Complete your free 20-tier Operation Pass to unlock new customization items and pick up Holiday-themed adornments from the Exchange!
Halo Infinite
Operation: Snowbound
Complete your free 20-tier Operation Pass to unlock new customization items and pick up Holiday-themed adornments from the Exchange!
Forge Features
We’re back to take a look at some community-made maps and modes in Halo Infinite’s Forge. Get your bookmarks at the ready!
Bowling
Owner: ADSR7865
BOOKMARK MAP | BOO
KMARK MODEhttps://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/d9a58c19-8600-4b24-8377-5e115d052b89
“What if you miss?”
“I won’t.”
“GUTTERBALL!”
Welcome to Halo: Bowling Evolved! Grab your friends, put on your Spartan shoes, choose a lane, and bring some snacks.
Phylacter Campaign
Owner: Juanivan7
BOOKMARK MAP | BOOKMARK MODE | MYTHIC DIFFICULTY
Storm the beach and stop the Banished from uncovering a mysterious weapon. This custom campaign experience is recommended for four players, so link up with your fireteam and take back that beach!
Backrooms – Husky Raid
Owner: JAYZEN0009
BOOKMARK MAP
Those who have no-clipped out of reality into the mono-yellow realm of the backrooms need to occupy their time with fun and games too.
Spartan Ops: Operation Zeta
Owner: JamdadJonJon
BOOKMARK MAP | BOOKMARK MODE
Another fantastic custom campaign experience set on a verdant alien world where a myriad of foes have occupied a nearby Forerunner tower and the surrounding area.
Quantum
Owner: SE7ENGINE
BOOKMARK MAP
Fans of Halo 4’s Forerunner aesthetics will immediately feel right at home in this stunning 2v2 arena.
Zero Order Hold
Owner: MadmanEpic
BOOKMARK MAP | BOOKMARK MODE | MYTHIC DIFFICULTY
Escape from captivity and fight your way through a Banished ship. The design for this custom campaign level is jaw-dropping, right down to the illusion of movement as the Banished vessel passes over alpine trees below.
That’s a wrap for this month’s issue of Forge Features. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to jump into some custom campaigns and competitive action—whether you’re looking to show your skill with a battle rifle or bowling ball.
Until next time!
Operation: Great Journey Exchange & Shop
The Delta Forged bundle combines the Rocket Reclaimer & Arbitration bundles containing:
- Helioskrill helmet
- Stormclaw Mask helmet attachment
- Helioskrill Pauldrons
- Helioskrill Harness chest attachment
- Helioskrill Cuisse hip gear
- Helioskrill Poleyn kneepads
- Risk Explorer armor coating
- Reclaimed Wings armor effects set
- Master Chief Mark VI armor kit
- Green Man armor coating
- Veteran SPNKr weapon model
- Veteran Metal weapon coating
As a bonus, purchasing this bundle additionally secures:
- Oracle Augmentor shoulders
- Oracle Protocol chest attachment
"Halo. Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation."
Enter The Exchange for customization rewards from the past🪙
Earn Spartan Points from matches, Operation Pass progress, and weekly Ultimate Rewards. Redeem for past and new items like:
🪖 War Hero weapon charm
🪖 Zeta Sky helmet
🦄 HUL-I/Lightspike helmet attachment
🔵 Covenant Frontline armor coating
➕ And more!
Don't forget, items will not be “going away” when the Exchange refreshes. They will still be available to purchase with Spartan Points through the customization menus (much like bundles once they have rotated out of the Shop).
"Your new suit’s a Mark VI, just came up from Seongnam this morning."
The Rocket Reclaimer bundle includes:
- Master Chief Mark VI armor kit
- Green Man armor coating
- Veteran SPNKr weapon model
- Veteran Metal weapon coating
Step into the iconic Mjolnir Mark VI armor of the Master Chief in Halo 2 and prepare to finish the fight.
Created by a Sangheili prodigy, an artisan-armorer inspired to test her skill against the best that humanity could muster, the Helioskrill armor was regarded as a work of art in both form and function for Spartan super-soldiers.
The Arbitration bundle contains:
- Helioskrill helmet
- Stormclaw Mask helmet attachment
- Helioskrill Pauldrons shoulder pads
- Helioskrill Harness chest attachment
- Helioskrill Cuisse hip gear
- Helioskrill Poleyn kneepads
- Risk Explorer armor coating
- Reclaimed Wings armor effects set
This armor suits you!
"Get tactical, Marines!"
Even prototype Marine Corps helmet designs have been snapped up for use by active-duty Spartans. This bundle contains:
- XM55 ACH helmet
- HUL-I/UPTIK helmet attachment
- UA/Model 48 shoulder pads
- UA/M532 Plate chest attachment
- UA/ULAP hip gear
- UA/Type MI kneepads
- Pixel Camouflage armor coating
- Podium Finish stance
Based on the design of the UNSC Marines’ battle dress uniforms, particularly those seen in Halo 2: Anniversary, the Wartime Requisition bundle offers a fitting look for the frontlines!
Community Playdate
Join us tomorrow at 11am PT for our Community Playdate in Delta Arena!
