Bungie Playlists

Playlists by Game

Match alone or as a team against opponents of similar skill. Skill is tracked.

    • A mix of Slayer and other Free For All games. Here, you must stand on your own.

      Max Party Size: 1
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Slayer (43.7%) - First player to 25 kills wins. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Slayer BRs (28.2%) - First player to 25 kills wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Swords (3.5%) - First player to 25 kills wins. Players spawn with Energy Swords and no secondary weapon. Player traits: Infinite ammo, cannot drive/ride in vehicles, and do not spawn with grenades. Map traits: Grenades on map, but no weapons. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Oddball (13.4%) - Hold the skull to earn points. First player to 50 points wins. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Crazy King (11.3%) - Stand in the hill to earn points. First player to 100 points wins. Hill traits: Moves to a random location every 30 seconds. 10 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Epitaph (Default)
      • Epilogue (Epitaph) - Variant of Epitaph with no shield doors.
      • Guardian (Default)
      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Snowbound (FFA) - Variant of Snowbound tweaked for Free For All play.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Foundry (Default) - Not required.  Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • Straight up Team Slayer games on varied maps. Work with your team to outkill your opponents.

      3-4 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 4
      Heroic Map Pack Required
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Team Slayer (68.7%) - First team to 50 kills wins. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team BRs (15.3%) - First team to 50 kills wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Snipers (6.9%) - First team to 50 kills wins. Players spawn with Sniper Rifles and Magnum secondary weapons. Player traits: Infinite ammo. Map traits: No weapons on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Shotty Snipers (9.2%) - First team to 50 kills wins. Players spawn with Sniper Rifles and Shotgun secondary weapons. Player traits: Infinite ammo. Map traits: No weapons on map. 12 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Guardian (Default)
      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Snowbound (HC)  - Shotgun and Spartan Laser removed. Sniper moved to lower caves.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
      • Valhalla (Default)
      • Foundry (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • Flag and Bomb based objective games. Steady strategy trumps steady aim here. Stick to the plan!

      3-4 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 4
      Heroic Map Pack Required
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Multi Flag CTF (17.3%) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. 15 minute match time limit.
      • Multi Flag BR (9.2%) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifles. 15 minute match time limit.
      • One Flag (13.7%) - Round-based Capture the Flag, where one team attempts to capture a flag while the other team defends it. Most captures after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Assault (10%) - Teams score points by successfully detonating their bomb in the opposing team's base. First team to three successful detonations wins.  15 minute match time limit.
      • One Bomb (12.9%) - Round-based Assault where teams alternate attempting to detonate a bomb and defending the base. The team with the most detonations after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Neutral Bomb (6%) - Teams vie over a single bomb, scoring points by detonating the bomb in the opposing team's base. 15 minute match time limit.
      • Team Oddball (14.9%) - Hold the oddball for points. First team to 100 points wins. Players spawn with Assault Rifles. Ball Carrier Traits: 75% walking speed. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Crazy King (16.1%) - Stand in the hill for points.150 points to win. Hill moves randomly every minute. Players spawn with Assault Rifles. 12 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Last Resort (Default)
      • Narrows (Default)
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
      • Valhalla (Default)
      • Foundry (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • Assorted games for teams of two. Work together or die alone, team work is critical here.

      2 Players Per Team
      Max Party Size: 2
      All Downloadable Content Required
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Team Slayer(40.9%) - First team to 25 kills wins. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team BRs (22.5%) - First team to 25 kills wins. Players start with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Snipers (6.5%, Skipped after veto)  - First team to 25 kills wins. Players start with Sniper Rifles and Magnum secondary weapons. Player traits: Infinite ammo. Map traits: No weapons on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Oddball (13.8%) - Hold the oddball for points. First team to 150 points wins. Players spawn with Assault Rifles. Ball Carrier Traits: 75% walking speed, 50% damage. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Team Crazy King (10.5%) - Stand in the hill for points.100 points to win. Hill moves randomly every minute. Players spawn with Assault Rifles. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Multi Flag CTF (2.9%, Skipped after veto) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. 10 minute match time limit.
      • One Flag (2.9%, Skipped after veto) - Round-based Capture the Flag, where one team attempts to capture a flag while the other team defends it. Most captures after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Epitaph (Default)
      • Epilogue (Epitaph) - Variant of Epitaph with no shield doors.
      • Guardian (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Narrows (Default)
      • Snowbound (HC) - Shotgun and Spartan Laser are removed. The sniper has moved to the lower cave.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
      • Foundry (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Cold Storage (Default) - REQUIRED. Downloadable from Marketplace.
    • Two six-player teams square off in a mix of slayer and objective modes.

