Capture the Flag

The Capture the Flag icon.

Capture the Flag (CTF) is a multiplayer gametype where teams compete to capture a flag from an enemy base and return it to their own. Many variants of this game-type exist, with the most common variation being the number of teams and flags. More variants can be created by altering individual settings.

Overview

A blue team player protecting the flag.

In Capture the Flag, teams compete to capture and return the opposing team's flag to their own base.

Flag offense and defense

Flags are located at their spawn points, usually held in the teams' respective bases. Players need to defend their flags from the enemy team while trying to take the enemy's flag from their base. While carrying a flag, a player (becoming the "flag carrier") cannot fire their weapons, but they can melee using the flag. When a flag is dropped, either at the carrier's own volition or because they are killed, the flag enters a countdown. At the end of the countdown, the flag returns to the base, and the process could be accelerated by friendly players standing around it. The countdown can be reset by enemy players holding the flag again, even if briefly. Respawn timers are commonly longer in CTF than in Slayer, giving more time for players in the offense to capture the flag.

In games other than Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo Infinite, the flag melee can kill a fully-shielded enemy player with one hit, though the setting can be tweaked in custom game settings.

In Halo 4, rather than being wielded with both hands, players now carry the flag with their left hand and wield an M6H magnum in their right, regardless of whichever weapons they are carrying. Players pick up the flag automatically by walking into it, but can no longer drop it; once a player has taken the flag, they are stuck with it until they score it or are killed.

Scoring

Upon returning the enemy team's flag to their own base (or the "flag return point"), a player scores a point for the team. The enemy team's flag automatically returns to the enemy base and can be taken again. In certain variants of CTF, players cannot score if their own flag has been removed from its spawn point.

Victory condition

The team that first reaches the score limit (3 points by default) wins the game. If neither has reached the score limit at the end of the time limit, the team with the most points at the end wins. If there is a tie, the game may enter overtime and the team that first scores the next point wins the game. Alternatively, if a team is holding the enemy team's flag at the end, the game may enter sudden death. During sudden death, the flag must be taken to its return point or its spawn point, the result of which decides the victor of the match.

Tips

The flag-wielder can choose to melee the opposition with the flag.

When you are attempting to get the flag,

• Know where your opponents are positioned before grabbing and alerting them.
• Choose a route that your opponent will think you are least likely to take.
• When available, use vehicles like the Warthog, so that the flag carrier can make a speedy getaway. Deny the enemy team from pursuing in their own vehicles and destroy all of their vehicles.
• Attempt to "spawntrap" the other team. Make sure the whole opposing team is eliminated before grabbing the flag. This allows you to enter the base without any resistance. Grab the flag and runoff, and as the enemy team spawns, your team will cover you.

Cooperation between players is the key for winning.

When you have the flag

• Flag juggling is when the player drops and picks up the flag over and over again. The flag must hit the ground before it can be picked up again. Normally, you run slower when you retrieve the flag, but when you flag juggle, you run slightly faster, at the cost of letting your enemy know where the flag is currently is if they have not known already.
• Do not always take the shortest route back to base. Enemies can easily predict your route that way. Try making detours and changing direction, but make sure you know where you are going.
• Do not take a route that leaves you exposed from all corners, even if you have teammates escorting you. You are always an easy target for a sniper.
• If a single pursuer is chasing you, do not be afraid to drop the flag and kill them. Hanging onto the flag would just leave you helpless.
• Communicate with your teammates. This allows them to cover you and get free rides back to base.

When protecting a flag

• Staying in the flag base can help, but the closer you stay to your teammates, the bigger the target you pose to your opponents. Beware of opponents clearing the room with grenades before they rush to grab the flag.
• Place a sniper to guard the flag from a safe location. However, snipers should be adaptive, helping the team push forward, eliminating opponents which may ambush them. Sniping is the most effective way of eliminating key members of the opposing team such as Warthog gunners, other snipers, and opponents with power-weapons. Pace your shots to avoid running out of ammunition at a crucial time.
• Stay in a location where you have a clear view of your flag, but hidden from enemy view.
• On maps with vehicles, you can use them to block doorways for a makeshift stronghold, or to block the flag itself by parking over it, making it more difficult to grab.

