Just like Halo Combat Evolved and Halo 2, Halo 3 features
many multiplayer maps that you may play on with friends
on or off Xbox Live.
A list of the fourteen total multiplayer maps are listed
below.
A symmetrical map with two bases in a large open valley,
Valhalla is a perfect map for large teams and game variants
such as Capture the Flag or Assault. Valhalla offers
a large area for vehicle driving and many placements
for a player with a sniper rifle. Each base not only
holds a Sniper Rifle, but a Missile Pod, two Mongooses,
one Warthog and a Banshee featured in Big Team Battles.
In the middle of the map, you can find a Spartan Laser,
a machine gun turret to one side and a crashed pelican
with a regenerator to the other side.
There is a waterfall behind one of the bases (waterfall
base) which creates a river that goes through the map
that lets off behind the other (lake side) base.
Considered by some as "Campbound" because
of the caverns and shotgun placement, Snowbound is a
symmetrical map with two bases, this map features not
just two bases, but underground caverns where players
can sneak up on opposing teams. There are many shields
doors where players can go through, but vehicles cannot
and weapon fire cannot.
There is a Spartan Laser on one side and a Beam Rifle
on the other side, along with active camouflage at Spartan
Laser base and overshield at Sniper side base. You can
also find a Ghost in the middle and off to the side
of the map.
An asymmetrical map, Highground is a great map for offensive
versus defense. At the top of the map, there is a large
base with many hallways, rooms and even a bunker with
a busted-in wall outside the map. Team offense can either
use this broken wall, a gravity lift or even a pipe
line to enter in the large base and attack. A Sniper
Rifle and Shotgun can be found near the beach while
two Maulers and a Spartan Laser can be found inside
the base along with other weapons throughout the map.
A Bubble shield and Gravity Lift is placed outside
the base closer to the beach while a Rocket Launcher
is placed outside, yet both teams have an equal opportunity
to reach it at the start of a match.
An overshield is placed near the beach and an active
camouflage is placed outside yet very close to the base.
An asymmetrical map with no real feel of offense or
defense. Epitaph will be one of your favorites if you
prefer the free-for-all games. This map rests on top
of a giant forerunner structure. There is a large gravity
lift in the back which will take
you to the Rocket Launcher and right below that is a
Gravity Hammer resting on the floor.
Epitaph also has multiple shield doors throughout the
many floors similar to Snowbound. Both an overshield
and an active camouflage can be found on this map.
Similar to Epitaph but "constructed" for team
battles, Construct has many levels with a total of three
gravity lifts which will take you from any floor, to
the top floor. Holding the top floor with good team
work is a must on this map. With the ability to make
a complete circle around the map on the top floor, teams
can be easily flanked.
You can find a Missile Pod, Spartan Laser, Flamethrower
on the bottom floor along with an Energy Sword and a
sniper rifle at the top on this map.
A perfect symmetrical map for those who love shotguns
and sniper rifles matches. Narrows requires team work
more than any other map because there are many ways
to get around. Teams can go across the main bridge,
use man cannon to get to the other side or go underneath.
If two players go off each man cannon at the same time
they will collide in the air and both will fall to their
death.
An overshield and active camouflage is featured, one
at each side of the base on the lower level along with
two sniper
rifles. A rocket launcher is placed in the middle of
the map at the top along with a shotgun in the middle
underneath the main bridge.
A perfect remake of Halo 2's map "Zanzibar."
Last Resort features many subtle yet highly noticeable
changes, along with a larger base inside the main building.
Weapon placements have been modified and best of all,
you are now able to detach the two turrets which stand
at the base.
You can now find a Spartan Laser near base at the top
close to the Machine Gun Turrets. Active camouflage
is placed where the Energy Sword used to be and a Gravity
Lift is placed underneath the smaller base where one
of the Sniper Rifles are.
Not too big, yet not too small, The Pit is a great symmetrical
map for any possible gametype. The Pit has two bases
which hold balanced weapons and a perfect dose of other
weapons and power-ups throughout the map.
You can find a Rocket Launcher on the far wall opposite
of the room which holds the Energy Sword and the two
power ups are also featured here. The overshield is
underneath the room where the Energy Sword is, and the
active camouflage in directly in the middle of the map.
Yet another symmetrical map, Isolation features an "above
ground" and two bases "below ground."
Hold the top with long range weapons is a must on this
map, along with well-placed team work. There are four
ways to get inside each base. Three door ways from underground,
and a way to drop down in the middle of the base from
above ground.
There is one Mongoose at each base and one Ghost in
the middle below ground along with a Rocket Launcher.
A shotgun with only six rounds can be found above ground
near the back, opposite of the Sniper Rifle.
