Halo: Combat Evolved/Weapons

Pistol
Your first weapon, issued to you by Captain Keyes on the Pillar of Autumn. This is a fairly powerful weapon (one or two headshots will kill) with a decent clip size, average ammo availability, and the ability to zoom. You'll want to keep this one on you at all times unless you need the weapon slot for something else (like the rocket launcher).


 * Clip size: 12 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 120 rounds
 * Zoom: 2x
 * Reload time: ~1.8 seconds

Assault rifle
Your other first weapon, a rapid-firing rifle that holds 60 bullets, is not terribly accurate, and isn't too powerful either. Really only useful in the later levels or against smaller enemies like Grunts. The reload time is long, so don't charge into battle with a half-empty clip. This weapon is more useful on Legendary difficulty, where the Plasma Rifle overheats very quickly. Accuracy improves greatly if the weapon is fired in short bursts, rather than continuously, and the melee attack is fast and has a decent range.
 * Clip size: 60 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 600 rounds
 * Zoom: None
 * Reload time: ~2.7 seconds

Shotgun
You only get this in the later levels, but it's a great weapon capable of taking many enemies down with one well-placed shot. It doesn't work too well over a distance, but the ability to eliminate Covenant Elites with a point-blank shot to the head is much welcomed.


 * Clip size: 12 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 50 rounds
 * Zoom: None
 * Reload time: Varies

Rocket launcher
This one's great for taking down Covenant tanks, Hunters, or large groups of enemies. It also zooms and locks onto vehicles. It is commonly known as the "Jackhammer".


 * Clip size: 2 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 8 rounds
 * Zoom: 2x
 * Reload time: ~3 seconds

Sniper rifle
A very powerful weapon for skilled sharpshooters. Quite nice for dealing with Elites, but only over a distance. Don't even bother trying to use it in close quarters, as the reload times will probably kill you. It also has a night-vision scope, which you can enable by turning on your flashlight while zoomed. It is near useless against the Flood, since the bullet only passes through their body.


 * Clip size: 4 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 40 rounds
 * Zoom: 10x
 * Reload time: ~2.5 seconds (slightly more if empty)

Flamethrower
Good for clearing out trenches, around corners, or indoors. This weapon is only available in the PC/Macintosh versions of the game, and only appears in multiplayer. Be warned that this weapon can overheat. Do not run forward while using this weapon, or else you may run into your own flame and kill yourself with it. Instead, use it running backwards to lure them into the flames.


 * Clip size: 100 units
 * Max. ammo: ?? units
 * Zoom: None
 * Reload time: ??

Plasma pistol
The most common Covenant weapon, very handy in a pinch, and excellent for taking out shielded foes (especially Elites). Holding the fire button will charge the weapon and deliver a very powerful homing shot, which will take out the Elite's and Jackal's energy shields with one hit. Be warned that this weapon can overheat. The plasma pistol is the fastest weapon to switch to. Melee speed is excellent and accuracy is average.


 * Max. ammo: 100 cells
 * Zoom: None
 * Reload: None

The plasma pistol, although with weak looks and is often overlooked, can rip through overshields very quickly. It has two firing modes: little semi-auto bolts of plasma and a charged up shot. Overcharged shots are charged by holding the trigger for a second, and firing them by releasing the trigger. In theory, if there were five overshielded Spartans on a tank, one overcharged bolt of the plasma pistol on the tank would take out all of their shields and then a quick spray of assult rifle would finish each and every one of the Spartans instantly. Overcharged shots move slower than normal plasma bolts but slightly home in on their target. Overcharged shots overheat the gun once firing them, leaving your time for another shot hindered by 2 seconds. They easily hit an unsuspecting person, but can be easily dodged if seen. Keep in mind overcharged shots can quickly deplete the battery of the plasma pistol, so overcharge your shots only when necessary. On the other hand, semi-automatic bolts can by fired by a plasma pistol simply by pressing the trigger. When the Plasma Rifle's semi-automatic bolts hit a target, they stun the target for a short period of time, which can be useful if you are chasing an opponent and, once stunned, wish to melee the target on the back. Semi-automatic mode also suffers from overheating, as shooting a plasma rifle too quickly will also cause it to overheat.

An overcharged plasma pistol shot can deal a lot of damage to a vehicle and it's passengers.

Plasma rifle
Another common Covenant weapon. You'll usually find this on Elites, sometimes on Grunts. It's not quite as good as the Plasma Pistol, in that it fires slower and cannot be charged. However, the Plasma Pistol requires much attention by the player to achieve its higher firing rate, so the Rifle is more useful in situations where you need to concentrate on moving around. Be warned that this weapon can overheat.


 * Max. ammo: 100 cells
 * Zoom: None
 * Reload: None

Needler
The last common Covenant weapon and the only one that needs reloading. This weapon shoots slow homing "needles" that will explode after a short while of being stuck in something (or someone). It's not terribly useful and you'll probably only want it if you're out of ammo for everything you've got. The melee attack is the slowest in the game. However, on legendary mode, this weapon becomes a necessity against the fiendish elites, as it will home in and kill them if enough rounds are fired.


 * Clip size: 20 rounds
 * Max. ammo: 80 rounds
 * Reload: ~1.5 seconds
 * Zoom: None

Fuel rod cannon
A battery-powered mortar launcher that is great for taking out players in vehicles, or shooting over obstacles. This weapon is only available in the PC/Macintosh version of the game, and only appears in multiplayer. Be warned that this weapon can overheat.


 * Max. ammo: 100 cells
 * Reload: None
 * Zoom: None

Frag grenade
One of two types of grenades you can find. These will bounce around corners and explode in a fairly large radius, killing whatever happens to be near.


 * Max. ammo: 4 grenades
 * Detonation radius: ~8 metres
 * Timer: 2 seconds (starts on first bounce)

Plasma grenade
The Covenant's answer to frag grenades. These are about as powerful as Frags, but they don't bounce as much and will stick quite easily to enemies and friends alike if hit directly with them.


 * Max. ammo: 4 grenades
 * Detonation radius: ~8 metres
 * Timer: 3 seconds (starts on throw)