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Z-110 Directed Energy Pistol/Exotic
Production information
Manufacturer	Forerunners
Model	Z-110
Type	Directed Energy Pistol
Technical specifications
Size	Handheld
Magazine Size	10 rounds
Fire Mode	Semi-Automatic/Alt. Charged Blast
Ammunition Type	Hardlight
Rate of Fire	High
Accuracy	Moderate to Poor
Range	Short to Medium
Usage
Era(s)	Human-Forerunner war Forerunner-Flood war Post war era
Counterpart	M6 Series Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol
Affiliation	Ecumene
[Source]

The Z-110 Directed Energy Pistol/Exotic, known in game as the Boltshot,^[1] is a Promethean Forerunner pistol featured in Halo 4. It can be used as a secondary weapon for War Games and Spartan Ops loadouts, and can be found throughout the campaign. It made its first appearance as an unnamed weapon in the Halo Waypoint UNSC weapons demonstration.^[2] As close-range precision weapon, it excels at destroying organic matter.

HistoryEdit

The Boltshot was originally used during the first century of the conflict between the Forerunners and the Flood. It remained in use when the war ended two centuries later, and during the Requiem conflicts.

Design DetailsEdit

The Boltshot is a Forerunner Promethean pistol-type weapon which fires concentrated 'bolts' of hard light.

The Boltshot has two firing modes: standard and a charged burst. Using the standard mode of fire, it takes 10 shots to drop a player's shield, and takes 3-4 shots to kill a player. It can also kill an unshielded player instantly with a shot to the head.

Holding the trigger down will charge the weapon. Continuing to hold the trigger for about 2 seconds, or releasing the trigger manually will cause the burst shot to release. This burst can kill a shielded player from point-blank range to a few meters, although its damage is inconsistent and drops quickly at range. Projectiles from this charged shot cannot cause headshots. This charged shot uses 5 bolts to fire the first blast, while the second charged shot will take the clip to empty. (Although the first charged shot uses 5 bolts of ammo, the second charged shot can fire with at least one bolt in the clip, bringing the clip to empty after the second charged shot. For example, if 3 shots were fired, and then a burst shot, there would be 2 bolts left in the magazine. If there was 5 bolts left in the magazine, and the player fired 4, they could still use the last bolt to fire a full power charged shot. This means a player could fire a burst, then 4 shots, and a second burst, all in one magazine.) A burst that uses less than 5 bolts appears to have the same number of projectiles, and do the same amount of damage as a blast that uses 5 bolts.

The weapon is found throughout most of the campaign and in many Spartan Ops missions, being dropped from the standard Promethean Crawler, and the Promethean Watcher.^[3][4]

AmmunitionEdit

The Boltshot, like most Promethean weapons, fires a 'bolt' or 'shot' of hard light. Hard light is a Forerunner technology which inexplicably transforms normal light into a solid shape, forming a 'projectile' of light. This technology is not found in just Promethean weapons. Some Forerunner, structures, and installations such as bridges and consoles are made of hard light. There is also the Hardlight Shield.

AdvantagesEdit

The boltshot is unique among other weapons in that it acts like both a pistol and a shotgun in one. It excels at acquiring headshots, which makes it effective against Promethean Crawlers, Grunts, and Jackals. Its burst shot can be used to take out a Promethean Knight, Promethean Watcher, or Elite usually within two shots at point blank range. 

DisadvantagesEdit

One of the disadvantages of the Boltshot is that it is generally very weak overall. It requires about one full magazine to bring down an opponent's shield and another shot in the head to finish them off. That, and coupled with the fact that it has very little max ammo (only 30 shots), means this is NOT an effective primary weapon. Thus, it is best reserved as a backup weapon or when no other ammo (or weapon) is available. It is also not recommended for mid to long range distances as the rounds do not impact instantaneously.

TacticsEdit

Although the Boltshot is not recommended as a primary weapon, it does have its uses, and can become quite handy.

CampaignEdit

• When no other ranged weapon is available, or to conserve ammo- use this weapon to headshot Grunts, Jackals, and Promethean Crawlers.
• When facing an Elite or Promethean Knight, it is best to carefully close in on it (at point blank range) and unleash the burst functionality, followed by a headshot or melee if needed.  The same can also be done against Promethean Watchers. 
• Couple this with a primary weapon such a the MA5D to create a fairly versitle weapons loadout.

MultiplayerEdit

Although it is not recommended to use this weapon in Multiplayer, as there are many other weapons that can easily overpower someone with a Boltshot, it can prove useful:

• Use it to lower or finish off an opponent's Energy Shield.
• Use it to headshot someone after lowering their shield with a more powerful weapon.
• Get up close or behind them and use the burst functionality to kill their shield, follow up with a headshot or melee.

AppearancesEdit

• Halo 4 (First appearance)

GalleryEdit

The Boltshot as it appeared in the Halo Waypoint demonstration. A Boltshot render with a custom weapon skin. A lateral view of the Boltshot. Charging a shot. The weapon coming apart to be reloaded. Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

TriviaEdit

• Watchers can fire charged shots at close ranges, although such behavior is rare, due to the Watcher's mobility and skittishness under fire.
• This is likely either the predecessor of the Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol, or what the weapon was based on, as most Covenant weapons were based on the technology of the Forerunners.
• The Z-110 is the third weapon in the Halo series that is capable of a headshot but does not include a zoom function, the first two being the M6C seen in Halo 2 and the M6G seen in Halo 3, which are both dual-wieldable and therefore cannot support a zoom function.
• As of the February Title update, the Boltshot's range has been drastically reduced.

SourcesEdit