Editing Halo: Flashpoint

{{Title|''Halo: Flashpoint''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Upcoming}}
{{Game infobox
|name= ''Halo: Flashpoint''
|image= [[File:HFP Logo.png|150px]]<br>[[File:HFB BoxArt.png|300px]]
|developer= [[Wikipedia:Mantic Games|Mantic Games]]
|publisher= [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|releasedate= Fall [[2024]]{{Ref/Reuse|Announce}}
|genre= [[Wikipedia:Tabletop gaming|Tabletop]] [[Wikipedia:Miniature wargaming|wargaming]]
}}
'''''Halo: Flashpoint''''' is an upcoming tabletop strategy game produced by [[Wikipedia:Mantic Games|Mantic Games]] in conjunction with [[343 Industries]] and [[Microsoft]]. The game is set for release in Fall [[2024]],{{Ref/Site|Id=Announce|URL=https://www.manticgames.com/news/halo-flashpoint-first-reveals/|Site=Mantic Games|Page=Halo: Flashpoint - First Reveals|D=03|M=03|Y=2024}} with an estimated release time of October/November.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=Painter|0RXM_H4ax2M|Mantic Games|Mantic Vs Army Painter - Halo Flashpoint Painting Challenge Day 1|D=12|M=06|Y=2024}}

Unlike the previous ''[[Halo: Fleet Battles|Fleet Battles]]'' and ''[[Halo: Ground Command|Ground Command]]'' wargames produced by the now-defunct [[Spartan Games]], ''Flashpoint'' is focused on [[Spartan]] and [[Sangheili|Elite]] battles similar in nature to ''Halo'' multiplayer.{{Ref/Site|Id=Tease|URL=https://www.manticgames.com/news/on-the-12th-day-of-xmas-special-announcement/|Site=Mantic Games|Page=On the 12th Day of Christmas: Special Announcement|D=03|M=03|Y=2024}}{{Ref/Site|Id=BOLS|URL=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2024/03/halo-flashpoint-mantic-games-showcase-at-gama.html|Site=Bell of Lost Souls|Page=Halo: Flashpoint – Mantic Games Showcase At GAMA|D=08|M=03|Y=2024}} The games are predominantly focused on small-team skirmish fighting, though Mantic have expressed interest in producing larger-scale games based on [[Firefight]] and including [[vehicle]]s should ''Flashpoint'' be successful.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

==Official summmary==
{{Quote|The year is 2560.<br><br>Humanity was forced to the brink of extinction by the alien alliance known as the [[Covenant]], and even in victory many of our worlds were [[Glassing|glassed]] and left in ruins.<br><br>From the ashes of the [[Human-Covenant War|Covenant War]] a new generation of super-soldiers has been trained in [[War Games]] simulations, pitting [[Spartan]] [[Fireteam]]s against an almost infinite combination of potential threats – including other Spartans.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.manticgames.com/news/what-is-halo-flashpoint/|Site=Mantic Games|Page=What is Halo: Flashpoint? - Video Preview|D=21|M=03|Y=2024}}}}

==Overview==
[[File:HFP Minis Battle.png|thumb|250px|A battle in-progress in ''Flashpoint''.]]
''Flashpoint'' is a skirmish-scale wargame with a focus on small teams and fast, easy to pick-up-and-play gameplay.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} The game is played on a 61x61cm (2x2ft) board designed to fit on most tables, with a high degree of emphasis on verticality. The terrain is constructed based on a cube grid, meaning that unlike other tabletop wargames, no tape measures are required to play. However, positioning is still a vital component of the game; height and cover play important roles in determining dice rolls and damage output.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=WhatIs|v-4X6MT61aM|Mantic Games|What Is Halo: Flashpoint? - The Tabletop Miniatures Game from Mantic Games|D=21|M=03|Y=2024}} Terrain is present in the form of pre-printed cardboard punch-out structures including things like barricades, [[List of UNSC crates|shipping crates]], and towers, to allow for a 3D playing field.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} In the expanded Spartan Edition of the game, the arena board and terrain pieces can be flipped to theme the map around either a UNSC hangar facility or an outdoor training yard.{{Ref/Reuse|WhatIs}}{{Ref/Site|Id=FPsite|URL=https://haloflashpoint.com/what-is-halo-flashpoint/|Site=Halo: Flashpoint|Page=What is Halo: Flashpoint?|D=22|M=03|Y=2024}} When setting up a map, players can scatter the map with a number of item tokens to represent [[power weapon]]s, [[grenade]]s, [[equipment]], ammunition, and other game-changing pickups.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

