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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|HCW}}
{{Weapon infobox
{{Weapon Infobox
|name=MA5B assault rifle
|image= [[File:MA5B.png|250px]]
|image=[[File:MCC Menu MA5BAssaultRifle.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=163}}{{Ref/Game|Id=CEAL|HCEA|Library (feature)|Library|Detail=Assault Rifle}}
|series=[[MA5 Series]]
|series=[[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS series]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Reuse|CEAL}}
|type=[[wikipedia:bullpup|Bullpup]] [[wikipedia:assault rifle|assault rifle]]
|type=Bullpup assault rifle{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm4|HSS|Chapter=4}}
|cost=
|cost=
|variant=
|variant=[[MA2B Individual Combat Weapon System]]
|service=[[Insurrection]] <br> [[Human-Covenant War]]<br>[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]<br>[[Created conflict]]
|service=
|length={{Convert|34.5|in|cm|disp=flip|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|weight=
|ammotype=[[7.62x51mm]]{{Ref/Game|Id=HCE|HCE|Detail=Gameplay}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|length=87.6 centimeters
|capacity=
|ammotype=[[7.62x51]]mm [[Wikipedia:FMJ|Full Metal Jacket]]
|feed=60-round detachable box magazine{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|feed=60 round box magazine
|operation=Gas-operated{{Ref/Book|Id=CEM|Halo: Combat Evolved Manual|Page=17}}
|operation=[[wikipedia:Gas-operated_reloading#Short-stroke_piston|Short-stroke]], [[wikipedia:Gas-operated reloading|gas-operated]], [[wikipedia:Rotating bolt|rotating-bolt]]
|rate=15 rounds per second automatic,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoRPrologue|HTFoR|Chapter=Prologue}} semi-automatic,{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm27|HSS|Chapter=27}} 3-round burst{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm24|HSS|Chapter=24}}
|rate=900 RPM
|velocity=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=Short to medium (300 meters) <ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page ??''</ref>
|range=~500m{{Ref/Novel|Id=Oblivion19|HOblv|Chapter=19}}{{Ref/Note|This is indicated in an exchange between [[Linda-058]] and Captain Dkani of the ''UNSC Wheatley''. When Linda tells him to have his men open fire at "50 paces", he responds by saying that the MA5B's range is almost ten times that. In reply, Linda tells him that if they open fire at 500m (the product of 50x10), being inexperienced shooters, they will waste their ammunition. This indicates that in the context of this exchange, "paces" is being used to refer to meters, as opposed to the term's real world designations as a non-standard measurement unit (~0.75m in the US).}}
}}
}}
The '''MA5B assault rifle''', or simply '''MA5B''', is a standard-issue automatic rifle utilized widely by the [[United Nations Space Command]], particularly the [[UNSC Marine Corps]].{{Ref/Reuse|ENC318}} It is part of the [[Misriah Armory]] [[MA5 series]].{{Ref/Reuse|CEAL}}
{{quote|Hey, soldier, is that an assault rifle in your hands or are you just happy to see me?|[[Janissary James]]<ref>'''[[I Love Bees]]''', [[Media:Hey_soldier.ogg|hey_soldier.ogg]]</ref>}}


==Overview==
The '''MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System''' ('''MA5B ICWS''' or '''MA5B Assault Rifle''') is a standard-issue service rifle of the [[United Nations Space Command]] that is produced by [[Misriah Armory]] as part of its [[MA5 Series]].
===Design===
The MA5B is a gas-operated automatic rifle chambered in the widespread [[M118 7.62x51mm Full Metal Jacket Armor-Piercing|7.62x51mm cartridge]], most often used with standard M118 FMJ-AP ammunition,{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} though also employed with shredder{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRPrologue}} and hollow-point rounds.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm24}} MA5Bs typically feed from 60-round detachable box magazines.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} Hollow-point rounds are loaded into magazines marked with red paint for rapid identification.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm24}} The weapon's automatic rate of fire is 15 rounds per second,{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRPrologue}} but it can be limited to semi-automatic{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm27}} or 3-round burst via a fire selector to conserve ammunition and alter firing pattern.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm24}}


