MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)

"They were outfitted with Mjolnir GEN2 armor, the next evolution of the armor Halsey had fashioned decades earlier."

— Curator on GEN2 MJOLNIR

Warrior, the mainline version of the GEN2 suit

The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] is the second system-wide generation of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor. GEN2 introduces many improvements to the suit's core architecture, specifically tailored for use by the Spartan-IV supersoldiers.

The production of second generation Mjolnir armor uses a spiral-development model, allowing the United Nations Space Command and its various contracted, corporate partners to create and design armor systems much faster and more efficiently than before.

History

Early history and development

"Spartan Thomas, you will get your armor when you show me you deserve to wear it."

— Commander Musa-096, to Spartan Joel Thomas and several other Spartan-IV trainees

Spartan-IIs of Blue Team in GEN2 armor

The GEN2 Mjolnir armor was initially developed and created by the Office of Naval Intelligence's Materials Group as a response to the emerging SPARTAN-IV program, initiated on January 7, 2553. Several early models of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor were field tested by Spartan Tedra Grant. Some of the first contemporary models of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor were first tested in combat in January 2553 when New Colonial Alliance forces launched a raid on UNSC Infinity and the five Spartan-IVs in-training aboard the warship were forced to don the armor to help combat the insurgents.

As of 2558, GEN2 armor is standard-issue for nearly all active Spartans, having replaced the Semi-Powered Infiltration armor of the Spartan-IIIs. The remaining active Spartan-IIs, such as those on Blue Team, have since donned GEN2 armor. Initially, Spartan-II Naomi-010 used MJOLNIR Mark VII Powered Assault Armor, the last iteration of the first generation of Mjolnir armor. However, Mark VII never saw full implementation with the rest of the Spartan-IIs due to its complexity and expense. Eventually, the UNSC determined that continuing to fund the first generation of Mjolnir armor—that was only focused on the Spartan-IIs—was not worth the costs, particularly given the escalating costs and capabilities of the newer Spartan-IIIs and Spartan-IVs in GEN2 armor. As a result, the Mark VII has largely been phased out of production in favor of the GEN2 Mjolnir, though many technologies developed for the Mark VII have since been incorporated into the GEN2 armor.

Expansion of contractors

While the previous iteration of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor was often—though, not always—created and manufactured by organizations, departments, and branches of the United Nations Space Command, the Unified Earth Government has contracted numerous corporations to design GEN2 armor variants. For example, RKD Group was responsible for designing the MIRMILLION-class armor variant, though the group contracted Korolev Heavy Industries to produce the armor and licensed the suit's BIOS from Applied Heuristics. Even major military-industrial concerns, such as Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme, no longer control all aspects of their armors' tactical packages and software, both within the military and among private contractors. Production of some GEN1 variants was shifted between corporate entities, while other contracts were transferred from the military to private industries. In addition to these larger corporations, a major policy shift within the UEG has led to smaller corporations and businesses being given the opportunity to compete in the paramilitary, military, and security markets. Many smaller industrial design firms and military subcontractors have used the common GEN2 Mjolnir software and exoskeleton as a springboard for their own innovations. Nonetheless, UNSC organizations, such as Materials Group and the Watershed Division, still continue to manufacture several variants of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor.

In addition to human corporations, select other species have had a role in the development of some iterations of GEN2 Mjolnir armor and its components. Notably, the HELIOSKRILL-class Mjolnir was designed by a Sangheili artisan-armorer designer who had managed to reverse-engineer the Mjolnir armor in an effort to test her skills against humanity's best armor manufacturers. This Mjolnir variant is designed by Sanghelios' Kolaar Manufactorum and fielded among the Spartan-IVs. Some VISR designs have been created using high-tier nanolaminates and scanning elements provided by the Sangheili, while others are even compatible with the Sangheili combat harness. As ties between the Swords of Sanghelios and UEG strengthen, many Sangheili artisans have gained interests in working with GEN2 armor. The "King" VISR utilized by some Spartans was initially created by a bored Huragok and subsequent attempts to copy the design have been met with varying levels of failure. Even Forerunner technology has been incorporated into the armor. Additionally, VISR kits with an unknown manufacturer have been found by ONI operatives in the arms markets of the insurgent-controlled Venezia.

