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{{Title|''Halo 2'' skulls}}
{{Ratings}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Era|H2}}
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Grunt Birthday Party 2.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Heretics|Heretic]] [[Unggoy|Grunts]] dancing around the Grunt Birthday skull on the level ''[[The Arbiter]]''.]]


'''Skulls''' are gameplay modifiers included in the ''[[Halo 2]]'' [[campaign]] to modify gameplay experience or difficulty. [[Bungie]] first introduced [[skulls]] to the ''Halo'' series in ''Halo 2'', and they have been included in every game since.
[[Image:Grunt Birthday Party.jpg|thumb|350px|The Heretic Grunts dancing around the Grunt Birthday Skull on [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]]]
A [[Skull]] in [[Halo 2]] is an [[Easter Egg]] left in-game by [[Bungie]] to make the game more challenging or interesting, or to unlock potentials that would otherwise remain hidden. There is no information text to wield a skull, as there is with a weapon, but it can be picked up just the same and its effect, ranging from making the game extremely difficult to letting one grenade jump higher than ever before, lasts until the [[Xbox]] is restarted (Or in [[Halo 2 Vista]] until the game is restarted), but do nothing outside of campaign( with the exception of the Blackeye Skull). These skulls are hidden ''very'' far out of the normal path of the level, sometimes even backwards.  


Skulls are collected by picking them up, as the player would a weapon, though there is no information text to wield a skull. Skulls' effects are only found in the game's [[campaign]].
==Background==
Every skull except the Blind and Assassins Skulls are only available in [[Legendary]] Difficulty (Though on other difficulty's the assassins skull will have no effect). The Blind skull may be a very handy tool when recording video, and, fortunately, is very easy to activate.


In the original [[Xbox]] game, once a skull is collected it is immediately activated (with the exception of IWHBYD); this activation is denoted by a white flash and a loud "whoosh" sound. The skull's effects then last until the console is restarted. The same is true of [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista]], though the effects last until the game is restarted. In order to reactivate the skull, the player must find and collect the skull again.
There are some discussions saying that activating all skulls will unlock a secret movie at the end like [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], when you complete the last level on Legendary, or activate more plot revealing dialogue in the cut scenes. This has never been successfully tested. People curious about these unlocks have found a 15-letter code on the [[Halo 2 Soundtrack]] and thought this code was a specific order these skulls needed to be activated to unlock the secrets. This was not the case.


In ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' the skulls are present, however they are not activated when they are collected (though the flash and "whoosh" are still present). Instead, skulls must be selected from the pre-game menu before beginning the level. The skulls are unlocked by default (along with a number of [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection skulls|new skulls]]) and do not need to be found before they can be used, however each skull unlocks an [[achievement]] when collected, providing players motivation to seek them out.  
The Skulls are mostly used by players to customize their gaming experience by manipulating the game-play engines with various skull combinations. The most fearsome Halo 2 players will be playing with skulls like a combination of Mythic and Thunderstorm, which increases enemy armor and shield strength greatly (Ultra Elites even require two overcharged plasma bursts to compromise their shields) and Thunderstorm, changing all enemies to their highest rank; Envy, which allows the Master Chief to use active camouflage technology at the expense of his flashlight; and IWHBYD, which unlocks hidden dialog and causes the AI to interact verbally more often.


==Background==
''Note'': These items are not actually part of the Halo universe, but are just tidbits Bungie left in Halo 2.
Every skull except for Blind and Assassins can only be found on [[Legendary]] difficulty (though on other difficulties the Assassins skull will have no effect). The Blind skull may be a very handy tool when recording video on the original Xbox, and, fortunately, is very easy to activate.


