Energy projector (EXverse)

The energy projector, also known as cleansing beam, plasma lance or ventral beam depending on their role, is a plasma-based weapon developed for the now-defunct Covenant fleet. It fires a thin beam of the energized matter known as plasma at extremely high speeds and it was used only aboard Covenant capital ships due to the energy required to work.
== History ==
== Overview ==
== Type ==
It exists three main types of energy projector, which are defined by their role.
=== Plasma lance ===
The plasma lance is the secondary ship-to-ship weapon in a Covenant vessel's armament, whereas plasma torpedoes are the primary one due to be self-guided and requiring less energy to operate. Nonetheless, plasma lances are used when heavier ships are participating: for example, during the war these energy projectors were often utilized against heavier carriers and battleships, hastening time to destroyed them.
As lances are power-hungry, they are fitted only aboard capital ships, that are cruisers, carriers and battleships.
=== Excavation beam ===
The excavation beam is a ventral energy projector fitted for glassing operations, atmospheric fire support and digging Forerunner artefacts. These beams are less powerful than lance due to their roles, therefore they can be fitted also aboard destroyers. No frigate has them, because they have too weaker pinch fusion reactors in order to power beams.
=== Plasma beam emitters ===
A cost-effective, in terms of energy required, version of the plasma lance, the plasma beam emitter is weaker but capable to be fitted onto ships of every size. They fires unguided, slower beams which have only thirty percent of power if compared to lances.
=== Known patterns ===