Loadout

A loadout selection for Spartans in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta.

Loadouts, also dubbed Weapon sets are a multiplayer feature that was first introduced in Halo: Reach. In Reach they are a predetermined set of classes that a player picks at both the beginning of a multiplayer match and during respawn. In Halo 4, loadouts were advanced to become personalized starting equipment. In Halo: Spartan Assault, they are to be customized each time before starting a campaign mission. Known as Weapon sets in Halo 2: Anniversary's multiplayer segment, loadouts operated as predetermined classes, rather than the modular classes seen in Halo 4. Loadouts returned in Halo: Spartan Strike and later in a refined fashion in Halo 5: Guardians.

Overview

When a game begins the player is given the option of choosing a particular loadout.

In Halo: Reach, loadouts are gametype specific and vary between playlists, meaning players cannot create their own custom loadout to bring to matchmaking. They can, however, create custom loadouts for custom games and user-created Firefight modes. Each loadout has particular weapon, grenade, and armor ability combinations.^[1]^[2]

In Halo 4, loadouts are default in normal War Games modes. However, some modes do away with loadouts to allow more classic gameplay. Unlike Halo: Reach, loadouts are customizable in matchmaking and are better described as components of a player rather than options given by the mode.

In Halo: Spartan Assault, loadouts are constituted of a primary and a secondary weapons, an armor ability and a booster. They are to be chosen each time before starting a campaign mission and many items are only available through purchase via in-game or real-world currency.

In Halo 2: Anniversary, loadouts returned to being gametype specific, while being relegated to custom games, and certain pre-launch and launch playlists. Loadouts were more simplified, given the classic nature of the title, with only a primary and secondary weapon, and grenades being alterable in gameplay.

In Halo: Spartan Strike, loadouts act very similarly to that of Spartan Assault's, featuring primary and secondary weapons, an armor ability, and a booster. Loadouts are generally chosen before each mission.

In Halo 5: Guardians, loadouts were much akin to Halo 4's, featuring a primary slot, a secondary slot, and an armor mod slot. Unlike Halo 4, which enabled players to spawn with any weapon they wished, Halo 5 enforces gameplay balance by only allowing players to use certain weapons in their loadout after they reach a certain REQ level. Guardian's requisition system can be used to call in power weapons in place of the player's primary or secondary weapon, while calling in a powerup like an Overshield won't take up any slot, but will act as its own.

Halo: Reach

The loadout menu of Halo: Reach.

Loadouts were initially introduced in Halo: Reach as non-customizable, preset variations of weapons and armor abilities. Gametypes such as Slayer and Capture the Flag would opt to use loadouts featuring uniform weapon selections, with the differences between loadouts being the armor abilities present.

Gametypes such as Invasion would go for a more lopsided approach, with Spartan and Sangheili both getting their own loadouts, with various weapons and armor abilities that are exclusive to the faction being played. As the game advanced and certain phases were passed, new loadouts would be introduced in a system dubbed "tiers", with each successive tier generally featuring more lethal loadout weaponry.

Spartan

Airborne, Air Assault: Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Jetpack
Scout: Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Sprint
Marksman: Primary weapon: M392 DMR; Secondary weapon: None; Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade; Armor ability: Sprint
Recon: Primary weapon: M392 DMR; Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Sprint
Recon Marksman: Primary weapon: M392 DMR; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Sprint
Expert Marksman: Primary weapon: M392 DMR; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Sprint
Guard: Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Armor lock
Operator: Primary weapon: M45 shotgun; Secondary weapon: None; Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade; Armor ability: Armor lock
Guard Operator: Primary weapon: M45 shotgun; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Armor lock
Expert Operator: Primary weapon: M45 shotgun; Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Armor lock
Grenadier: Primary weapon: M319 grenade launcher; Secondary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Grenade(s) 3 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Sprint
Stalker: Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Active camouflage
Medic: Primary weapon: MA37 assault rifle; Secondary weapon: M392 DMR; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades; Armor ability: Drop Shield
Specter^[3]: Primary weapon: M319 grenade launcher; Secondary weapon: M6G magnum; Grenade(s) 1 M9 fragmentation grenade; Armor ability: Active camouflage

Elite

Ranger: Primary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Jetpack
Warrior: Primary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Evade
Gladiator: Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword; Secondary weapon: None; Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade; Armor ability: Evade
Honor Gladiator: Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Evade
Champion Gladiator: Primary weapon: Type-1 energy sword; Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater; Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Hologram
Zealot: Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle; Secondary weapon: None; Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade; Armor ability: Evade
Royal Zealot: Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Evade
Champion Zealot: Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle; Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater; Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Evade
Assassin: Primary weapon: Type-33 needler; Secondary weapon: None; Grenade(s) 1 Anskum-pattern plasma grenade; Armor ability: Active camouflage
Dark Assassin: Primary weapon: Type-33 needler; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Active camouflage
Champion Assassin: Primary weapon: Type-33 needler; Secondary weapon: Nakata'vho-pattern plasma repeater; Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Active camouflage
Sentry: Primary weapon: Gadulo-pattern needle rifle; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 3 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Armor lock
Champion: Primary weapon: Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle; Secondary weapon: Type-25 plasma pistol; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades; Armor ability: Active camouflage

