Armor Permutations are a feature in Halo 3 and in Halo 3: ODST which let players customize their Multiplayer character's armor to their liking. In Halo 3, this feature allows players to change the helmet, shoulders and chest armor pieces worn by their multiplayer character. Players also have the option of choosing between being a Spartan or Elite in Multiplayer.
SPARTAN Armor Permutations
There is a wide variety of SPARTAN II armor permutations in Halo 3. Eleven helmets, eight shoulder pieces and eight chest pieces for a total of 5,632 different SPARTAN II armor permutation possibilities: One helmet, two shoulder pieces and one chest piece per permutation, not including the Bungie Armor Chest piece. It should be noted the Rogue, Mark V, and ODST armour only have helmet pieces and Security armour has both helmet and shoulder pieces but is in the absence of a chest permutation. The HAYABUSA Project includes the HAYABUSA and Katana permutations.
Elite Armor Permutations
There are a wide variety of Elite armor permutations with 5 helmets, 5 shoulder pieces and 5 chest pieces for a total of 15 different Elite armor permutations: One helmet, two Shoulder pieces, and one Chest piece per permutation and 625 possible combinations with all pieces in consideration.
Unlocking Permutations
| Spartan Armor Permutations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | Shoulder | Helmet | |
| Mark VI | (Starter) | (Starter) | (Starter) |
| CQB | (Starter) | (Starter) | (Starter) |
| EVA | Beat Tsavo Highway (Normal) | Beat The Ark (Normal) | Campaign Complete: Normal |
| EOD | Beat Tsavo Highway (Legendary) | Beat The Ark (Legendary) | Campaign Complete: Legendary |
| Hayabusa | Collect 6 skulls | Collect 9 skulls | Collect all 13 skulls |
| Katana | Complete 49 achievements and get 1000+ Gamerscore | N/A | N/A |
| Bungie | Bungie employees only. | N/A | N/A |
| Security | N/A | Get 750 Gamerscore | Get 1000 Gamerscore |
| Recon | Complete the Vidmaster Challenges. | Complete the Vidmaster Challenges. | Complete the Vidmaster Challenges. |
| Scout | Too Close to the Sun | Get the Achievement Mongoose Mowdown | Get the Achievement Used Car Salesman |
| ODST | N/A | N/A | Become a Spartan Graduate |
| Mark V | N/A | N/A | Become a UNSC Spartan |
| Rogue | N/A | N/A | Become a Spartan Officer |
| Sangheili Armor Permutations | |||
| Combat | (Starter) | (Starter) | (Starter) |
| Assault | (Starter) | (Starter) | (Starter) |
| Flight | Beat Tsavo Highway (Heroic) | Beat The Ark (Heroic) | Campaign Complete: Heroic |
| Ascetic | Get the Achievement Up Close and Personal | Get the Achievement Overkill | Get the achievemant Steppin' Razor |
| Commando | Get the Achievement Triple Kill | Halo 3 Auto-Updates/Steppin' Razor[1] |
Get the Achievement Overkill |
ODST Permutations
Halo 3: ODST features armor customization, though it is not as complex as Halo 3's. One can play as each member of the squad having their own unique aesthetic armor. Players can choose primary and secondary armor colors, but the armor's main color remains the same. Players can also choose not to wear a helmet unless they are using the Rookie character model. Choosing not to wear a helmet does not affect game play. Without a helmet, the player still has the same health and stamina and they can still use VISR mode.
Characters
- Rookie: Unlocked by default.
- Dare: Complete the Campaign on Legendary.
- Buck: Unlock the Tayari Plaza Achievement.
- Dutch: Unlock the Uplift Reserve Achievement.
- Romeo: Unlock the NMPD HQ Achievement.
- Mickey: Unlock the Kizingo Boulevard Achievement.
- Sergeant Johnson: Came with pre-order of Halo 3: ODST.
Trivia
- There was originally going to be an Arbiter Armor Permutation, but it was taken out before Halo 3's release. Bungie, however, did not explain why.
- The neck of an Elite (regardless what armor permutation used) is completely immune to any form of damage except for a charged Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol. In addition, the projectile will simply pass through the neck, as though the neck wasn't there, without a blood spatter. This is because both Elites and Spartans share the same hitbox (i.e. where you can hit the character), but have different models.
- Each Elite also has a modified neck, whether sleek black, or a different model such as scale-like plating at the back.
- It is possible that Halo: Reach will feature armor permutations that were sported in the trailer, each Spartan was wearing a different make of armor.
- A contest winner recieved the Bungie armour.
Gallery
Spartans
All of the Spartan Permutations. Note: If a part of the armor set doesn't exist it has been substituted with Mark VI.
- Halo-3-custom-armor.jpg
An EVA Spartan wielding a M6G (a Magnum).
- Halo3 Spartan-pistol-01.jpg
A Khaki CQB Spartan wielding an M6G.
- Flaminghayabusa.jpg
Flaming Helmet. Note: It is the Bungie Chest Permutation that makes the flaming helmet, and can be equipped with any helmet and shoulders.
- 753777342 19c07c569a o.jpg
The Recon armor permutation wielding a Machine Gun Turret ripped off its tripod, and the back is covered by a knee that was blocking the picture.
- Mark V mix.jpg
Another mix and match with the original, Mark V helmet from Halo Combat Evolved.
- IMGP0819.JPG
Three conceptual armor sets from The Art of Halo 3.
- Recon armor.jpg
Halo 3 Recon armor, regarded by many to be the best armor available.
- 1208737266 Scout.jpg
The Scout variant dual-wielding Brute Spikers.
- EOD Red.JPG
The EOD variant in a fire, wielding a Mauler.
Sangheili
- Elite Armor Permutations.png
All of the Elite armor permutations.
- Assaultarmor.jpg
A light green Elite Assault armor permutation.
The updated Elite Combat armor permutation.
An Elite in the Commando armor being burned (Ascetic shoulders due to an old bug).
- 1224034874 Elite team.jpg
All the Elite armor permutations in a line on the Halo 3 Multiplayer map Snowbound.
An Elite armor that is only shown in the campaign level Floodgate (it is not usable). This is simply a glitch from the making of the game.
- 1224212556 Ascetic Combat Harness.jpg
An Elite wearing the Ascetic Harness permutation holding an Energy Sword.
Sources
- ^ Bungie.net: "The longstanding “Elite Commando Shoulders aren’t unlocking with the achievement” bug is being resolved in the auto update. The shoulders weren’t unlocking when the Steppin’ Razor achievement was acquired. In the post-auto update era, the Commando Shoulders will be unlocked for everyone, regardless of the status of the corresponding achievement."