Focus cannon

T-30 Locusts and T-47B Scarabs firing their weapons in Halo Wars.

Focus cannons are a classification of heavy plasma weaponry used by the Covenant and its remnants.^[1]

Overview

Design details

Focus cannons are a type of energy projector similar to the capital-grade models used on Covenant starships. They can be individually tuned to allow for fine-excavation of Forerunner reliquaries or massive destruction of enemy ground forces.^[1]

The exact specifics on the operation of focus cannons are vague; while classed as a large type of plasma cannon, they generally operate by firing continuous streams of plasma at their targets - usually in a yellow-green colouration as opposed to the blue-red-purple of standard plasma weapons. As a form of energy projector, they presumably utilise the same magnetic confinement and anti-gravity technology to contain the plasma streams.

The plasma streams fired bear great resemblance to the assault cannons of the Mgalekgolo, though it is unknown to what degree the two technologies are related. Some focus cannons, such as those of the Protos-pattern Scarab, can be observed dripping some kind of green, glowing fluid after firing^[2] - indicating that they may additionally use incendiary gel in their operation similar to the aforementioned assault cannons. Some models of focus cannon can be modified to support the injection and firing of infusion gel (itself a derivative of incendiary gel), further lending credence to this implication.^[3]

Variants

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Usage

Ultra-heavy focus cannons

Protos-pattern Scarab - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon
Deutoros-pattern Scarab - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon^[4]
Sumda'te-pattern Scarab - 1x ultra-heavy focus cannon
Za'zayara-pattern Harvester - 1x ultra-heavy focus drill

Heavy focus cannons

Barukaza Workshop Scarab - 1x heavy focus cannon
Zashk-pattern Draugr - 5x heavy focus cannons^[5]

Light focus cannons

Shua'ee-pattern Locust - 1x light focus cannon (alternatively termed a "charged plasma cannon")^[6]
Barukaza Workshop Locust - 1x light focus cannon

Undefined

The "light"/"heavy" classification of focus cannon (if any) for the following weapons is unknown, meaning where they are placed in the hierarchy of focus cannon power is presently unknown.