The Top 10 Most Iconic Halo Weapons Ever

Although the Halo series was overtaken by the Call of Duty franchise in terms of popularity, it remains one of the most influential shooters in the gaming world. Since its release in 2001 as the Xbox's flagship title, Halo became synonymous with the brand and played a crucial role in shaping the shooter genre on consoles. Any great shooter relies heavily on its weapons, and Halo has one of the most impressive and varied arsenals in the business. With the launch of Halo 5: Guardians on Xbox One, now is the perfect time to rank the best weapons from the Halo universe.

10. Spartan Laser

Debuting in 2007’s Halo 3, the Spartan Laser is one of the most devastating weapons in the franchise. However, it requires a high level of precision and patience to wield effectively. Essentially, it's a powerful laser weapon that delivers immense destruction, but its effectiveness is balanced by a significant charge time and a limited number of shots. Despite these limitations, any experienced Halo player knows to be wary of the Laser’s might. When that red tracking beam locks onto you, the best course of action is to find cover quickly, as nothing survives a direct hit.

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9. Plasma Pistol

The plasma pistol has been a key weapon in the Halo series from the start and is widely regarded as an excellent setup weapon. Its overcharged shot is capable of draining an enemy’s shield completely, leaving them vulnerable to a finishing blow. This weapon became even more crucial starting with Halo 2, where it could also disable vehicles with a charged shot—an essential tactic in the franchise’s anti-vehicle strategies. Although it isn’t the best at delivering kills, its unique versatility ensures it always finds a place in a player’s weapon loadout.

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/halo/images/31073823/title/halo-4-plasma-pistol-photo Source: fanpop.com

8. Assault Rifle

The assault rifle isn’t known for dominating any specific combat situation, but what it lacks in flash or raw firepower, it makes up for with unmatched versatility. This weapon was a fan-favorite in the original Halo, and its absence in Halo 2 was a major point of contention for players (while dual-wielding SMGs may have been flashy, they weren’t nearly as effective). Fortunately, the assault rifle has returned in almost every game since. While its performance might seem average at first glance, this 'jack-of-all-trades' weapon has earned its spot as one of the best all-around tools in the Halo arsenal. It’s the ideal starter weapon, offering solid close to mid-range capabilities, and is an essential tool for any player who knows how to use it. Of course, stronger weapons will eventually replace it, but the assault rifle still provides a fighting chance in any combat scenario.

https://hdwallpapers.cat/wallpaper_mirror/master_chief_assault_rifle_john_117_spartan_hd-wallpaper-1474594.jpg Source: hdwallpapers.cat

7. Energy Sword

One of the Halo franchise’s most iconic weapons, the Covenant Energy Sword is a fearsome melee weapon that excels in close-quarters combat and has the power to dominate a multiplayer match.

The Energy Sword first appeared in the original Halo, where only the elite Elites could wield it, making it both a coveted and terrifying weapon. Its inclusion as a playable weapon in Halo 2 was one of the game’s key draws, and it has remained a fan-favorite ever since. With its deadly two-pronged design, the Energy Sword can kill instantly with a melee strike or a lock-on attack. While it’s a formidable tool on the battlefield, it can also be a bit unpredictable, as a mis-timed attack can lead to an untimely death. Seasoned players know the best way to counter a sword-wielder is to keep backing up while firing. However, on smaller maps, the Energy Sword remains a true powerhouse that demands respect.

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6. Plasma Grenade

While traditional frag grenades are effective, when it comes to the best throwable explosives in Halo, nothing compares to the sticky plasma grenade. These grenades are one of Halo's most entertaining and useful weapons, as they can latch onto players or vehicles and deal massive damage to both. There’s no better feeling in Halo multiplayer than sticking an enemy with a plasma grenade (unless, of course, you end up being caught in the blast). While other types of grenades, like incendiary grenades, have made appearances over the years, nothing can quite beat having a pair of plasmas on your belt.

http://gearnuke.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/plasma.jpg Source: gearnuke.com

5. Needler

Even though the Needler has been a staple since the very first Halo, it remains one of the most distinctive and fun-to-use weapons in the series. This alien weapon fires a rapid stream of pink crystalline projectiles that explode on contact, making it both unique and chaotic. Over the years, the Needler’s effectiveness has fluctuated, leading to mixed opinions about its utility. In some games, like Halo 4, the Needler is a formidable force, while in others, such as Halo 2, it often felt near useless. Despite these inconsistencies, when the Needler is firing on all cylinders, it’s an absolute joy to wield and still capable of striking fear into opponents.

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/halo/images/31073821/title/halo-4-needler-photo Source: fanpop.com

4. Sniper Rifle

The sniper rifle is the go-to weapon for many players in Halo multiplayer, and in the right hands, it can be the series' deadliest tool. With its ability to deal massive damage and score one-shot headshots, the sniper rifle can single-handedly change the outcome of a match. However, to balance the weapon, it does come with a couple of notable weaknesses. It’s very loud when fired and leaves a visible trail, making it easier to track down a sniper hiding in the backlines during tense matches. Despite these drawbacks, the sniper rifle remains one of the most iconic weapons in Halo, largely unchanged across the series, and continues to be a key part of the experience.

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3. Shotgun

In stark contrast to the sniper rifle, the shotgun thrives in close-quarters combat, making it the ultimate weapon on smaller maps. With a rapid fire-rate and devastating damage at short range, this weapon is a godsend when found unexpectedly. While it becomes ineffective against enemies at a distance, for those who love hiding behind corners and ambushing foes, the shotgun is just as crucial in Halo as the rocket launcher or pistol. Just don't forget to reload after each shot!

http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/File:Helljumper_with_Shotgun.jpg Source: halo.wikia.com

2. DMR

We went back and forth over whether the Battle Rifle deserved this spot, but in the end, we decided to give the edge to the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR). While the Battle Rifle excels with its three-round burst, the DMR has superior range and is arguably just as versatile in mid-range combat. It’s also easier to land headshots with the DMR, and as any seasoned Halo player knows, headshots are key to racking up kills. The Battle Rifle remains a fantastic weapon, but when given the choice, we’d almost always pick the DMR. We’d like to think Master Chief would agree.

http://halofanon.wikia.com/wiki/File:DMR-091.jpg Source: halofanon.wikia.com

1. Halo 1 Pistol

It's nearly impossible to talk about the greatest Halo weapons without mentioning the iconic pistol from Halo: Combat Evolved. Pound-for-pound and shot-for-shot, this weapon remains the best in the series. Like the assault rifle, battle rifle, and DMR, its main strength lies in versatility, but what truly sets it apart is its insane power. With just three headshots, this pistol can drop an enemy, and its larger ammo capacity arguably makes it even more valuable than the sniper rifle. More than any other weapon, the pistol gives players a fighting chance in both close-range and long-range combat. Of course, its power made it somewhat overpowered, and while it’s never been as dominant since that first game, the pistol continues to hold a special place among Halo fans as the greatest weapon in the series.

http://teambeyond.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Halo-CE-Screenshot-4.png Source: teambeyond.net