'Halo 5: Guardians' modes to be tweaked for Arena multiplayer

Halo blog

One of the features that make an online shooter a household name among fans is the option to fully customize players' characters. In "Halo 5: Guardians," the customization option is taken to the next level as gamers can fully customize their Spartans – weapons, gears, and all. 

Called REQ packs, these items can be bought by players using the in-game currency they earn while completing missions. The packs contain numerous unlockable items, including assassination animations, high-defense armor, high-damage weapons, character skins, taunts, and more. In addition, gamers who want to customize and are in a hurry to level up can also purchase REQ packs through real cash microtransactions. 

However, developer 343 Industries is drawing the line on when and how players use their heavily modded characters. For example, in the upcoming title's multiplayer arena, only REQ items that add cosmetic effects to the characters would be allowed. 

According to the official "Halo" blog, "While players will earn REQ Packs across both Arena and Warzone, only cosmetic items can be used in our Arena experience. This is to ensure that all players start with the same weapons and abilities as part of our vision for the balanced, competitive play in Arena multiplayer." 

Meanwhile, items that adds skill points to the player, such as customized weapons for additional damage or a high-level armor, will be banned. This will keep the 4v4 arena fair, centering on base skills and player techniques than on equipping high-level items. 

In addition, the game's systems will also control REQ usage in another "Halo 5" mode, Warzone, to let players experience a different approach to MOBA gaming.

The blog continues, "Within Warzone, you'll have the ability to deploy a multitude of weapons and vehicles from your inventory of REQs throughout a match. These requisitions are governed and balanced by Warzone's in-match REQ Level and Energy systems, which are driven by player and team performance within the mode."