Forum:Updated weapons during the first missions in Halo 4

I've always wondered if there would be a canon explanation as to why the Master Chief encounters all of the updated UNSC weaponry of 2557 during the first three missions of Halo 4 (before the Infinity arrives). While we know that the MA5D was around for quite a while, it's still odd to figure that all of the assault rifles found on the FUD were MA5Ds. Master Chief also encounters BR85s, M6Hs, and the new model of the Warthog. While the M6H was known to be around since at least 2552, we have no idea when the BR85 was created and we do know that this new model of Warthog was manufactured in 2554. I know that it's not very practical on 343's part to add the MA5C, BR55HB SR, M6G, and former Warthog model in the game just for the beginning missions in campaign, but I'm wondering as to whether there is an actual, "mentally gymnastic" way we could implement this into canon, or if we should just write this off as "pretending" that these models are the older versions as we use them (just like how the Marines in the last mission of Reach were using MA37s instead of MA5Bs).-- Fluffy Emo Penguin ( ice quack! ) 20:37, 26 February 2013 (EST)


 * It's essentially the latter. At least they took care to not include DMRs aboard the Dawn until "Infinity". Tuckerscreator (stalk ) 21:14, 26 February 2013 (EST)


 * I agree with Tuckerscreator from a Doylist perspective. Using only one model each was simply a pragmatic approach to game development. On that note, it's fairly easy to pretend that the MA5D is a C, that the M6H is a G, and that the Warthog is an earlier model. However, I have a theory about the battle rifle, which looks vastly different from its Halo 3-era predecessor.


 * I've already explained my fanwank for the BR85 here, but I'll condense it. The 2010 reprint of First Strike states that the CASTLE Base battle rifle has an integrated optics rail: the 85 has a built-in Picatinny rail, unlike the 55 ' s drilling and tapping. Fred regards the weapon as "the BR55's newest version," but that could have been his assumption rather than an indication that it really was an updated BR55. Because of this, I like to think that the BR85 was being tested by summer 2552. As for why the Dawn would carry BR85s, keep in mind that the 11th MFR/ODST were launching an expedition to who-knows-where. They were probably outfitted with top-of-the-line toys for their little vacation outside the galaxy; well, they don't use them in Halo 3 but you get the idea. --Courage never dies. (talk) 23:36, 26 February 2013 (EST)