Category Archives: Halo Games

A closer look at Infinity’s Armory

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By now you’ve seen that Infinity’s Armory, the January update for Halo 5 Guardians has been released. You’ve likely already downloaded it too.

I’d like to take a few minutes here to go over what all was included in the update and what they each mean now and may mean for the future.

As always, click on pics to make bigger.

Okay, let’s start with the two “new” maps.

Riptide
This map is a remix of Fathom. You will note many of the same elements within the map. h5-guardians-arena-riptide-01-b1d8fc5e239646319cfce03e8210ebc0
A huge difference though is the layout. It’s quite complex. For now, it may even be a bit confusing, until you get more used to it. Riptide has a lot more verticality to it and even includes a gravity lift. It’s not symmetrical like Fathom. There are power weapons aplenty on this map. Hydra and Fuel Rod Cannon to name a couple. There are also plenty of nooks in which to take a moment to let your shields recharge.
One thing to note is that just a few exceptions, you can toss nades over the tall walls and rain destruction down upon an unsuspecting (camping) enemy.
As this is a new map, there has not yet been a good strategy to come from gameplay yet. I’ve only played on this map three times so far. In those few games, I’ve noticed that players tend to gravitate towards top mid and also where the grave lift is. With it’s many hallways and varying levels, this could make for a great CTF, Oddball or Assault (Bomb) type map.
There are also several cool things to find in and out of the map. Placed around the map are several Grunts. Take some time to find them. (Go into a Custom game to do so, stress free of being shot at…). There are at least four that I know of. There may be more. Also, outside of the map, you’ll see a Whale breaching the water, a trio of Pelicans doing a fly-by, a couple of beach chairs and more.
So far, I’ve found this map to be complex. The texturing is great (though I personally do not like the sea foam green/teal color (personal preference). One side of the map is sandy, while the other sports leaks with water spewing out all over the floor. Continue reading →

February Season Matchmaking Updates

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This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:

The services and multiplayer teams here at 343 Industries have been hard at work at improving and fine tuning the Halo 5 matchmaking experience. One improvement we’re making affects how ranking impacts matchmaking search times for certain players. Over time, it’s possible for players to get skill values that make it difficult for them to find matches. This was an issue that lead some players to create alternate accounts or party up with people of much lower rank to find matches. We’ve implemented changes in our algorithm to get players at all skill levels even faster matches. This should improve matchmaking times and increase the number of people eligible to match for players at all skill levels as well as players in international regions.

ONYX AND CHAMPIONS

Based on feedback from the community, we are making some tweaks to the Onyx and Champion CSR. Players noticed that it was possible to place into Champion (at least temporarily) simply by being the first 200 people in Onyx to complete their placement matches in a season. We are doing two things to increase the competitiveness for Champions. First, the new minimum CSR to earn a Champion rank will be 1800 rather than 1500. Additionally, we’ve placed a cap on the highest CSR you can earn after your placement matches at 1700. These changes will make Champions a more elite group and reward players that prove they’re amongst the top in the world.

Both of these changes rolled out just today (Monday February 1) with the start of the new season), through service side updates, and do not require the download of a content update.

We’ve also been working on additional improvements for players in regions around the globe, and will have more details and updates to share in the very near future. We’ll be monitoring telemetry and feedback closely, so be sure to leave us your feedback here on Waypoint’s forums and @Halo on Twitter.

See you in matchmaking!

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Community Forge Map Showcase: Throwback

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This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:

BY 343 INDUSTRIES

In this Community Forge Map Showcase, we’re highlighting some sweet, sweet throwback creations from previous Halo titles. We also know that many of you have expressed excitement over a Community Throwback playlist, but to hold you over, we’ve selected a few incredible creations below for you to check out. Special thanks to HugoCornellier for keeping his thread so well updated with the finest remakes around.  Continue reading →

Canon Fodder: Brute Force

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This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:

BY GRIMBROTHER ONE
ISSUE 60

Welcome back aboard the lore train, ladies and gentlemen. Last week, we dropped a pretty heavy bombardment of juicy fiction-focused topics. As you’ll quickly notice, this week will be a much lighter and stealthier affair – though hopefully no less enjoyable. The studio is hard at work on a myriad of fronts, stoking the fires of forges both known and unknown – some far flung in the future, and some far closer than you think. This week we thought we’d offer a peculiar peek into the backstory of the Jiralhanae – well, one in particular. Though many of you have no doubt encountered him many times, you’ve never known his name. Until today that is. Let’s go ahead and dive in, shall we?

