Editing Armor customization (Halo 3)

{{Title|Armor permutations (''Halo 3'')}}
{{Era|RW}}
{{center|For other uses, see [[armor permutations]].}}
[[File:H3_Snowbound_Customisation.jpg|thumb|300px|A player using a mix of armor sets in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.]]
'''Armor permutations''' in ''[[Halo 3]]'' allow players to customize their [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] and [[Sangheili|Elite]] player model with a variety of armor pieces available to players. The feature is an improvement of ''Halo 2''<nowiki />'s player customization feature, and the first in the series to allow players to change the physical model of their character beyond species and colour selection.

==Overview==
[[File:H3 - Multiplayer concept art.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Artwork by Isaac Hannaford revealing the existence of Recon, long before the armor was officially announced.]]
Halo 3 features a number of armor selections for both Spartan and Elite player characters, unlocked primarily by accomplishing feats within the [[campaign]], [[Matchmaking]] and earning [[achievement]]s. The system was initially unveiled in the July 2007 issue of GamePro, featuring a handful of images of the [[EVA-class Mjolnir|EVA]] and [[CQB-class Mjolnir|CQB]] armor sets alongside the standard Mark VI, though was noted by Bungie to not be the full set of armor available in game.{{Ref/Comic|GamePro|Issue=226|Detail=July 2007 ([https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4420-gamepro-issue-226-july-2007/ Archive])}} Bungie later officially announced the inclusion of Elite armor variants{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12531|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update: 06/08/07}}, and on [[Bungie Day]] 2007 officially unveiled the CQB and EVA permutations' visuals and lore. A piece of art illustrated by [[Isaac Hannaford]] released at the same time additionally revealed the existence of the Recon armor, though the armor was not specifically called out by Bungie or given any attention until later.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12616|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Way Beyond the Beta: Screenshots Galore}}{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12630|Site=Bungie.net|Page=7/7/07: Love, Bungie}}

In total, there are 17 armor sets included in ''Halo 3'', 12 of which for the SPARTAN-II character model and 5 for the Elite character model. These armor permutations are organized into three categories: ''Helmet'', ''Chest'' and ''Shoulder''. Certain armor permutations can only be unlocked by completing the game on certain difficulties, accumulating certain [[Gamerscore]], or by obtaining certain multiplayer-specific achievements. Some, such as [[RECON-class Mjolnir|Recon]] or the exclusive [[Bungie Armor]], have more esoteric unlock requirements, and can only be granted under certain conditions. Additionally, some Spartan armor sets only contain a helmet piece or chest piece, with no other associated armor selections.
{{Clear}}
===''Halo 3'' unlock requirements===
<center>''Note: The below unlock requirements only apply to the original ''Halo 3'' game on Xbox 360 or via Xbox One [[backward compatibility]]. In ''The Master Chief Collection'', all armor is unlocked by default for all players - including the Bungie armor.''</center>
{{Tabcontainer|
|title1=Spartan armor
|content1=
{{/Spartan}}
|title2=Elite
|content2=
{{/Elite}}
}}

==''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''==
[[File:HTMCC H3 NewArmour.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Demo, Suture and Compass armors introduced into ''Halo 3''.]]
For the ''Halo 3'' multiplayer component of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', all armor - including Recon and Bungie - was unlocked for all players for use by default. Between the game's launch in [[2014]] and the launch of ''Halo 3'' on PC in [[2020]], armor customization was limited to full sets with no mix-and-match customization, due to the difficulties of running multiple engines in the menu component. In this launch rendition, the armor sets were displayed in the menu as static renders, with the armors using full armor sets or - in the case of armors with no associated armor for chest, helmet or shoulder elements - Mark VI to supplement missing elements. As such, using a helmet such as Mark V or ODST required the usage of all Mark VI for everything else. Using the Katana chest, however, would use Hayabusa for all other armor elements. Additionally and for the first time, ''The Master Chief Collection'' allowed players to use the Bungie Armor (now renamed "Flaming Head"), and would display the characteristic flames and EOD chest as it did in the original game, though with enforced Mark VI shoulders and helmet. 

