Crazy! Alright now that the brief sing-a-long is over if any of you readers were among the few patiently or not so patiently awaiting the release of some crucial details about the multi player of Halo 4 you might be feeling a little crazy today, or possibly thinking that maybe the guys and gals over at 343 Industries have gone a little crazy. It is okay, I am here to explain not only what these new "Specializations" mean but also tomorrow how it is another element to immerse the player in their Spartan. Be ready for a lot of information, some that might be upsetting but it is okay there is reason to the madness...at least I can see one.
That right there ladies and gents is the Halo 4 LE coming in at a $100, fancy I know but why should most people care about it? Yes it will have a making of the new Halo web series Forward Unto Dawn, it has avatar props, it has content to extend the fiction of the game, but wait, you gain access to 6 Specializations at launch that regular players with the standard edition will not have access till until time releases. Locked content on the disc? Doesn't sound very consumer friendly and neither does a group people having access to this locked content right out of the box or do they? Theses Specializations are designed to be "end game" content, players are required to reach the max rank (which 343 has been quoted as saying 50, does this mean a 1-50 ranking system like the good old days? No clue.) and then they will be given the chance to choose their desired Specialization which unlocks another ten ranks the player must achieve to receive the armor modification accompanied with the desired Specialization. Wait, armor modifications? You heard correctly, Halo 4 does feature unlockable armor modifications (one for each Specialization, a total of 8 has been confirmed as of right now).
Time for a quick and dirty rundown of all 8 Specializations that we know of and what this possibly means for the future of Halo multi player.
Wetworks: Available to all players at launch.
- Less visible to players using the Promethean Vision Armor Ability.
- Dampens the noise made while sprinting.
- Allows the player to perform assassinations faster.
Pioneer: Available to all players at launch.
- Player gains XP faster.
- XP boost is only in affect while the modification is equipped, other fail-safes have been put in place to stop exploits.
- Alerted of Ordinance Drops via their HUD before other players, they will no what weapons and where on the map they are dropping.
- When all the Ordinance Drops are happening at a timed event, not only will you know what weapons are dropping but you will have a waypoint for the closest weapon.
Tracker: LE only at launch.
- When the player calls in an Ordinance Drop they have the ability to have a "re-roll" if they don't like the three items that come. One time use per drop.
Rogue: LE only at launch, details on its armor mod are not clear as of yet.
- The player will not "necessarily" be unzoomed when being shot looking down scope.
- As you are taking fire you reticle will be "more" stable.
- Also improves hip fire accuracy.
Stalker: LE only at launch.
- Places a marker on your screen over the head of the last enemy that killed you.
- No confirmation on how long the icon stays up.
- No information on what sort of icon it is, is it a waypoint that gives distance and elevation? We don't know just yet.
Pathfinder: LE only at launch.
- Reduces cool-down time vehicle weapon overheating.
- Allows you to move faster while walking with a turret.
- Overall makes-turret use a bit more powerful.
Operator: LE only at launch.
- Gives you "a bit" of resistance to EMP pulses against a vehicle you are in.
- Vehicles shot by plasma pistols will "not necessarily" be stopped in their tracks when using this mod.
- More assist and points for driving.
- Cannot be stacked, no whole teams taking this mod and having indestructible vehicles.
Stay tuned for tomorrows post on a breakdown of what these Specializations mean in the grand scheme of things when it comes to the immersion of you the player in these new spiffy armor customizations and finally a look at how this added immersion is not only making changes in how players will feel more connected to their Spartan but also the sandboxes you will get to play in on November 6th.
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