

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  John-117 using a Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 2: Anniversary.

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  John-117 dual wielding Brute Plasma Rifles in Halo 2: Anniversary.

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  First-person view of the Brute plasma rifle in Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer.

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  A Spartan using a Brute plasma rifle on Stonetown.

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  First-person view while dual wielding.

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  A Spartan dual-wielding Brute plasma rifles.

Halo 3, ODST, and Online

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  First-person view of the Brute Plasma Rifle in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3.

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  First-person view while dual-wielding.

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  Brute plasma rifles in the hands of Sangheili Enforcers.

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  A comparison of the Brute Plasma Rifle and the regular Plasma Rifle in Halo 3.

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  The Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A right-side view of the Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A Brute Pack wielding Brute Plasma Rifles in Halo 3: ODST.

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  A study of the Brute Plasma Rifle.

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  A study of the weapon's projectile.

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  A Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo Online.

Halo 5: Guardians

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  First-person view of the Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 5: Guardians.

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  Smart scope with the Brute Plasma Rifle.

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  The Brute Plasma Rifle overheating in the player's hands.

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  A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV using smart scope with the Brute Plasma Rifle.

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  A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV with an overheated Brute Plasma Rifle on Stasis.

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  An Indomitable-clad Spartan-IV with a Brute Plasma Rifle while doing a ground pound on Stasis.

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  A Sangheili Warrior with a Brute Plasma Rifle on Attack on Sanctum.

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  The Brute plasma rifle REQ card.

Halo Wars 2

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  A Brute Plasma Rifle wielded by a Jiralhanae during the Second Ark Conflict in Halo Wars 2.

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  Sangheili Enforcers wielding Brute plasma rifles.

List of appearances

• Halo 2 (First appearance)
• Halo 3 (Halo: The Master Chief Collection-only)
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo 2: Anniversary
• Halo 5: Guardians
• Halo: Shadow of Intent
• Halo Wars 2
• Halo: Rise of Atriox
• Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual
• Halo: Meridian Divide
• Halo: Divine Wind