MA5D assault rifle

Template:Weapon Infobox The MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System, abbreviated as MA5D ICWS, is a gas-operated assault rifle used by the UNSC Defense Force. Like the rest of the MA5 Series, the MA5D is designed and manufactured by Misriah Armory.^[1]

Specifications

Main article: MA5 Series

The MA5D Assault Rifle is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, fully-automatic bullpup rifle that fires 32 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition.^[2] It possesses a built-in ammunition indicator and magnetic compass for orientation similar to that of all other MA5 series rifles.

Service history

The MA5D ICWS was in limited service use as early as 2526; it was issued to officer cadets, drill instructors, and security personnel at the Corbulo Academy of Military Science.^[3]^[4] By the summer of 2557, the MA5D had become the standard-issue service rifle of the Marine Corps and the Navy. It replaced the MA5B and MA5C variants, primarily the latter, which were in service throughout the Human-Covenant War.^[1]

Gameplay

Campaign

The MA5D is the first weapon that the player starts out with. It proves fairly effective paired with the Magnum, and will take out Elites with just 75% of a magazine (depending on the selected difficulty).

Multiplayer

The MA5D's fully-automatic fire makes it an effective close-range weapon. Compared to the other automatic weapons in Halo 4, it is much more versatile due to its hitscan properties and flexibility of range, though it is occasionally outperformed by these weapons at more extreme close-range. It takes 16 rounds to kill a fully-shielded player in matchmaking; ten to shields and six to the body, allowing for a bare maximum of two kills from its 32-round magazine. In close-quarters, it is often advisable to finish your opponent with a melee after firing at least six rounds into their shields.
The MA5D assault rifle is great as a secondary weapon to a precision weapon like the DMR or Lightrifle, allowing the player to effectively occupy nearly all ranges of combat. However, like the other automatic weapons, it is not recommended for use as a primary weapon except when playing on smaller maps. The MA5D assault rifle can also be used effectively at distances approaching medium-range by firing in short, controlled bursts. Though this will drastically increase kill times, making it inadvisable against players that have already engaged the player with a precision weapon.

Differences from MA37 ICWS in Halo: Reach

Major cosmetic differences, resembling the MA5C from Halo 3.
Altered firing sound
Heavier but more controllable reticule bloom.
More damage per round, returning to the classic 16-round kill on a fully-shielded SPARTAN.
Slightly increased rate of fire.
Maximum reserve ammo has been reduced from 288 rounds to 256 rounds, and a standard reserve of 224 rounds, forcing the player to scavenge for ammo more frequently.

Gallery

Concept art of the MA5D in Halo 4.
HUD Icon of the MA5D in Halo 4.
MA5D assault rifle with the "Predator" skin.
MA5D assault rifle with the "Prime" skin.
John-117 wielding an MA5D.
A SPARTAN-IV wielding an MA5D.
John-117 wielding an MA5D against a Promethean Knight in Halo 4.
The MA5D's ammo counter indicating the number of rounds in the magazine.
A John-117 action figure wielding the MA5D.
Cadet Chyler Silva wielding an MA5D assault rifle during training in Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.
Blueprint of the MA5D in Halo 4.