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Summer 2025 Playlists

Firefight continues to evolve in Halo Infinite. You’ve already had a taste of this version when the mode first released and now, it’s time to battle at the Academy. Say your ardent prayers as you prepare to fight.


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[h2]Battle Brief[/h2]

The Banished were invited in by Iratus and it’s up to you to repel the forces from the steps of the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science. In your typical fireteam size of four you’ll be squadding up to stand your ground.

Our first taste of this linear Firefight mode came with Ardent Prayer back at launch.

“What does linear Firefight mean?”

Thank you for asking, I’d love to tell you. Rather than simply defend hills or race ahead to each hill, you’ll find this mode progresses and gets a bit more difficult at each turn.

a campaign, this experience moves forward sequentially – you’ll need to finish one battle before you can move forward and start another. In short, Firefight: Battle of the Academy is raising the stakes and is asking you to defend the bases from the onslaught. The goal? Keep the Banished from getting their hands on humanity’s best kept secrets.

Don’t forget to read the upcoming Waypoint Chronicles for more color and insight into the battle.

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[h2]Lay of the Land[/h2]

You’ll be going Out With a Bang as you enact the Cole Protocol in this playlist. Okay, not really but those are the two maps you’ll be playing on as you engage in the Battle of the Academy.

[h3]Out With A Bang[/h3]



Bookmarks: Map | Mode

If you’re gonna go out, is there any better way than going out with a bang? I thought not. Under cover of darkness, you’ll be tasked with making your way to the evac zone but it’s no easy task. Battle through chokeholds, fight alongside the Marines you find along the way, work your way through the facility, and even brush up on your parkour a bit. Scavenge for ammo/weapons and keep moving!

[h3]Cole Protocol[/h3]



Bookmarks: Map | Mode
Credits: Cousin Tim, Timmyforges

Established by Admiral Preston J. Cole (only the most interesting man in Halo if you ask me), the Cole Protocol is a directive set to prevent the Covenant (or other enemies) from discovering Earth or other colonies.

Now, it is up to you to defend the data and knowledge. Armed with your weapons, wit, and the Marines battling alongside you, repel the Banished forces and hold your ground. Good luck.

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[h2]Mutilator Madness[/h2]



The fabled Mutilator arrives in Halo Infinite. Previously the stuff of legends, the brutal cross between a shotgun and Gravity Hammer takes no prisoners and has no mercy. The Mutilator boasts a double barrel that fires one shell at a time in primary fire mode or fires both at once in the alt-fire mode. And the melee packs a punch! You know what who else packs a punch?

Juggernaut.

As we learned before, the Juggernaut has some good perks:
  • Buffed shields
  • Increased damage resistance
  • Speed Boost
  • Quantum Translocator
  • Gravity Hammer

In Mutilator Madness, the same applies except as the Juggernaut you won’t wield the Gravity Hammer. Instead, you’ll be equipped with the Mutilator and Grappleshot. If you kill the Juggernaut, get ready! It’s your turn to be a menace.

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Well, what are you waiting for? The battle’s begun, get in there, Spartans!

Summer Update 2025

The 2025 Summer Update kicks off with a bang in Operation: Last Stand.



Later this month, we’ll return to the Spartan Academy in a linear Firefight experience and introduce a heroic assortment of updates, including a devastating new power weapon, sniper ricochets, expanded Weapons Bench customizations, a monstrous Juggernaut mode, and a 50-tier Premium Operation Pass with four armor sets and a variety of instant unlocks.

Ready up, Spartan. It’s time to fight.

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[h2]Update Calendar[/h2]



The 2025 Summer Update continues the Operation format introduced in the 2024 Winter Update. We’re looking at a new season of month-long Operations packed with playlists, modes, unlockable armor, and a few surprises to come!

Here’s a look at our sizzling Summer Update schedule:
  • Operation: Last Stand (May 6)
  • Operation: Legacy (June 10)
  • Operation: Reclaimer (July 8)

Since our 2025 Spring Update, each seasonal Update also starts with a Spartan-sized kickoff, featuring a 50-tier Premium Operation Pass and major milestones such as new weapons, mechanics overhauls, Forge updates, and exciting new game modes.

