Halo Infinite News

[p]Operation: Reclaimer has come. Let claimants to the Mantle sing a requiem for the resolute warriors of Halo 4 multiplayer![/p][p]
Enter the fray now through August 5 to test your might in S&D Extraction, brave new Action Sack modes, and immortalize your triumphs with a library of returning armor sets from Halo 4.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]
[/p][h2]S&D Extraction[/h2][p]
Its coming was foretold in the ancient month of March. Your wait ends today.

Seek & Deploy (S&D) Extraction is now available in Halo Infinite in both Ranked and Social playlists. Warriors of all stripes will find eager combatants in this intense, round-based tactical mode with a built-in points economy.

With one life and mere seconds to determine the fate of your team, it’s up to you to score points through valiant actions and become the champion you were born to be.[/p][p]Learn more about S&D Extraction and all six new maps. [/p][h3]Mode Overview[/h3][p]S&D Extraction is a 4v4 competitive mode with a built-in points economy. In each 90-second round, teams must either defend or secure two simultaneously available extraction sites.[/p]

• [p]Starting Weapon: Bandit Evo[/p]
• [p]Motion Tracker: Disabled[/p]
• [p]Lives: 1 per round[/p]

[p]During rounds, you’ll earn points for kills, site extractions, and disarming. Rounds begin with a 30-second purchase window, during which you can use points earned in previous rounds to acquire more powerful weapons and equipment.[/p][p]If you have enough points, you can even buy back with an instant revive upon death! Smart spending makes all the difference between victory and ruin.[/p][h3]Winning Rounds[/h3][p]Teams swap between Offense and Defense postures every round. Defenders can lock out the Offense team by denying extraction for 90 seconds. If the Offense team manages to deploy an extraction site, Defenders will have 60 seconds to win by disarming the site or eliminating the remaining opponents.[/p][p]If either team is eliminated at any point, the round goes to the opposing team. The first team to rack up six rounds wins the match—so watch the scoreboard and always press the advantage![/p][h3]Playlist Variants[/h3][p]To play the Ranked S&D Extraction playlist, you’ll need to have completed at least 50 matches in Halo Infinite, so that our matchmaking systems can pair you with the right competition.[/p][p]There is no minimum match requirement for the Social S&D Extraction playlist. Play style and maps are identical to Ranked S&D Extraction, with the exception that friendly fire is turned off.[/p][hr][/hr][h2]New Action Sack Modes[/h2][p]Seeking a reprieve from war? Look no further than the updated Action Sack playlist, now offering two newly available modes alongside fan-favorite free-for-all minigames. Jump into Action Sack for a grab-bag experience, or pick a new favorite in the Match Composer![/p][h3]The Gravemind[/h3][p][/p][p]Forged by: Starkey213036, DanZama22, ArturBloodshot[/p][p]This popular community mode is the stuff of nightmares. In this Infection variant, one player becomes the Gravemind, a mobile flesh-train that mulches foes upon contact and can telepathically place obstacles wherever it looks.[/p][p]A team of Spartans on Mongooses must evade the fearsome Flood-form long enough to win the round. Survivors can use marking to leap away from the Gravemind, over obstacles, or out of the way of its ever-growing tail that stuns upon contact.[/p][h3]Thunderbowl[/h3][p][/p][p]Drive to survive! In the demolition derby of Thunderbowl, players spawn in either a Razorback or a Mongoose, on a massive, bowl-shaped arena where living through the mayhem is the only objective.[/p][p]Players earn points for every five seconds spent in one of the bowl’s colored rings, with more points awarded for lingering in the rings closer to the drain. You could try churning easy points in the middle (leaving the danger zone to the foolish), but you should know that the bowl gradually shrinks, layer by layer, until you’re all at the mercy of the Thunderbowl.[/p][p]If you can ring out enemies, skirt the inner rim, and time those tackles, you just might survive the thunder.[/p][p][/p][h2]Operation Pass[/h2][p][/p][p]Complete Operation: Reclaimer’s free, 20-tier Operation Pass by August 5 to unveil the mysteries of the Venator armor set.[/p][p][/p][h2]Free Operation Pass[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]After rising to prominence during the defense of Concord in 2551, Venator armor soon became the preferred gear of Spartan assassins. This reissued variant inherits the cunning of its original bearers to perfect the art of hunting from the shadows.[/p][h3]Premium Operation Pass[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]Upgrade to the Premium Pass to instantly unlock the Promethean Bandit weapon model and the Serpentine Gradient weapon coating.[/p][p]Premium Pass holders will also earn bonus XP, unlock an additional challenge slot, and open a durable reward track to complete Operation: Reclaimer’s 20 reward tiers at their leisure.[/p][p][/p][h2]2025 Summer Update[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Just dropping into the Summer Update? Check out our Summer Update preview for a rundown on the new Mutilator power weapon, expanded Weapons Bench customization options, sniper ricochet mechanics, and more.[/p][p][/p][h2]Free Log-In Unlocks [/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Log in by July 31 to instantly unlock the Disability Pride Month customization bundle, containing themed emblems, a visor, and an exclusive armor coating. Once unlocked, all holiday visors, armor coatings, and emblems can be found in the Armor Hall from the Customization menu.[/p][p]If you missed your chance to claim last month’s Unity bundle or Juneteeth emblem set, head to The Exchange to redeem those customizations for free starting today.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Shop[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Exorcise the ghosts of Requiem with the Midnight Bundle! This mythic armor bundle resurrects the iconic Wetwork and FOTUS armor sets and introduces the Promethean Sniper Rifle weapon model, the Mantle’s Aegis armor effect, and a full complement of customizations from the UNSC Infinity’s armory.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Exchange[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Operation: Reclaimer assumes the Mantle with a fitting offering of Spartan regalia. Use Spartan Points in The Exchange to unlock the Prefect armor set (first seen in Operation: Forerunner), customizations from the HAZMAT event, and more![/p][p][/p][h2]Player Resources[/h2][p]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:[/p]