One significant aspect of the MA5B's design is its capacity for modification. Its barrel can be adapted for use with suppressors to combat the conspicuous report of the weapon's firing, making it especially suitable for stealth fighting;{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR2|HSoR|Chapter=2}} [[SPARTAN-IIs]] made use of this attribute during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoR20|HTFoR|Chapter=20}} Early in the [[Human-Covenant War]], SPARTAN-IIs also frequently employed MA5Bs with underslung [[M301 40mm Grenade Launcher|M301 40mm launchers]] to fire HE grenades, notably during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=SilentStorm8|HSS|Chapter=8}} and the [[Skirmish over Netherop|salvage operation on Netherop]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=Oblivion13|HOblv|Chapter=13}}
==Design details==
[[File:Assault-rifle.png|thumb|left|160px|MA5B schematic.]]
The '''MA5B Assault Rifle''' is an air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed weapon designed for automatic fire. The MA5 series rifle is the workhorse of the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and has been in service for more than fifty years. The MA5B has an attached electronics suite that provides information on rounds remaining in magazine, compass heading, as well as several other "housekeeping" functions. The rifle performs well in a variety of environments especially given the perceived delicacy of the attached electronics suite. The MA5 rifle can be outfitted with a number of modifications including sound suppressors, a grenade launcher or a standard issue flashlight and more “exotic” ammunition types like [[shredder round]]s; however, these modifications are only available by Mission Conditional Requisition (MCR). The MA5B Assault Rifle is easily one of the most versatile weapons in the UNSC’s arsenal. Due to this versatility, the MA5B is complimented by many of the UNSC's other weapons as either the primary means to a kill or in a secondary role as the fallback weapon.


[[File:Assault-rifle.png|thumb|A schematic view of the MA5B.]]
The MA5B rifle is a [[bullpup]] rifle and is made of Titanium Alloy and Polymer - the rifle is a gas-operated weapon with a rotating-bolt and therefore must be cocked before the first shot can be fired. The charging handle used to chamber the round is situated on the left side of the rifle and moves during operation. Once the first round is fired, the gases from that round and those to follow impinge upon a gas piston, which pushes back the bolt carrier, rotating the bolt inside which unlocks it and extracts the spent brass from the chamber and ejects it. As the bolt carrier group is propelled forward, it chambers another round. This cycle continues until the magazine is empty. Once the magazine is empty, the charging handle must both be pulled back and locked or must be fully cycled after a fresh magazine is inserted to chamber the next round. The magazine itself is located at the butt of the rifle and the magazine release button is located above the magazine well and has an arrow pointing down toward the housing. The electronics suite is integrated along the top rail guard of the weapon. The MA5B is designed for the toughest of situations, able to be subjected to elements that would otherwise cause a weapon to malfunction, or render a weapon inoperable. The MA5B has concealed iron sights, although not seen in gameplay. It is used by Marines and other personnel with improper equipment to uploading a targeting reticule to the user's [[heads-up display]] or [[neural interface]].<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''pages 136-138''</ref>
The most characteristic part of the MA5B's architecture is the accentuated shroud situated atop the barrel, which houses the weapon's integrated computer and display. While most [[MA5 series|MA5 ICWS rifles]] feature this to some extent, it is most prominent on the MA5B. The magazine which feeds the rifle is inserted behind the thumbhole pistol grip in a bullpup configuration, another trait typical of the ICWS series. The charging handle is an inconspicuous rounded-off protrusion on the left of the weapon's body, and the ejection port is situated on the right. The weapon's horizontal foregrip plays host to a forward-facing [[flashlight]], bearing a prominent green button on both flanks. The barrel of the MA5B lacks any form of muzzle device (unless fitted with a suppressor).{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR20}} The finish of the weapon is a dull grey, with a darker grey color for the foregrip, pistol grip and stock.{{Ref/Game|HW|Detail=UNSC Assault Rifle cinematic model ([[:File:AR.jpg|File link]])}} As standard, the weapon and its cowling has no optical device or ironsight,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} leaving the only evident means by which the weapon is aimed to be via [[Heads-up display|HUD-based targeting reticle]], such as that of [[MJOLNIR Mark V]],{{Ref/Book|Id=CEMHUD|Halo: Combat Evolved Manual|Page=14}} or by eyesight alone.{{Ref/Level|Id=MWMonsters|HW|Escape (Halo Wars level)|Escape|Detail="Monsters" cutscene}}


