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SPOTLIGHT: APRIL 1, 2021

Unyshek

ZETA ZONE

SPOTLIGHT: MARCH 4, 2021

Canon Fodder


<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ISSUE 112</h4>



<p>Welcome back, canonites! Wait, that’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3C2FXS0lp7oYVbGKTg2qA"><strong>Toa Freak’s thing</strong></a>. Anyway, thanks for joining us for Issue 112 of <strong>Canon Fodder</strong>. While I’m admittedly still on cloud nine after watching another “twelve” lead my hometown team to an emphatic American football Super Bowl win not long ago, I’m also stoked to take a fiction-focused look at some awesome upcoming content slated for future inclusion in <em>Halo: Master Chief Collection</em>.</p>



<p>And speaking of which, in case you missed it, <strong>last issue</strong> we took a similar jaunt around the canonical underpinnings of Anvil Station and some of its related Mjolnir-development components. Check it out if you get the chance! Today though, we’re taking a look at some items that some folks—specifically many of those that are part of the <strong>Halo Insider</strong> program—will begin seeing pop up in-flight very soon. Oh and if you like books, make sure you stay till the end. Let’s dive in, shall we say, feet first?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RAVEN MAD</h2>



<p>The star of the show for the upcoming season will be a tribute to the members of Fireteam Raven. Players first encountered the helljumping quartet in the eponymous arcade game that saw you hot drop into the middle of the battle on Installation 04 to experience the events of <em>Halo: Combat Evolved</em> from an entirely new perspective.</p>



<p>Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, or ODST, are a prime example of how you don’t necessarily have to be a seven-foot-tall augmented super-soldier with cutting edge power-armor to make a difference in humanity’s battle for survival. Of course, it’s not like the ODST were short on cutting edge tech of their own. While each operative had a heart bathed in bravery and burning for battle, they were also often outfitted with top-of the line technology that helped give them any all-important advantage possible in the (literal) heat of conflict.</p>



<p>In fact, ODST gear was so proficient that it was often adapted for use by Spartans as well. Funny enough, <em>Halo 3</em> was one of the first hints at this notion, with one of the ODST helmet variants being part of the game’s original customization suite. And now, it has some much-deserved company. Coming soon to the MCC, you’ll be able to outfit your H3 Spartan with gear directly derived from the ODST heroes of Fireteam Raven.</p>



<p>Let’s take a quick look at the options you’ll have available. Also remember that the images below are always still work-in-progress while in flighting, so don’t be surprised if you see a tweak or two by the time an item eventually makes its way into the game proper. </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ODST\TAC</h4>



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<p><em>The ensemble of choice when you need to stomp the Covenant, but on a budget.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ODST\DEMO</h4>



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<p><em>Obstacles to progress are measured by the number of satchel charges they rate.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ODST\COMM</h4>



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<p><em>The ensemble for an ODST that wants to reach out and touch someone with artillery and ortillery support.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ODST\HVY</h4>



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<p><em>As they say during ODST screening: the best defense is an overwhelming offense.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ALSO PERFECT FOR CARRYING TEAMMATES</h2>



<p>One particularly cool new detail coming to MCC cosmetic customization is the addition of “back attachment” gear, and leading the way is some battle-tested equipment ready to augment your Spartan’s available repertoire.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">TACTICAL PACK</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-tactical-back-3ba7b42b6ab345458d21a4b19d87e17f.png" alt=""/></figure>



<p>All-purpose hardened storage perfect for providing diverse loadout options while out in the field.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEMOLITIONS PACK</h4>



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<p>A one-stop shop for your front-line combat engineer, providing exactly the right tools to breach any enemy fortification. Mickey Crespo himself would be proud.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUNICATIONS PACK</h4>



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<p>Battle network relay. Provides the user with a multi-channel secure network uplink. The case meets or exceeds all UNSC mil-spec standards for temperature, impact, moisture, vibration, and foreign particulate resistance.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AMMO PACK</h4>



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<p>Keep the party going with additional ammunition reserves and a back-up knife. In field situations packs such as these extend the duration of combat excursions and reduce the need for supply drops, but in training environments they have no effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL ADDITIONS</h2>



<p>In addition to the tactical gear pulled from the helljumper ranks, you’ll also eventually be able to unlock some new prototype tech forged in Anvil Station’s skunkworks departments.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">INFILTRATOR</h4>



