Editing Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta

{{Title|''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta''}}
{{Era|RW}}
[[File:H5G - Beta banner.jpg|thumb|350px|A promotional image for the beta]]
The '''''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta''''' also known as the '''''Halo 5: Guardians Arena Multiplayer Beta''''' was a phase in the development of ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', produced by [[343 Industries]] and organized by [[Microsoft]]. Purchasing ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' gave players access to the beta,<ref name="wpMC">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref> which was made available on [[2014|December 29, 2014]]<ref name="wpH5">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-5-guardians '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo 5: Guardians'']</ref> and ended on [[2015|January 18, 2015]].<ref name="gamescom trailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeSCwP-hjDY '''YouTube''': ''Halo 5 Guardians Beta Trailer 1080p HD (Gamescom 2014)'']</ref> It was first revealed with a [[Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta announcement trailer|teaser trailer]] shown at Microsoft's [[E3|E3 2014]] media briefing.

The focus of the beta was on small maps with 4v4 arena gameplay. A notable difference to ''Halo 4'' was the absence of custom [[loadout]]s; every player started with identical equipment.{{Ref/Reuse|gamescom trailer}} A notable addition in the beta were the new [[Spartan abilities]], which will replace the [[armor abilities]] from the previous games in ''Halo 5: Guardians''. 343 Industries described the beta as traditional in that it would be used for the intended purpose of beta testing and gathering feedback for a game still in progress, as opposed to merely showcasing a largely finished product for marketing reasons.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96NK5moXyg '''YouTube''': ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta: Behind the Scenes'']</ref>

==Included features==
The beta featured eight maps, three game modes, eleven weapons and thirteen sets of armor.{{Ref/Reuse|gamescom trailer}} The beta also allowed users to offer feedback on things like power weapons, maps, and game modes in the [[Halo Channel]].<ref>'''[[Halo Channel|Halo Bulletin]]'''</ref>

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-3|title-1=Weapons|
*[[BR85HB battle rifle]]
*[[MLRS-1 Hydra]]
*[[M395 DMR]]
*[[M57 rocket launcher]]
*[[M6H magnum]]
*[[M7 SMG]]
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
*[[MA5D assault rifle]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
**''[[Prophets' Bane]]''
*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}
*[[Z-250 lightrifle]]
|title-2=Armor|
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor#First generation|MJOLNIR [GEN1]]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]]
****Original
****Scarred
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR [GEN2]]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/AA variant|Air Assault]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Athlon|Athlon]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Aviator|Aviator]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Centurion|Centurion]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Defender|Defender]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Helioskrill|Helioskrill]] variant
***[[Nightfall armor|Nightfall]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Recruit|Recruit]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant|Scout]] variant {{C|Helmet only}}
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Soldier|Soldier]] variant
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Warrior|Warrior]] variant
|title-3=Maps|
*[[Crossfire]]
*[[Eden]]
*[[Empire]]
*[[Orion]]
*[[Pegasus]]
*[[Regret]]
*[[Trench]]
*[[Truth]]
|title-4=Game modes|
*[[Breakout]]
*[[Slayer]]
*[[Strongholds]]
}}

