Needle-based weaponry
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Needle-based weaponry refers to weapons that incorporate explosive Subanese crystal in their properties.[1][2] Although there are melee weapons that were derived from the crystal,[3] the most common needle-based weaponry are projectile weapons that launch the Subanese crystalline shards toward foes. While the Forerunners have developed at least one class of needle-based weapon, the Covenant most likely reverse-engineered the technology,[4] leading to its widespread use in the Covenant and its remnants, particularly among their specialized infantry and vehicles.[5][6][7]
Operation
- "Anything stuck with enough needles will blow sky high—and if a Foxtrot is unlucky enough to be carrying grenades, those are gonna cook off too."
- — Anonymous UNSC E2-BAG/1/7 serviceman[8]
Needle-based weaponry are characterized by their integration of Subanese crystals, a pink crystalline substance mined from Suban, one of the Sangheilios' two moons.[5] Upon impaling a target, the crystalline shards become chemically reactive, and detonate after a few seconds.[1][9] Subsequently, a blade that contains Subanese crystalline properties can be made to explode when it is embedded in soft flesh.[10] Similarly, if multiple shards from a projectile weapon make contact with a living target, then a chain reaction occurs—their chemical properties "supercombine" and the shards detonate simultaneously, causing an immediate and violent explosion.[1][9] While the shards are devastating against living tissue, they are relatively ineffective against energy shielding.[11]
Covenant needle-based weapons break the crystals into needle-like shards, then launch the shards from the weapon. The needler, the most popular class of needle-based weaponry, features an additional magnetic auger within the weapon that catalyzes the shards, which then become capable of tracking heat signatures.[5] In contrast, the Gadulo-pattern needle rifle was not designed to charge its crystalline shards with the ability to home in on a living target,[12] so it likely lacks a magnetic auger. Instead, when fired, the crystalline shards snap off into individual charged projectiles which are launched linearly at the intended target.[13]
Although humanity has also expressed interest in the crystals' energy-storage properties,[11] UNSC forces working with Thel 'Vadam have began experimenting similar weaponization by incorporating the crystals into human weapons like the modified M49 Vulcan on the Sword Needle Warthog.[14]
List of needle-based weapons
Handheld projectile weapons
- Blood of Suban variant of the Mosa-pattern carbine
- Needler
- Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Melee weapons
Mounted weapons
- Modified M49 Vulcan
- Needle cannon
- Heavy needle cannon
- Shard cannon
- Shardstorm launcher
Sources
- ^ a b c Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 128
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 230
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 307
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 237
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 294
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 289
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 277
- ^ Bungie.net, Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher - 9/6/2007 (Retrieved on Jan 16, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 479
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 349
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needler (Retrieved on Apr 21, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 127
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Universe - Weapons - Needle Rifle (Retrieved on May 14, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo 5: Guardians, Sword Needle Warthog REQ card: "Experiments with Subanese crystal explosives and Sangheili shield technology are being pioneered by UNSC forces working with the Arbiter. Advanced Warthog with Needle-firing chaingun and regenerative energy shields being tested in War Games."