Specifications

Design and features

Jameson Locke using his armor's thrusters

The armor was designed to compensate for the Spartan-IVs' less extensive physical augmentations in comparison to the previous two generations. As a result, the armor multiplies the strength of its wearer significantly more than the first-generation suits, granting the Spartan-IVs roughly equal strength as their predecessors while wearing the suit. The GEN2 suit is also lighter and stronger in construction than the first-generation Mjolnir line, weighing approximately a couple hundred kilograms. GEN2 Mjolnir integrates the vast majority of the armor's vital hardware systems within the inner techsuit itself, allowing for more streamlined production and easier implementation of specialized subsystems and armatures.

The GEN2 armor incorporates new ad hoc modification systems which allow the armor to use armor abilities, tactical packages, and support upgrades. Like its GEN1 predecessors it is backwards compatible—through hardware and firmware upgrades—with previous armor systems, including the Mark IV, Mark V, Mark VI, and the MJOLNIR variant of the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers' armor. In addition, GEN2 armor features integration with artificial intelligences, ranging from volitional smart AIs to simpler, yet complex, dumb AIs. The AIs that manage the Mjolnir BIOS and VISR are generally passive helpers that integrate, prioritize, and even subtly alter the torrent of data and sensory overrides fed to the armor's Spartan user, simplifying the chaos of the battlefield and reducing confusion. These AIs also handle mundane administrative tasks by filing munition expenditure forms, battle damage assessments, kill reports, and other paperwork on behalf of the Spartan. The typical suit of Mjolnir armor carries around a dozen or so of these AIs, each specialized in numerous tasks of war and science to aid the Spartan they are attached to. While these AIs are incapable of a human's oversight, they are still a valuable component of the armor.

The BROKKR Armor Mechanism is a Da Vinci multi-axis assembly system used to mount Mjolnir onto a Spartan's techsuit.

Customization

"That armor was fantastic, but the colors on it never held up. It always came back from every mission scratched, scraped, and dinged to hell. And that was the way we liked it."

— Spartan Edward Buck, commenting on the armor's paint

Several variants of the GEN2 Mjolnir armor

Many Spartan-IVs choose to customize their armor in a variety of ways and are typically given the option to choose armor variant, paint color, visor model, and other cosmetic features. Even tech suits can be modified based on the Spartan's mission or need.

An assortment of armor configurations are available for all new Spartan-IV recruits as per UNSC Regulation 3A-950, and Spartans are capable of customizing their individual armor set with modular components from a wide range of special-purpose variants, based on their personal preferences, specialization and mission requirements. Selecting variants for purely cosmetic reasons is discouraged. The UNSC strictly forbids Spartans from attempting to repair or modify their armor on their own; all armor maintenance is only to be performed by qualified Class-61 technicians in dedicated facilities. Unlike the generally green coloration of the Spartan-IIs' Mjolnir armor, Spartan-IV armor comes in a profusion of distinct color patterns, with the members of specific teams sometimes (though not always) sporting a consistent coloration. However, any customization of the armor color must be in accordance to UNSC Equipment Code 20.00.62. The paint used on each GEN2 Mjolnir armor set is known to quickly deteriorate in combat, as little effort was made to invest in stronger quality paint.

While the suit's primary production model bears less significance than in the previous Mjolnir generations due to GEN2's more distributed design philosophy, the Materials Group's Warrior variant is officially considered the mainline model of the GEN2 armor. Another prevalent model is the Recruit variant, which is issued to all Spartan-IVs upon induction and colored gray and gold by default.

BIOS

The suit also possesses other upgraded features that enhance its wearer's abilities. It has an upgraded heads-up display linked to sensors that project shield strength and an improved motion detecting system in addition to providing other numerous readouts, including allies' vitality and shield status. These features are maintained and initialized by the MJOLNIR GEN2 BIOS firmware. Numerous versions exist for several different reasons and to simply being an upgrade.

Armor variants and upgrades

Variants

The following is a list of major variants of the GEN2 platform.

