Halo Covenant Rifles and Carbines

# **Covenant Rifles and Carbines**

## **Type-25 DER**

The Plasma Rifle is a Covenant, directed-energy weapon, reverse engineered from forerunner technology that uses a superheated ionized gas called Plasma, instead of projectile ammunition. The weapon has a power output of 100-150 KV at 2~3 dA, and can fire 360 to 540 bolts per minute. Unlike the Plasma Pistol, the plasma rifle is capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. The Plasma Rifle consists of two large plasma generator subassemblies that wrap around the trigger assembly. The generators fire in sequence, discharging superheated plasma from the charging and accelerator poles, this design allows a faster rate of fire and more rounds per second, which adds to the lethality of the weapon. Generally, two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle will kill a lightly-armored target. Over-extended periods of firing can overheat the weapon, causing it to become unusable for a short period of time.

Taking fire from the Type-25 DER can cause severe second, third, and in some cases, fourth-degree burns (a fourth-degree burn completely burns away all flesh, leaving only bone tissue). The Type-25 DER is the primary weapon of the Covenant’s officer corps, used by Elites and Brutes, although Jackals, Grunts and higher ranking Drones have been seen using this weapon, but not as common. Against UNSC infantry, the Type-25 Rifle's lethality is considerably greater than its counterpart, the Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol, due to the faster rate of fire, injuries inflicted to the victim are severe third-degree burns, with the wound being cauterized instantly upon impact. Even near misses will produce severe burns and heat trauma. Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can create fragments that may come into contact with a victim, with a crippling or lethal effect.

## **Type-25 DER/J**

The Brute Plasma Rifle is a Covenant directed energy weapon that uses a superheated ionized gas called plasma instead of projectile ammunition. The weapon has a power output of 100−150 kV at 0.2–0.3 A (20–45 kW), and can fire 360–540 rounds per minute. Unlike the Plasma Pistol, the plasma rifle is capable of fully-automatic fire, thanks in part to its dual plasma collimator design. Placed atop one another, these collimators fire in a staggered pattern, taking the slow automatic fire of each individual collimator and combining them to allow a faster rate of fire. The Type-25 DER/J is considerably different than its Sangheili-issued counterpart. Unlike standard plasma rifles, the Jiralhanae variant fires a weaker bolt, identified by the bolts' red hue. The weapon compensates for this weakness with a higher rate of fire, as well as achieving better penetration and stronger kinetic impact than its Sangheili-issued counterpart. The only visual differences between the two weapons is that the Jiralhanae variant has a red casing. The top half of the Brute Plasma Rifle is also longer towards the back end than its Sangheili counterpart, which allows for a more comfortable grip by Brutes. So far, this variant has only been found in the hands of the Brutes and a small number of other Covenant species (such as the Drones) who work directly with them. Even now the weapon has only been sighted since the Brutes have begun a return to front-line combat.

Against infantry, the lethality of the Jiralhanae Variant of the Type-25 DER is considerably increased over the standard model due to its higher rate of fire at close range. Injuries inflicted to a victim are severe third-degree burns, though this type of injury causes the wound to be cauterized instantly. Body fluids would be subjected to flash vaporization, inducing a strain or a shock on the body, and fluids trapped in organs or arteries subjected to rapid expansion from the heat could cause ruptures and additional damage to the target. Near misses can also cause injury, as they produce severe burns to nearby areas. This can also cause trauma or heat stroke due to the extreme temperatures of the plasma bolt. Should the plasma impact an object, the impact can cause splash damage creating debris that may come into contact with a target, with a crippling or lethal effect. Generally, two hits from either a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle will kill a light or non-armored target. Like its counterpart, over-extended periods of firing can overheat the weapon, causing it to become unusable for a short period of time.

## **Type-51 DER/I**

The Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved (Type-51 DER/I), more commonly known as a Plasma Repeater, is a plasma-based Directed Energy Weapon used by what used to be the Covenant Empire, specifically the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, during the Fall of Reach in August 2552. The weapon also saw action in the post-war years in the hands of the Covenant Remnant.

The weapon's rate of fire will slow as it is fired and the weapon heats up. This can be solved by manually venting the rifle with the reload button, which can be done all at once or gradually. However, as the weapon overheats and the rate of fire slows, the accuracy of the weapon will increase.

It is very likely that the Type-51 DER is either new to the Covenant arsenal or it is a branch-specific weapon, as it has only been encountered by the UNSC very recently and only in very limited numbers.

## **Type-55 DER/A**

The Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced, or Storm Rifle, is the evolution of the standard Plasma Rifle and served various infantry during the violent Sangheili civil conflicts that followed the Human-Covenant war. The weapon now includes a modular coil set, a high-mounted cooling shroud, and an extended barrel, all contributing to greater overall performance in the field than its predecessor.