Variants

Built-in variants

Halo: Combat Evolved

Title	Description
CTF	The first team to capture the enemy's flag and return it to their own base 3 times wins the game. You must have your own flag to capture.
Assault	Teams alternate offense and defense every 2 minutes. Carry the enemy flag into their base to their flag station. 5 assaults wins.
CTF Classic	The first team to capture the enemy's flag and return it to their own base 3 times wins the game.
Invasion CTF	Carry the enemy flag into their base and plant it at their flag station. 3 successful assaults wins, but you only get 5 lives!
Iron CTF	All players start with health at 200% and both teams have Scorpion tanks. 3 flag captures wins the game.
CTF Pro	3 flag captures wins the game, but your flag must be at home to score. Start with Grenades, Pistol, and AR.

Halo 2

Title	Description
Multi Flag CTF	Defend your flag while launching a coordinated attack on your enemy's flag. 3 captures to win.
CTF Classic	Defend your flag while capturing the enemy's. 3 points wins, flag must be home to score, flag may be returned.
1 Flag CTF	Take turns on offense/defense. A capture wins a round. Flag may not be returned. Rounds last 3 minutes. First to 3 wins.
1 Flag CTF Fast	Intense 2 minute rounds of alternating offense/defense. A capture wins a round. Flag may not be returned. First to 3 wins.

Halo 3

Title	Description
Multi Flag	Every team has a flag, and may capture when it is away. 3 captures to win.
One Flag	Only one team has a flag. 4 rounds, and teams take turns defending the flag.
Tank Flag	A variation of Multi Flag where the carrier is very tough, but very slow.
Attrition CTF	Highly tactical CTF. Very long respawns, but teams respawn on captures.

Halo: Reach

Title	Description
Capture the Flag	Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score.
Multi Flag CTF	Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score.
Neutral Flag CTF	Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score.
One Flag CTF	Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score.

Halo 4

Title	Description
Capture the Flag	Steal the Enemy Flag, Score Points!

Halo 2: Anniversary

Title	Description
Multi Flag CTF	Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own.
Classic CTF	Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score and return on pickup enabled.
One Flag Classic CTF	Alternating Offense / Defense. A flag capture wins the round. Most flag captures wins the game. Flag return on pickup enabled.
Warlock Classic CTF	Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score and return on pickup enabled.
One Flag CTF	Alternating Offense / Defense. A flag capture wins the round. Most flag captures wins the game.
Neutral Flag CTF	Capture the neutral flag and return it to your team's base! Keep the other team away from it!
Gungoose CTF	Use a vehicle to steal the enemy flag and score points!

Halo 5: Guardians

Title	Description
Big Team CTF	Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own.
Capture the Flag	Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own.
Classic Multi Flag	Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own.
CTF HCS	Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score is enabled, proximity return is enabled.
CTF HCS Time Return	Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score is disabled, proximity return is disabled.
Neutral Flag	Fight Over a Neutral Flag That All Teams Need to Capture.
Super Fiesta Capture the Flag	Capture the Flag with random weapons. This is madness!

Halo Infinite

Title	Description
Arena:CTF	Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.
BTB:CTF	Capture the enemy flag.
BTB Heavies:CTF	Capture the enemy flag.
Ranked:CTF 3 Captures	Bandit Evo loadouts, Friendly-Fire enabled, Motion Tracker disabled. Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.
Ranked:CTF 5 Captures	Bandit Evo loadouts, Friendly-Fire enabled, Motion Tracker disabled. Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.
Ranked:One Flag CTF	Bandit Evo loadouts, Friendly-Fire enabled, Motion Tracker disabled. Only one team has a flag. Teams alternate attacking and defending the flag.
Arena:One Flag CTF	Only one team has a flag. Teams alternate attacking and defending the flag.
Arena:Neutral Flag CTF	Steal and capture the forsaken flag.
Doubles:CTF	Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.
Fiesta:CTF	Spawn with random loadouts. Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.
Fiesta:One Flag CTF	Spawn with random loadouts. Only one team has a flag. Teams alternate attacking and defending the flag.
BTB:Fiesta CTF	Spawn with random loadouts. Capture the enemy flag while defending your own.

