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Loadout

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A loadout selection for Spartans in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta.

Loadouts, also dubbed Weapon sets are a multiplayer feature that was first introduced in Halo: Reach. In Reach they are a predetermined set of classes that a player picks at both the beginning of a multiplayer match and during respawn. In Halo 4, loadouts were advanced to become personalized starting equipment. In Halo: Spartan Assault, they are to be customized each time before starting a campaign mission. Known as Weapon sets in Halo 2: Anniversary's multiplayer segment, loadouts operated as predetermined classes, rather than the modular classes seen in Halo 4. Loadouts returned in Halo: Spartan Strike and later in a refined fashion in Halo 5: Guardians.

OverviewEdit

When a game begins the player is given the option of choosing a particular loadout.

In Halo: Reach, loadouts are gametype specific and vary between playlists, meaning players cannot create their own custom loadout to bring to matchmaking. They can, however, create custom loadouts for custom games and user-created Firefight modes. Each loadout has particular weapon, grenade, and armor ability combinations.[1][2]

In Halo 4, loadouts are default in normal War Games modes. However, some modes do away with loadouts to allow more classic gameplay. Unlike Halo: Reach, loadouts are customizable in matchmaking and are better described as components of a player rather than options given by the mode.

In Halo: Spartan Assault, loadouts are constituted of a primary and a secondary weapons, an armor ability and a booster. They are to be chosen each time before starting a campaign mission and many items are only available through purchase via in-game or real-world currency.

In Halo 2: Anniversary, loadouts returned to being gametype specific, while being relegated to custom games, and certain pre-launch and launch playlists. Loadouts were more simplified, given the classic nature of the title, with only a primary and secondary weapon, and grenades being alterable in gameplay.

In Halo: Spartan Strike, loadouts act very similarly to that of Spartan Assault's, featuring primary and secondary weapons, an armor ability, and a booster. Loadouts are generally chosen before each mission.

In Halo 5: Guardians, loadouts were much akin to Halo 4's, featuring a primary slot, a secondary slot, and an armor mod slot. Unlike Halo 4, which enabled players to spawn with any weapon they wished, Halo 5 enforces gameplay balance by only allowing players to use certain weapons in their loadout after they reach a certain REQ level. Guardian's requisition system can be used to call in power weapons in place of the player's primary or secondary weapon, while calling in a powerup like an Overshield won't take up any slot, but will act as its own.

Halo: ReachEdit

 
The loadout menu of Halo: Reach.

Loadouts were initially introduced in Halo: Reach as non-customizable, preset variations of weapons and armor abilities. Gametypes such as Slayer and Capture the Flag would opt to use loadouts featuring uniform weapon selections, with the differences between loadouts being the armor abilities present.

Gametypes such as Invasion would go for a more lopsided approach, with Spartan and Sangheili both getting their own loadouts, with various weapons and armor abilities that are exclusive to the faction being played. As the game advanced and certain phases were passed, new loadouts would be introduced in a system dubbed "tiers", with each successive tier generally featuring more lethal loadout weaponry.

SpartanEdit

Airborne, Air Assault
Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Jetpack
Scout
Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Sprint
Marksman
Primary weapon: M392 DMR
Secondary weapon: None
Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade
Armor ability: Sprint
Recon
Primary weapon: M392 DMR
Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Sprint
Recon Marksman
Primary weapon: M392 DMR
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Sprint
Expert Marksman
Primary weapon: M392 DMR
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Sprint
Guard
Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Armor lock
Operator
Primary weapon: M45 shotgun
Secondary weapon: None
Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade
Armor ability: Armor lock
Guard Operator
Primary weapon: M45 shotgun
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Armor lock
Expert Operator
Primary weapon: M45 shotgun
Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Armor lock
Grenadier
Primary weapon: M319 grenade launcher
Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Sprint
Stalker
Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Active camouflage
Medic
Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle
Secondary weapon: M392 DMR
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Armor ability: Drop Shield
Specter[3]
Primary weapon: M319 grenade launcher
Secondary weapon: M6G magnum
Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade
Armor ability: Active camouflage

EliteEdit

Ranger
Primary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Jetpack
Warrior
Primary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Evade
Gladiator
Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword
Secondary weapon: None
Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade
Armor ability: Evade
Honor Gladiator
Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Evade
Champion Gladiator
Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword
Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater
Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Hologram
Zealot
Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Secondary weapon: None
Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade
Armor ability: Evade
Royal Zealot
Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Evade
Champion Zealot
Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater
Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Evade
Assassin
Primary weapon: Type-33 needler
Secondary weapon: None
Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade
Armor ability: Active camouflage
Dark Assassin
Primary weapon: Type-33 needler
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Active camouflage
Champion Assassin
Primary weapon: Type-33 needler
Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater
Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Active camouflage
Sentry
Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Armor lock
Champion
Primary weapon: Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle
Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Armor ability: Active camouflage

Additional namesEdit

Loadouts in Halo: Reach are fully customizable in custom games and local Firefight matches. Along with the armor ability, grenade type, primary weapon, and secondary weapon, players can also choose a name for their loadout. In addition to the names of existing loadouts, many additional name options are provided. These include:

Halo 4Edit

 
Halo 4's loadout menu right before a game on Haven begins.

