1. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
– 25 Legendary Maps You Need To
Revisit
http://www.gamebasin.com/news/halo-the-master-chief-collection-25-
legendary-maps-you-need-to-revisit
There’s an old saying about buses in London; you wait ages for one and then two come at once.
The same apparently applies for Halo games on the Xbox One; we’ve waited what feels like ages
(well, two years) and now we’re getting four at once. Rather than be bitter and cynical about this,
we’re simply emptying our calendar from November 11th onwards and embracing the fact that
Halo is set to take over our lives once more. The Master Chief Collection had been rumoured long
before Microsoft’s E3 presentation earlier this month but still – finally seeing it announced felt
awesome. Running through all four campaigns will be an absolute treat (especially getting to relive
Halo 2 in a new shiny coat of paint) but it’s the multiplayer details that have us wishing we could
hibernate until November. The Master Chief Collection will feature every Halo map ever released,
all playable in their original engines – which is an amazing amount of maps. Custom playlists will
allow you to combine maps from each game, as having every game on one disc allows the Master
Chief Collection to seamlessly switch between different engines to make every map work as well
as they did back in the day. With most series’, we’d be getting a lot of garbage maps but Halo has
never let us down when it comes to quality and quantity; there’s definitely going to be some hidden
gems that we’ve long forgotten about. This list hopefully includes everybody’s favourites, but due
to the sheer volume of incredible maps there’s bound to be at least one exclusion which probably
deserves a place. If you can think of any map that definitely should have made the cut, please feel
free to add it in via the comments section below. Together, we can build the ultimate Halo playlist.

2. 25. Rat’s Nest (Halo 3)
Released in the Heroic Map Pack for Halo 3, Rat’s Nest quickly became a fan favourite. Perfectly
symmetrical and big enough to accommodate vehicles, Rat’s Nest is a great map to team up with
a buddy and gun the enemy down in a Warthog. Prefer your close quarters combat? The central
area between the two bases tends to turn into a big on‐foot battleground as the two teams fight
for control of the Rocket Launcher and Spartan Laser located in the middle of the structure. As a
symmetrical map, Rat’s Nest is great for 8v8 Capture The Flag action and the map’s clever mix of
corridors and wide open spaces means all play‐styles are welcome. It’s probably best to start
learning this map now; it’s sure to be featured heavily in The Master Chief Collection’s objective‐based
playlists.
24. Guardian (Halo 3)

3. Often compared to Lockout and Ascension from Halo 2, Guardian is one of the most memorable
maps from Halo 3. In fact, before the release of Blackout (a complete remake of Lockout), Guardian
was known as the spiritual successor to Lockout. It’s easy to see why; both maps feature a hectic
central platform with a variety of paths and corridors to traverse if diving straight in isn’t your style.
If you like your weapons big and powerful, the Gravity Hammer spawns just below the central
platform, and with close range combat almost guaranteed, wielding the Grav Hammer gives an
immediate advantage. King Of The Hill on here was a real treat, especially when the hill moved to
the middle, compounding everyone into the tiny space seen above. It’s absolute chaos.
23. Damnation/Penance (Halo: CE)
As Damnation beautifully demonstrates, the Covenant love their purple architecture. Set in a
Covenant facility (essentially an evil lair for the bad guys), Damnation creates more vertical
gameplay than most other maps. Controlling the high base is imperative if your team is to succeed

4. as it allows you to pick your enemy off from relative safety whilst they scramble around below.
Much of the action is based around the pit area where three streams of water fall from the ceiling
into a seemingly bottomless hole. Three walkways hang precariously over the pit but with a Rocket
Launcher up for grabs, it might be worth testing your nerve if you’re not afraid of heights. Great
for objective game‐types and Slayer modes alike, Damnation’s (or Penance as it was rebranded in
the Anniversary remake) purple interiors will undoubtedly be etched in your mind very soon after
playing.
22. Elongation (Halo 2)
Set on a UNSC freighter, Elongation’s most noticeable feature is its two long corridors which make
up almost the entirety of the map. A brighter remake of Halo: CE’s Longest, Elongation is a tight
map which results in heavy action right from the first spawn. There’s little cover, aside from gaps
in the dividing wall between the two corridors and the boxes being carried through the level by the
conveyor belts, so grenades are an amazingly lethal weapon here; they’re basically pocket nuclear
bombs. According to 343 Industries, six of Halo 2′s maps will be receiving a complete remake in the
Master Chief Collection, and Elongation could very well be due an overhaul. It’s a perfect map for
objective game‐types between two small teams (anything more than 4v4 would be insane) and it’s
definitely worth revisiting this November.
21. Prisoner/Solitary (Halo: CE)

