Weapon skins (Halo 5: Guardians)

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Weapon skins in Halo 5: Guardians allow players to customize the appearance of their SPARTAN-IV's weapons. Weapon skins can be unlocked via the game's [[[Requisition system]], which grants the player currency to buy packs of varying tiers, granting skins. Certain skins are locked to real world currency as a result of external tie-ins with the Halo Championship Series, and a few are barred to certain employees and players for being part of 343 Industries or accomplishing certain feats that are noticed by 343.

Overview

Halo 5: Guardians features rudimentary weapon skin customization similar to Halo 4, with the player being able to simply swap preset patterns on their weapon in the loadout modification menu. However, this will only pertain to personal weapons. Applying a skin to an M395 DMR and then picking up a DMR placed on the map will not result in the newly picked up weapon possessing the player's skin. However, at the same time, picking up a player's DMR which has a skin applied to it will feature the skin chosen by the player who owned it prior.

Launch and DLC skins

Launch and DLC skins refer to those available in the game on launch, and those released through the game's myriad of content updates. All weapon skins on launch were available through the game's REQ system, with common to rare unlocks being tied to Silver packs, and ultra-rare to mythic unlocks being reserved for Gold packs. Skins released through content updates were also tied to this system. A few, such as the white HCS contender variants were able to be unlocked through Guardians' in-game currency, but were tied to specific packs, with fixed unlocks.

Halo Championship Series skins

As part of a tie-in to the ongoing Halo Championship Series, sets of skins were launched for Guardians' esports aspect over its lifespan. A trio of skins, released for the MA5D assault rifle, M6H magnum, and BR85 battle rifle, were launched in a staggered fashion. All featured a red, blue, and white coloration, with HCS branding over the weapon's form, akin to CHALLENGER-class Mjolnir, without specific team branding. As mentioned prior, these were available only in specific packs, but weren't tied to real world currency inherently.

Separate to these skins were those based on the teams participating in the game's Pro League and Halo World Championships. Beginning in 2016, waves of these skins would come out, starting with skins based on Counter Logic Gaming, Evil Geniuses, and OpTic Gaming in the summer of 2016, and ending on Splyce in late 2017. These skins were only purchasable through real world currency in an effort to support the organizations behind them, and each pack game with an assault rifle and magnum skin.

Miscellaneous skins

Certain skins in the game weren't tied to the game's content drops, or real world currency, but were instead given out in a manner akin to Halo 3's RECON-class Mjolnir, pre-Vidmaster Challenge. This included the "Ice Unicorn" skin, granted to players who matched 343 Industries employees on certain announced playdates in either Halo 5 or Halo: The Master Chief Collection. It also included the "Fire Unicorn" skin, which was given to players who managed to be featured on the Halo Community Spotlight.

Additionally, 343 Industries employees possess a full set of skins dubbed "Unicorn Fist", featuring orange and black decals. These were made to replace the then-publicly available 343 Industries assault rifle and magnum skin set, which were released in the Spartan's Armory REQ pack in March of 2016.

A set of skins dubbed "Sticker Shock" was originally exclusive to the Halo Loot Crate promotion. However, in July of 2017, a pack containing the skins was released. The skins were exclusive to this pack, and aren't in the REQ pool.

In late 2018, an additional set of skins, dubbed "Targetmaster" was added to the game. A series of five skins for the magnum exclusively, each skin would unlock upon a certain amount of wins. In order, they would unlock after 75 wins, 175 wins, 300 wins, 450 wins, and 650 wins.

Cut skins

In late 2017, a series of skins based on the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico were announced. Exclusive to the assault rifle and magnum as well, they were made in support of the nationalities present at the Halo World Championship tour. They were intended to be launched in the lead up to 2018's Halo World Championship, however, due to extraneous political circumstances, their release was delayed indefinitely.

