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[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Forerunners wearing combat skins.]]
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Forerunners wearing combat skins.]]
'''Combat skins''', also known as '''fighting suits''' or '''battle armor''', were a type of body armor used by [[Forerunner]] combat personnel. The Forerunners had a classification system for combat skins, running from Class 1 to Class 18, and possibly above. According to [[343 Guilty Spark]], the [[human]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|MJOLNIR Mark V]] is ranked on this scale as equal to a Class 2.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 240''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Library]]''</ref>
'''Combat skins''', also known as '''fighting suits''' or '''battle armor''', were a type of [[Forerunner personal armor|body armor]] used by [[Forerunner]] combat personnel. The Forerunners had a classification system for combat skins, running from Class 1 to Class 18, and possibly above. According to [[343 Guilty Spark]], the [[human]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|MJOLNIR Mark V]] is ranked on this scale as equal to a Class 2.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 240''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Library]]''</ref>


==Overview==
Combat skins ranged in shape and design from suits that mostly followed the wearer's figure in the manner of traditional battle armor,<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''</ref> to much bulkier and more powerful variations that, while roughly humanoid in shape, were closer to vehicles than suits of armor.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 66''</ref> The [[war sphinx]], a medium-sized fighting suit, was ten meters in height, capable of space flight, and equipped with weaponry powerful enough to destroy cities.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 95''</ref> The war sphinx's newer counterpart, the [[Seeker (armor)|seeker]], was yet more advanced.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 195''</ref> A combat skin could be laid directly over a Forerunner's [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]], worn on everyday occasions; Forerunner warships stored such "combat wraps" in condensed form, allowing fighters to convert their armor into a heavier combat skin should the need arise.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 126''</ref>
Combat skins ranged in shape and design from suits that mostly followed the wearer's figure in the manner of traditional battle armor,<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 4|Terminals]]''</ref> to much bulkier and more powerful variations that, while roughly humanoid in shape, were closer to vehicles than suits of armor.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 66''</ref> The [[war sphinx]], a medium-sized fighting suit, was ten meters in height, capable of space flight, and equipped with weaponry powerful enough to destroy cities.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 95''</ref> The war sphinx's newer counterpart, the [[Seeker (armor)|seeker]], was yet more advanced.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 195''</ref> A combat skin could be laid directly over a Forerunner's [[Forerunner personal armor|personal armor]], worn on everyday occasions; Forerunner warships stored such "combat wraps" in condensed form, allowing fighters to convert their armor into a heavier combat skin should the need arise.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 126''</ref>


Combat skins were typically worn by [[Warrior-Servant]]s, the [[rate]] tasked with warfare, but could be used by the dedicated military or security forces of the other the rates as well, such as [[Builder Security]], the security force of the [[Builder]] rate. After the [[Flood]] threat intensified to critical levels, even [[civilian]]s were forced to wear combat skins in high-risk areas.<ref name="terminals">'''[[Halo 3]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 3|Terminals]]s''</ref>
One notable feature of combat skin was its ability to attune itself to best counter different forms of attack. For example, after optimizing to the Forerunner infantry weapons wielded by [[Blue Team]], [[Ur-Didact]] was capable of ignoring numerous direct hits from the Spartans' weapons.<ref name="esc10">'''[[Halo: Escalation]]''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 10|Issue 10]]''</ref> Previously, automatic fire from all four members of Blue Team firing their [[MA5D assault rifle]]s at once had no effect on the Didact, demonstrating the resiliency of a high-level combat skin.<ref name="esc9">'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 9|Issue 9]]''</ref> Warrior combat skin was also equipped with several offensive and defensive systems, including the ability to generate and manipulate various forms of [[constraint field]]s at will.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 303-305''</ref><ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Midnight]]''</ref> The Didact's armor also possessed a number of energy attacks,<ref name="esc10"/> including a directed energy blast and a powerful shockwave capable of stunning nearby enemies.<ref name="esc9"/>


==Classification system==
Combat skins were typically worn by [[Warrior-Servant]]s, the [[rate]] tasked with warfare, but could be used by the dedicated military or security forces of the other the rates as well, such as [[Builder Security]], the security force of the [[Builder]] rate. After the [[Flood]] threat intensified to critical levels, even [[civilian]]s were forced to wear combat skins in high-risk areas.<ref name="terminals">'''[[Halo 3]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo 3|Terminals]]''</ref>
 
===Classification system===
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants.jpg|thumb|250px|A team of [[Warrior-Servant]]s in battle, wearing combat skins typical of their rate.]]
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants.jpg|thumb|250px|A team of [[Warrior-Servant]]s in battle, wearing combat skins typical of their rate.]]
Combat skin was comparable to, but far more advanced than, the UNSC [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. It is first mentioned by 343 Guilty Spark as he is leading [[John-117]] through the [[Library]], wondering why he had brought "such ineffective weapons" to combat the [[Flood]]. He notes that the MJOLNIR is ill-suited to combating the Flood, and recommends that he upgrade to a Class 12 combat skin from the MJOLNIR, which is ranked on the Forerunner classification system as a Class 2. On the other hand, Guilty Spark also notes that the MJOLNIR will serve John well when the Flood begins converting Halo's atmosphere, commenting that he is a "good planner".<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Library]]''</ref> Upon learning that there was a powered armor system six times more powerful than the MJOLNIR, John expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to wear one.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 240''</ref>
Combat skin was comparable to, but far more advanced than, the UNSC [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]. It is first mentioned by 343 Guilty Spark as he is leading [[John-117]] through [[Installation 04]]'s [[Library]], wondering why he had brought "such ineffective weapons" to combat the [[Flood]]. He notes that the MJOLNIR is ill-suited to combating the Flood, and recommends that he upgrade to a Class 12 combat skin from the MJOLNIR, which is ranked on the Forerunner classification system as a Class 2. On the other hand, Guilty Spark also notes that the MJOLNIR will serve John well when the Flood begins converting Halo's atmosphere, commenting that he is a "good planner".<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Library]]''</ref> Upon learning that there was a powered armor system six times more powerful than the MJOLNIR, John expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to wear one.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 240''</ref>


The Terminals on [[Installation 00]] indicate that other combat skin classifications existed, ranging from 1 to 4, and that there were other suits of a similar nature, such as the battle harness, with its own classification ranging from 1 to 6, and the [[platform interface skin]]. Eventually, all [[civilian]] personnel were required to wear at least a Class 8 combat skin unless in core areas, and all military personnel were required to wear at least a Class 12 combat skin.<ref name="terminals"/>
The Terminals on [[Installation 00]] indicate that other combat skin classifications existed, ranging from 1 to 4, and that there were other suits of a similar nature, such as the battle harness, with its own classification ranging from 1 to 6, and the [[platform interface skin]]. Eventually, all [[civilian]] personnel were required to wear at least a Class 8 combat skin unless in core areas, and all military personnel were required to wear at least a Class 12 combat skin.<ref name="terminals"/>
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