• [p]Join the official Halo Discord server.[/p]
• [p]Read the patch notes for Operation: Reclaimer.[/p]
• [p]Check out all currently active multiplayer playlists.[/p]
• [p]Read descriptions for all multiplayer modes in Halo Infinite.[/p]
• [p]Learn about creating custom maps and modes in Forge.[/p]

[p]New to Halo Infinite? Check out our New Player Guide for helpful tips.[/p][p][/p][h2]Support[/h2][p]Run into a bug, glitch, or other unexpected issue? Submit a ticket to the Halo Support team.[/p][p]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.[/p][p][/p][h2]Press Kit[/h2][p]Download the Operation: Reclaimer press kit.[/p]

[p]Turn back the clock 🕝[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Join us tomorrow at 11 AM PT for the explosive Delta Arena: Halo 3 Legacy and Grifball Community Playdate—where fan-favorite maps host fierce new battles. Gear up for your shot at the exclusive Unicorn of Ice rewards![/p][p][/p][p]🟣 Twitch[/p][p]🔴 YouTube[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]The sport of the future arrives today. Pick up those Gravity Hammers and Energy Swords and get ready for the most epic of faceoffs with the return of Grifball![/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Originally a throwaway joke in the legendary Red vs Blue series, Rooster Teeth set out to make all of Grif’s dreams a reality and created Grifball with the tools at their disposal in Halo 3’s Forge.[/p][p][/p][p]The game is simple:[/p][p][/p][p]Smash enemies. Score goals.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]If you make it to the middle and grab the ball, you are blessed with an Overshield and turn orange in homage to the one and only Grif. (That OS won’t save you from friendly fire so don’t get too close to your friends!) As the runner, your goal is so easy: just score it. All you gotta do is walk over the plant and get a point. How hard can it be? Not like there’s 7 other people on the court, 4 of whom are not on your team, in your way or anything.[/p][p][/p][p]Jokes aside, Grifball has three weapons:[/p]

• [p]Gravity Hammer[/p]
• [p]Energy Sword[/p]
• [p]Ball (or Bomb…depends who you ask)[/p]

[p]All of which combine to a delicate paper-rock-scissors-esque dance. Hammer beats sword, sword beats ball, ball beats hammer. But a lot of that will depend on your timing and your “dance” skills.[/p][p][/p][p]“But I have two left feet!” you say. Ahhh then it’s a good thing we’re not taking a spin around the ballroom floor isn’t it?[/p][p][/p][p]With regards to Grifball, “dancing” simply means knowing when to hold forward and smash away vs knowing when to backstep or sidestep around an enemy’s attack. Moving backwards away from an Energy Sword wielding Spartan for a moment might allow you the opportunity to step in and earn the kill.[/p][p][/p][h2]Grif’s Got Game[/h2][p]We’ve already covered the Gravity Hammer-Energy Sword-Ball balance of the mode but let’s take a look at the rest of your arsenal.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As tanks (players wielding Gravity Hammers and Energy Swords):[/p]