Achilles - A variant that features an aggressive AI Air Assault - A variant utilized primarily by ONI security personnel on Earth's and Luna's space elevators and skyhooks Anubis - A variant with enhanced sensor suite Argonaut - A variant with move-by-wire reflex enhancers Argus - A variant with an increase in situational and threat awareness Athlon - A variant used in combat training exercises Atlas - A variant that features modular armor and weapons Aviator - A variant designed for aircraft piloting. Required for use by Spartan F-41 Broadsword pilots Breaker - A variant with tactical supremacy and increased endurance Buccaneer - A variant that uses off-the-shelf components Centurion - A variant for operational planning and situational awareness, upgraded from GEN1 Challenger - A variant for high performance in War Games Cinder - A variant used for securing biologically and chemically contaminated areas CIO - A variant for Counter-Intelligence Operators Commando - A variant for special operations, upgraded from GEN1 Cyclops - A variant with a more powerful fusion pack Copperhead - A variant for covert ops Cypher - A variant that features a pilot program Decimator - A variant that incorporates technological advances from previous iterations of GEN1, specifically breakthroughs from the Mark VII Deadeye - A variant designed for snipers Defender - A variant designed for general area denial and tactical defensive abilities Dynast - A variant designed for close-range combats EOD - A variant designed to facilitate explosive ordnance disposal, upgraded from GEN1 Enforcer - A variant designed for remote security base detail Engineer - A variant designed for repairing and reconfiguring technology in combat EVA - A variant designed for extra-vehicular activity, upgraded from GEN1 Fenrir - A variant with an embedded battle management AI Foehammer - A variant designed for better pilot synchronization FOTUS - A variant based on Forerunner stealth technology Freebooter - A variant with seamless nanofabricated armor panels Goblin - A variant with sensor-warping technology GUNGNIR - A variant based on the alternate system platform from MJOLNIR. Upgrade of GEN1 model developed by Project GUNGNIR HAZOP - A variant for environments considered too hazardous for standard equipment, upgraded from GEN1 Helioskrill - A variant designed by a Sangheili prodigy Hellcat - A variant based on ancient human armor Helljumper - A variant that is a significant redesign and improvement of the ODST armor Hermes - A variant used for orbital raids Hoplite - A variant with targeting and datalink advancements that increases long-range heavy munitions accuracy, upgraded from GEN1 Hunter - A variant for advanced tracking and targeting acquisitions Indomitable - A variant for engineering and explosive ordnance disposal; based on the customized armor set worn by Jorge-052 Infiltrator - A variant designed for stealthy infiltration of enemy territory Interceptor - A variant that features highly configurable settings and a programmable neural interface Intruder - A variant based on Kat-B320's Mark V Air Assault armor, developed as part of a research initiative into specialized Mjolnir suits Jumpmaster - A variant designed for free-fall combat drops Legionnaire - A variant produced by RKD to be licenced to smaller companies LOCUS - A variant designed for tactical and strategic infiltration. Known for its incredible resiliency Mako - A variant designed for multi-environment adaptation

