In Halo the fall of reach it talks about the spartans recieving orders to capture covenant tech for research, this became the Mark V armor. But what about the guns. What in the UNSC had some kind of rifle that a mixture of a assault rifle (Halo version) and a Plasma rifle, and shot plasma tipped bullets or something like that.
I’d like to read your ideas about it.
I think Bungie and 343i might have stayed away from the idea because that would make the workhorse weapons way too powerful. For example, there has always been a trade off when using the AR or Plasma Rifle. The AR shoots fast projectiles that do a decent amount of damage. The PR fires slower projectiles that do a lot more damage.
Additionally, having the Covenant outfitted with plasma weapons was meant to make gameplay fun in the first place. The player would not constantly be faced with hitscan weapons and could dodge fire by using movement properly.
So, while I think it would be super cool to have a plasma AR, it would defeat the purpose of having two separate types of weapons.
I kinda like the fact the human weapons are still projectile based. It shows just how impressive the discovery of black powder was that it’s still being used as the primary firing mechanism of a military in the 2500s. Beyond that, the sandbox would just become too watered down if everyone was shooting plasma rounds. I like how human and Covie weapons are so different. In CE, each weapon had a purpose with strengths and weaknesses. If the AR had plasma rounds, it would just be a reskinned plasma rifle.
It is an interesting question from the lore standpoint for sure, but I’d agree with the other responses about how gameplay is designed around Human and Covenant tech being distinct from each other in both aesthetics and functionality.
As far as trying to reason the lore side of things, it seems like personal energy shielding was something that was very disproportionately a tactical advantage for the Covenant’s heavier infantry classes for decades while the UNSC had nothing to compete directly with it. In terms of guns, I believe I’ve heard it in the lore and certainly have experienced it in the gameplay that projectile weapons are less effective against shields but more effective against flesh and plasma is the opposite. So from that perspective the human weapons aren’t inferior so much as they are a trade-off; and actually are even more effective against main Covenant infantry. The impetus for developing plasma based weapons probably wasn’t as urgent as making MJOLNIR shielding a reality. Plus, the disadvantage of even the Covenant’s plasma ordinance (let alone any potential UNSC derivative) is that they are battery powered and not effectively rechargeable in the field. Projectile based weaponry can be fired longer and with effectively as many rounds as are available to the shooter.
Now that the Covenant war is over, humanity has obviously stepped up their weapon R&D as seen in the ludicrous amount of variety on display in Halo 5 Warzone REQ’s. I wouldn’t mind seeing a human take on a plasma weapon now in this context!
Maybe they didn’t tamper with that idea to keep the factions more distinct from each other.
I’d say that it would be unnecessary from a gameplay perspective and from a lore perspective wouldn’t make much sense if you thought long and hard about it.
Each factions weapons were designed in the same way the faction itself operated and was known for.
UNSC - humanity was always known for being blunt, straight to the point, and didn’t really cut corners so much as they took a frontal approach unless it was absolutely necessary to act differently. So having weapons that did crap shield damage but ultimately devastating flesh damage made sense. They would tear down defenses as long as it took to hit the core dead on with all they had (I mean, Chief even literally threw the Covenant’s own explosive into the reactor chamber of their own ship…doesn’t get anymore direct than that if you ask me.). Pistols, BR’s, SMG’s, AR’s, DMR’s; these weapons were mainline focusing weapons meant to clear the battlefield in a frontal approach (with obvious silencer counterparts for silent Op’s). Meanwhile Spartan Lasers, Rocket Launchers, Railguns, Sniper Rifles, Frags, the Stick Det, Shotgun; these were all power weapons designed with one thought in mind: make it feel like you just got mule kicked.
Covenant - the Covenant had always been superior to humanity in the way of technology, this was because they readily had access to advanced tech humanity had little knowledge of even existing (with the exception of ONI who likely knew about several cases of this tech but never shared with the class. Typical ONI.). Radiation, Plasma, and Super Heating Combine Crystalline Shards were the core of the Covenant’s arsenal. This fit them because the weaponry was every bit like how the Covenant were: advanced, dangerous, powerful.
Plasma - was used in a large number of field ready weapons, most notably the Plasma Pistol, the Plasma Rifle (Storm Rifle), the Concussion Rifle, the Focus Rifle, and the Plasma Grenade. It was also used in their vehicles and warships such as the Banshee, the Ghost, the Wraith, and their Battle Cruisers.
Radiation - was used in arguably very few weapons such as the Fuel Rod, the Hunter’s Cannon Arm, and I believe the Covenant Carbine Rifle. It was also available in the Banshee as a Bomb utility.
SHCCS (Needle Shards) - were used in only a few weapons such as the Needler, the Needle Rifle, and a variant of the Shards was used in Spikers and Spike Grenades.