      5-6 Players Per Team
      Max Party Size: 6
      Heroic Map Pack Required

      Updated October, 2008


      Gametypes

      • Big Team Slayer (67%) - Score points by killing players on the opposing team. First team to 100 points wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifles. 15 minute match time limit.
      • Multi-Flag CTF (13.6%) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifles. 20 minute match time limit.
      • One Flag CTF (13.6%) - Round-based Capture the Flag, where one team attempts to capture a flag while the other team defends it. Most captures after four rounds wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifles. Four minute match time limit.
      • Neutral Bomb Assault (5.8%) - Teams vie over a single bomb, scoring points by detonating the bomb in the opposing team's base. First team to three detonations wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifles. 20 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Last Resort (Default)
      • Sandtrap (Default)
      • Sandtrap Heavy -  Variant of Sandtrap with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles
      • SAND TARP (Sandtrap) - Variant of Sandtrap with Elephants removed and team spawns switched
      • Valhalla (Default)
      • Valhalla Covies - Item tweaks emphasize Covenant vehicles and weaponry. Skipped after veto.
      • Valhalla Heavy - Variant of Valhalla with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles.
      • Rat's Nest (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff Heavy - Variant of Standoff with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles.
      • Avalanche (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Avalanche Heavy - Liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • Play MLG's rules & variants in Slayer and Objective games. For details, see www.mlgpro.com/playlist.

      Category: Hardcore
      3-4 Players Per Team
      Max Party Size: 4
      Heroic Map Pack Required

      Gametypes

      • MLG Team Slayer (48%) - Score points by killing players on the opposing team. First team to 50 points wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles. Player traits: 90% shield recharge rate, 110% movement speed, motion tracker turned off. 15 minute match time limit.
      • MLG Team King (16%) - Stand in the hill for points. 250 points to win. Hill lasts for two minutes before moving to the next location in sequence. Players spawn with Battle Rifles. Player traits: 90% shield recharge rate, 110% movement speed, motion tracker turned off. 15 minute match time limit.
      • MLG Team Ball (8%) - Hold the oddball for points. First team to 250 points wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles. Player traits: 90% shield recharge rate, 110% movement speed, motion tracker turned off. 15 minute match time limit.
      • MLG Multi Flag (24%*) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles. Player traits: 90% shield recharge rate, 110% movement speed, motion tracker turned off. 15 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (MLG) - Version 5 of MLG's Construct variant.
      • Guardian (MLG) - Version 5 of MLG's Guardian variant.
      • Narrows (MLG) - Version 5 of MLG's Narrows variant.
      • The Pit (MLG) - Version 5 of MLG's The Pit variant
      • Foundry (MLG Amplified) - MLG Orlando version of the "Amplified" Foundry layout. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Foundry (MLG Onslaught) - v5 of MLG's "Onslaught" Foundry layout. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      *MLG Multi-Flag varies for Narrows, The Pit and Onslaught. For more info, see www.mlgpro.com/playlist.
    • No shields, no sensors. Just you, your BR, and a lot of headshots.