5. Another vertical map from the first Halo, Prisoner (or Solitary in the Anniversary remake) is
probably one of the smallest maps in Halo history. It’s made up of one tall room with bridges,
walkways and platforms spanning three levels. Right at the top is a sniper spawn which allows you
to see nearly the entire map, suddenly making open spaces feel very vulnerable. Slayer is a good
game type for this map (if you like fast paced action, anyway); the lower level quickly becomes a
warzone as players rain grenades down from above. Team games also work surprisingly well,
although friendly fire is a near certainty on a map this small. Of course, you could always create a
custom game to really bring chaos to Prisoner – a 16‐man Slayer with nothing but Rocket Launchers
sound good? Hope you like re‐spawning.
20. Midship/Heretic (Halo 2)
A circular map set on a Covenant warship, Midship (or Heretic in Halo 3) is another tight map which
features plenty of close quarters combat. The Energy Sword hanging on the arena’s highest

6. platform is vital here; gaining control of it can be a massive advantage when the enemy is around
every corner. Generally renowned as one of the best maps for Oddball, Midship’s three levels
encourage you to keep on the move, especially when carrying the skull. There’s a real exhilaration
to flying around this map while every other Spartan in the game chases you, especially when the
next corner you turn around could be your last. Midship or Heretic will definitely be a popular
feature in the Master Chief Collection’s Lone Wolves playlist.
19. Exile (Halo 4)
As fun as Halo’s chaotic small maps are, sometimes we yearn for larger scale warfare. Luckily, Halo
features some great large maps too, like Exile from Halo 4. Initially, the map is a race to control the
Scorpion which is located at one base; capturing the hulking tank can get your team off to a great
start. With a Banshee and/or a Mantis also spawning (depending on the gametype), Exile is clearly
designed for vehicle warfare, although there’s plenty of action for the on‐foot Spartan too. Exile is
an excellent map to try one of 343′s new gametypes – Dominion. Teams fight to control three bases
which fortify and provide supplies over time, providing those without vehicles plenty of tools to
dispose of those with them. It may not be as balanced as most other maps but Exile will add a
welcome dose of variety to the Master Chief Collection.
18. Construct (Halo 3)

7. The Battle Rifle is one of the most dominant weapons in Halo 3 and Construct is perfectly suited
for the weapon. The size of the map (large but not enormous) means that mid‐range battles take
place all over the map and being skilled with the Battle Rifle in those scenarios is key. That’s why
Construct gained such a big following in Halo 3′s MLG playlist; it’s size and multi‐level build makes
it perfect for highly contested Team Slayer matches. The most dominating feature in Construct is
the giant, yellow Gravity Lift in the centre of the map. Leading from the very bottom to the very
top, the Grav Lift tends to be where most of the action takes place as players use it to ascend the
map’s levels quickly. Beware though, players love to throw grenades through it too to catch those
at the top unaware.
17. Terminal (Halo 2)
Another large, asymmetrical map, Terminal arrived in Halo 2′s Maptacular Map Pack and quickly
became a firm favourite thanks to a unique look and feel. Set on Earth in a train station, Terminal

8. features a wide open courtyard, an elevated track with moving trains and – somewhat bizarrely –
a parking garage, making Terminal one of very few maps in the Halo universe to be set on civilian
grounds. The size and shape of the map makes it perfect for one‐flag CTF games, especially when
the Wraith is added to the mix. Assault – where one team is tasked with planting a bomb in the
enemy’s base – is also a great gametype to play on Terminal as opportunistic players can sneak the
bomb down one path whilst the rest of the team creates a loud distraction at the enemy’s front
door. Mind the gap though, those trains are lethal.
16. Sandtrap (Halo 3)
One of the biggest maps released to date, Sandtrap is ideal for Big Team Battle playlists. Team Slayer,
Assault and Capture The Flag all work great here, thanks to the introduction of the Elephant – a
movable base which has an array of turrets and weaponry to help defend the flag/bombpoint
located on it. Hopefully the Elephant is reintroduced in the Master Chief Collection – it’s an
amazingly unique vehicle which has sadly been underutilised in the Halo universe so far. Away from
the vehicles, this is another map where skill with the Battle Rifle is essential; the majority of the
map is made up of wide open spaces, making Assault Rifles and Shotguns ineffective. The Banshee
can be a major nuisance on this map as there’s little cover to hide from the fiery blue wrath of the
Banshee’s cannons; being a good shot with the Spartan Laser can work wonders here.
15. Turf (Halo 2)

