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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Era|H1|H2|H3|TF|LE}}
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Forerunners wearing combat skins.]]
[[File:Forerunner origins.jpg|150px|thumb|right|One form of a Forerunner combat skin]]
'''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 name="Halo page 240">'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 240''</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level, ''[[The Library]]''</ref>
'''Combat Skin''' is a [[Forerunner]] term relating to body armor. The Forerunners had a classification system for combat skins, running from Class 1 to 18, and possibly above.
According to 343 Guilty Spark, the [[Human]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR Mark V]] is ranked on this scale as equal to a Class 2.<ref>''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', page 240</ref>


==Overview==
==Armor of the [[Forerunner]]==
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>
Not much is known about Combat Skin. The term first comes up in the level [[Library (Level)|Library]], when 343 Guilty Spark wonders why [[John-117]] had brought "such ineffective weapons" to combat the [[Flood]]. Guilty Spark recommends that the Chief upgrades from the MJOLNIR armor, which, according to a Forerunner ranking system of unknown criteria, is only Class 2 (determining that the Forerunners were very advanced in combat armor). Guilty Spark notes that John's Mark V armor is ill-suited to combat the Flood. He suggests that Master Chief upgrade to at least a Class 12 Combat Skin. It is technically possible that 343 Guilty Spark is unaware of the armor's full potential because perhaps he is not capable of scanning the entire armor system.


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/Reuse|esc10}} including a directed energy blast and a powerful shockwave capable of stunning nearby enemies.{{Ref/Reuse|esc9}}
In at least one of the [[Terminals]] in [[Halo 3]], there is also an order that all [[Civilian]] personnel are required to wear at least a Class 8 combat skin unless inside the core areas, and all Military personnel are required to wear at least a Class 12 combat skin. [[John-117]] notes that if there is a suit six times as powerful as MJOLNIR, then he'd be the first to try it on.


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>
This implies that the Forerunners made extensive use of armor, presumably powered armor, to the extent where there were possibly at least eighteen or more ranks of effectiveness or usability.


===Classification system===
It is possible that the classes are not elevations of strength and durability of armor, but different types of armor for different purposes.
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants.jpg|thumb|250px|A team of Promethean [[Warrior-Servant]]s in battle, wearing combat skins typical of their rate.]]
Combat skins were 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/Reuse|ReferenceA}} 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/Reuse|Halo page 240}}


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/Reuse|terminals}}
In the Halo trilogy by Eric Nylund and William C. Dietz, the Covenant were explained to have based much of their technology off of discovered Forerunner artifacts. Covenant Prophets adopted technology found in, or on Forerunner worlds or structures to meet their own needs. Now Covenant troops wear and use these Forerunner treasures throughout the Halo universe, though it should be noted that the MJOLNIR Mk V that John-117 wore in Halo CE was an upgraded version of Covenant shielding systems. The classification could mean that the higher the class the more possibilities or powers the skins possess.


During the [[Battle of Installation 00]], Guilty Spark can be heard lamenting that John did not upgrade his combat skin. The fact that the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]] is more advanced than the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] that Guilty Spark had previously encountered and is still classed as a Class 2 may indicate that the upgrades were considered so marginal from a Forerunner standpoint that the MJOLNIR suit was still inferior to a Class 3 combat skin.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]</ref>
==What Does the Class System Mean?==
Because so little is mentioned about combat skins, there is much speculation about exactly what the combat skin rating indicates. The obvious interpretation is that the combat skin ranking system measures raw power, and that a class 12 combat skin is 10 ranks higher in protection and power than a class 2, but if the Forerunner were able to use a suit at least six times more powerful than the Chief's, it's a wonder they had such trouble with the Flood, unless the Flood made use of such 'Combat Skin' themselves, such as an Elite [[Combat Form]] using a personal energy shield. This would mean that both forces would be equal in suit strength, as well as weapons and vehicles, while the Flood would most certainly outnumber the Forerunner. The most likely scenario is that in the [[Forerunner-Flood War]], the Flood infestation was billions of times larger in scale, which would mean that despite the Forerunner's near invincible armor, they may simply have been outnumbered.