==List of permutations==
During the ''Halo 5'' beta, the player could unlock armor permutations for their Spartan. Most armor was unlocked by ranking up with the beta's XP system, however, four sets of armor were unlocked through achievements in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'', and by watching ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' on the Halo Channel. Barring [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI Gen1]], Mark VI Gen1 - Scarred, [[Nightfall armor|Nightfall]], and [[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir|Helioskrill]], no armor from the beta transferred to ''Guardians''' final release.
===Armor===
{| class="wikitable"
|-align="center"
! style="width:10%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Armor 
! style="width:15%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Unlock requirement
! style="width:15%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Manufacturer
! style="width:55%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Description
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Recruit.jpg|120px]]<br>[[RECRUIT-class Mjolnir|Recruit]]
|Unlocked by default.
|Hannibal Weapon Systems
|
*'''Helmet description''': Decades of combat experience with Mjolnir suits informed the design and electronics hardware architecture of the RECRUIT helmet.
*'''Body description''': Personalized RECRUIT armor suits the needs of a diverse segment of Spartan combatants.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Air Assault.jpg|120px]]<br>[[AIR ASSAULT-class Mjolnir|Air Assault]]
|Reach SR-2 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-3 (Armor)
|Naphtali Contractor Corporation
|
*'''Helmet description''': The AIR ASSAULT helmet's long-range comm system makes it popular with Spartan fireteam leaders, but Naphtali also markets this helmet to Army special forces.
*'''Body description''': AIR ASSAULT spin-offs were considered for adoption by unaugmented Delta-Six operators, but each suit costs as much as a dropship.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Recon.jpg|120px]]<br>[[RECON-class Mjolnir|Recon]]
|Reach SR-4 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-5 (Armor)
|Imbrium Machine Complex
|
*'''Helmet description''': The heavily classified Auspex battlenet uplink in the RECON helmet contains the latest counter-cyberintrusion and firewall routines from ONI.
*'''Body description''': RECON armor is fitted with emissions baffling and passive electronic support activity sensors for observation missions behind enemy lines.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Aviator.jpg|120px]]<br>[[AVIATOR-class Mjolnir|Aviator]]
|Reach SR-9 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-10 (Armor)
|Hannibal Weapon Systems
|
*'''Helmet description''': Usable only by augmented personnel, the AVIATOR helmet's ultrawideband machine interlink gives Spartan-IV pilots unparalleled control over their aircraft.
*'''Body description''': The AVIATOR suite includes integral gravity compensators and hardware-accelerated flight combat interlinks.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Recruit (BRN).jpg|120px]]<br>Recruit (BRN)
|Reach SR-14 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-15 (Armor)
|Hannibal Weapon Systems
|
*'''Helmet description''': Though largely confined to War Games, custom patterns can be applied to RECRUIT armor before fitting.
*'''Body description''': Personalized RECRUIT armor suits the needs of a diverse segment of Spartan combatants.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Athlon.jpg|120px]]<br>[[ATHLON-class Mjolnir|Athlon]]
|Reach SR-19 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-20 (Armor)
|Misriah Armory
|
*'''Helmet description''': The ATHLON helmet's inner layer uses a magnetorheological dampening system perfectly tuned to the peculiarities of the Spartan physiology.
*'''Body description''': Multiply redundant safety systems in the ATHLON significantly reduce the chance of major injury during live War Games.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Warrior.jpg|120px]]<br>[[WARRIOR-class Mjolnir|Warrior]]
|Reach SR-23 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-24 (Armor)
|Materials Group
|
*'''Helmet description''': The WARRIOR helmet's robust design protects an elegant combination of sensors and computing clusters that are fully interoperable with all Mjolnir derivatives.
*'''Body description''': The WARRIOR's dual channel gel layer can disperse kinetic and thermal energy quickly and efficiently, while still preserving mobility.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Scout.jpg|120px]]<br>[[SCOUT-class Mjolnir|Scout]]
|Reach SR-25 (Helmet)
|Materials Group
|
*'''Helmet description''': Materials Group tested various form factors of the SCOUT helmet, before settling on a sleek shape reminiscent of the MARK VI [GEN1] model.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Defender.jpg|120px]]<br>[[DEFENDER-class Mjolnir|Defender]]
|Reach SR-26 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-27 (Armor)
|Imbrium Machine Complex
|
*'''Helmet description''': It has not escaped notice that the observation and communication features of the DEFENDER helmet are well-suited for combat actuation in urban environments.
*'''Body description''': The placid DEFENDER faceplate is a symbol of both UNSC oppression and protection, due to use by Spartan anti-Insurrectionist units.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Air Assault (DPT).jpg|120px]]<br>Air Assault (DPT)
|Reach SR-29 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-30 (Armor)
|Naphtali Contractor Corporation
|
*'''Helmet description''': This coating incorporates impregnated metamaterials that mask the AIR ASSAULT armor's signature in both the near-infrared and near-ultraviolet spectrum.
*'''Body description''': AIR ASSAULT users take advantage of even the smallest tactical advantage to avoid being spotted in transit to the combat zone.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Soldier.jpg|120px]]<br>[[SOLDIER-class Mjolnir|Soldier]]
|Reach SR-33 (Helmet)<br>SR-34 (Armor)
|Materials Group
|
*'''Helmet description''': Low power consumption, comfort, and obsessive attention paid in ergonomics distinguish the SOLDIER helmet design from other Mjolnir patterns.
*'''Body description''': The SOLDIER armor system has proven so adaptable that design features have been integrated into the latest ODST combat ensembles.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Centurion.jpg|120px]]<br>[[CENTURION-class Mjolnir|Centurion]]
|Reach SR-37 (Helmet)<br>Reach SR-38 (Armor)
|The Watershed Division
|
*'''Helmet description''': The CENTURION's C4I2SR technology combined with Spartan warfighting talent is a game-changer for UNSC operational planning and battlespace shaping doctrine.
*'''Body description''': The CENTURION threat management system incorporates the latest situational awareness tacsofts and cognition enhancing neural interlinks.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Mark VI Gen1.jpg|120px]]<br>[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI Gen1]]
|Get the "[[Your Journey Begins]]" achievement in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
|Materials Group
|
*'''Helmet description''': The distinctive silhouette of the MARK VI GEN1 helmet remains one the most powerful symbols of the Human-Covenant War.
*'''Body description''': Technically obsolete, the Mark VI[GEN1] Mjolnir armor maintains a legendary luster among Spartans and the general public.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Mark VI Gen1 - Scarred.jpg|120px]]<br>Mark VI Gen1 - Scarred
|Get the "[[Cairo Station (achievement)|Cairo Station]]" achievement in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
|Materials Group
|
*'''Helmet description''': Constructed with the utmost care and multiply redundant subsystems, MARK VI helmets can remain functional even after horrendous damage.
*'''Body description''': The MARK VI was able to remain functional until all of its triply-redundant auto-repair and bypass nodes failed.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Nightfall.jpg|120px]]<br>[[Nightfall armor]]
|Watch episode 1 of ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' (Helmet)<br>Watch every episode of ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' (Armor)
|Cascade Stronghold Technology
|
*'''Helmet description''': Lessons learned on far-flung hellscapes have shaped the NIGHTFALL into the best multi-environmental helmet available.
*'''Body description''': Spartans with Marine experience prefer NIGHTFALL armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-of-class life support.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Armor - Helioskrill.jpg|120px]]<br>[[HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir|Helioskrill]]
|Get the "[[Legend (Halo: The Master Chief Collection achievement)|Legend]]" achievement in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
|Kolaar Manufactorum
|
*'''Helmet description''': Such is the skill of the HELIOSKRILL's artisan-armorer designer that even the heavily classified and encrypted Mjolnir neural interface protocols were reverse engineered.
*'''Body description''': The HELIOSKRILL is a work of art crafted by a Sangheili prodigy inspired to test her skill against the best that humanity could muster.
|-
|}
===Visors===
{| class="wikitable"
|-align="center"
! style="width:10%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Visor
! style="width:15%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Unlock requirement
! style="width:15%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Manufacturer
! style="width:55%; text-align:center; color:#fff;"|Description
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Recruit.jpg|120px]]<br>Recruit
|Default
|Hannibal Weapon Systems
|Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance (VISR) software manages the Spartan's disparate sensor feeds, battlenet links, and suit diagnostic messages.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Cyan.jpg|120px]]<br>Cyan
|Reach SR-7
|Hannibal Weapon Systems
|Too expensive to be universally deployed, VISR 4.03 hardware is protected against electromagnetic interference, shock, and corrosive atmospheres.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Frost.jpg|120px]]<br>Frost
|Reach SR-12
|Lethbridge Industrial
|With its integral climate module and multi-layer insulation the VISR 4.05 assembly can function in extreme temperatures and exotic cryogenic atmospheres.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Blindside.jpg|120px]]<br>Blindside
|Reach SR-17
|Imbrium Machine Complex
|Frowned upon by UNSC staff officers, VISR 4.05 sacrifices strategic situational awareness for improved performance in small-unit actions.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Sunspot.jpg|120px]]<br>Sunspot
|Reach SR-22
|Acheron Security
|The VISR 4.06 system utilizes a dedicated deconfiction agent which effectively curates the deluge of information competing for the Spartan's attention.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Solar.jpg|120px]]<br>Solar
|Reach SR-28
|Materials Group
|VISR 4.02 upgrades focus specifically on target acquisition speed, combat identification, and interoperability with UEG law enforcement networks. 
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Verdant.jpg|120px]]<br>Verdant
|Reach SR-32
|Naphtali Contractor Corporation
|VISR 4.07 has been updated to comply with the latest industrial cyberlink standards, as well as expanded support for legacy interfaces.
|-align="center"
|[[File:H5GB - Visors - Midnight.jpg|120px]]<br>Midnight
|Reach SR-35
|Materials Group
|Materials Group uses VISR 4.08 as the basis for their next-generation battlespace management software, but proper use requires technical expertise.
|-
|}