9. Like Terminal, Turf wins points for being a highly original‐looking map. Set in the suburbs of Old
Mombasa, Turf’s main battlegrounds are a road and some rooftops. Despite featuring a Warthog,
Turf is actually a really small map, as the background – which features the bridge Master Chief
crosses in the campaign level Metropolis – making it seem bigger than it is. The most notable
feature of the map is the collapsed Scarab which covers one corner of the map. Despite this, much
of the action is focused on the road with the overlooking rooftops creating a perfect spot to get
the jump on your opponents. With tight alleyways forming the rest of the map, Turf is a great map
for small team games, especially King Of The Hill which forces players to move around instead of
camping in one spot.
14. Haven (Halo 4)
Haven is set on a Forerunner spire (the Forerunners are a highly advanced species in the Halo world)
which is probably why everything looks so sleek and beautiful. It also seems to have been inspired

10. by other classic maps in the Halo series (Guardian in particular); that’s probably why it’s one of
Halo 4′s best maps. Like most Halo maps, Haven attracts a lot of action to its central platform,
despite a lack of power weapons to collect. Teams tend to battle it out for control of the middle of
this map with explosives being especially effective, thanks to a lack of protection. The lower level
also invites a lot of action as enterprising players wait in the shadows for unsuspecting opponents
to wander past. It’s not a great objective map but Team Slayer on Haven tends to be a great
combination.
13. Battle Creek/Beaver Creek (Halo: CE)
Battle Creek (or Beaver Creek in Halo 2) isn’t the only Halo map featuring two bases in a box canyon
(more on that later) but it’s definitely the smallest. It’s also ingeniously named; there’s a creek and
it’s the setting for several huge battles (not quite sure where the beaver part comes from though…).
All jokes aside, Battle Creek is perfectly built for intense Capture The Flag games. It’s incredibly
symmetrical with a base on either side of the creek and there’s several ways for players to sneak in
and out as they bid to escape with the flag. Those more interested in killing will want to battle it
out over the large arch which crosses the creek; it’s a perfect spot to pick enemies off from. This
will definitely be a popular map in the Master Chief Collection if not for the layout itself, but for
effortlessly pulling on the nostalgia strings.
12. High Ground (Halo 3)

11. This will probably come as a major shock but High Ground features a base perched on top of a hill,
making it perfect for one‐sided objective games like One‐Bomb and One‐Flag CTF. To aid defenders,
the gates to the base can be shut (they need to be opened from inside if attackers wish to enter
with vehicles) and turrets line the wall to pick players off with ease. Of course, there’s other ways
into the base. The front wall is broken on one side, allowing attackers to sneak in with ease, whilst
an exterior bunker entrance leads right into the middle of the base forcing the defenders to cover
a lot of ground to prevent a mass break‐in. Plus, with a Sniper Rifle, a Spartan Laser and a Rocket
Launcher up for grabs, High Ground offers plenty of excitement, no matter what particular game
type is played on it.
11. Valhalla/Ragnarok (Halo 3)
Oh look, a map featuring two bases in a boxed canyon! Valhalla (or Ragnarok in the Halo 4 remake)
was created as a spin‐off of Halo classic Blood Gulch and it’s easy to see where Bungie wanted to

12. mix the map up. A big hill in the middle prevents players from sniping across the entire map,
allowing on‐foot players to survive for (a little bit) longer. Two bases obviously makes Valhalla a
great CTF map but it’s also a pretty fun King Of The Hill map too, especially when the hill is located
on the… well, hill. Vehicles on Valhalla are hugely important too with Wraiths, Banshees and
Warthogs all capable of dishing out death with ease; it makes capturing the middle hill all the more
important as the Spartan Laser that spawns there is a fantastic counter to annoying vehicle users.
10. Headlong/Breakneck (Halo 2)
Another map based on the familiar ground of Planet Earth, Headlong (Breakneck in the Anniversary
remake) is an amazingly big map which only features in Big Team Battle playlists. Getting around is
made easier with the teleporters dotted around the map; Warthogs are also available for those
who like to travel via more traditional methods. Headlong’s immense size makes sniping a hugely
important skill to utilise; picking enemies off from the heights of the construction tower is a great
way to score some quick points for your team. While the Energy Sword can be picked up on
Headlong, it might actually become a burden; you’ll very rarely be in range to use it and you might
end up with a head full of lead for your troubles.
9. Sidewinder/Avalanche (Halo: CE)

