Weapon skins (Halo 4)

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Weapon skins in Halo 4 allow players to customize the appearance of their Spartan's loadout weapons. Weapon skins can be unlocked via progression in Specializations, purchasing specific editions of the game and DLC, and finally, by buying specific figures from Series 2 of the McFarlane line of figures.

Overview[edit]

Halo 4 was the first game in the Halo franchise to feature weapon skin customization, with the player being able to swap preset patterns on their weapon in the loadout modification menu. Then, when spawning with that loadout, their chosen skin will be permanently applied to that weapon; even if dropped or picked up by another player. A player's skin is only applied to weapons the player spawns with via loadout, with weapons found on the map retaining the default skin regardless of the player's selection. Additionally, in the Xbox 360 version of Halo 4, the player will always spawn with the default skin in gametypes where loadouts are disabled.

Coinciding with Halo 4's release on PC as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the weapon skin system was modified in the MCC version of the game. It now allows the player to select a base skin for all weapons that support them, independent of loadout. This selection will be applied to spawn weapons in gametypes like SWAT or Legendary Slayer, where custom loadouts are disabled. Should the player choose to, they can also override this skin selection per-loadout, allowing them to choose particular skins for particular loadouts, regardless of their global skin choice for the weapon.

Unlock requirements[edit]

Specialization skins[edit]

A number of weapon skins are unlocked through the game's Specializations system. Each specialization has exactly one weapon skin tied to it, and it is earned when you reach Spartan Rank 5 within that specialization. For instance, upon reaching Spartan Rank 5 within the Wetwork Specialization, the "Noble" DMR skin is unlocked.

All specialization skins were available in the original Xbox 360 game at launch, and were unlocked by default in MCC.

Pre-order skins[edit]

Specific editions of the game, such as the Halo 4 Limited Edition included special weapon skins for buyers. The Limited Edition includes the "Prime" assault rifle skin, specifically. Meanwhile, the Battle Rifle skin "Arctic" was unlocked by pre-ordering the game from specific retailers. These skins were later made available for buyers of the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition. The Halo 4 Xbox 360 console includes the "Imprint" lightrifle skin, though this was not made available for buyers of the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition.

As with specialization skins, these skins were present in the original Xbox 360 game at launch, and upon the launch of MCC in 2014, were unlocked by default in its version of Halo 4.

DLC skins[edit]

DLC skins refer to skins that were available through downloadable content. In particular, the Steel Skin Pack included a set of steampunk-inspired skins, one for each weapon. Meanwhile, the Champions Bundle included the Steel Skin Pack (among two other DLCs) and a further five extra skins, with a hidden sixth skin being unlockable by playing Halo: Spartan Assault. These skins were not added to the Spartan Ops map files, so they can not be used in it; if you select a loadout that uses one of them, the weapon will simply adopt the default skin.

The DLC skins were initially not available in Halo: The Master Chief Collection but were added in a post-launch update, and are all available for unlock in Series 4: Reclaimer.

McFarlane Toys tie-in skins[edit]

A number of skins were obtained by buying Halo action figures produced by McFarlane Toys. These were unlocked by purchasing specially marked figures from Series 2 of the toy line launched in 2013. For example, purchasing the Elite Ranger figure will unlock the "Chill" skin for the storm rifle. These skins were also initially not available in Halo: The Master Chief Collection but were included in a post-launch update and can be unlocked in Series 7: Elite.

Cut skins[edit]

At least two skins were known to be produced during the lifespan of the initial release of Halo 4 on Xbox 360, but were never released: "Concrete" and "Blast". They were present in the game files as of the 8/19/2013 update, but could not be unlocked legitimately. However, they were accessible in custom games, through the use of a glitch.^[1] Renders of these weapon skins were later discovered in the game files of the "FireFlight", a public test of Halo: Reach's Firefight in the lead-up to Halo: The Master Chief Collection's PC release.^[2]

Eventually, both "Blast" and "Concrete" were included in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of the game, with "Blast" being a seasonal challenge reward in Season 4: Reclaimer and "Concrete" featuring as an unlock in the Season Pass for Season 7: Elite.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection-exclusive skins[edit]

A number of Halo 4 weapon skins were also added to Halo: The Master Chief Collection in updates, which were not known to exist beforehand. They may have been cut during the development of Halo 4 but not publicly shared, or specially made as post-launch content for MCC. The first to release was "Blood" for the DMR, as part of a seasonal challenge in Season 4: Reclaimer, which featured a pattern akin to the "Trauma" skin of Halo 4's assault rifle.

Later, in Season 7: Elite, several more MCC-exclusive skins were added, including another "Blood" skin - this time for the Magnum - and a number of new sets of weapon skins, such as "Pixel", "Maw" and "Edgework", each of which could be applied to various human loadout weapons. Some of these are unlocked through the Season Pass, while others are available via seasonal challenges.

Weapon skins[edit]

Assault Rifle[edit]

Skins for the Assault Rifle.