• [p]Sprint[/p]
• [p]Gravity Hammer has gravity physics[/p]
  • [p]Allows for hammer jumps[/p]
  • [p]Allows for launching teammates[/p]
  • [p]Allows for ball deflection[/p]

[p]As runners (player holding the ball, trying to score):[/p]

• [p]No sprinting[/p]
• [p]1.5x speed increase moving forward/laterally[/p]
• [p]1.05x speed increase moving backwards[/p]
• [p]Overshield[/p]
• [p]Ball passing ability[/p]

[p]All in first person….and third! Yes, Classic Grifball will be available in both first and third person modes for matchmaking so if you prefer being able to see over your shoulder, that’s definitely an option this time around![/p][p][/p][p]“Classic” implies the availability of a “Not Classic” experience and you would be correct. Introducing Octane Grifball! Also available in both first and third persons, the move sets are the same as above with the addition of thrusters allowing you to zip around the court.[/p][p][/p][p]You can bookmark the modes here:[/p]

• [p]Classic Grifball[/p]
• [p]Classic Grifball, 3rd person[/p]
• [p]Octane Grifball[/p]
• [p]Octane Grifball, 3rd person[/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Battle Boxes[/h2][p]Generally speaking, a Grifball court is pretty straightforward – you’re battling in a boxy arena. Aesthetics are generally the biggest identifiable difference between courts with a few exceptions. (Raise your hand if you fell to your death on Grifball Naught in Halo 3 because you moved before the floor spawned in 🙋🏻‍♀️).[/p][p][/p][p]For today’s launch we’ve got plenty to share – you’ll been spoiled for courts with this impressive collection of maps. Enjoy![/p][p][/p][h2]Aquario[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: ASpence501, Deathcrawller[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Make a splash today![/p][p][/p][h2]Coliseum[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: Deathcrawller[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]One of the grandest stages for the impending battle.[/p][p][/p][h2]Gridiron[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Break out the chain gang and get ready to score some points.[/p][p][/p][h2]High Charity Court[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: Deathcrawller, Fame28[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]By the prophets![/p][p][/p][h2]Neon Night[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: Deathcrawller, UneeQ TV, MikRips, Mr Greencastle, ArturBloodshot[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]All that’s missing is some smooth jazz.[/p][p][/p][h2]Nexus[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Don’t get blinded by the lights, keep your eyes on the prize goal.[/p][p][/p][h2]Way Up There[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: runNOKYARDrun, ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]What a blast from the past![/p][p][/p][h2]Scarry[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: runNOKYARDrun[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Competition burns bright.[/p][p][/p][h2]Sigma Stadium[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: Deathcrawller, ArturBloodshot[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]When you’re out for a leisurely stroll and find a court, of course you throw down a mean game of Grifball.[/p][p][/p][h2]Winter League 2008[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: Deathcrawller, UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips, ArturBloodshot[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Back to the roots and where it all started – on Foundry. (Forklift included.)[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]New to the sport? Catch the disease and can’t get enough? There’s a whole community that thrives on customs and league games and they have an upcoming tournament on June 15th at 1pm ET. You can check out the long-running American Grifball League of America (yes, really), for more information and to sign up. This playlist was made possible by collaboration with AGLA and their hard work and iteration.[/p][p][/p][p]And with that…it’s time to smash enemies and score goals! See you on the court![/p]

[p]Legacy playlists are not new to Halo Infinite. We’ve had playlists inspired by both Halo 2  and Halo 3 already in Delta Arena and Halo 3: Refueled, respectively. The Mountain Dew fueled nostalgia hits hard so how about a Halo 3 inspired Delta Arena?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Retro Recap[/h2][p]If you played Delta Arena during the Great Journey, this should look and feel familiar to you. You can think of this playlist as a modernized version of the legacy settings from the Xbox 360 days. So what can you expect to see as a Spartan when you jump in to play?[/p]

• [p]No sprint[/p]
• [p]No clamber[/p]
• [p]Increased jump height[/p]
• [p]Friendly player collision[/p]

[p]This should all lend itself to a movement set that feels pretty familiar overall.[/p][p] You’ll be playing the following modes:[/p]