There were other instances of weapons utilizing things like Plasma Energy for their Swords, Gravitational (I’m at a loss for the word here…) units for their Grav Hammers, and of course fire for their Incendiary Grenades but these were rather rare. (It’s also interesting to note that different sections of the Covenant use different variants of their tech; this may have something to do with a respect level and tolerance within the Covenant. Less respected Fleets may not have access to their more powerful arsenal and there may even be groups of dishonored within respected Fleets which could explain why in Halo CE Energy Swords vanished when the user was killed and why FRG’s exploded when the Grunt wielding it perished or maybe it’s just a game mechanic and I’m overthinking things again)
The Covenant however had different types of tech dependent on the power force using it.
Elites - used Plasma and Energy tech
Brutes - used crude bludgeons and bladed tech (Brutes also didn’t have energy shields to begin with)
Prometheans - use the sheer power of their creations from many generations of advancement. The Forerunners were one of the top most advanced races only seconded by the Precursors. Their weaponry is raw energy tapped from Hardlight material. This fits because they were merciless in their takeover of the Galaxy from the Precursors when the Humans were selected to carry on the will of their creators. Through sheer force and arguably a bit of knowledge exploitation, they seized the reigns of control over every living being in the known Galaxy after defeating the Precursors.
Human technology in the current year we know of 2558 utilizes some of both Covenant tech and Promethean tech. There are several guns that have some mixed parts of either weapon on them allowing them to use Plasma based scoping technology and others allow ammunition to take on Hardlight material. There’s even a Warthog with an Energy Shield that can shoot Needler Rounds. So I’d say humanity is no longer in a dead lock with their tech as they’ve seemingly begun incorporating different variations to their arsenal. (whether it’s just game mechanics or lore friendly I’m not sure, I may have even gotten several things wrong)
As a whole; I don’t think the UNSC really needs Plasma based ammunition. They seem to do just fine with typical rounds and Hardlight munitions.
Others have already put out a fair amount of arguments, but I’ll add my thoughts too:
As said already, one reason why they don’t is for gameplay reasons. The UNSC has the bullets, the Covenant the plasma and stuff, then the Forerunners have the fancy space magic. So the core weaponry’s not going to go away. Just like with how they’re experimenting with new tech, doesn’t mean said tech is going to replace the basics.
Like the Sword-Needler Warthog and the Hannibal vehicles, the Blaze of Glory and Answer and SPNKr EX. Yes, they’re more effective. But they’re probably also very costly to produce, so the Hannibal Scorpion’s not going to be the new mainline tank, and the Blaze of Glory’s not replacing the standard Shotgun.
I can see new variants popping up on the side though too. We have like the M6 Galilean which is a step away from the standard fare bullets, so I could see some hybrid tech finding its way in on the side, but not necessarily replacing the traditional armaments. Maybe its too expensive to produce in bulk, maybe it’s just on the side or still in testing, maybe it’s ONI stuff that’s only going to be fielded in small amounts. But I can see new things finding their way in sooner or later. Just not replacing the originals. IRL that’d be from wanting to keep the factions with their unique flavor, and because most people would probably be a bit unhappy if the classic UNSC gear was suddenly replaced with plasma and lasers 
“In addition to” like the aforementioned Galilean laser is fine, but “replacing them” not as much. ^^
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> Human technology in the current year we know of 2558 utilizes some of both Covenant tech and Promethean tech. There are several guns that have some mixed parts of either weapon on them allowing them to use Plasma based scoping technology and others allow ammunition to take on Hardlight material. There’s even a Warthog with an Energy Shield that can shoot Needler Rounds. So I’d say humanity is no longer in a dead lock with their tech as they’ve seemingly begun incorporating different variations to their arsenal. (whether it’s just game mechanics or lore friendly I’m not sure, I may have even gotten several things wrong)
I’d be willing to bet that most of that is official lore now, and it’s only a matter of time before it pops up in a book somewhere. xD
So we all know at the first game UNSC weapons were ammo with magazines and reloads. Covenant (with the exception of the neediler) were energy with a heat mechanic and power cell ammo. Needler had the clip but the ammo and weapon behavior was enough to make it different from UNSC.
Halo 2 had the most UNSC Covenant weapon. The carbine was pretty much a semi-auto battle rifle with a green streak that was easier to see. Of course we had brute shots and fuel rod cannons both covenant which used ammo and reload instead of power-cell and heat. Forerunner weapons were now salvageable from destroyed sentinels and used the covenant power-cell and heat.
Halo 3 gave us the spartan laser, the first UNSC Energy based weapon with power-cell and heat. It was the only UNSC weapon to do that, however it made sense as they finally been able to do something with all the covenant energy weapon tech, even if it was a bit cumbersome. They also had more covenant weapons with ammo and reload but these were the brute weapons which society seems to be a bit more primitive so more rudimentary style weapons fit the aesthetic.
Halo 4 gave us the Promethean flood combined with sentinels. As for weapons they gave us shiny weapons that had ammo and reload but instead of feeling advanced they felt like UNSC weapons. They lacked the sophistication the other alien weapons had.
