| Mk50 Sidekick | |
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| Production overview | |
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Manufacturer: |
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Type: |
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Variants: |
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| Specifications | |
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Length: |
32.8 centimetres (12.9 in)[1] |
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Ammunition type: |
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Feed system: |
12-round detachable box magazine[1] |
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Effective range: |
Close to medium[3] |
| Service history | |
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In service: |
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| “ | Though it lacks big-bore stopping power, the Mk50 Sidekick is very responsive and accurate at short range. Spartans are drilled to equip the pistol very quickly, which allows them to finish off a target if their primary runs out of ammo and they can't take the time to reload.[5] | ” |
The Mark 50 Sidekick,[1][6] or simply Mk50 Sidekick (stylized as Mk50 Sidekick),[2] is a type of human specialized pistol manufactured by Emerson Tactical Systems in service with the UNSC.[1] It is a rapid fire sidearm that performs optimally at close to medium range, although accuracy loss is considerable when fired in restless succession.[3][7]
Overview
Design details
Manufactured by Emerson Tactical Systems, the Mk50 Sidekick is a semi-automatic handgun in service with the UNSC Armed Forces. Described as "powerful and compact", it fires 10mm rounds from a detachable box magazine that typically holds 12 rounds. It differs significantly from the M6 series, the UNSC's most prominent sidearm, lacking the M6's signature hand-guard and smart-linked optic, the KFA-2 x2, while also firing a lower caliber round. The design of the Mk50 is relatively simplistic, with a segmented slide and basic, analogue iron sights. A safety switch is present on the left side of the weapon, above the trigger-guard. Emerson Tactical Systems' emblem is worked into the grip.[1] The weapon usually sports an olive green and matte black finish.[8][9]
Usage
The Mk50 Sidekick was in service with UNSC forces as early as 2551.[4] Spartans are drilled to equip the pistol very quickly.[5] By December 2559, the weapon was in service with UNSC forces aboard the UNSC Infinity, serving as primary personal sidearm of Spartans and other special forces units onboard,[1] and saw action at the Battle for Zeta Halo.[7]
Variants
- Striker Sidekick: A yellow-painted variant of the Mk50 Sidekick that holds 14 rounds, can kill in a minimum of five shots, and features less bloom, at the cost of stronger recoil.[10]
Striker Sidekick
In-game information
| “ | Semi-automatic firearm effective at close to medium range.[3] | ” |
The Mk50 can hold 12 rounds with at least 72 rounds in reserve. It takes six shots to drain shields, with four subsequent body shots, or one headshot resulting in a kill. It is headshot-capable, features a very rapid reload, more bloom, and also possesses a swift draw time, making it a perfect sidearm to the MA40 assault rifle.[1]
| MK50 Sidekick | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon Model | Manufacturer | Lore | Rarity | Introduced In | Unlock Requirements |
 Critpoint Shroud |
343 Industries | Exponentially increases the weapon's visual appeal. It also makes it look cooler. | Epic | Season 01: Heroes of Reach | Purchase the "Maltese Mayhem Weapon Set" from the Shop for 1,500 cR (or 800 cR during a sale) |
 M90 Shroud |
Weapon System Technology | Marketed towards the police and self-defense markets. | Legendary | Season 01: Heroes of Reach | Purchase the "Pop Weapon Set" from the Shop for 800 cR |
 Tacticlamp |
Weapon System Technology | A frame-mounted, non-reciprocating shroud with accessory rails. | Rare | Season 01: Heroes of Reach | Purchase the "Tacticlamp 117" bundle from the Shop for 1,000 cR |
 MK50 Groovegrip |
Lux Voluspa | A favorite sidearm of tech-savvy mercenary groups and security firms. | Epic | Season 04: Infection | Cyber Showdown II Event Pass level 5 |
 MK50 Swiftguard |
Emerson Tactical Systems | Emerson-developed data acquisition suite with real time targeting telemetry meant to integrate directly with the latest VISR displays and tactical uplink protocols. The latest beta-build firmware provides improved end-to-end data encryption and increased compatibility with vintage UNSC protocols. | Epic | Season 04: Infection | Purchase either:
