Type-56D needler

Type-56D needler
Production overview
Model series:	Type-56
Type:	Guided munitions launcher
Specifications
Ammunition type:	Crystalline explosive projectiles
Feed system:	22 needles/magazine
Rate of fire:	480 RPM (automatic)
Muzzle velocity:	32.31 m/s (106.0 ft/s; 72.28 mph)
Effective range:	Short to medium 30.6 m (100.3 ft) (unscoped); 36.7 m (120.3 ft) (scoped);
Service history
In service:	Post-Covenant War conflicts

This article is about the model introduced in Halo 5: Guardians. For the model introduced in Halo: Combat Evolved, see Type-33 needler.

The Type-56 Guided Munitions Launcher (T-56 GML),^[3] more commonly known as the Needler, is the post-Covenant War successor to the Type-33 GML.

Variants

Type-56D

The T-56D needler was extensively used by the Swords of Sanghelios and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant in October 2558. It is ranked a Common REQ in Warzone simulations, and is available at Level 2 energy while giving 50 REQ points if sold.

Type-56D variants

Hailstorm: The Hailstorm, based off of a pre-Covenant Sangheili weapon that was used during the volatile early-interstellar period of Sangheili history, is an improved needler that fires blamite shards at a 16% faster velocity, has superior tracking capabilities, and features a 50% larger magazine capacity with 33 needles.^[1] It is ranked an Uncommon REQ in Warzone simulations and is available at Level 3 energy while giving 75 REQ points if sold.
Talon of the Lost: Sangheili miners and engineers continue to discover amazing new properties of the Subanese crystals used in Needler ammunition, resulting in new creations like the Talon of the Lost. It is an advanced needler that fires carefully calibrated shards of blamite that can embed themselves into the armor of Mgalekgolo, Promethean Knights, and vehicles.^[1] It is ranked a Rare REQ in Warzone simulations, is available at Level 3 energy while giving 100 REQ points if sold, and can also be found as the first of four special weapons in the mission Reunion.^[4]
Pinpoint Needler: Improved version of the needler with an increased mag from 26 to 30. It has been painted white and can lock on and track targets when they are in range and the user is zoomed in.

Hailstorm.
Talon of the Lost.

Gameplay

Changes from the Type-33 needler in Halo 2: Anniversary

The normal needler's shards travel at a much faster speed and have better tracking, while the Hailstorm features even faster-moving shards.
Can be smart scoped to increase the weapon's range by 20%. When smart scoped, it brings up a purple holographic display on the user's HUD.
Super-combines with 7 rounds instead of 8, much like the Needlers in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 3.
Decreased ammo capacity; the needler now has a 22 round magazine and a maximum of 66 reserve rounds for a total of 88 rounds.
- The Hailstorm can have up to 99 reserve rounds for a total of 132 rounds.

Changes from Halo 5: Guardians to Halo Infinite

The Needler now holds 26 rounds instead of 22 from Halo 4 and Halo 5.
The Needler has blue coloration and melee animation from Halo: Combat Evolved.
The Needler has been streamlined from its more “organic” appearance in Halo 5: Guardians.
The Needler now has an ammo counter on the back of the weapon.
The needler requires 12 needles for the supércombine effect to activate.
The reload animation for the Needler has changed.

Gallery

Concept art

H5GC-Needler.png

Concept art of the T-56D needler for Halo 5: Guardians.
H5G Needler Concept.jpg

An unused concept of the Needler developed for Halo 5: Guardians, redesigned in the "bio-organic" style of the Type-58 Harvester.

Screenshots

Renders of the needler.
Kelly-087 (left) with a Needler in a Halo 5: Guardians pre-release screenshot.
Frederic-104 with a Needler in the final release of Halo 5: Guardians.
Fred-104 with the Talon of the Lost.
First-person view of the needler by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
Smart scope with the needler by John-117 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
First-person view of the Talon of the Lost by Fred-104 in the Halo 5: Guardians campaign.
First-person view of the needler.
Smart scope with the needler.
Third-person view of a needler engaged in smart scope.
First-person view of the Hailstorm.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV wielding the Hailstorm.
First-person view of the Talon of the Lost.
A Centurion-clad Spartan-IV with the Talon of the Lost.
A NOBLE-clad Spartan-IV firing the Talon of the Lost.