Summary
After nearly a year and a half sinceHalo Infiniteadded its first post-launch weapon in the form of the Bandit rifle,Halo Infinitemay soon receive another weapon. While the Bandit EVO was later added in October 2023 with Season 5: Reckoning, that weapon wasn’t technically an entirely new weapon, since it was really just the regular Bandit with a scope.
According to a post from credibleHalo Infiniteleaker Surasia, 343 Industries will add another weapon in the form of the MA5K soon. No definitive release date for the MA5K has been revealed, but fans are already excited about this new weapon as it will be the first time it’s appeared in actualHalogames and not expanded media.
The History of Halo’s MA5 Series Rifles
ForHalolore enthusiasts, the MA5 name may sound familiar as the MA5 Individual Combat Weapon System is a series of rifles made by Misriah Armory and is one of the oldest series of weapons used by the UNSC. While the name MA5 is rarely said or shown in games, players have used an MA5 rifle sinceHalo: Combat Evolvedfirst released in 2001 with the Assault Rifle.Halo: Combat Evolved’s Assault Rifleis designated as the MA5B. Later designs of the MA5 Assault Rifle includeHalo 3andHalo 3: ODST’s MA5C,Halo: Reach’s MA37,Halo 4andHalo 5: Guardians’ MA5D, andHalo Infinite’s MA40.
The MA5K was first introduced inthe 2006 novel,Halo: Ghosts of Onyxwith the weapon appearing on the book’s cover being utilized by Spartan 2s Frederic-104, Kelly-087, and Kurt-051. Unlike its other MA5 relatives, the MA5K is not an Assault Rifle and is classified as a carbine, operating and appearing like a combination of the Assault and Battle Rifle. Unlike the Covenant Carbine, however, the MA5K is fully automatic like an Assault Rifle instead of being semi-automatic. The MA5K Carbine was primarily used by UNSC Special Forces, particularly members of the Spartan-3 program. It was most recently seen in the Battle of Zeta Halo in the novelHalo: The Rubicon Protocol.
MA5 series weapons appear in every mainlineHalogame except forHalo 2, as no Assault Rifle appears in that game, but it would later be added toHalo 2 Anniversary’smultiplayer in 2014.
The MA5K’s Potential Role in Halo Infinite
According toSurasia’s leaks on the MA5K, the rifle will actually be called the MA5K Avenger and be listed as an SMG class weapon. Since there is no dual-wielding system inInfinite, the MA5K Avenger could operate similarly toHalo 5’s SMG rather than the SMGs seen inHalo 2andHalo 3. If it is used likeHalo 5’s SMG, it could act as an alternative close-quarters automatic weapon to the Assault Rifle, similar to how the Bandit acts as a mid-range alternative to the Battle Rifle. Should it play similar to the SMG, 343 could add a weapon model for the MA5K to look like the classic SMG, similar to the Evolved MA5 model for the Assault Rifle and the M99A2S3 Stanchion for the Sniper Rifle.
In terms of when or how the MA5K will be released, it could be released around November to coincide withHalo 2’s 20th anniversary, asGhosts of Onyxdid take place simultaneously with the events ofHalo 2. It could be released in aHalo 2-themed operation or season alongside the recently leakedHalo 2Mark 6 armor set, which is expected to be an armor kit just asHalo: Combat EvolvedMark 5 armor was released previously. So far, twoupcoming operations forHalo Infinitehave been revealed, including the Champions and Haloween Operations, though it’s unlikely that the MA5K will be released in a Halloween-themed operation.
Halo Infinite’s Stagnated Weapon Catalog
While the addition of the MA5K will be a welcome sight for most players since it will help diversifyHalo Infinite’s weapon pool, more items still need to be added to the game.Infinitewas designed to reduce redundancy among its weapons after the wide catalogs seen inHalo 4and5, but arguably the Bandit and MA5K are redundant because they fill similar roles to the Assault and Battle Rifle. 343 has designed more unique weapons and vehicles, such as the gravity hammer-bayoneted shotgun and the Falcon but have still not released them to the public. Adding more UNSC weapons is great, but more unique weapons should return inHalo Infinite, such as the Sticky Detonator, Brute Shot, and Needler Rifle, among others.
Halo Infinite
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you may relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