      Category: Hardcore
      3-4 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 4
      All Downloadable Content Required.
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Team SWAT (74.7%) - Score points by killing players on the opposing team. First team to 50 points wins. Players start with Battle Rifles and Magnums. Player traits: 150% damage resistance, 0x shield multiplier, infinite ammo, motion tracker disabled, no spawning grenades. 12 minute match time limit.
      • SWAT Magnums (10.4%, Skipped after veto) - Score points by killing players on the opposing team. First team to 50 points wins. Players start with Magnums. Player traits: 150% damage resistance, 0x shield multiplier, infinite ammo, motion tracker disabled, no spawning grenades. Map Traits: No weapons on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • ShWATguns (6.9%, Skipped after veto) - Score points by killing players on the opposing team. First team to 50 points wins. Players start with Shotguns. Player traits: 200% damage resistance, 0x shield multiplier, infinite ammo, motion tracker disabled, no spawning grenades. Map traits: No weapons on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • SWATBall (4.6%, Skipped after veto) - Carry the skull for points. First pair to 200 points wins. Players start with Battle Rifles and Magnums. Player traits: 150% damage resistance, 0x shield multiplier, infinite ammo, motion tracker disabled, no spawning grenades. 12 minute match time limit.
      • SWAT 2 Flag (4.6%, Skipped after veto) - Players attempt to capture the opposing team's flag. First team to three captures wins. Players start with Battle Rifles and Magnums. Player traits: 150% damage resistance, 0x shield multiplier, infinite ammo, motion tracker disabled, no spawning grenades. 15 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (SWAT) - Construct tweaked for SWAT game play.
      • SWAT Epilogue(SWAT) - Epitaph tweaked for SWAT game play. Based on "Epilogue"
      • Guardian (SWAT) - Guardian tweaked for SWAT game play.
      • High Ground (SWAT) - High Ground tweaked for SWAT game play.
      • Isolation (SWAT) - Isolation tweaked for SWAT game play.
      • Narrows (SWAT) - Narrows tweaked for SWAT game play.
      • SWATless (SWAT) - Snowbound tweaked for SWAT game play. Based on "Boundless"
      • SWAT Pit (SWAT) - The Pit tweaked for SWAT game play. Based on "Pit Stop."
      • Foundry (SWAT) - Foundry tweaked for SWAT game play. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Rat's Nest (SWAT) - Rat's Nest tweaked for SWAT game play. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (SWAT) - Blackout tweaked for SWAT gameplay. REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (SWAT) - Ghost Town tweaked for SWAT gameplay. REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Cold Storage (SWAT) - Cold Storage tweaked for SWAT game play. REQUIRED. Downloadable from Marketplace.

Parties with guests and large groups too large for a single team.

    • A place for players new to Halo 3 to learn the ropes and get up to speed. Start here!

      Unranked 4 Player FFA. Unavailable after 9 games or 4 EXP.

      Gametypes

      • Slayer (100%) - 25 Kills to win. Assault Rifle starts, no secondary weapon. Map traits: No power weapons, no vehicles. 15 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Guardian (Default)
      • Snowbound FFA - Default layout with equipment tweaks for FFA
    • A mix of Slayer and other Free For All Games. Go it alone, or join as a group and throw down against each other.

      Unranked 6 Player FFA.
      Max Party Size: 6
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Slayer (40.7%) - 25 kills to win. Assault Rifle starts, no secondary weapons. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Hammerzeit (11.9%, Skipped after veto) - Slayer, 15 kills to win. Gravity Hammer spawns, no secondary weapons. Player traits: Cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive vehicles. Map traits: No vehicles or weapons on the map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Swords (11.9%, Skipped after veto) - Slayer, 25 kills to win. Energy Sword spawns, no secondary weapons. Player traits: Cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive vehicles. Map traits: No vehicles or weapons on the map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Juggernaut (8.9%) - Kill the Juggernaut to become the Juggernaut. Juggernaut earns points for kills (10 points to win). Juggernaut traits: 2x Overshield, 50% Shield Recharge Rate, 125% Damage. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Oddball (7.4%) - Hold the skull to earn points (50 points to win). 12 minute match time limit.
      • Crazy King (5.9%) - Stand in the hill to gain points (100 points to win). Hill traits: Moving Hill (30 second intervals), random moving order. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Ninjaball (7.4%)  Hold the skull to earn points (100 points to win). Ball carrier traits: 90% Damage Resistance, 50% Shield Recharge Rate, 150% Walking Speed, 50% Personal Gravity, Passenger only in vehicles. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Mosh Pit (5.9%, Skipped after Veto) - Stand in the hill to gain points (100 points to win). Hill traits: Stationary Hill. Player in hill traits: 150% Damage Resistance, 200% Shield Recharge Rate, 25% Shield Vampirism. 12 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Epitaph (Default)
      • Epilogue (Epitaph)
      • Guardian (Default) 
      • Isolation (Default) 
      • Narrows (Default) 
      • Snowbound (FFA) - Default layout tweaked for Free For All.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
    • Assorted team Slayer games on varied maps. Work with your team to outkill your opponents.

