The Focus Rifle is a long, slender weapon that bears the unmistakable aesthetics of a Covenant weapon designed for Sangheili. The stock contains the bulk of its control electronics and the rechargeable capacitors (or “batteries”) that power the weapon. Ahead of the ergonomic – for Sangheili – grip is the targeting scope, coil set, and, of course, the Sentinel-pattern plasma generator core wrapped in Covenant control devices and power converters. The barrel of the weapon is an elongated firing channel, through which superheated plasma energy is electromagnetically directed and accelerated.
The precision beam emitted by the Focus Rifle is unusual, as it requires an extended dwell time to kill shielded or heavily armored targets. This makes the rifle more suited for ranged suppression and anti-Flood operations than its presumed role as a sniper weapon. Furthermore, the rifle emits a highly visible beam and its distinctive noise is difficult to conceal.