Popular variants

Multi Flag CTF

There are two teams based on opposite ends of the map. There are also two flags, each one in the corresponding bases (or there can be only one if the game is "attack and defend, or Neutral Flag). The objective of the game is to capture the opponents' flag three times to win the game while protecting your own flag from enemies at the same time. Unlike slayer games, the total number of kills does not count toward the score. For example, a team that captures the flag three times, but gets no kills, still wins the game. To score, the player with the flag must run back to the designated capture point.

Assault

Exclusive to Halo: Combat Evolved, teams alternate offense and defense every two minutes. One team needs to carry the enemy flag into the enemy base. The game variant has been replaced by Assault since Halo 2. In Invasion CTF, players only have five lives each.

Arena CTF (CTF Classic, CTF Pro)

In this variant, the friendly team flag must be at home for players to score. This is normally played on smaller, non-BTB maps.

One Flag CTF

A Multi Flag CTF match generally features maps with two identical bases, each containing the team's specific flag. One Flag CTF isn't quite as tightly bound, and features more asymmetrical type maps, giving one base better cover and protection and the opposite base maximum exposure and much less cover. This would result in an unfair match-up for the Arena CTF variants; instead, the game features the teams taking turns playing offense and defense.

Neutral Flag

Teams fight over a neutral flag centered in the middle of the map to bring back to their respective base.

Unlocks and rewards

Halo 2

Medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Icon	Name	Requirement
	Flag Taken	Taken the opponent's flag.
	Flag Returned	Return your flag to your base.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo 2)

The following achievement can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode when playing Halo 2 on Windows Vista.

Halo 2 (Windows Vista)	Title	Unlock requirement	Games
	Rainman	Play every available game variant, with at least 3 other players, to the end of each game.	Halo 2 on Windows Vista

Halo 3

Medals

Main article: List of Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Icon	Name	Requirement
	Flag Kill	Get a melee kill with the flag.
	Flag Score	Capture the opposing team's flag.
	Killed Flag Carrier	Kill the opposing flag carrier.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo 3)

The following achievements can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Halo 3 (Xbox)	Title	Unlock requirement	Games
	Flag Dropped	On a Legendary map, get 2 Flag Carrier kills during any ranked or social match.	Halo 3 (Legendary Map Pack)
	Defend This	On a Legendary map, get a Flag Melee kill during any ranked or social match.	Halo 3 (Legendary Map Pack)

Halo: Reach

Commendations

Main article: List of Halo: Reach commendations

There are no commendations related to the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Medals

Main article: List of Halo: Reach medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Icon	Name	Requirement
	Flag Kill	Kill an opponent with a melee attack using a flag.
	Flag Score	Complete a scoring flag capture in a Capture the Flag game.
	Killed Flag Carrier	Killed the opponent flag carrier in a Capture the Flag game.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo: Reach)

The following achievements can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Halo: Reach (Xbox)	Title	Unlock requirement	Games
	Return to Sender	Successfully return two flags in a matchmade CTF game.	Halo: Reach (Defiant Map Pack)
	Don't Touch That!	Prevent the attacking team from touching the flag in a matchmaking 1-Flag CTF game.	Halo: Reach (Defiant Map Pack)
	Stick it to the Man!	Stick and kill the flag carrier with a plasma grenade in a matchmade game.	Halo: Reach (Anniversary Map Pack)

Halo 4

Commendations

Main article: List of Halo 4 commendations

Flag Victory

Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking. Completing this commendation will unlock the Vanguard "Converge" (CNVG) armor set

Tier	Required #	Rewarded XP
Novice	5	250
Proficient	10	500
Adept	25	750
Expert	50	1000
Master	150	2000

Deadly Flag

Kill enemy Spartans while carrying the flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Rewarded XP
Novice	3	250
Proficient	5	500
Adept	7	750
Expert	15	1000
Master	30	2000

Carrier Takedown

Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Rewarded XP
Novice	10	250
Proficient	25	500
Adept	50	750
Expert	75	1000
Master	100	2000

Defender of the Flag

Earn any of these 2 medals: Flag Defense, Flag Assist

Tier	Required #	Rewarded XP
Novice	10	250
Proficient	25	500
Adept	50	750
Expert	100	1000
Master	250	2000

