What there ISNT currently is any resource outlining the standard or requirements a costume has to meet to be accepted at any given tier. I have suggested such a resource to the forum gods, but given the complexity of the task and our general attitude of acceptance, it may not become a thing. One of the things that sets this group apart from the star wars groups (as far as I can tell- I'm not a part of any other groups) is that you can join before you have a costume. Also our tier system for deployment means that even with a not great or canonically inaccurate suit you can still be part of the fun - you simply deploy at a lower tier. Another main issue with specific requirements for each tier is that you can make a suit that's tier 3 quality, but if you miss some small detail in one small piece, it becomes tier 2 or 1 automatically thus devaluing the rest of your work on a somewhat subjective basis. The system we currently have is vague enough to avoid this...beurocratic devaluing... I guess is what you could call that. I still think such a system would be useful but I understand if it never becomes a thing.
A standardized list of Requirements and Items that are required by a costume to reach a certain Tier is in fact "A thing." Currently it exists as an internal document used by the Deployment Grading Team. However, members of CS have been working for Months on a Public Facing Version of this Document. However, like you said, there are a great many complexities involved in the entire process in balancing maintaining the Independent an Custom nature of so many of our Builders embrace while laying out out guidelines for "Canon" or Screen Matched costumes, while maintaining the "Fun", to documenting all possible variations of a Costume (Such as the Reach Armor System or Logo and Color Placement in Multiplayer), and one of the hardest, securing the necessary images to make such a document useful to the general membership.
For example, there are three items that are used in the sorting rubic for Deployment: Accuracy, Fit, and Finishing. A costume can have all details present and be finished to a cinema quality level, but if the armor pieces are too larger and hanging off the member to the point they are "Swimming" in the armor, or the pieces are too small and leave massive gaps, then what would technically be a "Tier 3" set of armor, if judged just by itself, would suddenly become a Tier 2 or maybe even a Tier 1 suit depending on how off the scaling is. Capturing that adequately in an image is difficult as we first have to have a member who has a Tier 3 suit, who then has an acquaintance or family member who is of a different build who is willing to done the costume, and then willing to have their picture taken and used in a public facing document on Tier standards.
For right now, the best way to put it is:
There are three main criteria for a deployable costume:
1.
Is it a costume from the Official Halo Universe?
In order to be deployed, a costume must be from an official Microsoft or 343i source. While this is primarily the games, Graphic Novels, Live Action Productions, Animated Projects, and even some concept art from Official published; Art Books can be considered. Additionally, the 405th recognizes the partnership with Bungie and later 343 Industries that Rooster Teeth’s Red vs Blue series has had. As such, some variants seen in Red vs Blue but not seen in game, such as Insurrectionist ODSTs, Project Freelancer members and other world characters may be considered for Deployment. Fan art and even art from known Concept Artists that has not been published in an official source or publication is not a basis for deployment. Any concept art must be published by an official source either through Halo media, or on the artists profile on Artstation.
2.
The costume must have a visual reference to be compared to and judged against.
One of the primary aims of Deployment is to celebrate a member’s recreation of a Halo Universe costume. As such, there must be something to compare the finished costume to when determining the accuracy of someone’s build. The visual reference should be of sufficient detail and clarity to accomplish this. This can be achieved via sources such as games, Live action/Animated projects, Graphic novels, and concept art from Novels/Art books. Additionally, keep in mind that UNSC, Covenant, Forerunner and civilian costumes are eligible for Deployment. Each costume has it's own categories.
3. It must be a completed costume.
In order for a costume to be eligible for Deployment, it must be complete. Partial costumes or costumes missing components or pieces seen in the visual reference will not be considered for Deployment.
When it comes to Tiers:
Tier 1 is for those that have successfully completed a Halo Universe costume, but might have inaccuracies or have some fitting errors.
Tier 2 is for those costumes that have achieved a superior level of fit and accuracy, but might still be missing some details.
Tier 3 is for those costumes that have achieved a level of accuracy and fit that they appear to have stepped right out of the game.