HR: Covenant Weapons - Plasma Launcher (Type-52)

Basic description: Scoped, grenade launcher class of weapon, effective against both infantry and vehicles, fires plasma rounds that act like plasma grenades, can fire between 1 and 4 rounds at a time, max capacity of ~9 shots.  Plasma rounds track targets slightly, sticks are one-shot kills as are very close splash damage.  Must hold trigger to charge each or all rounds.  Audio cue is easiest way to tell when first round is ready to launch.  Holding it down longer can result in 4 rounds launching at once.  Only first round will typically stick to infantry, with the rest either falling off when they die or splashing around for large area damage.  All rounds will stick to vehicles when locked and tracked properly.  Takes several direct hits to kill any vehicles, including Warthogs.  [Updated 9/29/10: The tracking ability has been significantly nerfed in the production game]  Is currently the single most powerful weapon in the Beta.  Spawns in the middle of Sword Base, but is also found in Invasion gametypes between phases or in weapon drops.

NEW FOR HALO REACH: Brand new for Reach.  Similar in ways to the human grenade launcher and Spartan Laser.

Restrictions: Target lock can be broken by moving quickly, or using Elite Evade ability.  Targets being tracked will hear the weapon charging as it locks and can take evasive action.  Does not suffer from reticle bloom, but non-zero charge time leaves player vulnerable during close encounters.  At short range, tracking isn't as reliable, and targets that are stuck do not explode instantly, so they can charge player resulting in own death.

Uses: Medium to long range.  Pairs very well with jet packs, evade and active camo.  Is the single best covenant defense against vehicles.

Best for: Players used to the Spartan laser and/or good with plasma grenades.  i.e., players able to anticipate when the charge will be ready, and how to lead targets to get sticks.  Teams should work very hard to control this together because it will typically dominate any game.