Guardian is similar to Epitaph is the sense that there
is no real feel for offense or defense. Although there
is a distinct difference between the two sides of the
map, those could go any which way for offense or defense.
Guardian is considered by some as a remake of Lockout,
but besides the general layout, there are no similarities.
You can find a Gravity Hammer in the center underneath
along with a Sniper Rifle with an overshield on one
side and a Shotgun on the other side with active camouflage.
So far the largest map of the Halo series, Sandtrap
is hard to get around on foot because it is so large,
therefore it is mainly a vehicle-based map. It is an
asymmetrical map which holds two things that no other
map does, and that is two elephants. These Elephants
move very slowly, but they can carry a lot in the cargo
hold. There are two machine gun turrets placed on both,
(but only one is detachable) along with one Mongoose.
Standtrap is another perfect map for your assault and
capture the flag games. There are many anti-vehicle
weapons as well for your enjoyment such as two Spartan
Lasers, one Missile Pods and one Gravity Hammer.
There are also many Warthogs, Mongooses and Brute Choppers
for your enjoyement.
One very unique map, Foundry is a large warehouse which
offers forge options like no other map. The map is composed
of large crates, small bridges, stairways, etc. Because
of this, you are able to edit the entire map and make
your very own. The default set up has two Sniper Rifles
on each side near the back while a Rocker Launcher rests
in the top center.
The simplest way to describe this symmetrical map is
a smaller Valhalla with bigger bases. Walking from one
side to the other is not a problem, but getting lost
inside the bases is easy. Inside each base is a control
to open the lower doors, a first objective for your
Capture the Flag games. In the background are multiple
enormous satellite dishes which simply add beauty to
the environment.
The main power weapon is a Spartan Laser which can
be found in the dead center and a perfect goal for the
beginning of your Team Slayer games and two Rocket Launchers
with only two rockets are placed next to each base.
There are also two active camouflage power ups close
to each base.
A Warthog and two Mongooses are given to each base
as well.
Ever wanted your big open spaces to be indoors? Well
now it is. Rats Nest is a symmetrical map which features
a circular hallway where a vehicle battle can take place.
A Pelican rests outside, but flying it is sadly not
an option.
Rat's Nest is slightly similar to the Campaign level
"Crows Nest" when it comes to the design.
Each side is given two Warthogs and two Mongooses. A
Rocket Launcher and a Ghost can be found in the center
along with a Gravity Hammer and a Sniper rifle.
Along with said circular hallway, there are many rooms
and smaller hallways in the center where one can easily
get lost.
Halo 2 fans rejoice! Lockout is back and better than ever as this new multiplayer map called Blackout. The first thing that you would notice is that it is not set in an icy fortress or something. Instead, it is supposed to be an oil rig in the Arctic…or something like that. It is perfectly identical to Lockout in terms of the general layout and basic weapon placement. Energy Sword, Sniper Rifle, and Shotgun can all be found in the same spot, along with the Battle Rifles.
Surprisingly enough, you can still jump from the center platform to where the Sniper Rifle spawns, and the ledge that was next to the Sniper Rifle has been turned into a pipe. However, you cannot jump on the ledges above the door ways anymore. Also, equipment placement will further your enjoyment with this map.
Now get off matchmaking and play some custom games on Blackout!
Ghost Town is a completely new map for Halo 3, not a remake of anything, yet difficult to describe. The fiction behind the map is that it was a water control center in the jungle for the "Global Water Campaign," but looks abandoned.
The basic set up features your overshield and active camouflage along with two Mongooses, a Rocket Launcher, Sniper Rifle, and a Shotgun. This map is the perfect size for the 4v4 and even up to 6v6 Team Slayer or Objective games. One could also get easily lost in this entangled map.
However, it is littered with perfect scenery. I know that you will surely enjoy Ghost Town for Halo 3.
Ahh, Avalanche, what can I say about you. Well,
quite a few things actually. Avalanche is your re-imagination
of Halo Combat Evolved multiplayer map, Sidewinder.
By re-imagination, I mean not a direct remake as
Last Resort and Blackout are.
This map features two bases, with a large man cannon
in front of each base, which will take you inside
near the top. In front of each base are many vehicles
for this large snowy map. Both sides feature many,
yet varying vehicles, so instead of me loading up
the maps to find out exactly why they are, I'll
leave it to you to figure out.
In the very center of the map, between the two bases
is this ice cavern with a man cannon which will
simply assist you in getting across the map on foot,
along with a Spartan Laser somewhere in there. There
are also three man cannons on each side of each
base, however, it seems as though only the ones
in the back corner look useful, and they take you
to the back center of the map.
So enjoy Avalanche, it looks like another great
map for the large, 8v8 Team Slayer matches.
