The Railgun is not a Railgun! lulz

Games Other Halo
1

Before people assume this is a complaint thread, let me state this is just something I found interesting and kind of comical. If you do not feel interested in reading, backspace button is in the top left of your browser.

You are probably reading the title and asking yourself “WHY NOT CRITICAL?!?!”, that or you are just interested in what I have to say. Either way, let me explain.

There are two types of weapons that often get confused with each other. The Gauss Gun/Cannon and the Railgun/Cannon. In this game, that is the case.

According to physics and the theory of both of these weapons in game, the railgun seems to act like a mini Gauss cannon and the Gauss cannon seems to act like a rail gun of some sorts. Despite there in game physics though, their in game designs completely fit the title. Let me explain.

Rail guns are guns consisting of two separate parts of the barrel (not really a barrel, but that is the closest description I could find). The projectile is fired through electromagnetic currents between the two parts pulling the projectile at extremely high speeds. The design, like I said, fits very well. BUT the physics are wrong. Why? In game, the railgun fires explosive shots. Railguns cannot fire explosive rounds because the electromagetism would set it off as it exits the gun. Not only that, but the speed at which it travels seems like a Gauss cannon projectile.

Let me clarify, Gauss cannons are designed to fire blunt, cannon ball type projectiles, or at least function like that. Gauss cannons use the kinetic energy to smash it. They, being shot out of a magnetic coil (the ‘barrel’ you see on the Gauss cannon actually being an electric coil)(not like the railgun)) are able to fire explosive rounds. Gauss cannons also have lower velocity and speed than railguns.
Railguns, on the other hand, are NOT meant to smash or cause AoE damage, but are meant to go at incredibly fast speeds and rip straight through vehicles. Thus is why I find the in game Railgun to be much more fitting of a smaller Gauss gun, and the Gauss cannon on the Warthog to be a much more fitting Railgun (the clear purplish streak you see come off the Gauss cannon shot would be what you see off a railgun due to the electromagnetism).

TL;DR Railgun acts like a Gauss cannon would and Gauss cannon acts liek a Railgun would. Not something I am bashing the game for, just something I found interesting.

2

Nice observation, OP. :slight_smile:

3

This is pretty much spot on.

4

Spot on. Now that I looked at it. You’re pretty much spot on. I’m gonna definitely watch the mini-MAC on the Mammoth next time I play Reclaimer.

5

> This is pretty much spot on.

Spot on as much as I know, but this is all left to interpretation. I am not all knowing about physics or the theory behind either weapon, but I have seen enough animes, and am a big enough nerd to tell the difference :wink:

6

Deleted

7

> Spot on. Now that I looked at it. You’re pretty much spot on. I’m gonna definitely watch the mini-MAC on the Mammoth next time I play Reclaimer.

When thinking about the MAC Cannon, this one leaves me to be slightly confused. From what I can tell, is some instances (mammoth) it uses a coil, which would make it more of a giant Gauss cannon, which makes sense since the projectiles explode mostly. Also the name would give it away as well. As for the MAC at the end of Reach, that acted like a massive Railgun, which the streaks, the design, and the penetration and speed of the projectiles. It leaves me to Theorize maybe there are different designs of the MAC cannons that act differently, that or the devs aren;t as nerdy as me.

8

> That actually is pretty interesting. I remember something about the flamethrower in Dead Space, about how it would actually work in the vacuum of space, so they corrected it in the second game. Physics is fun!

I agree, physics is fun! The equations though… Shutters High school plagued me with those cursed equations.

9

> > Spot on. Now that I looked at it. You’re pretty much spot on. I’m gonna definitely watch the mini-MAC on the Mammoth next time I play Reclaimer.
>
> When thinking about the Max Cannon, this one leaves me to be slightly confused. From what I can tell, is some instances (mammoth) it uses a coil, which would make it more of a giant Gauss cannon, which makes sense since the projectiles explode mostly. Also the name would give it away as well. As for the MAC at the end of Reach, that acted like a massive Railgun, which the streaks, the design, and the penetration and speed of the projectiles. It leaves me to Theorize maybe there are different designs of the MAC cannons that act differently, that or the devs aren;t as nerdy as me.