As the name might suggest, the fully automatic weapon unleashes a "storm" of projectiles upon firing - rapid and deadly at close to medium range, but less accurate at longer ranges. However, it overheats within approximately 5 seconds of continual fire, though this is generally still plenty of time to deplete shields of and kill a number of hostiles. It seems the Sangheili have traded the slower, yet more accurate and longer range weapons of the past for more aggressive variants, influenced by the Jiralhanae "brute force" tactics evident through such items as the Jiralhanae variant of the Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle. The weapon also appears to be similar to the Plasma Repeater, though it lacks the former's ability to quickly vent waste heat.

## **Type-27 SASR**

The Type-27 Special Application Sniper Rifle, also referred to as the Beam Rifle, is a version of the Covenant beam rifle used during the post-war era.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll. Furthermore, all range to hit penalties are reduced by 10.

## **Type-50 SRS**

The Type-50 Sniper Rifle System, otherwise known as the Particle Beam Rifle, is a Covenant long-range weapon and the counterpart of the UNSC Sniper Rifle. They are most commonly seen being used by Kig-Yar, although Sangheili and even Jiralhanae are also seen using Beam Rifles on occasion.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll. Furthermore, all range to hit penalties are reduced by 10.

## **Type-52 SAR**

The Type-52 Special Applications Rifle (Type-52 SAR), more commonly known as the Focus Rifle is a Directed Energy Weapon used by the Covenant Empire. The earliest known sighting was during the Battle of Reach in August 2552. Seemingly it was replaced by the Beam Rifle but the Covenant Remnant appears to have scavenged some for their use after the war.

The Focus Rifle is a Covenant sniper-style weapon, that, despite its visual similarities to the Type-50 Sniper Rifle System, functions quite differently from its counterpart. It fires a continuous orange-tinted beam, similar in operation to a Sentinel Beam. The weapon is believed to be battery-powered, though the exact mechanism by which it functions is currently under investigation by the UNSC.

The beam will take approximately 1.5 seconds to kill a fully shielded Spartan, and is designed to emphasize more of a "tracking" skill set than other weapons because this weapon, being a sniper variant, does not feature any aim assist to compensate for its power. It is designed for ranged suppression rather than instant death, and is considered a power weapon. Its appearance and reticle is very similar to that of the Beam Rifle, with a 5-10x magnification scope. Unlike its counterpart, it sports a thermal-imaging screen on the top, much like the UNSC Sniper Rifle, but it just appears to be purely cosmetic, as it has very little use in gameplay.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll. Furthermore, all range to hit penalties are reduced by 10.

## **Type-25/C**

The Type-25 Carbine is a fully-automatic, magazine-fed rail-type weapon. As its metal projectiles are pulled between the rails they are superheated and elongated into the spikes that are its namesake. Two large blades made of tungsten carbide, an extremely strong and durable material, are mounted under the barrel of the weapon, increasing its effectiveness in close-quarters. The Spiker's ammunition is fed into the weapon via a small drum magazine with a 40-round capacity. The drum magazine is located on the underside of the weapon, behind the blades and in front of the trigger.

This weapon resembles human technology more closely than it does the other weapons in the Covenant’s arsenal. It performs admirably in a variety of environments; it is a widely held belief that the weapon could sit unattended for several weeks in an active latrine and still operate as issued without maintenance in a similar manner to the AK-47 and the other Kalashnikov rifles. Unfortunately, this is not far from the truth. Though it was first observed at least 25 years before 2552, this weapon has not been seen in the hands of front-line troops until just recently. The Spiker is based on the Jiralhanae's native pre-Covenant technology, meaning it has been in use since Brutes first learned how to create an automatic firearm. Although the Spiker is classified as a Carbine, it is more of a counterpart to the UNSC's M7 SMG, having very similar range and penetration capabilities. The projectiles, having such low muzzle velocity, would be quite harmless if it was not for their great mass.

## **Type-31**

The Type-31 Rifle fires unconventional, long and sharp projectiles similar to those of the Needler. The projectiles detonate several seconds after impacting on soft tissue. Like the Needler, if enough needles are fired into a target, a supercombine explosion occurs.

Although most players use it as a semi-automatic weapon for long range, the Needle Rifle is a fully automatic, medium-to-long range, headshot-capable rifle. Unlike the Needler, however, the needles do not "home in," or track on the enemy. They fire in a straight line at high velocities, similar to the M392 Designated Marksman Rifle. Rounds travel much faster than that of the Needler, leaving the Needle Rifle's only destructive similarity to the Needler being the individual/collected needle explosion. The Needle Rifle also seems similar in appearance and functionality to the Covenant Carbine, and also bears a barrel similar to that of the Beam Rifle.