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<p>Experimental intrusion suites developed by ANVIL collaboration teams can be quickly applied to cross-generational platforms.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">NOMDAGRO</h4>



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<p>The assistance of ANVIL Station’s Sangheili lorekeepers in deciphering data recovered from ancient vessels have provided unprecedented opportunities for advancement.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">HAMMERHEAD</h4>



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<p>Some Mjolnir prototypes being tested on ANVIL Station are being evaluated for use in exotic atmospheres and irradiated environments.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">COS</h4>



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<p>ANVIL cyber operations specialists use this chassis to mount experimental counter-intrusion modules.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">LANCER</h4>



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<p>Data gleaned from millennia-old war constructs has been carefully integrated into select components for ANVIL testing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">POST-LAUNCH TLC</h2>



<p>Perhaps one of the <em>most </em>exciting things coming online for the Master Chief Collection in future updates is the addition of brand-new multiplayer maps within the H3 portfolio. To celebrate, we thought it would be fun to talk a bit more about the lore behind a couple of the new playspaces—we figured you wouldn’t mind peeking at certain presents a bit early, no?</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">WATERFALL</h4>



<p><em>The UNSC constructed many secret holdfasts during the final years of the Covenant War.</em></p>



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<p>On a far-flung world in the Zezar system, the UNSC has maintained a network of facilities acting as a fallback option for key personnel and assets. In addition to providing shelter from hostile encroachers, the UNSC has taken great interest in what might lie beneath the planet’s icy surface, as well as peculiar findings on its two prominent moons.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">EDGE</h4>



<p><em>The remote frontier world of Partition has provided this ancient databank with the safety of seclusion.</em></p>



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<p>The Forerunner data archival site on Partition holds potentially incredible significance, with untold information stored within its cliffside hold. Surrounded by breathtaking vistas and jungles teeming with exotic flora and fauna, Partition represents a remarkable opportunity for study, with hopes that the knowledge gleaned might represent a paradigm shift in humanity’s understanding of the Forerunners’ technological legacy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OFFICE OF NOVEL INTELLIGENCE</h2>



<p>But wait—that’s not all! We’re also excited to announce a new novel in the Halo universe, <em>Halo: Divine Wind</em>, by Troy Denning, wrapped elegantly in this awesome cover by Benjamin Carre.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-dw-cover-wm_500-9ef33979682c4594958f0585fe6d6c48.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p>(<em>click this for bigness</em>)</p>



<p>We’ll go into more detail in the near future, but rest assured fans of <a href="https://twitter.com/TDenningauthor"><strong>Troy Denning</strong></a>’s unique Halo work will likely be able to ferret out a few key details about what’s planned for the upcoming adventure.</p>



<p>But speaking of new books, for <em>now </em>we wanted to remind you that our next novel, <em>Halo: Point of Light </em>by <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay"><strong>Kelly Gay</strong></a>, <strong>drops on March 2</strong>(!!). If you’re looking for some words to whet your appetite while you wait (aside from reading <em>Halo: Renegades</em> of course), the indefatigable Alex “<a href="https://twitter.com/haruspis"><strong>Haruspis</strong></a>” Wakeford has a rad <strong><a href="https://haruspis.blog/2021/02/23/halo-point-of-light-review-non-spoiler/">spoiler-free review</a></strong> and <a href="https://haruspis.blog/2021/02/12/everything-that-happened-to-343-guilty-spark-after-halo-3/"><strong>a primer to catch you up</strong></a> on Spark’s history and journey so far that’s well worth the read, if nothing else for the exquisite artistic imagery contained within the article.</p>



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<p>And speaking of Spark, don’t forget that the Guilty voice himself, Tim Dadabo, will be narrating the audiobook. Trust me… it’s <em>quite </em>acceptable.</p>