Assault Rifle v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Prime (PRM)	Customized with the PRIME skin.	Purchase the Halo 4 Limited Edition or the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition.	Unlocked by default
	Predator (PRD)	Customized with the PREDATOR skin.	Reach Pathfinder	Unlocked by default
	Turbine (TBN)	Customized with the TURBINE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 45 ( 1)
	Teeth (TTH)	Customized with the TEETH skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle.	Series 4, Tier 11 ( 1)
	Trauma (TRM)	Customized with the TRAUMA skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle.	Series 4, Tier 48 ( 1)
	Riptide (RPT)	Customized with the RIPTIDE skin.	Purchase the Master Chief figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4.	Series 7, Tier 19 ( 1)
	Pixel (PXL)	Customized with the PIXEL skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 87 ( 1)

Battle Rifle[edit]

Skins for the Battle Rifle.

Battle Rifle v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Arctic (ACT)	Customized with the ARCTIC skin.	Pre-ordering Halo 4 at specific retailers, or by purchasing the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition.	Unlocked by default
	Dunes (DNE)	Customized with the DUNES skin.	Reach Stalker	Unlocked by default
	Steam (STM)	Customized with the STEAM skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 46 ( 1)
	Salvage (SLV)	Customized with the SALVAGE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle.	Series 4, Tier 45 ( 1)
	Blast (BLS)	Customized with the BLAST skin.	N/A (Cut)	Series 4 Challenge: Fireteam Frenzy
	Edgework (EWK)	Customized with the EDGEWORK skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 67 ( 1)
	Maw (MAW)	Customized with the MAW skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 74 ( 1)
	Pixel (PXL)	Customized with the PIXEL skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7 Challenge: Pixel Perfect

DMR[edit]

Skins for the DMR.

DMR v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Noble (NBL)	Customized with the NOBLE skin.	Reach Wetwork	Unlocked by default
	Monocle (MCL)	Customized with the MONOCLE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 14 ( 1)
	Striped (STP)	Customized with the STRIPED skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Bullseye Pack, earn the achievements Recruit, Prodigy, and Powered by MJOLNIR in Halo: Spartan Assault for Windows 8, and enter the codes Recruit, Prodigy, and Able Spartan in the Halo Waypoint app. Complete a mission in Halo: Spartan Assault for Xbox and enter the Flying Colors (Xbox) code in the Halo Waypoint app.	Series 4, Tier 33 ( 1)
	Bones (BNS)	Customized with the BONES skin.	Purchase the CIO Spartan figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4.	Series 7, Tier 29 ( 1)
	Blood (BLD)	Customized with the BLOOD skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 4 Challenge: Fireteam Spree
	Concrete (CTE)	Customized with the CONCRETE skin.	N/A (Cut)	Series 7, Tier 78 ( 1)
	Edgework (EWK)	Customized with the EDGEWORK skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 92 ( 1)
	Pixel (PXL)	Customized with the PIXEL skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 96 ( 1)

Storm Rifle[edit]

Skins for the Storm Rifle.

Storm Rifle v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Compression (CMP)	Customized with the COMPRESSION skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 4 ( 1)
	Chill (CHL)	Customized with the CHILL skin.	Purchase the Elite Ranger figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4.	Series 7, Tier 35 ( 1)

Covenant Carbine[edit]

Skins for the Covenant Carbine.

Covenant Carbine v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Reign (RGN)	Customized with the REIGN skin.	Reach Rogue	Unlocked by default
	Locomotive (LMV)	Customized with the LOCOMOTIVE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 17 ( 1)
	Engage (ENG)	Customized with the ENGAGE skin.	Purchase the Storm Jackal figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4.	Series 7, Tier 85 ( 1)

Suppressor[edit]

Skins for the Suppressor.

Suppressor v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Shatter (SHA)	Customized with the SHATTER skin.	Reach Engineer	Unlocked by default
	Mechanical (MCN)	Customized with the MECHANICAL skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 26 ( 1)
$H4 - Refractive skin (transparent).png$	Refractive (RFC)	Customized with the REFRACTIVE skin.	Purchase the Ur-Didact figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4.	Series 7, Tier 83 ( 1)

Lightrifle[edit]

Skins for the Lightrifle.

Lightrifle v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Imprint (IMP)	Customized with the IMPRINT skin.	Purchase the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Bundle or the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition.	Unlocked by default
	Industrial (IDT)	Customized with the INDUSTRIAL skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 41 ( 1)

Magnum[edit]

Skins for the Magnum.