List of weapon skins

Launch and DLC skins

Halo 5: Guardians launch weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Fade	Uncommon	Spring inevitably turns to fall.
	Fade	Uncommon	Spring inevitably turns to fall.
	Fade	Uncommon	Spring inevitably turns to fall.
	Fade	Uncommon	Spring inevitably turns to fall.
	Fade	Uncommon	Spring inevitably turns to fall.
	Spiral	Rare	The golden ratio rules all.
	Spiral	Rare	The golden ratio rules all.
	Spiral	Rare	The golden ratio rules all.
	Spiral	Rare	The golden ratio rules all.
	Spiral	Rare	The golden ratio rules all.
	Steel	Rare	What is victory without resolve?
	Vengeance	Rare	Thus I refute thee.
	Ruptive	Ultra Rare	Approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2557.
	Ruptive	Ultra Rare	Approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2557.
	Ruptive	Ultra Rare	Approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2557.
	Ruptive	Ultra Rare	Approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2557.
	Ruptive	Ultra Rare	Approved by the UNSC Ordnance Commission in 2557.
	Bloodthirst	Ultra Rare	Peace through superior firepower.
	Lagrange	Ultra Rare	Death seeps out from cold stars. Be prepared.
	Bracer	Legendary	Though frowned on, troops in the field often adopt their own distinctive stylistic trappings.
	Bracer	Legendary	Though frowned on, troops in the field often adopt their own distinctive stylistic trappings.
	Bracer	Legendary	Though frowned on, troops in the field often adopt their own distinctive stylistic trappings.
	Bracer	Legendary	Though frowned on, troops in the field often adopt their own distinctive stylistic trappings.
	Bracer	Legendary	Though frowned on, troops in the field often adopt their own distinctive stylistic trappings.
	Clash	Legendary	When the moment of decision comes, strike.
	Potence	Legendary	Power flows where will directs.
Battle of Shadow and Light weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Green Machine	Rare	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Green Machine	Rare	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Green Machine	Rare	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Green Machine	Rare	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Green Machine	Rare	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
Cartographer's Gift weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Gold Standard	Legendary	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Gold Standard	Legendary	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Gold Standard	Legendary	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Gold Standard	Legendary	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
	Gold Standard	Legendary	Spartans use the same wargear as other UNSC military personnel, with their own stylistic flair added.
Infinity's Armory weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Prestige	Ultra Rare	A, U! Where did you get that fancy weapon skin?
	Prestige	Ultra Rare	A, U! Where did you get that fancy weapon skin?
	Prestige	Ultra Rare	A, U! Where did you get that fancy weapon skin?
	Prestige	Ultra Rare	A, U! Where did you get that fancy weapon skin?
	Prestige	Ultra Rare	A, U! Where did you get that fancy weapon skin?
	Scratched	Rare	You could have painted this, but you didn't.
	Scratched	Rare	You could have painted this, but you didn't.
	Full Moon	Rare	One Spartan wolf pack.
	Last Slice	Rare	Hotter than Covenant plasma.
	Lord of the Fries	Rare	So much salt.
	Old Abe	Rare	Hear that? Sounds like freedom taking flight!
	Boomco. AR Blaster	Ultra Rare	Epic blasting action brought to life!
	Boomco. Magnum Blaster	Ultra Rare	Dive into the HALO Universe - blaster first!
	Ehh, Arr	Legendary	A Scotsman, pirate, and space monkey walk into a bar...
	Locke and Loaded	Legendary	These puns are criminal.
Hammer Storm weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Last Dawn	Rare	Hope is renewed at light's break.
	Last Dawn	Rare	Hope is renewed at light's break.
	Last Dawn	Rare	Hope is renewed at light's break.
	Last Dawn	Rare	Hope is renewed at light's break.
	Last Dawn	Rare	Hope is renewed at light's break.
Ghosts of Meridian weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Blue Steel	Rare	If looks could kill.
	Blue Steel	Rare	Designed by professionals, for professionals.
	Blue Steel	Rare	Blue is very fashionable this year.
	Blue Steel	Rare	Walk the firing line like you own it.
	Blue Steel	Rare	Propellants are the essence of kinetic energy, and kinetic energy is the essence of lethality.
Memories of Reach weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Azure Dream	Rare	Get cozy with your fireteam and dominate War Games.
	Azure Dream	Rare	It's all about the glory.
	Azure Dream	Rare	Put your boot up some alien backsides!
	Azure Dream	Rare	The UNSC needs every able body on the line to resist the Created.
	Azure Dream	Rare	Spread hate and discontent among the Covenant and Created forces.
	UNSC	Rare	Defending Earth and her colonies since 2163.
	UNSC	Rare	Welcome to Earth.
	ODST	Ultra Rare	Make every shot count.
	ODST	Ultra Rare	Feet first into the fire
	Fireteam Osiris	Ultra Rare	Chief Tested, Buck Approved.
	Fireteam Osiris	Ultra Rare	Every target's just another target.
	Sharktooth Grin	Ultra Rare	The ravenous maw betrays an insatiable taste for violence.
	Sharktooth Grin	Ultra Rare	Spartans are the ultimate land-based predator.
	Spirit Of Fire	Ultra Rare	Forged to perfection
	Spirit Of Fire	Ultra Rare	Rising from the ashes.
	Blue Team	Legendary	Olly olly oxen free!
	Blue Team	Legendary	Always in the right place at the right time.
	Noble Team	Legendary	To the last breath.
	Noble Team	Legendary	Plans can change, always have a backup.
Hog Wild weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Aurum	Ultra Rare	You don't get the riches without some risk.
	Aurum	Ultra Rare	This gold is made with blood, sweat, and tears in War Games.
	Aurum	Ultra Rare	What's next, gold-plated Warthogs?
	Aurum	Ultra Rare	The black and gold almost makes you look respectable.
	Aurum	Ultra Rare	Wisdom is better than gold, but not by much.
Anvil's Legacy weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Master Control	Rare	Survive.
	Master Control	Rare	Enjoy the power you have been given.
	Master Control	Rare	The Covenant started small, and ended small.
	Master Control	Rare	Prepare to terminate.
	Master Control	Rare	A new frontier.
	Landgrave	Legendary	Power truly does flow from the barrel of a gun.
	Landgrave	Legendary	Disorder creates beautiful opportunities.
	Landgrave	Legendary	Spartans are symbols of power in the shadows as well as the light.
	Landgrave	Legendary	Venezian business casual.
	Landgrave	Legendary	For those that appreciate the finer points of violence.
Monitor's Bounty weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Monstrous	Rare	Fear is highly articulated
	Monstrous	Rare	From the depths...
	Monstrous	Rare	Still waters conceal murderous intent.
	Monstrous	Rare	The rattle of ejected casings announces its presence.
	Monstrous	Rare	The damage adds up over time.
	Pop Culture	Rare	Just kitten, this description is totally serious business.
	Pop Culture	Rare	Stop your shenanigans right meow.
	Pop Culture	Rare	Purr-pare to face the UNSC's wrath!
	Pop Culture	Rare	Cat got your tongue?
	Pop Culture	Rare	Totally pawsome!
	Skulls And Roses	Ultra Rare	There is a cruel irony in the use of anagathic medical treatments to enhance the hyper-lethality of Spartans.
	Skulls And Roses	Ultra Rare	A handful of high velocity metal slugs are all that separate the living from the dead.
	Skulls And Roses	Ultra Rare	Modern wars meld flesh, armor, and electronic ghosts into a terrifyingly efficient matrix of destruction.
	Skulls And Roses	Ultra Rare	Even super-soldiers occasionally reflect on their dual role as both defender and despoiler.
	Skulls And Roses	Ultra Rare	Fallen soldiers are remembered in detail by their comrades, in abstract by the UNSC.