==Trivia==
===Armor Class===
*''[[Origins]]'' depicts Forerunners using combat skins that seemingly lack energy shields, leaving their wearers extremely vulnerable to Flood infection. It is likely that, rather than representing the peak of the technology, it is indicative that the Forerunners were woefully unprepared for the Flood onslaught, and were initially slow to adapt their equipment and technology to fighting a purely biological foe. In a fictional context, the film is compiled by the semi-rampant [[Cortana]] from a limited number of sources, explaining any apparent inaccuracies.
Another interpretation is that the class system does not measure raw power, but rather classifies armor by it's role. Later in the game, as 343 Guilty Spark comments on the [[Flood]]'s alteration of the atmosphere, he notes that [[John-117|the Master Chief's]] Environment Suit should serve him well. This may indicate that Combat Skin with a Class 2 designation are designed for use as environment suits in hazardous terrain, rather than as effective armor to be used in combat against the Forerunner's enemies. There is a discrepancy to this assertion, however, as one of Halo 3's terminals makes mention of higher classes of Combat Skin that were vulnerable or ineffective against the Flood.
*In ''[[Halo 4]]'', the [[Librarian]] reveals that the ''[[geas]]'' she implanted in the human race guided the creation of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR]] armor used by [[John-117]] which she calls his combat skin.
 
===Environment/Combat Suit===
Another theory states that a combat skin may also be an environment suit. A modern day analogy would be a HAZMAT suit, which is an environment suit, but has no further use in combat, while a suit of Kevlar provides physical protection but no environmental protection. John-117's "combat skin" also functions as an "environment suit"; this can overlap with other theories, as a useful environment suit may lack in either pure power or suitability for its role in combat. Quite possibly, John-117's "combat skin" may be half environmental and half battle armor.


==Gallery==
===Shielding Theory===
<gallery>
A theory that states "combat skin" does not refer to armor at all, but rather shielding; the disparity in power between the Master Chief's shields in comparison to that of the Forerunners is obvious. This is again compatible with either the power or role theory, as Class 12 shielding may be powerful enough to shrug off any Flood attack, or specifically designed to handle the damage from the Flood. Some have specified that if you raise your shield level to maximum in Halo 3's settings, you would have something close to a Class 12 Combat Skin, although this will never be known as correct or wrong since the actual power of the Class 12 Combat Skin has never been witnessed.
File:Old_HW_CombatSkin.jpg|Cortana's visual interpretation of a combat skin.
File:Old_HW_EarlyEfforts.jpg|A group of Forerunners in combat skins engaging the Flood, as envisioned by Cortana.
File:Old_HW_Sacrifice.jpg|A combat skin helmet, as envisioned by Cortana.
File:HCr Promethean Concept.png|Concept art of a Forerunner combat skin.
File:Enc22 H4 Promethean.png|A [[Promethean]] wearing a combat skin.
File:Halo 4 Promethean Concept art.jpg|Concept art of a Promethean's armor.
File:Halo 4 Promethean Concept Art 2.jpg|Multiple concepts of a Promethean's armor.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
===Armor Ability Stacking===
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' {{Fm}}
Another possible theory is stacking. If a normal HAZMAT Suit has a ranking of 1E (1 Environment Point) and a high class KEVLAR Suit has a ranking of 1SA (1 Shield & Armor point). Mk VI (as stated above, and shown in game) is a 1E + 1SA, giving it a rank of 2ESA (ESA being a single class rank in the forerunner system), giving John's Mk VI a Forerunner rank of Class-2. With this being said, 343 stated that John should wear at least a Class-12 Combat Skin, which would be the equivalent to 6 post-modern HAZMAT Suits and 6 post-modern KEVLAR Suits.
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''


==Sources==
==Trivia==
{{Ref/Sources}}
*The difference in nomenclature, has led some to believe that the two items 343 Guilty Spark refers to are different, i.e. armor is an "environment suit" and the body is the "combat skin."
*343 Guilty Spark mentions combat skin again in Halo 3. Sometimes if the player is killed he will say " I told you to upgrade your combat skin ". Considering that 343 Guilty Spark says this when the character is killed by anything, Flood or otherwise, it can be assumed the class 2 Combat Skin isn't designed to protect only from attacks by the [[Flood]].
*Also, in conjunction with the above fact, it can be possible that, although John moved from Mark V to VI, in Forerunner terms, it is still a Class 2 suit or that Spark does not know that John has upgraded.
*There is speculation that Combat Skin is related to the [[Overshield]] system, thus indicating that a Class 12 Combat Skin would be a 6x Overshield (Class 2 x 6 = Class 12) ([[Halo 3]]).
*it seems that the forerunners used a combat skin without any shielding when the flood first arrived and shortly after, this is seen when the 5 forerunners are fighting flood forms and are all attacked and killed. This could of been because they didn't know what they were capable of or they just had shields that were not visible or possibly their shields failed around the time of the fight.


{{Armor}}
==References==
<references/>
{{armor}}


{{Forerunner|technology}}
==Related Pages==
[[Category:Forerunner technology]]
*[[MJOLNIR armor]]
[[Category:Protective clothing]]
*[[Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor]]
*[[Elite Personal Energy Shield]]
*[[ODST Battle Armor]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:The Forerunner]]

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