Plasma rifle (Doom 2016)

The plasma rifle.

This article is about the weapon in Doom (2016). For other versions of this weapon, see:

• Plasma gun
• Plasma gun (Doom 3)
• Plasma rifle (Doom Eternal)

The plasma rifle weapon returns in the 2016 Doom. Based on an early 21st century high-intensity plasma gun design, it has been enhanced with Argent energy technology developed at the UAC Mars Base. After these enhancements, it has become a standard-issue equipment for many militaries and has obsoleted the heavy assault rifle. Its plasmoid projectiles cause damage through both kinetic and thermal energy. It has a high rate of fire, emitting small bright blue discrete spheres of plasma. Unlike previous versions of the weapon, the plasma spheres have a small blast damage effect. This can be substantially increased through use of the weapon's modified firing mode - a single larger plasma orb will be emitted which detonates in air, covering the nearby area in burning napalm-like plasma for a short period.

"A fully automatic rifle that fires pulses of super-heated plasma capable of dealing splash damage."

― SnapMap description

Modifications

Heat Blast

An attachment for the muzzle of the plasma rifle, this unit collects heat into a copper crucible, and can release it via transfer to a diffusion chamber. The resulting wave can knock back targets and causes damage over a small range. Normal use of the weapon will recharge this module. The UAC recommends use of protective gear by the operator when using this device.

Stun Bomb

A modification which combines multiple shots into a single larger projectile. It is said to generate Birkeland currents, a phenomenon associated with intense magnetic fields, via exceeding the "Franheiser limit," an apparently novel discovery in physics by the UAC. It stuns targets within the discharge radius for several seconds with its electromagnetic effects. It requires a cool-down period between firings.

Upgrades

Heat Blast

Super Heated Rounds

Shots build heat faster.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Improved Venting

Decreases recovery time between heat blast shots.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Expanded Threshold

The heat meter maximum is increased, allowing a higher range of damage.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Mastery - Heated Core

Unlocked by killing multiple enemies with a single heat blast 20 times. The heat meter is automatically charged over time, taking about 10 seconds to fully charge, and can even charge when in your inventory.

Stun Bomb

Quick Recharge

Decreases cool-down time between stun bombs.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Big Shock

Stun bombs have an increased area of effect.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Larger Stun

The stun induced by a stun bomb detonation lasts longer.

Cost: 1 / 3 / 5 weapon points

Mastery - Chain Stun

Unlocked by killing 30 enemies staggered by a stun bomb. Enemies killed while in the staggered state will explode with secondary stun bombs.

Multiplayer

The plasma rifle is one of the four weapons that are unlocked from the start. It is also included in the default Assault preset, being paired with the rocket launcher and the frag grenade.

Concept art

Concept art by Jon Lane and Bryan Flynn.

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  Base plasma rifle.

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  Plasma rifle modifications.

Pre-release

• During the E3 2015 presentation, the super shotgun displayed information for a "stun shot" modification of the plasma rifle. This was likely a bug in the game's HUD system that was repaired in the interim between that presentation and release.
• In the game's strings, the heat blast's development name was "Heatwave". It was reused later for the counterpart in the next game, according to The Art of DOOM: Eternal.
• In one of the tech demos provided by noclip, the plasma rifle has a completely different sound design.
• In the game's strings you can find mention of several unused weapon mods.
• In the hologram study video, a plasma rifle with a color scheme based on Jon Lane's concept art is seen. It can be found separately with textures in the game files.

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Trivia

• The plasma rifle model bears some resemblance to its Doom 3 counterpart, although it appears a bit bulkier and is tan in color, while the Doom 3 version is more black greyish in color.
• One of the cut modifications, the targeting barb, is similar in behavior to the alt-fire of the plasma rifle in Prodeus.