While the Halo series is primarily about wielding firearms to take down aliens and challenge organized religion, the most iconic weapon in the franchise isn’t a gun—it’s the energy sword.
You may remember first encountering the energy sword in 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved. Certain Elite warriors brandished what appeared to be a cyan lightsaber, seemingly crafted in Microsoft Paint. It quickly became clear that these luminous blades could take you out in one hit, slicing through the Master Chief’s advanced armor with alarming ease. While this instigated frustration, it also ignited a desire to wield one yourself—unfortunately, Bungie did not grant players that capability in the original game.
In 2004’s Halo 2, Bungie finally allowed players to experience the thrill of using the energy sword. From that moment on, it claimed the title of coolest weapon in the Halo universe, a distinction it has faithfully maintained for over two decades.
Since its debut, the energy sword has retained its classic design, despite many other Halo weapons undergoing significant transformations. With its sleek horizontal hilt and twin streams of bluish plasma twisting into sharp, curved blades, the energy sword has earned its status. When you attack with it, you lunge toward your enemy, usually scoring a one-hit kill. To ensure balance in gameplay, the sword only allows for about ten swings before depleting its battery—enough to give an advantage without rendering the user invincible.
In the multiplayer mode of Halo Infinite, the latest title in the series, the energy sword is classified as a “power weapon.” It respawns at extended intervals and can significantly influence the outcome of a match. Players have creatively utilized the energy sword in various ways, none of which are outright malicious, despite common perceptions. Some notable strategies include:
Skilled players, like pro competitor Tommy “Lucid” Wilson, often combine the energy sword with a long-range rifle to lure opponents into a false sense of security. In the original multiplayer trailer for Halo Infinite, one player spectacularly used the explosion from a plasma grenade to catapult the energy sword off a platform and catch it in midair to swiftly eliminate an adversary. Successfully executing this maneuver in a match grants you the Combat Evolved medal, and hearing the iconic announcement from long-time Halo voice actor Jeff Steitzer always evokes nostalgia. Due to its overwhelming effectiveness, 343 Industries opted to nerf the energy sword a year after Infinite’s release.
Despite these adjustments, the energy sword’s appeal remains undeniable. Its influence has extended beyond the confines of Halo games and into various other realms. You can find countless energy sword-themed trinkets on Etsy, and it’s not uncommon to spot a collection of wooden replicas at local renaissance fairs. Anecdotal evidence suggests that half of all Halo-related tattoos feature the energy sword. It has truly transcended its original context. Can the battle rifle boast the same? What about the gravity hammer?
Forget about the gravity hammer.