The skulls are mostly used by players to customize their gaming experience by manipulating the game-play engines with the various skull combinations. Each skull has various effects: Mythic increases enemy [[armor]] and [[shield]] strength greatly ([[Sangheili Ultra|Ultra Elites]] even require two overcharged [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] bursts to compromise their shields); Thunderstorm changes all enemies to their highest rank; Envy allows the Master Chief to use [[Active camouflage|Active Camouflage]] technology at the expense of his [[flashlight]]; and IWHBYD unlocks hidden dialog and causes the AI to interact verbally more often.
==Campaign Order==
#'''The Heretic''': N/A
#'''The Armory''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Unnamed Skull|Unnamed Skull]]
#'''Cairo Station''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Thunderstorm|Thunderstorm]]
#'''Outskirts''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Blind|Blind]] & [[Halo 2 Skulls#I Would Have Been Your Daddy|I Would Have Been Your Daddy]]  
#'''Metropolis''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Catch|Catch]]
#'''The Arbiter''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Grunt Birthday Party|Grunt Birthday Party]]
#'''The Oracle''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Famine|Famine]]
#'''Delta Halo''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Envy|Envy]]
#'''Regret''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Assassins|Assassins]]
#'''Sacred Icon''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Mythic|Mythic]]
#'''Quarantine Zone''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Sputnik|Sputnik]]
#'''Gravemind''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Anger|Anger]]
#'''Uprising''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Ghost|Ghost]]
#'''High Charity''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Iron|Iron]]
#'''The Great Journey''': [[Halo 2 Skulls#Black Eye|Black Eye]]


==Campaign order==
==List of Known Skulls==
#'''''The Heretic''''': N/A
#'''''The Armory''''': [[#That's Just... Wrong|That's Just... Wrong]]
#'''''Cairo Station''''': [[#Thunderstorm|Thunderstorm]]
#'''''Outskirts''''': [[#Blind|Blind]] & [[#I Would Have Been Your Daddy (IWHBYD)|I Would Have Been Your Daddy]]
#'''''Metropolis''''': [[#Catch|Catch]]
#'''''The Arbiter''''': [[#Grunt Birthday Party|Grunt Birthday Party]]
#'''''The Oracle''''': [[#Famine|Famine]]
#'''''Delta Halo''''': [[#Envy|Envy]]
#'''''Regret''''': [[#Assassins|Assassins]]
#'''''Sacred Icon''''': [[#Mythic|Mythic]]
#'''''Quarantine Zone''''': [[#Sputnik|Sputnik]]
#'''''Gravemind''''': [[#Anger|Anger]]
#'''''Uprising''''': [[#Ghost|Ghost]]
#'''''High Charity''''': [[#Iron|Iron]]
#'''''The Great Journey''''': [[#Black Eye|Black Eye]]


==List of known skulls==
===Anger===
{{Center|This section is about the skulls in the 2004 game. For the skulls introduced in Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Eye Patch, Fog, Jacked, Masterblaster, Recession, So... Angry, Streaking, Swarm, They Come Back, Bandanna, Bonded Pair, Boom, Feather, Grunt Funeral, Malfunction, Piñata, Prophet Birthday Party, and Scarab skulls), see [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection skulls]].}}


===Anger===
'''Level''': [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Anger.jpg|thumb|The Anger skull floating on the wall surrounding the first Valley of Tears in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''


'''Directions''': After you save both groups of marines, continue until you reach the first outdoor area with dirt and vegetation. Take a right as you enter this room and run up to the wall past the gravity lift that leads up to the sniper point. Get on top of the wall by going up the dirt mound on your left. Follow the wall, an invisible Gunner (green) Grunt will spawn wielding a Fuel Rod Cannon, kill him and reach the floating skull called "Anger".
'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effects''': Enemies and allies fire their weapons faster and more frequently.
'''Effects''': Enemies fire their weapons faster and more frequently.


'''Directions''':  
'''Status''': Confirmed
# After saving both groups of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], the player reaches the first outdoor area with dirt and vegetation.
# Take a right as entering the area and run up to the wall past the [[Gravity lift]] that leads up to the [[Covenant watchtower]].
# Get on top of the wall by going up the dirt mound on your left.
# Follow the wall and an invisible [[Unggoy Heavy]] will spawn wielding a {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}. Kill him and reach the floating skull called "Anger".