The reload process for the Needle Rifle is very similar to that of the Covenant Carbine. The ammunition compartment for the weapon acts as a hatch, which flips open to expose a small canister that ejects upon opening, and a new canister is inserted by the user. The only difference between the reloads for the Carbine and the Needle Rifle is that the canister for the Carbine is not covered by any sort of hatch, which in the case of the Needle Rifle is its scope. This reload process implements another difference from the Needler, which actually summons new needles from the inside of the weapon through the operation of what is suspected to be an internal mechanism.

Compared to its counterpart, the M392 Designated Marksman Rifle, the Needle Rifle trades in damage per projectile and projectile flight time for a faster firing rate, lower recoil/reticle bloom, more accuracy, and larger magazine size, and also has the ability to kill an unshielded enemy with three needles, which will detonate no matter where they hit. The Needle Rifle still retains the ability to kill an unshielded enemy with a headshot.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll.
* **Super Combine**: Each Crystalline Shard will detonate 1 full round after it hits the target. This causes +2 damage per Crystalline Shard that successfully hit the target, to a maximum of +2D+2 for a total of 7D+1 damage. Any shards in the target at the time of detonation are destroyed but cause no additional damage.

## **Type-33 GML**

The Needler is one of the few Covenant weapons which isn't based on reverse-engineered Forerunner technology. The Needler's top plate has 14 holes which the needles protrude out of. When the trigger is pulled, the needle is fed from the top into the barrel and fired. The needles home into their target and impale it. Several seconds afterwards, the needles detonate. A single needle detonation does not cause significant damage, but if enough needles make it into the target at once, the needles will supercombine, synchronizing their explosions for massive damage.

**Game Notes**:

* **Super Combine**: Each Crystalline Shard will detonate 1 full round after it hits the target. This causes +2 damage per Crystalline Shard that successfully hit the target, to a maximum of +2D+2 for a total of 5D+1 damage. Any shards in the target at the time of detonation are destroyed but cause no additional damage.
* **Homing Ability**: The Crystalline Shards home in on their target providing a +3D to attacks.

## **Type-56D**

The Type-56D Guided Munitions Launcher, abbreviated T-56D Needler, and more commonly known as the Needler, is a Covenant Remnant firearm.

**Game Notes**:

* **Super Combine**: Each Crystalline Shard will detonate 1 full round after it hits the target. This causes +2 damage per Crystalline Shard that successfully hit the target, to a maximum of +2D+2 for a total of 5D+1 damage. Any shards in the target at the time of detonation are destroyed but cause no additional damage.
* **Homing Ability**: The Crystalline Shards home in on their target providing a +3D to attacks.

## **Type-51**

The Type-51 Carbine is a Covenant recoil-operated and charger-fed, semi-automatic weapon. The Type-51 Carbine serves as the Covenant's medium to long-range weapon and fires an 8mm caseless radioactive projectile. The weapon's design is very basic, with unique differences. The first is its magazine placement, which is located right above the trigger guard - the weapon's cylindrical magazine holds 18 rounds, and also provides indication of number of rounds left in the magazine, using a holographic display. The back end of the weapon contains two circular openings, the forward one is the weapon's hand guard and the area in front of it is where the weapon's trigger is located. On the weapon's top rail is the magazine well and loader, below it is a hammer-like device which springs back when the weapon is fired. The forward part of the weapon contains the Type-51 Carbine's barrel which itself is well insulated to protect the shooter from the harmful radiation released from the round.

The weapon is also capable of 2X magnification, however it is not known where the magnification device is located. Kig-Yar Marksmen who are known to use this as an effective marksmen rifle and can be used to assassinate or pick off unsuspecting victims with the weapon's long-range capabilities. This weapon is the rival to the UNSC DMR. Sangheili Spec-Ops and regular Sangheili infantry are also known to carry it into battle as a medium range weapon, as well as Jiralhanae infantry.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll.

## **Type-57B**

The Type-57B Carbine, abbreviated T-57B Carbine, and more commonly known as the Covenant Carbine, is a Covenant Remnant firearm. New production models with reactive materials are used instead of radioisotopes for coating its rounds.

**Game Notes**:

* **Scope**: If the scope is used for one round of aiming, the character receives an additional +1D to Firearms skill roll.

## **Source**

* Halo Wiki: Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle
* Halo Wiki: Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant
* Halo Wiki: Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved
* Halo Wiki: Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced
* Halo Wiki: Type-27 Special Application Sniper Rifle
* Halo Wiki: Type-50 Sniper Rifle System
* Halo Wiki: Type-52 Special Applications Rifle
* Halo Wiki: Type-25 Carbine
* Halo Wiki: Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher
* Halo Wiki: Type-56 Guided Munitions Launcher
* Halo Wiki: Type-51 Carbine
* Halo Wiki: Type-57 Carbine
* thedemonapostle