Helmets and Armor sets of Halo 5 Guardians, the FINAL tally. Which should stay or go for Halo Infinite?

If you’ve been following the blog the last two weeks, you’ve seen my articles on all of the helmets and armor sets that are currently in Halo 5. Which ones I think should stay, go and some I’m unsure of. Today consolidates all of those into a few collages to make it easier to see at once.

Before we see those, here are the links to those previous articles.
Helmets:
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3
Armor:
Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4

Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 4 of 4, “Standard” and Thin Armors

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 4 covers 26 “Standard” and Thin armors.  Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 3 of 4, Character Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 3 covers 24 “Character” armors.  Continue reading

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 2 of 4, Bulky Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 2 covers 22 “Bulky” armors.  Continue reading

New DAILY Podcast coming to HFFL! “Halo To The Players”

I had been toying around with creating a new podcast for some time. I had to figure out what kind of format, how often and how long I wanted it to be.

Those decisions have been made!

Starting February 2, 2019, the inaugural “Halo To The Players” begins!

The show will run between 5-15 minutes everyday. Topics will include whatever brand new Halo news came out the previous day, any blog posts I made the previous day as well as mentions of any cool gameplay I had. On that note, I’m going to include clips and screenshots of those play here on the blog as well.

There will be a new category on the blog starting on the same day for the podcast. Soon thereafter, it should show up on iTunes for you to download.

Here is the official logo of the HTTP podcast! Watermarks won’t be included later. This is just preemptive until the show goes live.

The decision to go with a daily and short program was pretty simple. I wanted to bring fresh Halo news everyday in a way that was easily managed by anyone who would listen. Listen to it on your way to work or school. Perhaps during your lunch hour. Nothing so long that you had to block out a ridiculous amount of time for. Having no other hosts also means I don’t have to worry about others making it to the cast everyday. Something I know would be a challenge for many folks to commit to.

The name is both a take on “Hail to the players,” as well as the internet acronym HTTP.

As the podcast grows, it may evolve to something more. That’s the beauty of it. I don’t know where it will take me and I’m excited to see that journey through!

As it goes on, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].

Kind criticism is welcome.

-Sal

Armors of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should/shouldn’t return in Halo Infinite. Part 1 of 4, Angular Armor

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the armors in Halo 5 down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. There are more than 90 sets of armor, presently.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what armor (and helmets, in another series of articles I’ve written: part 1, part 2, part 3) will return. These are just my opinions folks. Do not take this as a direct line to 343.

Some armors have their place, some that might be considered for returning or not, some shouldn’t return for various reasons. That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with armors I’m not fond of.

I’ve split this subject into four articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of armors as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the armors themselves, than their skins.

Here are the categories I made up for this series of articles:

  • Angular Armor: Armors with sharp angles to them
  • Bulky Armor: Large armors that often make the Spartan look even more oversized
  • Character Armor: Armors worn by named characters in the Franchise
  • Standard and Thin Armor: Standard I deem as roughly humanoid, not too bulky or thin. Thin being those armor that are small on the Spartan in one way or another

Part 1 will cover “Angular” armors.  Continue reading

Halo Toy Review: Mega Construx “Battle for the Ark” Blind Bag Series

mega-construx-logo

The “Battle for the Ark” series is the latest wave of blind bagged figures from Mega. Today we take a look at each one, along with the VERY special Spirit of Fire micro ship!

Mega Construx “Battle for the Ark” Blind Bag Series

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 1 minutes building each figure, 2 minutes sort/build time total for micro ship.
Set Piece Count: varies by figure
Minifigures: B
Accessories: Bruteshot, Energy Sword, Plasma Pistol, Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, Assault Rifle, Hydra, Trans-green Hydra
Special Features: Removable Armor
Cost: $3-3.50 US (Mass Retail) (ONE figure per pack)


Continue reading

Halo Toy Review: Mega Construx Kinsano Cyclops Raid

Mega Construx Kinsano Cyclops Raid

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 10 minutes to sort, 30 minutes to build
Set Piece Count: 232
Minifigures: Morgan Kinsano, x3 Flood Infection forms
Weapons: Shotgun
Accessories: Figure stand
Special Features: Lots of articulation!
Cost: $20 US (Mass Retail) I got mine from Amazon.com

And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)

The box art is the new white with orange Mega logo and blue details. The set photo shows Kinsano in her special Flamethrower Cyclops, burning Flood Infection forms.

Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 3 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 3 will cover No or Limited Visor and Thin Visor Type helmets. Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 2 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 2 will cover Large and Medium Visor type helmets.  Continue reading

Helmets of Halo 5 Guardians: Which should return in Halo Infinite, which shouldn’t, and why. Part 1 of 3

The goal of this series of articles is to try to pair the helmets down to roughly 50 returning in Halo Infinite. I feel that number of helmets is PLENTY. Mind you, these might not line up with the armor series of articles. Meaning, I may have helmets without armor and vice versa. That’s quite deliberate as I feel some helmets look great while their armor doesn’t and again, vice versa, some armor looks great but their corresponding helmets do not.

I’ve been wanting to write these articles for awhile now. As we start to edge closer to more news about Halo Infinite, it’s time we discuss what helmets (and armor, in another series of articles I’m writing) will return.

There are some helmets that definitely have their place, some that are marginal and could be considered for returning or not, some that shouldn’t return for various reasons and a few that well…should never see the light again, LOL.

That said, I do realize that real people put in work to make these. So I try to take a light approach with helmets I’m not fond of. We are as humans though given to having varied opinions and these are mine. So they aren’t meant to be taken as the “word of Halo”.

There are more than 100 unique helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, not including skins. As such, I’ve split this subject into three articles. I’m not including the skinned versions of helmets as skins can relatively easily be changed. This topic is more about the form and functionality of the helmets themselves than their skins.

With so many helmets in Halo 5 Guardians, I felt the need to divide these up into some basic categories. These being:

  • Astronaut Types
  • Bungie Era Types
  • Character Types
  • Large Visor Types
  • Medium Visor Types
  • No or Limited Visor Types
  • Thin Visor Types

Part 1 will cover “Astronaut”, Bungie Era, and named Character helmets.  Continue reading

Public Service Announcement! Please read for your online Halo account security!

So this weekend, I came upon this site. I got the link from Instagram. Apologies I can’t recall who initially I saw it from, though I saw it three times there.

Do NOT log in to this app! It has NOT been officially recognized or endorsed by 343. I even asked Frank O’Conner, Unyshek and others from 343 for verification on this. This was but a portion of the thread response I got on twitter:
The tomorrow Frank speaks of is actually today now (Monday 1/14/19).

The app asks for your Microsoft account info. That immediately put up a red flag for me when I was perusing the site. Under no circumstance, unless you are logging into your account on MS, or XBOX.com, on your XBOX or speaking with XBOX Customer service should you give your account info to anyone else. Just do NOT do it. DON’T!

The creator of the site has said they gained permission from Microsoft. And that they use a third party verification system. That being: https://auth0.com. The “auth” site looks legitimate. The e-mail the app creator got might be as well. Here’s what they posted to another person on Instagram, who then shared it with me:

Since 343 seems completely unaware (and you bet Frank O’Conner would, could and SHOULD know about this), and that he will be talking about it within the company, I STRONGLY urge you NOT to sign up for this site until it’s been cleared by MS/343 themselves.

The reason I was so concerned about this app is that we’ve not had much info on Infinite. And this app is branding itself as tied to the game, though for now will only give you your Halo 5 stats. As well, in the past, going as far back as Halo Reach, I’ve had friends lose their accounts to shady sites pretending to be connected to the developer. I would hate to see ANY of you lose your accounts or worse, your credit card info if the app was fake.

If this app ends up being legit, at the least, the right parties will now know about it.

This is one case of “better safe than sorry”.

-Sal