==Trivia==
*Despite appearing in multiple promotional images and screenshots for the beta, the [[TECHNICIAN-class Mjolnir|Technician armor]] was not available in the beta.
*During the game's final stretch of development, from the beta to release, some descriptions were altered:
**The VISRs changed from having their VISR numbers in the description. This was replaced with their name.
**The armor skins lost their descriptions, opting to use the base armor's description.
**Recruit's body armor description changed.
**The Blindside visor's description had an error in which it said it was "VISR 4.05", while ''[[Halo 4]]'' had it under "VISR 4.04".
**The final version of ''Halo 5: Guardians'' removed the manufacturer names for each item in the customisation menu.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:TheArena.png|The Arena space station.
H5G-Beta-Splash.jpg|A promotional splash screen for the beta.
File:H5G beta - controller layout.jpg|The default [[Xbox controller layout]] for the beta.
File:H5GBetaMainMenu.jpg|The ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta'' main menu.
File:H5GBServiceRecord.png|The service record in the beta.
File:H5GBCustomization.png|[[Armor customization (Halo 5: Guardians)|Customization]] in the beta.
File:Halo5Beta - CityMap.jpg|The map [[Empire]].
File:Halo5Beta - CovenantStationMap.jpg|The map [[Truth]].
File:H5Regret.png|The map [[Regret]].
File:H5-Crossfire-Beta-3.jpg|The map [[Crossfire]].
File:Trench Training Ground.jpg|The map [[Trench]].
File:Pegasus.jpg| Gameplay on [[Pegasus]].
File:H5G-MP-beta-spartan-1.jpg|Spartans in the [[Breakout]] gametype.
File:H5 - Sword first person view.png|First person view of the [[Prophets' Bane]].
File:H5 - Recon with missile launcher.jpg|A Spartan with a rocket launcher.
File:H5 Ground Pound.jpg|A Spartan using the Ground Pound.
File:H5-Crossfire-Start.png|A game of [[Breakout]] begins, with Spartans about to be launched into the arena.
File:H5GWin.png|The newly introduced team victory screen.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==See also==
*''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]]''
{{Halo Testing}}
[[Category:Halo 5: Guardians]]