Read on to see everything that’s coming in Operation: Last Stand.

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[h2]New Weapon: Mutilator[/h2]



Long rumored, and ever feared: the mighty Mutilator is finally here!

If you want brute force with no assembly required, look no further. The Mutilator is a double-barreled powerhouse with a Gravity Hammer at the business end. Unload one shell at a time, or switch to alt-fire mode for a twofer of titanic output. If there’s anything left to devastate, the hammer should finish the job.

Starting in Operation: Last Stand, you can wield this abominable bludgeoner in Mutilator Madness, a new Juggernaut variant for the truly courageous. The Mutilator can also be found as a power weapon on maps, added to custom matches, or spawned in Forge.

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[h2]Operation Pass Overview[/h2]



The start of a season always warrants a celebration! As the first Operation in the Summer Update, Operation: Last Stand arrives with a 50-tier Premium Pass featuring four full armor sets and plenty of party favors.

[h3]Free Operation Pass[/h3]

20 tiers, available to play free May 6–June 10.

Complete a 20-tier reward track to unlock the SECOPS armor set, plus a healthy supply drop of Spartan Points to score more customizations from The Exchange. Designed by ONI Security for counterinsurgency and precision interventions, this tactical gear is as quiet as it is lethal.

[h3]Premium Operation Pass[/h3]

50 tiers, never expires, includes bonus XP and an additional challenge slot, PLUS instant customization unlocks.



Purchase the Premium Operation Pass to expand your armory in a durable, 50-tier reward track offering four unlockable armor sets! In addition to the SECOPS armor, Premium Pass operators can get tactical with the new Raider, EVA GEN1, and Scarred Comet armor sets.

Once purchased, Premium Pass operators can complete all 50 tiers at their leisure. They’ll also receive an exclusive unlock bundle containing the Commander Agyrna armor kit and more customizations.

[h3]How It Works[/h3]

Free Operation Pass rewards are available for the duration of their respective Operation. In Operation: Last Stand, you’ll have until June 10 to complete the 20-tier reward track and earn all its unique armor customizations.

Premium Operation Passes can be purchased at any time during their respective Operation. In Operation: Last Stand, you’ll have until June 10 to upgrade using one of two redemption options:
  • 1,000 Credits: Reward tiers become durable (i.e., never expire), bonus XP activates, an extra challenge slot opens, and a bonus customization bundle is instantly unlocked
  • 2,500 Credits: Unlocks all the above perks, plus instantly completes the first 20 tiers of the reward track and unlocks its customization rewards

If you missed any free customizations from Spring Update Operations, watch for those to hit The Exchange during the Summer Update. Premium Pass customizations will arrive in The Shop to be purchased separately at a later date.

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[h2]Upcoming Playlists[/h2]

Eagle-eyed Spartans will have already seen two major playlist updates teased in this announcement. We can’t divulge too much info (Iratus is listening), but we hope you can make something of this coded communique:

[h3]Firefight: Battle of the Academy[/h3]



The captured AI Iratus has exposed the location of the Spartan Academy. It’s up to you to fend off a Banished onslaught in Firefight: Battle of the Academy. Can you repel invaders, secure objectives, and protect humanity’s best-kept secrets?

[h3]Mutilator Madness[/h3]

A new Juggernaut has arisen—and it’s got two barrels of buckshot and one mean wallop. Prepare for slaughter in Mutilator Madness, a social free-for-all mode that brings a devious twist to Juggernaut with a merciless new power weapon.

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[h2]Sandbox Updates[/h2]

The Summer Update adds five new customizable weapons to the Weapons Bench and satisfies the murderous urges of the angularly inclined, plus a pair of quality-of-life improvements made in accordance with player feedback.

[h3]Expanded Weapons Bench[/h3]



The Weapons Bench has been expanded! Players may now apply weapon coatings, emblems, charms, and death effects to the:
  • MA5K Avenger
  • Needler
  • Heatwave
  • Shock Rifle
  • Mutilator

[h3]Sniper Ricochets Return[/h3]



Better start thinking ahead, because bouncy bullets are back on the menu! Starting May 6, bullets fired from the S7 Sniper Rifle and Flexfire Sniper will ricochet off terrain and other hard surfaces.