Halo Championship Series skins

HCS Contender weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	HCS Contender	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store.	The champion's prize purse often contains a few items of esoteric significance.
	HCS Contender	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store.	To the victor goes the spoils.
	HCS Contender	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store.	To the victor goes the spoils.
	HCS Contender Red	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	Let's all take dying as an open action item.
	HCS Contender Red	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	Let's all take dying as an open action item.
	HCS Contender Red	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	The next best thing to getting a pony.
	HCS Contender Blue	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	The next best thing to getting a pony.
	HCS Contender Blue	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	The next best thing to getting a pony.
	HCS Contender Blue	Unlocked by purchasing the HCS Pack in the in-game store. Also available through team skin packs.	The next best thing to getting a pony.
Counter Logic Gaming weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Counter Logic Gaming	Purchase the Counter Logic Gaming REQ pack.	Play like a champion.
	Counter Logic Gaming	Purchase the Counter Logic Gaming REQ pack.	Let's go! #CLGFIGHTING
Evil Geniuses weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Evil Geniuses	Purchase the Evil Geniuses REQ pack.	Make 'em bleed... blue.
	Evil Geniuses	Purchase the Evil Geniuses REQ pack.	Add a little Evil to your arsenal.
OpTic Gaming weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	OpTic Gaming	Purchase the OpTic Gaming REQ pack.	Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe.
	OpTic Gaming	Purchase the OpTic Gaming REQ pack.	Welcome to the #GreenWall
Team EnVyUs weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Team EnVyUs	Purchase the Team EnVyUs REQ pack.	Blue with envy.
	Team EnVyUs	Purchase the Team EnVyUs REQ pack.	World class.
Team Liquid weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Team Liquid	Purchase the Team Liquid REQ pack.	Skill, passion, and friendship. But mostly skill.
	Team Liquid	Purchase the Team Liquid REQ pack.	A historic addition to the stable.
Allegiance weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Allegiance	Purchase the Allegiance REQ pack.	Unified.
	Allegiance	Purchase the Allegiance REQ pack.	Loyalty and commitment.
Luminosity weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Luminosity	Purchase the Luminosity REQ pack.	Thanks for being #LGLOYAL!
	Luminosity	Purchase the Luminosity REQ pack.	#LGLOYAL
Str8 Rippin weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Str8 Rippin	Purchase the Str8 Rippin REQ pack.	Start fraggin' like a pro.
	Str8 Rippin	Purchase the Str8 Rippin REQ pack.	Give 'em the backsmack!
Splyce weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Splyce	Purchase the Splyce REQ pack.	Strike hard and strike fast like a champion.
	Splyce	Purchase the Splyce REQ pack.	Go #OnTheHunt with Splyce.