Get in on the action and claim your exclusive Unicorn of Ice rewards 🦄✨
🟣 Twitch
🔴 YouTube
Combat Workshop: 1v1 Showdown
1v1 Me, Bro
If you pride yourself on your ability to take on other Spartans head-to-head, then you’ll love the 1v1 Showdown. If the first round didn’t go your way, just take a deep breath and try again. The best of 5 wins and each round can be won in one of two ways:
- Getting 5 kills
- Capturing the zone
Remember to keep a sharp eye on the capture timer because a smart opponent will take advantage of that and will sneak a capture right under your nose for the point. Both players will be equipped with identical loadouts that are randomized. Primaries, secondaries, grenades, and equipment will change from round to round. Additionally, you may occasionally receive a round modifier that will be denoted via UI banner. This could be anything from a Damage Boost, to low gravity—so keep your eyes peeled and your reflexes sharp.
Name the Place
If you feel a sense of déjà vu while playing, that is entirely understandable since the maps are small slices of well known and loved maps. Each round sees you teleported to a new map slice to keep things fresh. Here are the maps that the combat spaces have been pulled from:
- Aquarius
- Argyle
- Bazaar
- Catalyst
- Empyrean
Have thoughts? Be sure to follow up and provide your feedback!
The Combat Workshop is your one-shop stop to check out work-in-progress maps, modes, and other new experiences. This playlist allows us to test out new modes, new features, new experiences, and get feedback at-scale before taking that information back and iterating on it. From there, we can address issues and community feedback to get things ready for primetime matchmaking.
The survey will go live Thursday, November 14, so check back for the link then.
The 1v1 Showdown Combat Workshop will be live until November 19 so jump in, take on your opponents, and give us your feedback when the survey is available!
Halo: Age of Retribution
Halo: Age of Retribution is available here, on Halo Waypoint, as a free PDF, and in audiobook format on YouTube.
Historian's Note
Halo: Age of Retribution takes place on November 3, 2552, following the Master Chief’s assassination of the Prophet of Regret on Delta Halo.
OVERLOOKING THE CHAMBER OF CONSECRATION, DELTA HALO
NOVEMBER 3, 2552
“The High Prophet of Regret is dead.”
It was perhaps the sixth time that I had heard the words murmured by Onsu 'Valonro in as many units, but they carried the same air of reverence, sadness, and disbelief as when the honor guard had first delivered the news.
Word had spread throughout the ranks of the Covenant of the unthinkable. Not only was the Demon here, but he had assassinated the Prophet of Regret himself. Worse still, the order had come from the Prophet of Truth that, in an effort to eliminate the Demon, Solemn Penance must unleash its cleansing blaze upon Regret’s temple. Such desecration of a holy site was tantamount to an act of heresy, but too much had happened in too short a time to react and respond with dignified diligence.
The indignity was compounded by the accusation that this was our fault; the Sangheili had been collectively blamed for being unable to protect Regret. A radical change was reverberating through the Covenant, as the mantle of honor guard was taken from our people and passed to the Jiralhanae. These brutes were still newcomers to the Covenant, yet many said that they had been shown immense favor of late, which had now secured them a position previously enshrined in our sacred history.
Fourteen of us—myself, the councilor, the honor guard, and eleven others of lower-chosen rank—had gathered in the vicinity of the sacred ring’s chamber of consecration, where High Councilor 'Yajadai bade that we take a moment of restitution amidst the chaotic winds of change.
By 'Yajadai’s command, I was to keep an eye on the honor guard while he was still seized by grief. It was not a duty that I was enthused by, but as a mere lower-chosen in such esteemed company I had little room to complain or disagree. I contented myself with the hope that my service would be looked upon favorably.
“Remember the holy words,” 'Yajadai had said to us. “Take the Psalm of Sorrow into your hearts.”
Those who went before are gone
Those who left us wisdom
They have found a better place
And there their light shines on
This wretched life is our prison
As dark and cold as endless space
But their blessed light beckons
And so too does departed grace
The words, spoken together in quiet prayer, buoyed our grief along to quieter shores. We sat for a while in a verdant clearing that looked out at the chamber of consecration, a great spherical cloister held within the unmistakable angular struts and buttresses that defined much of the Forerunners’ architecture. It sat above a large body of water that stretched off towards the horizon where shafts of golden light pierced through gathering grey clouds.
Around us were towering formations of rock covered in lichen and moss. A winding path ahead ascended towards a Forerunner door embedded into the rock, and the path behind curved around to a stretch of cliff overlooking the full majesty of this divine machine—this god-engine that we were blessed to tread upon.
It was Onsu 'Valonro’s voice that broke the contemplative silence at last. The honor guard called out: “We who walk the Path honor you, High Prophet. Luminous beacon of the faithful, we remember your words, your wisdom, and your courage. May your name be spoken with reverence by the holy lords in the heavens, and echo in the spaces below—through the Hall of Eternity.”
At this development, High Councilor 'Yajadai gave a slight nod to me, an indication that I had done well in my task. Though I felt as if I had done nothing.
“What will happen now?” I asked. It may have been considered inappropriate for one of low rank to speak openly in such a moment as this, but the councilor paid no mind to my insolence.
“There must be a vote to appoint a new hierarch,” 'Yajadai said plainly. “The Great Journey cannot begin with an incomplete triumvirate. It remains to be seen whether my fellow councilors and I shall be recalled to High Charity, or if the appointment shall be made here on the sacred ring.”
“And it is a matter of great importance that Regret’s successor be an ally to the Sangheili,” 'Valonro now seemed fully present, his mind sharpened once more.
“Why is that?” I asked.
The honor guard let out an involuntary noise, but 'Yajadai interjected before 'Valonro could formulate a disdainful response.
“Because, young one, blessed though the hierarchs may be, the Prophet of Truth is a known reformist—one who, as you have already seen, grants great boons to the Jiralhanae. Mercy is a mediator, one who kept peace between Truth and Regret, and wise though his counsel may be, he is concerned far more with spiritual matters than the politics that drive our Covenant. With the Changing of the Guard, our long-held position is at risk.”