'''Trivia''': The skull floats above a Gravity Lift ring. This skull is treated as a "third" weapon rather than a pickup weapon. You can throw grenades (though there is no animation) and switch to primary and secondary weapons (though there is no side symbol, but a put-away animation).
'''Trivia''': The skull floats above a gravity lift ring. This skull is treated as a "third" weapon rather than a pickup weapon. You can throw grenades (though there is no animation) and switch to primary and secondary weapons (Though there is no side symbol, but a put-away animation).


===Assassins===
===Assassins===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Assassin.jpg|thumb|The Assassins skull flanked by two invisible Sangheili in ''Halo 2''.]]
 
'''Level''': ''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]''
'''Level''': [[Regret (Level)|Regret]]
 
'''Directions''': Immediately after the gondola ride following the battle with the [[Hunters]], there will be a building with two turrets on it. Enter the building and turn to your right. There will be a box, jump on it. From there jump to the adjacent light fixture, then to the ledge. The ledge leads to the area with the two turrets. Once there use a [[Grenade Jump]] to get onto the roof area, then, using [[Crouch Jumps]] and grenade jumps, follow the right side perimeter of the building. Once you have gone as far as you can go you will find a small grassy area with two cloaked [[Elites]] (that cannot be assassinated) in their "angry stance" and the Assassins skull between them.


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': All enemies in game are permanently cloaked. Allies can sometimes see them but mostly they can't, so they can't help much.
'''Effect''': All enemies in game are permanently cloaked. Allies can't see them, so they can't help at all!
 
'''Status''': Confirmed


'''Directions''':  
'''Note''': This skull also appears on any difficulty, but no Elites will be standing there, the flash and name will not appear, and effect will not take place. If you kill a lot of Marines they will turn against you and become cloaked.
# Immediately after the first gondola ride (following the battle with the [[Mgalekgolo]]), you will arrive at a building with two [[turret]]s on it.
# Enter the building and turn to your right.
# Jump on the cube structure, then jump to the adjacent light fixture, then to the ledge. The ledge leads to the balcony with the two turrets.
# Once there, use [[Explosive jumping|Grenade Jump]] to get onto the roof area. Then, using [[Crouch jumping|Crouch Jumps]] and/or Grenade Jumps, follow the right side perimeter of the building.  
# Once you have gone as far as you can go you will find a small grassy area with two [[Stealth Sangheili|Stealth Elites]] holding [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Swords]] (one can be assassinated, the other cannot) in their "angry stance" and the Assassins skull between them.


'''Note''': This skull also appears on any difficulty, and even on [[campaign#Cooperative|co-op]] play, but no Elites will be standing there, the flash and name will not appear, and the effect will not take place. If you betray two Marines in a row, they will turn against you and become cloaked.
===Black Eye===


=== Black Eye ===
'''Level''': [[The Great Journey (Level)|The Great Journey]]
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Black Eye.jpg|thumb|The Black Eye skull on the top of the control room in ''Halo 2''.]]
 
'''Level''': ''[[The Great Journey]]''
'''Directions''': Eventually you have to escort the Sarge who is in a [[Scarab]]. Follow him along until you see the huge compound in front of you. Directly above the door that the Sarge blows open with the Scarab is an angled beam. Land your [[Banshee]] on this beam and walk to the top of the beam. Look down and to your left and you will see a circular angled wall. Jump onto this wall and walk to the top. Walk straight along the right-hand side of this area. You will have to jump over a small beam in front of you. Continue walking straight until you come to a grassy area. Keep walking up the grassy hill and go until you come to the point where can jump onto the angled support for the tower meets the grass. Jump onto the support and walk up the support. It's a very steep climb, so jumping while you're going up the support speeds up the walk some. At the first landing you will see the Black Eye skull sitting on a glowing white panel on the floor.