Loadouts are given an in-universe explanation. They are mandatory protocols issued to SPARTAN-IV personnel which dictate that they carry a primary weapon like a rifle, carry a secondary weapon like a pistol, choose grenades, equip an armor ability, choose tactical packages, and assign a support upgrade.

Players can rename their loadouts by entering any name they wish, up to 12 characters. This differs from Halo: Reach, in which names were chosen from a pre-selected list. Unlike service tags, loadout names are not censored against profanity, as they are not visible to other players.

In default gameplay, they are personalized choices of equipment and allow a Spartan to enter battles with pre-made weapon sets.

In a manner similar to Reach, and later, early Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer, Halo 4 featured predetermined loadouts for players to use. These featured armor abilities such as hardlight shields and holograms, with assault rifles and DMRs respectively.

Primary weaponsEdit

Primary Weapon Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Assault Rifle Standard fully automatic firearm of all UNSC branches, effective at both close-range and mid-range combat. Unlocked by default Unlocked by default
Battle Rifle Utilizes precise, three-round burst functionality, making it a formidable mid-range, semi-automatic weapon. Reach    and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
DMR Premiere marksman rifle of the UNSC, offering impressive single-fire accuracy at reasonably longe distances. Reach    and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Storm Rifle Fully automatic energy weapon widely considered the successor to the traditional Plasma Rifle. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Covenant Carbine Notable semi-automatic mid-range accuracy, firing ballistic rounds unlike most other Covenant weapons. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Suppressor Fully automatic Forerunner infantry weapon, firing bolts of hard light in rapidly accelerating succession. Reach     and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
LightRifle Precision weapon that fires beams of hard light for mid-range to long-range combat. Reach     and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

Secondary weaponsEdit

Secondary Weapon Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Magnum UNSC's personal sidearm of choice due to its excellence at close-range to mid-range engagements. Unlocked by default Unlocked by default
Plasma Pistol Semi-automatic energy weapon capable of a scaled-burst effect which disables electronics. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Boltshot Forerunner particle dilator used for both its precision at mid-range and its burst functionality when up close. Reach     and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

GrenadesEdit

Grenades Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Frag Grenade The Fragmentation Grenade, which as existed relatively unchanged for centuries, is used to efficiently clear any dug-in enemies. Unlocked by default Unlocked by default
Plasma Grenade The Plasma Grenade, when triggered, is engulfed in latest plasma, allowing it to cling to targets before detonating. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Pulse Grenade The Pulse Grenade forcefully detonates and forms a hazardous ionization sphere which eventuyally collapses, destroying any nearby targets. Reach     and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

Armor abilitiesEdit

Main article: Armor abilities
Armor Abilities Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Promethean Vision Allow users to detect enemy signatures through walls and other hard surfaces. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points Unlocked by default
Thruster Pack Enables a powerful burst of movement offering the ability to evade or quickly close the gap. Reach    and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Jet Pack Allows users limited flight through a vertical lift propulsion system similar to that of EVA reentry packs. Reach    and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Hologram Allows users to generate a nearly identical holographic decoy to deceive enmeies during combat. Reach    and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Hardlight Shield Allows users to generate a protective barrier of hard light which stops most small arms fire and some explosives. Reach     and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Active Camouflage Allows users to generate a visual effect astonishingly close to invisibility. Reach     and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Autosentry The Fragmentation Grenade, which as existed relatively unchanged for centuries, is used to efficiently clear any dug-in enemies. Reach     and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Regeneration Field An automated turret which can be deployed to defend its user or command a key battlefield chokepoint. Reach     and purchase for 3 Spartan Points

Tactical packagesEdit

Main article: Tactical package
Tactical Packages Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Shielding Shielding speeds up your armor's energy shield recharge rate. Reach    and purchase for 1 Spartan Point Unlocked by default
Mobility Mobility allows unlimited sprint. Reach    and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Resupply Resupply allows the recovery of grenades from fallen allies and foes. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
AA Efficiency AA Efficiency increases rate at which energy recharges for Armor Abilities. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Grenadier Grenadier increases grenade carrying capacity. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Firepower Firepower allows the use of a primary weapon in the secondary weapon slot. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Points
Requisition In modes with personal ordnance, Requisition lets the player request new choices when an ordnance is granted. Reach Spartan Rank TK-10
Wheelman Wheelman increases the durability of vehicles the player is commandeering and mitigates the effects of EMPs. Reach Spartan Rank OP-10
Fast Track Fast Track allows user to advance quicker in rank. Reach Spartan Rank PR-10 Unavailable
Resistor Resistor allows the player to maintain their full mobility and dexterity while taking incoming fire. Purchase the Champions Bundle Unlocked by default as of December 2022 update[4]