DEEP LINKS

cfcethegus-855c7e5514434544866345e9aa6f402dNear the end of the Halo 3 level “The Ark,” players come across a Brute Chieftain surrounded by minions. He knows who you are, and he’s picking a fight. Some players however, might not realize how unique this particular encounter is. The typical fare is “get in there, clear out the ads, take out the boss.” It’s in some ways ingrained in our gaming muscle-memory. This fight is a bit different, however. This one’s a bit more personal. The Chieftain isn’t out to simply end you, he’s out to do it alone. 1v1 me, bro. Keen-eared players can even hear the Prophet of Truth telling him as much. As players come down the final ramp towards the encounter, you can hear the Chieftain calling you out. When the duel begins, if you don’t attack his surrounding pack, they won’t attack you either. It’s just you and the Chieftain… until you come out on top. Once victorious, his mourning and maniacal minions will try their best to even the score. Were it so easy… Continue reading →

Canon Fodder: Armory Amore

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This is reblog from Halo Waypoint: 

BY GRIMBROTHER ONEISSUE 59

canonfodder-1-22-16-7b2cf4f8c5df415cb23492ff951b0703Greetings and salutations, fiction-friends! As many of you remember, we helped open the barrage of Infinity’s Armory info last week with a look at two new Mjolnir permutations, ATLAS and ACHILLES – the latter of which many of you showed particular interest in, prompting us to treat you to an even closer look than is perhaps typically standard. With that in mind, we’ve got a particularly meaty Fodder Feast for you today. From new information on upcoming maps to (very) deep dives on new weapons and armor. Let’s get started shall we? Continue reading →

Canon Fodder: Greek Squad

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Okay…yes, I’m a bit late with this. With all the issues I was having with WordPress this month, I have a bit of catching up to do…

Now on with issue 58!

This is a reblog form Halo Waypoint:

BY GRIMBROTHER ONE
ISSUE 58

canonfodder-1-15-16-a0d4b0c715ef46c8b152cdb8a1b9b8ae

Welcome back fiction faction. Since last we spoke, some pretty cool stuff has been brewing. Some of which we’ll be talking about soon, and others… well, you’ll just have to hold tight a bit longer. For yours truly, the week started out in glorious fashion – watching my favorite collegiate combatants hang a sixteenth badge of honor on their heroic helmets.

Today we’ll be taking a lore-laden look at much more future-forward headgear as we preview some of the fiction behind a couple of the newest Mjolnir variants to hit the Wargames fold via the fast-approaching Infinity’s Armory content update for Halo 5: Guardians. Continue reading →

Canon Fodder: Holiday Shipping

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This is a reblog from HaloWaypoint:

By GrimBrother One
ISSUE 56

canonfodder-12-23-15-81a49384979b446989dde8bf5b1dd7a2

Festive greetings, fiction fans! Today will be brief so let’s get right to it. Last week we announced our upcoming narrative guide, Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo, coming in 2016 from our friends and partners at Egmont Publishing. We’re incredibly pleased with the level of excitement the lore community has shown for the possibilities within the book, and we can’t wait to get it in your hands next fall.

If you recall, last week I also said that I wasn’t sure if we’d have a normal issue come out today. What can I say, Halo community, I just can’t quit you. In fact, I figured that while I’m down in sunny Florida celebrating Christmas with the rest of the Grim clan, it was only logical that we give the lore legion a small gift of their own – one that’s been on many of your wish lists for Story Claus. So today we’ll be taking a quick look at the new alien ships seen in Halo 5: Guardians. Let’s get to unwrapping! Continue reading →

A VERY Merry Christmas from HaloFanForLife.com to YOU!

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This is my first go at making something in Halo 5’s Forge. Given the time of the year, I thought it only appropriate to make a Christmas tree. I used several effects here to make offset blinking lights. Signs and radar dishes filled in for ornaments. Both a Covie and regular fire at the top in place of a star. (There actually IS a star at the top, but it’s too small to see in the pics and vid.

HFFL 2015 Christmas Card

Continue reading →