Editing Specializations

{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Quote|What's a Specialist? A Spartan who has gone above and beyond, honing their skills to achieve new levels of combat artistry. You may be handy with a [[Sniper Rifle System 99-Series 5 Anti-Matériel|sniper rifle]], but a Specialist can shoot from the hip and still put a round between a target's eyes three clicks away on a windy, moonless night.|[[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]]<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''UNSC ''Infinity'' briefing packet''</ref>}}
'''Specializations''' are higher skills that [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]] super-soldiers can achieve by using armor mods and cutting-edge technology. On the ''[[UNSC Infinity]]'', [[Sarah Palmer|Commander Sarah Palmer]] requests level 50 rates in [[War Games]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4 Limited Edition]]''', ''UNSC ''Infinity'' briefing packet''</ref> In ''[[Halo 4]]'', Specializations are unique armor enhancements. Six specializations were made immediately available on [[Xbox LIVE]] to those who purchased the [[Halo 4 Limited Edition]] bundle while two were available with the standard game.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-51612.aspx '''Halo Waypoint''', ''Halo Bulletin 5-16-12'']</ref><ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12">[https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/08/15/The-Halo-Bulletin-81512.aspx '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''The Halo Bulletin 8.15.2012''] (defunct, backup link on [https://web.archive.org/web/20120925085732/http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/08/15/The-Halo-Bulletin-81512.aspx Archive.org])</Ref>

Following the shutdown of [[Xbox 360]] ''Halo'' online services on January 13, [[2022]], this system ceased to function beyond rank 70.{{Ref/Site|Id=shutdown2|D=23|M=1|Y=2022|URL=https://www.windowscentral.com/halo-xbox-360-servers-have-been-shut-down2021|Site=Windows Central|Page=Halo Xbox 360 servers have been shut down, ending an era}}{{Ref/Site|Id=shutdown1|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sunsetting-halo-xbox-360-game-services-in-2021|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Sunsetting Halo Xbox 360 Game Services in 2021}} 

==Overview==
Specializations are unlocked after completing the first fifty levels in Halo 4. Upon unlocking specializations, the player must choose one to advance through before they can select another. Each specialization consist of rank paths which are composed of 10 levels each. Armor sets, emblems, visor colors, weapon and armor skins, and armor mods are unlocked along those paths. Armor mods work similar to [[Tactical Packages|tactical packages]] and [[Support Upgrades|support upgrades]] and, are not tied directly to a specific armor for that specialization which means a player doesn't have to wear that armor to use that particular mod.<ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>

==List of specializations==
===Engineer===
The Engineer specialization optimizes a [[SPARTAN-IV|Spartan]] for the subversion and repair and reconstitution of a wide range of technology regardless of origin<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Support_upgrades#List_of_upgrades|Drop Recon]]: The Drop Recon armor mod allows a player to predict the location and time of an Ordnance Drop via an external suborbital monitoring system. Also it identifies what weapon the ordnance contains. Gameplay-wise the player will see the waypoint of the ordnance's arrival location and weapon-type prior to the weapon entering the game. ''(Support upgrade)''
* '''Visor:'''  Engineer pink/purple/blue visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Engineer|Engineer armor set]], Engineer armor set EDGE (EDGE) variant. 
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[Z-130 Suppressor|Suppressor]] SHATTER (SHA) weapon skin

===Operator=== 
The Operator specialization optimizes the operation and control of vehicles<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Tactical_packages#List_of_packages|Wheelman]]: The Wheelman armor mod draws more stamina and durability out of a vehicle they are operating. Overall it lessens the effects of an overcharged [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma pistol]] burst to a vehicle thus reducing the likelihood of getting [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|hijacked]]. ''(Tactical package)''
* '''Visor:'''  Operator: light purple visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V/Operator variant|Operator armor set]], Operator armor set SURFACE (SRFC) variant 
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[M6H Personal Defense Weapon System|Magnum]] STATIC (STC) weapon skin

===Pathfinder===
The Pathfinder specialization optimizes unconventional deployment within unknown enemy territory and with no assistance<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Support_upgrades#List_of_upgrades|Gunner]]: The Gunner armor mod decreases the time of weapon overheat when occupying a vehicle weapon or mounted anti-infantry gun  and increases a player's speed while carrying a detached turret. ''(Support upgrade)''
* '''Visor:''' Pathfinder orange/green visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Pathfinder|Pathfinder armor set]], Pathfinder armor set CORE variant 
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]] PREDATOR (PRD) weapon skin