This development has naturally occasioned the triumphant return of the Bank Shot medal. Try taking down a foe with a ricochet skill-shot to earn the new medal (and kindly accept our condolences in advance if they snatch the sniper first).

[h3]Improved Perfect Kill Tracking[/h3]

You saw it: nary a missed shot, a decisive kill, and nobody clapped. That’s the past. When you score a perfect kill with a precision weapon, a star will now display in the Event Feed, so that your glory may be properly exalted amongst commoners.

As a reminder, you’ll earn the Perfect medal in Halo Infinite if you down an enemy using a precision weapon without missing a shot.

[h3]Banshee Attack Re-Tuned[/h3]

In response to player reports that the Banshee was overperforming in certain combat scenarios, we have adjusted a few of its attack variables:
  • Cooldown time has been raised for the fuel rod cannon
  • Velocity of Banshee projectiles has been reduced
  • Sustained collision damage has been minimally augmented

We hope these nudges will ensure a more balanced experience for all players. Ramming speed remains unchanged.

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[h2]Coming Soon: Ranked S&D Extraction[/h2]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

In case you missed our preview teaser, S&D Extraction mode arrives in Ranked playlists later this summer. See the mode in action at the FaZe Kaysan Invitational in the video above, featuring the work of expert Forge creators Mikrips and Artifice.

[h3]Mode Overview[/h3]

This competitive, round-based mode is built on Extraction objectives with a match economy for purchasing weapons, equipment, and even lives.

Teams trade off Offense and Defense scenarios in asymmetrical maps with two Extraction sites active simultaneously. Offense has its pick of targets—but once Extraction begins, the defending team must convert the site or lose the round.

With one life for each player and limited credits to buy respawns, S&D Extraction takes no prisoners.

[h3]ForgeHub Map Contest[/h3]



To celebrate our competitive community, we’ve partnered with ForgeHub to offer a $20,000 prize pool in the S&D Extraction Map Contest. Submit your best 4v4 Forge map by May 12 for a chance to win cash and have your map featured in a forthcoming Halo Infinite playlist.

Check out our announcement blog for more details on the contest and mode.

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[h2]Forge Updates[/h2]

The Summer Update introduces long-awaited functionality to Forge via new and updated nodegraph elements. Read on for brief explanations of each and how to use them in your next masterpiece.

[h3]Updated Set Object Team Nodes[/h3]

The Set Object Team and Set Object Team to Neutral nodes have been updated to support a variety of Generic Objects and Spawners. Starting in Operation: Last Stand, Forgers will be able to assign and revoke team ownership of the following Forge Objects:
  • Generic Delivery Plate
  • Generic Bomb
  • Generic Flag Spawner
  • Generic Flags
  • Generic Power Seed
  • Generic Power Seed Deposits
  • Generic Skull
  • Generic Sportsball
  • Generic Capture Zone

To help understand the impact of these changes, here’s a quick refresher on the fundamentals of Set Object Team nodes:
  • Set Object Team nodes assign ownership of Forge Objects to a given team
  • Set Object Team to Neutral nodes return Generic Objects to a neutral State
  • Get Object Team nodes return the team that currently owns an Object

When used together in a nodegraph, these nodes can help Forgers create scripts that return Objects to neutral ownership when a certain condition is met (like when a Flag is returned, or a Bomb is successfully planted on a Delivery Plate by a specific team).

[h3]New Spawn Order Nodes[/h3]

A new set of Spawn Order nodes now makes it possible to assign spawn order, index players and objects by spawn order, and return lists of objects and players arranged by spawn order.

Get the lowdown on all five new nodes below!

