Editing Grifball

{{Status|Gameplay}}

[[File:GB Wallpaper 1024x768.jpg|thumb|300px|Grifball poster.]]

'''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]].

[[File:Grifballcourt.jpg|250px|thumb|The wall graphic on the '[[Foundry]]' Grifball court.]]

Scoring a goal earns one point. In ''Halo 3'', ''Halo: Reach'' and Grifball Pro of ''Halo 4'', this also ends the round. In ''Halo 3'', each match consists of 5 rounds (originally 9 rounds). ''Halo: Reach'' and Grifball Pro in ''Halo 4'' have up to five rounds with three victories to win, and unlike ''Halo 3'', the game will end after the third victory. There is a three minute time limit for each round. Grifball in ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians'' uses a single round.

Each player has a [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|Gravity Hammer]] and an [[Type-1 energy sword|Energy Sword]] (secondary), with infinite energy for both weapons. In some maps and game variants in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo: Reach'', the [[7 wood]] is used instead of the Gravity Hammer, though the gameplay remains identical. In ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 4'', there are two [[loadout]]s available: one has Gravity Hammer and Energy Sword, and the other has Energy Sword and Gravity Hammer. The purpose of this is to let the player pick their spawn weapon, as this can be crucial when respawning.

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.

The ball carrier has a 2× [[Overshield]], 150% speed, 150% damage resistance after a period of time in which these charge up. The ball carrier also turns orange, like the character Dexter Grif from the webseries Red vs Blue, for whom the game is named. Shield recharge speed has been increased since the inception. In some of the early Double EXP Weekends, Bungie made the mistake of making the bomb carrier become '''gold''' instead of '''orange''', resulting in the ball carrier being colored like Grif's sister, Kakaina Grif. This was corrected in subsequent updates.

There have been two documented occasions in ''Halo 3'' (Grifball Week 2 Highlights and British Summer League Highlights Week 3) when the ball-carrier (A.K.A. Grif) did ''not'' die after scoring. In the first case, he dropped the Bomb and rode a Hammer shock wave away from the explosion to safety. When the video ends, Sarge is heard crying in the background, "I'm so sad, I don't think I can go on. End it now, end it now." The second time this happened, the player managed to score and was then propelled out of the way by an opponent in an attempt to kill him.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m5fYEAHYE</ref> After ''[[Halo: Reach]]'''s release, ball-carriers escaping the explosion became more common thanks to the inclusion of Armor Abilities such as Sprint allowing them to get away in time. This is often remedied, though, by changing the game settings so that the ball-carrier will automatically drop dead upon scoring.

A basic instructions video is shown on YouTube.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmOzAE-CbLY</ref>

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

In the unlikely event that a player finds themselves thrown outside the arena (beyond the wall), [[teleporter]]s situated beyond the playing field have been provided. These teleporters will drop you outside the map, killing you instantly. You will respawn back at your goal. Play is not suspended when a player goes out of bounds. It is the player's duty to return to play. If a ball carrier goes out of bounds, they must return to play within 30 seconds (judged by time on Save Film) or they forfeit the entire match. If they leave the ball beyond the wall, it will reset within 15 seconds. Play is not suspended while the ball or ball carrier is out of bounds. (''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 4'' employ kill boundaries to limit the player movement and allow ball respawning.'')

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

Players are now launched to the field with man cannons similar to the [[Breakout]] round start, and goal explosions now feature fireworks; much like ''Halo 4'' variant, the explosions aren't particularly lethal. The gameplay is similar to the default ''Halo 4'' incarnation with single round and respawning ball, except the ball must be picked up with X button (as in earlier games and in ''Halo 4'' Grifball Pro). The new movement options of ''Halo 5: Guardians'' also have an effect on gameplay: the railings surrounding the maps, which were previously only accessible by careful Gravity Hammer boosting by other players, can now be [[Spartan abilities#Clamber|clambered]] on. [[Spartan abilities#Ground Pound|Ground pound]] can also be effective, especially when carrying the ball; a well-targeted ground pound can both clear the surroundings of the goal and score at the same time. The game also features new Grifball medals. As ''Halo 5: Guardians'' doesn't have [[loadout]]s, players always spawn with Energy Sword as the primary weapon and Gravity Hammer as secondary weapon.

*A good counter against 'Grif' (the bomb carrier) is to jump above him and slash with the sword.Only experienced bomb carriers will counter this as most are looking forward and not up.

*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.

*A recent technique that appeared in a Grifball Tournament was known as "wall jumping". In which the ball carrier would jump on the small ledge behind the goal before scoring in order to evade pursuers.

*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.)

Launches are a way of propelling your teammates forward quickly.

#Spawn Bonk- In this launch, you will have to remember a number system. When you spawn, the guy on the farthest left is #1. The next guy to his right is #2. To his right, #3. And the guy farthest to the right is #4. #1 will simply run forward with a sword, as defense, in case you don't get the ball. #3 will jump forward, as #2 and #4 swing their hammers to launch him to the ball.

#Flowers- This is a launch to be performed as you pick up the ball. Perform a hammer jump, while holding the button to pick up the ball. This will send you flying way up into the air, and anyone can swing their hammers from anywhere on the court to try to propel you. NOTE: This can be performed if you are host of the match, but it is much harder to do.

*The Blargball variant of Grifball is a reference to the only word Elites in Red vs Blue say, aside from occasional grunts and honks.

*[[McFarlane Toys]] produced a [[McFarlane Toys/Miscellaneous#Grifball Spartan|Grifball action figure]] in orange [[RECON-class Mjolnir|Recon]] armor. This was also the first ever action figure made based on Rooster Teeth productions.{{Ref/Reuse|bts-rt}}

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==Related links==

{{Gametype}}

[[Category:Multiplayer gametypes]]

[[Category:Halo 3 gametypes]]

[[Category:Halo: Reach gametypes]]

[[Category:Halo 4 gametypes]]

[[Category:Halo 5: Guardians gametypes]]