Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Info

Register

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:08 am

Here is some very detailed information on all the Multiplayer maps in Halo 2. (Provided by Halowiki)

Ascension

This relay station is part of a network that has kept Delta Halo functioning smoothly for untold centuries. This structure on an outcrop of barren rock has an open feel to it. A large "dish" with three protruding spikes is the primary feature of this map. A favorite for Sniper games, this map also plays many Objective games well. There are two bases, a Banshee by default, and plenty of side paths on which to ambush an opponent.

Backwash

A Maptacular map. It has the feeling of an old forest. With smooth ground textures, and a misty light. Here and there something like fireflies hums and it's almost like the forest keeps even the most fierce Slayer game silent. There's a two-storied base in the middle which can be an absolute death trap when the enemy finally gets hold of some Grenades. Sneaky Swordsmen can get lots of kills here. Actually, anyone keen on ambushing other players will find this map particularly useful for that.

Beaver Creek

This is a small and symmetrical map. There are two bases divided be a creek. It has two Power Weapons (Rocket Launcher and Sniper Rifle) located at some 10 meters above the creek, at opposite ends. Both power weapons can be reached from slopes/ramps from the left sides of each base. Otherwise, the map is pretty flat. Players who know how to take advantage of the height advantage available from those slopes and the roof of the bases can control this map.

Burial Mounds

A medium sized map set out in a scorched wilderness with debris here and there. There are tunnels, open spaces and everything in between. Players good at Jumping and Sniping can reach sniping spots from which they can cover almost the whole map. While not symmetrical in the strictest sense of the word, there's still very much a balance to this map. Both blue and red have Sniper Rifles and both sides also have a vehicle with which an opening attack on the opponent's Power Weapons can be carried out.

Coagulation

Based on the original Halo: Combat Evolved map Blood Gulch, Coagulation is one of the large arenas that shares a symmetrical layout for both teams (depending upon the route taken to the opposing base). Vehicles are even for both teams and a rush to the Rockets usually helps tip the balance of any game. This map is ideal for CTF/Assault variants, and with the right numbers, slayer games also become interesting here.

Colossus

Based in a Forerunner production facility, this is a symmetrical map with conveyor belts carrying gas barrels through the landscape. Ideal for slayer (with a bridge connecting the two bases) or CTF (without the bridge). There is only one power weapon on the map (the Sniper Rifle), which often creates huge rushes at the start of any team game. Knowing what jumps you can and can't make is the key to this map.

Containment

This is by far the largest map Bungie Studios has come out with yet. Its large flat landscape is great for this generation of warfare. This map is ideal for Big Team Battles only. Anything smaller than 6 v 6 tends to get boring. Slayer, Assault and CTF games are the most popular game variants. Containment is also ideal for Land Grab and Crazy King.

Desolation

Desolation has an entirely different setting than it's forerunner Derelict. Rather than a facility of some kind in deep space, as Derelict was, it appears that Desolation is located on Delta Halo. The architecture appears to be of Forerunner origin and looks similar to the structures seen on Delta Halo in Campaign.
It may feature a similar weapon set to its precursor, but adjusted to account for Halo 2's different arsenal. For example, the Assault Rifle spawn may be replaced by a Battle Rifle or maybe even an SMG.

Desolation also has certain structural differences between itself and Derelict. The teleporters have been replaced by grav lifts that propel players from the ground to upper level. Also, the tunnels on the upper level have been replaced by ramps that lead down the the ground level.

Elongation

This map may look somewhat familiar to the Halo: Combat Evolved level, Longest. Elongation is basically two long hallways with conveyor belts moving along each one. While CTF and Slayer are the most common gametypes in matchmaking, Assault and Team Snipers are ideal for this type of map. Team Snipers does get chaotic due to the close quarters in some places on this map, but the two long hallways are a haven and a death trap for even the most skilled snipers.

Foundation

Foundation is a symmetrical map with four bases. As one of the few maps that are based on Earth, it contains mostly human weapons. The exceptions are the four Needlers on the two sides with the Shotguns, and the Energy Sword in the center. There are four long walkways along the outer rim of the map, connecting each base. This map is ideal for Crazy KOTH and Team Oddball, as well as 4v4v4v4 Slayer and CTF. FFA Snipers is another gametype that works well on this small map.

Gemini

Gemini is one of the new maps included in the Maptacular map pack. Set on High Charity, it includes mostly Covenant weaponry and one two-way teleporter taking you from one end of the map to the other, and two one-way teleporters taking you to a balcony on either side of the map. This map is excellent for almost all variants of Slayer and CTF as well as Oddball and KOTH. The Beam Rifle near the teleporter is a very universal weapon. Also, two Brute Shots placed near the teleporters taking you to the upper balconies make these areas crucial strategic points on the map. Last, but not least, there's a large statue of one of the Prophets with a large Gravity Lift behind it on one side and a large tree which is the humble home for the Energy Sword.

Headlong

Headlong is one of the maps that shipped with the game on November 9th. This Earth based map contains something for every player. Two Sniper Rifles are found on this map, one at each base, as well at two Rocket Launchers found at each base. The Overshield and the Active Camo are essential in almost every game you play at this large map. This map also has two Ghosts, two Warthogs and a Banshee. Headlong is one of the largest maps in Halo 2. Game types that really work well on this map are Team Snipers, Assault and 1 Flag CTF.

Ivory Tower

Ivory Tower is an excellent map for any game type. It is well balanced with an Overshield on one side, a Sniper Rifle on the upper level in the middle, a Rocket Launcher on the middle level in the center of the map, a Energy Sword on the lower level in the middle, and finally a Shotgun opposite the Overshield. Some of the best gametypes for this map are 1 Flag CTF and Assault, though Team Slayer also works well. The team on offense has immediate access to the Sword, and Sniper Rifle. The defending team has immediate access to the Rocket Launcher. The Overshield and Shotgun are equally accessable to each team at the beginning of the game.