These words were strange to hear. I had been educated to think of the Covenant as a single, united entity stewarded by the Prophets. It was their will that guided the Sangheili, for we were to serve as their protectors and enforcers on the path to transcendence. Such was sanctified by the Writ of Union.
No longer...
The notion that there was dissonance—even malcontent—between the hierarchs was most unwelcome. As a relative newcomer to the military of the Covenant, still yet to see extensive combat beyond training in the hunting domes, there was evidently much that I had to learn about those we had pledged our service to. I wondered what the other warriors among us thought of this, but they were patrolling far enough away that they either did not hear the councilor’s words or paid them no mind.
'Yajadai stirred as he received an incoming transmission. He input a command on his wrist armor’s interface and projected a hologram of a San’Shyuum. Judging by the sudden snap to attention by the councilor and honor guard, this was clearly somebody of considerable importance.
“Hear these words from I, the Prophet of Exquisite Devotion.”
I glanced to my right as I could almost perceive the tension straining 'Yajadai, who tightened his mandibles to hold at bay the reaction he truly desired to express.
“Blessed is this day for all of our Covenant as we stand on the precipice of the Great Journey's summation. Alas, the passing of the High Prophet of Regret necessitates the appointment of a new hierarch, and so all Sangheili councilors are called upon to gather at the chamber of consecration. Ride now with all due haste, lest you tarry in the final hour and find yourselves left behind.”
As soon as the transmission ended my fellow Sangheili immediately set about making preparations to depart.
“Brothers,” 'Yajadai called out to all of us present. “March with me. Onwards to the heart of this sacred ring!”
The others growled in affirmation and dutifully assembled into a single-file line behind the councilor and honor guard. How fortunate we were to have joined the Covenant at such a time, even among these fearful changes, we were here at the point of realizing all that this alliance had sought to achieve on the blood of our forefathers.
We made our way around a large rock which separated the central clearing from the winding path that led up to the great Forerunner door, which was itself the size of perhaps two or three Sangheili.
As the door parted upon our approach, we were greeted by a most unwelcome sight.
Over eight feet tall he stood, with a light grey, single-knotted beard that hung below a smirk framed by razor-sharp tusks. His armor was crimson, accented with ivory, and his eyes... they looked as if he might be blind, but instead of milky white they too were a stark red. In one of his gauntleted hands, he held a death lobber casually by his waist, its curved underside bayonet stained with dark blood.
He was accompanied by his own entourage of Jiralhanae. Two were clad in the armor of an honor guard, while the other four wore the basic helmet, shoulder pauldrons, weapon harness, and primitive leg wrappings that were typical for those of low rank who were otherwise covered simply in their thick brown fur.
“What is the meaning of this?” High Councilor 'Yajadai took a step forward, placing himself in front of 'Valonro and the rest of our number.
The Jiralhanae leader made a show of sniffing the air, his scrutinous eyes scanning each of us as if assessing distant prey.
“We are here to escort you, Councilor,” he said.
“That will not be necessary, Thrallslayer,” 'Yajadai responded immediately, his tone clipped. “As you can see, I already have an escort—of greater numbers.”
The Thrallslayer—whose fanged smile had only grown at 'Yajadai’s use of his title—then turned to 'Valonro, appraising the honor guard. “This one appears to be wearing armor that no longer belongs to him.” He gestured to his cohort, sneering. “We cannot depart without honoring the will of the Prophets in this matter.”
“I am Onsu 'Valonro, honor guard to the Prophet of Regret and the Sacred Fleet of Consecration.” 'Valonro spat on the ground. “Any jir’a’ul who would seek to claim this armor will have to take it.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment, tension boiling over as all present calculated the next move of their leaders. I, for one, had not anticipated the possibility of fighting Covenant allies. Our enemy on this ring was supposed to be the humans.
But as I looked at the Thrallslayer and his fellows, I could see it in their eyes. Hunger and anticipation for violence.
“His blade!” One of the Sangheili standing close to 'Yajadai spoke. “Look at his blade.”
The dark stains on the Thrallslayer’s bayonet, still hanging by his side, caught the light of the sun. It was not red, the color of human blood, but a deep violet. That of our own kind.
Before any of us could act, the Thrallslayer and his ilk fired their death lobbers upon us, instantly blasting through the energy shields of two of our number. I watched in horror as their abdomens burst apart from the explosives. Blood sprayed onto the ground, impact from fragments of shrapnel and bone caused my own shields to flare for a moment, and the concussive blast sent the initial two victims falling backwards. They were dead before their mangled bodies even hit the ground.
I reached for my plasma rifle, but already I was retreating along with four others of my rank. We were not seasoned warriors. I knew one of our number to have been a scribe who was made to serve for an annual cycle after offending his minister, and another was renowned for his ability to interpret and translate Huragok. It was neither shameful nor dishonorable for these Sangheili to be gentle of spirit, for strength flows from many rivers, but in the face of violence such as this, we stood little chance of prevailing.
The tactics and coordination of the Jiralhanae were quite unlike the low intelligence many Sangheili often claimed them to have. Three stayed back to provide covering fire with their brute shots while the others surged forward on all fours. They bounded towards us with incredible speed, at which point instinct took over and I at last began firing my weapon.
Bursts of superheated plasma impacted one of the Jiralhanae, instantly burning its fur, but even as it howled in pain and an acrid smell filled the air, it showed no signs of faltering.
