From IGN.com: By Ryan McCaffrey

You’re going to play Halo 4 this fall. You know it. Your friends know it. Your family knows it. Your significant other knows it (What’s that? You haven’t told them yet? Trust us, it’s probably best to do so sooner rather than later). For Xbox owners, there is simply no bigger game. But with today’s unveiling of multiplayer Specializations – essentially, Spartan mini-classes that will further customize, enhance, and prolong your Halo 4 War Games multiplayer experience – you’re probably underestimating just how much of your life is about to be spent with the Spartan IVs. We’ve got a breakdown of all eight Specialization classes, starting with the basics, along with details straight from the mouth of Halo 4 Spartan Ops designer David Ellis. Buckle up, people.

Specialization Overview

“When we launch Halo 4 in November, that’s just the beginning,” Ellis tells us. “Specializations are just another opportunity to make the play experience months and even years after release feel fresh.”

With that in mind, a few housekeeping notes: Specializations give you 10 extra levels’ worth of goodies to unlock, including nine levels of cosmetic armor items. Those nine include armor sets, skins for those armor sets, a weapon skin, emblems, and a visor color. On the tenth level (though the order of what will unlock when isn’t finalized yet, according to 343 and Microsoft), you get your gameplay modifying perk – the ultimate prize you really care about that we’ll detail below.

Also, and this is an important part: two of the Specializations – Pioneer and Wetwork – will be available at launch. The rest will come online later…unless you purchase the Halo 4 Limited Edition, in which case you’ll have access to all eight at launch.

Finally, to answer your question: Yes, your Specializations are usable in Spartan Ops mode.

HFFL: Wow, sounds like a lot more options for armor. The thing is form what I’ve read you have to hit a “50” first to start your journey on these extra items. If this is skill based,  that is going to piss a lot of people off. There are just some people who would never reach a 50, thus being locked out of a part of the game that they paid for. Now if the “50” is something attainable through earning point/credits, that plays well for everyone. Of course I can hear the complainers out there that say then that the armor would be as special. Poppycock. It’s still going to take time to reach those levels and there are many extra sets of armor. If a person is skilled, great they’ll be able to tear it up on the battlefield. That in and of itself should be a reward, knowing they are good. Don’t push away those less skilled. (Whew, got ahead of myself and a bit off topic…)

To see each of the Specializations click the link at the start of the article. I’ll be discussing them each later today.

-Sal