Personally I don’t think the UNSC needs more energy based weapons. They sort of got a weird selection with sticky launcher (I prefer reach grenade launcher) and rail gun. I would like to see something done with Promethean weapons to make them less like the rudimentary weapons of the Brutes and the UNSC.
I really like the idea of having a new reverse engineered plasma rifle made by the UNSC.
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> Others have already put out a fair amount of arguments, but I’ll add my thoughts too:
> As said already, one reason why they don’t is for gameplay reasons. The UNSC has the bullets, the Covenant the plasma and stuff, then the Forerunners have the fancy space magic. So the core weaponry’s not going to go away. Just like with how they’re experimenting with new tech, doesn’t mean said tech is going to replace the basics.
> Like the Sword-Needler Warthog and the Hannibal vehicles, the Blaze of Glory and Answer and SPNKr EX. Yes, they’re more effective. But they’re probably also very costly to produce, so the Hannibal Scorpion’s not going to be the new mainline tank, and the Blaze of Glory’s not replacing the standard Shotgun.
>
> I can see new variants popping up on the side though too. We have like the M6 Galilean which is a step away from the standard fare bullets, so I could see some hybrid tech finding its way in on the side, but not necessarily replacing the traditional armaments. Maybe its too expensive to produce in bulk, maybe it’s just on the side or still in testing, maybe it’s ONI stuff that’s only going to be fielded in small amounts. But I can see new things finding their way in sooner or later. Just not replacing the originals. IRL that’d be from wanting to keep the factions with their unique flavor, and because most people would probably be a bit unhappy if the classic UNSC gear was suddenly replaced with plasma and lasers
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> “In addition to” like the aforementioned Galilean laser is fine, but “replacing them” not as much. ^^
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> > 2533274879757912;6:
> > Human technology in the current year we know of 2558 utilizes some of both Covenant tech and Promethean tech. There are several guns that have some mixed parts of either weapon on them allowing them to use Plasma based scoping technology and others allow ammunition to take on Hardlight material. There’s even a Warthog with an Energy Shield that can shoot Needler Rounds. So I’d say humanity is no longer in a dead lock with their tech as they’ve seemingly begun incorporating different variations to their arsenal. (whether it’s just game mechanics or lore friendly I’m not sure, I may have even gotten several things wrong)
>
> I’d be willing to bet that most of that is official lore now, and it’s only a matter of time before it pops up in a book somewhere. xD
Being sent on a mission and the Master Chief’s only option being the Sword Hog, don’t know how he’d feel about that xD
They already have the needle hog, what more could they need. Plus that would turn it into a different game if they had mashed up weapons
I just pick up covy., brute or promy weapons off the ground when I play, not sure we really need more in the sandbox atm.
It would make sense because they have the infinity and they could capture covanent weapons and make them into their own.
I know this is an old thread but I think some contributions can be made. The UNSC has made limited use of plasma based weapons during after the war. They had a tank in Halo wars that shot plasma. They have casaba howitzer which are nukes that focus a nuclear explosion into a plasma beam and they have phased plasma fusiliers weapons on the green machine mech in Halo wars 2 that Johnson uses. Although they are not used in game. I think I’m has a quad Walker machine that uses plasma weapons. Problem is that they are extremely expensive for the UNSC to produce. The.unsc also has plasma cells in game that can be used as explosives and they use plasma to cut heavy metals and that
UNSC technologie really improve since they meet the covenants : energetic shield to spartan armors and ships, laser spartan, railgun, slipspace became faster, the Infinity using a forerunner reactor.
For now, the traditional guns rival with plasma guns, the nuke rival with plasma vitrification and the AI always been more efficient. I don’t think covenant are powerfull than NSC now
The Spartan Laser also resulted from this research. And I think that’s about all we are going to get out of it, for gameplay purposes.
I prefer the use to projectiles for most of the weapons of UNSC origin. It feels more “human” than plasma based weaponry. I’d rather they keep it that way to avoid threading into inhuman or overly futuristic territory (like with Star Wars).
So basically a pulse rifle right? No. No no no! Im fine with another human energy weapon but it cant be covy tech. With the infinity having been at requeium ( dont know how to spell it) id be fine with a cross between a human and a forerunner gun would be fine since they are the same. Although video games in general need more pulse rifles in my opinion. They just so cool.
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> UNSC technologie really improve since they meet the covenants : energetic shield to spartan armors and ships, laser spartan, railgun, slipspace became faster, the Infinity using a forerunner reactor.
> For now, the traditional guns rival with plasma guns, the nuke rival with plasma vitrification and the AI always been more efficient. I don’t think covenant are powerfull than NSC now
The unsc had railgun and laser techn even before the covenant. The unsc used an laser emp cannon on the gremlin which was developed during the insurrection years before the covenant and railgun tech on the cobra tanks