Everyone knows the face. That rugged, slightly-better-than-Nathan-Fillion look (his request, by the way) is hard to miss. But Buck in Halo 5 is a weirdly divisive topic for a guy who is objectively one of the most likable characters in the franchise.
If you grew up playing Halo 3: ODST, seeing Edward Buck in full MJOLNIR armor was a moment. It was a "we finally made it" kind of vibe. He went from a guy who survived by his wits and a silenced SMG to a literal demigod.
But then the game starts. And honestly, some fans felt he was... off. People called him a "scrub" because Locke had to save him a couple of times. Or they felt his jokes were forced. If you look closer at the lore, specifically the stuff 343 Industries tucked away in the novels New Blood and Bad Blood, the Buck we see in Fireteam Osiris actually makes a ton of sense.
The Spartan-IV Transition: More Than Just a Suit
Let’s get one thing straight. Buck didn’t just wake up and decide to be a Spartan. He actually turned it down at first.
Think about that. The UNSC offers you the chance to become a walking tank, and you say, "Nah, I'm good." He was an ODST to his core. He liked the "point and shoot" simplicity of it. No grey areas. No massive political stakes. Just feet first into hell.
But then life happened. Specifically, the Rookie died.
That hit the ODST fanbase like a freight train. In the book New Blood, we find out the Rookie was executed by insurrectionists while Mickey—one of Buck’s own guys—hesitated. It broke the team. Dutch retired because he couldn't take the killing anymore. Mickey eventually went full traitor.
So when Jun-A266 (the sniper from Halo: Reach) came back with the offer, Buck took it. He didn't do it for the glory. He did it because he didn't want to lose anyone else. He figured if he was faster and stronger, maybe the next Rookie wouldn't end up with a bullet in his head.
Why Buck in Halo 5 Plays Second Fiddle
The biggest complaint people have is that Buck is a subordinate. He’s the most experienced soldier on Fireteam Osiris by a mile. He’s been fighting since the Covenant hit Harvest. So why is Jameson Locke, a former ONI spook with way less field time, calling the shots?
Basically, Buck asked for it.
After the disaster with Alpha-Nine, the last thing he wanted was to be responsible for three other lives. He told Jun he didn't want a command position. He wanted to be a soldier again.
In Halo 5: Guardians, you can actually hear this in his dialogue if you pay attention. He’s constantly questioning the "grey area" of hunting down the Master Chief. He tells Locke, "You know, when people find out about this, every Spartan is gonna hate us."
He’s the conscience of the team. While Tanaka and Vale are professional and Locke is mission-focused, Buck is the one acknowledging that they are essentially trying to arrest a living legend.
The Gameplay Reality
If you’re playing the campaign, you might notice that each member of Osiris has slight stat differences. Buck is a tank. He has higher health/shields compared to some others, reflecting that "old guard" toughness.
- Weapon of Choice: He usually spawns with a Hydra or a DMR.
- Unique Attribute: His AI is slightly more aggressive in close quarters.
- The Look: His Helljumper armor is easily the best-designed set in the game, mostly because it keeps that classic ODST silhouette.
The Nathan Fillion Factor
It’s impossible to talk about Buck in Halo 5 without mentioning Nathan Fillion. At this point, the character and the actor are basically the same person.
343 actually used 36-camera rigs to capture Fillion's face. During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fillion joked that he asked them to make the character slightly more handsome than he is in real life. If you look at the character model, they definitely touched up the jawline.
But it’s the voice that carries the weight. There’s a specific line where he mocks the Arbiter’s disgruntled Governor, Sloan, using a "redneck" tone. Some fans hated it, thinking it was too "Marvel movie" for Halo.
But Buck has always used humor as a coping mechanism. In ODST, he was cracking jokes while the city of New Mombasa was literally being vaporized around him. By the time Halo 5 rolls around, he’s a guy who has seen his home planet (Draco III) eaten by Grunts—literally, they ate the people—and lost his best friend. If he isn't making jokes, he’s probably going to have a breakdown.
What Most People Miss About His Relationship With Dare
Veronica Dare isn't in Halo 5, but she's the reason Buck is there.
In the "Voices of War" REQ pack (the one that adds him as a multiplayer announcer), he mentions her constantly. Their relationship is the only thing keeping him grounded. He actually married her eventually, but during the events of the game, he’s just a guy trying to get through the mission so he can go home.
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This adds a layer of "careful" to his character that wasn't there in the Bungie era. He isn't reckless anymore. When Locke jumps off a Pelican or charges a Warden Eternal, Buck is the one usually making a comment about how crazy the plan is. He has something to lose now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you've only played the game and felt like Buck was sidelined, you’re missing about 70% of his story. To actually appreciate his role in Fireteam Osiris, you should do a few things:
1. Read "New Blood" and "Bad Blood"
These aren't just "extra credit" books. They explain why he's a Spartan and, more importantly, what happened to the rest of the ODST crew. It makes his "everyone is going to hate us" comment much heavier.
2. Listen to the Iona interaction
There are small pieces of intel (audio logs) scattered throughout the Meridian levels. They hint at the psychological stress the Spartan-IVs are under. Buck is the only one who seems to be handling it with any level of honesty.
3. Use the Buck Announcer Pack
If you still play Halo 5 multiplayer or Warzone, the "Voices of War" pack is a must. It brings back the "Bam, said the lady" lines and the Firefly references that felt a bit thin in the main campaign.
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Buck is a veteran who survived the end of the world and was forced to evolve. He isn't the same guy from 2009 because the Halo universe isn't the same place. He's older, he's tired, and he's wearing a suit of armor that he's still not entirely sure he deserves. That’s what makes him the best part of Fireteam Osiris.
Next Steps for Your Lore Journey:
Go back and replay the "Sunaion" mission. Specifically, keep your character near Buck during the sections where you fight alongside the Swords of Sanghelios. His dialogue regarding the Elites—calling them "brothers" after decades of hating them—is some of the best subtle character growth in the entire series.