Fuel Rod Gun (PC/Mac Multiplayer Only)
(PC/Mac Multiplayer Only) Rate of fire: Average (1 round per second) Damage per hit: Very high Range: All Accuracy: Low Magazine size: 100 battery units (cannot be reloaded) Maximum ammo: 12 rounds
Advantages: (PC/Mac Multiplayer Only)
This weapon is powerful, fast-firing, and can shoot over obstacles due to the arching trajectory of its projectiles. It is the Covenant version of the Rocket Launcher, but with faster firing and no reloading. It can be used to bombard enemies from afar or high up and spread damage across a wider area. Although a Fuel Rod round travels at a speed only slightly faster than a rocket, its faster rate of fire can send smaller vehicles flying. This weapon is also preferable to a rocket launcher when firing at fast moving ground-vehicles such as the warthog. Going head to head with the Rocket Launcher, this weapon is more effective when on flat terrain or at the bottom of a hill - the opponent can simply dodge rockets, but Fuel Rod shots in quick succession will provide a kill with no need to get to higher ground.
Disadvantages
The battery is the same one as used by the Plasma pistol/rifle, so it runs out of power fairly quickly, and is subject to overheating. It may also hurt or kill the user if fired at close range. Its accuracy is much like the plasma rifle's, very accurate at cool temperatures but very inaccurate as heat reaches maximum. There are also very few per map (in a map like Blood Gulch (Level) for example there is only one). The huge green projectiles leave a faint green trail which can give away your position, and it obstructs your visibility when carrying it due to its size. Finally, it takes two to three direct hits, as opposed to one with the Rocket Launcher, to kill an opponent.
Multiplayer Role
The ultimately annoying weapon, this can wipe out whole groups of enemies with a few shots and can bombard enemy bases from far away. If used in closed spaces it is devastating, and can be used as a substitute for the Rocket Launcher if in a advantageous position. A player with this weapon can become an unstoppable juggernaut with good cover/backup. Good for CTF and Slayer.