MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B]

SPARTAN-B312 wearing the Mark V[B] helmet without additional upgrades or attachments.

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V[B] is a variant of the Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.

Background

Along with the Mark V[M] and Mark VI[A] variants, the Mark V[B] is designed and manufactured by private organizations hired by the UNSC rather than developed by the UNSC specifically, due to numerous problems with funding. The Mark V[B] entered service in 2551 along with the standard Mark V armor set.^[1] However, components of the [B] variant were issued exclusively to members of SPECWAR Group Three, where the Mark V[B] served as the default helmet for Spartans.

Notable users of the Mark V[B] helmet include Thom-293 and SPARTAN-B312.^[2]

Characteristics

The helmet is the only component of the Mark V[B] that has been specifically named and identified in the armory. The rest of the default suit of armor appears to be a graphically updated version of the standard Mark V suit without the shoulders, which can be purchased separately.^{[note 1]}

Helmet

Price: N/A, Default option
The Mark V[B] helmet is similar to the standard Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, with a few key differences. The helmet has a sleeker design, resembling both the standard Mark V helmet and the ODST helmet, and seems to be somewhat of a combination of the two. Whilst the rear of the helmet is similar to the Mark V, the front strongly resembles the ODST helmet's triangular jaw guard and rounded top, with a flatter visor shape.

This helmet is the starting helmet for all players, and is purchased and equipped by default. Currently, there are two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet; the UA (up-armored) upgrade for 750 cR (This is a combination of both of the Beta upgrades); and the UA/HUL, for 1500 cR, which adds an External Hardened Uplink to the right side of the helmet, redesigned from the Beta.

Trivia

In the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, there were two upgrades available for the Mark V[B] helmet. An External Command Network Module or "CNM", standard issue to Special Force unit commanders (1000 cR), and an External Hardened Uplink or "HUL", required for sensitive operations (5000 cR).^[3]
While both the Mark V[B] and FJ/PARA shoulder pauldrons were present in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, the Mark V[B] shoulders were changed to the FJ/PARA variant in the final game. Currently, the Mark V[B] has no shoulder pauldron permutations.^[4]^[5]
The CNM and HUL attachments as seen in the Beta were merged into a single attachment, the UA upgrade, for the final game. The HUL is now an additional camera/sensor-like attachment on the side of the helmet, rather than being located on the top.
In the Beta, both the helmet's attachments were implied to be intelligence gathering/communications devices; however, in the final game, it appears that the first of these upgrades is just extra armor added to the helmet for increased protection.
The UA attachment from the beta strongly resembles the classic MJOLNIR sun visor, seen on both the Mark V and Mark VI helmets.
The UA/Multi-threat chest plate was previously seen in the Beta as the Scout chest plate, purchasable for 200 cR. The Beta version lacked the grenade belt.
The Mark V[B] has a built in night vision device.
Unlike the mainstream MJOLNIR armor, the characteristic protrusions behind the shoulders blend more smoothly into the back piece and are much shorter.

Gallery

Default Noble 6.png

A Spartan wearing the Mark V[B].
A Spartan with the Mark V[B] helmet.
MJOLNIR Mk. V B.png

MJOLNIR Mk. V[B] with the up-armored upgrade attached.
Up-armored Mark V[B] worn by Thom-293.
The base Mark V[B], and its two upgrades.
The Mark V[B] shoulder plate as seen in Halo: Reach Beta Armory. Note that the pauldron is a part of the FJ/PARA variant in the final game.
Reach concept-MkV(B).jpg

Concept art of the Mark V[B] helmet.
The Mark V[B] worn by SPARTAN-B312 with a UA attachment

List of appearances

Halo: Reach
Deliver Hope

Notes

^ In Dr. Halsey's personal journal, several drawings depicting the default Mark V suit (e.g. a picture of John-117 on the August 12, 2552 page), show that the suit is identical to the in-game default armor. In the John-117 in cryo easter egg in Halo: Reach, John-117 is seen wearing the default armor as well. Additionally, in Halo Waypoint's "Defiant to the End" video, where in-game assets are used to depict events shown in the novels, SPARTAN-II characters are seen wearing the default armor, implying that it is indeed the graphically updated look of the Mark V. Based on this, it can be concluded that the default armor in Halo: Reach is the baseline Mark V, minus the shoulders and with a Mark V[B] helmet.

Sources

^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 01.29.10
^ Halo: Reach, Armory
^ Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, Armory
^ YouTube: Halo: Reach - The Armory Montage
^ SPAWN.COM: HALO: REACH SERIES 2 ANNOUNCED

Template:SPARTAN Armor

[3] In Dr. Halsey's personal journal, several drawings depicting the default Mark V suit (e.g. a picture of John-117 on the August 12, 2552 page), show that the suit is identical to the in-game default armor. In the John-117 in cryo easter egg in Halo: Reach, John-117 is seen wearing the default armor as well. Additionally, in Halo Waypoint's "Defiant to the End" video, where in-game assets are used to depict events shown in the novels, SPARTAN-II characters are seen wearing the default armor, implying that it is indeed the graphically updated look of the Mark V. Based on this, it can be concluded that the default armor in Halo: Reach is the baseline Mark V, minus the shoulders and with a Mark V[B] helmet.

[1] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 01.29.10

[2] Halo: Reach, Armory

[4] Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta, Armory

[5] YouTube: Halo: Reach - The Armory Montage

[6] SPAWN.COM: HALO: REACH SERIES 2 ANNOUNCED

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