Welcome to your new favorite map....that is if you
loved Chill Out in the first Halo game. Cold Storage
is a great remake of Halo CE's Chill Out multiplayer
map. The layout is basically the same, which includes
the two half bridges in one of the large rooms.
Instead of green doors for teleporters, you will
find small blue pillars on circular stands. And
finally, instead of the purple atmosphere, Cold
Storage is more blue than purple.
All in all, Cold Storage is a great remake of Chill
Out and will surely be a favorite to many for quite
sometime. Oh, and best of all, this map is free
to download as a gift from Bungie Studios.
Well, it looks like Bungie outdid themselves again. You think Foundry is amazing? Well think again. Sandbox is bigger and better than Foundry. The first level alone is bigger than Foundry. Did I say first level? Yes I did, there are three separate areas to this map, all them add up to a Forger's dream. Like Foundry, everything is delete-able to end up with a blank map. The first thing you will probably notice while in Forge is the blue grid on the floor, this is simply there is help you while forging a new map. Secondly, this map is slightly similar to Sandtrap. If you leave the boundaries, you will die. But this time, it is not missiles from the ground. Those tall pillars will shoot lasers at you with deadly accuracy.
The first main level is the ground level and is the only part of the map with pre-built content. There are two small bases with one Warthog, one Chopper and one Mongoose on each side. There is a Missile Pod and Power Drainer on each base, and two Bubble Shields and two Rocket Launchers in the center of the map.
Now, lets get to the exciting stuff.
While in Forge, there is a teleporter, hovering in the sky in the main level of the map. Enter the teleporter and you will be taken to the Skybox. (Refer to the screenshot) The skybox is a huge blue grid, high above the main level, and larger than the main level, the given screenshot cannot even show you the whole thing. If you fall through the grid while in Monitor or Player mode, you will die. You need to place some sort of flooring to stay safe up there. This Skybox was made so players can make a map like Guardian. If you jump of the edge, you fall to your death. However, you can shoot players from the Skybox to the main level, and vice versa.
Now, going on to the third and final level of Sandbox, this is called The Crypt. In the very center of the main level is a block, which covers up a hole in the ground. Delete the block and jump down to enter The Crypt, or the basement of this map. This part of Sandbox is about equal to size to the main room in Foundry; (maybe a little smaller) however, it is just one room, nothing else. Time for you to get creative.
Now go have fun.
The first map of the Mythic Map Pack is Assembly, (think Midship from Halo 2, but obviously different). This map is yet another great symmetrical map, perfect for nearly every gametype. Assembly is supposed to be some kind of Scarab factory, however, no matter how long I look at the map, it does not look like a Scarab factory to me.
There are two main bases in this map. Each base has double-sided windows. While in a base, you can see through the windows, however, if you are outside of the base, you cannot see though the windows. In the center of the map is Active Camouflage, and a Gravity Hammer underneath. Off to the side, between the two bases is a small tower, a perfect spot while playing Team Swat. On the tower is a Rocket Launcher and underneath is a Bubble Shield. You can use the gravity lift near the bottom center to get to the top, or you can walk up using the ramps on either side. Directly across from this tower on the other side of the map is a Regenerator.
There are two main levels in this map, and you can enter each base through either level. The top level is mainly open, with little to no cover and four main walkways which connect to small room in the center. The bottom level, however, has a lot of cover with many walls and pillar structures.
Overall, this is a small yet great map, I am sure you will enjoy it.
Ack, what a mess, that is until you get used to the map. Orbital is an asymmetrical map, opposite of Assembly in the sense that both sides of the map are different. Describing this map (which is some sort of Orbital station, hence the name) will be difficult because not much is similar. Think of this map as two letter-U's with two levels. One U overlaps the other U.
There are two main rooms in this map, Upper Room and Lower Room. Each room has a staircase and a small ramp above to walk on with a small red hallway which connects to the main hallway outside each main room. The rooms are at the tips of the U, and are connected. You cannot enter one main room through another, but you can see into them. You have to go around the U to get to the other main room.
There are two ways to leave or enter one of the main rooms. Choose one door and you will be in the lower-level U-part of the map. Choose the other door and you will be in the upper-level U-part of the map, however, both doors will take you to the other main room.
In the center of the U, or the center of the map is a large shaft. You can jump from the upper part of the map to the lower part of the map. A Rocket Launcher rests on the upper part of the map, while a Sniper Rifle rests on the lower part of the map. There is a Bubble Shield outside one main room, and a Regenerator outside the other main room, and a Power Drainer in the lower-center of the map. There are also two Mongooses in each main room that are good for objective games.
This map is like Ghost Town, takes a while to get used to, but once you do, it is very easy to get around.
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