Loadout Weapons

While skill and sound tactics are an integral part of succeeding on the battlefield, so is choosing the right tools for the job. Halo 5: Guardians gives Spartans an unprecedented level of customization through a wide selection of weapons, vehicles, armor mods, power-ups, and boosts. Whether fighting in a Warzone battle or competing in Arena matches, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of every implement is crucial to securing a victory.

Arena

Known as loadout weapons, these are the standard-issue weapons affiliated with UNSC forces. During Arena matches, all Spartans begin each match with an Assault Rifle and Magnum. But the Battle Rifle, DMR, and SMG weapons are usually available as pickups—their availability varies based on the map.

Warzone

As in Arena, Spartans begin Warzone matches with the Assault Rifle in Magnum. Through the REQ System you can acquire many other versions of these weapons as well as Battle Rifles, DMRs, and SMGs. Loadout weapons are permanent; once you've acquired one, it will always be in your collection. However, each loadout weapon has a REQ Level requirement that must be met before the weapon can be activated from a REQ Station. So if you have some loadout weapon REQ Cards in your collection, put them to use to gain en edge in the battle.

Attachments

There’s a wide variety of loadout REQ Cards available, distinguished by their optics and attachments. The Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, DMR, and SMG are all capable of hosting a number of attachments which effect their performance in various ways. Here’s a quick rundown of the attachments available for these weapons:

Loadout Weapon Attachments

Assault Rifle

The Assault Rifle is designed for close-quarter combat with lethal efficiency, regardless of hostile environmental conditions or duration of use in the field.

Faction: UNSC

Magazine Capacity: 36

Firing Mode: Automatic

Field Notes

» The Assault Rifle is equipped by all Spartans at the start of all Warzone and most Arena matches—so get familiar with it. Due to its high rate of fire, the weapon is best deployed at close- to midrange. While the weapon is fully capable of dropping opponents on its own, it is extremely effective for scoring clean-up kills against weak enemies—at point-blank range, use a melee strike to dish out heavy damage. Or if an opponent's shield is popped, aim for their head to take them down quickly.

» When engaging targets beyond a few meters, zoom in using Smart-Link and fire in short, controlled bursts. This helps mitigate muzzle climb caused by the weapon’s recoil. For even greater accuracy, crouch when firing the Assault Rifle.

» The Assault Rifle is primarily a close-quarter weapon. So make sure you have a backup weapon with better mid- to long-range performance. The default Magnum is better suited for scoring precise, long-range hits.

» If you catch a glimpse of an opponent equipped with Active Camo, use the Assault Rifle to spray the area—each registered hit makes the target visible, allowing you to follow up with a lethal full-auto burst.

REQ Cards

Assault Rifle

Rarity: Common

REQ Level: 1

Assault Rifle with 1.5x Projection Sight. Standard-issue fully automatic rifle effective at short to medium range.

Assault Rifle REQ Cards

Recon AR

Rarity: Common

REQ Level: 1

Assault Rifle with 2x Recon Sight. UNSC Army configuration with quick-acquisition sights for midrange engagements.

Recon AR REQ Cards

Longshot AR

Rarity: Common

REQ Level: 1

Assault Rifle with 3x Longshot Sight. UNSC Marine Corps Interim Fireteam Support (IFS) configuration for intermediate-range combat and long-range suppression.

Longshot AR REQ Cards

Battle Rifle

The Battle Rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed infantry rifle proven to be an extraordinarily versatile weapon for a wide variety of ranges.

Faction: UNSC

Magazine Capacity: 36

Firing Mode: Burst

Field Notes

» The versatility of the Battle Rifle cannot be overstated. Whether pushing out of your team’s Base or laying down cover fire for teammates, the Battle Rifle is up to the task, ideally deployed at mid- to long range.

» The weapon fires a three-round burst, dishing out impressive damage at any range. Land body shots to pop an opponent’s shields—aiming for center mass helps guarantee hits. Then follow up with a single headshot for the kill.

» While the Battle Rifle is deadly at long range, it’s outclassed by faster-firing weapons like the Assault Rifle and SMG at close range. So consider keeping a rapid-fire weapon in your loadout as a backup.

» Even when firing from the hip, the Battle Rifle is surprisingly accurate. But when precision counts, zoom in, using the rifle’s magnified optic to carefully place your shots.

REQ Cards

Battle Rifle

Rarity: Common

REQ Level: 3

Battle Rifle with 2x Recon Sight. Standard-issue burst-fire rifle that can excel at any engagement range.

Battle Rifle REQ Cards

Longshot BR

Rarity: Uncommon

REQ Level: 3

Battle Rifle with 3x Longshot Sight. Marksman configuration preferred by many Requiem veterans.

Longshot BR REQ Cards

Sentinel BR

Rarity: Rare

REQ Level: 3

Battle Rifle with Sentinel Sight. Delta-Six special forces configuration with variable-zoom 4x/6x optics; optimized for long-range, pinpoint lethality.

Sentinel BR REQ Cards

DMR

The Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) is intended for use by personnel who can take advantage of Smart-Linked telescopic sights.

Faction: UNSC

Magazine Capacity: 14

Firing Mode: Semi-automatic

Field Notes

» Deadly from across any map, the DMR is a great counter to the Battle Rifle, particularly when aiming through the weapon’s magnified optics. The Sentinel DMR variant is equipped with a variable 4x/6x optic.