We were joined then by Onsu 'Valonro, who had drawn his energy sword to cover us in close quarters.
“Keep firing!” The honor guard roared. “Focus your attacks together on a target.”
One of the Jiralhanae leapt into the air and 'Valonro swung his blade upwards while simultaneously traversing out of reach. The twin prongs sliced through the beast’s waist and exited through its foot. The cut did not penetrate deep, but the Brute nonetheless collapsed to the ground in a heap, writhing and bellowing in agony.
We pulled further back to the central area where we had made our temporary camp, as there were large rocks which provided adequate cover from the grenadiers on higher ground.
As we moved, I caught a brief glimpse of High Councilor 'Yajadai, who had engaged the Thrallslayer himself in battle. A downward thrust from 'Yajadai’s own blade carved the Jiralhanae leader’s weapon in two, but as he attempted to recover from a spent state the Thrallslayer pressed his momentary advantage and delivered a stunning punch to 'Yajadai’s face, knocking his ornate headdress askew as he fell to the ground and his sword flew from his grasp.
“I have the councilor,” the Thrallslayer roared in triumph. “Kill the others, then regroup at the bastion.”
The last I saw of High Councilor 'Yajadai was the Thrallslayer dragging him away and out of sight through the door, leaving just nine of us standing.
“Warriors,” 'Valonro called to us. “Prepare to--”
The honor guard’s order was cut off, as at that moment the Jiralhanae he had critically wounded used its remaining strength to leap onto his back. The enormous beast’s weight pulled the Sangheili backwards with ease and we aimed our weapons but dared not fire. As they writhed and wrestled, none of us could confidently shoot without likely killing 'Valonro.
Instead, I watched in horror as the wounded creature’s plan became clear. It was too late to act, to even attempt to prevent it, as more explosive shells from the brute shots pummeled the rocks and ground near our position.
'Valonro attempted to dig his armored boots into the ground, to find purchase that would prevent him being dragged further backwards, but even—perhaps especially—an injured Jiralhanae was capable of drawing on immense reserves of strength. That was all it needed to bring the honor guard to the cliff edge, the overlook facing the chamber of consecration, where a fatal drop awaited them.
The Jiralhanae, its lower body soaked with blood, did not have a moment of hesitation before casting itself—and 'Valonro—over the edge.
There was no time to react or mourn, there was no time to do anything other than try to survive. We few were still under siege.
As I knelt, my foot touched what I had not realized was the hilt of 'Valonro’s energy sword. I picked it up as two other Jiralhanae advanced on our position, reversing their grips on their brute shots so that they approached us bayonets-first.
Four of our number scrambled out of cover in different directions, hoping that they would present too many targets for the grenadiers to hit, but the Jiralhanae up on the high ground were instead spurred on by this new challenge, intensifying their attacks. Dirt and rock burst with each impact, and I heard several screams—I could not tell how many—as more rounds found their mark.
Holding my plasma rifle in one hand, I ignited 'Valonro’s energy sword with the other, still retreating step-by-step as the two Jiralhanae continued to approach. I had their attention now and hoped that it might give the others time to escape.
My fellow Sangheili passed out of sight as I rounded a rocky corner. My eyes were fixed on the two Jiralhanae, whose expressions were inscrutable. Unlike the Thrallslayer, who had looked as if he could feast upon the joy of inevitable violence, these foes were inscrutable, their faces little more than expressionless masks. They sensed the end, my fear, and were absolutely focused on what I might do with the honor guard’s blade.
One made an intimidating additional step forward and I instinctively swung to ward the beast off. It was the miscalculation they had hoped for.
The other slammed into me as soon as the sword was lying spent, throwing me backwards into the hard rock wall. I felt the plasma rifle fly out of my hand from the impact and the Jiralhanae tossed it further afield, casting it over to a long, thin outcrop.
Pain shot through my body as the other Jiralhanae’s bayonet pierced my flesh, cutting through my ribs. Wine-dark blood stained the weapon as it was ripped from where it had penetrated, and I felt it flowing over my hand as I grasped at the wound—the pressure of my hands doing little to ease the ragged agony.
Their work done, the Jiralhanae did not bother to offer me a warrior’s end. They simply turned and marched away, ready to see to any others that might still survive.
I could do nothing to stop them, could barely manage to track their departure as the world swam before me.
Crumpling to the ground, I felt my attention drift from the sounds of combat to the view that lay before me: the great band of the sacred ring, of Halo, curving upwards. Vast continents were scattered among its ocean, rays of heavenly light piercing through the clouds which obscured the view of High Charity. If this was to be my fate, to die from a betrayal such as this, let it be in the realm of gods. Let this verdant paradise become my tomb.
Darkness crept at the edges of my vision, drowning my lingering remnants of consciousness, and I felt as if I were plummeting into the endless night of the Hall of Eternity.
But then I saw it.
A sphere of brilliant golden light burst in front of my eyes. A moment later, a figure was cast out from it.
A Sangheili warrior clad in silver armor.
The Arbiter.
He gathered himself for a moment, picking up my discarded plasma rifle from a nearby rock, and then approached. I saw him clearly then.
"The Brutes have betrayed us." I weakly choked the words out as I felt the last of my strength leaving my body. “The Councilors--"
The Arbiter placed a hand upon me and took up the hilt of 'Valonro’s energy sword from my grasp. The blade flashed to life, twin prongs of superheated plasma blazed with renewed and vengeful purpose.
My last thoughts were of the Psalm of Repose, of the softness of my uncle’s voice as my dwindling consciousness remembered how he sang its holy words by the shores of the Csurdon sea.