      3-4 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 8
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Team Slayer (44.2%) - 50 kills to win. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Shotty Snipers (13%) - 50 kills to win. Sniper Rifle spawns with Shotgun secondary weapon. Infinite ammo enabled. Map traits: No weapons, Mongooses only. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Rockets (8%, Skipped after veto) - 50 kills to win. Rocket launcher spawns, with no secondary weapon. Infinite ammo enabled. Map traits: No weapons. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Snipers (7.2%, Skipped after veto) - 50 kills to win. Sniper Rifle spawns with Magnum secondary weapon. Infinite ammo enabled. Map traits: No weapons, Mongooses only. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Duals (10.9%, Skipped after veto) - 50 kills to win. SMG spawns with Magnum secondary weapon. Map traits: Dual-wield weapons only, light vehicles only. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team BRs (16.7%) - 50 kills to win. Battle Rifle spawns with Assault Rifle secondary weapon. Map traits: Light vehicles only. 12 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Guardian (Default)
      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Last Resort (Default)
      • Narrows (Default)
      • Snowbound (HC) - Shotgun and Spartan Laser removed. Sniper Rifle moved to lower caves.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
      • Valhalla (Default)
      • Foundry (Default) - Not required. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Rat's Nest (Default) - Not required. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff (Default) - Not required. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • A wide assortment of non-Slayer objective games. Mix things up a bit, with a team or with an entire party.

      4-5 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 10
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • One Flag CTF (14.5%) - Round based Capture the Flag, one team has a flag while the other attempt to capture it. Most captures after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Multi-Flag CTF (16.9%) - Both teams are attempting to capture the other team's flag. First to three captures wins. 20 minute match time limit.
      • One Bomb Assault (10.7%) - Teams take turns attempting to plant a bomb in the opposing team's base. Most detonations after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Neutral Bomb Assault (14%) - Teams vie for a single bomb, attempting to plant it in the opposing team's base. First to three detonations wins. 20 minute match time limit.
      • VIP (5.8%) - One player on each team is designated "VIP." Killing this player earns points for the opposing team. 10 points to win. VIP traits: 90% damage resistance, 2x shield multiplier, 50% shield recharge, passenger only in vehicles, waypoint visible to everyone. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Territories (16.5%) - One team defends as the other team attempts to capture territories. Team with most territories captured after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Land Grab (19%) - Both teams must attempt to take as many territories they can. The team with the most territories captured after three rounds wins. Territories are locked upon capture and cannot be captured by the opposite team (locks reset at the end of each round). 30 uncontested seconds within a territory to capture. Three minute round time limit.

      Maps

      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Last Resort (Default)
      • Narrows (Default)
      • Snowbound (HC) - Shotgun and Spartan Laser removed. Sniper Rifle moved to lower caves.
      • Boundless (Snowbound) - Variant of Snowbound with many shield doors removed.
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Pit Stop (The Pit) - Variant of The Pit with inaccessible spawn hives.
      • Valhalla (Default)
      • Standoff (Default) - Not required. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • A mix of games for more than two teams. Like Free For All, but with a partner to work with.

      2 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 8
      Updated October, 2008