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': Your shield does not charge normally. To charge your shields you must kill something (enemy, ally, or turret) with a [[melee]] attack (anything but the Energy Sword). You can charge your shields into the [[Overshield]] range by doing this (one kill will charge 100% of your normal shields). Also activates subtitles during cut scenes. Additionally, this skull causes the falling snow in the [[multiplayer]] level ''[[Lockout]]'' to disappear.
'''Effect''': Your shield does not charge normally. To charge your shields you must kill something (enemy or ally) with a melee attack (anything but the [[Energy Sword]]). You can charge your shields into the [[Overshield]] range by doing this. Also activates subtitles during cut scenes. Additionally, this skull causes the falling snow in the multiplayer level [[Lockout]] to disappear.


'''Directions''':  
'''Status''': Confirmed
# Progress through the level until you need to escort [[Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson|Johnson]]'s [[The Great Journey|Scarab]], to [[Installation 05]]'s [[Control room]].
# Directly above the door that Johnson blows open with the Scarab is an angled beam. Land your [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]] on this beam and walk to the top of the beam.
# Look down and to your left and you will see a circular angled wall. Jump onto this wall and walk to the top.
# Walk straight along the right-hand side of this area.
# You will have to jump over a small beam in front of you.
# Continue walking straight until you come to a grassy area.
# Keep walking up the grassy hill and go until you come to the point where can jump onto the angled support for the tower meets the grass.
# Jump onto the support and walk up the support. It's a very steep climb, so jumping while you're going up the support speeds up the walk some.
# At the first landing you will see the Black Eye skull sitting on a glowing white panel on the floor.


===Blind===
===Blind===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Blind.jpg|thumb|The Blind skull, four grenades, and a spotting scope in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Outskirts]]''


'''Difficulty''': Any
'''Level''': [[Outskirts]]
 
'''Directions''':When you start the level, go through the door and kill the [[Grunt]] there, right above the door you came through there is a light. Crouch jump onto that and [[grenade]] jump up, you should now be on the roof. Look for a little alleyway and go down that, at the end there should be a pile of [[grenades]], a camera, and the skull in front of them.


'''Effect''': Your [[heads-up display]] becomes invisible. In other words, you cannot see your weapon (unless it's the Energy Sword, which has a glitched appearance with this skull), body, shields, ammunition, motion tracker, or use your flashlight. Muzzle flare from weapons though, are still visible.
'''Effect''': Your HUD becomes invisible. In other words, you cannot see your weapon (unless it's the [[Energy Sword]], which has a glitchy appearance with this skull), body, [[shields]], ammo, motion tracker, or use your flashlight. However, well experienced players should be able to accurately judge where they are aiming with ease. Also, enemies can still spot you, this skull serves no tactical advantage whatsoever (Although Machinima makers will find a good use for this skull), although hitting enemies with the skull should kill them with only two or three hits. The effects of this skull will last until you turn off the Xbox. Oddly, you can still see the shadow of your weapon, even the blind skull itself.
This skull appears in any difficulty too!


'''Directions''':
# Immediately at the beginning of the level, go through the door and kill the [[Unggoy]] there.
# Backtrack and right above the first door you came through there is a light.
# Crouch Jump onto that and either Crouch Jump or Grenade Jump again (Crouch jumping is easier), and you should be on the roof (or you can get the Sputnik skull and only use one grenade).
# Look for a space between the two buildings, and go into it, at the end there should be four [[M9 fragmentation grenade]]s, a spotting scope, and the skull in front of them.


'''Note''': An interesting possible message left by Bungie is seen in the form of the frags and scope. Since the Blind skull is available on all difficulties, it is a sort of "trick skull", to trick players into thinking they have obtained the skull of the level, since a skull is obtainable in every other level (excluding ''[[The Heretic]]'', which is an opening cut-scene). So, it could be here to divert players from finding the IWHBYD skull. Alternatively, the scope is meant to stand for the word "Look" and the four grenades stand for the word "For" which could make the message "Look for Skulls" ("Skull" is in reference to the Blind skull).
'''Extra Information'''


