Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle

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"These things are huge—but I guess the Elites are, too—so it sort’a makes sense."

— Anonymous serviceman

The Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle^[1] or Plasma Rifle is a Covenant ground firearm.

It is a common light weapon in the Covenant army, primarily wielded by Elites and invented by Ijka 'Snovoli^[2] . The Plasma Rifle uses induced plasma instead of projectile ammunition, firing directed energy bolts. This means that the weapon draws from a power source to generate its energy bolts rather than firing individual cased projectiles like a conventional weapon. The base power output of the rifle is 100-150 Kv @ 2-3 dA, and the rate of fire is 420 to 600 rounds per minute.^[3] The Plasma Rifle is particularly effective against shielded opponents.

It is often found throughout the Halo series on Elites and Brutes, but has also been wielded by Jackals, Grunts, and is found quite often in Covenant Weapons Holders.

Combat

Advantages

The Plasma Rifle has a high rate of fire and deals out a high amount of shield damage. Like other plasma weapons, the Plasma Rifle is effective at depleting Shields, though not as effectively as the Plasma Pistols overcharged shot. The Plasma Rifle is also dual wieldable. A two-second burst from two dual-wielded plasma rifles into a Hunter's weak spot will kill it and they are also very useful against all Flood forms.

Disadvantages

The Plasma Rifle overheats when used in automatic firing mode and rapid firing. Also, the Plasma Rifle cannot be reloaded or recharged. While extremely effective at cutting down enemies shields, the Plasma Rifle doesn't deal as much physical damage as solid projectile weapons. This can be avoided by Duel Wielding a solid projectile weapon in your other hand, such as the SMG or the Spiker. It also runs out of ammo quickly when in automatic firing mode

Campaign Recommendations

In Both Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, The Plasma Rifle's high rate of fire and moderate damaging can be used to quickly neutralize low level enemies such as Grunts, Drones, and Infection Forms. Against the Elites the Plasma Rifle can quickly deplete their Shields and leave them vulnerable to a lethal headshot from an M6 pistol, Covenant Carbine or Battle Rifle, or some sprays from an SMG. However the Plasma Rifle can be ineffective against some enemies notably the Brutes, Hunters, and Flood Combat Forms. In Halo 3, dual wielding Plasma Rifles is a very effective way of combating the Flood in campaign on all difficulties, most specifically the shielded Elite variant, which proves to be one of the most trying enemies.

Multiplayer Recommendations

The Plasma Rifle has limited uses in Multiplayer, but is still a useful weapon, especially if dual wielded. Although its range limits the weapon to close quarter fire fights, if used properly a player can quickly dispose of a far-away enemy. It is also advisable to carry a mid to long range weapon such as a Battle Rifle or Sniper Rifle for backup against targets outside of the Plasma Rifle's range. It has the fastest melee attack of any weapon except for the energy sword.

Variations Between the Halo Games

File:MinorElite12.jpg

An Elite wielding its favorite weapon, the Plasma Rifle.

Halo: Combat Evolved

The Plasma Rifle in the Original Halo game is far more powerful and accurate than its Halo 2 counterpart. Furthermore, the weapon held a unique ability to stun opponents that were hit by high velocity plasma rounds, this effect greatly reduces the victim's ability to move and dodge the incoming projectiles and allows the user to easily hold the opponent in the weapon's firing arc. However, the drawback was that this effect is only felt with sustained fire. While stunned, the weapon will often overheat before the opponent is completely killed. Despite this drawback, the stun ability is a useful and potent feature in the hands of an experienced user. In Campaign mode, the Plasma Rifle is best used against the Sentinels and Elites. Sentinels always nurse a soft spot to Covenant weapons and it can be very useful in taking down Elites shields when rapid firing. It should also be noted that this weapon behaved more like a rifle than its successor, having about twice the firing range. It should be noted that this weapon decreases its accuracy while heating up, becoming as inaccurate as its Halo 2 counterpart

Halo 2

Halo 2's Plasma Rifle is not as powerful or accurate as its predecessor and lacks the ability to stun. These drawbacks are compensated by a higher rate of fire and the ability to dual wield the weapon, allowing it to be paired with a wide variety of other weapons from Halo 2 and creating powerful combinations. The changes to the weapon are directly related to the inclusion of dual wielding. For purposes of balance, the Plasma Rifle, along with many others from Halo: Combat Evolved, was tweaked to better fit the new game's fighting style. The weapon takes an opponent's shields off with five shots, but it takes many more to kill. This version of the plasma rifle behaves more as a Sub-Machine Gun rather than a rifle.