With eyes aloft and tensions high
We gain that which we seek
Rejoice in thine keep’s battle cry
A song to separate the weak
Of time it walks among us here
The blade comes for us all
But in our stead, we claim our dead
When echoed in the Hall
BASTION OF THE BRUTES, DELTA HALO
NOVEMBER 3, 2552
High Councilor Raas 'Yajadai struggled to find focus as he slowly regained consciousness. Each arm was locked in an immobilizing grip by a Jiralhanae warrior on his left and right side. As they marched forward, 'Yajadai's feet dragged behind him across an ornate floor.
Amidst the chaos and confusion, 'Yajadai tried to take in the situational enormity of it all. For decades he had fought and bled for the Covenant, serving across countless battlefields and ultimately within the High Council itself, all in effort to be exactly where he was right now. How many other generations had come before him? Each one desperate to be surrounded by unblemished alloy illuminated by ancient sconces amidst the low hum of arcane technology reverberating within the halls of the sacred ring.
And now, at the threshold of all he and his kind had fought for, he found himself wracked with doubt and apprehension. Nothing seemed to make sense—no element occupying its proper place.
"Take him to the upper level.”
'Yajadai's thoughts were interrupted by the Thrallslayer's bellowed command. The councilor heard a thick door slide shut behind them as the Brutes began to drag him up a ramp located in the center of a modest antechamber. Once they reached the top of the ramp, they took a path to the left into a larger octagonal room with several smaller chambers built into the surrounding walls. 'Yajadai felt a pang of anger at the notion that these chambers could once have been used for any number of untold purposes befitting the ring's divine architects, but had now been repurposed into holding cells for those who must have opposed the Jiralhanae's insipid scheme.
The Thrallslayer pointed a thick, furred finger towards a holding cell in the far corner of the upper level. "There."
The Brute warriors pulled 'Yajadai to the cell entrance and abruptly pushed him inside before activating a portable energy barrier placed at the cell's entrance. As they stepped away, the Thrallslayer took their place, smugly leering into the holding chamber before finally speaking.
"Do you not think it a sign from your gods?"
"A sign?" 'Yajadai echoed the words in confusion.
"That the High Prophet most closely concerned with the station of your kind would be the first to fall? Surely the weak must be culled before the Great Journey can commence." The Thrallslayer grinned and grunted through battle-borne tusks. "Regret is who failed you. And now it's what fills you."
"You dare mock a Hierarch's demise?" 'Yajadai glared directly at the towering beast. "This is what a Brute finds worthy of transcendence?"
"Transcendence," the Thrallslayer almost spat the word before continuing in a low growl. "If there is even such a thing."
'Yajadai clacked his mandibles twice. "Perhaps there isn't. But at least we live with honor. With purpose."
"And what purpose has this ring brought you?"
"I do not speak of the ring." 'Yajadai's voice grew quieter but bolder. "I speak of my brothers. Bonds that transcend both duty and destiny."
"What do you know of brotherhood?" the Thrallslayer replied. "It is not your kind the hierarchs feed to the front lines, to batter the redoubts and resolve of an empire's enemies. You do not watch your brothers bleed without benefit across countless forgotten worlds. And when their bones are turned to glass alongside the corpses of our prey, you do not watch others reap the renown of a victory unearned. No, Councilor—our time has finally come. And we will not relinquish it for the sake of what you call honor."
The air hung silent for several moments.
"Avitus," 'Yajadai spoke the Jiralhanae's true name with a subdued but intentional tone of respect. "I have seen you serve. I know what it is to bleed for your brothers—and to bear the stain of their blood on your own hands. But know this: The Great Journey does not include you in the way that you think it does. The Prophets can discard you just as they have discarded my kind. They are steering the ship on this journey. We are simply manning the oars."
As the grizzled chieftain pondered a response, their exchange was interrupted by the screech of a Kig-Yar entering the chamber from the lower level.
"Mighty Thrallslayer!" The Jackal squawked. "Aelius and Ignis send word. They bring back traitor Lekgolo and new councilor for questions."
The Thrallslayer paused for a moment before responding. "Excellent, prepare new cells for their arrival."
As he turned back towards 'Yajadai, the Sangheili councilor spoke.
"Think upon my words, Avitus. If not for yourself, then for those who follow you."
The Thrallslayer snarled. "It is you who will be doing the thinking. In the back of your chamber, you shall find a plasma rifle, and with it comes a choice: acknowledge your shame and demonstrate penitence for your actions by searing your own stain from this ring you hold so sacred... Or wait for my return, and I will gut you slowly myself under the gaze of your fellow councilors and co-conspirators. The path is yours to choose."
Despite the Jiralhanae’s threats, a strange sense of peace gently draped over 'Yajadai's shoulders. A feeling of clarity, as if something he hadn’t known was obscuring his vision had suddenly cleared.
He remembered the end of the Age of Doubt, how his fellow Sangheili and San’Shyuum councilors alike were filled with zealous fervor as they roared with rapturous joy at the Ninth Age of Reclamation’s coming, each of them trying to shout the loudest.
That time had come again. A new Age had surreptitiously arrived, ushered in not with cheer and unity of purpose, but with the sharpened silence of blades in the dark.
“My path is already set, Avitus.” ‘Yajadai spoke. “It is you who has yet to choose.”
Customization Overview | Great Journey
"You Look Nice"
“Your new suit’s a Mark VI. Just came up from Seongnam this mornin’. Try and take it easy until you get used to the upgrades.”
