Covenant Weapons

Learn about the Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle, Needler, and Fuel Rod Gun in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Discover their strengths, weaknesses, and best uses against Covenant foes.

Hey there! So, you're diving into Halo: The Master Chief Collection and want to know about the alien tech you'll be picking up? Smart move! Covenant weapons can actually be your best friend, especially when you're up against those same aliens. Since you'll be fighting them constantly, you'll find their gear lying around everywhere. Plus, if you're running low on ammo for your human weapons, swapping to a Covenant one is usually a solid choice. They really shine on the tougher difficulties, so let's break 'em down.

Plasma Pistol: This bad boy is super useful for the first half of the game. Its rapid fire is great for taking down Grunts and Jackals quickly, and it can even chip away at Elites. Just keep an eye on that heat meter below your ammo count – fire too much, and it'll overheat, leaving you defenseless for a bit. Now, here's the cool part: hold down the fire button to charge up a shot. This charged bolt is a game-changer; it'll instantly strip the shields off any Elite, and it can even take out a Jackal's shield, leaving them wide open. It's also one of the best ways to instantly destroy Sentinels. Seriously, don't underestimate this weapon, especially on Legendary – you'll be relying on it a ton.

Plasma Rifle: Similar to its pistol counterpart, the Plasma Rifle can also overheat with sustained fire. It's pretty effective against Grunts, Jackals, and weaker Elites. While it doesn't fire quite as fast as the Plasma Pistol, it's a bit stronger. You can hold down the fire button for rapid shots. A neat trick is that enemies hit by this rifle will be stunned and can't move, though they can still attack. Personally, I usually prefer the Plasma Pistol, but if you're out of plasma pistol ammo and can't find a replacement, this is a decent backup.

Needler: This one's a bit more niche. It fires superheated needles that don't do much damage on impact. The real magic happens when you stick enough needles into an enemy – usually around seven – and they explode for massive damage, often killing them outright. If you're up close, the needles will actually home in on your target, which is super handy. At longer ranges, though, it's pretty inaccurate. You can carry 20 rounds per clip and have up to 80 spare needles. I've found its best use is late-game, especially against Spec-Ops Elites. If you can stick enough needles onto one while it's standing still, mid-animation as it's about to throw a Plasma Grenade, you can often take it down instantly. Other than that specific scenario, you probably won't be using it too often.

Fuel Rod Gun: You'll see these wielded by tougher Grunts later in the game, and Hunters even have a souped-up version. While you can't use this in the main campaign, it's a new addition in multiplayer and it's seriously powerful. A single hit can knock out your shields and leave your health critically low. Your best bet for dodging its projectiles is to duck, jump, or get behind cover. If you're playing multiplayer, it's a weapon worth mastering. It has a maximum battery of 100, and each shot uses 4 rounds. Like the other plasma weapons, firing too much will cause it to overheat, so you'll need to wait for it to cool down before you can recharge and fire again.