Nightfall armor

Nightfall
Production overview
Manufacturer(s):	Cascade Stronghold Technology (GEN2)
Testing site(s):	Special Warfare Center, Seongnam, Korea
Type:	Combat armor; MJOLNIR [GEN2] (variant);
Role(s):	Hostile environment life support
Technical specifications
Feature(s):	AN/PZY-6011Y TYPHON Command Network Module

This article is about the armor variant. For other articles including "ODST", see ODST (disambiguation).

Nightfall armor is a hostile environment variant of the ODST armor developed by Cascade Stronghold Technology.^[2] A variant of the armor designed for the MJOLNIR [GEN2] platform is available for use by Spartans.^[3]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

Compared to the similar GEN2 ODST armor, major differences include a data crystal chip port on the back of the helmet (much like those featured on the Mark V and later MJOLNIR iterations) and a camera integrated into the brim of the helmet (which consequently extends farther over the faceplate). The helmet's visor is retractable and contains a sophisticated VISR suite capable of identifying and analyzing objects in the environment.^[4] The MJOLNIR iteration of the armour contains a AN/PZY-6011Y TYPHON Command Network Module on the side of the helmet.

The armor is powered to some extent and is able to effectively negate the impact of a substantial fall during a deployment from a dropship, for example. According to Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, without the hydraulics being powered up, the armor is essentially dead weight on the wearer. In this unpowered state, the operator can still move around in it, but are hampered in their movements especially in hostile environments in which they may need to move fast.^[4]

Development history[edit]

Cascade Stronghold Technology, the company that ported the ODST armor to MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2], is also responsible for creating the MJOLNIR GEN 2 version of the Nightfall armor. The armor was built to function in extreme temperature conditions. The first models of the nightfall armor were deployed in 2551 to ONI operators and select ODST special forces units.^[2]

Developed at the Special Warfare Center in Seongnam, Korea, Nightfall combines elements of standard Marine Corps body armor, ODST combat armor, and MJOLNIR.^[1]

Usage[edit]

The armor is worn by Office of Naval Intelligence operatives.^[4]

Spartans recruited from the Marine Corps favor the GEN2 Nightfall armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-in-class life support.^[3]

In 2556, Locke's team wore the armor during a mission to Alpha Shard in order to destroy deposits of a deadly new element. During an attack by Lekgolo worms, the team was forced to deactivate their armor's systems in order to avoid detection. At the suggestion of Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, the team removed and abandoned their armor as without the hydraulics and air conditioning, it was just dead weight and they could not risk reactivating it without drawing the attention of the deadly worms.^[4]

In-game information[edit]

Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta[edit]

Nightfall was first introduced through the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta. Featuring one variant, the Nightfall helmet was available to those who watched Halo: Nightfall's Second Story during "It's Only Just Beginning" on the Halo Channel, with the full armor unlocking upon watching all five episodes. Nightfall armor, alongside Helioskrill, Mark VI GEN1, and Mark VI GEN1 Scarred were the only four armor sets in the beta to be exclusive to achievements unlocked outside of the beta.

If the player unlocked Nightfall in the Halo 5 beta, they would automatically be granted it upon Halo 5's release in October of 2015.

Of note, the Halo 5 beta's version of Nightfall originally featured the RG-63 Counter leg armor in place of what would become a fully original leg armor design.

Armor	Manufacturer	Description	Unlock requirements
Nightfall	Cascade Stronghold Technology	Helmet description: Lessons learned on far-flung hellscapes have shaped the NIGHTFALL into the best multi-environmental helmet available.	Watch Halo: Nightfall's Second Story during "It's Only Just Beginning" on the Halo Channel.
Nightfall	Cascade Stronghold Technology	Body description: Spartans with Marine experience prefer NIGHTFALL armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-of-class life support.	Watch all five episodes of Halo: Nightfall on the Halo Channel.

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

Nightfall was first introduced as an armor set in Halo 5: Guardians. The Nightfall set has no alternate skin designs. Like the other achievement-exclusive unlocks in the Halo 5 beta, Nightfall armor was available through the general REQ pool upon launch, allowing players to unlock it through the purchase of Gold REQ packs.

Armor	Description	Rarity	Introduced in	Unlock requirements
Nightfall (helmet)	Lessons learned on far-flung hellscapes have shaped the NIGHTFALL into the best multi-environmental helmet available.	Mythic	Introduced on launch.	Either: Watch episode four of Halo: Nightfall on the Halo Channel. Purchase a Gold REQ pack for 10,000 REQ points.
Nightfall (body)	Spartans with Marine experience prefer NIGHTFALL armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-of-class life support.	Mythic	Introduced on launch.	Either: Watch all five episodes of Halo: Nightfall on the Halo Channel. Purchase a Gold REQ pack for 10,000 REQ points.

Production notes[edit]

In 2558, Michael Crespo wore an older suit of ODST armor from the early Human-Covenant War, which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.^[5]. This armor may be an early iteration of Nightfall armor.

References[edit]

File names for Halo 5: Guardians' REQ cards also refer to the Nightfall armor as "locke_oni", referencing its origin in the titular series.^[6] Outside of Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris' armor, Nightfall is the only armor set to be specifically named after or associated with a character within the cast.

Gallery[edit]

Halo: Nightfall[edit]

Concept art for the Nightfall armor.
Concept art for the Nightfall armor with full equipment load.
Concept art for the armor (left).
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet and HUD.
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet with a red paint job.
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet with a flashlight attachment.
Alternate concept art for the helmet.
Concept art for Horrigan's helmet.
ONI operatives (left) wearing Nightfall armor on Alpha Shard; Randall Aiken (right) is wearing a Sedran Colonial Guard combat armor.
The Nightfall armor's HUD visible through Jameson Locke's visor.
Nightfall armor's HUD.
Jameson Locke in Nightfall armor.
Jameson Locke's Nightfall helmet.

Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta[edit]

Pre-Halo 5 Beta render.
Nightfall armor in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
Render of the armor.

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

A Spartan-IV clad in Nightfall armor colored to emulate the ODST armor used by the UNSC Marine Corps.
A Spartan-IV wearing Nightfall armor on Overgrowth in Halo 5: Guardians.
A closer view of the Spartan-IV, which showcases the ONI emblems present on the armor.
Smudges on the helmet's visor.
Nightfall armor in comparison to Helljumper.
A back view of the armor.
Nightfall armor on Halo Waypoint's Halo 5: Guardians armor customization.