Upon returning to Earth in the aftermath of the events of Halo: Combat Evolved (and Halo: First Strike), the Master Chief received his Mjolnir Mark VI armor aboard Cairo Station at the start of Halo 2.
Field tested by Maria-062 in Seongnam, Korea, the Mjolnir Mark VI platform represented a culmination of decades of research and improvement. Boasting a more resilient and quick-charging energy shield system, the Mark VI armor was even more streamlined and compact than its predecessors.
This armor would see the Master Chief through some of the most pivotal events of the Covenant War. So, get ready to step into the iconic Mjolnir Mark VI suit and prepare to finish the fight.
Acquire the Rocket Reclaimer bundle from Halo Infinite’s Shop when Operation: Great Journey launches on November 5. This bundle includes:
- Master Chief Mark VI armor kit
- Green Man armor coating
- Veteran SPNKr weapon model
- Veteran Metal weapon coating
Operation Pass
“When we joined the Covenant, we took an oath!”
Formerly a Special Operations commander for the Fleet of Particular Justice, the basis of inspiration for the Operation Pass armor is Rtas “Half-Jaw” ‘Vadum.
We first met ‘Vadum in Halo 2 where he led the Covenant forces tasked with eliminating the heretic leader Sesa ‘Refumee, journeying with the Arbiter to the Forerunner mine located on the gas giant Threshold. ‘Vadum would aid the Arbiter in subsequent missions until the treachery of the Prophet of Truth was revealed, ousting the Sangheili from their long-held role within the Covenant.
As shipmaster of the assault carrier Shadow of Intent, ‘Vadum has continued to serve among the Swords of Sanghelios, hunting down the remaining Prophets responsible for countless crimes. This legendary character is set to appear in the upcoming novel Halo: Empty Throne, releasing early next year.
Acquire the Thremaleon armor along with other free rewards in Operation: Great Journey’s free 20-tier Operation Pass. This armor is custom crafted at the Kolaar Manufactorum for Spartans selected to serve alongside Swords of Sanghelios special forces.
Upgrade to the Premium Pass to secure the Veteran SRS99 weapon model, based on Halo 2’s sniper rifle, and Damascus Alchemy weapon coating.
Helioskrill
Introduced in Halo 5, the Helioskrill armor quickly became a fan-favorite.
Created by a Sangheili prodigy, an artisan-armorer inspired to test her skill against the best that humanity could muster, the Helioskrill armor was regarded as a work of art in both form and function for Spartan super-soldiers.
As the alliance between the UNSC and the Swords of Sanghelios has continued to strengthen, the Spartan is but another canvas for the artisan-armorers of the Kolaar Manufactorum to create splendid masterpieces of lethality.
Acquire the Helioskrill armor from the Arbitration bundle in the Shop when Operation: Great Journey arrives on November 5. This bundle includes:
- Helioskrill helmet
- Stormclaw Mask helmet attachment
- Helioskrill Pauldrons shoulder pads
- Helioskrill Harness chest attachment
- Helioskrill Cuisse hip gear
- Helioskrill Poleyn kneepads
- Risk Explorer armor coating
- Reclaimed Wings armor effects set
Delta Forged
For a look that says “Straight outta Delta Halo,” compiling the Rocket Reclaimer and Arbitration bundles into one, be sure to pick up the Delta Forged bundle.
As a bonus, you will also acquire the Oracle Augmentor shoulder pads and Oracle Protocol, chest attachment—armor pieces modelled on the appearance of 343 Guilty Spark.
Wartime Requisition
“Get tactical, marines!”
Even prototype Marine Corps helmet designs have been snapped up for use by active-duty Spartans.
Based on the design of the UNSC Marines’ battle dress uniforms, particularly those seen in Halo 2: Anniversary, the Wartime Requisition bundle offers a fitting look for the frontlines.
This bundle contains:
- XM55 ACH helmet
- HUL-I/UPTIK helmet attachment
- UA/Model 48 shoulder pads
- UA/M532 Plate chest attachment
- UA/ULAP hip gear
- UA/Type MI kneepads
- Pixel Camouflage armor coating
- Podium Finish stance
The Exchange
Operation: Great Journey brings a refresh of The Exchange, where you can acquire various customization items with Spartan Points earned by playing matches and completing certain Challenges.
The fan-favorite Mark V Zeta helmet and Scorpion Punch armor coating make a (re)appearance, becoming available to players for the first time since the Tactical Ops event all the way back in 2022. If you missed these back then, be sure to secure ‘em when they hit The Exchange on November 5!
We’ll have a full list of customization items in The Exchange in next week’s launch blog, so stay tuned.
That concludes our look at the customization content coming in Operation: Great Journey, which kicks off Halo Infinite’s Winter Update for 2024.
For more on the Winter Update, check out the following blogs:
- PLAYLIST OVERVIEW: Learn more about the upcoming third-person Firefight: King of the Hill experience and Delta Arena playlist coming to Halo Infinite
- SANDBOX OVERVIEW: Discover the new MA5K Avenger coming to Halo Infinite along with further sandbox balance changes
- FORGE OVERVIEW: From third-person camera controls to enhanced credit attribution for creators of maps and modes, find out more about all the updates and improvements coming to Forge
Forge Overview | Winter Update 2024
Let’s dive in!
Third-Person Camera
Once upon a time, before it was an original Xbox launch title, Halo looked very different…
Before the series became the first-person shooter we have known and loved for almost a quarter of a century, Halo previously saw a period of exploration as a third-person action game.
