I found this info via a tweet from @ChiefCanuck on twitter.
There will be an Arena REQ bundle available to purchase on February 16.
A closer look at Infinity’s Armory
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. 
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
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!
Neca Master Chief Motorcycle Helmet Review
This review comes to us via HaloFanForLife friend, Mario or rather Marioucche.
Give it a watch. He compares this with the Halo 3 Legendary Helmet and the Master Chief costume helmet from last year.
Mario, I hear ya man. I’m too short to wear something like this, but you bet I’d own it if I could afford it. Hmmm, instead of just using it as a display piece, why not wear it while playing Halo? LOL. In any event, it looks great!!!
Community Forge Map Showcase: Throwback
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
Halo & Killer Instinct Season 3 Tease
The Arbiter in Killer Instinct? Were it so easy…oh wait, it IS!!!!
Canon Fodder: Brute Force
This is a reblog from Halo Waypoint:
BY GRIMBROTHER ONE
ISSUE 60
DEEP LINKS
Near 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
This is reblog from Halo Waypoint:
BY GRIMBROTHER ONEISSUE 59
Greetings 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
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
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
The Pit remake in Halo 5 (It’s AWESOME!)
Gah…I can’t find who made this! (If any of you know, PLEASE forward me the info so I can give proper credit…
Halo Forge fans have long been pumping out some great maps. With Halo 5’s Forge, you can do a lot more than ever before. Below you will see many screenshots of a fantastic remake of The Pit. I personally hope this makes it into playlist rotation at some point. Other than specific texturing, I don’t think 343 could do much better…