|
 Stocking Stuffer |
343 Industries | High-velocity holiday cheer. | Legendary | Season 05: Reckoning | Purchase the "Santa's Little Helper" superbundle from the Shop for 3,400 cR |
 Vicious Sidekick |
Banished | Chop chop. | Epic | The Yappening II | Purchase the "Cestus" bundle from the Shop for 2,400 cR |
 Leaping Bounty |
Fracture: Tenrai | Always against the current. | Legendary | Tenrai IV | Purchase the "Kendo Master" bundle from the Shop for 2,200 cR |
 Photon Exciter |
Fracture: Firewall | The battle is on. Playtime is over. | Legendary | Haloween | Purchase the "Molten Chrome" bundle from the Shop for 2,200 cR |
Production notes
The Sidekick was designed as a true sidearm pistol, being lightning fast to draw and fire, acting as a reliable backup when the player's primary weapon is depleted. Compared to the Magnums of previous titles, the Sidekick was described being closest in function to Halo 2's M6C magnum.[11] In April 2021, it was shown that the Sidekick had received a redesign since its reveal in July 2020. It would now include an underbarrel attachment similar to those featured on the M6C/SOCOM and the Tactical variant of the M6H2 Magnum, as well as some other small changes.[12]
Gallery
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Developmental images
HUD Icon of the Mk50 Sidekick.
An early render of the Mk50, featuring the Adrenal coating.
First-person view of the Mk50 in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
- HINF Weapon Mk50 Sidekick.png
First-person view of the Mk50 Sidekick, prior to its redesign.
First-person view of the Mk50's reload in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere, displaying the magazine.
First-person view of the Mk50's reload in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere, with 10mm rounds visible in the magazine.
Promotional images
Concept art featuring a Marine holding the Mk50 Sidekick while carried by John-117.
The redesigned Mk50 Sidekick with the Watchdog coating.
A Yoroi-clad Spartan-IV wielding an Mk50 in multiplayer.
A Mk50 Sidekick holstered on a pink Spartan in the A New Generation trailer.
Screenshots
A Spartan holding the redesigned Mk50.
A Spartan firing the Mk50.
Close-up of the Mk50 while firing, with the slide at the rear of travel exposing the barrel assembly with empty chamber as well as the next unfired cartridge.
A Spartan with the Mk50.
A customized Mk50 Sidekick.
List of appearances
- Halo Infinite (First appearance)
- Halo: The Rubicon Protocol
- Winter Contention
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 166
- ^ a b Halo Support, Halo Infinite Weapon, Equipment, and Vehicle Inventory: "Mk50 Sidekick. Quick-draw pistol." (Retrieved on May 5, 2023) [archive]
- ^ a b c d Halo Infinite, Weapons Bench description: "Semi-automatic firearm effective at close to medium range."
- ^ a b Winter Contention
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, Forge - Mk50 Sidekick description: "Though it lacks big-bore stopping power, the Mk50 Sidekick is very responsive and accurate at short range. Spartans are drilled to equip the pistol very quickly, which allows them to finish off a target if their primary runs out of ammo and they can't take the time to reload."
- ^ Halo Infinite, multiplayer: When the player gets a kill with the Mk50 Sidekick. "Mark 50 kill confirmed." - LUMU
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, gameplay
- ^ Halo Infinite, Mk50 Sidekick in-game model
- ^ Xbox Wire, Bank Now, Play Later: Halo Infinite Meets Monster Energy Global Partnership (Retrieved on Aug 6, 2021) [archive]
- ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - Striker Sidekick description: "Precision Mk50 Sidekick modified for improved stopping power."
- ^ Halo Waypoint, Infinite Inquiries: "The “Sidekick” is a true sidearm pistol that is lightning fast to draw and fire – truly exceling as a reliable backup when your primary weapon is depleted and a Brute is bearing down on you. Compared to previous titles, this weapon is closest to Halo 2's version of the Magnum." - John Junyszek (Unyshek) (Retrieved on Jul 30, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Twitter: "That's not an attachment on the Sidekick. That's the Sidekick" - John Junyszek (Unyshek) (Retrieved on Apr 29, 2021) [archive]
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