VK78 Commando
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| VK78 Commando Rifle | |
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| Production overview | |
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Marksman Rifle[3] |
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| Specifications | |
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Length: |
111 centimeters (43.7 in)[1] |
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| Service history | |
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| “ | The VK78 Commando Rifle is an infantry automatic rifle, with features of both light machine guns and designated marksman rifles. When zoomed, the weapon switches to semi-automatic for more accurate shots.[5] | ” |
The VK78 Commando is a weapon manufactured by Vakara GesmbH, in service with the United Nations Space Command.[1]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The VK78 fires 6.5 mm rounds on automatic, and is fitted via rail-mounting with a recon sight-style optic that can magnify up to at least 2×.[1] It is distinctive among human rifles in that it does not share the common bullpup configuration of weapons like the MA40 assault rifle and BR75 battle rifle, in which the magazine is inserted behind the trigger. Instead, the magazine well is located at an angle directly in front of the trigger guard.[6] The design of the weapon emphasizes ergonomics and reliability.[7] The VK78's charging handle is positioned on the left side of its body, just behind a side-mounted ammunition counter. Above the pistol grip is a fire selector dial, with two markings, the former of which is a row of red dots (presumably indicating fully-automatic) and the latter of which is a single white dot (potentially safe or semi-automatic). The weapon features numerous markings, including serial numbers, caliber specifications on the body and bolt carrier, and a small UNSC emblem atop a wedge-like protrusion in front of the top-mounted rail, behind the barrel. The VK78 used in 2560 features a matte black, grey and olive drab finish, with a prominent white strip across the weapon's front end.[6]
The sides of the upper receiver contain a proof mark indicating the weapon's year of manufacture and a certification that the weapon is safe to fire with nitrocellulose-based gunpowder. In the case of the VK78s supplied to UNSC Infinity forces in 2560, the weapons have the proof code FC, which translates to a manufacture year of 2552.
Usage[edit]
VK78s were employed as early as 2495, during which time they were selected by the Colonial Military Authority to replace aging stocks of HMG-38 heavy machine guns in then-current service.[1][2] At the height of the Insurrection, the CMA would stockpile huge quantities of early model VK78s on Reach.[8]
By 2560, a new model of the Commando was employed by United Nations Space Command personnel during the Battle for Zeta Halo. Some Jiralhanae and Skimmers also used scavenged VK78s during the conflict.[4]
Variants[edit]
- CMA VK78: An early model of the VK78 Commando, stockpiled by the CMA on Reach.[8]
- Impact Commando: A modified variant of the Commando with an increased magazine from 20 to 40 rounds. The magnification optics decreased from 2× to 1.4×.[9]
CMA VK78
Impact Commando
In-game information[edit]
- Main article: Commando
| “ | Precision automatic rifle with heavy recoil. Effective medium to long range.[10][11] | ” |
The VK78 Commando is featured in Halo Infinite as an automatic tactical rifle, which deals kinetic damage. It is a precision weapon, meaning it is capable of inflicting headshots on unshielded targets, killing them instantly. Although automatic, it has a relatively slow rate of fire. The weapon has a single zoom level and is most effective at medium to long ranges, faltering in close quarters due to weaker aim assist than other weapons. It has significant recoil when fired consistently, which can make the weapon difficult to control and aim.[4]
Featured in both campaign and multiplayer, the Commando is a common weapon, being found frequently in weapon pads on multiplayer maps, or scattered around campaign levels. Ammo for the weapon is usually plentiful, as a result. It holds 20 rounds in its magazine in total. In multiplayer, it takes 9 rounds to strip the shields of a fully shielded spartan and takes 8 body shots or 1 head shot to kill them.[4]
| VK78 Commando | |||||
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| Weapon Model | Manufacturer | Lore | Rarity | Introduced In | Unlock Requirements |
 Eclipse Phase |
Fractures: Firewall | The algorithm sought perfection, with imperfect results. | Legendary | Cyber Showdown III | Purchase the "Grimghast" bundle from the Shop for 2,000 cR |
 CMA VK78 |
Vakara GMBH | The Colonial Military Authority stockpiled vast numbers of early model VK78 rifles on Reach during the height of the insurrection. Many remain there now, waiting to be freed from tombs of glass. | Legendary | Fleetcom | Purchase the Fleetcom Premium Pass for 500 cR |
 Acquisitive Reach |
Banished | We'll be taking a little bit off the top. | Legendary | Anvil | Purchase the "Cutthroat Business" superbundle from the Shop for 3,200 cR |
Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]
Codename: ECLIPSE PHASE[edit]
- Main article: Codename: ECLIPSE PHASE
Codename: ECLIPSE PHASE was a prototype based around the VK78 Commando that was tested in a simulation.[12]
Silver Timeline[edit]
- Main article: Silver Timeline
A version of the Commando is used by the soldiers of the UNSC, including the SPARTAN-IIIs.[13]
Production notes[edit]
The letters in its designation, VK78, may be a reference to its manufacturer, Vakara.
