Armor effects are a special customizable option in Halo: Reach, the Halo: The Master Chief Collection edition of Halo 4, and Halo Infinite. Armor effects are visible in all gametypes, though they are not displayed in cutscenes.

On November 16, 2020, when Series 4: Reclaimer was released for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, it made the effects available for use on Sangheili player models in Reach. On June 23, 2021, with the release of Series 7: Elite, these effects were added into Halo 4 as a new customization option.

Halo Infinite would feature player effects in a major capacity, following their absence in Halo 5: Guardians.

Halo: Reach and Halo 4Edit

Armor effects functioned as passive character model effects, visible to other players in-game. They served no purpose past being aesthetic changes. Certain effects such as Heart Attack, and Pestilence featured specific death effects, which activated as the player died, such as a flurry of hearts floating above the player's place of death. Others, such as Legendary and Eternal were only active as the player remained alive, with no specific death effect associated to them.

Originally, Halo: Reach was the first and only Halo title to feature armor effects in any capacity, with the original releases of Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians forgoing the option. However, in 2021, Halo 4 would be updated to feature Reach's suite of armor effects within The Master Chief Collection. They functioned identically to their Reach counterparts.

Armor effects
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Kill Effect Description Unlock (Halo: Reach) Unlock (Halo: Reach MCC) Unlock (Halo 4 MCC)
   
Legendary
Flames ensconce the skulls of the loyal. 0 cR - Included with the Legendary Edition of Halo: Reach. Series 1 Tier 83,   1 Series 7 Tier 84,   1
   
Eternal
Burn bright; burn blue. 0 cR- Formerly only available to Bungie employees, required e-mail verification through Bungie.net. Available until 7/7/11. Series 1 Tier 100,   1 Series 7 Tier 100,   1
 
Birthday Party
Your death is softened by a joyful noise. And confetti. 200,000 cR Series 1 Tier 25,   1 Series 7 Tier 71,   1
 
Heart Attack
Upon expiry, flying hearts mark your demise. 300,000 cR Series 1 Tier 65,   1 Series 7 Tier 62,   1
   
Pestilence
Foul brown clouds stink and swirl around steel. 1,000,000 cR Series 1 Tier 52,   1 Series 7 Tier 25,   1
   
Inclement Weather
High voltage, indeed. 2,000,000 cR Series 1 Tier 79,   1 Series 7 Tier 43,   1

Halo InfiniteEdit

Following their absence in Halo 5, and their reintegration into Halo 4, Halo Infinite would feature armor effects in a notably more major capacity. Unlike Reach and Halo 4, which featured armor effects that could be passive, activated on death, or both, Infinite would divide effects into three defined categories: Armor Effects, Mythic Effect Sets, and Kill Effects.

Armor effects act much like they did in prior titles, being passive, aesthetic changes to the player's character model. Unlike Reach and 4, these effects didn't feature any death effects, with their presence being solely limited to when the player is alive.

Mythic effect sets are passive effects that affect the player's character model's actions, such as footsteps, and slides. They can also be activated through the use of certain equipment, which varies by the effect. These can be used in tandem with different armor effects, and aren't defined by them, unlike prior titles.

Kill effects take the place of death effects in prior titles, and are a part of weapon customization. Following the theme of armor and mythic effect sets, kill effects are activated when the player kills another, and unlike prior titles, are defined by the killer's choice of effect.

Armor Effects
Battle Pass Armor Effects
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Armor Effect Manufacturer Lore Rarity Introduced In Unlock Requirements
 
Judgment Helm
FOTUS Tempered by flame. Legendary Season 01: Heroes of Reach Season 01: Heroes of Reach Battle Pass level 97 (Premium)
 
Judgment Mantle
FOTUS Burning with conviction. Legendary Season 01: Heroes of Reach Season 01: Heroes of Reach Battle Pass level 85 (Premium)
 
Packmaster's Glare
FOTUS Looks will kill. Epic Season 02: Lone Wolves Season 02: Lone Wolves Battle Pass level 70 (Premium)
 
Slipstream Vectorstrike
FOTUS Field tests are the best tests. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Season 03: Echoes Within Battle Pass level 1 (Premium)
 
Leaky Seals
343 Industries Gonna need to get that fixed. Legendary Season 04: Infection Season 04: Infection Battle Pass level 75 (Premium)
 
Rotten Vitality
The Flood In sickness, a new kind of health. Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Season 05: Reckoning Battle Pass level 49 (Premium)
Event and Operation Armor Effects
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Armor Effect Manufacturer Lore Rarity Introduced In Unlock Requirements
 
Neon Hawk
FOTUS Water runs deep and never fade away. Pals Epic Season 01: Heroes of Reach
 
