The Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/C variant[1], more commonly known as Close Quarters Battle Armor[2], and abbreviated as CQB Armor, is a type of United Nations Space Command ground infantry body armor. It is first seen in Halo 3.
Introduction
The CQB Armor is a variant of the standard Mark VI MJOLNIR powered battle armor, designed to improve survivability in close combat for the SPARTAN-II Supersoldiers. It is a default armor permutation in Halo 3 multiplayer. Bungie has confirmed all of the armor permutations have no effect on gameplay.
Development and History
The Mjolnir mark C variant was developed and tested at UNSC Beweglichrüstungsysteme facility in Essen, Deutschland (Germany) and Songnam, Hanguk respectively, integrating both feedback and testing gathered from the Jericho VII theater. The intent of the MJOLNIR Mark VI Powered Assault Armor/C variant was to improve survivability in close combat, specifically by looking at alternate methods of K dispersal and improving joint mobility.
Characteristics
Helmet Characteristics
The helmet differs from that of the Mark VI greatly. Often considered to look like the helmet of Samus from the Metroid series and the Phase I Clone Troopers from star wars, though more like the clone commando's helmet, than regular clone troopers, also Mandalorians like Boba Fett. It features a roughly "T" shaped visor with two large cheek guards. The top of the helmet is protected by black alloy that forces a protective brace on top. It somewhat resembles ancient Greek or Roman helmets- the shape of the visor is especially similar, and the cross brace loosely resembles the crest on a helmet.
Shoulder Characteristics
The shoulder pads are significantly lower than that of the standard Mark VI armor. They consist of a rectangular, slightly bent metal plate that is attached approximately where the deltoid, biceps brachii, and brachialis muscles converge. In actual combat, this would greatly improve the ease at which a SPARTAN-II moves the arms, but expose the shoulders to greater damage.
Because of the unique and large design, many players use it to show off their emblem- the popular machinima Spriggs does this with the majority of its characters. The shoulder pads appear similar to that of the ODST troops in the Halo 3 concept art on the Halo 3 Zune.[3]
Chest Characteristics
Like in most other MJOLNIR variants, the chest plate seems to be a plate of alloy attached to the existing Mark VI armor underneath. It consists of an additional set of four plates fused together in the body, and a tubular object at the bottom part of the chest plate which could either be a handle or some sort of canister due to it's shape. There is an unusable Combat Knife on the plate as well in a built-in sheath. In early development, the outer part of the chest piece was part of the secondary color group. Why this was changed is unknown.
Unlock
- Head: Starter
- Shoulders: Starter
- Body: Starter
Gallery
- MJOLNIR Mk.VI Powered Assault Armor (CQB).jpg
MJOLNIR Mk. VI/C
- CQB.jpg
The first sighting of CQB Armor - in a Gamepro article about Halo 3.
- Cbq with assault rifle.jpg
Side profile of a SPARTAN in blue CQB Armor with an MA5C Assault Rifle.
- Halo3 Spartan-smg-01.jpg
Bungie render of a SPARTAN in orange CQB Armor.
- CQB MJOLNIR mongoose.jpg
SPARTAN in CQB riding passenger on a Mongoose.
- CQB Spartan.jpg
A SPARTAN in purple CQB Armor with an M41 Rocket Launcher.
- Halo 3 Armor Concept.jpg
Concept art for the CQB.
- CQB with laser.jpg
A CQB-clad Spartan armed with Spartan Laser.
- Halo3 Spartan-rocket-launcher-03.jpg
A Spartan in CQB wields the M41 Rocket Launcher.
Trivia
- The triangular visor may be an aesthetic throwback to the helmets of the Greek Spartans.
- The Meta from the Red vs Blue: Reconstruction trailer wears a CQB shoulder pad on his right shoulder.
- This is the only armor set with a Combat Knife on the body.
- According to a survey taken by Bungie, the C.Q.B. chest is the most used Spartan chestplate on Xbox Live.
- Oddly, the visor of the C.Q.B. helmet reflects far more light than the other helmets.
- The helmet from Timeshift's Beta Suit might have been based off of the CQB helmet.
- Todd Mcfarlane has made Spartan Soldier CQB with different armor colors with interchangeable armor.
- The visor of the CQB armor could quite possibly have been inspired by the T-shaped visors of the clones from Star Wars.