Following the launch of ''Halo 3'' on PC and start of [[Season 2: Spark]], this system was updated to display ''Halo 3'' character models in [[Wikipedia:Unreal Engine 4|Unreal Engine 4]], with full customization in-game as it was at the launch of ''Halo 3''. In this change, the Bungie Armor chest was renamed "Legacy", and the Security armour set was given a chest armour piece; in launch ''Halo 3'', equipping the Security helmet additionally outfitted the chest with a small antenna. Following the Season 2 update, the antenna is now considered a separate chest, and can be used regardless of helmet.

With the launch of [[Season 3: Recon]], ''Halo 3'' customisation was updated with the inclusion of [[Skins (Halo 3)|skins]] for application on a player's weapon and several new visor colour options for use with all helmets. The full list of ''Halo 3'' skins can be viewed [[Skins (Halo 3)|here]].

In the [[Season 4]] December update, ''Halo 3'' was expanded to include new techsuit customization, with the players being able to change it between a new ''Halo 3'' techsuit and ''[[Halo 4]]'' techsuit (both colored and full black).

[[Season 5: Anvil]] included twelve new armor permutations for ''Halo 3'', [[Armor permutations (Halo Online)|originally created]] for the cancelled ''[[Halo Online]]''. Additionally, included new forearm and leg customisation, allowing players to choose between the new twelve armors or the default Mark VI. These armors can be toggled off for a more classic experience, with any players using ''Halo Online'' armor instead displaying as default Mark VI.{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/243780d3b80b4bb6ac7917a8942286db/topics/mcc-development-flighting-updates/3e3252e1-297a-4590-a7ab-67c133b3d37d/posts?page=4#post63|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=MCC Development & Flighting Updates|Detail=Page 4, post 63|Quote=The team is currently working on a game update that expands the existing skin toggle in the settings menu to also apply to armor. If you prefer a true classic experience, you’ll be able to flip the “New Skins in Halo 3” toggle to “disabled” and you won’t see any new cosmetic items (weapon skins, vehicle skins, or armor) when you’re playing Halo 3. If you decide to turn off cosmetics, any players in your game who are wearing new armor will appear as default Mark VI.}}

[[Season 6: Raven]] included several new armor permutations, including six ''Halo Online'' armor permutations and the four ODST armors used by [[Fireteam Raven]] in the [[Halo: Fireteam Raven|namesake game]]. It also added a "Back Accessory" option, allowing players to choose between six new back packages (four being based on ''Halo: Fireteam Raven''), three new techsuit options, and fifteen new animated visor colors.
{{Tabcontainer|
|title1=Armor
|content1=
{{/MCC}}
|title2=Visors
|content2=
Visor customisation was introduced to ''Halo 3'' in [[Season 3: Recon]]. A number of visor colours can be unlocked for {{SeasonPoint|Season Points}}, though like other ''Halo 3'' skins, they can be toggled off in the menu. Season 6 will include animated visor colors. Season 6 introduced more visors in the form of animated visors.
{{/Visors}}
|title3=Back accessories
|content3=
Back Accessory customisation was introduced to ''Halo 3'' in [[Season 6: Raven]].
{{/Back}}
|title4=Techsuit
|content4=
[[File:HTMCC H3 S5Techsuits.png|thumb|right|250px|A comparison of all Season 5 techsuit variants. From left to right: the original ''Halo 3'' techsuit, the new GEN1 techsuit, the GEN2 techsuit and the GEN2 Tinted techsuit.]]
As of the [[Season 4: Reclaimer#December 16 patch notes (Version 1.2028.0.0)|December 2020 update]], Spartans in ''Halo 3'' can now choose between three different techsuits to display underneath their MJOLNIR armor. Season 6 will include three new colored techsuits, with these techsuits not inhereting the player's primary color. These include the following;
*'''GEN1:''' ''Integral to the entire Mjolnir system, the techsuit encases the wearer's body and provides attachment points for the armor plating above it.''
**This techsuit replaces the standard ''Halo 3'' techsuit available in the original game and pre-update ''MCC''. It is noticeably more detailed than the original, and is much more form-fitting.
**By Season 6, if the player has the toggle option for ''Halo 3'' skins off, the Spartan model will be replaced with the original ''Halo 3'' Spartan model.
*'''GEN2:''' ''Though similar to earlier systems, the GEN2 techsuit is a bespoke form-fitted armored polymuscle exoskeleton.''
**The standard GEN2 techsuit introduced in ''Halo 4'', ''Online'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians''. This undersuit is only available in black.
*'''GEN2 Tinted:''' ''A variant of the standard GEN2 techsuit with additional chromatic customization options.''
**A coloured variant of of the GEN2 undersuit, which inherits the player's primary colour.
*'''GEN2 Azure:''' ''The sky is not the limit.''
**GEN2 techsuit with blue coloration.
*'''GEN2 Gunmetal:''' ''Never one for subtlety.''
**GEN2 techsuit with grey coloration.
*'''GEN2 Maroon:''' ''A pleasant color for a gruesome business.''
**GEN2 techsuit with dark red coloration.