13. Sidewinder (it was also remade as Avalanche for Halo 3) is one of very few maps in the Halo
universe to be uniquely shaped; the map is a big horseshoe with the two bases situated right next
to each other, separated by a wall of ice. The icy nature of this level actually adds to the excitement
of vehicles as Warthogs slide easily, making them harder to control whilst also making Splatter kills
more fun. Again, the size of Sidewinder means that being skilled in long distance combat will give
you a strong advantage. The tunnels in the middle of the map will be the main source of action for
those on‐foot, whilst vehicles will battle on the large ice patch at the centre of the map, meaning
big team games on Sidewinder always provide constant action. The Avalanche remake is good but
nothing will ever beat our first frozen steps onto Sidewinder.
8. Adrift (Halo 4)
It might look like something out of Metal Gear Solid but Adrift is another great map from 343
Industries’ first major step into the Halo Universe. Completely square, Adrift is made up of one

14. large central area bordered by corridors and pathways. The size of the map makes close quarters
combat essential and watching your back is advised as players have a tendency to sneak up on you
here. The central area gets particularly hectic as players fight for control of the Energy Sword, but
a death‐tracking heat‐map for Adrift would probably show an even spread all over; it’s the sort of
map where there’s always something going on. King Of The Hill is a great game type for Adrift as it
confines the action to one area at a time while free‐for‐all Oddball can lead to chases across the
entire map, thanks to the linear corridors and weaving pathways.
7. Ivory Tower (Halo 2)
Controlling the high ground is key on most of Halo’s maps but on Ivory Tower (remade as Reflection
for Halo: Reach), it’s vital if you’re to be successful. Ivory Tower’s highest level affords a great view
across the rest of the map, although it’s also incredibly vulnerable to attack with three different
paths leading to it. The elevator at the back of the map is particularly dangerous; clever players will
ascend silently while their opponents are distracted with sniping from the raised platform. The
Rocket Launcher located at the bottom of the map is particularly lethal here too; players will tend
to group up and support each other, allowing a well‐placed rocket to decimate entire teams at once.
Ivory Tower works best with standard Slayer game types but One‐Flag CTF and One‐Bomb can also
work here, making for speedy games which require players to be on their toes constantly.
6. Last Resort/Zanzibar (Halo 3)

15. Another map which is ideal for one‐sided objective games, Last Resort (previously known as
Zanzibar in Halo 2) is set in a large coastal base with plenty of space for big battles between
attackers and defenders. The most dominating feature of the map is the giant wheel right in the
middle of the base; it doesn’t add a lot gameplay‐wise but it looks cool. It does hide Active
Camouflage though, so that’s something. The spacious ground floor is perfect for battles between
vehicles while on‐foot players will be battling on the walkways linking the base with the outer wall.
Camp Froman, a bunker located on one side of the base, is also highly contested as a valuable
Sniper Rifle spawns there; controlling this spawn can be the difference between glorious victory
and bitter defeat.
5. Hang ‘Em High/Tombstone/High Noon (Halo:
CE)

16. Easily one of Halo’s most iconic maps, Hang ‘Em High has been remade several times (as you can
see from the title of this section) as players just can’t get enough of it. It’s a medium‐sized map
with multiple levels which is a perfect battleground for Halo’s most infamous weapon – the pistol.
With a 2x scope attached, Halo’s pistol was a lethal weapon and for whatever reason, Hang ‘Em
High was a great map for 1v1 duels. The map features a Sniper Rifle on its upper levels, making
open spaces a dangerous place to be. Luckily, the lower levels have plenty of cover, thanks to the
small pillars covering the ground. The mixture of walkways and open spaces makes Hang ‘Em High
a great CTF map; flag‐carriers will constantly be in danger, making teamwork a must.
4. The Pit/Pitfall (Halo 3)
The great thing about The Pit is that it works so well for so many different gametypes at the same
time – the map is symmetrical so Capture The Flag works well; it’s medium sized with a variety of
combat zones so Slayer works well; and there’s enough twists and turns in the map to make King
Of The Hill and Oddball thrilling too. There’s also a great mix of power weapons to fight over with
a Sniper Rifle and a Rocket Launcher located in the middle of the map, along with an Overshield
and Active Camo; getting to these first will quickly ease your team into the lead. The Pit is also
popular with MLG playlists as it’s perfectly sized for Battle Rifle battles with a variety of levels giving
players with the high ground a big advantage. No matter what playlist you’re planning on diving
into with the Master Chief Collection, The Pit is sure to feature heavily and you should be thankful
for that.
3. Ascension (Halo 2)