===Functionality===
===Ammunition===
[[File:Assault Rifle.png|thumb|left|The display of the MA5B's integrated computer, showing the prominent ammunition counter and compass.]]
The MA5B Assault Rifle uses M118 7.62x51mm Armor Piercing, Full Metal Jacket rounds. These rounds are designed to pierce body armor, so the rounds are reasonably large, and are surrounded by a molded jacket of either steel or titanium, which enhances its armor-piercing capabilities. The round might also have a carbide or similar hardened tip, and might also be coated in copper or another metal over the steel, titanium, etc. shell.
The MA5B, being a rifle, is held with the user's dominant hand on the main grip and their off-hand on the foregrip, with the stock stabilized against the shoulder. As is typical of human firearms, the MA5B is fired by the depression of a trigger positioned at the top of the main grip. When the trigger is pulled, the round in the weapon’s chamber is fired, and the weapon’s gas system harnesses some of the energy from the deflagrating propellant to cycle the bolt back into its open position.{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}} As with most human weapons, the firing of the weapon creates a noticeable flash as the fiery gas of the propellant's deflagration escapes the muzzle.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}


As the bolt travels back, the spent casing from the expended round is pushed out of the ejection port. After the bolt opens, the weapon’s recoil system pushes it forward again to strip a fresh round from the currently loaded magazine and lock it into the firing chamber. Over the course of these actions, the ammunition counter situated on the display of the weapon’s integrated computer will register the expenditure of one round from the total supply provided by the magazine and tick down by that value.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} From this point, one of three things will occur. If the weapon’s fire-selector was set to the semi-automatic mode of fire, the trigger will have to be released and pulled again before another round fires.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm27}} If the weapon is set to the 3-round burst fire mode, each pull of the trigger will result in 3 successive shots.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm24}} If the weapon is set to fully-automatic, however, the firing action will repeat successively while the trigger is held down until the magazine is expended or the trigger is released.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}
However, despite these advanced rounds, the damage done by a single round is very limited, made even worse by the Assault Rifle's low accuracy at long ranges. Although performing poorly against Covenant shields, the AP-FMJ round can easily penetrate the lightly armored Grunts and Jackals and finish unshielded Elites very quickly. The AP-FMJ round is especially effective against all manners of Flood as they are not well armored. This is somewhat paradoxical, since the AP-FMJ round is traditionally less effective against flesh and unarmored targets due to its tendency to overpenetrate tissue.


Once the weapon is empty, the bolt will close with no round in the chamber.{{Ref/Reuse|Oblivion19}} The magazine can be removed from the receiver via the manipulation of the magazine release control with the thumb.{{Ref/Reuse|TheFlood1}} Once a fresh magazine has been inserted, the charging handle must be pulled back and released, or "cycled", in order to chamber the new round and prepare the weapon to fire again.{{Ref/Reuse|Oblivion19}} The magazine can also be replaced before the weapon is completely emptied.{{Ref/Reuse|TheFlood1}}{{Ref/Note|The account of an empty MA5B being reloaded in ''[[Halo: Oblivion]]'' Chapter 9 somewhat contradicts the gameplay of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], in which, whether the weapon is dry or not, the bolt is first manually locked open, then the magazine removed and replaced, and the bolt manually closed. However, the former interpretation is presumed to take precedence because an exchange of dialogue between [[Linda-058]] and the castoff Roselle no longer makes sense otherwise. It is possible that the weapon can function in both ways and that Linda-058 indicated that Roselle needed to pull on the bolt to make the weapon fire after loading a magazine because she had not already opened it, but if that is true, the method employed in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' should not be necessary, making it unlikely.}}
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===Accuracy===
The most pressing negative aspect of the MA5B is its inconsistent accuracy. Firing the weapon in short bursts will allow much higher accuracy, as opposed to holding down the trigger. Most of the bullets will stay within the reticule. One round fired may produce a perfect bull's-eye, but the next may fly out of the targeting reticule and slam into the dirt a dozen meters from the same target. This has led to the belief that the rifle is very incapable of hitting targets greater than close-range; this is untrue. If attacking targets at surprisingly long-ranges, one can effectively wound or kill that target by firing in single shots or bursts. Unfortunately, this lack of consistent accuracy has tarnished the image of the rifle, and the problem has kept the MA5B out of the hands of those who prefer less spontaneous weapons.