Considering that the events of Halo are about 500 years in the future, there’s nothing that says some new Railguns and Gauss cannons haven’t been developed. I don’t know the limitations of such technology, but I’m sure that there’s room for innovations.

10

> > > Spot on. Now that I looked at it. You’re pretty much spot on. I’m gonna definitely watch the mini-MAC on the Mammoth next time I play Reclaimer.
> >
> > When thinking about the Max Cannon, this one leaves me to be slightly confused. From what I can tell, is some instances (mammoth) it uses a coil, which would make it more of a giant Gauss cannon, which makes sense since the projectiles explode mostly. Also the name would give it away as well. As for the MAC at the end of Reach, that acted like a massive Railgun, which the streaks, the design, and the penetration and speed of the projectiles. It leaves me to Theorize maybe there are different designs of the MAC cannons that act differently, that or the devs aren;t as nerdy as me.
>
> Considering that the events of Halo are about 500 years in the future, there’s nothing that says some new Railguns and Gauss cannons haven’t been developed. I don’t know the limitations of such technology, but I’m sure that there’s room for innovations.

This is true, but I find it funny how Railgun and Gauss Cannon in the game, is they were switched, work just like they should. MAC is like a funny mix both. Sometimes its one, others it is another. Like I said, could possibly be different designs for separate purposes.

11

interesting observation and going by your explanation of the 2 weapons and my recollection of firing both weapons your observations is like the old saying goes you hit the nail on the head.

12

That’s actually entirely incorect.

Both the Gauss Gun, better known as a Coil Gun, and a Rail Gun are just different delivery methods of the same type of projectiles. Heavy, ferrous materials.

The Coil Gun uses a series of coils wrapped around a barrel to drag a projectile. Eventually accelerating it to great speeds.

The Rail Gun on the other hand uses two rails, one positively, one negatively, charged. And when the conductive material is inserted between, creates a circuit. This creates a powerful magnetic field behind the projectile that forces the projectile out. Upon leaving contact with the rails, the circuit breaks, deactivating the rails, leaving only the projectile with kinetic force.

Neither one is really more area of effect over the other. Both will result in a projectile with enough potential speed to shatter on impact. It is also possible for it to cause area of effect along its patch of travel from shaving breaking off from being accelerated at such great speeds.

13

> That’s actually entirely incorect.
>
> Both the Gauss Gun, better known as a Coil Gun, and a Rail Gun are just different delivery methods of the same type of projectiles. Heavy, ferrous materials.
>
> The Coil Gun uses a series of coils wrapped around a barrel to drag a projectile. Eventually accelerating it to great speeds.
>
> The Rail Gun on the other hand uses two rails, one positively, one negatively, charged. And when the conductive material is inserted between, creates a circuit. This creates a powerful magnetic field behind the projectile that forces the projectile out. Upon leaving contact with the rails, the circuit breaks, deactivating the rails, leaving only the projectile with kinetic force.
>
> Neither one is really more area of effect over the other. Both will result in a projectile with enough potential speed to shatter on impact. It is also possible for it to cause area of effect along its patch of travel from shaving breaking off from being accelerated at such great speeds.

The Coil, Theoretically, fires projectiles slower than the positively and negatively charges rails, due to having one magnetic rail compared to two rails.

Also, I cannot back this up, but I do remember that Rails and Coils use a separate kind of magnetism, and the kind that rails use set off explosives.

I am not a master of all this, so everything I said could be wrong, but I just thought I would bring up an interesting point. Looks like you know much more about this subject so I will take your word.

With that being said, Railguns and Gauss guns don’t act similar, that I know for a fact.

