Editing Sidekick

{{Main|Mk50 Sidekick}}

Manufactured by [[Emerson Tactical Systems]], the [[Mk50 Sidekick]] is a semi-automatic handgun in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces. Described as "powerful and compact", it fires 10mm rounds from a detachable box magazine that typically holds 12 rounds. It differs significantly from the [[M6 series]], the UNSC's most prominent sidearm, lacking the M6's signature hand-guard and [[Smart-linking|smart-linked optic]], the [[KFA-2 x2]], while also firing a lower calibre round. The weapon usually sports an olive green and matte black finish.{{Ref/Game|Id=HIMK50|HI|[[weapon]]: Mk50 Sidekick}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Monster|URL=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/08/31/xbox-monster-energy-promotion/|Site=Xbox Wire|Page=Bank Now, Play Later: Halo Infinite Meets Monster Energy Global Partnership|D=6|M=8|Y=2021}}

The Mk50 Sidekick entered production at some point before [[2559]]. By December 2559, the weapon was in service with UNSC forces aboard the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, and saw action at the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]]. In [[2560|the following year]], the weapon was again used at [[Installation 07|the ring]].{{Ref/Game|HI|[[campaign]]}}

File:HINF NewSidekick.png|link=Mk50 Sidekick|'''[[Mk50 Sidekick]]'''<br/>{{Small|''[[Halo Infinite]]''}}

The Sidekick is a [[Weapon class#Pistol|pistol]] first introduced in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', which works well as a general-purpose sidearm to supplement the player's primary weapon. Featured in both [[campaign]] and [[multiplayer]], it can be found very commonly in both modes and is frequently part of the player's standard loadout. Shots from the Sidekick do relatively little damage but can be fired rapidly at the cost of significant [[bloom]]. The Sidekick can function well as a primary weapon in the hands of a skilled player, though as its name suggests, it is most effective when paired with another weapon. This allows the player to strip the opponent's shields with the main weapon, then switch to the Sidekick and finish them with a [[headshot]].{{Ref/Reuse|HIMK50}}

Most notable of these is the [[Magnum]], another pistol first introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''. Like the Sidekick, it is a [[precision weapon]] capable of headshots, though in most iterations it had a longer range and less [[bloom]], at the cost of not being able to fire as rapidly as the Sidekick. Most similar to the Sidekick is ''Halo 2''{{'}}s iteration, which lacked a scope and dealt very little damage, but could be fired incredibly rapidly. Two variants of the Magnum are also of note when comparing the Sidekick: the [[Automag]] and [[Gunfighter Magnum]]. The ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' iteration of the Automag could fire at a comparable rate to the ''Halo 2'' Magnum, similar to the Sidekick, but unlike the Sidekick, was ineffective against shields and had a very large zoom range. The Gunfighter Magnum is in many ways a direct predecessor to the Sidekick, having appeared in the preceding game to ''Infinite'', ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. It has a short zoom distance, but fires incredibly fast and takes a comparable number of shots to kill.

On the [[Covenant]] side, the [[Plasma Pistol]] is the only notable comparison. It was first introduced in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and has changed significantly between games, but generally, it has a high rate of fire, though its plasma projectiles are slow and deal little damage. Unlike the Sidekick, the Plasma Pistol is not capable of headshots. It also features a second firing mode, which requires a brief charging time, but fires a powerful projectile that can break most enemy's energy shields in a single hit, and in most games, briefly disables vehicles.

Finally, the [[Forerunner]]s have the [[Boltshot]], a weapon first introduced in ''[[Halo 4]]''. In its initial appearance, it was a precision hitscan weapon, with a high rate of fire but a limited magazine and low damage, making it similar in many ways to the Sidekick. However, it also featured a secondary firing mode, which fired a shotgun-like blast capable of killing enemy players in a single hit. The weapon was significantly changed in ''Halo 5: Guardians'', firing a burst of three slow-moving tracking projectiles with each trigger pull, and entirely removing the secondary firing mode.

==Variants==

*Striker Sidekick: Increased magazine size from 12 to 14. Higher accuracy and damage.  

File:HINF Weapon Mk50 Sidekick.png|First-person view of the Sidekick, prior to its redesign.