Grifball: Difference between revisions

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{{Article quote|In 2554, the Red Army introduced Grifball to the world. By 2557, all other sports had been abandoned.}}

'''Grifball''' is a community-created [[gametype]] made by Burnie Burns of [[Rooster Teeth Productions|Rooster Teeth]]. It was introduced as a custom game type in ''[[Halo 3]]'', subsequently introduced in [[matchmaking]], and was made a permanent game type in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', ''[[Halo 4]]'' and  ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''. In ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the game is an [[Assault]] variant, while in ''Halo 4'' it is a variant of [[Oddball]].

== General features ==

The game is played like a Rooster Teeth-inspired game of [[wikipedia:Rugby|Rugby]]. Red and blue teams, both with three to four players, square off in a simple arena in which each team has a goal. The object is to take the ball in the middle of the court and put it in the other team’s goal. Irrespective of the team, the ball carrier's armor color always changes to orange when they are carrying the ball.

Grifball games are typically played on open rectangular courts that do not have any obstacles; the only frequently available features of the levels are subtle narrow ledges at the edge of the court that often require Gravity Hammer-boosted jumping to utilise. Despite of that, the game becomes extremely intense and strategic as the game relies heavily on teamwork and a bit of luck.

The game features very fast respawning, short distances, no places to hide, and often results in players getting several multi-kills up to Killionaires and occasionally an [[Extermination]] (usually due to exploding Bombs). A well-timed Gravity Hammer strike during the start-of-round "bomb rush" can also claim four—or seven, for that matter—lives at once. Skilled players can accrue very long [[Killing Spree|killing spree]]s.

=== Origin ===

The origin of Grifball can be traced back to an interview with its creator:

== Installment changes ==

=== ''Halo 3'' ===

Originally, ''Halo 3'' Grifball was played on [[Forge]]d custom maps based on Foundry and [[Sandbox]]'s Crypt area.

=== ''Halo: Reach'' ===

In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', Grifball became an official gametype with its own icon and [[Jeff Steitzer|announcer]] line. It has been given a permanent playlist.

=== ''Halo 4'' ===

''[[Halo 4]]'' Grifball matchmaking playlist was launched January 28, 2013. As ''Halo 4'' doesn't feature Assault, the ball has been replaced with the [[Oddball]] skull, is affected by physics (such as Gravity Hammer blows), and doesn't explode at the end of the round. After a later playlist update, the goals now also emit energy bursts reminiscent of the traditional explosions when a goal is scored.

=== ''Halo 5: Guardians'' ===

The ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' version of Grifball was introduced as part of the [[Hammer Storm]] update of February 24, 2016. It builds upon a new generic "ball game mode" used to create various gametypes like Grifball, [[Assault]], [[Oddball]] and [[Ricochet (gametype)|Ricochet]]. The default [[Grifball Court]] map was the first to be released as part of Hammer Storm.

== Tips & Tactics ==

On the following table, the normal writing is what you are holding, the '''bold''' writing is what your opponent has.

*A common and sometimes effective tactic is to jump above your enemies during the inital rush for the bomb and hammer them. You have to time it just right or they will most likely hit you first. This technique often results in betrayals but if done right will kill the opposing rushers and get you the bomb.

*When holding the Gravity Hammer, if you wish to head towards the enemy's spawn area, face the wall behind where your team spawns, and repeatedly slam the hammer down and jump whilst facing the floor while moving backwards. This is an excellent way to speed toward the bomb, or enemies bomb drop. However, it leaves you exposed to an enemy's attack.

*When using the sword against the Gravity Hammer (this is ill advised if you are unskilled) wait for them to swing, and while their hammer is still down, get close and lunge. This takes some practice, but it is an effective way of racking up kills with the sword.

*At the beginning of a round, don't rush the bomb with everyone else on your team. Instead, stay off to the side of the bomb. That way, you can grab the bomb almost unchallenged after most people are dead after the opening rush, or run to their spawn area as they spawn.

*If you’re feeling lucky, try a couple of twists or sharp turns to trick the other team.

*Another way to score is to wait about 3 steps behind your team at the very beginning. Usually, most of your team, and your opponents, will perish in the beginning rush. Once that is over, grab the bomb and punch the few remaining players on the opposite team (if an opposing team members lunges towards you with an energy sword and you punch them usually you will lose your shield and the opponent will die) and before they have a chance to respawn, you will have scored. (Note: this does not work as well with experienced players on the other team as they also usually wait a bit back as well.)

*Try to figure out who the host of the match is. If you have the ball, and are being ran at by the host, you will have to punch earlier then you would if you were facing a non-host.

*On October 27, 2012, Achievement Hunter released a Minecraft Let's Play which featured them (including Geoff Ramsey, the voice of Grif) playing Grifball on a map made by AxialMatt.

*Grifball was intended to be part of ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', but the gametype never made it into the game.

==Gallery==

File:H5G-Grifball.jpg|Spartan-IVs playing Grifball in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.

File:H5G - MotD Grifball.png|A message of the day in ''Halo 5: Guardians'', promoting Grifball community maps.

</gallery>

*[http://grifballhub.com GrifballHUB]

[[Category:Multiplayer gametypes]]

[[Category:Halo 3 gametypes]]