14

> > That’s actually entirely incorect.
> >
> > Both the Gauss Gun, better known as a Coil Gun, and a Rail Gun are just different delivery methods of the same type of projectiles. Heavy, ferrous materials.
> >
> > The Coil Gun uses a series of coils wrapped around a barrel to drag a projectile. Eventually accelerating it to great speeds.
> >
> > The Rail Gun on the other hand uses two rails, one positively, one negatively, charged. And when the conductive material is inserted between, creates a circuit. This creates a powerful magnetic field behind the projectile that forces the projectile out. Upon leaving contact with the rails, the circuit breaks, deactivating the rails, leaving only the projectile with kinetic force.
> >
> > Neither one is really more area of effect over the other. Both will result in a projectile with enough potential speed to shatter on impact. It is also possible for it to cause area of effect along its patch of travel from shaving breaking off from being accelerated at such great speeds.
>
> The Coil, Theoretically, fires projectiles slower than the positively and negatively charges rails, due to having one magnetic rail compared to two rails.
>
> Also, I cannot back this up, but I do remember that Rails and Coils use a separate kind of magnetism, and the kind that rails use set off explosives.
>
> I am not a master of all this, so everything I said could be wrong, but I just thought I would bring up an interesting point. Looks like you know much more about this subject so I will take your word.
>
> With that being said, Railguns and Gauss guns don’t act similar, that I know for a fact.

Maybe not in the game of Halo. However in real world applications gauss and rail are just different means to the same end. And both will provide the same explosive effects with the proper amount of energy/coils.

15

> > > That’s actually entirely incorect.
> > >
> > > Both the Gauss Gun, better known as a Coil Gun, and a Rail Gun are just different delivery methods of the same type of projectiles. Heavy, ferrous materials.
> > >
> > > The Coil Gun uses a series of coils wrapped around a barrel to drag a projectile. Eventually accelerating it to great speeds.
> > >
> > > The Rail Gun on the other hand uses two rails, one positively, one negatively, charged. And when the conductive material is inserted between, creates a circuit. This creates a powerful magnetic field behind the projectile that forces the projectile out. Upon leaving contact with the rails, the circuit breaks, deactivating the rails, leaving only the projectile with kinetic force.
> > >
> > > Neither one is really more area of effect over the other. Both will result in a projectile with enough potential speed to shatter on impact. It is also possible for it to cause area of effect along its patch of travel from shaving breaking off from being accelerated at such great speeds.
> >
> > The Coil, Theoretically, fires projectiles slower than the positively and negatively charges rails, due to having one magnetic rail compared to two rails.
> >
> > Also, I cannot back this up, but I do remember that Rails and Coils use a separate kind of magnetism, and the kind that rails use set off explosives.
> >
> > I am not a master of all this, so everything I said could be wrong, but I just thought I would bring up an interesting point. Looks like you know much more about this subject so I will take your word.
> >
> > With that being said, Railguns and Gauss guns don’t act similar, that I know for a fact.
>
> Maybe not in the game of Halo. However in real world applications gauss and rail are just different means to the same end. And both will provide the same explosive effects with the proper amount of energy/coils.

I am not speaking from video games, nor I am I speaking from real world physics, I mostly base it off of shows that I have seen, documentaries on history channel, and wiki pages looking at Railguns and Gauss cannons from different games. I understand how each work (Coil and Rails), I did, however, think that Rails and Coils used a separate type of magnetism which causes different affects on explosives.

Not only that, but EVERYTHING I have seen has a Gauss gun act like a cannon, and a railgun act like a… Something that penetrates. An Arrow?

If I am wrong, sorry. I never did any research about this by googling or searching the internet.

