MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System

Template:Weapon Infobox

The MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System is the United Nations Space Command standard-issue Assault Rifle after the Human-Covenant war.

Design

The MA5D ICWS is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, automatic Assault Rifle designed to execute close-quarters combat with lethal efficiency, regardless of hostile counter-op, environmental conditions, or duration of use in the field.^[1] The MA5D fires the 7.62 NATO round. Like previous incarnations, the MA5D also contains a built-in ammo counter and compass.

Gameplay

Strategy

Like the MA37 from Halo: Reach, the MA5D is a general-purpose weapon. It lacks long-range accuracy, however, and therefore it's wise to pair it with a more precise weapon like the DMR or Battle Rifle.
Like the majority of the Assault Rifles throughout the series, it is best to go full-auto at close range and use short, controlled bursts for medium range.
Be careful when going up against close-range instant-kill weapons. It is best to walk backwards while firing in effective bursts so that you won't have to reload or waste ammo on wild shots.
Focus on one opponent, because although the MA5D is ferociously dangerous in close quarters, you may find yourself not having enough ammunition in the magazine to handle two enemies at a time. Take down one, reload, then go after your next foe.
It is easy to overestimate an Assault Rifle's performance while going full-auto due to the sheer rate of fire, but you'll only be wasting your bullets if the enemy is farther away than close range. At default, the reticle is very small, meaning that the first bullet fired from your MA5D will be a bulls-eye, but the reticle rapidly increases in size as you continue to hold down the trigger. To combat this, practice your trigger control until you're able to shoot in 2-round, 3-round, and 4-round bursts while focusing on keeping the reticle as close to your opponent as possible.

Changes from the MA37 ICWS

Main article: MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System

Maximum ammunition is decreased from 288 to 224 rounds (256 with Ammo Tactical Package).
Increased damage.
Slightly slower firing speed.

Changes in the Halo 4 Weapon Tuning Update

Main article: Weapon Tuning Update

Capable of killing in three less rounds.^[2]
Auto-aim angle has been reduced.^[2]
Projectile spread has been decreased.^[2]

Trivia

An exclusive Prime skin for the MA5D was available to those who purchased the Halo 4 Limited Edition. This skin was later made available in the Game of the Year Edition along with other previously exclusive weapon skins.