Get All Objects by Label With Spawn Order
  • Takes inputs: (label, spawn index value [number, 0–64])
  • Returns a list of all Objects with given label AND spawn index value
Get All Objects by Spawn Order
  • Takes input: spawn index value [number, 0–64]
  • Returns a list of all Objects with the given spawn index value
Get All Players With Spawn Order
  • Takes input: Object [or Player]
  • Returns the spawn order index of the input Object or Player
Get Object Spawn Order
  • Takes input: spawn index value [number, 0–64]
  • Returns a list of all Objects with the given spawn index value
Set Object Spawn Order
  • Takes inputs: (execute, Object [or Player], spawn index value [0–64])
  • Sets the spawn index value of the provided Object to match the input

The Set Object Spawn Order node can be used to ensure that a player spawns on a Spawn Point with the corresponding index value, or to make Objects more easily discoverable to Get Object Spawn Order nodes. (If no valid Spawn Point is available for a respawning Player, they will spawn at a backup location and their spawn value index will be set to -1.)

When used together, these new nodes allow Forgers to apply robust spawn-order logic to govern the rulesets of their custom maps and modes. Head to the Objects menu in the Node Browser to find the new Spawn Order nodes.

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[h2]Exchange Updates[/h2]



Some players have reported difficulties finding customizations in The Exchange. To address these concerns and make it easier to find items by type, we've added folders to The Exchange browser for the following categories:
  • Helmets (includes helmets and helmet attachments)
  • Body attachments (includes gloves and gear for hips, knees, and wrists)
  • Visors
  • Torso attachments (includes chest gear and shoulder attachments)
  • Armor coatings
  • FX (includes armor effects, mythic effects, and death effects)
  • Spartan customization (includes stances and AI colors)
  • Weapon coatings
  • Emblems
  • Weapon modifications (includes weapon models and charms)
  • Vehicle customization (includes vehicle models and coatings)
  • Backdrops

To access The Exchange, first visit the "Shop" tab from the menu and select "Visit The Exchange." These new folders can be found by scrolling to the end of the list of featured items displayed in The Exchange.

[h3]Using Spartan Points[/h3]

As you play matches and complete challenges in Halo Infinite, you’ll earn Spartan Points (SP) that can be used in The Exchange to acquire armor and other customizations. You can also earn bonus allotments of Spartan Points as you progress through the reward tiers of an active Operation Pass.

Many customization items in The Exchange were once earnable in a past Operation Pass, but some are new or exclusive to The Exchange.

[h3]New: Buy Spartan Points[/h3]

To provide players with alternative ways to acquire customizations from The Exchange, Spartan Points may now be purchased using both Shop Credits and currency, so you can complete your collection any way you like!

All Exchange items will continue to be redeemable with Spartan Points obtained through matches and challenges.

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[h2]More News to Come[/h2]

We can’t wait to share more details as the Summer Update continues! Look out for a full writeup of Operation: Last Stand when it launches on May 6, and watch Halo Waypoint for more news about Operation: Legacy and Operation: Reclaimer coming soon.

2025 Summer Update Community Livestream

The Academy stands ready.

Join us tomorrow at 11am PT for an in-depth look at Halo Infinite’s Summer Update.



Prepare for #OperationLastStand, a monstrous new Juggernaut mode, a devastating power weapon, and more!

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🔴 YouTube

Operation: Last Stand

Be hope in times of darkness. Return to the Academy and repel the Banished in Operation: Last Stand, live now through June 10.



The captured AI Iratus has exposed the location of the Spartan Academy. It’s up to you to fend off a Banished onslaught in Firefight: Battle of the Academy, a new linear Firefight experience where securing objectives is tantamount to survival. Can you outlast your foes long enough to enact the Cole Protocol?

The 2025 Summer Update arrives in Halo Infinite with new playlists, a devastating new power weapon, expanded Weapons Bench customization options, and a last stand for some of humanity’s most decorated soldiers.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

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[h2]New Weapon: Mutilator[/h2]



Two barrels. One gravity-shifting wallop. The Mutilator is a cruel instrument of maximum devastation, borne of the imponderable pairing of a double-barreled shotgun and a Gravity Hammer.

Unload one shell at a time in standard fire, or switch to alt-fire mode for a twofer of titanic output. If there’s anything left to mutilate, the hammer at the business end should finish the job.

The Mutilator can be found as a power weapon on maps, added to custom matches, or spawned in Forge.

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[h2]New Mode: Mutilator Madness[/h2]



Jump into Mutilator Madness to wield the mighty Mutilator in a new, more monstrous incarnation of Juggernaut.

