This is a bit of a follow up to my previous post, regarding some research I did into Halo lore.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HaloStory/s/QImi8ERabn

So according to Halopedia, the plasma rifle has a muzzle velocity of 126 m/s or 413 ft/s. Assuming other plasma weapons have similar velocities, Covenant infantry weapons have disadvantages compared to UNSC weapons.

The Assault Rifle, the MA5 series, MA37, and MA40, fire the 7.62 x 51 millimeter round, which if it’s the same as our version (the 7.62 NATO round) that has a muzzle velocity of approximately 850 m/s or 2,800 ft/s for a 147 gr round. I can’t say for certain the exact velocity of the UNSC 7.62 because of lack of knowledge about the specific masses and designs of each variant of round, but for argument sake, let’s go with the example I provided.

As seen from history, weapons affect doctrine. So it would appear that the UNSC’s doctrine is to engage the enemy from a distance, using the significant higher velocities of their rounds to engage the enemy.

Conversely, Covenant infantry doctrine dictates to close with the enemy and engage in close range firefights, and if the FPS games are evidence for that, it appears to be quite accurate.

It could also be argued that the plasma projectiles of Covenant weapons move slow enough that you could ‘dodge’ them. Definitely not at close range, but over distance it might be possible.