Halo Quietly Reveals Major Redesign For New Release

Published Sep 4, 2026, 2:00 AM EDT Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. This year's launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved tapped into fan nostalgia in a major way, and despite it being a slight disappointment with no competitive multiplayer PvP mode included, it brought back some fond memories for longtime players who enjoyed the game's original campaign. This wasn't the only major remake project on the docket from Halo Studios either, with rumors suggesting a Halo 2 and Halo 3 remake could be on the way as well. However, Halo fans are still feeling a bit disgruntled over the fact there hasn't been a major announcement for the franchise's next mainline competitive multiplayer game, though there have been several rumors suggesting Halo Studios is actively developing a new multiplayer-focused project alongside its other upcoming releases. In the meantime, players have a new chapter in the expansive Halo story coming up with the launch of Fireteam Noble, an exciting project from Troy Denning and Garrett Post. The new adventure will officially launch in 2027, and after a recent cover reveal, Halo quietly introduced a major redesign to one of the franchise's most iconic weapons (via Waypoint). Earlier this month, Halo officially revealed the cover artwork by Garrett Post for the upcoming Fireteam Noble novel written by Troy Denning. The cover is absolutely stunning, and will certainly give fans a lot to look forward to, showcasing the main character Jun-A266 alongside the other members of his new fireteam. However, you may have also noticed the addition of a surprising team member, "a Sangheili serving aboard Anvil Station named Atis 'Moramai." In her hand, she wields a newly designed energy sword, described as "a rather unique variant" that is unlike anything we've seen in the franchise to date. The sword has an open-hilt design with a single blade, almost appearing like just one half of a full energy sword we'd typically see. The Energy Sword has seen a few redesigns over the years, such as the sharper, more aggressive interpretation introduced in Halo: Reach, the bulkier and more angular versions seen during the Halo 4 and Halo 5 era, and Halo Infinite's return to a design much closer to the classic Covenant weapon. The series has also introduced distinct variants like Halo 5's Prophet's Bane and Infinite's Duelist Energy Sword and red-bladed Elite Bloodblade. Most recently, Halo: Campaign Evolved took things in an even wilder direction with the Subanese Fang, a bright pink/purple Needler-inspired Energy Sword covered in crystalline Blamite spikes. However, the new Moramai Energy Sword is unlike anything we've seen so far, and fans will be keeping their fingers crossed it makes an appearance in a game eventually, though there's currently no indication that will happen outside of hopium. Either way, fans will be able to learn a lot more about Moramai and her unique Energy Sword variant when Fireteam Noble releases in 2027. Set in 2560, Halo: Fireteam Noble will follow Jun-A266, the last surviving member of Noble Team, as he is pulled back into active combat when a renowned xenoarcheologist is kidnapped by the Banished. It's a must-read new chapter in the larger Halo story that fans will definitely want to add to their libraries when it releases next year. TV Show(s) Halo Video Game(s) Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, Halo Wars, Halo: Reach, Halo 4, Halo: Spartan Assault, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Halo: Spartan Strike, Halo 5: Guardians, Halo Wars 2, Halo Recruit, Halo: Fireteam Raven, Halo Infinite Genres Sci-Fi, Action Cast Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, Keith David, David Scully, Pablo Schreiber, Shabana Azmi, Olive Gray, Christina Bennington, Kate Kennedy, Natascha McElhone, Natasha Culzac, Yerin Ha