      Gametypes

      • Team Slayer (37.8%) -  First pair to 50 kills wins. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Oddball (11.7%) - Carry the skull for points. First pair to 100 points wins. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Crazy King (16.7%) - Stand in the hill for points. 100 points to win. Hill lasts for one minute before moving to a random location. 12 minute time limit.
      • VIP (13.3%) - A player on each team is designated the "VIP." Score points by killing the other teams VIPs. 10 points to win. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Team Swords (9.4%, Skipped after veto) - First pair to 25 kills wins. Players spawn with Energy Swords. Player traits: Infinite ammo, cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive or ride in vehicles. Map traits: No weapons or vehicles on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Hammerzeit (7.8%, Skipped after veto) - First pair to 25 kills wins. Players spawn with Gravity Hammers. Player traits: Infinite ammo, cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive or ride in vehicles. Map traits: No weapons or vehicles on map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Rocket Race (3.3%) - Players pair up, one VIP per team. Drive your VIP to goals before the other teams can reach them for points. Players spawn with Rocket Launchers and have infinite ammo. First team to 10 points wins. 10 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Construct (Default)
      • Epitaph (Default)
      • Guardian (Default)
      • High Ground (Default)
      • Isolation (Default)
      • Last Resort (Default)
      • Narrows (Default)
      • The Pit (Default)
      • Sandtrap Speed - Sandtrap variant with goal points for Rocket Race.
      • Valhalla Speed - Valhalla variant with goal points for Rocket Race.
      • Isolation Speed - Skipped after veto. Isolation variant with goal points for Rocket Race. Skipped after veto.
      • Standoff Speed - Standoff variant with goal points for Rocket Race. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Rat's Nest Speed - Rat's Nest variant with goal points for Rocket Race. REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Avalanche Speed - Avalanche variant with goal points for Rocket Race. Not Required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Foundry (Default) - Not required. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Standoff (Default) - Not requried. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - Not required. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
    • Go it alone. Eight-player FFA exclusively on DLC maps.

      Category: DLC
      8 Player FFA
      Max Party Size: 8
      All Downloadable Content Required.


      Gametypes

      • Slayer (31.1%) - 25 kills to win. Assault Rifle starts, no secondary weapons. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Slayer BRs (28.4%) - First player to 25 kills wins. Players spawn with Battle Rifles and Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 10 minute match time limit.
      • Hammerzeit (2.7%, Skipped after veto) - Slayer, 15 kills to win. Gravity Hammer spawns, no secondary weapons. Player traits: Cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive vehicles. Map traits: No vehicles or weapons on the map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Swords (2.7%, Skipped after veto) - Slayer, 25 kills to win. Energy Sword spawns, no secondary weapons. Player traits: Cannot pick up weapons, cannot drive vehicles. Map traits: No vehicles or weapons on the map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Rockets (14.2%) - Slayer, 25 kills to win. Rocket Launcher spawns. Map traits: No weapons on the map. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Juggernaut (8.9%) - Kill the Juggernaut to become the Juggernaut. Juggernaut earns points for kills (10 points to win). Juggernaut traits: 2x Overshield, 50% Shield Recharge Rate, 125% Damage. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Oddball (6.6%) - Hold the skull to earn points (50 points to win). 12 minute match time limit.
      • Crazy King (3.3%) - Stand in the hill to gain points (100 points to win). Hill traits: Moving Hill (30 second intervals), random moving order. 12 minute match time limit.
      • Braaaaains (10.9%) - Survivors attempt to avoid death at the hands of zombies. Survivors spawn with Shotguns and Magnum secondary weapons. Infected spawn with black armor, no shields, and Energy Sword starts. Score by killing, highest score after four rounds wins. 3 minute round time limit.

      Maps

      • Foundry (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Anvil (Foundry) - Variant of Foundry. Asymmetrical verticality.
      • Haunted Manor (Foundry) - Variant of Foundry with Infection theme.
      • Rat's Nest (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Bubonic (Rat's Nest) - Variant of Rat's Nest for Infection.
      • Standoff (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack.
      • Blackout (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Deadlock (Blackout) - Variant of Blackout for Infection.
      • Ghost Town (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack.
      • Ghoul Town (Ghost Town)  - Variant of Ghost Town for Infection.
      • Cold Storage (Default) - REQUIRED. Downloadable on Marketplace.
      • Rigor Mortis (Cold Storage) - Variant of Cold Storage for Infection.
    • Assorted games for those who prefer big teams and full games.

      5-8 Players Per Team.
      Max Party Size: 16
      Heroic and Legendary Map Packs Required.

