Nightfall armor

Nightfall
Production overview
Manufacturer(s):	Cascade Stronghold Technology (GEN2)
Testing site(s):	Special Warfare Center, Seongnam, Korea
Type:	Combat armor; MJOLNIR [GEN2] (variant);
Role(s):	Hostile environment life support

The Nightfall armor is a hostile environment variant of the ODST armor developed by Cascade Stronghold Technology.^[2] A variant of the armor designed for the MJOLNIR [GEN2] platform is available for use by Spartans.^[3]

Overview

Specifications

Compared to the similar GEN2 ODST armor, major differences include a data crystal chip port on the back of the helmet (much like those featured on the Mark V and later MJOLNIR iterations) and a camera integrated into the brim of the helmet (which consequently extends farther over the faceplate). The helmet's visor is retractable and contains a sophisticated VISR suite capable of identifying and analyzing objects in the environment.^[4]

The armor is powered to some extent and is able to effectively negate the impact of a substantial fall during a deployment from a dropship, for example.^[4] According to Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, without the hydraulics being powered up, the armor is basically just dead weight on the wearer who can move around in it, but are hampered in their movements, particularly in hostile environments when they need to move fast.^[5]

Development history

Cascade Stronghold Technology, the company that ported the ODST armor to MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2], is also responsible for creating the MJOLNIR GEN 2 version of the Nightfall armor. The armor was built to function in extreme temperature conditions. The first models of the nightfall armor were deployed in 2551 to ONI operators and select ODST special forces units.^[2]

Developed at the Special Warfare Center in Seongnam, Korea, Nightfall combines elements of standard Marine Corps body armor, ODST combat armor, and MJOLNIR.^[1]

Usage

The armor is worn by Office of Naval Intelligence operatives.^[4]

Spartans recruited from the Marine Corps favor the GEN2 Nightfall armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-in-class life support.^[3]

In 2556, Locke's team wore the armor during a mission to Alpha Shard in order to destroy deposits of a deadly new element. During an attack by Lekgolo worms, the team was forced to deactivate their armor's systems in order to avoid detection. At the suggestion of Colonel Randall Aiken of the Sedran Colonial Guard, the team removed and abandoned their armor as without the hydraulics and air conditioning, it was just dead weight and they could not risk reactivating it without drawing the attention of the deadly worms.^[5]

In-game information

Halo 5: Guardians

Unlock: Watch episode four of Halo: Nightfall for the helmet and watch all 5 episodes of the series for the armor or Mythic REQ card.

Helmet Description: Lessons learned on far-flung hellscapes have shaped the NIGHTFALL into the best multi-environmental helmet available.
Body Description: Spartans with Marine experience prefer NIGHTFALL armor when stationed on inhospitable worlds due to its best-of-class life support.

Trivia

In Halo 5: Guardians the helmet has fingerprints on it.
In 2558, Michael Crespo wore an older suit of ODST armor from the early Human-Covenant war, which apparently had an exoskeleton installed in it. It was noted to be significantly less capable than MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.^[6]. This armor may could be early iteration of Nightfall armor.

Gallery

Halo: Nightfall

Concept art for the Nightfall armor.
Concept art for the Nightfall armor with full equipment load.
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet and HUD.
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet with a red paint job.
Concept art for the Nightfall helmet with a flashlight attachment.
Concept art for Horrigan's helmet.
ONI operatives (left) wearing Nightfall armor on Alpha Shard; Randall Aiken (right) is wearing a Sedran Colonial Guard combat armor.
The Nightfall armor's HUD visible through Jameson Locke's visor.
Nightfall armor's HUD.
Jameson Locke in Nightfall armor.
Jameson Locke's Nightfall helmet.

Halo 5: Guardians

Pre-Halo 5 Beta render.
Nightfall armor in the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.
Render of the armor.
Nightfall armor on Halo Waypoint's Halo 5: Guardians armor customization.
A Spartan-IV wearing Nightfall armor on Overgrowth in Halo 5: Guardians.
A back view of the armor.
A closer view of the Spartan-IV, which showcases the ONI emblems present on the armor.
A Spartan-IV clad in Nightfall armor colored to emulate the ODST armor used by the UNSC Marine Corps.
Nightfall armor in comparison to Helljumper.
Smudges on the helmet.