17. It’s unsurprising that 343 Industries would choose to show off a remade version of Ascension to
get people excited for the Master Chief Collection; it’s definitely one of Halo’s finest maps. It’s
relatively simple in design but don’t let that put you off; Ascension has always been a really exciting
map. The middle dish seems like an obvious battleground but players tend to fight in the towers
surrounding the central platform as controlling the Sniper Rifles on this map can make all the
difference. One custom game type – known as Tower Of Power – encourages this by handing
players Shotguns and charging them with attacking and defending the bigger tower on the map.
It’s an 8v8 game type too so it gets pleasantly hectic quickly. Just like all the best Halo maps, every
game type is suitable for Ascension but King Of The Hill deserves a special mention. The hill
generally moves from open space to open space, making gathering points within the hill’s
boundaries a risky game. Plus, someone is bound to be holding the map’s Rocket Launcher and you
don’t want to be in the firing line for that one. With a brand new look and probably a few gameplay
reworks, Ascension is bound to go down a storm with the Halo community, making it one of the
most eagerly anticipated maps for the Master Chief Collection.
2. Lockout/Blackout (Halo 2)

18. Determining one map as the best in Halo is a tough task but Lockout is a definite contender. We’ve
already seen its influence on other maps in the Halo franchise but nothing compares to the original.
Lockout is massively popular with the Halo community and it suits most Slayer based gametypes
perfectly; Team Snipers and Team SWAT (which removes shields, making each shot with the Battle
Rifle a one hit kill) are firm favourites for Lockout. As with other maps that feature a mix of tight
corridors and open spaces, King Of The Hill is a blast with grenades and Energy Swords flying
everywhere. Oddball can lead to some intense chases as players drop through holes in the ground;
jump off of towers and fly up grav lifts to separate themselves from their opponents. Team Slayer
works really well here too as the design of the level makes it easy for players to sneak up on each
other; having backup helps massively. Happily, Lockout is already confirmed to be receiving the
Anniversary remake treatment which should be exciting news for any Halo player. Even if you’ve
never played it before (which, honestly, would be impressive), Lockout’s design will leave a lasting
impression and the action it provides is unlike anything you’re likely to see in another game.
1. Blood Gulch/Coagulation (Halo: CE)

19. 2Fort. DE_Dust2. Facing Worlds. Some maps are so iconic that we immediately picture them when
we hear the name of a game. As we’ve already seen, Halo has a ton of phenomenal maps but none
will ever dethrone Blood Gulch; it’s simply the best map the series will ever know. Yes, it’s a map
featuring two bases in a boxed canyon (where have you read that before?) but it’s the original map
featuring two bases in a box canyon. Obviously, long range combat rules this dusty
environment but getting up close with players is pretty common too, especially if you’re running
around trying to aid your team by capturing flags or delivering bombs. The small paths around the
canyon’s edge are contested heavily by those on‐foot and even the hills in the middle of the
battlefield can end up covered in Spartan corpses. It goes without saying that Capture The Flag is
great for Blood Gulch but there’s also a few other game types that are insanely fun to try out here.
Team Snipers will test your skills to the max while even silly modes like Rocket Race (where players
race around the map on a Mongoose) will have you grinning from ear to ear. The size of Blood
Gulch makes it incredibly versatile too; nearly any game type could work here with enough players.
Do you need further proof of Blood Gulch’s prestige? It’s been remade countless times (re‐released
in Halo 2 as Coagulation; remade in the RTS spin‐off Halo Wars; plus it’s included in Halo: Reach’s
enormous Forge World) and it features heavily in one of the most legendary machinima creations
ever – Red Vs Blue. Despite all that, we want more Blood Gulch and that’s why it’s going to be one
of our most played maps on the Master Chief Collection – long live the king of Halo maps.
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