Gallery[edit]
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Browse more images in this article's gallery page. |
Concept art[edit]
Concept art of the VK78 Commando's optic in Halo Infinite.
Early concept art for Halo Infinite of a humanoid UNSC "drone" equipped with a VK78 Commando.
Concept art from Halo: Reach, featuring a Spartan (the one on the left) armed with LMG that would be the base for the CMA VK78 weapon model in Halo Infinite.
Developmental images[edit]
In-engine render of the VK78 Commando in Halo Infinite.
Another render of Commando.
VK78 Commando HUD Icon.
The VK78 Commando lying on the floor.
First-person view of the VK78 Commando in combat during the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
First-person view of the VK78 Commando with an empty magazine well in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
First-person view of a fresh magazine being inserted into the well of a VK78 in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
First-person view of the VK78 Commando's charging handle being cycled in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
First-person view of the VK78's optical zoom in the Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere.
A study of the decals on the VK78 Commando.
Screenshots and renders[edit]
A CQB-clad Spartan-IV wielding a VK78 in the A New Generation trailer.
HUD of the VK78 Commando.
HUD of the VK78 Commando at 1.4× magnification.
HUD of the CMA VK78.
A Marine with the VK78.
A Jiralhanae Warrior armed with a VK78.
A Skimmer carrying a VK78.
A Skimmer firing a VK78.
A Skimmer using a VK78 for a melee attack.
A Zvezda-clad Spartan-IV with a VK78.
A Firefall-clad Spartan holding a VK78.
Side view of a Spartan sprinting with the VK78 Commando.
Frontal view of a Spartan sprinting with the VK78.
Promotional image of the CMA VK78 Rifle.
A Spartan carrying the CMA VK78.
A Spartan reloading the CMA VK78.
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo Infinite (First appearance)
- Halo: The Television Series Season Two
- Halo: Flashpoint
- Halo: Venezian Sonata
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 169
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Showcase Sensitive (Retrieved on Jun 16, 2021) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Support, Halo Infinite Weapon, Equipment, and Vehicle Inventory: "VK78 Commando Rifle. Fire mode switches from semi-automatic to fully automatic when zoomed in." (Retrieved on May 5, 2023) [archive]
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Infinite, gameplay
- ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - VK78 Commando Rifle description: "The VK78 Commando is an infantry automatic rifle, with features of both light machine guns and designated marksman rifles. When zoomed, the weapon switches to semi-automatic for more accurate shots."
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, In-game weapon model
- ^ Xbox Wire, Bank Now, Play Later: Halo Infinite Meets Monster Energy Global Partnership (Retrieved on Aug 31, 2020) [archive]
- ^ a b Halo Infinite, CMA VK78 - Description: "The Colonial Military Authority stockpiled vast numbers of early model VK78 rifles on Reach during the height of the insurrection. Many remain there now, waiting to be freed from tombs of glass."
- ^ Halo Infinite, Forge - Impact Commando description: "High-capacity magazine with reduced accuracy but increased damage."
- ^ Halo Infinite, Weapons Bench description
- ^ Halo Infinite, Academy - Weapon Drills - VK78 Commando description
- ^ Twitter, Halo (@Halo): "“Get ready to meet my little friend!” 💥 Step into the shadows and eclipse the competition with the VK78 Commando. #Halo101" (Retrieved on Oct 19, 2020) [archive]
- ^ Halo: The Television Series, episode Onyx
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