Neon Screen
FOTUS The world is synthetic. The emotions are real. Epic Season 01: Heroes of Reach
  • Cyber Showdown Event Pass level 5
  • Purchase from The Exchange for   3,750
 
Trapmaster's Map
FOTUS You can run, but not hide. Epic Season 02: Lone Wolves
  • Alpha Pack Event Pass Level 10
  • Purchase from The Exchange for   3,750
 
Pestilent Winds
Fracture: Firewall The assemblies rot from the head down, and in their realms the digital decay is made manifest. Legendary Haloween Purchase the "Haloween" Premium Pass for 500 cR
Shop Armor Effects
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Armor Effect Manufacturer Lore Rarity Introduced In Unlock Requirements
 
Perfect Circle
FOTUS Don't let the power go to your head. Epic Season 01: Heroes of Reach Purchase from the Shop for 300 cR
 
Perfect Sublimity
FOTUS High scores are at an all-time low. Epic Season 01: Heroes of Reach Purchase from the Shop for 500 cR
 
Halo WC 2022 Victory Laurels
343 Industries To the victor go the spoils! Congratulations to all competitors and fans of Halo World Championship 2022! Legendary Season 02: Lone Wolves Purchase the "Halo WC 2022 Victory" bundle from the Shop for 800 cR
 
Inevitability of War
Fractures: Entrenched The landslide has already started. Epic Season 02: Lone Wolves Purchase from the Shop for 500 cR
 
March of War
Fracture: Entrenched Die on your feet. Epic Season 02: Lone Wolves Purchase from the Shop for 500 cR
 
Marlin T. Buckets
FOTUS Hippity hoppity, your Scorpion tank is now my property. Legendary Season 02: Lone Wolves Purchase from the Shop for 800 cR
 
Opulent Bouquet
FOTUS Flowers really can bloom on the battlefield! Epic Season 02: Lone Wolves Purchase from the Shop for 1,100 cR
 
Cold Shoulder
343 Industries All hail the conquering hero. Epic Winter Update Purchase the "Frostbite Effects Set" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Ski Rack
343 Industries Perfect for a day on the velvet slopes. Epic Winter Update Purchase the "Frostbite Effects Set" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Retrode Console
FOTUS A big hit with older Spartans. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Purchase the "Level Up!" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Retrode Lockout
FOTUS Not backwards compatible. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Purchase the "Level Up!" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Synthetic Dawn
FOTUS Bootstrap code for peripheral visual effects. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Purchase the "Synthetic Dawn" bundle from the Shop for 1,200 cR
 
Synthetic Emitters
Fractures: Firewall Incorporates sensory attacks targeted at unaugmented biologics. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Purchase the "Synthetic Runtime" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Slipstream Factorgrid
FOTUS Not yet approved for mass production. Legendary Season 03: Echoes Within Purchase the "Slipstream Factorgrid" bundle from the Shop for 800 cR
 
Halo WC 2022 Victory Wings
343 Industries To the victor go the spoils! Congratulations to all competitors and fans of Halo World Championship 2023! Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Halo WC 2023 Championship" bundle from the Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Lightspike Gauntlets
343 Industries Spectral analysis confirmed. Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Photon Groove" bundle from the Shop for 1,600 cR
 
Lightspike Pauldrons
343 Industries Visible light throughout the fight. Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Photon Groove" bundle from the Shop for 1,600 cR
 
Spirited Thoughts
Fracture: Tenrai Painting a new reality. Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Crimson Dawn" or "Dragonborn" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 or 3,400 cR respectively
 
Swim Moves
Fracture: Tenrai Fishing for compliments. Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Kawari" or "Dragonborn" bundle from the Shop for 1,400 or 3,400 cR respectively
 
Warning Signs
343 Industries Watch where you step! Legendary Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Warning Signs" or "Hazmat Haven" bundle from the Shop for 1,500 or 3,400 cR respectively
 
Blightlands Marauder
The Flood It is a mistake to assume the parasite cannot innovate. Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Purchase the "Flood" superbundle from the Shop for 2,800 cR
 
Candy Corn
343 Industries Expired candy converted into field-expedient up-armor. Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Purchase the "Pumpkin Spice" bundle from the Shop for 1,600 cR
 
Lil' Devil
343 Industries Oh, you rascal … Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Purchase the "Sanguine Gift" bundle from the Shop for 2,200 cR
 
Winter Lights
343 Industries Come in from the cold. Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Purchase the "Chill Out" or "Santa's Little Helper" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR or 3,400 cR respectively
 
Winter Step
343 Industries These feet are made for walking to gifts. Legendary Season 05: Reckoning Purchase the "Hearth Fire" or "Santa's Little Helper" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR or 3,400 cR respectively
 
Corinthian Sigil
UNSC The Spartans have arrived. Epic Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Omega Team" superbundle from the Shop for 3,800 cR
 