Capture the Flag Mastery

Complete all of the following commendations: Flag Victory, Deadly Flag, Carrier Takedown, Defender of the Flag. Completing this commendation will unlock the "Flag" emblem

Medals

Main article: List of Halo 4 medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Icon	Name	Requirement
	Flag Capture	Deliver the opponent's flag to your base.
	Flag Runner	Capture 2 flags in one game.
	Flag Champion	Capture 3 flags in one game.
	Flag Assist	Help a teammate capture a flag.
	Flag Carrier Kill	Kill an opponent who is carrying a flag.
	Flag Defense	Kill an opponent who is close to your flag.
	Flag Kill	Kill an opponent while holding a flag.
	Flagsassination	Perform an assassination while holding a flag.
	Flag Joust	Kill a flag carrier while holding a flag.
	Flag Driver	Drive a flag carrier close to your capture point.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo 4)

There are no achievements related to the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Halo 5: Guardians

Commendations

Main article: List of Halo 5: Guardians commendations

Flag Mastery

Master all Capture the Flag commendations.
Reward: 2500 XP + 1 Requisition Pack

Carrier Takedown

Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	10	100 XP
2	30	200 XP
3	60	300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack
4	110	500 XP
5	210	1000 XP + Carrier Takedown Pack

Mine!

Return your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	10	100 XP
2	30	200 XP
3	60	300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack
4	110	500 XP
5	210	1000 XP + Mine! Pack

Defender of the Flag

Protect your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	10	100 XP
2	30	200 XP
3	60	300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack
4	110	500 XP
5	210	1000 XP + Defender of the Flag Pack

Capture the Flag Mastery

Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	5	100 XP
2	15	200 XP
3	30	300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack
4	55	500 XP
5	105	1000 XP + Flag Victory Pack

Patriot

Capture a flag, assist in capturing a flag or kill with a flag.

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	500	100 XP
2	1000	200 XP
3	1500	300 XP and 1 Requisition Pack
4	2400	500 XP
5	4900	1000 XP and 1 Requisition Pack

Flag 'Em Down

Earn one of the following medals: Stopped Short, Flag Joust, Carrier Kill, Flag return, Flag defense

Tier	Required #	Reward
1	1000	100 XP
2	2000	200 XP
3	3000	300 XP and 1 Requisition Pack
4	4800	500 XP
5	9700	1000 XP and 1 Requisition Pack

Medals

Main article: List of Halo 5: Guardians medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo 5: Guardians)

The following achievement can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Halo 5: Guardians (Xbox)	Title	Unlock requirement	Games
	Flag Monger	Complete 5 matchmade games in Capture the Flag.	Halo 5: Guardians

Halo Infinite

Medals

Main article: List of Halo Infinite medals

The following medals can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Icon	Name	Requirement
	Flag Joust	Kill an enemy flag carrier while holding a flag.
	Stopped Short	Kill an enemy flag carrier who is about to score.
	Goal Line Stand	Return a flag near the enemy flag stand.

Achievements

Main article: Achievements (Halo Infinite)

The following achievements can be unlocked in the Capture the Flag gamemode.

Xbox	Steam	Title	Unlock requirement
		Running Laps	Capture the flag twice in a matchmade Capture the Flag game.

Trivia

• John-117 and his squad of SPARTAN-IIs played Capture the flag with Tango company on Reach.
• The CTF weapons glitch can be done in CTF games. When the player exchanges a flag for a weapon, then exchanges the weapon for the flag, then drops the flag, leaving the player with three weapons.

Gallery

• 

  The Flag carrier on a Warthog while being pursued by Ghosts in Halo: Combat Evolved.

• 

  Concept art for the game mode for Halo 3.

• 

  A Spartan intercepts a flag carrier in Halo 3.

• 

  A Spartan driving a flag carrier in Halo: Reach.

• 

  Three Spartans delivering a flag in a Warthog in Halo 4.

• 

  A Spartan defends a flag carrier in Halo 2: Anniversary.

• 

  An Aviator-clad Spartan carrying the Flag in Halo Infinite.

• 

  CTF in Halo Infinite.

• 

  BTB CTF in Halo Infinite.