Flashlight: Difference between revisions

Flashlights are quite common in the [[UNSC]] for combat in lowly-lit environments. The ODST troopers are the only known soldiers to not need the flashlights because they have the [[VISR]] system, which improves vision in dark areas, built into their helmets. As such, many UNSC [[weapons]] have under-mounted flashlights below the barrel. In addition, all known variants of [[MJOLNIR armor]] have a built-in flashlight on the helmet. Some [[Covenant]] armors have flashlights as well, such as the special flashlight integrated into the armor of the [[Arbiter (Rank)|Arbiter]].

In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', the flashlight was originally intended to be only usable while carrying the [[MA5B Assault Rifle]] or [[M90 Shotgun]], both of which have built in flashlights mounted beneath the barrel. However, this was eventually changed. The only flashlight usable in the game is that mounted on the right side of the MJOLNIR Mark V helmet, which can be used at any time. This change was incomplete at release, as the flashlight's beam will still swing with the gun's movement while [[melee]]-attacking or reloading. [[Marines]] can be seen to use the gun-mounted flashlights on the level [[Truth and Reconciliation (Level)|Truth and Reconciliation]]. The MJOLNIR armor's flashlight has a limited battery pack which will slowly deplete while in use and recharge while turned off. The flashlight turns off when it has been activated for around a minute. Pressing the flashlight button while zooming in with a Sniper Rifle activates the rifle's night vision feature instead.

The flashlight functions in much the same way in ''Halo 3'' as it did in ''Halo 2''. Like in ''Halo: CE'', both the [[MA5C ICWS Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]] and [[Shotgun]] possess inbuilt flashlights. However, the Shotgun's flashlight is now mounted on the weapon's left side rather than underneath the barrel. As before, neither are usable and only the light built into the armor functions. Unlike ''Halo 2'', however, the flashlight in ''Halo 3'' does not turn itself off in well-lit conditions, and can be left on indefinitely without any negative side-effects. [[The Arbiter]], controlled by Player 2 in [[Co-Op]] mode, has a light source built into the armor over his left shoulder and it functions identically to the [[Master Chief]]'s light. [[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Usze 'Taham]], Player 3 and 4's characters, respectively, do not appear to possess any light-emitting feature at all, however the players can still toggle a light on and off, and this light functions identically to those used by the Master Chief and the Arbiter.  

*The light of the flashlight can be used to easily spot opponents using [[Active Camouflage]], since the light reflects off of them. This is most noticeable in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], and when the contrast is turned up high, [[Stealth Elite]]s can be clearly seen. The same concept works for Multiplayer.

*When you have an [[Active Camouflage]] activated, the flashlight will not function. It would make you very visible if it was functional.

*In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s are seen not to use flashlights. Instead, their helmets' heads-up displays have the [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance]] built in. This is the first example ever seen of a regular soldier having more advanced technology than a Spartan. The flashlights on the shotgun and the assault rifle remain, but they are not usable. [[Mickey]] has a helmet-mounted flashlight, but it is never seen being used. It is probably used for specific functions such as bomb defusing, although this is not shown in-game.

*In Monitor mode in [[Forge]], looking at a surface may reveal a built-in light, shining out of the Monitor's single eye, which may have been created to shine in front of shadows to see better. It is not present if you set the monitor camouflage to 'good'.