16

Pretty detailed though I try not to look into things so deeply. I’m not going to sit down and pick apart why the fuel rod cannon could never function but I can still enjoy it as a weapon. :stuck_out_tongue:

17

> Pretty detailed though I try not to look into things so deeply. I’m not going to sit down and pick apart why the fuel rod cannon could never function but I can still enjoy it as a weapon. :stuck_out_tongue:

Oh of course! I naturally pick apart things. I can;t help it. Me and my family will be watching the best movie of all time and I will sit there and make sarcastic remarks or pick apart things that, when questioned, don’t make sense. Do I enjoy the movie any less? NOPE! In fact, I think it makes it more interesting. A good movie (or game) is one that makes you think.

Railgun is my favorite weapon in the game, just putting that out there.

18

Your new forum rank should be Halo Scientist, just sayin. The weapons team @343 should consult you for H5&6 lol

19

> > > > That’s actually entirely incorect.
> > > >
> > > > Both the Gauss Gun, better known as a Coil Gun, and a Rail Gun are just different delivery methods of the same type of projectiles. Heavy, ferrous materials.
> > > >
> > > > The Coil Gun uses a series of coils wrapped around a barrel to drag a projectile. Eventually accelerating it to great speeds.
> > > >
> > > > The Rail Gun on the other hand uses two rails, one positively, one negatively, charged. And when the conductive material is inserted between, creates a circuit. This creates a powerful magnetic field behind the projectile that forces the projectile out. Upon leaving contact with the rails, the circuit breaks, deactivating the rails, leaving only the projectile with kinetic force.
> > > >
> > > > Neither one is really more area of effect over the other. Both will result in a projectile with enough potential speed to shatter on impact. It is also possible for it to cause area of effect along its patch of travel from shaving breaking off from being accelerated at such great speeds.
> > >
> > > The Coil, Theoretically, fires projectiles slower than the positively and negatively charges rails, due to having one magnetic rail compared to two rails.
> > >
> > > Also, I cannot back this up, but I do remember that Rails and Coils use a separate kind of magnetism, and the kind that rails use set off explosives.
> > >
> > > I am not a master of all this, so everything I said could be wrong, but I just thought I would bring up an interesting point. Looks like you know much more about this subject so I will take your word.
> > >
> > > With that being said, Railguns and Gauss guns don’t act similar, that I know for a fact.
> >
> > Maybe not in the game of Halo. However in real world applications gauss and rail are just different means to the same end. And both will provide the same explosive effects with the proper amount of energy/coils.
>
> I am not speaking from video games, nor I am I speaking from real world physics, I mostly base it off of shows that I have seen, documentaries on history channel, and wiki pages looking at Railguns and Gauss cannons from different games. I understand how each work (Coil and Rails), I did, however, think that Rails and Coils used a separate type of magnetism which causes different affects on explosives.
>
> Not only that, but EVERYTHING I have seen has a Gauss gun act like a cannon, and a railgun act like a… Something that penetrates. An Arrow?
>
> If I am wrong, sorry. I never did any research about this by googling or searching the internet.

Once again, that depends on the size and temperature of the projectile.

Coil-Gauss guns tend to be favored for spherical projectiles because the barrel. But it is not required. Essentially a coil/gauss gun and a railgun can fire any object as long as it is ferrous.

20

> Once again, that depends on the size and temperature of the projectile.
>
> Coil-Gauss guns tend to be favored for spherical projectiles because the barrel. But it is not required. Essentially a coil/gauss gun and a railgun can fire any object as long as it is ferrous.

As you stated, they tend to be favored for sphere projectiles, which would be a prime reason it would be a good contender for just smashing apart vehicles. I always saw Gauss guns fire projectiles that did AoE damage just by the velocity of the projectile coupled with the mass of the object hitting another solid object.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Gauss guns also need to be bigger than Rail guns to fire the same projectile. If you have a small Gauss gun, the coil will be shorter, and fire at a slower velocity than that of a railgun of the same size. So, if we are comparing sizes, railguns would do more damage if they were of smaller size.

Also, I knew how the rails worked, but I did not know that one was positive and the other was negatively charged. The more you know