      Gametypes

      • Team Slayer (34.5%) - First team to 100 kills wins. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 15 minute match time.
      • Multi-Flag CTF (18.7%) - Both teams battle to capture each other's flags. First team to three flags wins. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary wepaons. 20 minute match time.
      • One Bomb (7.9%, Skipped after veto) - Round-based Assault where teams alternate attempting to detonate a bomb and defending the base. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary weapons. The team with the most detonations after four rounds wins. Four minute round time limit.
      • Neutral Bomb Assault (7.2%) - Players vie over a single bomb, attempting to detonate the bomb in the opposing team's base. First team to three detonations wins. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary weapons. 20 minute match time.
      • VIP (2.9%) - One player on each team is designated "VIP." Score points by killing the opposing team's VIP. First team to 10 points wins. 15 minute match limit.
      • Territories (7.2%) - Teams take turns defending and claiming territories. The team with the most territories claimed after two rounds wins. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary weapons.  Five minute rounds.
      • Big Splockets (5%) - First team to 100 kills wins. Spartan Lasers starts with Rocket Launcher secondary weapons. 15 minute match time.
      • Land Grab (2.9%, Skipped after veto) - Both teams must attempt to take as many territories they can. The team with the most territories captured after three rounds wins. Territories are locked upon capture and cannot be captured by the opposite team (locks reset at the end of each round). 30 uncontested seconds within a territory to capture. Battle Rifle starts with Assault Rifle secondary weapons. Three minute round time limit.
      • 2 Flag Heavy (9.4%) - Multi Flag CTF with heavy vehicles and weapons. First team to three captures wins. Battle Rifle starts. Map traits: All vehicles on. 20 minute match time.

      Maps

      • Last Resort (Default) - Skipped after veto
      • Valhalla (Default) - Skipped after veto
      • Sandtrap (Default) - Skipped after veto.
      • Sandtrap Heavy (Sandtrap) - Variant of Sandtrap with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles
      • SAND TARP (Sandtrap) - Variant of Sandtrap with Elephants removed and team spawns switched
      • Rat's Nest (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack. 
      • Standoff (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Heroic Map Pack. 
      • Standoff Heavy (Standoff) - Variant of Standoff with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles
      • Avalanche (Default) - REQUIRED. Part of the Legendary Map Pack. 
      • Avalanche Heavy (Avalanche) - Variant of Avalanche with liberal use of heavy weapons and vehicles
    • Marksmanship takes a backseat to fast driving. Get to the destinations to win!

      Category: Double EXP Weekend
      Team Size: 2
      Max Party Size: 8
      Heroic Map Pack Required

      Gametypes

      • Rocket Race (100%) - A variant of VIP. Teams of 2 race to reach destination points. First team to 10 points wins. Player traits: Invincible. Rocket Launcher primary spawns with no secondary weapons. No Friendly Fire. Map Traits: No weapons or grenades on map, mongooses only. 10 minute match time limit.

      Maps

      • Isolation Speed (Isolation) - Isolation variant designed for Rocket Race. Skipped after Veto.
      • Valhalla Speed (Valhalla) - Valhalla variant designed for Rocket Race.
      • Sandtrap Speed (Sandtrap) - Sandtrap variant designed for Rocket Race.
      • Rat's Nest Speed (Rat's Nest) - Rat's Nest variant designed for Rocket Race. Part of the Heroic Map Pack (REQUIRED).
      • Standoff Speed (Standoff) - Standoff variant designed for Rocket Race. Part of the Heroic Map Pack (REQUIRED).
      • Avalanche Speed (Avalanche) - Avalanche variant designed for Rocket Race. Part of the Legendary Map Pack (optional).

Related News

Viewing: Playlists
Rocket Race Weekend Begins! 

Posted by Shishka at 10/9/2008 11:00 AM PDT

The recently retired playlist returns this weekend for double your EXP


Back in September, we wished Rocket Race a fond farewell. However, the playlist is neither down nor out. Starting now, Rocket Race lives on as double EXP, exactly how you remember it.

For those that missed out on this playlist (how could you? It was around for like a year!), Rocket Race is an interesting take on VIP where teams of two use Mongooses to reach goal points before the opposing teams. Well, being faster is one way of thwarting the other teams. The other way is to have your VIP use his infinite rockets to send the other teams flying across the map. Players are invincible (save for assassinations) so the real focus is racing rather than killing.