<p>And if video previews are also up your alley, the Halo Canon YouTube channel has a great one to get you prepped.</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="The Road So Far – A Halo: Point of Light Primer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ihhkl7wZVqE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p> The book is shaping up to be one that Halo universe fans are going to probably be discussing for quite some time if early adopters are anything to go by, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the, well… excitement. <3 </p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Point of light was, wow! The New Lore! The potential! This book literally touches every corner of Halos long standing story. It bring new information to light, and holds a revelation that is pretty mind blowing! <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Halo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GalleryBooks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GalleryBooks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pixelflaregfx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pixelflaregfx</a> <a href="https://t.co/rZol3wZo5W">pic.twitter.com/rZol3wZo5W</a></p>— Installation00 (@Installation001) <a href="https://twitter.com/Installation001/status/1364631219158269953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">POV of my note taking while reading Halo Point of Light<a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@halo</a> <a href="https://t.co/bjujhwNJH7">pic.twitter.com/bjujhwNJH7</a></p>— Krysta 😭Halo Infinite😭 (@KonanXD_) <a href="https://twitter.com/KonanXD_/status/1362621593428643842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">POV of my note taking while reading Halo Point of Light<a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@halo</a> <a href="https://t.co/bjujhwNJH7">pic.twitter.com/bjujhwNJH7</a></p>— Krysta 😭Halo Infinite😭 (@KonanXD_) <a href="https://twitter.com/KonanXD_/status/1362621593428643842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Rion Forge Saga may very well be my favorite series in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/halo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#halo</a> ‘s extended lore. <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a> gives fans another sci-fi adventure that packs tons of drama, knowledge, and character for new and veteran fans in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PointofLight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PointofLight</a>. Kind of generic preview review but… (1/2)</p>— Oran Domingue (@OranDomingue) <a href="https://twitter.com/OranDomingue/status/1362816337895170052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>You can preorder <em>Halo: Point of Light </em>from your favorite retailer <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Point-of-Light/Kelly-Gay/Halo/9781982147860"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p>



<p>Aannnnd that will do it for today’s edition. Oh, wait! Just in case you missed it, you should probably go and check out the <strong>latest edition of the Inside Infinite blog series</strong>. Just sayin’.</p>



<p>Okay for real that’s all. For now.</p>



<p>Until next time… Live well, play Halo, and don’t let Rion wander off. </p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/grimbrotherone"><3 Grim</a></strong></p>


GrimBrother One

Hot Drops

LOVELY LETTERS

Spotlight: February 4, 2021


<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ISSUE 111</h4>



<p>Happy new year! January has brought with it a fantastic feeling of fresh starts and eager outlooks, so we figure it’s only natural that we add to the festivities with the first Canon Fodder of 2021. We’ve got some MCC armor lore to discuss and some recent announcements to resurface, so let’s get to it, shall we?</p>



<p>Also, in case you missed it, we <strong>recently announced a brand-new novel from Kelly Gay</strong> on the way on March 2. What you might not know is that we <em>also </em>recently announced that the audio book will be read by none other than the lightbulb liaison himself, Mr. Tim Dadabo! For those of you who enjoyed his dulcet tones in the audiobook for <em>Halo: Primordium</em>, you already know what a treat you’re in for. We figured considering the subject matter, there was no better person for the task, and we’re thrilled that the right stars were able to align to make it happen.</p>



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're thrilled to announce that Tim Dadabo (<a href="https://twitter.com/davocal1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davocal1</a>), voice of 343 Guilty Spark, will be narrating the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/audiobook?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#audiobook</a> edition of Halo: Point of Light by <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a>, coming March 2!<br><br>Pre-order it via <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonAudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SimonAudio</a>: <br>Audible: <a href="https://t.co/VX1ktUTj2q">https://t.co/VX1ktUTj2q</a><br>Google Play: <a href="https://t.co/8eTd2mRRCa">https://t.co/8eTd2mRRCa</a> <a href="https://t.co/rdfUUt8Qe0">pic.twitter.com/rdfUUt8Qe0</a></p>— Halo (@Halo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo/status/1351613091369218048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p><em>Halo: Point of Light </em>follows up on the story first forged in <em>Smoke & Shadow</em> and <em>Renegades</em>, and we can’t wait for you all to read it.</p>



<p>And speaking of forging, now might be the time to transition over to today’s main event. And for all you secret smiths wondering “how soon is now?” Well, you gotta strike while the iron’s hot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL OF STARS</h2>



