The heavy plasma mortar, also known as plasma mortar cannon,[1] is a type of plasma mortar and the primary armament of the Wraith.[2][3] The United Nations Space Command's Office of Naval Intelligence has typically type-classified encountered heavy plasma mortars based on the type classifications of Wraiths.[2] It is nicknamed PM, Comet, and Brimstone.[4]
Overview
Design details
The heavy plasma mortar is extremely powerful and is one of the most powerful ground-based application of Covenant energy weapon technology.[4] The plasma blast is typically a blue-white orb that is 0.91 metres (3.0 ft) in diameter,[4] which burns the air it passes.[5] The plasma blast travel rather slowly in the air, so it can be out-maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle, including Warthogs.[6] However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything—titanium battle plates, concrete, or flesh—within 20 metres (66 ft) at the point of impact,[7] all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.[6] The blast has a kill radius of 6.09 metres (20.0 ft), and damages any targets caught in a radius of 15.24 metres (50.0 ft).[4]
Usage
The heavy plasma mortar is attached to the rear of the Wraith; the vehicle's propulsion drive can absorb almost all of its recoil.[1] The plasma mortar's main use lies in shelling and vehicular warfare,[4] as it can destroy heavily reinforced defenses from a long distance. However, it is also fairly effective in closer engagements, especially if in the hands of a skilled operator.[8]
Known types
| Variants | Description | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Type-26 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 35m DEM) | Standard heavy plasma mortar, encountered in 2526. |
|
| Type-58 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 58m DEM) | Standard heavy plasma mortar catalogued in 2558. |
|
| Infusion-modified plasma mortar | Modified by the Banished's Voridus, this modified mortar launches a roiling torrent of infusion matter that leaves an uncontrollable firestorm of exotic energy upon impact.[9] | |
| Scorch plasma mortar | This variant launches mortar rounds with residual energy that leaves boiling plasma on the ground after its detonation. The plasma creates a volatile and deadly crater behind the enemy's line.[9] |
Gallery
A blast from a Zurdo-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in Starry Night.
A Muz-pattern Wraith fires its heavy plasma mortar in Halo 2: Anniversary.
The arc of a plasma blast from a Muz-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar in Halo: Fireteam Raven.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 257
- ^ a b c d Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 117, 228
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 274
- ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 347
- ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 35
- ^ a b Halo: The Flood, chapter 6
- ^ Halo: First Strike, chapter 12
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Wraith (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 469