Support upgradesEdit

Main article: Support upgrade
Support Upgrades Description Unlock requirements
(Halo 4) 		Unlock requirements
(Halo: MCC)
Ammo Ammo increases the ammunition capacity for both starting weapons and ordnance drops. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point Unlocked by default
Dexterity Dexterity speeds up and weapon swapping. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Sensor Sensor increases motion sensor range. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Awareness Awareness allows the use of motion sensors while using a scope. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Explosives Explosives alters grenade performance, increasing blast radius and decreasing grenade damage received. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Ordnance Priority In modes with personal ordnance, Ordnance Priority offers more frequent ordnance drops to user. Reach     and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Stability Stability steadies your weapon while being struck by incoming fire. Reach Spartan Rank RG-10
Gunner Gunner increases how long a mounted weapon can fire before overheating as well as movement speed with detached turrets. Reach Spartan Rank PT-10
Stealth Stealth dampens your footsteps, making you harder to see on Promethean Vision, and increases your assassination speed. Reach Spartan Rank WK-10
Nemesis Nemesis marks enemy responsible for your last death. Reach Spartan Rank SK-10
Drop Recon Drop Recon calls out ordnance drops in advance. Reach Spartan Rank EN-10
Recharge Recharge lowers the time it takes before one's shields begin recharging. Unlocked by default as of August 20, 2013[5] Unlocked by default as of December 2022 update[4]
Survivor Survivor prevents the death of operators when their vehicle is destroyed.

Loadouts can be edited for use in custom gametypes. In this situation, "power weapons" like sniper rifles and rocket launchers can be added. Additionally, options that the player hasn't unlocked in War Games can still be used, even Specialization-specific tactical packages and support upgrades.

Guest players are able to customize their loadouts with any and all options which have been unlocked by their host.

Halo: Spartan AssaultEdit

 
The loadout menu of Halo: Spartan Assault.

Through the UNSC Tactical Simulator, the player can choose a number of items with which he or she will start the campaign mission. Each level has a different set of choices. The primary weapon mainly offers a variety of UNSC or Covenant firearms. The secondary weapon slot, unlike in previous games, is not limited to small arms and includes many heavy weapons—the majority of them are only usable when purchased via in-game XP or real-world credits.

Different sets of armor abilities and boosters are also available; the former has a default choice and the other abilities need to be purchased, while the latter has no default selection and any booster must be purchased before use. Any purchased weapon, armor ability, or +booster— is only usable through a single mission and becomes locked again when the player completes or quits the level. If the player purchases an item and leaves the loadout screen without launching the mission, the sum will be recredited.

Primary weaponEdit

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Secondary weaponEdit

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Armor abilitiesEdit

Main article: Armor abilities

BoosterEdit

Main article: Boosters
  • Damage Booster
  • Score Booster
  • Resistance Booster
  • Respawn Booster
  • Shield Booster

Halo 2: AnniversaryEdit

 
The weapon set menu of Halo 2: Anniversary, showcasing the three predetermined classes made for the game's multiplayer.

Loadouts received minimal use in Halo 2: Anniversary being in some social variations of gametypes present, such as Lockdown Slayer. While competitive gametypes would not use loadouts in the way Reach would, the player's starting weapons were curiously enough, dictated through a single loadout over native in game settings in some cases. Eventually, Anniversary's social gametypes would shift to using a single loadout.

Social (2014)Edit

SMG
Primary weapon: M7 SMG
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Plasma Rifle
Primary weapon: Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle
Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Magnum
Primary weapon: M6C magnum
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades

Social (2018)Edit

Battle Rifle
Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Battle Rifle
Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle
Secondary weapon: M7 SMG
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades

HardcoreEdit

Battle Rifle
Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle
Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades

Additional namesEdit

A returning feature from Reach, loadouts can be tagged with predetermined names for custom game setups. These include:

  • Custom 1
  • Custom 2
  • Custom 3
  • Assault Rifle
  • Battle Rifle
  • SMG
  • Plasma Rifle
  • Magnum Pistol
  • Sentinel Beam
  • Carbine
  • Energy Sword
  • Shotgun
  • Boomstick
  • Rocket Launcher
  • Sniper
  • Elite
  • Zealot
  • Guardian
  • Hunter
  • Shadow
  • Enforcer
  • Spartan
  • Heretic
  • Assault
  • Marksman
  • Scout
  • Juggernaut
  • Pro Battle Rifle
  • Survivor
  • SWAT
  • Heavy
  • Grenadier
  • Random
  • Noob

Halo: Spartan StrikeEdit

 
The loadout system of Halo: Spartan Strike.

