1st Build Scrapper and Gears' ODST Build(s)

[scrapper]

Hi all! First thread here. I'm relatively new to Halo but not to costumes or armor building. I'm currently working on constructing my first ODST- a build I'm doing in tandem with my good friend Gearsofhalo for us to troop together- Idea being they'll closely visually match to communicate two troopers from the same fireteam, utilizing the same base paints, models and shapes, weathering techniques, etc to tell the visual story.

Dan (Gears) between the two of us is definitely the true blue soft goods enthusiast, so im sure he'll stop by the thread to contribute on that front and talk about the options he's taking with his kit as well.

For now, my personal loadout plan is looking like:

• Neck to waist: AguilarWorkshop ODST files, really been loving how these print and assemble so far. photo below of the extent of my assembly so far. should be done enough that i can start finishing work on the core torso pieces as a set by the end of the week unless my printer has other plans ​
• 

  
• Helmet: decided to go with a cast- I'm running most of my armor off my CR-10S which is just small enough where it COULD probably fit the helmet but it'd make me hate my life. Treat yourself right? I grabbed a GalacticArmory cast, was delivered yesterday but i haven't had a chance to open it yet. Stay tuned for that update i suppose. Also grabbed his helmet accessory files to give myself some options to spice the helmet up- i figure i can print a few choices on my resin printers and see what feels right.​
• Backpack: downloaded the FromTheBrinkStudios files off Etsy, rather impressed with its functionality and especially how the files are divided up for printing.​
• Weapons: I really want this part of the loadout to be as pick-and-choose as possible-​
  • For starters I did some ebay spelunking for some toys, quite literally- picked up the Nerf MA40 and Bulldogs to do some modding and repainting with (made a con safe beater EE-3 for my Boba Fett builds out of the nerf special edition blaster a couple years back, pretty confident in my ability to polish these guys up into something legit).​
  • Will also be either grabbing or printing two SOCOMS, I think double wielding them would be a fun tribute to another armor i've built and one of my favorite troopers in all of Sci-Fi, Tech from the Bad Batch, who dual wields DC-17 blasters.​
  • Finally for now, I've printed a classic ODST knife Zealot props so generously put in the free files index recently. Plan being to horizontally mount it on my lower back.​
• I'm also planning to do my own little spin on the iconic ODST clips in metal with a tiiiny bit of visual complication- really looking to add these on and just feel the metal on the straps, if only for my edification. Prototypes are en route, so fingers crossed they work out! Pic of my modeled concept attached.​
• 

I've got an inordinate amount of deliveries out for parts and soft goods right now, so expect a lot of updates in a very abbreviated timeframe on my end- Super stoked to delve further on this build and get involved with the community!

 

[scrapper]

Been less than a day since last post, i know! I got around to opening my packages after work.

First off, the package from Galactic Armory: one GORGEOUS resin cast an a visor im leaving in the bag until its time to tint it blue out of fear of messing with the finish inadvertently

After that, some miscellanious packages, and besides for a noble 6 fig, master chief helmet and a couple soft goods parts we'll get into on a later date, these guys showed up:

They look and feel about how i expected, I'll get to modding and working through them once im a bit further in on the build. the MA40 is missing the little shot counter that slots to the tiny top rail, obviously thats needed at the end of the day so i did a bit of hunting. I found this model for an MA37 with some rail adapters: MA37 Ammo Counter - NERF - Halo - Printable 3d model - STL files .

Is it for the MA37 and not the MA40? yes. Will it do the trick for this? we shall see. I've sliced it up to print between some armor parts.

Speaking of printing armor, I've currently got the side back/kidney plates on my printer as I type this, and with any luck this old bed slinger will have them done in a little over a day. I have a couple more parts for the torso that i'll be printing after this, but before i continue to the arms I'll be turning focus to the backpack so i can start figuring incorporating the rigging between the two as I work on getting the rest of the armor pumped out.

 

[OMalley]

The helmet cast is CLEAN. I'm interested to see how the visor fitting goes for you. Digging the AguilarWorkshop prints too. You, and a few others have me wanting to buy some of his STLs.

 

[scrapper]

The helmet cast is CLEAN. I'm interested to see how the visor fitting goes for you. Digging the AguilarWorkshop prints too. You, and a few others have me wanting to buy some of his STLs.

Cant recommend the Aguilar files enough dude! They've honestly been a joy to print so far. Looking forward to fitting the visor but am terrified of fingerprinting this thing up before I get it into the helmet Time will tell i suppose!