At the start of each match, one player randomly assumes the role of the Mutilator-toting Juggernaut, a nigh-invincible foe whose kills earn points toward victory. The rules are simple: kill the Juggernaut, become the Juggernaut. Everyone else is cannon fodder.

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[h2]Firefight: Battle of the Academy[/h2]



Iratus has brought the Banished to the Spartan Academy. Brace for contact in Firefight: Battle of the Academy, a new linear Firefight experience set in the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science.

You’ll have to defend your allies, commit acts of sabotage, and prevent the enemy from attaining intel on humanity’s best-kept secrets. Our survival as a species may depend on it.

Banished don’t relent without a fight. Let’s give them what they came for.

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[h2]Operation Pass Overview[/h2]

As covered in our Summer Update teaser, Operation: Last Stand kicks off the season with an expanded Premium Pass offering and armor sets commemorating the heroes of the United Nations Space Command.

[h3]Free Operation Pass[/h3]



Iratus just invited the Banished to our doorstep, and you’re not going to answer in pajamas. Fight back in style with the SECOPS armor set, a special issue freshly dispatched from ONI Security. Designed for counterinsurgency and precision interventions, this tactical gear is as quiet as it is lethal. If they see you coming, they’re already dead.

Complete the first 20 free tiers of the latest Operation Pass to unlock the full SECOPS armor set, the Cold Justice coating, and a supply drop of Spartan Points.

[h3]Premium Operation Pass[/h3]



Purchase the Premium Operation Pass to expand your armory in a 50-tier reward track with four full armor sets and a salvo of instant unlocks! In addition to the SECOPS armor, Premium Pass operators can get tactical with the new Raider, EVA GEN1, and Scarred Comet armor sets.
  • Scarred Comet: The commemorative-issue Scarred Comet armor reminds us of the noble sacrifice of Headhunter Jonah-B283, Eirene’s favorite son and one enlightened individual.
  • EVA GEN1: First seen in service in Halo 3, the Extra Vehicular Activity armor was designed for maneuverability in zero-grav conditions. Its staying power lies in its full-width shroud visor and timeless aesthetic.
  • Raider: Adapted from tactical-assault gear first seen in Halo 4, the devilish silhouette of the Raider armor rankles with primal potency. What may be lost in its narrow visor is recouped by its effect on prey.




Premium Pass holders will also receive customizations that pay tribute to some of the UNSC’s finest. Upgrade to the Premium Operation Pass to instantly unlock the Commander Agryna armor kit, Academy Champion coating, Pendragon and Victor visors, and Chibi Johnson weapon charm.

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[h2]Summer Update Now Live[/h2]



Check out our Summer Update blog for a details on new Weapons Bench customizations and other changes now live in Halo Infinite:
  • New Forge nodes and features
  • Ranked S&D Extraction
  • $20,000 ForgeHub Map Contest
  • Sniper ricochet mechanics
  • Kill Feed and tuning updates
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[h2]Free Log-In Unlocks[/h2]

Log in by May 31 to unlock commemorative customization bundles for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Once unlocked, all holiday visors, armor coatings, and emblems can be found in the Armor Hall from the Customization menu.

If you missed your chance to claim last month’s free Earth Day emblem, head to The Exchange to claim it for free starting today.

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[h2]Waypoint Chronicle Coming Soon[/h2]

“February 2560. The UNSC personnel of the Avery J. Johnson Academy are plunged into peril as the rogue artificial intelligence Iratus is unleashed.”

In the first of an epic two-part Waypoint Chronicle story, Spartans Agryna, Eklund, and Dinh must contend with the threat posed by Iratus to the Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science.

Halo: Battle for the Academy – Part 1 releases soon.

Part 2 will be released later this Operation.

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[h2]The Shop[/h2]

This op calls for wetwork, and The Shop has you covered. Between the Headhunter Constellation, ODST Orcus, and X-Treme Sidekick bundles, there’s gear for encounters both serious and silly.

Head to The Shop in Halo Infinite to check out these and more bundles!