The MA5B's prominent integrated display features both an ammunition counter and an electronic compass. This can be assigned to highlight a specific point to orientate the user in combat or confusing terrain; during the [[Battle of Alpha Halo]], this point was the relative direction of the gas giant [[Threshold]].{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}} Additionally, in low-light conditions, the flashlight mounted beneath the barrel of the weapon can be activated to provide illumination.{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}}
===Advantages===
The MA5B in both offensive and suppressive situations remains the Marine Corps most reliable weapon. When fired in short bursts, or even single shots, there is a significant increase in accuracy, and the rifle's armor penetrating ability makes it key for handling even the toughest of infantry, having the ability to kill an Elite in about 45 rounds in close quarters. The MA5B rifle is effective at killing light armored infantry at close-to-medium range, and the high rate of fire combined with the high ammunition capacity allows its user to spray the whole area with suppressing fire. The MA5B also gives the user an ammo count on its digital readout, as well a compass pointing toward the arbitrary magnetic "north" position. In the hands of someone who can control their trigger finger, the MA5B becomes a deadly weapon in CQB situations.


===Performance===
===Disadvantages===
[[File:HW Sergeant Forge with MA5B.png|thumb|[[John Forge|Sergeant John Forge]], armed with an MA5B during the [[Battle of Trove]].]]
The MA5B is not without disadvantages, its main disadvantage being its horrible accuracy when fired at a range of more than forty meters. At that range, enemy infantry may be hit by a few bullets, or not be hit by any bullets at all. The MA5B Assault Rifle performs poorly against energy shields unless firing on full automatic at close range without giving a shielded infantry time to cover. In comparison to modern assault rifles it can be more related to an oversized sub-machine gun, as it is underpowered and lacks the ability to select a fire mode.
The capabilities of the MA5B are seemingly deemed to be sufficient by soldiers of the [[UNSC]], with [[John-117]] regarding the weapon as "powerful."{{Ref/Novel|Id=TheFlood1|HTF|Chapter=1}} While the rifle is very capable of harming foes wearing physical body armor, and even light vehicles,{{Ref/Novel|Id=TheFlood2|HTF|Chapter=2}} [[Energy shielding|personal energy shielding]] represents a significant detriment to its stopping power, as a great deal of concentrated fire from multiple MA5Bs - or an extended period of continuous automatic fire from a single rifle - is needed to overwhelm such systems.{{Ref/Reuse|TheFlood1}} When shredder ammunition is utilized, the weapon appears to be highly effective against infantry targets such as [[Covenant]] [[Grunt|grunt soldiers]],{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRPrologue}} and also capable of obliterating construction materials such as marble tile and wood.{{Ref/Novel|Id=ReferenceA|HTFoR|Chapter=22}} When firing hollow-point ammunition, the weapon is highly effective against unprotected personnel, but is less likely to penetrate hard surfaces, a favorable trait when fighting on a [[starship]] and intending not to cause undue damage to items such as equipment cabinets, hulls, or viewports.{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm24}}
-->
 
==Tactics==
The MA5B's range has been indicated to be approximately 500m in the hands of a competent shooter,{{Ref/Reuse|Oblivion19}} considered "decent" by [[John-117]],{{Ref/Reuse|SoR2}} but its strength was later noted by him to lie primarily in the realm of close-quarters combat.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR14|HSoR|Chapter=14}} The weapon is compact enough to serve as a pilot's emergency weapon, being short enough to fit in a cockpit scabbard.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR2}}
The MA5B Assault Rifle is one of the weapons which players will love and loathe in equal measures. The rifle's rate of fire makes it a devastatingly powerful weapon in close range combats, and its melee attack usually ensures victory over close quarter battles. The only disadvantage is its reloading time, which takes about 1.5 seconds, which gives your opponent enough time to put you down with a hail of plasma bolts. In a skilled player's hand, the assault rifle can easily put down 2-4 opponents per magazine.
 
