A 3D breakdown of Halos iconic armor -

For the last 20 years, Master Chief has induced fear in his enemies and heart palpitations from fans while sporting his green titanium alloy outerwear. The Mjolnir armor worn by the Chief and other superhuman Spartans makes them all-but-invincible to their foes. The boxy design is reminiscent of the U.S. Army’s M1A1 tank.

Story continues below advertisement

Visually striking and instantly memorable, the armor is equally practical. Corrinne Robinson and Kenneth Peters, two of the lore masters at “Halo” game-maker 343 Industries, provided insights into several key components comprising Master Chief’s rugged and iconic exterior.

The plating system not only helps distribute the armor’s weight, it also aids the Spartans’ ability to move nimbly. The logistical down side? The armor has visible weak points that are more vulnerable, though the techsuit still helps protect Spartans from bullets and other forms of damage.

“It’s a non-rigid, ballistic armor,” Peters says. “But it also has thermal, superconducting elements so that when a plasma bolt hits it, it’ll spread the heat out very quickly around the suit. So it’s its own level of protection, but it just doesn’t have the same level of protection as the the hard armor plates.”

Story continues below advertisement

In addition to the plating, Spartan armor is protected by an energy shield powered by a fusion reactor built into the suit. Rather than projecting a kind of bubble around Master Chief, the shields are form-fitting, so to speak, contoured to the entirety of armor’s silhouette. And unlike a Star Wars spaceship with fore or aft shields, the protective energy is drained equally as it absorbs damage. Thus, a plasma blast to chest that reduces the shields’ effectiveness by half will leave the shields covering the Spartan’s back — or arms, or toes — at 50 percent as they automatically stabilize.

Also interesting: Like shields in “Dune," slow-moving objects can pass through them. So, in theory, you could slap a Spartan without the shields stopping you. Of course, that may end poorly.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Robinson says.

Story continues below advertisement

About this story

Video courtesy 343 Industries

Additional design and development by Rachel Orr, Matt Callahan. Additional editing by Jenna Pirog.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZMGmr8enpqWnl658qrrTnqmam6Sew6Z7kWlpa2edlsC1sdFmmqGhlZt6or7MqKlmoJGhvG61zZ%2Bgp6Gkmnp0sI4%3D