It has a medium accuracy, but, when dual wielded, if both rifles are fired simultaneously, the accuracy will decrease a lot

Plasma Rifles are also the basis for several other weapon systems, including the Twin Plasma Cannons on Ghosts and Banshees.^[3] The weapon is not to be confused with the Brute Plasma Rifle, which is red instead of blue. The Brute Plasma Rifle does NOT do more damage than the Plasma Rifle, as some may think, but fires at a significantly higher rate of fire and overheats more quickly than its Elite counterpart.^[4]

Halo 3

In Halo 3, Plasma Rifles are made more powerful. Their bolts are graphically redesigned to be more vivid. The bolts seem to travel faster than those of previous versions, reducing the need to lead the shots at midrange. After a few shots the weapon becomes very inaccurate, so fire in short controlled bursts. Also, unlike in previous games, the PR is very effective against the Flood, even more so than its human counterpart. It takes 18 blasts to kill in Halo 3. This makes it effective against shields and semi-effective for flesh, making it a much more formidable weapon then its previous version. The weapon also gets a slight graphical overhaul, making it slightly more detailed and generally shinier.

	File:MCwithSMGs.jpg	File:Spikers.jpg
The Plasma Rifle and its counterparts, the Human SMG and the Brute Spiker.

Trivia

The Plasma Rifle is used mostly by Elites, but it is sometimes used by Brutes.

In Halo 3, when Dual-Wielded with the SMG, the Plasma Rifle is an effective anti-Flood weapon.

On Halo CE, if your character remains idle for a minute, he will check the weapon's integrity, but, on Halo 2, he will open the cooling vents to prevent malfunction

If you fire a plasma rifle until it overheats and wait one second, and melee, the gun will swing halfway down, then appear back where the chief usually holds it when it overheats. It looks like you are clubbing whatever you hit.

In halo 2 Brutes never used standard Plasma Rifles but their own Brute Plasma Rifle

UNSC Remarks

“[The Type-25 DER] has no recoil to speak of; it tears the shit out of shields and you can shoot the thing all day long—it is on the heavy side though.”

“I realize that it uses a battery instead of a magazine, but nobody has figured out how to swap it or recharge it yet? Don’t we have scientists working for us or something?”

“It’s got no sightline, it’s awkward to hold, and if it overheats it’ll cook the hair right off of your wrists.”

“You know, it looks delicate and so you feel like you need to hold it kind’a gingerly—but then you see an Elite crack a Bravo Kilo's head with one—thing’s are built tough.”

“Yeah, and I’ve seen some Elites swinging two of them around like it was nothing—scary shit.”

Counterweapons

Counter-Plasma Rifle Tactics
Battle Rifle or Covenant Carbine	While using either of these weapons, strafe back and forth at long range while firing. The longer range of the Battle Rifle or Carbine should be sufficient to neutralize the plasma rifle user, and strafing will help combat the long streams of incoming fire or the occasional plasma grenade.
Beam Rifle or Sniper Rifle	Although experienced plasma rifle users will retreat to cover if they detect a sniper, it is easy to pick off unwary hostiles from long range in open cover, or to "kill-steal" while a teammate or enemy engages the plasma rifle user.
Energy Sword or Shotgun	While the plasma rifle may seem ineffectual to close range specialists, you must be wary of the plasma grenades that may adhere to and destroy you. The best tactic is to move in close, as the stress of battle will negate the threat of these grenades. Engagement at medium-close ranges can lead to a deadly plasma firefight that could possibly kill the inexperienced sword-wielder.
M6D Pistol	In Halo: Combat Evolved only, the M6D is one of the most powerful weapons, and can successfully counter.

Character Compatibility

Laser Tag

Main article: Halo 3 Replica Guns

In July 2007, it was announced that there is going to be a Halo laser tag game released, with a Plasma Rifle designed to actual proportions to look like it does in Halo 3.