Players will unlock the following weapons for use in custom loadouts as they progress through the Spartan Ranking system. Once they are unlocked, they can be purchased for the indicated number of spartan Points (SP). Note that all the weapons in the game are not present to be unlocked: Rocket Launchers, shotguns, sniper rifles to name but a few. These however can be found in maps as power weapons.

Without any more blather, here’s a list of all the unlockable weapons in the game for use in loadouts and a brief description of each from the multiplayer menu itself:

Primary Weapons¶

Assault Rifle¶

The assault rifle is the stock standard weapon in Halo 4 as it has been for most of the series. It features a impressive rate of fire (not as impressive as the SAW mind you) and is fairly accurate. The downside is it does take quite a bit of ammo to kill someone with it! It is best at short-medium range encounters and followed up with a melee slap.

> The Assault Rifle is unlocked from the get-go in multiplayer and will be your default primary weapon until you are able to unlock something new.

Battle Rifle¶

The battle rifle makes a return after a short hiatus from the series during the events of Halo: Reach and it is just as good as we remember! it features a scope and fires a highly accurate three round burst, brilliant for popping the heads of unshielded covenant forces! For the most efficiency, use it at mid-long range.

*> The Battle Rifle is unlocked at Spartan Rank 2.

> It costs 1 Spartan Point to Purchase.*

DMR¶

The DMR replaced the Battle Rifle in Halo: Reach, but returns alongside its predecessor in Halo 4. Both weapons are extremely effective at mid range, but the DMR edges the battle rifle at long range. The DMR fires a single shell each time and has a slower rate of fire than the battle rifle. It is a head shot machine best used at mid-long range.

*> The DMR is unlocked at Spartan Rank 2.

> It costs 1 Spartan Point to Purchase.*

Storm Rifle¶

The storm rifle is the covenant equivalent of the assault rifle, dishing out a similar amount of damage, but its rate of fire will increase the longer you hold the fire button down. On the negative side, you will be unable to pick up ammo for the storm rifle and will have to find another weapon to replace it. Additionally, if you hold the fire button down for too long, it will overheat and render it unusable for a few seconds. Most useful at short to medium range.

*> The Storm Rifle is unlocked at Spartan Rank 5.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Covenant Carbine¶

Similar to both the battle rifle and the DMR. The covenant carbine has a scope and therefore the accuracy of the aforementioned weapons. The big difference is that it does less damage per shot, but has a larger ammo reserve and faster rate of fire than either of them. Best used at medium to long range.

*> The Covenant Carbine is unlocked at Spartan Rank 5.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Suppressor¶

The suppressor is an almost copy and paste replica of the assault rifle although it has slightly more ammo capacity and does a little less damage. Again it is at its most effective at close-medium range.

*> The Suppressor is unlocked at Spartan Rank 22.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Light Rifle¶

The light rifle is like a combination of the DMR and the battle rifle. It can fire a three round burst that mimics the battle rifle, but with the scope enabled it will fire off single shells like the DMR. Like the weapons it seems to be made up from, it is very accurate and is most effective at medium range, and to an extend long range when zoomed.

*> The Light Rifle is unlocked at Spartan Rank 22.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Secondary Weapons¶

Magnum¶

The magnum is back and as powerful as ever. Featuring a scope, the ability to get headshot kills and fairly decent rate of fire, this bad boy has some serious stopping power for a sidearm. Best at close medium range.

> The Magnum is unlocked from the get-go in multiplayer and will be your default secondary weapon until you are able to unlock something new.

Plasma Pistol¶

The primary fire of the plasma pistol is next to useless, but holding the fire button down will charge up a plasma ball that is extremely useful. Hitting an enemy with the secondary overcharge function is a sure fire way to take down a brutes armor or destroy a jackals shield, leaving them open for a nice, clean headshot.

Additionally, if you can hit a manned vehicle with the overcharge, it will become temporarily disabled, giving players a window of opportunity to kill the driver or hijack the vehicle. It is only really useful at short-mid range.

*> The Plasma Pistol is unlocked at Spartan Rank 8.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Boltshot¶

This is the Promethean equivalent of the magnum and the plasma rifle. Similar to the plasma pistol it has a charge up shot that can remove shields and has the rapid fire capability of the magnum although it does less damage.

*> The Boltshot is unlocked at Spartan Rank 18.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Grenades¶

Frag Grenade¶

The standard grenade that has been in existance since the beginning of Halo. It has a 3 second fuse that activates after contact with the ground. These will be one of Master Chief’s closest firends in Halo 4.

> The Frag Grenades are unlocked from the get-go in multiplayer and will be your default grenade type until you are able to unlock something new.

Plasma Grenade¶

The plasma grenades have been a series stable since the original game and they are a great addition. These covenant grenades will stick to organic matter when thrown, allowing players to stick it to opponents or enemies for a bit of fun! Funnily enough, they don’t stick to walls.

*> The Plasma Grenade is unlocked at Spartan Rank 8.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Pulse Grenade¶

Pulse grenades is the latest unique grenade type to be implemented into the Halo universe and have an interesting effect. Once they land, they generate a red sphere that will slow down and damage any enemy (health and shields) or vehicles in the immediate area before exploding after a few moments.

*> The Pulse Grenade is unlocked at Spartan Rank 18.

> It costs 2 Spartan Points to Purchase.*

Power Weapons¶

In addition to the unlockable weapons, there are a number of weapons that can only be found by picking them up on various maps and are not eligible to be used in custom load-outs. These include:

*> Shotgun

> Scatter Shot

> SAW

> Sniper Rifle

> Sticky Detonator

> Spartan Laser

> Railgun

> Rocket Launcher

> Needler

> Beam Rifle

> Fuel Rod Gun

> Incinerator Cannon*