The Halo series of games possesses a considerable number of unique weapons, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. People who have played all or most of the entries will likely have wondered at some point which piece of equipment among them can be considered the best, with many having different answers.
Some might say something like the old and trusty Assault Rifle that allows for extremely aggressive play, or the Covenant Sniper rifle used by the infamous Jackals to one-tap players, etc. While there are many good options to choose from, I believe there's one that trumps them all: the Plasma Pistol.
It is a weapon that Grunts and the previously mentioned Jackals are commonly seen with, and given how little damage it does, it makes sense that it's given to the Covenant's cannon fodder. Knowing that it's not the most devastating in inflicting pain, you may wonder why I would even consider it the best, and one good answer lies in its charge shot.
When firing a fully charged blast from a Plasma Pistol, the target that is hit by the projectile will have all of its shields reduced to nothing. So, if you manage to land it on anyone, you can immediately follow it up with something like a Magnum, Carbine, or even a melee attack to finish the job. The best part is that you can use the weapon's charge shots multiple times, providing you with ample opportunities should you miss.
While it doesn't outright kill whoever you are aiming at, it does create multiple scenarios where it's very much easier for you to do so. With the significant advantage that the Plasma Pistol provides, it can incentivize even the most hesitant players to take on the Legendary difficulty setting on any of the Halo campaigns.
It won't guarantee victory over the toughest challenges, but it can go a long way toward ensuring that it happens. The weapon's utility isn't just for Legendary difficulty either, as it can also be instrumental in the lower ones, allowing anyone with decent skill to plow through any Elite, Brute, or whatever has a shield that's standing in the way.
Aside from its ability to remove shields, the other reason why the Plasma Pistol is arguably the best weapon in the series is that it's able to immobilize vehicles. With a well-aimed charge shot, anything from a Warthog to a Banshee will be temporarily disabled, leaving it vulnerable for a few seconds.
That small window can allow you to take out the vehicle that's running amok in the battlefield, or perhaps even allow you to take it for yourself so that you can wreak havoc. So, not only is the Plasma Pistol strong against enemies, but it's also useful against whatever they're driving, further emphasizing why it's so good.
It's certainly effective when used in any of the Halo games' campaigns, but know that its usefulness isn't just limited to dealing with AI opponents. The Plasma Pistol can also be very useful in multiplayer matches, and is still just as good at creating scenarios wherein it's easier for you to take down whoever you're facing. Even if your opponent has something as strong as an Energy Sword or is driving something as fast as a Ghost, you can quickly take them out with one well-aimed charge shot and whatever weapon you have as your secondary.
It's not all great, though, as the Plasma Pistol's major downside, aside from its primary fire being incredibly weak, is that there's a small window where you're vulnerable while charging up a shot. That little window will be taken advantage of by the enemy, where they'll likely pepper you with enough ammo to take you out.
Aside from those precious few moments of charging up a shot, should you happen to miss, you essentially become an easy target. While you'll have time to switch to whatever secondary weapon you may have, by that moment, you'll likely already be taken out, whether it's by a human opponent or one controlled by the Legendary AI. However, even with such big drawbacks, the strengths of the Plasma Pistol more than make up for them. With its charge shot, it can easily turn the tide of any battle, especially if it's in the right hands.
Again, the Plasma Pistol may not guarantee that you'll be able to overcome whatever situation you're facing. However, the advantages it can bring can certainly increase your odds immensely, something that you wouldn't expect from such a common Covenant weapon that's available nearly all the time.
So, if you find yourself in a bind when playing any of the Halo campaigns or multiplayer mode, consider picking up the Plasma Pistol. You may find yourself surprised by how effective it is and start using it more often, which could then lead you to better appreciate it and agree that it's the best weapon in the entire series.
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