Halo CE Remake Weapons Database — Complete Weapon Stats and Guide

Quick Answer

The Halo CE Remake weapons database covers every confirmed UNSC and Covenant weapon from the original Halo: Combat Evolved. The core arsenal includes the MA5B Assault Rifle, M6D Magnum, M90 Shotgun, SRS99 Sniper Rifle, M19 Rocket Launcher, Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle, Needler, Energy Sword, and Fuel Rod Gun. The remake may expand this roster with weapons from later Halo titles. All stats below are based on the original CE sandbox — remake values may be adjusted.

UNSC Weapons

MA5B Assault Rifle

Stat	Value
Type	Fully Automatic Rifle
Magazine Size	60 rounds
Max Ammo	600 rounds (10 magazines)
Fire Rate	~900 RPM
Damage per Shot	Low
Effective Range	Short-Medium
Best Against	Grunts, Flood infection forms, close-quarters combat
Headshot Capable	No

Overview: The MA5B is your starting weapon and workhorse for close-to-medium range combat. Its high rate of fire and large magazine make it excellent for suppressing Grunts and clearing Flood infection forms. Accuracy degrades significantly with sustained fire — use controlled bursts at medium range.

M6D Magnum (Pistol)

Stat	Value
Type	Semi-Automatic Pistol
Magazine Size	12 rounds
Max Ammo	120 rounds (10 magazines)
Fire Rate	Semi-automatic (~180 RPM)
Damage per Shot	Very High
Effective Range	All ranges
Best Against	Elites (headshots), Hunters (back shot), Jackals, all precision targets
Headshot Capable	Yes (2x damage multiplier)

Overview: The M6D is arguably the most powerful starting weapon in FPS history. It's effective at all ranges, features a 2x scope, and kills unshielded enemies in one headshot. On Legendary, it's the most important weapon in the game. The 3-shot kill (2 to body, 1 to head) against Elites makes it indispensable.

Pro Tip

The M6D Magnum is the single most important weapon to master in Halo CE. If you can consistently land headshots with it, you can handle any encounter in the game.

M90 Shotgun

Stat	Value
Type	Pump-Action Shotgun
Magazine Size	12 shells
Max Ammo	60 shells (5 reloads)
Fire Rate	~60 RPM (pump-action)
Damage per Shot	Extreme (close range)
Effective Range	Very Short
Best Against	Flood combat forms, close-range Elites, Hunters
Headshot Capable	No (pellet spread)

Overview: The M90 Shotgun is the definitive close-range weapon and your best friend during Flood missions. At point-blank range, one shot kills almost anything. Its effectiveness drops dramatically with distance due to pellet spread — get as close as possible before firing.

SRS99 Sniper Rifle

Stat	Value
Type	Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle
Magazine Size	4 rounds
Max Ammo	24 rounds (6 magazines)
Fire Rate	~30 RPM (bolt-action)
Damage per Shot	Extreme
Effective Range	Infinite
Best Against	Elites (headshots), Jackals (any hit), Hunters (back shot)
Headshot Capable	Yes (instant kill)
Scope	2x and 10x magnification

Overview: The SRS99 delivers one-shot kills to the head on any difficulty. Its slow fire rate and limited ammo mean every shot must count. Use the 10x scope for long-distance engagement and the 2x scope for medium-range precision shots.

M19 Rocket Launcher

Stat	Value
Type	Rocket Launcher
Magazine Size	2 rockets
Max Ammo	8 rockets (4 reloads)
Fire Rate	~30 RPM
Damage per Shot	Extreme (area effect)
Effective Range	All ranges
Best Against	Vehicles (Wraiths, Banshees, Ghosts), groups of enemies, Hunters
Headshot Capable	N/A
Tracking	None (dumb-fire)

Overview: The M19 delivers devastating area damage. It fires unguided rockets — lead your targets and aim at the ground near fast-moving enemies. The 2-rocket magazine means you'll reload frequently; make both shots count.