Marauder - a variant designed for general-purpose use Mirmillion - A variant with optimized combat flexibility Mark IV - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite Mark V - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite Mark V Alpha - A variant based on the GEN1 Mark V, designed specifically for the [GEN2] suite Mark VI - Upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite Mark VI GEN2 - A variant based on the GEN1 Mark VI, designed specifically for the [GEN2] suite. Nightfall - A variant used on inhospitable worlds, featuring best-in-class life support systems NOBLE - A variant based upon the Mark V Commando armor, with improved battle network management features Nomad - A variant designed for remote expeditions in uncharted space Oceanic - A variant designed for combat in waterfront areas ODST - A variant of the ODST armor, upgraded to function with the Mjolnir [GEN2] suite Orbital - A variant designed for EVA combat Operator - A variant designed to optimize vehicle operation, upgraded from GEN1 Pathfinder - A variant designed for missions in intel-poor environments Pioneer - A variant designed for missions in unfamiliar, hostile environments Prefect - A variant based on Forerunner personal armor Protector - A variant designed for VIP security Raider - A variant designed with Samurai-like aesthetics for intimidation of hostiles Raijin - A variant that maximizes short-term combat performance Ranger - A variant designed for remote operatives engaging in hostile environmental conditions Reaper - A variant based on Forerunner combat skins Recon - A variant designed for stealth reconnaissance operations, upgraded from GEN1 Recruit - Issued to all Spartan-IV recruits prior to qualification for specialized models Ricochet - A variant designed for use in Ricochet combat training exercises Rogue - A variant designed for extended solo operations, upgraded from GEN1 Scanner - A variant designed to aid search-and-rescue teams Scout - A variant designed for scouting operations, upgraded from GEN1 Security - A variant designed for shipboard and station defense, upgraded from GEN1 Seeker - A variant equipped with a full suite of signature masking mechanisms for reconnaissance Shinobi - A variant with no known manufacturer Soldier - A variant with extra storage space designed for battlefield support Stalker - A variant designed to aid in covert shadowing of a target, derived from Jiralhanae Stalker stealth harnesses Stinger - A variant designed for flight and ground combat Strider - A variant for jaunt-combat excursions in isolated theaters Technician - A variant for combat engineers Teishin - A variant designed for augmented soldiers serving in paramilitary and clandestine agencies Tracer - A variant used for intelligence gathering, featuring a Tier-III datacore Tracker - A variant designed to aid in long-range pursuit of targets Valkyrie - A variant designed for aerospace flight control Vanguard - A variant designed for face-to-face enemy assaults Vector- A variant designed as a pilot/infantry hybrid for reconnaissance teams Venator - A variant optimized for single-enemy combat, upgraded from GEN1 Venture - A variant designed for survey missions in extreme environments Vigilant - A variant based on Jun-A266's customized Mark V suit, designed for scouting and sniper operations Void Dancer - A variant designed for exoatmospheric operations and threat assessment Warrior - A variant designed for speed and mobility. MJOLNIR's mainline armor kit War Master - A variant designed with multi-functional configuration for almost any combat scenario. Lethbridge Industrial's most popular and most exotic armor Wetwork - A variant designed for assassination operations Wrath - A variant based on Emile-A239's custom Mark V armor, designed for use by Headhunters

Forearms and legs

There are several forearms and legs not paired with a specific set that can be used with most GEN2 armor.

Contoured: This variant is manufactured by Lethbridge Industrial. The forearms were favored during the hostilities of the Thales Expedition. The legs were based on native Sangheili equipment. There is a SHARD skin for this set. GV-09 Locking: These forearms are manufactured by Acheron Security on the planet Mars. These improve comfort through modularity. There is a FOREST skin related to HAZOP armor. Inner-plated: This variant is manufactured by the Materials Group. These forearms gained popularity during the revolt on Terceira. There is a WEB skin related to CIO armor. LG-50 Bulk: This variant is manufactured by Imbrium Machine Complex. The legs were designed with intentional redundancy to decrease risk of breach. There is a PULSE skin related to GUNGIR armor. Outer-plated: The forearms of this variant are manufactured by Lethbridge Industrial. The forearms were originally conceived for engagement operators on Cascade. The legs of this variant are manufactured by the Materials Group. The whole system saw little activity until the Concord incident in 2554. The wrists have a RAPTOR skin related to Venator armor. The Legs have a CIRCUIT skin related to Oceanic armor.

Over-locking: This variant is manufactured by the Imbrium Machine Complex. The legs have seen recent exposure with outworld security personnel. There is a WEB skin related to CIO armor. RG-63 Counter: This variant is manufactured by Imbrium Machine Complex. These forearms were developed based on intel from the Harvest campaign. There is a PRIME skin related to Recruit armor. There is a FOREST skin related to HAZOP armor. Twin-plated: This variant is manufactured by Naphtali Contractor Corporation. These forearms first saw use in 2556, but were prototyped during Mjolnir's GEN1 era. There is a AEON skin for this set. XG-89 Narrow: This variant is manufactured by the Materials Group. The narrow-slat legs excel at shield distribution while reducing ceramic profile. There is a RAPTOR skin related to Venator armor. XV-27 Shifting: This variant is manufactured by Naphtali Contractor Corporation. These forearms were tested in the Buffalo Breaker Yards. There is a CIRCUIT skin related to Oceanic armor. There is a PULSE skin related to GUNGNIR armor.