• [p]Team Slayer[/p]
• [p]Oddball[/p]
• [p]King of the Hill[/p]
• [p]Capture the Flag[/p]
  • [p]One Flag and normal CTF[/p]
• [p]Assault[/p]
  • [p]One Bomb and Neutral Bomb[/p]

[h2]MA5K vs BR75[/h2][p]Every mode in the Halo 3 Delta Arena playlist will come in two versions: MA5K starts and BR75 starts. You will be able to choose which you want to play via the Match Composer. We know that the debate between the two starting weapons is eternal (2004…eternity…close enough) and we’ll be monitoring the data very closely to see which starting weapon modes are chosen/played most.[/p][p][/p][p]Your choices will ultimately determine what moves into the Match Composer at the end of Operation: Legacy.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Maptacular[/h2][p]You can bookmark the modes if you want to save them for later:[/p]

• [p]Slayer: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]Capture the Flag: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]One Flag: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]King of the Hill: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]Oddball: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]Assault Neutral Bomb: Legacy | BRs[/p]
• [p]Assault One Bomb: Legacy | BRs[/p]

[p]The maps should feel familiar but here’s the list, just in case:[/p][p][/p][h2]Isolation[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: D0ctorSmurf, LudoHT, Okom1, nkdape, Virus11010, Mr IncrediJON, Mr Greencastle
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR), CTF (Legacy & BR), Neutral Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Whatever you do, don’t touch the blistered walls of the Flood containment facility. You’re *ahem* isolated in this Flood containment facility so make the most of it and play the objective (or slay the day away).[/p][p][/p][h2]Snowbound[/h2][p]Bookmark Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, Azwilko1997, xMick3y Chiefx, MikRips, ArtN00b, UneeQ Forges, Foge
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR), CTF (Legacy & BR), Neutral Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Snow covered Covenant bases, tunnels to sneak through, and sentry turrets watching the perimeter. Keep your cool.[/p][p][/p][h2]Guardian[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Gravity lifts, man cannons, walkways…Guardian has it all. This fan-favorite is a versatile battleground and excels in objective modes.[/p][p][/p][h2]Narrows[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), CTF (Legacy & BR), Assault Neutral Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Caution: Flying Spartans. Your three lane map is two man cannons and a bridge, each with their own risk.[/p][p][/p][h2]Construct[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips, ArtN00b
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]What goes up, must come down…eventually. Danger can come from many directions on Construct so keep your head on a swivel.[/p][p][/p][h2]Ghost Town[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR), One Flag (Legacy & BR), Assault One Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Ruins, hidey holes, broken bridges…plenty of places for a ghost (or enemy Spartans) to hide. Good thing you aren’t afraid of no ghosts, right?[/p][p][/p][h2]Cold Storage[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: Cousin Tim, UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips, Deathcrawller
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Deep inside Installation 05 you’ll find the Flood research facilities. Chill out. It’ll be okay.[/p][p][/p][h2]Ivory Tower[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: Cousin Tim, CaptainPunch374, Mr Kwatz, bullet2thehead9, Handsome Huber, Mikrips, Kat Rat A Tat, UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Okay maybe this is an interloper in the Halo 3 playlist but this is a classic throwback map with great lines of sight and pathways that lead to fun gameplay, and a nice oasis in the middle of the room. If you reflect, you may also remember this map from Halo: Reach.[/p][p][/p][h2]Foundry[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MiKRips, ArtN00b
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Originally part of the Heroic Map Pack, Foundry changed the game for Halo. As it became the Forger’s playground, it’s fitting that we see it return, via Forge, in Halo Infinite.[/p][p][/p][h2]The Pit[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MiKRips, Artifice
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), KOTH (Legacy & BR), Oddball, CTF (Legacy & BR), Assault Neutral Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]What else is there to say about the Pit? This is the classic, go-to competitive map. Equally balanced, perfectly symmetrical…It all comes down to gameplay and teamwork.[/p][p][/p][h2]High Ground[/h2][p]Bookmark
Credits: UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MiKRips, ArtN00b
Modes: Slayer (Legacy & BR), One Flag CTF (Legacy & BR), Assault One Bomb (Legacy & BR)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]High Ground excels at objective modes, especially one-sided ones. Get ready to storm up the hill to plant the bomb or grab the flag. Go on foot or use a Mongoose. Just watch out for rockets.[/p][hr][/hr][p]Remember, we’re watching to see what you are playing and the data will determine what modes stick around at the end of the Operation so vote with your gameplay.[/p][p][/p][p]It’s a blast from the past and we’ll see you on the battlefield![/p]