Specializations

"WE'VE GOT A NEW CONTACT, UNKNOWN CLASSIFICATION!"

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Specializations are exclusive gameplay enhancements featured in Halo 4. Six specializations were made immediately available on Xbox LIVE to those who purchased the Halo 4 Limited Edition bundle while two were available with the standard game.^[1]^[2]

Overview

Specializations are unlocked after completing fifty levels in Halo 4. Upon unlocking specializations, the player must choose one to advance through before they can select another. Each specialization consist of rank paths which are composed of 10 levels each. Armor sets, emblems, visor colors, weapon and armor skins, and armor mods are unlocked along those paths. Armor mods work similar to tactical packages and support upgrades and, are not tied directly to a specific armor for that specialization which means a player doesn't have to wear that armor to use that particular mod.^[2]

List of specializations

Engineer

The Engineer specialization optimizes a Spartan for the subversion, repair and reconstitution of a wide range of technology regardless of origin, and grants the player the Drop Recon armor mod. The Drop Recon armor mod allows a player to predict the location and time of an Ordnance Drop via an external suborbital monitoring system. Also it identifies what weapon the ordnance contains. Gameplay-wise the player will see the waypoint of the ordnance's arrival location and weapon-type prior to the weapon entering the game. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Engineer gold visor, Engineer pink/purple/blue visor, Engineer armor set, Engineer armor set variant, and a Suppressor Weapon Skin.^[2]

Operator

The Operator specialization optimizes the operation and control of vehicles, and grants the player the Wheelman armor mod. The Wheelman armor mod draws more stamina and durability out of a vehicle they are operating. Overall it lessens the effects of an overcharged Plasma pistol burst to a vehicle thus reducing the likelihood of getting hijacked. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Operator gold visor, Operator orange/purple visor, Operator armor set, Operator armor set variant, and a Magnum weapon skin.^[2]

Pathfinder

The Pathfinder specialization optimizes unconventional deployment within unknown enemy territory and with no assistance, and grants the player the Gunner armor mod. The Gunner armor mod decreases the time of weapon overheat when occupying a vehicle weapon position and increases a player's speed while carrying a detached turret. When using mounted anti-infantry guns, the weapon overheats less quickly, allowing for longer firing at the maximum rate of fire. Also it allows the player to move faster when the weapon is detached allowing for more offensive tactics rather than defensive. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Pathfinder gold visor, Pathfinder orange/green visor, Pathfinder armor set, Pathfinder armor set variant, and a Assault Rifle weapon skin.^[2]

Pioneer

The Pioneer specialization optimizes a Spartan for deployment into unknown, hostile territory for the purpose of gathering and relaying intelligence, and grants the player the Fast Track armor mod. The Fast Track armor mod allows the player to gain more data from each account effectively ranking up quicker. In gameplay the mod modifies the amount of experience earned per kill and gives the player more post-game experience. However it can't be changed at the end of a game, otherwise the player will not gain more experience for an entire match. The specialization unlocks the Pioneer gold visor, Pioneer silver/blue visor, Pioneer armor set, Pioneer armor set variant, and a Plasma Pistol Weapon Skin.^[2]

Rogue

The Rogue specialization optimizes a Spartan for single-operative missions which require lone deployment for incredibly long durations of time, and grants the player the Stability armor mod. The Stability armor mod allows Players to increase their aiming stability when being fired upon. Overall it makes the player flinch less when under fire thus allowing a steady aim on target. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Rogue gold visor, Rogue red/orange/silver visor, Rogue armor set, Rogue armor set variant, and a Carbine Weapon Skin.^[2]

Stalker

The Stalker specialization optimizes a Spartan for target shadowing missions while operating at close range to the target itself, and grants the player the Nemesis armor mod. The Nemesis armor mod allows player's to target and track down enemies who previously attacked them, highlighting the enemy on their motion sensor. The HUD shows the last person who killed the player allowing said player to get revenge or avoid that enemy. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Stalker gold visor, Stalker yellow/green visor, Stalker armor set, Stalker armor set variant, and a Battle Rifle weapon Skin.^[2]

Tracker

The Tracker specialization optimizes a Spartan for long-range target tracking in unconventional scenarios, and grants the player the Requisition armor mod. The Requisition armor mod allows players the ability to recall their own ordnance requests in order to acquire more helpful weapons in the field. When selecting ordnance they've received, the player can request a new random selection of choices that better suits them. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Tracker gold visor, Tracker purple visor, Tracker armor set, Tracker armor set variant, and a Boltshot weapon Skin.^[2]

Wetwork

The Wetwork specialization optimizes a Spartan for stealth operations, and grants the player the Stealth armor mod. The Stealth armor mod allows players to move faster than normal and execute assassinations quicker. The mod dampens the sound of sprinting, allows for faster animation of assassinations reducing a player's vulnerability, and reduces a player's red profile to a red outline of themselves when being viewed through Promethean vision. Unlocking the specialization unlocks the Wetwork gold visor, Wetwork blue/orange visor, Wetwork armor set, Wetwork armor set variant, and a DMR Weapon Skin. ^[2]