Skins (Halo: Combat Evolved)

For other games' customization systems, see armor permutations. For other skins in other games, see Skins.

A Spartan utilizing a new, green visor in Combat Evolved in The Master Chief Collection.

Skins in Halo: Combat Evolved allow players to customize their Spartan player model and the appearance of weapons and vehicles in-game. At the launch of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the armor of Combat Evolved was displayed as a static image in the game's menu. Following in the footsteps of the launch of Halo: Reach for PC, Halo: Combat Evolved had its menu elements updated to fully render Spartan customization options in 3D in Unreal Engine 4. The launch of Season 2: Spark on July 14, 2020, saw the addition of armor, weapon and vehicle skins for Halo: Combat Evolved.

Overview

The armor customization of the original 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved release originally only allowed for the player to change their Spartan's color via a player profile. Halo: The Master Chief Collection would turn the color option into one that could be used regardless of a profile. During June 2020, in an update for the game dedicated to the impending PC release of Halo 3 on The Master Chief Collection, 343 Industries revealed their intention to add the ability to change visor colors to Combat Evolved, in an effort to grant players the ability to show off unique options in each game. These new visor options were stated to be added to Season 2 of The Master Chief Collection's season unlock system.

While visor colors can be changed, the change has been stated to not alter the player's Heads-up display color, and can also be toggled off via an option in the game's menu, for those wishing to keep the game as it was. The skins for weapons and vehicles apply to any weapon the player picks up - they retain their skin when dropped, but will switch to a new skin should another player take control of them.

Known skins

Armor colors

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements
N/A	Black	Unlocked by default
N/A	Red	Unlocked by default
N/A	Blue	Unlocked by default
N/A	Gray	Unlocked by default
N/A	Yellow	Unlocked by default
N/A	Green	Unlocked by default
N/A	Pink	Unlocked by default
N/A	Purple	Unlocked by default

Visor colors

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
	Blue	Season 2, Tier 1 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Blue	Season 2, Tier 5 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Green	Season 2, Tier 7 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Green	Season 2, Tier 12 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Purple	Season 2, Tier 15 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Bronze	Season 2, Tier 19 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Purple	Season 2, Tier 22 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Red	Season 2, Tier 24 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Yellow	Season 2, Tier 28 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Orange	Season 2, Tier 33 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Yellow	Season 2, Tier 38 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Blue	Season 2, Tier 40 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Silver	Season 2, Tier 44 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Red	Season 2, Tier 47 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Green	Season 2, Tier 50 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Dark Orange	Season 2, Tier 53 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Yellow	Season 2, Tier 57 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Platinum	Season 2, Tier 60 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Orange	Season 2, Tier 63 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Red	Season 2, Tier 66 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Spectrum	Season 2, Tier 70 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Purple	Season 2, Tier 72 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Purple	Season 2, Tier 75 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Orange	Season 2, Tier 78 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Groovy	Season 2, Tier 81 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Green	Season 2, Tier 85 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Red	Season 2, Tier 89 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pastel Yellow	Season 2, Tier 93 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Pearlescent Blue	Season 2, Tier 96 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.
	Onyx	Season 2, Tier 100 ( 1)	Part of a suite of experimental VISR enhancements.

Weapon skins

Pistol

Skins for the Magnum pistol.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Golden	Season 2 Challenge: Trusty Sidekick Defeat 500 opponents with the Pistol in any game mode.	Bling on the ring.
	Woodland	Season 2, Tier 41 ( 1)	Camping is a legitimate strategy.
	Desert	Season 2, Tier 2 ( 1)	Looks very stylish with a poncho.
	Great Journey	Season 2, Tier 14 ( 1)	Don't worry... I know what the aliens like.
	Black Cherry	Season 2, Tier 91 ( 1)	Get a grip. Shoot from the hip.
	Hazard Pay	Season 2, Tier 36 ( 1)	Safety first!
	Toy Soldier	Season 2, Tier 62 ( 1)	They're not dolls, they're action figures!