Gameplay involves the use of D8 dice alongside some custom D6s.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} When attacking or defending, the player rolls 3 D8s for the relevant stat, with additional die added depending on other factors such as if the attacker has high ground or if the defender is in cover.{{Ref/Reuse|WhatIs}} The D6s are termed as "command dice", and allow Spartans to perform unique abilities to respond to the changing situation on the battlefield. Each command dice has a custom symbol on each face; the first is a [[Data crystal chip|data chip]] representing a Special Order - a unique ability that is determined by the player's chosen faction/leader. An arrow symbol represents an extra movement, a diamond represents an additional D8 dice roll for more damage, an explosion represents being allowed to fire another shot, and a Spartan helmet represents being allowed to activate another Spartan.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

Each character has an individual stats card that list a Spartan's two weapons, a pickup slot, [[energy shielding]] value, and other keyword-based specific stats/perks. Like in ''Halo'' FPS multiplayer, power weapons can be picked up on the map and equipped for a massive advantage.{{Ref/Reuse|WhatIs}}  As per ''Halo'' multiplayer, upon death, a given character can be respawned back onto the field at one of a number of respawn points - albeit with reduced abilities.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}}

The game consists of preassembled plastic miniatures that can be manually painted, although the Spartan Edition box includes two teams in red and blue plastic by default to allow for easy play. Each miniature consists of a [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] clad in one of the various [[Armor customization (Halo Infinite)|multiplayer armours]] available for use in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', each equipped with one of the weapons useable in ''Halo Infinite'' and given a dedicated stats card.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} In both release editions of the game, the Spartan teams provided are mirrors of one another, with Recon including four-per-team and Spartan including eight-per-team. Each Spartan has a unique weapon and armour suite, which dictate their in-game stats. As such, in Recon Edition, this has the game play with two identical teams of four whereas in Spartan Edition, both players can build a custom [[fireteam]] of four based on the eight models they each have available to pick from. However, if the standalone [[John-117|Master Chief]] mini is picked, he counts as two Spartans by himself - meaning that picking Master Chief will bring the total fireteam size down to three.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

In addition, [[Sangheili|Elites]] of the [[Banished]] will be added to the game at a later date.{{Ref/Reuse|WhatIs}} Four Elites are included in the Spartan Edition of the game, and can be used in place of a Spartan fireteam.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

Game modes available in ''Halo: Flashpoint'' include takes on a number of classic scenarios from ''Halo'' FPS multiplayer including [[Slayer]], [[Oddball]], [[Capture the Flag]], [[Strongholds]], and [[Stockpile]].{{Ref/Reuse|FPsite}}

===Development===
''Flashpoint''{{'}}s origins date back to a pitch document produced by game designer Ronnie Renton in [[2017]] (the same year that Spartan Games and the previous ''Halo'' tabletop games were shut down). Mantic spent several years after 2017 attempting to get the ''Halo'' IP though were repeatedly denied - a process they credited with allowing them to ensure that their original game ''Deadzone'' was highly-refined by the time they were granted the ''Halo'' license in [[2022]]. From the beginning, Ronnie envisioned the game working on the same cube-based terrain system as ''Deadzone'' due to its ability to allow for quick play rather than multi-hour sessions typical of a larger wargame. The ''Deadzone'' rules committee were tasked with designing the first iterations of the game in the five month period between 343 Industries granting permission for Mantic to begin work on the game and formally signing a contract, before Ronnie flew out to Redmond to show the game to 343 Industries in person. As of June 2024, the game has been in development for around eighteen months.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