<p>As many of you know, we recently announced that we’re adding items from the experimental <em>Halo Online </em>project into the Master Chief Collection as part of the Season 5 slate of customization options. Keen-eyed fiction fans will likely recognize certain aspects that surfaced in various ways over the past few years, but their inclusion in MCC <em>Halo 3</em> multiplayer will mark their first “true” inclusion into proper canon, including more definitive lore and robust integration into the overall universe.</p>



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<p>Of course, for time-capsule types who prefer to keep their clocks set to 2007, there’s an option to toggle off any new cosmetic content such as skins for weapons and vehicles as well as armor add-ons.</p>



<p>When you boot up <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection</em> on Jan 27, you’ll be greeted with a brand new season, appropriately titled “<strong>Anvil</strong>.” As the name implies, these new customization items find their fictional foundations within a classified facility known as Anvil Station. In case you aren’t familiar with this particular element of our universe, let’s catch you up.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL STATION</h4>



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<p>Following the close of the Covenant War and the aftermath of the Great Schism, the UNSC entered into a classified partnership with the Swords of Sanghelios, a faction of allied Elites loyal to Arbiter Thel ‘Vadam and his cause. The foundation of this partnership was a retrofit orbital facility coined Anvil Station. Alongside the ANVIL Initiative was a complimentary program codenamed Project: CRUCIBLE, which involved the establishment of a joint task force made of both humans and Sangheili across a number of disciplines and specializations, from artisan armorers and technical experts to battle-bred warriors and steel-willed super-soldiers. With the decades long conflict placing both species at precarious moments in their respective civilizations, the hope was that by putting aside differences, cooperation could become the cornerstone of a robust rebuilding effort that aimed to see both humans and Sangheili alike benefit from a long-term partnership.</p>



<p>At Anvil Station, the UNSC would test skunkworks technologies and clandestine prototypes, some destined for full and successful production runs, other merely serving as a stop-gap in the development pipeline of Mjolnir components, weapon advancements, and more. Warriors from both sides were eager to face off in field test simulations, hoping to not only advance their respective technologies, but hone their personal proficiency in battle.</p>



<p>Many of these elements you might recognize from their “production run” state in later games, variants like DEADEYE, PIONEER, WARRIOR, and SOLDIER. And just like real life, sometimes a concept makes it to production with very few adjustments—and sometimes there are changes more robust than others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CRUCIBLE CARAPACE COLLECTION</h2>



<p>Let’s take a closer look at the armors you’ll be able to earn in Season 5, and how their lore is laid out.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AIR ASSAULT</h4>



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<p><em>A favorite of Spartans tasked with assisting ANVIL Station security personnel.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AVIATOR</h4>



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<p><em>Employed by interceptor squadrons assigned to ANVIL Station.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEMO</h4>



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<p><em>A prototype Mjolnir suit tested at ANVIL Station on behalf of unidentified third parties.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">PIONEER</h4>



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<p><em>Acheron Security hopes that ANVIL testing will prove out improvements made after the suit’s use on Installation 03.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">WARRIOR</h4>



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<p><em>Even mainline armor kits can benefit from evaluation in ANVIL training courses.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">HIVEMIND</h4>



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<p><em>ANVIL Station is the ideal equipment testing environment for Spartans tasked with eliminating localized Flood infestations.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">SUTURE</h4>



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<p><em>Spartan combat medics and specialized Mjolnir are a new experiment series approved for ANVIL testing.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">NAVIGATOR</h4>



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<p><em>Specific technologies being worked on for Mark VII have found their way into ANVIL prototypes for focused evaluation.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">COMPASS</h4>



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<p><em>Contains experimental multi-band sensory receptors produced aboard ANVIL Station by Swords of Sanghelios artisan-armorers.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEADEYE</h4>



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<p><em>Cross-training with Sangheili rangers on ANVIL Station will improve the suit’s stealth capabilities.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">TANKER</h4>



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<p><em>Even the Sangheili aboard ANVIL Station are impressed with the resilience of this human harness.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">SOLDIER</h4>



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<p><em>ANVIL Station testing has proven this is one of the Mjolnir platform’s most versatile variants.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOMETEAM HELM</h2>



<p>Of course, <em>Halo </em>3 isn’t the only closet in the collection receiving a few new additions to the wardrobe. In <strong>Issue 109 we dove into the lore</strong> surrounding one of the new helmets being added to <em>Halo: Reach</em>’s customization suite. Today, we’re going to tackle the other. Joining AKIS is the new MARINER helm, which also includes a few curious variants all its own.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BASE</h4>