Assault Rifle

Skins for the Assault Rifle.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Golden	Season 2 Challenge: Thanks, Misriah Defeat 300 opponents with the Assault Rifle in any game mode.	Bling on the ring.
	Woodland	Season 2, Tier 29 ( 1)	Camping is a legitimate strategy.
	Desert	Season 2, Tier 1 ( 1)	Looks very stylish with a poncho.
	Great Journey	Season 2, Tier 83 ( 1)	Don't worry... I know what the aliens like.
	Corrosion	Season 2, Tier 69 ( 1)	The Oxidation Sensation.
	Squirt	Season 2, Tier 46 ( 1)	It's good under pressure.
	Lucky Shot	Season 2, Tier 100 ( 1)	But you had something they didn't...

Plasma Pistol

Skins for the Plasma Pistol.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 65 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 11 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 58 ( 1)	For those seeking redemption.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 60 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.

Plasma Rifle

Skins for the Plasma Rifle.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 90 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 39 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 73 ( 1)	For those seeking redemption.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 79 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.

Rocket Launcher

Skins for the Rocket Launcher.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Hunter's Blood	Season 2, Tier 32 ( 1)	Well armed. Well armored.
	Corrosion	Season 2, Tier 77 ( 1)	The Oxidation Sensation.
	Desert	Season 2, Tier 13 ( 1)	Looks very stylish with a poncho.

Sniper Rifle

Skins for the Sniper Rifle.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Golden	Season 2 Challenge: Zero Five Eight Defeat 150 opponents with the Sniper Rifle in any game mode.	Bling on the ring.
	Woodland	Season 2, Tier 52 ( 1)	Camping is a legitimate strategy.
	Desert	Season 2, Tier 10 ( 1)	Looks very stylish with a poncho.
	Great Journey	Season 2, Tier 42 ( 1)	Don't worry... I know what the aliens like.
	Avalanche	Season 2, Tier 80 ( 1)	Like Sidewinder, but with more polygons.

Shotgun

Skins for the Shotgun.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Golden	Season 2 Challenge: Hot Shotty Defeat 150 opponents with the Shotgun in any game mode.	Bling on the ring.
	Woodland	Season 2, Tier 37 ( 1)	Camping is a legitimate strategy.
	Desert	Season 2, Tier 17 ( 1)	Looks very stylish with a poncho.
	Great Journey	Season 2, Tier 8 ( 1)	Don't worry... I know what the aliens like.
	Hunter's Blood	Season 2, Tier 87 ( 1)	Well armed. Well armored.

Needler

Skins for the Needler.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 55 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 16 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 34 ( 1)	For those seeking redemption.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 25 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.

Flamethrower

Skins for the Flamethrower.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Dear John	Season 2, Tier 30 ( 1)	Halo: Grasslands.
	White Hot	Season 2, Tier 48 ( 1)	So hot, so pristine.
	Hot Pepper	Season 2, Tier 20 ( 1)	It's sure to leave scar tissue.

Fuel Rod Gun

Skins for the Fuel Rod Gun

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 49 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 9 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 26 ( 1)	For those seeking redemption.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 31 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.

Vehicle skins

Warthog

Skins for the Warthog.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Hot Rod	Season 2, Tier 61 ( 1)	Burning rubber in Blood Gulch.
	Park Ranger	Season 2, Tier 11 ( 1)	Conservation agents at the Uplift Nature Reserve typically opt for tranquilizer rounds.
	Rally Hog	Season 2, Tier 86 ( 1)	One deadly homologation special.

Rocket Warthog

Skins for the Rocket Warthog.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Superstar	Season 2, Tier 92 ( 1)	Let's go party.
	Shark	Season 2, Tier 40 ( 1)	You're gonna need a bigger ship.
	Field Medic	Season 2, Tier 29 ( 1)	Also employed by rescue teams traversing challenging colonial terrain.

Scorpion

Skins for the Scorpion tank.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Bengal	Season 2, Tier 31 ( 1)	The Real King of the Jungle.
	Grim Reaper	Season 2, Tier 70 ( 1)	Why so jolly, Roger?
	Arctic	Season 2, Tier 20 ( 1)	Over snow by winter sown.
	The Package	Season 2, Tier 97 ( 1)	Say the words, please...