===Pioneer===
The Pioneer specialization optimizes a Spartan for deployment into unknown, hostile territory for the purpose of gathering and relaying intelligence<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Tactical_packages#List_of_packages|Fast Track]]: The Fast Track armor mod allows the player to gain more data from each account effectively ranking up quicker. In gameplay the mod modifies the amount of experience earned per kill and gives the player more post-game experience. However it can't be changed at the end of a game, otherwise the player will not gain more experience for an entire match. ''(Tactical package)''
* '''Visor:''' Pioneer sky blue visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Pioneer|Pioneer armor set]], Pioneer armor set ADEPT (ADPT) variant 
* '''Weapon skin:''' Plasma Pistol FRACTURE (FTC) weapon skin

===Rogue===
The Rogue specialization optimizes a Spartan for single-operative missions which require lone deployment for incredibly long durations of time<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Support_upgrades#List_of_upgrades|Stability]]: The Stability armor mod allows Players to increase their aiming stability when being fired upon. Overall it makes the player flinch less when under fire thus allowing a steady aim on target. ''(Support upgrade)''
* '''Visor:'''  Rogue purple/red visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Rogue|Rogue armor set]], Rogue armor set FOCUS (FCUS) variant 
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[Type-51 Carbine|Carbine]] REIGN (RGN) weapon skin

===Stalker===
The Stalker specialization optimizes a Spartan for target shadowing missions while operating at close range to the target itself<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Support_upgrades#List_of_upgrades|Nemesis]]: The Nemesis armor mod allows player's to target and track down enemies who previously attacked them, highlighting the enemy on their motion sensor. The [[Heads Up Display|HUD]] shows the last person who killed the player allowing said player to get revenge or avoid that enemy. ''(Support upgrade)''
* '''Visor:'''  Stalker yellow/green visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Stalker|Stalker armor set]], Stalker armor set CRUSH (CRSH) variant
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle|Battle Rifle]] DUNES (DNE) weapon skin

===Tracker===
The Tracker specialization optimizes a Spartan for long-range target tracking in unconventional scenarios<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Tactical_packages#List_of_packages|Requisition]]: The Requisition armor mod allows players the ability to recall their own ordnance requests in order to acquire more helpful weapons in the field. When selecting ordnance they've received, the player can request a new random selection of choices that better suits them. ''(Tactical package)''
* '''Visor:''' Tracker purple visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Tracker|Tracker armor set]], Tracker armor set ADROIT (ADRT) variant.
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[Boltshot]] PISTON (PST) weapon skin

===Wetwork===
The Wetwork specialization optimizes a Spartan for stealth operations<Ref name="Halo Bulletin 8.15.12"/>.

* '''Armor mod:''' [[Support_upgrades#List_of_upgrades|Stealth]]: The Stealth armor mod allows players to move faster than normal and execute [[Assassinations|assassinations]] quicker. The mod dampens the sound of sprinting, allows for faster animation of assassinations reducing a player's vulnerability, and reduces a player's red profile to a red outline of themselves when being viewed through [[Promethean vision]]. ''(Support upgrade)''
* '''Visor:''' Wetwork blue/orange visor
* '''Armor:''' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Wetwork|Wetwork armor set]], Wetwork armor set SHARD (SHRD) variant
* '''Weapon skin:''' [[M395 Designated Marksman Rifle|DMR]] NOBLE (NBL) weapon skin

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Engineer chart.png|An overview of the Engineer specialization.
File:Operator chart.png|An overview of the Operator specialization.
File:Pathfinder chart.png|An overview of the Pathfinder specialization.
File:Pioneer chart.png|An overview of the Pioneer specialization.
File:Rogue chart.png|An overview of the Rogue specialization.
File:Stalker chart.png|An overview of the Stalker specialization.
File:Tracker chart.png|An overview of the Tracker specialization.
File:Wetwork chart.png|An overview of the Wetwork specialization.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{1st}}

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

==See also==
*[[Tactical Packages]]
*[[Support Upgrades]]

[[Category:Halo 4]]