There are a ton of armor options in Halo 4, most of which are unlocked by ranking up, getting commendations, and completing all ten ranks of specializations. Of course there are the exclusive armor sets as well, listed separately.
I’ve compared this list to the complete lists in the dev videos, and I think I’ve listed all of them, but if you find some missing please leave me comments.
These armor sets only include helmet, chest, and both shoulders, with the exception of the exclusive armor sets, which come with one of every piece.
Check out my other articles if you’re looking for the unlockable forearm armor or the unlockable leg armor.
Unlockable Armor Sets
Here is the list of armor that is unlockable naturally in the game.
Air Assault – Unlocked at rank SR-11
Air Assault VERG – Unlocked with the commendation Vehicle – Master
Aviator – Unlocked at rank SR-17
Aviator BOND – Unlocked with the commendation Wheelman – Master
C.I.O. – Unlocked with the commendation Spartan Slayer – Master
Commando – Unlocked with the commendation Dominion Victory – Master
Commando FRCT – Unlocked with the commendation Flood Victory – Master
Defender – Unlocked at rank SR-21
Defender CTRL – Unlocked with the commendation Bullet in the Brain – Master
E.O.D. – Unlocked at rank SR-45
E.O.D. SHDW – Unlocked with the commendation Hail to the King – Master
E.V.A. – Unlocked at rank SR-27
E.V.A. BRCH – Unlocked with the commendation Hail of Death – Master
Enforcer – Unlocked at rank SR-50
Enforcer TRBL – Unlocked with the commendation Mounted Turret – Master
Engineer – Earn all ten ranks in the Engineer Specialization
Gungnir – Unlocked with the commendation Slayer Victory – Master
Hazop – Unlocked at rank SR-43
Infiltrator – Unlocked at rank SR-42
Infiltrator TRAC – Unlocked with the commendation Multikill – Master
Mark VI – Complete the Campaign on Legendary difficulty (solo or co-op)
Oceanic – Unlocked at rank SR-47
Operator – Earn all ten ranks in the Operator Specialization
Orbital – Unlocked at rank SR-41
Orbital AEON – Unlocked with the commendation Covenant Destroyer – Master
Pathfinder – Earn all ten ranks in the Pathfinder Specialization
Pioneer – Earn all ten ranks in the Pioneer Specialization
Protector – Unlocked with the commendation UNSC Loadout Mastery
Protector DRFT – Unlocked with the commendation Weapon Mastery
Ranger – Unlocked with the commendation Combat Opportunity – Master
Ranger STRK – Unlocked with the commendation Protector – Master
Recon – Unlocked at rank SR-26
Recon SURG – Unlocked with the commendation Covenant Loadout Mastery
Recruit – Unlocked by default
Rogue – Earn all ten ranks in the Rogue Specialization
Scout – Unlocked at rank SR-38
Scout APEX – Unlocked with the commendation Oddball Victory – Master
Soldier – Unlocked at rank SR-15
Soldier ZNTH – Unlocked with the commendation Spartan Spree – Master
Stalker – Earn all ten ranks in the Stalker Specialization
Tracker – Earn all ten ranks in the Tracker Specialization
Vanguard – Unlocked with the commendation Forerunner Destroyer – Master
Vanguard CNVG – Unlocked with the commendation Flag Victory – Master
Venator – Unlocked with the commendation Assassin – Master
War Master – Unlocked at rank SR-37
War Master PRML – Unlocked with the commendation King of the Hill Victory – Master
Warrior – Unlocked at rank SR-8
Warrior MTRX – Unlocked with the commendation Forerunner Loadout Mastery
Wetwork – Earn all ten ranks in the Wetwork Specialization
Exclusive Armor Sets
C.I.O. WEB – Pre-order bonus from Amazon (C.I.O. Web Armor on ebay)
Fotus – Included with the Limited Edition Console Bundle (Fotus Armor on ebay)
Gungnir PULS – Pre-order bonus from the Microsoft Store (Gungnir PULS Armor on ebay)
Hazop FRST – Pre-order bonus from GameStop (Hazop FRST Armor on ebay)
Oceanic CRCT – Pre-order bonus from Walmart (Oceanic CRCT Armor on ebay)
Raider – Unlocked in Halo: Waypoint by entering coded passwords
Recruit PRME – Unlocked with the purchase of the Collectors Edition of Halo 4
Scanner – Unlocked by purchasing and redeeming a War Games Map Pass, or by purchasing the Halo 4 Limited Edition Console
Strider – Unlocked by purchasing and redeeming a War Games Map Pass or purchasing the Halo 4 Limited Edition Console
Venator RPTR – Pre-order bonus from Best Buy (Venator RPTR Armor on ebay)