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<p><em>Standard MARINER suite is optimized for Sabre, Baselard, and Nandao flight systems.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEFIANT</h4>



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<p><em>Even in the violent and chaotic rigors of space warfare, MARINER remains unbowed.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">OPTREX</h4>



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<p><em>An enhanced optical suite for detecting polyband thermal and chemical signatures.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">MISTER CHIEF</h4>



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<p><em>The absolute zenith of human endeavor and a perfect encapsulation of human talent.</em></p>



<p>Okay, that last one might not be hard canon. Or actually, maybe it’s the “Kilroy” of the 26<sup>th</sup> century. Hmm…. Anyway, I digest. Depress. Digress. Whatever.</p>



<p>Oh! and let’s not forget that new chest piece:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">EXO/TSCS</h4>



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<p><em>Modified for exo-atmospheric engagements, with onboard Tactical Signals Intelligence Collection System.</em></p>



<p>And speaking of new armor before we go, in case for some reason you missed it, last month we dropped a pretty substantial bit of new info on <em>Halo Infinite</em>, all wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the <strong>December 2020 edition of the “Inside Infinite” development update</strong>. More than a few folks have already begun discussing thoughts and speculation about fiction-focused details surrounding the new armor elements shown off in the aforementioned feature.</p>



<p>Maybe we should talk about those sometime soon.</p>



<p>And with that, we bid you a fond farewell as far as this edition goes. But as we’ve said before, we’re going to have a lot more to discuss later this year, so don’t go getting <em>too </em>cozy.</p>



<p>Until next time… Live well, play Halo, and give more compliments to people. Also, GO BUCS!</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/grimbrotherone"><3 Grim</a></strong></p>


Armor Online

Spotlight: January 14, 2021


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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ISSUE 107</h4>



<p>*wipes dust off*</p>



<p>So uh, hey there! I feel like it’s been a little bit, no? If you’re new to these features, Canon Fodder is a long-standing look into lore-related elements of the Halo universe. <strong>Our last issue</strong> took a deep dive into the narrative elements of last summer’s Outpost Discovery tour.</p>



<p>While today’s return will be brief, it will hopefully still bring a smile to your lore-loving face—especially if you’re a fan of good books and intriguing storylines. Let’s get started!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOMECOMING</h2>



<p>Our prime piece of real estate today is to announce the next adventure in Halo’s deep and enriching extended universe – <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach. </em>Penned by Troy Denning, <em>Shadows </em>takes place after the events of <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>. For a bit more information, let’s take a gander at the official description:</p>



<p><strong><em>October 2559. It has been a year since the renegade artificial intelligence Cortana issued a galaxy-wide ultimatum, subjecting many worlds to martial law under the indomitable grip of her Forerunner weapons. Outside her view, the members of Blue Team—John-117, the Master Chief; Fred-104; Kelly-087; and Linda-058—are assigned from the UNSC </em>Infinity<em> to make a covert insertion onto the ravaged planet Reach.</em></strong></p>



<p><strong><em>Their former home and training ground—and the site of humanity’s most cataclysmic military defeat near the end of the Covenant War—Reach still hides myriad secrets after all these years. Blue Team’s mission is to penetrate the rubble-filled depths of CASTLE Base and recover top-secret assets locked away in Dr. Catherine Halsey’s abandoned laboratory—assets which may prove to be humanity’s last hope against Cortana.</em></strong></p>



<p><strong><em>But Reach has been invaded by a powerful and ruthless alien faction, who have their own reasons for being there. Establishing themselves as a vicious occupying force on the devastated planet, this enemy will soon transform Blue Team’s simple retrieval operation into a full-blown crisis. And with the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, mission failure is not an option….</em></strong></p>



<p>Yes please.</p>



<p>Of course, a return to Reach wouldn’t be complete without a ridiculously cool cover to adorn the adventure, and once more, talented artist Chris McGrath has delivered the goods. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorite Halo book covers, I must say. Make sure you click for the full wrap!</p>