One positive attribute of the weapon is the high capacity of the 60-round magazines with which it is typically used, an attribute that was comforting to [[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC marines]] wielding it in battle.{{Ref/Book|Id=ENC318|Enc11|Page=318}} So well-liked was this attribute that even in light of reliability issues brought on by spring wear, the switch toward 32-round magazines with the later [[MA5C assault rifle]] was met with frustration by the marines of [[E2-BAG/1/7]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BAGAssaultRifle|Site=Bungie.net|Page=MA5C Assault Rifle|D=16|M=12|Y=2007|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present#MA5C Assault Rifle}}


When firing this weapon, it has been noted that short, controlled bursts are more accurate than continuous automatic fire. While the cyclic automatic rate of fire is high,{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRPrologue}} actual rate of fire in combat is dictated by the user's own proficiency at aiming, firing and reloading.{{Ref/Reuse|CEM}} When the weapon is altered to mount a silencer, the report of its firing can be reduced to what can be reasonably described as a "cough."{{Ref/Reuse|ReferenceA}} Despite this, it retains a lower overall accuracy than its later cousins in the MA5 series.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
===Campaign===
*The MA5B Assault Rifle has one of the fastest melee speeds in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
*One strategy is to charge forward while firing in controlled bursts, then when in close range, break out into full auto, followed by a melee or two. This is a tried and true tactic for taking down shielded Elites.
*Another tactic for medium range AR combat is to "rapid-pulse" the trigger; in other words, rapidly press your finger down on the trigger. This will result in rapid, accurate, and controlled bursts. This is very useful in the early levels of the game. However, this is impaired by the fact that the MA5B has somewhat low accuracy, although all projectiles will hit within the reticule with this tactic.
*Combined with grenades, the MA5B decimates enemy ranks. Charge forward and toss some fragmentation grenades to clear out the weaker enemies and soften up the stronger ones, then before the dust clears, hose down anything that's still moving.
*If you can't find a [[M90 Shotgun|shotgun]] on a [[Flood]]-infested level, don't panic. Use the MA5B as a primary weapon while backing it with a Plasma Pistol as secondary. When the Flood get too close, just hold down the trigger and watch them wilt under the large volume of bullets. However, do not just stand there shooting, back-pedal into a previously secured area as the Flood can be overwhelming in waves, or get your back up against a wall so they can only attack you from the front.
*Use melee on [[Flood infection form|infection forms]] to save ammo - though if your shields are at max, do not even worry about them. Unless there is an entire swarm of them, they will simply burst on your shields, doing no substantial damage.
*On [[Normal]], less experienced players find that a good tactic is to use a Plasma Rifle to deplete an Elite's shielding, and then switch to Assault Rifle to finish them off. The player can do the same thing with an assault rifle, followed up by a headshot from the M6D magnum, if the player chooses not to carry two full auto weapons at once. This is handy as even on Heroic the assault rifle can drop an Elite's shields at close range, if the player uses an entire clip and follows up with a melee attack in order to drop the shields and cause said Elite to stagger back, which they can follow up by shooting it in the head.
*When you fight a large number of Grunts of any kind, hold down the firing trigger to send a full-auto landslide of bullets, and if the group consists of more than half a dozen, side-to-side sweeping motions will result in every target receiving fire. Since they are unshielded and will flinch when hit by anything, the bullets will kill them quickly. This is one of the most convenient ways to kill a medium-sized group of Grunts.
*When engaging a lone Elite, simply fire in short burst to break its shield then advance towards it and finish it off with a melee, as the Elite will repeatedly flinch making the target easier to kill. This is usually done on Elite Minors on Easy or Normal mode in close quarters or open plane.
*Do not underestimate the assault rifle's strength against Zealots. It can be useful against them if you can dodge their swipes at the right time. It's best to empty out the entire magazine into a Zealot before he charges at you. Try to dodge his attacks while you're reloading, then put a couple of rounds into him and he will be down in no time.