[h3]Headhunter Constellation[/h3]



The Headhunter Constellation bundle introduces the Liberator and ORION IIC armor sets, the Sticks and Stone Sidekick weapon model, the Venomous Harvest effect set, and a galaxy of coating options for tactical supremacy.
  • Liberator: Inspired by the infiltration armor of the intrepid Headhunter Roland-B210, the Liberator armor is emblazoned with battle scarring from a treacherous Energy Sword and equipped for short-range comms in swampy environs
  • ORION IIC: Though eventually outmoded by the MJOLNIR series, the ORION IIC prototype exoframe has reportedly seen combat in undisclosed clandestine missions since the Human-Covenant War era
  • Sticks and Stone weapon model: A trusty sidearm from bygone days. Despite its crude materials, its efficacy is superstitiously attested by UNSC veterans. Just don’t forget to share the rock
  • Venomous Harvest effect set: Assail your foes with a searing burst of lightning and the crimson specter of Iratus! Diabolical laughter not included


[h3]ODST Orcus[/h3]



Drops don’t count unless you get singed. Prep for the next orbital insertion with the ODST Orcus bundle, fully kitted out with the Orcus tactical armor (first seen in Operation: Frontlines), the Trenchbroom Bulldog weapon model, and new EXO-X armor accessories.

This bundle also includes the Dirtside Devil armor coating and the War Dog weapon coating, so you’ll look the part when you soar feet-first into hell.

[h3]X-Treme Sidekick[/h3]



Take a break from death-defying and get wet n’ wild with the X-Treme Sidekick bundle, containing the SuperBlaster Sidekick model and X-Treme Deluxe coating.

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[h2]The Exchange[/h2]



Operation: Last Stand dusts off with a full complement of battle-ready customizations. Use Spartan Points to acquire the Ghost of Reach bundle, the Noble Rose stance, and over 20 more new and returning items—including earnable customizations from Operation: Frontlines and the Mindfall Event!

Item Name
Type
From
Noble Rose
Stance
Rosenda Kit
Noble Offensive
Armor Coating
Rosenda Kit
Ghost of Reach
Bundle
Fleetcom
UA/Type 83
Wrist Gear
NEW
TAC/ESIS Duty Case
Hip Gear
NEW
Hermes IIC
Helmet
Frontlines
TAC/WATCHEN
Helmet Attachment
Frontlines
UA/Eger
Chest Gear
Frontlines

UA/HTEACH
Shoulder Pads
Frontlines

TAC/SIH
Wrist Gear
Frontlines
UA/Type HKP
Kneepads
Frontlines
Fall Sketch
Armor Coating
Frontlines
Winged Victory
Emblem
Frontlines

Tyro
Helmet
Mindfall
Alchemic Ratio
Visor
Mindfall
TAC/RS/TACCAM
Helmet Attachment
Mindfall
TAC/Infinity Rig
Chest Gear
Mindfall

SAP/LWAS-Rev3
Shoulderpads
Mindfall

R-107 Scanman
Wrist Gear
Mindfall

Tac Belt
Hip Gear
Mindfall

Desert SPARPAT
Armor Coating
Mindfall

Illusion Protocol
Backdrop
Mindfall

Iratus
Backdrop
Interference

Castor’s Keeper
AI Color
Interference

Wall Breacher
Armor Coating
Halo Gear

Figured
Emblem
Halo Gear

Rampant
Visor
Ultimate Reward

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[h2]Player Resources[/h2]

Halo Infinite is expanding all the time. To navigate its constellated cosmos, we’ve compiled a list of useful resources for new and returning players. Visit the links below to see all currently active playlists, an overview of game modes, patch notes, and more:

New to Halo Infinite? Check out our New Player Guide for helpful tips.

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[h2]See Something, Say Something[/h2]

Run into a bug, glitch, or other unexpected issue? Submit a ticket to the Halo Support team.

You can submit tickets on a wide range of topics that includes reports of audio issues, crashes, game-save corruption, general bug reports, and more.

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[h2]Press Kit[/h2]

Download the Operation: Last Stand press kit here!

Community Playdate

New maps, new modes 🔥



Join us in the freshly updated Big Team Battle playlist for our #OperationForerunner Community Playdate tomorrow at 11AM PT!

🟣 Twitch
🔴 YouTube