Banshee

Skins for the Banshee.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 81 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 21 ( 1)	For those seeking redemption.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 51 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 95 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.

Ghost

Skins for the Ghost.

In-game	Appearance Name	Unlock Requirements	Description
N/A	Default	Unlocked by default	Default skin.
	Brutal	Season 2, Tier 19 ( 1)	A Jiralhanae's best friend.
	Schism	Season 2, Tier 10 ( 1)	Lines will be drawn, sides will be taken.
	Zealot	Season 2, Tier 80 ( 1)	Glory in an honorable death.
	Ultra	Season 2, Tier 94 ( 1)	The Evocati don't mess around.

Unused skins

Within the game files for Halo: The Master Chief Collections menus exist a number of placeholder icons for unused skins on a number of weapons. These textures are all placeholder pink squares, and thus have no discernable appearance. Their filenames are listed below (Note: the T_ prefix is an Unreal Engine 4 naming convention denoting a texture file);

• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1FlamethrowerGolden.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1FlamethrowerInsurrection.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1FuelRodGunGolden.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1NeedlerGolden.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1RocketLauncherGolden.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1RocketLauncherGreatJourney.png
• T_Im_WeaponSkin_h1RocketLauncherWoodland.png

Trivia

• The "Hot Rod" skin for the Warthog is the second instance in the Halo series in which a Warthog was given a flame-themed paint job, the first of which was the appearance of Fireball Warthog in Halo Wars.
• The description of the "Woodland" skins is a reference to a Season 3 Episode 9 of Red vs. Blue, in which a Blue Zealot calls the act "a legitimate strategy" after being accused of camping.
• The description of "Great Journey" skins is a direct quote from Sergeant Major Avery Johnson in the Epilogue of Halo 3: ODST, and refers to the common use of purple in Covenant design.
• The description of the "Lucky Shot" skins is a direct quote from Cortana's narration in the Halo 3 level Arrival.
• The description of the "Dear John" skin is a wordplay on the novel Halo: Glasslands. The name "Dear John" is a reference to John Deere, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery recognizable for their distinctive green and yellow paint jobs.
• The original appearance of the "Park Ranger" Warthog skin is a reference to the tour cars in the 1993 film Jurassic Park, and its description is a quote from John Hammond, the owner of the eponymous fictional theme park. Likewise, the original appearance of the "Clever Girl" Rocket Warthog skin is a reference to the jeeps in the same film, its name is a quote from the character Robert Muldoon after being outsmarted by a Velociraptor, and its description is a reference to the scene where Muldoon, Sadler, and Malcolm are chased by the Tyrannosaurus rex.
  • For unknown reasons, in Season 5: Anvil, the skin descriptions and appearances for both the Warthog and Rocket Warthog were changed. The Warthog's "Park Ranger" skin has been changed to a brown and yellow color set, while the "Clever Girl" Rocket Hog skin was renamed to "Field Medic", and given small "H" icons in place of the shield icons.
• The appearance of the "Rally Hog" Warthog skin is a homage to the distinctive blue and yellow liveries worn by cars run by the Subaru World Rally Team.
• The description of the "Shark" Rocket Warthog skin is a direct quote from Brody in the 1975 film Jaws.
• The description of the "The Package" Scorpion skin is a direct quote from Catherine Halsey in the Halo: Reach level The Package.
• The description of the "Hot Pepper" Flamethrower skin is a reference to the Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Scar Tissue".
• The description of the "Arctic" Scorpion is a reference to "The Road Goes Ever On", a song from the J. R. R. Tolkien's literary universe, better known by The Lord of the Rings novel trilogy.
• The description of the "Desert" skins is a reference to John-117's appearance in 2013's Halo Xbox One announcement trailer.

Gallery

• 

  The menu of Combat Evolved prior to the addition of visor colors.

• 

  The menu of Combat Evolved with new visor colors added.