Type-54 Directed Energy Pistol

The is the primary pistol of the USR. Though it has seen dwindling numbers as of late, it is still widely used amongst them, and their protectorates.

Description
The Type-25 DEP has been in use with the Covenant for years before the Great War. It was the standard sidearm of officers equipped with weapons such as Carbines or specialists with long ranged weapons. It was also widely used by the Unggoy, Kig-Yar and Yanme'e client races as a standard issue weapon, being a moderately effective weapon when deployed in mass numbers, and dangerous when deployed in skilled hands. Due to the ease of manufacture, it can be mass produced in startling numbers when needed, as there are vast surplus amounts left after the war.

The Plasma Pistol has moderate accuracy and damage, firing medium velocity bolts that, at short range, can cause significant damage. However, its true power lies in its ability to charge up, and generate a larger plasma burst. This impulse is large enough to benefit from the weak on-board magnetic guidance system, which can lock onto thermal targets and fire and short range blast. This discharge produces significantly more damage, but also generates significant electromagnetic fall out, generating an EM pulse like effect. This can be used to great effect against enemy materiel, heavy infantry with energy shields and even vehicles. Due to this utility, many Sangheili still use it as their side arm, giving them a vital edge against an opponent using a energy shield. Because of this anti-shielding/anti-armour capability, its also used by UNSC special forces, as a light weight alternative to EMP munitions and more accurate alternatives to EMP grenades. Versions imported by UNSC for use by SOCOM forces are usually modified with flip up gun sights.