One of Mantic's key priorities during development was the knowledge that ''Flashpoint'' would be many peoples' first introduction to tabletop gaming, due to ''Halo''{{'}}s already preexisting fanbase.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}} The scale of the models was not decided based on a predetermined size (ie 28mm, 32mm, etc), but instead based on a process of printing Spartan models at various size scales and comparing them with ''Deadzone''{{'}}s terrain pieces until they "felt right" - taking into account the Spartans' enhanced height and bulk as per their [[Project ORCHID|augmentations]] and armour.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

''Flashpoint'' was first teased at the start of 2024 in a cryptic announcement,{{Ref/Reuse|Tease}} followed by a full title reveal in March of that year.{{Ref/Reuse|Announce}} The game was later debuted at GAMA Expo with some prototype units showing off early box art and miniatures,{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} with a full reveal in Adepticon at the end of March. The Adepticon reveal coincided with a dedicated website launch for ''Flashpoint'' on March 22, 2024.{{Ref/Reuse|Announce}}

As of June 2024, the final model prints are currently in production for the first wave of pre-orders.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}} The official paints included in the Master Chief paint pack were made via a collaboration between Mantic Games and Army Painter. The pack required colours not currently supported by the Army Painter range, resulting in the creation of several new officially-licensed paints including "Master Chief Green".{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

===Competitive play===
''Halo: Flashpoint'' will support competitive play with offical support by Mantic Games and 343 Industries, though details have not been finalised. The game's competitive nature will lean into the [[Achievement]]s of the [[Xbox]] ''Halo'' titles in some way, with Mantic hoping to see organised and competitive play grow naturally. The game's rules were developed by the ''Deadzone'' rules committee based on that game's 10,000+ games played, meaning that they are comprehensive and cover the vast majority of scenarios. As such, Mantic does not expect to require errata or FAQ posts on their website. However, Mantic does intend to support the game with an app that will allow players to enter their scores and compare leaderboard rankings with other players in their local or global scenes.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

==Appearances==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5
<!--|title-1=Characters| - unhide these sections and adjust numerical ordering accordingly if they become needed-->

|title-1=Species|
*[[Human]]
*[[Sangheili]]

|title-2=Organizations|
*[[Banished]]
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
***[[Spartan Operations]]
****[[SPARTAN-IV program]]

<!--|title-4=Locations|-->

<!--|title-5=Events|-->

|title-3=Weapons|
;Covenant
*{{Pattern|Elutuzem|stalker rifle}}
*{{Pattern|Erudo'ma'keth|pulse carbine}}
*{{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun}}
*[[Halbashi Workshop gravity hammer]]
*{{Pattern|Meluth'qelos|energy sword}}
*{{Pattern|M'tara|focus rifle}}
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
*{{Pattern|Posu'gelka|needler}}
*[[Sicatt Workshop shock rifle]]

;Forerunner
*[[Cindershot]]

;Human
*[[Combat knife]]
**TAC/Model 52 Navy Knife
**[[M11 combat knife]]
*[[BR75 battle rifle]]
*[[CQS48 Bulldog]]
*[[M392 DMR]]
*[[MA40 assault rifle]]
*[[SRS99-S7 AM sniper rifle]]
*[[VK78 Commando]]

<!--|title-7=Vehicles|-->

|title-4=Technology and equipment|
;Covenant
*[[Sangheili harness]]
**[[Combat harness]]
;Human
*[[CBRN module]]
**MK17 MOD1 CBRN/KUZNETS
*[[MEDAUX Unit]] Type II
*[[Energy shielding]]
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)]]
***[[BRAWLER-class Mjolnir]]
***[[DEADEYE-class Mjolnir]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]]
***[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII|Mark VII]]
***[[ZVEZDA-class Mjolnir]]
*Myesel Ammo Pouch
*[[TAC attachments]]
**TAC/Model 52 Navy [[Combat knife|Knife]]
**TAC/Paradise Rig
*[[UA attachments]]
**UA/M550D Halfplate
*[[War Games]]
*Watsmil Ammo Pouch
}}

