Weapon skins in Halo 4 allow players to customize their SPARTAN-IV's weapon aesthetic. Weapon skins can be unlocked via progression in Specializations, purchasing specific editions of the game and DLC, and finally, by buying specific figures from Series 2 of the McFarlane line of figures.
Overview
Halo 4 features rudimentary weapon skin customization, 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 loadouts. 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.
Weapon skins can be unlocked in a multitude of ways, with the most common method of unlocking them being through the grinding of Specializations. For example, upon reaching Spartan Rank 5 within the Wetwork's Specialization, the "NOBLE" DMR skin tied to it will unlock for the player. Each specialization has one weapon skin tied to it.
Specific editions of the game, such as the Halo 4 Limited Edition also include special weapon skins for buyers. The Limited Edition includes the "Prime" assault rifle skin, specifically. The Halo 4 Xbox 360 console includes the "Imprint" lightrifle skin. These skins were later made available for buyers of the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition.
Finally, unlocking skins can also be done by purchasing specially marked figures from Series 2 of the McFarlane toy line launched in 2013. For example, purchasing the Elite Ranger figure will unlock the "Chill" skin for the storm rifle.
List of weapon skins
Launch skins
| Weapon skins | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Name | Unlock |
|
Prime (PRM) | Unlocked by purchasing the Halo 4 Limited Edition or the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition |
|
Predator (PDT) | Reach Pathfinder SR-5 |
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|
Arctic (ACT) | Unlocked by pre-ordering Halo 4 at specific retailers, or by purchasing the Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition |
|
Dunes (DNE) | Reach Stalker SR-5 |
|
Noble (NBL) | Reach Wetwork SR-5 |
|
Reign (RGN) | Reach Rogue SR-5 |
|
Imprint (IMP) | Unlocked by purchasing the Halo 4 Xbox 360 |
|
Shatter (SHA) | Reach Engineer SR-5 |
 |
Static (STC) | Reach Operator SR-5 |
 |
Fracture (FTC) | Reach Pioneer SR-5 |
 |
Piston (PST) | Reach Tracker SR-5 |
Champions Bundle skins
| Weapon skins | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Name | Unlock |
|
Turbine (TBN) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Teeth (TTH) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Trauma (TRM) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Steam (STM) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Salvage (SLV) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Monocle (MCL) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Reign (RGN) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Industrial (IDT) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Compression (CMP) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
|
Mechanical (MCN) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
 |
Combustion (CBN) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
 |
Indigo (IND) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
 |
Flare (FLR) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
 |
Boilerplate (BPL) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
 |
Piston (PST) | Purchase the Champions Bundle |
Figure exclusive skins
| Weapon skins | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Name | Unlock |
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|
Riptide (RPT) | Purchase the Master Chief figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4. |
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|
Bones (BNS) | Purchase the CIO Spartan figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4. |
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|
Engage | Purchase the Storm Jackal figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4. |
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|
Chill (CHL) | Purchase the Elite Ranger figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4. |
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|
Refractive (RFC) | Purchase the Ur-Didact figure from the Series 2 line of McFarlane figures for Halo 4. |
Cut skins
| Weapon skins | ||
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Name | Unlock |
|
Blast (BLS) | Unobtainable |
|
Concrete (CTE) | Unobtainable |