Attachments

The armor system is built to support a variety of attachments and equipment which allow it to utilize armor abilities. Some of them have been reverse-engineered from Covenant and Forerunner technology.

Airstrike - Calls in heavy munitions around the user M2705 regeneration field - Applies a force to remove hostiles from the presence of the user and then temporarily appropriates armor system functions, targeting biological and combat vitality-oriented armor functions in order to heal the user and repair the armor M805X thruster pack - A booster pack used to propel the wearer forward or to either side Overshield - A Covenant-developed technology that strengthens the user's energy shielding system Proximity mines - Deploys three mines that lock onto hostiles Repel - Flash-freezes a small area, causing considerable harm to nearby personnel and equipment Seeker drone - An explosive homing drone Series 12 jetpack - Mitigates gravity, allowing mobility over challenging terrain Shock chain - Creates an energy shield that damages enemies and restores the user's energy shielding

Stun blast - Creates a short-range electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which interferes with all electronic equipment within the radius of the pulse Teleport - Allows near-instantaneous transport over short distances Type-27 hologram - Creates a holographic projection of the user that can draw enemy fire Type-3 active camouflage - Affords the wearer a brief period of near-invisibility in addition to scrambling nearby motion detectors Z-2500 autosentry - A Forerunner-created support drone used to suppress enemy combatants Z-4190 bubble shield - A stationary shield reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology Z-5080 Promethean vision - A sonar-like Forerunner visual enhancement system that displays movement through solid objects Z-90 hardlight shield - A shield made from hard light reverse-engineered from Forerunner technology

Armor components

The GEN2 titanium nanocomposite bodysuit.

• Biofoam injectors: Allow for physical injuries to be sealed and repaired without the use of external medical kits.
• Energy shielding: A protective barrier that surrounds the armor and protects the user from harm.
• Inner skinsuit: The inner skinsuit is made of a moisture-absorbing synthetic material linked to an environmental control computer and the occupant's neural interface. It controls the suit's temperature and actively changes how the suit fits the user.
• Compact fusion reactor: The fusion reactor is the most essential part of the MJOLNIR system, as it provides power to all equipment on the armor—the reactor is built into the suit and allows for nearly unlimited movement. [GEN2]'s fusion reactor is installed at the back of the torso carapace.
• Magnetic weapon holder strips: The MJOLNIR armor features very small, yet powerful magnets placed on the legs, waist, and back of the suit that are used to hold any equipment or any weapons with a magnetic property. The suit also contains a magnet system within its boots that allows its wearer to stay attached to a metal surface in zero gravity environments and can be toggled on or off by the wearer.
• Power supply control unit: Manages the power supply of the armor.
• MJOLNIR GEN2 BIOS: The basic input/output system, standard firmware interface of the GEN2 suite.
• VISR 4.0: Up to version 4.09, these visor installments are optimized and customized to facilitate specialized tasks. VISR 4.0 is capable of managing a Spartan's disparate sensor feeds, battlenet links, and suit diagnostic messages.
• Force-multiplying circuits: Allows the user greatly enhanced reflexes and strength, improving mobility and combat effectiveness in close quarters.
• Motion tracker: Shows movement of friendly and enemy units within the system's radius.
• Pressure seal: The pressure seal is a vital component to the MJOLNIR system, it keeps the system airtight, underwater or in space. The seal is very strong and will only break under extreme pressure, such as in a high velocity impact or when the hydrostatic gel has been over pressurized.
• Support upgrades: These customized and specialized upgrades allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of GEN2.
• Sprint module: Unlike previous armor systems, Mjolnir GEN2 has a built-in sprint module that allows the user to run at faster speeds by overriding safety protocols. It is functionally similar to the version developed by Kat-B320 of NOBLE Team, which saw widespread deployment across Reach in the planet's final days.
• Tactical packages: These customized and specialized packages allow combat advantages by modifying the core and periphery systems of GEN2.
• Titanium nanocomposite bodysuit: Sandwiched between the external armor and the internal padding is a thick armored bodysuit. The bodysuit is made of a nonrigid titanium-based material, making it very strong and yet very flexible. The suit has numerous functions, small but vital to the safety and survival of the wearer. It also serves as another layer of protection against ballistics attacks and is coated with a heat-resistant material to disperse heat from plasma weapons. Many components of the GEN2's titanium bodysuit are conspicuously fashioned after the shape of human musculature; this was less prominent in previous Mjolnir generations. In fact, each techsuit is custom-made for the Spartan that wears it. Some models have portions of the bodysuit share their color with the external armor plating, though completely black bodysuits are still common. Certain fireteams or individual operatives are outfitted with customized techsuits that contain a host of undisclosed improvements or modifications to fit particular mission parameters or operator need.These polymuscle exoskeletons cannot be worn by unaugmented personnel, as many of the techsuit's medical and environmental control systems require invasive access to Spartan cybernetic implants. The techsuit is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time and constitutes the base of Spartans' service uniform, though it provides limited ability enhancement without access to external power. When paired with the compact fusion reactor and shield generators in a Mjolnir cuirass the full capabilities of the techsuit are unlocked. It contains channels and distribution webbing for regenerative energy shielding and the exoskeleton musculature can operate at full power, further increasing the wearer's agility and raw strength.
• Integrated thruster system: GEN2 suits are equipped with an array of shoulder- and back-mounted thrusters, increasing a Spartan's mobility in the field and presumably in vacuum environments. The system, which was added as part of a series-wide update, partly alleviates the need to use an external thruster unit or jetpack; however, it provides only limited thrust and as such does not fully replace external thrust apparatuses. It is still powerful enough to allow the user to hover a few seconds in mid-air when activated in a stabilizing arrangement. Integrated thrusters saw use in combat as early as March 2555.
• Auto-repair and bypass nodes: Any damage that the armor plating suffers can be repaired by built-in, triply-redundant subsystems. These systems are receptive to nanomachines facilitating the repair. Additionally, bypass channels allow certain components to function if routing is compromised by extensive damage. Both these systems can fail, resulting in "scarred" armor plating.

