Armor customization

Armor Permutations are a feature in Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach which let players customize their multiplayer character's armor to their liking. In Halo 3 and Halo: Reach, this feature allows players to change the helmet, shoulders, and chest armor pieces worn by their multiplayer character. Players also have the option of choosing between being a Spartan or Elite in multiplayer.

SPARTAN Armor Permutations
There is a wide variety of SPARTAN II armor permutations in Halo 3. Eleven helmets, eight shoulder pieces and eight chest pieces for a total of 5,632 different SPARTAN II armor permutation possibilities: One helmet, two shoulder pieces and one chest piece per permutation, not including the Bungie Armor Chest piece. It should be noted the Rogue, Mark V, and ODST armor only have helmet pieces and Security armor has both helmet and shoulder pieces but is in the absence of a chest permutation. The HAYABUSA Project includes the HAYABUSA and Katana permutations.

Elite Armor Permutations
There is a wide variety of Elite armor permutations with five helmets, five shoulder pieces and five chest pieces for a total of 625 different Sangheili armor permutations, with one helmet, two shoulder pieces, and a chest piece per permutation.

ODST Permutations
Halo 3: ODST features armor customization, though it is not as complex as Halo 3 ' s. One can play as each member of the squad having their own unique aesthetic Bungie-created armor. Players can choose primary and secondary armor colors, but the armor's main color remains the same. Players can also choose not to wear a helmet unless they are using the Rookie character model. Choosing not to wear a helmet does not affect gameplay. Without a helmet, the player still has the same health and stamina and they can still use VISR mode (which is odd, because there is obviously no way to use the VISR mode without a helmet).

Characters

 * Rookie: Unlocked by default.
 * Dare: Complete the Campaign on Legendary.
 * Buck: Unlock the Tayari Plaza Achievement.
 * Dutch: Unlock the Uplift Reserve Achievement.
 * Romeo: Unlock the NMPD HQ Achievement.
 * Mickey: Unlock the Kizingo Boulevard Achievement.
 * Sergeant Johnson: Came with the pre-order of Halo 3: ODST.

The Armory (Halo: Reach Permutations)
Halo: Reach offers a new and more an abundant amount of player customizations. As a new feature, the customized character will appear in Multiplayer as well as Campaign mode as Noble Six. Players will also be able to choose whether their character is male or female, which will change their body type. The Campaign and Firefight voice of the player can also be changed. There are ten available slots for armor customization in accordance with the attached picture for the section. The ten available slots customizable to SPARTANS feature the ordinary Helmet, Right and Left Shoulders, and Chest Pieces, returning from Halo 3. The only known new slots are the customization of the player's knee guards and Firefight voice. The remaining four armor customizing slots are currently unknown. Halo: Reach also grants players the ability to add various accessories to their armor, such as helmet cameras and bandoliers, which affect aesthetics only.

By winning or finishing Matchmaking games, getting Commendations, completing Achievements, or by completing daily and weekly challenges, players will be able to earn "credits" (cR) which will allow them to purchase new armor. Elite armor customization does not cost additional cR, but requires the player to reach a certain rank; for example, to obtain the armor of an Ultra Elite, the player must reach the rank of Warrant Officer.

Additionally, the Limited and Legendary Edition of Reach includes exclusive armor permutations/effects for your player character. The Limited Edition comes with the "Sangheili Officer" Elite permutation, while the Legendary Edition includes the aforementioned permutation, along with a SPARTAN "Flaming Head" effect. A redeemable token that gives the player access to the Recon Helmet will be bundled with the game to all sales made on the release date, and with all pre-orders outside of the United States. However, if the player is equipped with the Legendary exclusive flaming helmet effect, the flames will be visible during gameplay, but will not be shown in cinematics.

Trivia

 * There was originally going to be an Arbiter Armor Permutation in Halo 3, but it was taken out before the game ' s release. Bungie, however, did not explain why. The armor was thought going to be released as a DLC but was scrapped due to coding conflicts.
 * In Halo 3, the neck of an Elite (regardless what armor permutation used) is completely immune to any form of damage except for a charged Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol. In addition, the projectile will simply pass through the neck, as though the neck wasn't there, without a blood spatter. This is because both Elites and Spartans share the same hitbox (where you can hit the character), but have different models.
 * Each Elite also has a modified neck, whether sleek black, or a different model such as scale-like plating at the back.
 * Each edition of Reach includes different Armor Permutations. If one purchases the Limited Edition, they will receive the Elite officer armor. If one purchases the Legendary Edition, they unlock the ability to set their Spartan helmet piece on fire, much like Bungie Armor. If the game is pre-ordered anywhere in the world, or bought on the release date in the United States, it comes with the Recon helmet piece.