H4: Specializations Part 3

Now that we've had some time in the field with specializations in the field, I have a much better understanding of what they are, why they matter, and how they're used.  Previous posts here:

• H4: Loadouts (Updated)
• H4: Specializations Part 2
• Halo 4 Armor Classes (Specializations)
• Halo 4 Specializations Update

Leveling: First off, each Specialization has 10 levels (1-10), and you don't get your special armor ability until level 10.  Each Specialization level has a 1:1 correlation to your SR ranking.  So for your first Spec, the levels 1-10 correlate to SR51-60.  e.g., if you chose to pursue Wetwork first, WK1 = SR51 and WK10 = SR60.  The SRx0 levels are free promotions, as soon as you choose your next Spec, you are automatically promoted.  So when you reach SR50 you can pick a spec, but as soon as you pick, you become SR51 without having to play any game.

Armor mods: The armor mods can be either in Tactical Packages or Support Upgrades.  Once you complete a Spec and get the armor mod, you can choose it as a Loadout option at any time.  Because they come in both types (Tactical and Support), you can actually have TWO Spec armor mods active at a time.  The armor mods are as follows:

Specialization	Tactical	Support	Note
Wetwork		Stealth	Allows users to move silently during combat, lowers their visibility profile on certain VISR enhancements (like Promethean Vision), and increases their ability to kill enemies from behind.
Operator	Wheelman		Improves durability of vehicles, as well as decreasing downtime when affected by EMP discharges.
Pioneer	Fast Track		Increases the amount of XP earned per match.
Engineer		Drop Recon	Allows users to know the time and place of ordnance deployments prior to the drops actually occurring
Tracker	Requisition		Allows two different sets of options for equipment rewarded through ordnance drops.
Rogue		Stability	Increases aiming stability while taking incoming fire
Stalker		Nemesis	Allows user to hone-in on the last enemy who killed them
Pathfinder		Gunner	Improves upon elements of heavy weapon specialists, such as increasing the amount of time a mounted weapon takes to overheat during sustained fire or improving the general speed and mobility while carrying a detached turret.

For example, somebody who is always driving the Mantis should complete both the Operator and the Pathfinder Specs.  Operator would improve the durability of the robot and its resistance to EMP, while Pathfinder would improve the overheat performance of the guns and rockets.

In retrospect, since we have all discovered that Spartan Ops matchmaking with Dew DoubleXP is the fastest way to rank up, Pioneer would have been the best Spec to do first (for those that have it available with a pre-order or H4 Limited Edition).  You can choose the Fast Track armor mod instead of Mobility (like I usually have) in your Spartan Ops loadout and get 20% more XP for every game.