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This topic has moved here: Subject: How does the Needler/Needle Rifle not explode?
  • Subject: How does the Needler/Needle Rifle not explode?
Subject: How does the Needler/Needle Rifle not explode?

Online ID: GriffGraff15

To my knowledge, the Needles subercombined if too many of them are close together, which causes them to detonate in a synergistic explosion.

But how can the Needler/Needle Rifle not explode? Especially the Needler since all 80 or so Needles are stored inside the Needler at the same time as opposed to the NR's Needle Canisters.

  • 02.13.2011 8:58 AM PDT

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Maybe some catalyst (either another material or energy) is added during firing to create the desired effect.

  • 02.13.2011 9:01 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Just by looking at the design of the weapons you can clearly see that every needle stack is well separated from the other, thus one can assume they never touch each other.

The larger needles on the outside of the weapon are most likely cut down after a while to produce said amount of rounds.

Makes sense to me.

  • 02.13.2011 9:13 AM PDT

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  • 02.13.2011 9:13 AM PDT

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Posted by: Crucio
Just by looking at the design of the weapons you can clearly see that every needle stack is well separated from the other, thus one can assume they never touch each other.

The larger needles on the outside of the weapon are most likely cut down after a while to produce said amount of rounds.

Makes sense to me.

The only problem with your theory is the needler ammo crystals from Halo CE. The large crystals have significantly more mass than the needles required for a supercombine, meaning that these would have simply exploded, making my catalyst theory more likely.

  • 02.13.2011 9:39 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Well by looking at the ammo crystals, hmm its hard to say, maybe they are encased in a crystal looking container?
Honestly I think Bungie took the raw Needler ammo out of the games for a reason. You may be right, Bungie might have noticed this flaw in ammo design.

As for the needles placed on and inside the gun casing, I think it still stands that they are separated for stability.

[Edited on 02.13.2011 9:53 AM PST]

  • 02.13.2011 9:49 AM PDT

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I would guess the needler/weapon "activates" the crystal somehow before it is fired.

I would assume electric current or magnetic field.

[Edited on 02.13.2011 10:00 AM PST]

  • 02.13.2011 9:50 AM PDT


Posted by: CTN 0452 9
The only problem with your theory is the needler ammo crystals from Halo CE. The large crystals have significantly more mass than the needles required for a supercombine, meaning that these would have simply exploded, making my catalyst theory more likely.


It could also be the shock from impact that primes them to explode. The crystal could have a structure that destabilizes and starts the reaction.

It can also be part of the IFF that allows them to track enemies. Just like the plasma grenade, it knows when it's hit an enemy, and primes for explosion at that time.

They're a very complex ammunition. It's a solid crystal that's broken down into a shard. That shard is capable of extended flight, and course correction. It can track an enemy, and avoid allies. Then we have the whole explosive side, and supercombine effect.

  • 02.13.2011 9:53 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Hmm good thinking on part of the needler tracking system.
I would surmise that the needle crystals have somewhat of magnetic property or is used in the same fashion as plasma bolts from Covenant ships and weapons. Covenant ships were explained to have been using magnetic energy to control plasma bolt trajectory.

The needler could have the same technology, considering the you must have the reticule aimed at your target for the needles to track.

  • 02.13.2011 9:58 AM PDT

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Posted by: IListen2No1isme
its a video game


Why do you people give answers like this in the universe fourm, where all of us talk and argue and thoerize about canon?

Anyways, I think I know how.

If you look at the front of the needler "barral", you'll see a pink-purple plasma arc in front, like the plasma rifle and pistol.

You know how some crystals here on earth respond in odd ways to electric charges or even produce one when struck (quartz does the latter, for example)?

Perhaps the crystal passing trough the plasma arc somehow causes a reaction that causes the needles to burst.

In fact, we see a pink gas inside of the cyrstals right? wouldn't it be likely that this is a result of the former, and the buildup of this gas (perhaps melted cyrstal, perhaps a chemical reaction) causes the burst.

  • 02.13.2011 10:18 AM PDT

Catalyst effect?

  • 02.13.2011 10:22 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Hmm I never looked that closely JABBERWOCK xeno.
Good observation. That makes sense to me, so then the needles pass trough a plasma/electric arc thus activating their explosive qualities and creating a magnetic tracking field.

Perhaps for good measure the needles are put in separated chambers inside the gun as well, to prevent freak accidents.

  • 02.13.2011 10:24 AM PDT

"Concise and devoid of elegance...what I have come to expect from human communication"-Endless Summer

The needles explode when EMBEDDED in something and close together. Otherwise they won't explode.

  • 02.14.2011 9:14 PM PDT

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I had an idea concerning that. I thought maybe the electrical currents of a person's nervous center causes them all to pulsate at the same frequency (you know, the electric effect you see in the crystals) and it causes a symbiotic chain reaction of sorts and causes them explode once they reach critical mass in the target.

Also, it could just a product of the realignment the crystals undergo when being forced through the weapon itself.

  • 02.15.2011 7:25 AM PDT

Remember Elk

Maybe they get ''activated'' upon firing? like passes a device in the barrle arming them.

  • 02.15.2011 7:29 AM PDT
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"The facepalm required to respond to this would be so gargantuan that I fear it would destroy me." -Urk

Dekar, one thing though, supercombine works on dead bodies.

  • 02.15.2011 12:53 PM PDT

It works by the same IFF mechanism that allows them to home in on hostiles but not friendlies. Once the amount of crystal and gas embedded on soft tissue reaches critical mass, it detonates explosively.

[Edited on 02.15.2011 1:05 PM PST]

  • 02.15.2011 1:04 PM PDT

maybe the chemicals used in the needles react to blood, creating a small spark. When multiple of them combine the effect grows. By the time the 15th needle is put in they will supercombine

  • 02.15.2011 1:14 PM PDT

Don't worry, you're still your mom's favorite Bnet member.

Something must happen to them when they're fired, like a catalyst.

  • 02.15.2011 1:18 PM PDT

Posted by: SH4D0W0733
Maybe they get ''activated'' upon firing? like passes a device in the barrle arming them.

This maybe.

  • 02.15.2011 1:29 PM PDT
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Posted by: IListen2No1isme
its a video game

  • 02.18.2011 9:59 PM PDT
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I like the Mk V armor.

Likely a chemical seperating the particles unil they exit the...muzzle.

  • 02.18.2011 10:34 PM PDT
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I like the Mk V armor.


Posted by: Overlord Louis
maybe the chemicals used in the needles react to blood, creating a small spark. When multiple of them combine the effect grows. By the time the 15th needle is put in they will supercombine

They work on synthetics like sentinels.

  • 02.18.2011 10:35 PM PDT