Ammunition Type: Crystalline Projectiles
Dual-wield: Yes
Damage: Low (individual needles) High (needler explosion)
Range: Medium
Accuracy: Medium/High (homing)
Rate of fire: High
Autofire capability: Yes
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Ammunition (Additional): 90 (3 Magazines)
Reload speed: Fast
Melee attack: Average
Headshot Capablility: No
Scope: None
Many players did not realize the true function of the Needler in Halo: Combat Evolved until they attempted the Legendary skill setting. On the default Normal level, the Needler appeared underpowered and eclipsed by better options. Legendary players, though, christened it the "Elite Killer": a weapon specifically suited to dispatching the Master Chief's most intelligent opponents. For Halo 2, the Needler has been upgraded. It is now a far more effective and entertaining weapon in general combat, especially when dual-wielded. It is also a very effective weapon against Brutes, due to the nature of damage described below.
The Needler fires crystalline projectiles that home in on targets over considerable ranges and bounce obliquely off obstacles. These needles are embedded on impact and detonate in an often deadly explosion of shards that, in the books, have devastating effects on Marines. If there are at least eight needles in a target, the explosion can be as deadly as a grenade. Similar to a plasma grenade, a needler explosion can also set off nearby grenades. This function is useful against Elites and Brutes, because the needles will penetrate the Elite's shield and the resulting explosion is an instant kill against most enemies. Due to the Brute's resilience to most weapons, this is an advantage.
The Needler uses a small, American football-shaped crystal that seems to function as the "clip." This "clip" can be seen in Halo: Combat Evolved in the level 343 Guilty Spark.
In multiplayer, this weapon is largely useless, as the slow moving needles can be easily dodged by any player who knows what they're doing. However, dual needlers can be entertaining; the player can spam the entire map with 60 pink needles. The most effective and entertaining way of using needlers is to dual wield two and attack from behind an opponent. This is especially practical on the map Beaver Creek. However, it is worthy of note that so many needles soaring and bouncing around will cause an awe-inspiring amount of lag.
Though the needler is poor in multiplayer combat, it can be very effective at finding hidden players in games of hide and seek due to its homing capabilities. It is also effective in taking out long range enemies that are unaware of your presence.
The needler is an okay weapon to have, particularly dual-wielded. It is basically a more powerful SMG: it does more damage and has a limited homing capability. When shooting an enemy, it is best to let out a stream and then run, it may not seem to do damage at first, but the projectile will explode after a few moments. Even from very far away needlers can be very lethal, the shield can be depleted in merely five rounds. From far away you can scan out an entire area with fire and it's very likely you will kill or seriously wound your target. The only thing that really makes the needler a bad choice is that it is slow to reload, it runs out of ammo rather fast due to its fast firing, and it can give away your position viewed from an angle or from the side. The needles are also slow to reach the target, making it particularly hard to hit them since they may see it coming. This can also be bad during quick fire fights, as it takes a while for your opponent to die, during which time it can fire off several more rounds.