Spirit Sigil
UNSC The crew of the Spirit of Fire are ghosts to the UNSC, but well-known demons to the Banished. Epic Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Omega Team" superbundle from the Shop for 3,800 cR
 
Jolly Roger Sigil
UNSC No quarter given to the Covenant. Epic Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Stanchion" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Lunar Coil
343 Industries A friend indeed. Legendary Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Lunar Coil" bundle from the Shop for 2,200 cR
 
Phoenix Sigil
UNSC Reborn and renewed. Epic Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Stanchion" bundle from the Shop for 1,800 cR
 
Scales of the Living Dragon
343 Industries Burn the sky and renew the earth. Legendary Spirit of Fire Purchase the "Lunar Coil" bundle from the Shop for 2,200 cR
 
Daemon Flare
Fracture: Firewall Threat response elevated. Engage basilisk process. Epic Cyber Showdown III Purchase the "Access Denied" bundle from the Shop for 1,600 cR
 
Daemon Reach
Fracture: Firewall Public Notification: Deadly force authorized. Epic Cyber Showdown III Purchase the "Gridrunner Splash" bundle from the Shop for 1,400 cR
 
Brands of Balaho
Banished Pining for the methane fjords. Epic The Yappening II Purchase the "Brands of Balaho" superbundle from the Shop for 3,600 cR
 
Brands of Doisac
Banished These clans are gone, but not forgotten. Epic The Yappening II Purchase the "Children of Teash" bundle from the Shop for 900 cR
 
Reclaimed Wings
343 Industries First in line for remnants of Forerunner glory. Legendary Great Journey Purchase either:
  • "Arbitration" for 1,800 cR
  • "Delta Forged" for 3,900 cR
HCS Shop Armor Effects
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Armor Effect Manufacturer Lore Rarity Introduced In Unlock Requirements
 
Year 2 Cloud9 Shoulder FX
343 Industries #C9WIN Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Cloud9 Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 Complexity Shoulder FX
343 Industries Players First. Players Always. Since 2003. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Complexity Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 FaZe Shoulder FX
343 Industries Stare into the void… FaZe Clan’s Armor FX bring out-of-this-world cosmetics to the battlefield. Give your enemies an existential crisis as they can’t even look you in the eyes - all they can see is dark matter. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "FaZe Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 NAVI Shoulder FX
343 Industries NAVI legendary tag in Halo Infinite. Let your power armor shine in colors of freedom: blue and yellow. Become obsessed with winning like NAVI is. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "NAVI Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 OpTic Gaming Shoulder FX
343 Industries Brick by Brick. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "OpTic Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 Quadrant Shoulder FX
343 Industries Join the sQUAD with the 2023 Quadrant core pack. Inspired by the racetrack and the battlefield, supercar-like gloss carbon fibre plates & digital camo suit combine to make you stand out and blend in. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Quadrant Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 Sentinels Shoulder FX
343 Industries Hail to the Kings of SEN City. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Sentinels Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
 
Year 2 Spacestation Gaming Shoulder FX
343 Industries SSG is fantastic, they just need to work on communication, aim, map awareness, power weapon management, grenades, teamwork, positioning, OBJs, retake ability, and slaying. Epic Season 04: Infection Purchase the "Spacestation Y2 Gear Up" bundle from the HCS Shop for 1,000 cR
Miscellaneous Armor Effects
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Armor Effect Manufacturer Lore Rarity Introduced In Unlock Requirements
 
Noble Fire
FOTUS It's been an honor serving with you. Legendary Season 01: Heroes of Reach Exclusive to employees of 343 Industries

TriviaEdit

General triviaEdit

  • The clip of sound for "Grunt Birthday Party" is an audio sample from Viva Piñata for Xbox 360.[citation needed]
  • "Heart Attack" has the potential to kill enemies in both firefight and matchmaking according to the Bungie.net heatmaps.[1]
  • The hearts of "Heart Attack" are actually based on a temporary effect used by Bungie effects artist Steve Scott for debugging. The effect is also seen in the "Dancing Marty" Easter egg in Halo 3: ODST.[2]
  • The Eternal armor effect was originally exclusive to Bungie employees, before being given out to players who verified their email on Bungie.net in 2011. The "Noble Fire" armor effect seen in Halo Infinite references this, being a blue flaming helmet effect, that is exclusive to 343 Industries employees.

ReferencesEdit

  • Inclement Weather's name is possibly a reference to Cortana's comment on Halo's climate as heard on Halo: Combat Evolved campaign level Assault on the Control Room; "Interesting... the weather patterns here seem natural, not artificial. I wonder if the ring's environment systems are malfunctioning... or if the designers wanted the installation to have inclement weather."

SourcesEdit