Lockout

Floating out in the void we find Lockout, a snowy, three-storied map with lots of slopes and paths. You can jump from about anywhere to anywhere else, making for some pretty spectacular surprise attacks. This map's Power Weapons are the Sniper Rifle and the Sword and many matches start out with a big battle for these. In the center there's an open square from which you can see a lot of the map. Even the room below is visible because of the glass floor. Other important features of this map are the explosive cores placed in many of the strategic locations. Watch carefully where you are standing!

Midship

Based inside a small Covenant ship, Midship is a small, symmetrical map that is perfect for any type of game. MLG players use this map a lot, particularly for CTF games, as the map's design and power weapon placement encourage balanced play. A Sword is suspended atop the floating platform at the top of the map, while the Shotgun spawns below it. Don't underestimate the power of the PP/BR combo, with two BRs spawning on the map (one at each base) and the Plasma Pistol in the middle, the player controlling it can rack up a fair few kills. The Hill is at the bottom in the centre by default, so KOTH games can quickly lead to severe carnage!

Relic

A small island is the setting for a large Forerunner structure in this asymmetrical map that's perfect for 1 Flag CTF and Assault variants, although Team Snipers also works well. Attackers (in objective games) start on the beach with a Warthog by a downed "Albatross" transport craft (purely decorative!). They must fight their way around the long Forerunner structure and come round behind it to get up to the objective point. Once at the back of the base, the attackers map open a 2 way teleporter for quicker access if they should die. Once they fight their way back up the structure, it's a simple matter of throwing the flag down then jogging home for an easy capture. A Sniper Rifle (near the attackers) and a Beam Rifle (near the defenders) are crucial for picking off exposed opponents, while the Rocket Launcher can be a great help in taking out any vehicles. Be sure not to get too close to the edges, the shoreline drops away very quickly!

Sanctuary

Set amongst the ruins of a Forerunner temple complex, Sanctuary is a symmetrical map that works especially well with Assault, CTF and Team Snipers gametypes, although regular Slayer (both Rumble and Team) also work well. The battle for control of the Sword usually involves a mad dash to the centre structure by both teams at the start of any game. With sniper rifles spawning at the left of both bases, players must regularly use the large jagged rocks and sharp corners for cover. Options for attackers are many, the tunnel where the Shotgun spawns or the numerous rocks on the other side both provide ample oppotunities for sneaky attackers.

Terminal

Another large Maptacular map, the main feature of Terminal is undoubtedly the high-speed train that rushes through the map at random intervals. Both the Sword and the Overshield can be found on the tracks but be careful, a full-on hit by the train is instant death for anything! 1 Flag CTF is the intended gametype, but Assault and Team Slayer work well also. KOTH is a blast too, the hill is on the tracks! Designed to incorporate vehicles, the Wraith spawns by the defenders out in the courtyard whilst the attackers get two Warthogs and a Ghost. The Rocket Launcher is key, and while the attackers spawn closer than the defenders, the start of any game often sees a mad rush to control it. Two sniper rifles can also help a lot when trying to pick off opponents over exposed ground.

Tombstone

Halo 2's reincarnation of the popular Hang 'Em High, from Halo: Combat Evolved. Similar in many ways to Lockout, Tombstone is a mostly open map, but with plenty of cover. Set in an abandoned industrial park, players can walk along cranes and catwalks to find power weapons and get a better shot at opponents on the ground. Don't spend too much time in the open, or fire will rain on you from all directions.

Turf

Shipped with the so called Maptacular map pack, Turf has quickly become popular. This map has lots of holes and ledges to duck into to avoid being killed or pop out from, and a quick assassination can save the flag or bomb. While some who don't like close quarters might not enjoy this map; for others this can be a very fun map and full of tricks. Masters of high terrain rule here. The main street is hard to defend, but with a good Sniper on your team and supporting team mates it can be done. Others like lurking up by the Scarab, where you find lots of places to hide and ambush people using powerful dual wields like Brute Plasma Rifle + SMG. And driving that hog around the narrow quarters is a blast!

Warlock

Another one of the new maps. Based on the Halo CE original Wizard; Warlock provides some intense gaming for close combat slayer games and even more hectic and at times confusing neutral bomb/flag for 4 teams. Only the Active Camo is available on this map and most times there is a mad scramble for it. Battle Rifle and Shotgun are the most used Weapons on this small map. Good use of the Teleports can mean all the difference in winning.

Waterworks

One of the original maps, designed primarily for Big Team Battle. CTF and Assault gametypes are the only matchmaking (and indeed, the only viable) gametypes on this map, with a highly coordinated offense needed to attain the objective in either gametype. Vehicles often reign supreme, with the mighty Wraith being a force to be reckoned with, and the Banshee being useful for harassing the enemy and transporting snipers to the high ground. Both must watch out for the Rocket Launcher however, one by the teleporter exit of each base.

Zanzibar

The most widely publicised of the original maps, this is an asymmetrical map perfect for 1 Flag CTF games, but it also works with Slayer and Assault variants. The attackers begin on the beach with a wide selection of vehicles including the Ghost and the Warthog, with a Wraith or Scorpion sometimes starting just beyond the sea wall. The defenders have an easily defendable base that boasts a working gate (control inside at the top), two turrets and a Rocket Launcher just outside at the top. Two sniper rifles are equidistant from the two teams, controlling them can be the key to victory.