 

[scrapper]

One more update for tonight- printed out the ODST knife posted recently by Zealot props recently. started busting supports off it tonight and actually got a chance to hold the parts in hand and get a feel for them. I really like the blade and the sheath, but the handle was just a bit too small for me at its current size...

not a problem though, tossed it into meshmixer and did some edits, separated the guard from the handle and upped the latter's proportions to 125%, which threw the knife more into scale with combat and bowie knives I'm more used to.
Proportions before:

Proportions after:

Should help me get a solid grip on this thing- i'll toss it on as a quick print with some of my belt parts to get it ready to test out soon.

 

[YTunz]

Damn thats a great start! That clip design looks great, I cant wait to see the prototypes!
What are your plans for your legs? Also Aguilar or are you going with someone else's files?

 

[scrapper]

Damn thats a great start! That clip design looks great, I cant wait to see the prototypes!
What are your plans for your legs? Also Aguilar or are you going with someone else's files?

Thanks man! really excited to get the protos in and hopefully show some successful results there!

Great question on the legs- definitely gonna de the aguilar at some point but we've been debating maybe doing the thigh plate and shin in the style of the Reach ODSTs for a bit more mobility in the hip and ankle for starters. Looking at Moe Sizzlak's reach marine or the legs (HD versions): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4563156

Biggest personal issue with these ones is the straps at the back lower- since they're solid it kinda limits the sizing to how small you can get it where your foot still passes through. I tried some meshmixer-fu to remove them to make way for practical stacked elastic straps with endcaps of some sort:

Unfortunately its left some rather messy looking digital artifacts. Considering begging Moe on my hands and knees to post an edit with the straps removed if we decide to go this route

other than that swap option, definitely using the Aguilar boot armor regardless to finish off the legs.

 

[Gearsofhalo]

Okay! Dropping (punny) in here! Long time, folks. Pleased to see this board again!

As scrapper said, this is a joint build. I will also place my WIP here for consolidation.

My objective is to spearhead the under-suits, soft goods, sourcing etc. in addition obviously to putting my own suit together.

Now, I have been waiting to put my suit together for nearly 2 decades so I am going into this blazing.

Lets get started with a list of our first purchasable items we are testing: Net approx cost at once = $100.00

Undershirt BDU - will give the body a nice fitted look without being too plain a spandex and the arms will remain BDU in look. - Black
PANTS BDU - Pants only option - Very simplistic design. It is easy to go overboard on pant detailing. We went a more reserved way to let the armor do the talking. - Black
Flak Vest For Mounted Armor - we will be building onto these and top stitching on detail panels. Very comfy and gives you some nice anchor points for sewing strapping.
Thigh Mount for Thigh Armor and under belt (belt that will be below the aesthetic ODST belt. (picking off the given belt and pockets.
Belt for the Thigh Mount - Loved the buckle. Very halo without being a cobra clip. This felt very in universe.
Detail panel for the vest under the armor that velcros to the main flak (building in some detail while we work out stitching details onto the vests

Please note once all come in we will be posting our thoughts on the pieces. But I spent a good deal of time with Scrapper sorting through a lot of junk so you may not have to! Photos to come.


Inspiration for the looks:

• We want to land somewhere between the Reach ODST & what they could have looked like next to the marines in Infinite without looking like we "did our own thing".

Next Up To-Make:

• I will be patterning a scuba neoprene shoulder mount akin to the one on the Landfall armor that will drop from the shoulder strap on the Flak and help the armor sit on the shoulder.

We will be back with more soon!
Dan

 

[Gearsofhalo]

COSTUME LORE - Fireteam Gravedigger

I wanted to take a moment to make a note on the lore of our characters and the amount of story we have built around them.

In maintaining a reason for each piece of our gear, loadout, armor paint, etc. we wanted to come at this from a different perspective than other builds we have done. We will adorn, paint, strap, and make the armor by the beat of our canon and characters. Scrapper and I are building Fox and Scrapper respectively of our Fireteam Gravedigger crew, but the other roles are open to build for as well!

I have taken my lore, overview, timeline of events, mission logs and details and given them to Notebook LM to create a pretty concise podcast-style synopsis of too that is in the document tabs if you care to listen to a little fan lore and story summed up as you build in your shop. Just a good bit of fun.

LINK: DOCUMENT OVERVIEW, TIMELINE, AUDIO & MORE

Audio Companion: LINK

Let us know your thoughts on the story!


-Foxtrott