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 under the designation of Directed Energy Mortar (DEM).[2][4] It is nicknamed PM, Comet, and Brimstone.[5]
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.[5] The plasma blast is typically a blue-white or red orb that is 0.91 metres (3.0 ft) in diameter,[5] which burns the air it passes.[6] The plasma blast travel rather slowly in the air, so it can be out-maneuvered easily by a fast vehicle, including Warthogs.[7] However, upon impact, the plasma blast obliterates everything—titanium battle plates, concrete, or flesh—within 20 metres (66 ft) at the point of impact,[8] all the while leaving a large crater on ground in its wake.[7] 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).[5]
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,[5] 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.[4]
Known types
| Types | Description | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Infusion-modified plasma mortar[9] | A heavy plasma mortar modified by the Banished's Voridus that launches a roiling torrent of infusion matter that leaves an uncontrollable firestorm of exotic energy at the point of impact.[9] | |
| Scorch plasma mortar[9] | A heavy plasma mortar that launches mortar rounds with residual energy that leaves boiling plasma on the ground after its detonation. The plasma creates a volatile and deadly crater at the point of impact.[9] |
|
| Type-26 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-26 35m DEM)[2] | Customary heavy plasma mortar catalogued by ONI in 2526. |
|
| Type-58 35cm Directed Energy Mortar (T-58 35cm DEM)[2][4] | Customary heavy plasma mortar catalogued by ONI in 2558. |
|
| Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Ultra Wraiths | A heavy plasma mortar that fires a plasma blast with cluster munitions that detonate upon impact, with several secondary explosions following shortly after.[12] |
|
| Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Temple Wraiths | A heavy plasma mortar that has a higher rate-of-fire.[13] |
|
| Unspecified plasma mortar mounted on Banished Wraiths[Note 1] | A heavy plasma mortar that fires red plasma blasts.[15][16] |
Gallery
Reference images of a plasma blast from a heavy plasma mortar in Halo: Reach.
A blast from a Zurdo-pattern Wraith's heavy plasma mortar moments before impact in Starry Night.
A Zurdo-pattern Wraith fires its heavy plasma mortar in Halo 3.
A Zurdo-pattern Wraith fires its heavy plasma mortar in Halo: Reach.
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.
The impact of a plasma blast from an Eklon'Dal Workshop Wraith's heavy plasma mortar in Halo Wars 2.
A Bolroci Workshop Wraith firing its heavy plasma mortar in Halo Infinite.
List of appearances
Notes
- ^ Given that Banished Wraiths were augmented from Covenant Wraiths,[14] the "plasma mortar" listed in specifications of Banished Wraiths in the Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition) were likely intended to be "heavy plasma mortars".
Sources
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 257
- ^ a b c d e Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 117, 228
- ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 274
- ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Wraith (Retrieved on May 11, 2021) [archive]
- ^ 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 c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 469
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Banished Foundry: Wraith upgrade - Scorch Mortar "New ability, Shots continue to cause damage after impact."
- ^ Halo Wars, Factory: Wraith level 2 upgrade - Scorch "Special attack leaves a bubbling plasma splash on the ground for added damage."
- ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Wraith Ultra description "Wraith Ultras are dedicated siege vehicles fitted with a new plasma mortar that can blanket large areas in superheated destruction with a single shot. Superior Wraith with heavy armor and significantly upgraded armament."
- ^ a b Halo 5: Guardians, REQ card: Temple Wraith description "In the distant past, Zealots alone had the terrible responsibility of destroying parasite-tainted Forerunner gifts that ran amok after activation. Masterwork Wraith with hardened armor, improving handling, and a faster rate-of-fire for the plasma mortar."
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 468
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Wraith in-game unit
- ^ Halo Infinite, Wraith in-game vehicle