One of the most satisfying aspects of Halo Infinite’s campaign is the ability to equip your marines with powerful weapons before loading them into a sharp top.
Marines have unlimited ammo and perfect accuracy with any weapon they use. While leaving them with their default weapons is fun for immersion reasons, equipping them with powerful weapons makes the game a hundred times easier.
I have now completed the campaign having tried all the weapon variants on the marines. As I progressed through battles, high-value targets, and FOB cleanups, I definitely noticed that some weapons were better than others for the Marines.
Arriving in a new area with a squad full of power weapons is the best thing about Halo and should be enjoyed by all players.
To help you understand the best weapons for Marines to hold while chomping down on Banished forces, I’ve put together a list of the top 10!
Marines use weapons very differently from players, as they are powered by AI with exceptional accuracy. That said, some weapons have the potential to kill their wielder or their allies.
10) Chase Hydra
How to unlock: Available FOB after purchasing 3000 Valor
Hydras are powerful heavy weapons that can fire at targets like Grunts and Jackals, as well as deal good damage to Brutes and Elites.
The Pursuit Hydra variant appears to have a faster lock-on speed, as well as better homing missiles.
This variant does not grant increased damage, but makes them even more deadly in the hands of a marine.
It’s the penultimate unlock you acquire through the FOB value system, so you’ll unlock it fairly late in your game.
Such a large unlock requirement means I can’t recommend it as your primary sea weapon, but it’s powerful enough to deserve a spot on this list.
9) Impact Command
How to unlock: Available FOB after purchasing 2700 Valor
Making the Commando a short to medium range weapon, the Impact variant increases the magazine size to 40 but reduces range and accuracy.
Listed primarily for immersion purposes, handing out UNSC weapons to the Marines is another fun way to enjoy Halo Infinite, rather than giving them the beefiest power weapons you can find.
8) Purge Discharge Rifle
How to unlock: Defeat Skimmer Patrol, a high value target of Skimmer
Little information is provided on this weapon, but we do know that it fires 5 ammo per shot, compared to the ordinary shock rifle which fires 3 per shot.
Based on testing, it appears to fire a double shot each time, which deals much more impact damage per mag. Double shots also spread shock damage to nearby enemies much faster.
The range appears to be reduced, so this variant of the Shock Rifle is best used against masses of enemies. I always make sure I have at least one Marine wielding a Purge Bolt Rifle to stun multiple enemies if I’m in a bad matchup.
7) Brechador BR-75
How to unlock: Available FOB after purchasing 2800 Valor
The Battle Rifle is one of, if not the most, popular weapons in the Halo franchise.
Used by players and Marines to take down targets from a distance, any game-changing variant of the Battle Rifle is sure to generate buzz in the Halo community.
This particular variant reduces the magazine size to just 10 shots, compared to the original 12 shots. The range is also reduced.
In exchange, the BR Breacher has a faster rate of fire and deals more damage.
6) Countercurrent ash shot
How to unlock: Defeat Myriad, a high value Hunter target
Your main weapon for dealing with massive groups of enemies, the Backdraft Cindershot is nearly identical to the original Cindershot, but with a powerful additional ability.
Exploding shots now scatter smaller explosions around themselves after detonation.
Perfect for taking on groups of weaker opponents, but not as good against heavy bosses like Hunters.
Such massive burst damage can backfire in close quarters, so always make sure your Marines are shooting at long range or from the side of a Razorback.
5) Rapidfire Pulse Carbine
How to unlock: Defeat Inka ‘Saham, a high value elite target
Firing much faster than the common Pulse Carbine, this weapon is amazing in the hands of a Marine whose AI helps a lot with landing shots.
Carrying a dedicated shield splitter with you can be invaluable, the carbine can also shred lesser enemies like troopers and jackals without breaking a sweat.
At medium to long ranges, not even a Marine can make much use of a pulse carbine. Only equip this item when you know he will be engaging enemies up close.
4) SR7 sniper rifle
How to unlock: Available FOB after purchasing 1400 Valor
Use the 100% accuracy of the marines with the sniper rifle as they fire and reload more efficiently than any player can achieve.
With this weapon, your marines will take out any enemy that is currently loaded and visible.
My current access method to get around the map is a Rockethog with a sniper marine in the passenger seat. It saves time setting up the 5 marines required for a Razorback and provides enough firepower to take over any area.
3) Volatile Skewer
How to unlock: Defeat Ik’Novus the Devourer, a high value Raw Target
Spikes are deadly weapons that can single-shot most enemies and deal heavy damage to armored targets such as Brute Chieftains.
Volatile Spikes are even better, as their projectiles explode shortly after making contact with terrain or an enemy.
Giving a heavy sniper-type weapon some explosive power is great, even more so in the hands of a Marine.
You’ll usually see them shoot targets from a distance with impeccable accuracy.
That said, I’ve seen too many Marines skewer their own colleagues. I’ve even had one of them stick a bullet in the back of my head!
If you’re going to give your Marines the Volatile Spike, make sure they’re always spread out and engaging enemies from a distance.
2) M41 tracker
How to unlock: Defeat Zeretus, a high value brute target
Basically a normal rocket launcher that can track targets, regardless of whether or not they’re in a vehicle.
Marines are crazy about this launcher and can clear out entire fortresses with a few good Razorback maneuvers.
The only downside is the Mariners’ tendency to blow themselves or their allies up.
It is absolutely mandatory for any of the marines to wield a rocket launcher if traveling on foot. However, a Razorback full of M41 Trackers is a sight to behold.
1) Arcane Sentinel Beam
How to unlock: Defeat Thav ‘Sebarim, a high value elite target
While wielding this Sentinel Beam variant, Marines will continuously fire at any nearby enemies without missing a bit.
Arcane variant has increased damage and burn rate, but reduced ammo count.
With more than 3 marines carrying this weapon, any enemies within range are incinerated almost immediately. Even the Banished dropships don’t stand a chance!
No projectiles are fired from this weapon, so there is very little chance of friendly fire or a Marine accidentally taking damage.
Overall, the Arcane Sentinel Beam is by far the best weapon for Marines in Halo Infinite.
I hope you made some use of this list to help conquer the campaign mode 🙂
If you liked it, I recommend you take a look at it:
Halo Infinite: 23 Best Weapons Ranked
This article will give you all the information you need to be successful in multiplayer.