Covenant Weapons

Plasma Pistol

Stat	Value
Type	Semi-Automatic / Charge Plasma Pistol
Battery	100 energy units (200 with overcharge)
Max Ammo	500 energy units
Normal Fire Rate	~360 RPM
Overcharge	Tracks targets, drains ~15% battery per shot
Damage (Normal)	Low
Damage (Overcharge)	High shield damage + EMP on vehicles
Best Against	Shields (overcharge strips all shields), vehicles (EMP stuns)
Headshot Capable	No

Overview: The Plasma Pistol's normal fire is unremarkable, but its overcharge shot is a game-changer. A charged shot tracks enemies and instantly strips any Elite's shields. The EMP effect also temporarily disables vehicles. This makes it the ultimate support weapon — overcharge, switch, and finish with a precision weapon.

Pro Tip

The Plasma Pistol + Magnum combo is the most efficient Elite-killing method in the game. Charge → release overcharge → instantly switch to Magnum → headshot. Practice the timing and you'll kill Elites before they can react.

Plasma Rifle

Stat	Value
Type	Fully Automatic Plasma Rifle
Battery	100 energy units
Max Ammo	400 energy units
Fire Rate	~540 RPM
Damage per Shot	Medium (bonus vs shields)
Effective Range	Short-Medium
Best Against	Elite shields, Grunts, close-quarters Covenant
Headshot Capable	No

Overview: The Plasma Rifle strips shields faster than any other weapon and doesn't require charging like the Plasma Pistol. Its projectiles have travel time, making it less effective at range. Excellent as a dedicated shield-stripping weapon paired with a precision sidearm.

Needler

Stat	Value
Type	Tracking Crystal Launcher
Magazine Size	20 needles
Max Ammo	80 needles (4 reloads)
Fire Rate	~300 RPM
Damage per Needle	Low
Super-Combine	7 needles → explosion (ignores shields)
Effective Range	Medium
Best Against	Slow/stationary Elites, Grunt groups
Headshot Capable	No (super-combine explosion)

Overview: The Needler fires homing crystalline projectiles. Land 7 needles on a target and they super-combine into a devastating explosion that ignores shields entirely. Underappreciated by many players, the Needler is a legitimate Elite-killer — especially against Elites who stand still to fire.

Energy Sword

Stat	Value
Type	Energy Melee Weapon
Battery	100 energy units
Max Ammo	N/A (battery depletes per swing)
Swings per Full Charge	~10-15
Damage per Swing	Instant kill
Effective Range	Melee only
Best Against	Everything in melee range
Lunge	Forward dash on swing

Overview: One hit kills anything in melee range. Limited battery means you can't use it indefinitely. In the original CE, the Energy Sword was enemy-only in campaign. The remake may make it a usable weapon, matching later Halo titles.

Weapon Tier List

Tier	Weapons	Notes
S-Tier	M6D Magnum, M90 Shotgun, SRS99 Sniper Rifle	Best-in-class; essential on higher difficulties
A-Tier	M19 Rocket Launcher, Plasma Pistol (overcharge)	Situation-defining power; the right tool for specific threats
B-Tier	MA5B Assault Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Needler	Solid performers; effective in their intended roles
C-Tier	Plasma Pistol (normal fire)	Weak outside of overcharge use

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best weapon in Halo CE?

The M6D Magnum is widely considered the best weapon in the game. It's effective at all ranges, kills unshielded enemies in one headshot, features a 2x scope, has generous ammo capacity, and remains effective on every difficulty including Legendary.

How many weapons can I carry?

Halo CE uses a 2-weapon system. You can carry exactly two weapons at any time, plus up to 8 grenades (4 frag, 4 plasma). This forces strategic weapon choices throughout each mission.

Do weapons work differently against shields vs. health?

Yes. Plasma weapons (Plasma Pistol, Plasma Rifle) deal bonus damage to energy shields but reduced damage to health. Human ballistic weapons (Magnum, AR, Shotgun) are neutral against shields but deal full damage to health and can score headshots.

Will the remake add new weapons?

Industry speculation suggests the remake may expand the weapon sandbox with weapons from later Halo titles (Battle Rifle, DMR, SMG, Spartan Laser). Nothing is confirmed, but an expanded arsenal is one of the most commonly requested features.

Can I dual-wield weapons?

Dual-wielding was introduced in Halo 2 (2004) and was not a feature of the original Halo CE. The remake may or may not include dual-wielding — it's a point of debate among fans. Some argue it would change the CE sandbox too drastically.