Combat skin: Difference between revisions

{{Era|TF|H1}}

 

'''Combat Skin''' is a [[Forerunner]] term relating to body armor (either generally or in reference to powered armor). The Forerunners had a classification system for combat skins, running from Class 1 to at least Class 12. According to [[343 Guilty Spark]], the [[MJOLNIR Armor]] Mark V is ranked on this scale as Class 2.<ref>[[Halo: The Flood]], page 240</ref>

Not much is known about Combat Skin. The term first comes up in [[Halo]] in the level [[Library (Level)|Library]] when [[343 Guilty Spark]] wonders why the [[Master Chief]] had brought "such ineffective weapons" to combat the [[Flood]], and recommends that the Chief upgrades from the [[MJOLNIR armor]], which, according to some Forerunner ranking system, the criteria of which is not gone into, is only '''Class 2''', which Guilty Spark says is ill suited to combat the Flood. (Note: This takes place before the upgrade mentioned in the beginning of the [[Halo 2]] game). He suggests that Master Chief upgrade to at least a '''Class 12 Combat Skin'''.

 

Also in ''Halo:The Flood'' the Prophet that is stationed on Halo tells 'Zamamee that his armor is from Forerunner technology.

Because so little is mentioned about combat skins, there is much speculation about exactly what the combat skin rating indicates. The obvious interpretation is that the combat skin ranking system measures raw power, and that a class 12 combat skin is 10 ranks higher in protection and power than a class 2. This happens to be Master Chief's interpretation; "If there's a battle suit six times more powerful than the MJOLNIR armor, I'll be first in line to try it on."<ref>[[Halo: The Flood]], page 240</ref>

Another interpretation is that the class system does not measure raw power, but rather classifies armor by its role. Later in the game, 343 talks about the Flood changing the atmosphere and says "Your Environment Suit should serve you well..." It could be a class 2 combat skin functions well as an environment suit, whereas a class 12 combat skin is specifically designed for combating the Flood.

The difference in nomenclature has led some to believe that the two items 343 refers to are different, i.e. armor is an "environment suit" and the body is the "combat skin." Another theory posits that "environment suit" and "combat skin" could be synonyms; another states that a combat skin may also be an environment suit. An example: a HAZMAT suit is an environment suit, but has no further use in combat, while a suit of Kevlar provides physical protection but no environmental protection. The Master Chief's "combat skin" also functions as an "environment suit;" this can overlap with other theories, as a useful environment suit may lack in either pure power or suitability for its role in combat.

[[Category:Weapons]][[Category:The Forerunner]]