===Catch===
An interesting possible message left by Bungie is seen in the form of the frags and scope. There are four frags, and the scope, which could be interpreted as "foresight". Also, since the blind skull is available on all difficulties, it is a sort of "trick skull", to make you think you've obtained the skull of the level, since every other level (excluding [[The Heretic (Level)|The Heretic]], which is an opening cut-scene) has one, obtainable on legendary only. So, it is meant to stop you from getting the I Would Have Been Your Daddy skull. Another possibility is that the scope is meant to stand for the word "Look" and the four grenades stand for the word "For" which could make the message "Look for Skulls" ("Skull" is in reference to the Blind Skull). Also, after getting the skull, walk back a bit and activate your flash light, it appears on the wall behind the snipers scope. Also, this skull is often used for making machinimas, as you cannot see yourself. In contrast to the active camouflage, in which there is a slight shimmer, there is perfect invisibility for the Blind skull, thus increasing its usefulness.  
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Catch.jpg|thumb|The Catch skull on a ledge, high above the entrance into the area, in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Metropolis]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': A.I. will throw more grenades. Also, everybody (allies and enemies) will drop two grenades of their kind (humans drop frag grenades and aliens drop plasma grenades) Flood will drop grenades depending on whether they're human or Covenant.
'''Status''': Confirmed


'''Directions''':
===Catch===
# Right after exiting from the underground highway, you'll come to a large open-air circular area with a handful of [[Kig-yar Sniper|Jackal Snipers]] and some [[Sangheili|Elites]]. The quickest way to get safely to the skull is to get the next checkpoint by jumping into the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]] and drive to the next area.
# Backtrack to the large area, and clear the enemies. Alternatively, you can skip through the area until you reach where you find the [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraiths]] attacking the building where the Marines are (but you don't have to fight them) and then go back and the enemies will be gone when you go back.
# There is a large semi-circular beam going from one of the main platforms that goes from the ground up to the top of the two towers. Do a Grenade Jump at the bottom of this beam and walk all the way to the top. Jump over to the ledge of the left tower. Walk to the end of the ledge and you will find the Catch skull. The Sputnik skull may be helpful if you have trouble Grenade Jumping.


'''Note''': This skull is slightly tinged orange whereas the other skulls are not. Since Flood combat forms do not throw grenades but do drop grenades upon death, this skull is particularly useful in levels featuring  Flood as the player would have a constant supply of grenades.
'''Level''': [[Metropolis]]


===Envy===
'''Directions''': Right after you exit from the underground highway, you'll come to a large open-air circular area with a handful of [[Jackal]] snipers and some [[Elites]]. The quickest way to get safely to the skull is to get the next checkpoint by jumping into the [[Warthog]] and letting the Marine drive you to the next area. Jump out of the [[warthog]] and backtrack to the large room, and clear the area. Or you can get your warthog from the bridge and just run right through the platforms and the other part until you reach the place where you find the wraiths attacking the building where the marines are (but you don't have to fight them) and then go back and the enemies will be gone when you go back. You will see a large semi-circular beam going from one of the main platforms that goes from the ground up to the top of the two towers. Do a [[Grenade Jump|grenade jump]] at the bottom of this beam and walk all the way to the top. Jump over to the ledge of the left tower. Walk to the end of the ledge and you will find the Catch skull. The Sputnik Skull may be helpful if you have trouble grenade jumping.
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Envy.jpg|thumb|The Envy skull and two invisible Sangheili in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Delta Halo]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': The [[John-117|Master Chief]] now has an [[Active camouflage]] just like the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter's]]. However, there is no visible timer, so remember: five second cloak with ten second recharge on Legendary (the cloak and recharge times are longer and shorter, respectively, on easier difficulties). To fully exploit the effects of this skull, execute the [[permanent Invisibility|permanent invisibility]] [[glitches|glitch]].
'''Effect''': A.I. will throw more grenades. Also, everybody (allies and enemies) will drop two grenades.


'''Directions''':  
'''Extra Information''':It is wise to have this [[Skull]] on in [[Flood]] levels, since [[Flood]] do not throw grenades.