Following in Spartan Assault's footsteps, Spartan Strike offers a wide variety of weaponry to equip in loadouts, ranging from assault rifles to heavy weapons like rocket launchers. Alongside these weapons are armor abilities and boosts. Like Spartan Assault, weapons, armor abilities and boosters are single-use, only being available in the mission they're purchased for, and having to be purchased again if the player completes or quits the level.

Unlike Spartan Assault, Spartan Strike forgoes real world currency as a means of obtaining weapons and loadout armaments. Instead, a currency dubbed "credits", in-game currency, is able to be earned and used to purchase weapons. Adding score multipliers in the form of skulls will add a percentage to the credits earned.

Primary weaponEdit

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Secondary weaponEdit

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Armor abilitiesEdit

Main article: Armor abilities

BoosterEdit

Main article: Boosters

Halo 5: GuardiansEdit

 
Halo 5's loadout menu during a game of Warzone Firefight on Escape from ARC.

Loadouts in Halo 5: Guardians would return, being present in a state more akin to Halo 4 than Halo 2: Anniversary's more classic-styled approach, and would only be present in the game's Warzone offering. Like 4, 5 allowed the player to choose a primary and secondary weapon, however, the priority on sidearm secondaries is dropped in favor of a more free flowing approach, allowing the player to use two assault rifles, for example.

Individual grenade types cannot be chosen naturally, however, what type, and what amount a player spawns with can be through the use of armor mods. Rather than tactical packages and support upgrades, the aforementioned armor mods take their place, melding the two into a single chosen player trait, with multiple benefits per selection.

WeaponsEdit

Armor modsEdit

Main article: Armor mods
  • Advanced Sensors (Increases motion sensor range, and basic movement from the user won't be shown on it)
  • Auto-Medic (Health and shield recharge rate is increased)
  • Death from Above (Increases ground pound's charge time, damage, knockback, and speed)
  • Upgraded Shields (Increased shield strength)
  • Frag Grenade Expert (Increased frag grenades in inventory)
  • Grenadier (Increased grenade damage, decreased grenade damage taken)
  • Reflex Enhancers (Weapon handling is increased, and the player can reload while sprinting)
  • Splinter Grenade Expert (Increased splinter grenades in inventory)
  • Wheelman (Vehicle damage resistance is increased, and vehicles can recover from EMPs quicker. Armor mod's effects stack per user)
  • Patrol Case (Increased ammo in loadout and requisitioned weapons)
  • Plasma Grenade Expert (Increased plasma grenades in inventory)
  • Speed Booster (Movement speed and jump height is increased)
  • Upgraded Thrusters (Thruster cooldown is shortened, sprint is faster, and shield recharge is available while sprinting)
  • Increased Strength (Melees and Spartan charge deal extra damage, the latter gains range)

GalleryEdit

Menu imagesEdit

  • The loadout menu of Halo: Reach.

  • The loadout menu of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360 edition of the game, in a preliminary video detailing the game's loadout and unlock system.

  • The loadout menu of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360 edition of the game, in a build of the game seen at E3 2012.

  • The loadout menu of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360 edition of the game.

  • The loadout menu of Halo 4 on the Xbox One edition of the game, prior to the inclusion of Halo 4 on PC in 2020.

  • The loadout menu of Halo: Spartan Assault.

  • The weapon set menu of Halo 2: Anniversary, showcasing all six slots filled, with the top three being made by the player.

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ Game Trailers TV: Halo Reach Multiplayer Exposed
  2. ^ Youtube: Halo Reach Carnàge Carnivàle Vidoc
  3. ^ YouTube: E3 2010 Firefight 2.0 Beachhead Gameplay
  4. ^ a b Halo Support, Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) Update - December 2022 (Retrieved on Jul 17, 2023) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo Waypoint, The Halo Bulletin: 7.10.13 (Retrieved on Aug 7, 2013) [archive]

List of player customization by game title
Armor (Colour • Visor (MCC only)) • Weapon skins (MCC only) • Vehicle skins (MCC only)
Armor (Visor colors (MCC only)) • Emblems • Nameplates • Service Tag • Weapon skins (MCC only) • Vehicle skins (MCC only)
Armor (Coatings • Emblems) • Body & AI (Prostheses • Personal AI) • Spartan ID (Nameplates • Service Tag • Stance) • Weapon (Coatings • Emblems) • Vehicle (Coatings • Emblems)

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