==Editions==
At launch, ''Halo: Flashpoint'' will have two editions: '''Recon Edition''' and '''Spartan Edition'''.{{Ref/Reuse|BOLS}} Recon Edition is intended for players who may be new to tabletop wargaming, and comes with all of the basics needed to play a game of ''Halo: Flashpoint'' including 8 Spartan models (4 red, 4 blue), 10 weapon tokens, and a full suite of terrain and gameplay tokens.{{Ref/Site|Id=Recon|URL=https://haloflashpoint.com/products/recon-edition/|Site=Halo: Flashpoint|Page=Recon Edition|D=22|M=03|Y=2024}} The Spartan Edition is intended for more seasoned wargamers and ''Halo'' fans, consisting of 16 Spartan models (8 red, 8 blue), 4 Elite models, more terrain, more weapon cards, and more deluxe content.{{Ref/Reuse|WhatIs}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Spartan|URL=https://haloflashpoint.com/products/spartan-edition/|Site=Halo: Flashpoint|Page=Spartan Edition|D=22|M=03|Y=2024}}
<gallery>
File:HFP ReconEdition Box.png|Recon Edition box.
File:HFP ReconEdition Terrain.png|Recon Edition terrain.
File:HFP SpartanEdition Box.png|Spartan Edition box.
File:HFP SpartanEdition Terrain 1.png|Spartan Edition terrain.
File:HFP SpartanEdition Terrain 2.png|Spartan Edition alternate terrain.
</gallery>
The first batch of pre-orders for the game come bundled with a free miniature of [[John-117]] in his [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|GEN3]] [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]] armour from ''Halo Infinite''. This model can also be purchased separately in an individual painting pack. Pre-orders are set to begin shipping in September 2024.{{Ref/Reuse|FPsite}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://haloflashpoint.com/faq/|Site=Halo: Flashpoint|Page=FAQ|D=22|M=03|Y=2024}} The paints included in the painting pack are based on official Pantone colour palettes approved by 343 Industries to represent the Spartans of the ''Halo'' universe.{{Ref/Reuse|Painter}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Recon Edition{{Ref/Reuse|Recon}} !! Spartan Edition{{Ref/Reuse|Spartan}}
|-
| [[File:HFP ReconEdition Contents.png|150px|center]] || [[File:HFP SpartanEdition Contents.png|150px|center]][[File:HFP SpartanEdition Contents Alt.png|150px|center]]
|-
| 
*'''8x Spartan models (4 red, 4 blue)'''
*Rulebook
*Play mat
*Pre-coloured card terrain and tokens
*8x player/model cards
*2x reference cards
*12x D8 dice
*6x command dice
 || 
*'''16x Spartan models (8 red, 8 blue)'''
*'''4x Banished Elite models'''
*Rulebook
*Play mat
*Pre-coloured card terrain and tokens
*'''Deluxe 2-sided play board'''
*'''20x weapon cards'''
*'''Extra terrain and tokens'''
*'''3x reference cards'''
*12x D8 dice
*'''8x command dice'''
*'''Plastic 3D arena accessories'''
|-
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HFP SpartanPaintedModels.png|A fireteam of Spartan miniatures.
File:HFP SpartanPaintedModels 2.png|A fireteam of Spartan miniatures.
File:HFP RedSpartanModels.png|A fireteam of Spartan miniatures.
File:HFP EliteModels.png|A full grouping of Elite Mercenaries.
File:HFP MasterChiefModel.png|The model of Master Chief.
File:HFP MasterChief Photo.png|A photo of the Master Chief model.
File:HFP SpartanMinis Purple Photo.png|Two Spartans.
File:HFP Spartan RedMarkVII.png|A red Spartan clad in Mark VII.
File:HFP Elites.png|A pair of [[Sangheili Mercenary]] miniatures.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==External links==
*[https://haloflashpoint.com/ ''Halo: Flashpoint'' official website]

{{Navbox/Media/Games|tabletop=yes}}
[[Category:Canon]]