'''Method 1'''
'''Status''': Confirmed
# Progress through ''Delta Halo'' until you come to an area with a large central structure that has a multitude of columns (the place with the many stationary shield generators). This is the area where [[Cortana]] tells you that they are all pouring out of the middle.
# When you first get into this area, you have to go left, and there is a ramp on the left that goes up and then back down. Get on this ramp and continue up the wall until you are on the landing where there will be (or used to be) some [[Plasma turret|Plasma Turrets]].
# Follow this landing all the way to its end, and you'll see a door that is blocked off by a large stone.
# Jump on top of the stone, and jump again to get on a thin ledge. Make sure you're up against the left wall, and Grenade Jump up to the top of the wall to your left.
# Once you're on this wall, you'll see that the right wall ends and there is some earth behind it.
# Jump onto the dirt, and follow the stone wall all the way to the top.
# When you're on the top of this wall, you can look down towards the center and you should see two Stealth Elites repeating their "angry stance" towards each other with the Envy skull between them. (Note: They will not attack you, even if you shoot at them. But if they are killed they will fire their weapons randomly before they hit the ground, which can hurt you).


'''Method 2'''
===Envy===
[[Image:Envy skull.jpg|thumb|The Envy Skull]]


Use grenades to blast the stone away from the door. For that, you'll need all the Fragmentation and [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|Plasma Grenades]] you can carry, sometimes even more (using rocket launcher and having the Sputnik skull would be helpful). Throw each of them into the corner behind the stone. Every time a grenade explodes, the stone will move a little. You'll never get it fully out of the way, but after about eight or nine grenades, there will be enough space to go through the door. Alternatively jump on the rock and throw one Plasma Grenade in the corner behind the rock. This should move it enough so that you can drop into the crack and melee the rock until the doorway is clear. If not, throw a couple more grenades. If you do not have any grenades or rocket launcher ammo, use a Scorpion or Wraith to blast the stone away. This method leads you up a ramp and into a room open to one side where you'll find two dead Grunts along with two Energy Swords (an Easter egg which implies that these two Grunts accidentally killed themselves with the Swords). Exit the room and you'll be on a platform above the normal area. Grenade jump towards the room you just exited, and you'll be with the Stealth Elites and the Envy skull.
'''Level''': [[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]


===Famine===
'''Directions''': Progress through [[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]] until you come to an area with a large central structure that has a multitude of columns. This is the area where [[Cortana]] tells you that they are all pouring out of the middle. When you first get into this area, you have to go left, and there is a ramp on the left that goes up and then back down. Get on this ramp and continue up the wall until you are on the landing where there will be (or used to be) some plasma turrets. Follow this landing all the way to its end, and you'll see a door that is blocked off by a large stone. Jump on top of the stone, and jump again to get on a thin ledge. Make sure you're up against the left wall, and grenade jump up to the top of the wall to your left. Once you're on this wall, you'll see that the right wall ends and there is some earth behind it. Jump onto the dirt, and follow the stone wall all the way to the top. When you're on the top of this wall, you can look down towards the center and you should see two cloaked Elites repeating their "angry stance" towards each other with the Envy skull between them. (Note: They will not attack you, even if you shoot at them.)
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Famine.jpg|thumb|The Famine skull surrounded by dead Flood combat forms in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[The Oracle]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': All dropped weapons have half ammo. Weapons that spawned on the floor or spawned with are unaffected.
'''Effect''': The [[Master Chief]] now has an active camouflage device just like the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter's]]. However, there is no visible timer, so remember: 5 second cloak with 10 second recharge on Legendary (the recharge and cloak times are shorter and longer respectively on easier difficulties). To fully exploit the effects of this skull, execute the [[Permanent invisibility]] glitch.