Additional names

Loadouts in Halo: Reach are fully customizable in custom games and local Firefight matches. Along with the armor ability, grenade type, primary weapon, and secondary weapon, players can also choose a name for their loadout. In addition to the names of existing loadouts, many additional name options are provided. These include:

Deceiver
Warden
Saboteur
Spec Ops
Sharpshooter
Corpsman
Demolitions
Infiltrator
Security
Sprint
Evade
Armor lock
Active Camo
Hologram
Drop Shield
Jet Pack
Noble 1-6
Carter
Kat
Jorge
Emile
Jun
Thom
Rosenda
Danny
John
Kelly
Linda
Sam
Kurt
Jerry
Jimmy
Bobby
Mario
Omar
Juggernaut
Berserker
Maverick
Zombie
Demon
Angel
Redshirt
Ling Ling
Pookie
FNG
NOOB
Camper
Bunker
Claymore
Firebase
Intel
Ninja
Power
Cobra
Eagle
Hog
Bear

Halo 4

Halo 4's loadout menu right before a game on Haven begins.

Loadouts are given an in-universe explanation. They are mandatory protocols issued to SPARTAN-IV personnel which dictate that they carry a primary weapon like a rifle, carry a secondary weapon like a pistol, choose grenades, equip an armor ability, choose tactical packages, and assign a support upgrade.

Players can rename their loadouts by entering any name they wish, up to 12 characters. This differs from Halo: Reach, in which names were chosen from a pre-selected list. Unlike service tags, loadout names are not censored against profanity, as they are not visible to other players.

In default gameplay, they are personalized choices of equipment and allow a Spartan to enter battles with pre-made weapon sets.

In a manner similar to Reach, and later, early Halo 2: Anniversary multiplayer, Halo 4 featured predetermined loadouts for players to use. These featured armor abilities such as hardlight shields and holograms, with assault rifles and DMRs respectively.

Primary weapons

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Assault Rifle	Standard fully automatic firearm of all UNSC branches, effective at both close-range and mid-range combat.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
Battle Rifle	Utilizes precise, three-round burst functionality, making it a formidable mid-range, semi-automatic weapon.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
DMR	Premiere marksman rifle of the UNSC, offering impressive single-fire accuracy at reasonably longe distances.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Storm Rifle	Fully automatic energy weapon widely considered the successor to the traditional Plasma Rifle.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Covenant Carbine	Notable semi-automatic mid-range accuracy, firing ballistic rounds unlike most other Covenant weapons.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Suppressor	Fully automatic Forerunner infantry weapon, firing bolts of hard light in rapidly accelerating succession.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
LightRifle	Precision weapon that fires beams of hard light for mid-range to long-range combat.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

Secondary weapons

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Magnum	UNSC's personal sidearm of choice due to its excellence at close-range to mid-range engagements.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
Plasma Pistol	Semi-automatic energy weapon capable of a scaled-burst effect which disables electronics.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Boltshot	Forerunner particle dilator used for both its precision at mid-range and its burst functionality when up close.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

Grenades

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Frag Grenade	The Fragmentation Grenade, which as existed relatively unchanged for centuries, is used to efficiently clear any dug-in enemies.	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
Plasma Grenade	The Plasma Grenade, when triggered, is engulfed in latest plasma, allowing it to cling to targets before detonating.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Pulse Grenade	The Pulse Grenade forcefully detonates and forms a hazardous ionization sphere which eventuyally collapses, destroying any nearby targets.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points

Armor abilities

Main article: Armor abilities

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Promethean Vision	Allow users to detect enemy signatures through walls and other hard surfaces.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points	Unlocked by default
Thruster Pack	Enables a powerful burst of movement offering the ability to evade or quickly close the gap.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Hologram	Allows users to generate a nearly identical holographic decoy to deceive enmeies during combat.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Hardlight Shield	Allows users to generate a protective barrier of hard light which stops most small arms fire and some explosives.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Jet Pack	Allows users limited flight through a vertical lift propulsion system similar to that of EVA reentry packs.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Active Camouflage	Allows users to generate a visual effect astonishingly close to invisibility.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Autosentry	The Fragmentation Grenade, which as existed relatively unchanged for centuries, is used to efficiently clear any dug-in enemies.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points
Regeneration Field	An automated turret which can be deployed to defend its user or command a key battlefield chokepoint.	Reach and purchase for 3 Spartan Points