Trivia

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

• The way the GEN2 armor is equipped by UNSC Infinity's dedicated machinery onto its wearer is reminiscent of Iron Man armor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Tychus Findlay's CMC powered armor in Starcraft II.
• All non-essential Spartan-IV NPCs in Halo 4 wear the full Recruit armor set and visor color. Steel serves as their suits' primary color and gold is the secondary color.

Gallery

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  Concept art of the Mjolnir [GEN2] skinsuit for male wearers

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  Concept art of the female [GEN2] skinsuit

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  Armoring process for boots and gauntlets (Click to animate)

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  Chest (Click to animate)

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  Shoulders and helmet (Click to animate)

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  The HUD of the [GEN2] armor

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  A slightly different HUD. Armor bays and technicians can be seen

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  Fireteam Majestic wearing [GEN2] undersuits

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  Spartan-IVs in their armor bay

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  Fireteam Majestic in their [GEN2] armor

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  Shields flaring on two [GEN2] suits during the Requiem Campaign

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  Two Soldier-clad Spartan-IVs engaged in an War Games match on Adrift

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  All the [GEN2] armor in Halo 4 at launch

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  A red Air Assault-clad Spartan-IV attacking a blue Recruit-clad Spartan-IV with a ground pound during a War Games match on Regret.

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  Integrated thrusters briefly levitating the user. Note the jets emanating downward from thrusters both in the back and the front.

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  Spartan-IVs utilizing several variants in preparation for War Games.

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  A multitude of customized GEN2 suits.

List of appearances

• Halo 4 (First appearance)
  • Spartan Ops
  • Infinity Briefing Packet
• Halo: Spartan Assault
• Halo: Initiation
• Halo: Escalation
• Halo 2: Anniversary
• Halo: New Blood
• Hunt the Truth
  • All Hail
  • The Cost
  • Hunt the Signal
  • A Hero Falls
  • The Hunt Begins
• Halo: Spartan Strike
• Halo: Hunters in the Dark
• Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series
• Halo 5: Guardians
  • Limited Edition
• Halo Mythos
• Halo Fractures
  • "Lessons Learned" (Mentioned only)
  • Rossbach's World
• Halo: Tales from Slipspace
  • On the Brink