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<p><em>Halo: Shadows of Reach </em>is published by our friends at Simon & Schuster and Gallery Books, and is slated to drop later this year on <strong>September 22</strong>, helping you pass the time while you eagerly await the arrival of that little Halo game we’re all looking forward to this holiday season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ARCHIVISTS ANONYMOUS</h2>



<p>Of course, there’s plenty of Halo to <em>play </em>in the meantime as well, more and more so if you’re playing on PC, as the Master Chief Collection continues to roll out on both the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/halo-the-master-chief-collection/9ntm9hxnlszx?activetab=pivot:overviewtab"><strong>Microsoft Store</strong></a> and <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/976730/Halo_The_Master_Chief_Collection/"><strong>Steam</strong></a>. Along side this rollout, you may have noticed some new video pieces accompanying each title. First up, and highlighting some gorgeous artwork by our friend at partner <a href="http://toroskose.com/"><strong>Toros Köse</strong></a>, two lore-laced video pieces showcased the MCC background menu changes for <strong><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CWG6_BKEo0">Halo: Reach</a> </em></strong>and <strong><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLHR61cjQAQ">Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary</a> </em></strong>respectively.</p>



<p>Next up is something that might be of particular interest to regular readers of this feature. That would be a new video series titled ONI Archive, which represent on the surface, a way to help introduce new fans to key events and elements of the universe via the loosely canonical framework of an ONI Section 2 propaganda initiative. For deeper-diving fans of course, there’s an additional bit behind the curtain that we hope you’ll find interesting…</p>



<p>Here’s the first video, released in conjunction with <em>Halo: Reach</em>.</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="ONI Archive – Noble Endeavors | Halo: Reach" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AoN2mhQTdZs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p> And hot off the presses, a <em>Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary-</em>related drop that released <strong>just today</strong>! </p>



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<p>It’s been awesome to see keen-eyed/eared fans already starting to pick up little details. Stay vigilant, folks… </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BRINGING THE ARMOR TO LIFE</h2>



<p>Another recent video that might be of interest is an inside look into how we partnered with the folks from EVAkura Armor to create a real-life version of Master Chief’s GEN2 Mk.VI armor as seen in <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>. Featuring Franchise family members Corrinne Robinson and Kenneth Peters to add in some fiction flavor, the video showcases what it takes to use creative modern-day techniques to recreate a set of 26<sup>th</sup> century power armor for us to use at events, promotions, and other memory-making moments.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUNITY CALLOUTS</h2>



<p>We understand that sometimes there are dryer periods when it comes to the Halo information you might crave the most (like where is my Halo pinball machine already?!). That being said, there are always a host of incredible community outlets discussing and dissecting the Halo story and universe. Here are a couple of recent ones that come to mind:</p>



<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanLorLowry"><strong>Brendan “Lor” Lowry</strong></a> always does a bang-up job taking a deeper look at a variety of Halo topics on his blog, but I noticed one recently that had originally slipped past my motion tracker – one that I really enjoyed reading, especially with the recent addition of Noble Team’s efforts to the MCC. Make sure you check out his <a href="https://lortarkam.wordpress.com/2019/12/13/constructing-our-downfall-an-analysis-of-halo-reachs-exodus/"><strong>analysis of the <em>Halo: Reach </em>level “Exodus.”</strong></a> So good!</li><li>The awesome folks at Podcast Evolved released a great episode where they interview the long-time voice of Halo audio books, Scott Brick. Make sure you <a href="https://halopodcast.com/shows/podcast-evolved/episodes/episode-202"><strong>give it a listen</strong></a>!</li><li>We highlight a lot of great Halo fiction-focused YouTube channels around here, but here’s another one. Installation 00 always has cool videos coming out that take a closer look at different elements of the universe. One of their most recent videos is an audio reading of an excerpt from <em>Halsey’s Journal</em>, read by another very talented community member, Kat Peterson (<strong><a href="https://twitter.com/CxeeFoxx">@CxeeFoxx</a></strong>). The result is a really awesome enhancement of an already rad experience – give it a watch!</li></ul>



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<p>And with that, I must sneak off back to my other duties. Trust me, you’ll hear more about <em>those</em> eventually.</p>



<p>Thanks for joining us for another edition and hope to see you soon! Well, soonish.</p>



<p>Until next time… Live well, play Halo, and wash your hands.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/grimbrotherone"><3 Grim</a></strong></p>


Shadows of the Former