Tactical packages

Main article: Tactical package

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Shielding	Shielding speeds up your armor's energy shield recharge rate.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point	Unlocked by default
Firepower	Firepower allows the use of a primary weapon in the secondary weapon slot.	Reach and purchase for 2 Spartan Points
Mobility	Mobility allows unlimited sprint.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Grenadier	Grenadier increases grenade carrying capacity.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Resupply	Resupply allows the recovery of grenades from fallen allies and foes.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
AA Efficiency	AA Efficiency increases rate at which energy recharges for Armor Abilities.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Fast Track	Fast Track allows user to advance quicker in rank.	Reach Spartan Rank PR-10
Requisition	Lets players request new choices when an ordnance drop has been granted. It works	Reach Spartan Rank TK-10
Wheelman	Wheelman increases the durability of vehicles the player is commandeering and mitigates the effects of EMPs.	Reach Spartan Rank OP-10
Resistor	Resistor allows the player to maintain their full mobility and dexterity while taking incoming fire.	Purchase the Champions Bundle	Unlocked by default as of December 2022 update

Support upgrades

Main article: Support upgrade

Weapon	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 4)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Ammo	Ammo increases the ammunition capacity for both starting weapons and ordnance drops.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point	Unlocked by default
Dexterity	Dexterity speeds up and weapon swapping.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Sensor	Sensor increases motion sensor range.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Awareness	Awareness allows the use of motion sensors while using a scope.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Explosives	Explosives alters grenade performance, increasing blast radius and decreasing grenade damage received.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Ordnance Priority	In modes with personal ordnance, Ordnance Priority offers more frequent ordnance drops to user.	Reach and purchase for 1 Spartan Point
Stealth	Stealth dampens your footsteps, making you harder to see on Promethean Vision, and increases your assassination speed.	Reach Spartan Rank WK-10
Drop Recon	An automated turret which can be deployed to defend its user or command a key battlefield chokepoint.	Reach Spartan Rank EN-10
Gunner	Gunner increases how long a mounted weapon can fire before overheating as well as movement speed with detached turrets.	Reach Spartan Rank PT-10
Stability	Nemesis marks enemy responsible for your last death.	Reach Spartan RankRG-10
Nemesis	An automated turret which can be deployed to defend its user or command a key battlefield chokepoint.	Reach Spartan Rank SK-10

Loadouts can be edited for use in custom gametypes. In this situation, "power weapons" like sniper rifles and rocket launchers can be added. Additionally, options that the player hasn't unlocked in War Games can still be used, even Specialization-specific tactical packages and support upgrades.

Guest players are able to customize their loadouts with any and all options which have been unlocked by their host.

Halo: Spartan Assault

The loadout menu of Halo: Spartan Assault.

Through the UNSC Tactical Simulator, the player can choose a number of items with which he or she will start the campaign mission. Each level has a different set of choices. The primary weapon mainly offers a variety of UNSC or Covenant firearms. The secondary weapon slot, unlike in previous games, is not limited to small arms and includes many heavy weapons—the majority of them are only usable when purchased via in-game XP or real-world credits.

Different sets of armor abilities and boosters are also available; the former has a default choice and the other abilities need to be purchased, while the latter has no default selection and any booster must be purchased before use. Any purchased weapon, armor ability, or +booster— is only usable through a single mission and becomes locked again when the player completes or quits the level. If the player purchases an item and leaves the loadout screen without launching the mission, the sum will be recredited.

Primary weapon

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Secondary weapon

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Armor abilities

Main article: Armor abilities

Booster

Main article: Boosters

Damage Booster
Score Booster
Resistance Booster
Respawn Booster
Shield Booster

Halo 2: Anniversary

The weapon set menu of Halo 2: Anniversary, showcasing the three predetermined classes made for the game's multiplayer.

Loadouts received minimal use in Halo 2: Anniversary being in some social variations of gametypes present, such as Lockdown Slayer. While competitive gametypes would not use loadouts in the way Reach would, the player's starting weapons were curiously enough, dictated through a single loadout over native in game settings in some cases. Eventually, Anniversary's social gametypes would shift to using a single loadout.

Social (2014)

SMG: Primary weapon: M7 SMG; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Plasma Rifle: Primary weapon: Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle; Grenade(s) 2 Anskum-pattern plasma grenades
Magnum: Primary weapon: M6C magnum; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades

Social (2018)

Battle Rifle: Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades
Battle Rifle: Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle; Secondary weapon: M7 SMG; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades

Hardcore

Battle Rifle: Primary weapon: BR55 battle rifle; Grenade(s) 2 M9 fragmentation grenades