Rocket Race is available from Thursday, October 9th, 11am PDT until Monday the 13th at 2am. Heroic Map Pack required. Have fun!

Team Snipers Double EXP Weekend Returns 

Posted by Shishka at 10/2/2008 11:00 AM PDT

Hot off the tail end of some technical shenanigans, we kick off a classic Double EXP weekend.


Starting right this very second, Team Snipers is awaits you as the Halo 3 Double EXP weekend of the... Er... Weekend. If you've somehow managed to miss this playlist in the past, Team Snipers is 4v4 slayer and objective games where everyone spawns with a sniper rifle (and a different secondary weapon depending on the gametype). May the most accurate shot win!

Team Snipers is available from 11am PDT Thursday, October 2nd until 2am Monday, October 6th. Heroic and Legendary map packs are required.

EXP and TrueSkill issues in Matchmaking 

Posted by Shishka at 9/30/2008 11:20 AM PDT

Users in Matchmaking since Xbox Live's recent downtime are noticing a lack of EXP rewards for their gameplay. Rest assured we're working on it right now. [UPDATE 2] Issues Evolved


Since Xbox Live's scheduled maintenance ended this morning, gamers playing Halo 3 have noticed that TrueSkill and EXP are not being rewarded properly (which is to say, EXP is not being rewarded at all). We are currently working with the Xbox Live team to identify and resolve this issue, and we hope to have you earning your EXP again as quickly as possible.

Note that this is not the same as an EXP ban. If you have been banned from gaining EXP for boosting as part of our recently evolved Banhammer, you will receive a message informing you so quite clearly from the game itself. If you have not seen this message (which reappears often), then you are not banned.

There is nothing further to add at this time, but I will update this post as updates are warranted.

UPDATE: 3:46pm PDT
Further investigation suggests that this is a larger problem with the Xbox Live service that is affecting more games than just Halo 3. We will continue to work with the Xbox team to resolve the issues, but ultimately the ball is in their court, and that rings true for more than just Halo fans.

UPDATE: 6:42pm PDT
Sorry, folks. The Live team is working really hard to resolve issues, but there is no ETA for a complete resolution at this time. Further, when these issues are resolved, there is no guarantee that EXP gained in the interim will be retroactively rewarded. Thanks again for your patience.

UPDATE THE THIRD, OCTOBER THE SECOND IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2008, 9:26am PDT
Hooray! It appears that all issues have been resolved. People playing since late last night should notice that they are now properly being rewarded for EXP.

Unfortunately, EXP earned over the last couple days will not be retroactively rewarded, nor can we adjust TrueSkill for the games played. On the bright side, you can make up lost time by playing this weekend's Double EXP playlist!

Thanks again to everyone for their patience while the matter was resolved.

UPDATE: 2:56pm
It would appear that not only have the issues with EXP not been solved, but new issues with matching have arisen. Rest assured that we are aware of what's going on and are doing everything we can to help Microsoft resolve this quickly. We're sorry for the downtime especially in light of the double EXP weekend and we'll update you the moment things are locked down.

UPDATE: 6:00pm
It would appear that things are mostly back in order. The Xbox Live team is continuing to work on the problem and hopefully people should see their EXP streaming in at a proper rate soon.

Double EXP back on track with Legendary Brawl! 

Posted by Shishka at 9/25/2008 11:00 AM PDT

So many targets, so many new achievements. It's like we planned it this way.


With TU2 out of the way, we're now back on track for Double EXP weekends. And sure enough, we're kicking off the party today with Legendary Brawl. Twelve-man FFA insanity in several flavors. It's all the fun, without the fat!

Legendary Brawl is available from 11am PDT Thursday, September 25th until 2am Monday the 29th. Heroic and Legendary required. Have fun!

Halo 3 Single EXP Weekend Begins! 

Posted by Shishka at 9/18/2008 11:00 AM PDT

This weekend on Halo 3 Matchmaking: Play Halo 3 online, and earn the same amount of EXP you get during the week!


This is a general reminder for everyone that there is not a Double EXP weekend this week as we continue to work toward the release of Title Update 2 and the September Matchmaking Update. Double EXP weekends will be back on schedule next week starting with Legendary Brawl. Until then, thanks for your patience!

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