Of course, there are elements of third-person that have long been part of the Halo gameplay experience, such as when the player gets into a vehicle. Adopting a third-person perspective has also been possible in Theater mode, where players are able to watch, record, and screenshot their previous matches, but—outside the realms of modding—there has never been a proper third-person experience in Halo.
That changes with the 2024 Winter Update.
The ability to change between first- and third-person perspectives will be available at a mode level in Custom Games options and as a scripting node in Forge.
Players will be able to get hands-on with this in matchmaking when the Third-Person Firefight playlist launches, helping you to get a handle on what Halo feels like in this new way to play.
Improved Forger Attribution
Since Forge launched as part of Halo Infinite, we have continued to build on this feature with continuous updates and improvements to the experience. We have also sought to improve how we highlight Forge creators, which is another element of the 2024 Winter Update.
To increase the visibility of Forgers who have created the maps and modes you’re enjoying, we have updated multiple areas of the game to highlight the gamertags and more easily allow players to bookmark their creations.
Starting next week, you will be able to see these updates on the following screens:
- Match intro camera
- Pause menu
- Scoreboard
- Post-game carnage report
Additionally, we have added the ability to bookmark maps and modes on several of these screens as well.
Commander Agryna Lines
In Halo Infinite, we were introduced to Spartan Commander Laurette Agryna, head of the Avery J. Johnson Academy where the multiplayer aspect of the game is centered.
Agryna also serves as one of the multiplayer announcers in Halo Infinite, and Forgers will be able to utilize her voiceover in the same fashion as when we added Jeff Steitzer’s voice lines to Forge.
And, to allow maximum control with this new feature, you can also ensure that only the intended players or team will hear each line set up in Forge’s nodegraph:
- Play Announcer Voiceover for All Players
- Play Announcer Voiceover for Player
- Play Announcer Voiceover for Team
These nodes will have Agryna’s lines for the following categories:
- Accolades
- Mode: Assault
- Mode: CTF
- Mode: Land Grab
- Mode: Lone Wolves
- Match
- Mode Titles
- Ordnance
- Score
- Mode: Stockpile
- Time
- Mode: Total Control
- Weapon Drills
You’ll be able to find these new lines alongside the existing Steitzer lines within the “Play Announcer Voicer” nodes mentioned above. Be sure to use the “Announcer Voice” custom game option to better control mode communication.
Global Lifepool
Lifepool (or respawn ticket) systems have been a staple of many heart-pounding gaming experiences. To help bring the intensity of that win condition to all our modes, we’ve now made it a global custom game option.
This means that players can now create modes with two different win conditions. If applied to Capture The Flag, the conditions could now be “Capture the flag or wipe out the enemy team’s forces to win.”
Additionally, we’ve paired this lifepool system with global revive systems, which players may recognize from Firefight and Attrition.
The new custom game options will be:
Health & Damage > Lifepool
- Lifepool Enabled for Teams
- Eagle Team Respawn Count
- Cobra Team Respawn Count
Revive
- Team Revive
- Auto-Revive
- Auto-Revive Timer
- Revive-Grants Over shield
- Preserve Revive Progress
- Revive Allies Action Time
- Revive Action Time Scales Per Revive
- Revive Time Scalar
- Revive Orb Lifetime Enabled
- Revive Orb Lifetime
The new nodes added to help Forgers control these systems even more include:
- Revive Player
- Revive All Players
- Revive All Players On Team
- On Revive Orb Spawned
- Get Lifepool Lives Remaining
- Adjust Lifepool
The mode possibilities with these settings are quite exciting, and we can’t wait to see what players are able to do with them.
Nav Marker Improvements
As more mode functionality has come online with Forge, we’ve also set our sights on improving how mode information can be communicated to the players during the match. In our Fleetcom update, we added a ton of improvements with Nav Markers, but we knew that there was still more to do.
The next improvement we wanted to go after was ‘docking’ of Nav Markers, which helps someone who is actively working on an objective, like securing a Stronghold. This will take a Nav Marker that is displayed on a capture zone and move it into a ‘docked’ position in a player’s HUD when they enter it. An example of this can be seen during our Winter Update Community Livestream.
To support this functionality, we’ve added over a dozen new nodes to Forge’s scripting nodegraph.
We’ve also added four new nodes to help support Volume Visibility to bolster modes that could benefit from the additional controls.
Additional Improvements
Alongside these new features, we have made some additional improvements to Forge as well. These have come as the result of feedback from the community as folks look to further expand their range of options to create on an increasingly granular level in Forge.
Music in Forge Controls
Mode creators will now have the option to turn off each mode’s default music in Custom Games, allowing them to take full advantage of the Campaign Music functionality added earlier this year.
To accompany this addition, new music control nodes will also be added to the Forge nodegraph:
- Fade Music Track for All
Get Generic Zone Progress Node
The default nav markers provided by Generic Zones are valuable in getting basic functionality into the hands of players. The major limitation in creating your own markers for Generic Zones is that there is no way for players to get the progress of Generic Zones themselves.
We have added a new node called Get Generic Zone Progress, the result of which is that it will show the capture progress of a particular zone and works in any game mode template for Generic Zones.
Minigame Mode Labels
When we previously released the minigame variants, we got some feedback from the community that these lacked specific mode labels. As a result of that feedback, we have added some new mode labels:
- Minigame Asymmetrical Include
- Minigame Asymmetrical Exclude
- Minigame BTB Include
- Minigame BTB Exclude
- Minigame Ranked Include
- Minigame Ranked Exclude
- Minigame Ranked Asymmetrical Include
- Minigame Ranked Asymmetrical Exclude
- Minigame BTB Asymmetrical Include
- Minigame BTB Asymmetrical Exclude
When an object has the “Include” label, it should only appear in that mode variant. When an object has the “Exclude” label, it should be available in all modes except the one selected.