===History===
===Multiplayer===
[[File:Johnson-BQ.jpg|thumb|[[Sergeant Avery Johnson]] fires an MA5B during his escape from the compromised [[Flood Containment Facility]] on [[Alpha Halo]].]]
*The MA5B's accuracy degrades after exactly 1.5 seconds of sustained fire. In order to use this weapon to its fullest, you must learn the most efficient bursts to use at different ranges. It takes just 16 rounds to kill one opponent.
The MA5B was in service to some extent during the [[Insurrection]], being considered a standard weapon in September of [[2525]],{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=9}} and played a significant role in the following Human-Covenant War. MA5Bs were employed by various [[SPARTAN-IIs]] during [[Operation: SILENT STORM]] and the ensuing [[Skirmish over Netherop|Netherop engagement]] in [[2526]].{{Ref/Reuse|SilentStorm8}}{{Ref/Reuse|Oblivion13}} In [[2531]], the [[UNSC Marine Corps|marine]] compliment of the ''[[UNSC Spirit of Fire]]'' made use of the MA5B on [[Harvest campaign|Harvest]], [[Battle of Arcadia|Arcadia]] and [[Battle of the Trove|Etran Harborage]],{{Ref/Game|HW|Gameplay}} while members of [[Blue Team]] deployed with it on their mission to the [[Construction Platform 966A|decommissioned Platform 966A]] the same year,{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=3}} and again during the [[Battle of Jericho VII]] in [[2535]].{{Ref/Reuse|TFoRPrologue}} The MA5B saw particularly heavy use in [[2552]]. On [[Fall of Reach|Reach]], it was wielded by [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] sent to engage [[John-117]] during the live-fire test of [[MJOLNIR Mark V]] and [[Cortana]],{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=27}} and by the Spartans of [[Red Team#Fall of Reach splinter arrangement|Red Team]] during the defense of [[Orbital Defense Generator]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Id=ReferenceB|HFS|Chapter=2}} John-117 and the marine compliment of the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} utilized the MA5B throughout the [[Battle of Installation 04]],{{Ref/Reuse|HCE}} and in the ensuing [[Skirmish over Threshold]].{{Ref/Reuse|ReferenceB}} [[Spartan]] personnel during the [[Onyx Conflict]] also made use of the MA5B.{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=18}} The MA5B remained in service as of 2559, notably being used by First Lieutenant Maks Chapov as his pilot's emergency weapon in the cockpit of an [[D102 Owl]] dropship.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR2}}
*When used with effective [[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade|grenades]], the AR can hold its own. Backpedal and use any grenade you have handy, and let the weapon take care of your enemy after his shields are down.
*A combo of either [[plasma rifle]] or [[plasma pistol]] with the Assault Rifle is effective in killing the enemy; the plasma weapons can down the enemy's shields with ease and the Assault Rifle can reduce their health in seconds.  
*The weapon can be used to suppress enemy's movement and/or vision with great effect; at medium range, it can deliver sufficient damage to down the enemy's shields; its sustained fire will cause many flashes on an enemy's screen enabling for a more effective retreat. This helps when facing vehicles since it can give the driver a hard time keeping control.