Miscellaneous skins

Weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock	Description
	Sticker Shock	Unlocked through the Sticker Shock REQ pack for a limited time.	Every sticker has a story.
	Sticker Shock	Unlocked through the Sticker Shock REQ pack for a limited time.	Authentic imitations of Venezian knockoffs.
	Sticker Shock	Unlocked through the Sticker Shock REQ pack for a limited time.	And that sticker? Well, there I was, in a Kig-Yar food pen …
	Sticker Shock	Unlocked through the Sticker Shock REQ pack for a limited time.	You can never have too much flair.
	Sticker Shock	Unlocked through the Sticker Shock REQ pack for a limited time.	Scratch the stickers for an authentic cordite scent.
	Targetmaster	Unlocked after achieving 75 wins in Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer.	Battered but not broken, Spartan steel is made of sterner stuff.
	Decorated Targetmaster	Unlocked after achieving 175 wins in Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer.	Fresh off the "minifacturing" lines of the UNSC Infinity.
	Superior Targetmaster	Unlocked after achieving 300 wins in Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer.	All tactical, all the time.
	Chromed Targetmaster	Unlocked after achieving 450 wins in Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer.	Out in a flash.
	Gilded Targetmaster	Unlocked after achieving 650 wins in Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer.	Gold never goes out of style.
	343 Industries	Unlocked through a glitch in the game's first HCS pack. Later unlocked through the Spartan's Armory REQ pack for a limited time.	Employee Discount.
	343 Industries	Unlocked through a glitch in the game's first HCS pack. Later unlocked through the Spartan's Armory REQ pack for a limited time.	Inside Job.
	Unicorn Fist	Exclusive to 343 Industries employees.	Unknown
	Unicorn Fist	Exclusive to 343 Industries employees.	The commute to the weapon factory requires a cryotube.
	Unicorn Fist	Exclusive to 343 Industries employees.	Unknown
	Unicorn Fist	Exclusive to 343 Industries employees.	Unknown
	Unicorn Fist	Exclusive to 343 Industries employees.	Unknown
	Fire Unicorn	Be featured on the Halo Community Spotlight.	Work your way up the burndown list.
	Ice Unicorn	Match a squad of 343 Industries employees during specially announced events.	CU II: The Wrath of Conn.
	Worth of Mouth	Participate in an event for Halo 5: Guardians at your local Microsoft Store.	By playing at your local Microsoft Store, you've taken a big step in supporting the grassroots Halo community.
	Know Your Roots	Be a member of the Halo Grassroots program, or be granted it by a member of the program.	The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Cut skins

Weapon skins
Skin	Name	Unlock
	Canada	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in North America.
	Canada	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in North America.
	United States	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in North America.
	United States	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in North America.
	Mexico	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Latin America.
	Mexico	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Latin America.
	United Kingdom	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Europe.
	United Kingdom	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Europe.
	Australia	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Oceania.
	Australia	Originally set to be available when the road to the Halo World Championship 2018 arrived in Oceania.

Trivia

Production notes

• The Master Control skin set's creation was inspired by an edited image of a Halo screenshot that was presented by Halo community member, Vetoed. His post suggesting the skin idea would be posted in February, 2016, while the Master Control skin set wound up being introduced in the Anvil's Legacy update in September of 2016.

References

• The base Targetmaster skin's description notes that "Spartan steel is made of sterner stuff". This is a reference to 1986's The Transformers: The Movie, during which Optimus muses that he thought Megatron was "made of sterner stuff", after a long battle leaving both severely battered.
• The Str8 Rippin skin set's descriptions are references to Tom "Tsquared" Taylor, a prominent member of the team who featured in multiple G4 video segments which spawned the skin's descriptions.