Magnum v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Static (STC)	Customized with the STATIC skin.	Reach Operator	Unlocked by default
	Combustion (CBN)	Customized with the COMBUSTION skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 9 ( 1)
	Indigo (IND)	Customized with the INDIGO skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle	Series 4, Tier 6 ( 1)
	Flare (FLR)	Customized with the FLARE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle	Series 4, Tier 28 ( 1)
	Edgework (EWK)	Customized with the EDGEWORK skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 13 ( 1)
	Blood (BLD)	Customized with the BLOOD skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 24 ( 1)
	Pixel (PXL)	Customized with the PIXEL skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 79 ( 1)
	Maw (MAW)	Customized with the MAW skin.	N/A (MCC-exclusive)	Series 7, Tier 81 ( 1)

Plasma Pistol[edit]

Skins for the Plasma Pistol.

Plasma Pistol v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Fracture (FTC)	Customized with the FRACTURE skin.	Reach Pioneer	Unlocked by default
	Boilerplate (BPL)	Customized with the BOILERPLATE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 20 ( 1)

Boltshot[edit]

Skins for the Boltshot.

Boltshot v • d • e
Icon	Name	Description (MCC)	Unlock Requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock Requirements (MCC)
	Default	Default Skin applied.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
	Piston (PST)	Reach Tracker	Unlocked by default	Customized with the PISTON skin.
	Engine (ENG)	Customized with the ENGINE skin.	Purchase the Champions Bundle or Steel Skin Pack.	Series 4, Tier 26 ( 1)

Production notes[edit]

The Suppressor's Shatter skin was originally a vibrant blue with black stripes lining the weapon. This was changed before release, replacing the blue details with a light grey, contrasting slightly against the slate grey of the weapon beneath. However, the weapon's menu icon was not changed accordingly, and in the Xbox 360 version of Halo 4, the icon still used the original blue colour. This issue was fixed in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of the game.

Original Shatter skin
Launch Shatter skin

During the “What’s Next: Halo 4 Summer 2013″ panel at RTX 2013, 343 Industries' promotional art for the bundle featured the "Bones" and "Striped" M395 DMR weapon skins as part of the content update's bonus content. The "Bones" skin would later be relegated to a code found with the CIO Spartan in Series 2 of McFarlane's Halo 4 line of figures, while the "Striped" skin could be unlocked through earning certain achievements in Halo: Spartan Assault.

By accessing Halo: The Master Chief Collection's internal files, two additional cut weapon skin icons can be found on the game's PC port. The first is Battle Rifle BLD^[3], likely tying into both the DMR BLD and Magnum BLD skins. The second is DMR KSS.^[4] Neither cut weapon skin possesses a complete icon, with a pink placeholder icon in their place.

The icon for Battle Rifle BLD.
The icon for DMR KSS.

Mistakes[edit]

Upon the release of Season 4: Reclaimer and the addition of the Champions Bundle weapon skins to the Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the newly updated menu featured erroneously flipped MA5D renders for the Turbine and Teeth skins, resulting in the charging handle being placed on the wrong side of the weapon.

With the addition of the previously-missing figure skins to MCC in Season 7: Elite, the Storm Rifle's Chill skin is missing certain textures in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. On the Xbox 360 edition of Halo 4, the weapon's barrel, rotating coil, and small sections of the topside of the weapon are colored mint green. In Halo: The Master Chief Collection, these mint green regions are missing, and are erroneously colored with the weapon's base gray-silver.

Gallery[edit]

Launch skins[edit]

Prime AR skin.
Prime, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Predator AR skin.
Predator, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Arctic BR skin.
Dunes BR skin.
Noble DMR skin.
Reign Carbine skin.
Imprint lightrifle skin.
Imprint, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Shatter Suppressor skin.
Shatter, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Static Magnum skin.
Static, while reloading, offering a more clear view of the skin's pattern.
Fracture Plasma Pistol skin.
Fracture, while overcharged, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Piston Boltshot skin.

Steel Skin Pack skins[edit]

Turbine AR skin.
Turbine, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Steam BR skin.
Monocle DMR skin.
Locomotive Carbine skin.
Industrial lightrifle skin.
Industrial, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Compression Storm Rifle skin.
Compression Storm Rifle skin, while overheating, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Mechanical Suppressor skin.
Mechanical Suppressor skin, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Combustion Magnum skin.
Combusion Magnum skin, while reloading, offering a more clear view of the skin's pattern.
Boilerplate Plasma Pistol skin.
Boilerplate Plasma Pistol skin, while overcharged, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Engine Boltshot skin.

Champions Bundle bonus skins[edit]

Teeth AR skin.
Teeth, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Trauma AR skin.
Trauma, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Salvage BR skin.
Striped DMR skin.
Indigo Magnum skin.
Indigo Magnum skin, while reloading, offering a more clear view of the skin's pattern.
Flare Magnum skin.
Flare Magnum skin, while reloading, offering a more clear view of the skin's pattern.

Figure skins[edit]

Riptide AR skin.
Riptide, while reloading, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
Engage Carbine skin.
Bones DMR skin.
Chill Storm Rifle skin.
Chill, while overheating, revealing more of the skin's pattern.
$Refractive Suppressor skin.$

Refractive Suppressor skin.
$Refractive, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.$

Refractive, while meleeing, revealing more of the skin's pattern.