==In-game information==
==Trivia==
{{Main
*The MA5B was heavily inspired by the [[w:c:marathongame:MA-75 Assault Rifle/Grenade Launcher|MA–75B assault rifle]] from the ''[[Marathon]]'' series.
|1=Assault_Rifle#Halo:_Combat_Evolved_and_Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Anniversary
*[[Robert McLees]] at [[Bungie]] has compared the basic design of the MA5B to that of the [[Wikipedia:FN F2000|Fabrique-Nationale, FN F2000]]. According to ''[[The Art of Halo]]'', McLees did not know of the F2000 until after the game was even finished; ''"I don't know when the images of the FN F2000 appeared, but I didn't see them until three or four months after the game shipped, and I thought 'Oh great. Now everyone's going to think I swiped the design from Fabrique National.' It was surreal to see how close the Halo assault rifle was to its real-life counterpart... and it was all totally by accident."''
|l1=Assault Rifle
*There is a second melee animation for the MA5B, in which the user holds the weapon vertically and clubs anyone in front of them with the back end of the weapon. This animation is used in a few ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' maps, but was taken out of the official game. This animation is similar, if not identical, to the melee animation used for the MA5C from ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
}}
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the compass on the MA5B Assault Rifle points "north" to [[Threshold]], seen in the sky. Since compasses operate on a magnetic principle, this is likely because Threshold provides the greatest nearby magnetic signal, and is arbitrarily designated 'north'. In ''Halo: The Flood'', it seems that Ensign Lovell designated west randomly.
===Advantages ===
*In the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' announcement trailer, the MA5B uses the [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA37 assault rifle's]] model as a placeholder.<ref>[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary announcement trailer|''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' announcement trailer]]</ref><ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/featured/video/halo-anniversary-exclusive/7ed1f10f-349c-4c47-a07a-831d12f94d63 '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''Halo: Anniversary Exclusive'']</ref> The weapon has since received a new model that resembles the ''[[MA5C]]'' model from ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYfNBCHYHFE&feature=player_embedded#at=14 '''Youtube''': ''Halo: Anniversary Exclusive Pre-Order Grunt Funeral Skull'']</ref>
The MA5B in both offensive and suppressive situations remains one of the UNSC's most reliable weapons. When fired in short bursts, or even single shots, there is a significant increase in accuracy, and the rifle's armor penetrating ability makes it key for handling even the toughest of infantry, having the ability to kill an Elite in about 45 rounds in close quarters. The MA5B rifle is effective at killing light armored infantry at close-to-medium range, and the high rate of fire combined with the high ammunition capacity allows its user to spray the whole area with suppressing fire. The MA5B also gives the user an ammo count on its digital readout, as well a compass pointing toward the arbitrary magnetic "north" position. In the hands of someone who can control their trigger finger, the MA5B becomes a deadly weapon in CQB situations.
 
===Disadvantages===
The MA5B is not without disadvantages, its main disadvantage being its horrible accuracy when fired at a range of more than forty meters. At that range, enemy infantry may be hit by a few bullets, or not be hit by any bullets at all. The MA5B Assault Rifle performs poorly against energy shields unless firing on full automatic at close range without giving a shielded infantry time to cover. In comparison to modern assault rifles it can be more related to an oversized sub-machine gun, as it is underpowered and lacks the ability to select a fire mode. The MA5B is also not the ideal weapon to use against [[Flood Combat forms]], as Combat forms dropped by one are likely to rise again soon afterwards if not damaged with another weapon prior. A way to counter this is to kill the Combat form and with the remainder of the clip, fire at the body.
 