That’s everything coming on the Forge front for the 2024 Winter Update to Halo Infinite. We’re always looking for further feedback to expand the options available to players and can’t wait to see what you make!
Sandbox Overview | Great Journey
Operation: Great Journey is landing next Tuesday, November 5, and it’s bringing a lot of great additions to Halo Infinite. Arriving just in time for the twentieth birthday of Halo 2, the Winter 2024 update will include a Halo 2-inspired playlist with legacy movement mechanics, Third-Person Firefight, new Forge features, and much more.
Even with those head-turning additions, potentially the most anticipated aspect of the release is the arrival of a brand-new weapon.
Let’s take a look!
MA5K Avenger
Originally seen on the cover of Halo: Ghosts of Onyx back in 2006, wielded by Spartan-III super-soldiers, the MA5K will be joining the arsenal of weapons in Halo Infinite as the MA5K Avenger.
This fully automatic rifle stands out with its extremely high rate-of-fire, which is properly accompanied by an increased magazine size. Built by Misriah Armory for running and gunning at a short range, the Avenger also has a fast ready-up time after sprinting, rapid reload speed, and can be switched to very quickly.
All in all, the MA5K Avenger has a commanding presence in Halo Infinite’s close quarters combat dance. To see it in action, be sure to check out our recent Winter Update Community Livestream!
As we were building out the weapon, we knew it would only be natural to have it fit into the SMG role. Celebrating the game that first introduced SMGs to Halo by bringing an SMG-class weapon to Halo Infinite felt like a great fit.
Our tuning process started by examining Halo 2’s SMG, which wasn’t known as the most effective weapon unless dual-wielded, and cross-referencing it with the SMGs from Halo 3: ODST and Halo 5, which were both highly effective and positively received by players. After plenty of fun playtests and iteration, we landed on a tuning pass which feels similar to both, yet has clearly established an identity of its own as a natural inclusion into this pantheon of SMGs.
Starting next week, the MA5K Avenger will be the starting weapon in the Halo 2-inspired Delta Arena playlist, become your secondary weapon in many Firefight experiences, and start appearing on SMG-class weapon racks throughout the game.
Equip your Mirage IIC armor, go hands-on with it, and let us know how it feels!
Sandbox Updates
A few other sandbox updates will be landing alongside the addition of the MA5K Avenger.
Here’s what you can expect when you boot up Halo Infinite next week!
VK78 Commando
Previously, when using the VK78 Commando at maximum spread, the bullets were trending only to the outer edges of the bloomed reticle. To give the VK78 Commando a more consistent feel, we’ve adjusted the bloom properties to allow the bullet to land anywhere within the bounds of the bloomed reticle. This is similar to the adjustment made with the MA40 AR in the Operation: Fleetcom update.
To balance out the now more accurate Commando, the bloom will reach maximum spread slightly quicker than before.
- Increased maximum bullet spread
- Maximum error angle (high) 0.9 >> 0.95
- Adjusted Commando Rifle error angles to give it a more consistent feel
- Minimum error angle (high) 0.6 >> 0.08
- Faster bloom expansion.
- Upper bound deceleration time 0.2152 >> 0.2252
MK50 Sidekick
The Mk50 Sidekick has always been one of the most effective weapons in the sandbox. We wanted to keep that consistent feeling, while also addressing feedback around it still feeling a little too effective at range. To accomplish this, we’ve adjusted the weapon’s bloom properties to incentivize scavenging while still keeping it as that reliable secondary weapon players can depend on.
Similar to the VK78 Commando above, we’ve adjusted the bloom properties to prevent the bullets from favoring the reticle’s outer edge, allowing them to now land anywhere inside the reticle.
To balance that increased consistency, we’ve increased its potential spread when fired rapidly.
- Increased base bullet spread
- Maximum error angle (low) 0.03 >> 0.35
- Lower bound deceleration 0.55 >> 0.56
- Upper bound deceleration 0.42 >> 0.43
- Maximum error angle (low) 0.03 >> 0.35
Active Camo
“Sneaky beaver” flag runs are a staple of Capture the Flag which provide exciting and creative gameplay experiences. With that in mind, we’ve seen players on the offensive utilize the camo flag run with extremely high efficiency.
To give the team whose flag has been taken a better fighting chance to stop a camouflaged flag runner—and to more closely match the camo behavior of previous Halo games—the camo flag runner’s Spartan will remain camouflaged, but the flag itself will be visible.
Thruster
The Thruster is currently a piece of equipment that offers a high reward but takes little risk when used during combat. Its quick dash movement while simultaneously always having your weapon ready to fire was something we wanted to look at more closely.
To address this, activating Thruster will now briefly disable weapon use, similar to Halo 5’s Thruster. This should provide some counterplay potential to those battling against a Thruster user while still giving the Thruster user an advantage.
A brand-new weapon with the MA5K Avenger, new sandbox balance updates, a Halo 2-inspired playlist, Third-Person Firefight, and more all arrive next Tuesday, November 5, with the 2024 Winter Update and Operation: Great Journey.
Operation: Great Journey
Play Delta Arena, inspired by Halo 2 gameplay, experience Third-Person Firefight, check out the new sandbox updates, including the MA5k Avenger, and unlock the Thremaleon armor by completing your Operation Pass by December 3.