<gallery>
File:HTMCC H3 Azure Techsuit Icon.png|Azure techsuit.
File:HTMCC H3 Gunmetal Techsuit Icon.png|Gunmetal techsuit.
File:HTMCC H3 Maroon Techsuit Icon.png|Maroon techsuit.
</gallery>
}}

==Trivia==
===Mistakes===
*In reusing tooltips from ''Halo: Reach's'' appearance menu, the updated customization menu for ''Halo 3'' in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' now erroneously states the choice between a Spartan and Elite player model is only applicable to appropriate, species-specific gametypes, despite the option being available regardless of gametype.
**Additionally, when hovering over the menu element to change Elite armor permutations, the game erroneously states the option is to change Spartan armor. This would be fixed with the release of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' on PC.
===Miscellaneous===
*A certain conceptual helmet seen in ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]'' greatly resembles the [[AIR ASSAULT-class Mjolnir]] set that'd later appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*In ''Halo 3'', the neck of an Elite (regardless what armor permutation used) is completely immune to any form of damage except for a shot from an overcharged [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]]. In addition, the projectile will simply pass through the neck, as though the neck wasn't there, without a blood spatter. This is because both Elites and Spartans have similar models.
*Many people speculate that hitboxes of the Spartans and Elites are shared but this is not true. While Bungie has officially commented on the hitboxes, they regard the size of the hitbox not the arrangement. Hitboxes are an unseen registry mechanic, which fall into the player models. They determine whether or not something has collided with the player. If an Elite is facing profile (sideways), and a shot is fired underneath the head (to where a Spartan's chest would be), the game will not register a hit. The head "hitbox" is forward more on Elites than it is Spartans.

== Gallery ==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:H3_ArmourSets_Concept.jpg|Four conceptual armor sets from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''. The Scout helmet is visible.
</gallery>
===Menu images===
<gallery>
File:H3 - Armor permutation menu (Spartans - Xbox 360).png|The armor permutation menu for Spartans in the Xbox 360 edition of ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 - Armor permutation menu (Sangheili - Xbox 360).png|The armor permutation menu for Sangheili in the Xbox 360 edition of ''Halo 3''.
File:TMCC - Armor permutation menu (Pre-ODST patch).png|The armor permutation menu for ''Halo 3'' on ''The Master Chief Collection'' prior to ''Halo 3: ODST's'' PC launch, featuring an erroneous tooltip, and a different pose for the player's Spartan.
File:H3-MCCH3colors.jpg|Color choices for ''Halo 3'' in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'', following ''Halo 3: ODST's'' launch, with an updated character pose.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:H3 Elite armor permutations.jpg|All the Elite permutations in ''Halo 3''.
File:Halo3-Forge-SangheiliZealot.jpg|A recreation of a [[Sangheili Zealot]] on [[Valhalla]] using the armor customization system.
File:FloodGateEESpecialOppsEliteArmour13.jpg|The glitched armor from [[Floodgate]], It appears to be a combination of the front part of the '''Assault''' permutation and the back of the '''Combat''' permutation.
File:H3-FlightingS&B.jpg|The Sword and Board back accessory featured two machetes during flighting for Season 6: Raven.
</gallery>
===Miscellaneous===
<gallery>
File:Armor Permutations.png|All of the Spartan permutations in ''Halo 3''. Note: If a part of the armor set doesn't exist, it has been substituted with its Mark VI counterpart.
</gallery>
== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Armor/Permutation|H3}}
[[Category:Halo 3 multiplayer armor permutations| ]]
[[Category:Customisation]]