==Production notes==
*The MA5B was heavily inspired by the [[marathongame:MA-75 Assault Rifle/Grenade Launcher|MA–75B assault rifle]] from the ''[[Marathon]]'' series.
*[[Robert McLees]] at [[Bungie]] has compared the basic design of the MA5B to that of the [[Wikipedia:FN F2000|Fabrique-Nationale FN F2000]]. According to ''[[The Art of Halo]]'', McLees did not know of the F2000 until after the game was even finished; ''"I don't know when the images of the FN F2000 appeared, but I didn't see them until three or four months after the game shipped, and I thought 'Oh great. Now everyone's going to think I swiped the design from Fabrique National.' It was surreal to see how close the Halo assault rifle was to its real-life counterpart... and it was all totally by accident."''{{Ref/Book|AoH|Section=Weapons and Gear|Page=98-99}}
*There is a second melee animation for the MA5B, in which the user holds the weapon vertically and clubs anyone in front of them with the back end of the weapon. This animation is used in a few ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' maps, but was taken out of the official game. This animation is similar, if not identical, to the melee animation used for the M90 CAWS.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Anniversary'', the gas giant [[Threshold]] is considered arbitrary north by the MA5B's compass.
*In the early version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', the MA5B used the MA37 as a placeholder render, before using the MA5C for the final game.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE_MA5B_Concept.jpg|Concept art of the MA5B produced early in the development of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:MA5B AR ammo.jpg|A 7.62mm NATO FMJ cartridge from the MA5B.
File:MA5B.png|The MA5B in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:MA5B ammopack.png|A render of the MA5B ammopack of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HCE MA5B ICWS AR.png|In-game side view of the MA5B in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.   
File:AR ammopack.jpg|An ammunition pack for the MA5B Assault Rifle.
File:MA5B Assault Rifle.png|The MA5B viewed in different angles.
File:MA5B Assault Rifle.png|A render of the of the MA5B of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:MJOLNIR HUD.jpg|The MJOLNIR [[Heads-up display|HUD]], showing the targeting reticule for the MA5B and ammo readout.
File:HCE AR.png|Profile view of the MA5B in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.   
File:Assault Rifle.png|A render of the MA5B showing its digital ammo counter.
File:1771660-gallery.png|The Assault Rifle as it appears in ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Homecoming]]''.                                                                                 
File:MC AR.jpg|MJOLNIR Heads Up Display, showing the targeting reticule for the MA5B and ammo readout.
File:Master Chief Points Gun.jpg|Down the barrel of an MA5B.
File:Master Chief Points Gun.jpg|Down the barrel of an MA5B.
File:Marines on the Battlefield.jpg|Marines on Installation 04 with MA5B's.
File:Marines on the Battlefield.jpg|Marines on Installation 04 with MA5B's.
File:Chief-Marine.jpg|[[John-117]] and a Marine with an MA5B.
File:Chief-Marine.jpg|Master Chief and a Marine with an MA5B.
File:HCE-LuckyShotMA5Bskin.jpg|A ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' MA5B with the Lucky Shot skin in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
File:HaloWars - MA5.png|The MA5B as it appears in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HCE-MA5Bwoodlandskin1stperson.jpg|First person view of the MA5B with the Woodland skin.
File:AR.jpg|Models for the cinematic appearance of the ''Halo Wars'' MA5B.
File:Fight on Ascendant Justice.png|Marines with MA5B assault rifle during the [[Skirmish over Threshold]] in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
File:ChiefHGN.jpg|John-117 with an MA5B in ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''.
File:Fred.JPG|A Spartan-II with an MA5B during the [[Onyx Conflict]] in ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''.
File:AR.jpg|Models for the cinematic appearance of the MA5B in ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:HW-MA5-ICWS-AssaultRifle.png|A render of the MA5B in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HaloWars - MA5.png|The MA5B in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Unsc marine.gif|The in-game model of the MA5B being wielded by marines in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Unsc marine.gif|The in-game model of the MA5B being wielded by marines in ''Halo Wars''.
File:Cal-141(2).jpg|[[Cal-141]] with an MA5B during the [[Raid on Heian]] in ''Halo Legends'': ''[[The Babysitter]]''.
File:CE_AR.PNG|The MA5B remastered in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.  
File:HFoR - Blue Team vs Hunter.jpg|[[Blue Team]] firing their MA5B assault rifles at a [[Mgalekgolo]] during the [[Battle of Sigma Octanus IV]] in ''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''.
File:2817467-gallery.jpg|John-117 using the MA5B in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:Homecoming AssaultRifle Concept.png|Turnaround view of the MA5B as seen in ''[[Homecoming|Halo Legends: Homecoming]]''.
File:HRoa 1 prep.png|UNSC Marines with MA5B assault rifles in ''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''.
File:HW2 Menu SpartanWithMA5B.png|A Spartan with an MA5B in the main menu of ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' (''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Anniversary]]'')
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''  
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
**''[[Breaking Quarantine]]''
**''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{mo}}
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
{{Col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Covenant|Covenant]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{C|Weapon charm only}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]'' {{Mo}}
{{Col-end}}
 
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
<references/>
 
{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
{{UNSC rifles}}
[[Category:Assault rifles]]
[[Category:Assault rifles]]

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