Armor customization (Halo 4)

For other uses, see armor permutations. Armor permutations are customizable features on the player character in Halo 4. More options are available than in previous titles.

Overview
Unlike in previous Halo titles, players can customize specific armor color skins such as camouflage patterns and other, more ostentatious designs. Players are able to customize the same areas that can be altered in Halo: Reach,with the exception of armor effects. The armor customization of the SPARTAN-IVs aboard the UNSC Infinity are based upon the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] model and some variants are upgrades of previous generational incarnations. In Halo 4 players are no longer able to use Elites in Matchmaking, or customize their armor as an emphasis was placed on "Infinity" multiplayer which focuses on SPARTAN-IV's.

In addition, unlike Halo: Reach but similar to Halo 3, pieces cannot simply be bought with in-game Credits. The rarer and more elaborate designs require specific completions of Commendations, Challenges, or Waypoint goals, while the rest are unlocked by reaching a specific Spartan Rank.

Trivia
Xbox Live Guest accounts are able to customize their appearance with any and all armor pieces unlocked by their host. This differs from previous titles, in which guests could change their emblem, colors, service tag and gender, but could not customize their armor.