» The DMR is a semi-automatic weapon, firing one round per pull of the trigger. The weapon can be fired rapidly with decent accuracy. But for better precision, let the weapon settle after each shot before firing a follow-up. This is particularly important when attempting headshots. The Stabilization Jets attachment practically cancels all recoil, allowing for much faster follow-up shots.

» Functionally, the DMR performs similarly to the Magnum, albeit with greater magnification options and better long-range performance. So when you encounter a DMR, swap it out for your Magnum since they fill such similar roles—round out your loadout with a faster-firing weapon like an Assault Rifle or SMG.

» Although it’s designed as a precision weapon, don’t be afraid to hip fire the DMR at close to intermediate range. However, be prepared to compensate for the rifle’s muzzle climb caused by recoil.

REQ Cards

DMR

Rarity: Rare

REQ Level: 6

DMR with 3x Longshot Sight. Powerful and accurate semi-automatic rifle best used at mid- to long range.

DMR REQ Cards

Recon DMR

Rarity: Ultra Rare

REQ Level: 6

DMR with 2x Recon Sight. Marine Force Recon configuration that emphasizes ease of handling and midrange accuracy.

Recon DMR REQ Cards

Sentinel DMR

Rarity: Legendary

REQ Level: 6

DMR with 4x/6x Sentinel Sight. Precision configuration with variable-zoom optics, used by unaugmented UNSC snipers.

Sentinel DMR REQ Cards

Magnum

The Magnum is a semi-automatic, recoil-operated, magazine-fed handgun and the standard personal sidearm of all branches of the UNSC.

Faction: UNSC

Magazine Capacity: 12

Firing Mode: Semi-automatic

Field Notes

» The Magnum is the standard-issue sidearm for all Spartans in both Warzone and Arena game modes. When it’s paired alongside the Assault Rifle or SMG, rely on the Magnum’s surprising precision and stopping power for mid- to long-range engagements. You can also switch to your Magnum quickly. Make a habit of drawing your Magnum instead of reloading another weapon.

» This semi-automatic handgun is most effective when engaging targets at long range through Smart-Link. If an opponent’s shields are down, all it takes is one well-placed shot to the head to score a kill.

» In a pinch, the Magnum can perform adequately in close quarters—rapidly hammer the trigger to fire off a quick barrage of rounds at your target. If you can land three shots with the Magnum, a quick melee strike will finish off your opponent. But the Magnum’s slow rate of fire puts it at a disadvantage when confronting opponents with an Assault Rifle or SMG. So consider keeping a rapid-fire weapon in your loadout.

» While the Magnum can hold its own in most mid- to long-range duels, it’s outclassed by the Battle Rifle, DMR, and other precision weapons, like the Sniper Rifle. Avoid exchanging fire with opponents when they’re armed with these superior weapons. Instead, seek cover and look for opportunities to flank.

» The Whispered Truth variant is a power weapon utilizing burst fire and an integrated suppressor—this keeps you off the Motion Trackers of opposing Spartans. While equipped (and loaded with ammo) the weapon also increases movement speed. Since this is a power weapon, it can only be activated once per card.

magnum REQ Cards

SMG

The SMG is a fully automatic personal defense weapon issued to vehicle crews and infantry expecting close-quarter urban combat or boarding actions.

Faction: UNSC

Magazine Capacity: 60

Firing Mode: Automatic

Field Notes

» The SMG’s blistering rate of fire makes it an extremely lethal weapon in close quarters. When encountering enemies at close range, don’t bother using Smart-Link—simply shoot from the hip, peppering your target with sustained automatic fire until it drops. If an opponent's shield has been depleted, land headshots to drop them quickly.

» The weapon is fed by a top-mounted 60-round magazine. While 60 rounds seems generous, the SMG chews through ammo at a rapid pace. Therefore, make a habit of reloading after each engagement. Like most cartridge-based weapons, the SMG reloads faster when a round is left in the chamber.

» Given the enhanced mobility of Spartans, the SMG is ideal in close-quarter duels, even outperforming the Assault Rifle. The weapon’s high rate of fire and large magazine capacity allow you to spray opponents as they strafe and thrust about. While hip fire is great for close quarters, utilize Smart-Link and go easy on the trigger when engaging opponents beyond a few meters—aiming and tap firing allows you to place more shots on-target.

» Make no mistake, the SMG is a close-range weapon. Therefore, complement it by selecting a weapon with better mid- to long-range performance. The Magnum, Battle Rifle, and DMR are all good options.

REQ Cards

SMG

Rarity: Uncommon

REQ Level: 4

SMG with 1.2x CQB Sight. Rapid-fire submachine gun best suited for close-quarter combat while leveraging Smart-Link.

SMG REQ Cards

Projection SMG

Rarity: Rare

REQ Level: 4

SMG with 1.5x Projection Sight. SWAT configuration used by UNSC military police and UEG security forces.

Projection SMG REQ Cards

Recon SMG

Rarity: Ultra Rare

REQ Level: 4

SMG with 2x Recon Sight. Personal defense weapon configuration issued to UNSC pilots.

Recon SMG REQ Cards