Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster

Tufasumo-pattern Firebomb Caster
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Merchants of Qikost
Type:	Plasma-based explosives launcher
Variants:	Scourge of Fire White Scar
Specifications
Length:	116 centimeters (45.5 in)
Ammunition type:	20mm Class-3 plasma scatter rounds
Capacity:	5 round magazine
Service history
In service:	Blooding Years Post-Covenant War conflicts

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Fires plasma bolts that can be bounced of terrain to reach targets behind cover. Bolts stick and will chain-detonate when fired using Smart-Link.

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The Tufasumo-pattern Firebomb Caster (UNSC Type classification: Type-53 Plasma Bolt Launcher, T-53 PBL), more commonly known as the plasma caster, is a versatile munitions launcher designed for use in infantry and shock trooper roles. Manufactured by the Merchants of Qikost, the purpose of the plasma caster is to weaken enemy lines and entrenched positions, especially those augmented by stationary weapons. Gaining popularity during the Blooding Years, the plasma caster was used by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.

Overview

Design details

The Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster bears a resemblance in shape and overall functionality to the Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle, also manufactured by the Merchants of Qikost. However, the plasma caster is considered to be an elegant refinement and diversification of the concussion rifle. The plasma caster is designed with an extended, pronounced stock, a low-set magazine that allows easy access, and an accentuated muzzle which remains closed unless the weapon's operator charges the chambered round, upon which the barrel splays open before launching the charged bolt. After firing a charged bolt, the plasma caster enters an automatic cool-down mode for several seconds.

The plasma caster can fire up to five 20mm Class-3 explosive plasma bolts in quick succession, or fire a single charged round at a greater velocity which adheres to a surface it lands upon before detonating, releasing additional explosives to pepper the immediate area. The uncharged shots are capable of bouncing around corners and down hallways. The charged round is capable of reaching more distant targets, tracking and adhering to the enemy's heat signature before detonating on a timed fuse. The weapon's relatively clean area of effect allows it to be used surgically in the hands of a proficient user, though at range its slower projectile velocity requires more skill to wield effectively.

Development history

The Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster originated from a lineage of ancient Sangheili weapons that began with the bladeshot and shockbow, the latter of which inspired the plasma caster's method of splaying open while firing its charged shot. Designed by the Merchants of Qikost, the plasma caster had been produced for nearly a century before the Covenant's fall, seeing very few changes since its initial creation. Following the empire's collapse, Sangheili weapon-crafters have melded the technological advances of millennia with archaic designs, forging a series of remarkable new patterns of plasma caster.

Variants

Under the Merchants of Qikost, the plasma caster has undergone few major changes since its inception. However, several factions have occasionally introduced ad hoc modifications to improve in-field functionality.

• Scourge of Fire: The Scourge of Fire is an improved variant that fires two plasma bolts at once, has a faster charging time, and does not overheat.
• White Scar: The White Scar is an advanced variant that fires modified bolts similar to a Type-56D needler's blamite shards that are set to proximity detonate if hipfired. These needles supercombine in seven rounds, in the same manner as the needler, but charged shots take eight times as long to detonate if not by proximity detonation.
• Banished Plasma Caster: This weapon held by Elite infantry can shoot red projectiles, these red projectiles lack a Plasma Grenade and also doesn't arc like its original counterpart, the weapon has a unique weapon model.

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  Scourge of Fire.

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  White Scar.

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  Banished Plasma Caster.

Usage

Despite the plasma caster's relatively long history, it was never formally accepted into Covenant service by San'Shyuum censors, though some warriors were known to bend the rules and field the weapon in combat. However, after the empire's dissolution, the plasma caster has been adopted by nearly every postwar faction. It has seen significant popularity among the Sangheili during the Blooding Years, a civil war that spread throughout most of Sanghelios and other Sangheili colonies after the Human-Covenant War. The plasma caster was heavily used by forces of Jul 'Mdama's reformed Covenant during their aggressive campaigns on Sanghelios and by Banished Enforcers during the Second Ark Conflict.

In-game information

Halo 5: Guardians

Main article: Plasma Caster (gameplay)

The Plasma Caster was introduced into Halo in Halo 5: Guardians, acting in a similar role to the Brute Shot and Concussion Rifle of previous games. In Warzone, it is an Uncommon REQ that costs energy to call in, and gives 75 when sold.

Production notes

The Plasma Caster's origins lie in the concept art for the Zebando'Taa-pattern concussion rifle produced for Halo 4, done by concept artist Glenn Israel. One of Israel's concept sheets for the weapon includes a sketch for a weapon almost identical to what would later become the Plasma Caster in Halo 5: Guardians. In the final game, the weapon was modelled by 3D artist Andrew Bradbury. The weapon's redesign for the Banished aesthetic of Halo Wars 2 was done by concept artist Theo Stylianides.

Gallery

Concept art

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  Early concept revisions of the Zebando'Taa-pattern concussion rifle for Halo 4, with one such design exploration (top-right) that looks incredibly similar to the plasma caster.

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  Concept art of the plasma caster for Halo 5: Guardians.

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  Concept art of different tiers of plasma casters for Warzone.

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  Concept art of a Banished plasma caster for Halo Wars 2.

Screenshots

	See our gameplay information related to Tufasumo-pattern plasma caster on its gameplay page.
	Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

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  The plasma caster's high-poly model.

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  A render of the plasma caster's high-poly model.

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  A render of the plasma caster's high-poly model.

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  Additional models of the plasma caster.

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  A render of the plasma caster model.

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  A render of the plasma caster model.

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  First-person view of the plasma caster by Frederic-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

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  Smart scope view of the plasma caster by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.

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  First-person view of John-117 doing a melee attack with the plasma caster.

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  Ditto, secondary melee animation.

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  First-person view of John-117 firing an uncharged shot with the plasma caster.

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  The plasma caster being charged up.

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  First-person view of John-117 firing a charged shot with the plasma caster. Note the weapon splaying open.

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  The plasma caster being reloaded.

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  Fred-104 with a plasma caster on Genesis.

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  Jameson Locke wielding a plasma caster during the Battle of Nuusra.

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  Jameson Locke using a plasma caster against a Kemu-pattern Wraith on Nuusra.

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  First-person view of the plasma caster.

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  Smart scope with the plasma caster.

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  Another scoped view with the plasma caster.

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  Third-person view of a plasma caster engaged in smart scope.

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  A Sangheili Warrior with a plasma caster on Skirmish at Darkstar.

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  The Banished Caster wielded by a Sangheili Enforcer.

Halo 5: Guardians REQ cards

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  Plasma Caster.

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  Scourge of Fire.

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  White Scar.

List of appearances

• Halo 5: Guardians (First appearance)
• Halo Wars 2
• Halo: Rise of Atriox