'''Directions''':  
'''Status''': Confirmed.
#After you get off of the slowly descending elevator, you will come to a hallway where you see a handful of dead bodies.
# Continue into the next room, and you will be on the second floor of a room that has a lot of glass windows. When you enter this room, look to the right, and find the third pane of glass. It should be to the right of a wall that has some Flood guts splattered on it.
# Shoot out this window, and the windows directly across the room.
# If you look below you, you will see a platform that has four tall posts. On the far side of the room there is a column that is right in between the two windows on the far side of the room.
# Turn on your Active Camouflage, and jump to the center platform.
# Jump on either of the posts on the far side of the platform and jump to the column between the windows.
# Make another jump through the window you shot out, and make a left.
# Walk all the way to the end and you'll find four Elite [[Flood combat form|Combat Forms]] convulsing on the floor, with the Famine skull in the middle of them. Sometimes, the Combat Form nearest to the battlefield stands up, but it does not attack.


===Ghost===
===Famine===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Ghost.jpg|thumb|The Ghost skull sitting above the doorway in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Uprising]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Level''': [[The Oracle (Level)|The Oracle]]


'''Effect''': A.I. characters will not flinch from attacks, melee or otherwise.
'''Directions''': After you get off of the slowly descending elevator, you will come to a hallway where you see a handful of dead bodies. Continue into the next room, and you will be on the second floor of a room that has a lot of glass windows. When you enter this room, look to the right, and find the third pane of glass. It should be to the right of a wall that has some flood guts splattered on it. Shoot out this window, and the windows directly across the room. If you look below you, you will see a platform that has four tall posts. On the far side of the room there is a column that is right in between the two windows on the far side of the room. Turn on your active camouflage, and jump to the center platform. Jump on either of the posts on the far side of the platform and jump to the column between the windows. Make another jump through the window you shot out, and make a left. Walk all the way to the end and you'll find four [[Combat Form]] Elites convulsing on the floor, with the Famine skull in the middle of them. Sometimes, the combat forms nearest to the battle field stands up, but it does not attack.


'''Directions''': Immediately after the armory room that is full of [[Covenant]] and [[human]] weapons, there is an '''L''' shaped hallway. Grenade Jump, using a [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]], up to the rafters of this room, and you will find the skull over a doorway. Or, if you are playing co-op, get a box from the weapon room, and have one player stand on the box, then have the other player stand on the first player's head, have player two Crouch Jump on to the ledge and grab the skull.
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


===Grunt Birthday Party===
'''Effect''': All dropped weapons have half ammo. Weapons that spawned on the floor or spawned with are unaffected.
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Grunt Birthday Party Close.jpg|thumb|Heretic Unggoy dancing around Grunt Birthday Party skull in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[The Arbiter]]
 
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': [[Head Shot|Headshots]] turn into Plasma Grenade explosions. You must first take down an Elite's shield for this to work on one. You also need to shoot [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] and fellow Marines twice (if they don't have a helmet or you shoot marines in their face, you only need to shoot them once) in the head for this to work. You can also give a headshot to a dead body and it will still explode. This skull doesn't affect [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]], [[Yanme'e|Drones]] or [[Sentinel]]s. Keep in mind that the Flood's "head" is actually their sensory antennae, so you need to shoot them in the chest area.
'''Status''': Confirmed


In ''The Master Chief Collection'' the skull's effect is changed to a confetti explosion and cheering children sound effect, as found in all ''Halo'' FPS games from ''Halo 3'' on. The sound and graphical effects only appear in remastered mode, and as such the skull is rendered inoperative in classic mode.
===Ghost===


'''Directions''':  
'''Level''': [[Uprising]]
# The very first time you get a Banshee, fly down. Below you is a large beam-like structure (not to be confused with the one directly below you that turns and goes vertical) running from the arm of the station you just came out of to one exactly like it on the side opposite.
# Below this structure are three cylinders hanging down, with cylinders of light shooting out of the bottom(and the sides). They look like they are what keep the station afloat. If this explanation is too vague, they are the absolute lowest parts of the station.
# Now go to the middle engine and land on the top part of it.
# This and the other engines connect to the large structure mentioned earlier. The tops of the engines come up to meet the structure at an angle, where this angle is under the connecting structure and coming up to meet it, there is a place to walk (like being under a bridge).
# Under one side you will see the six [[Heretic Unggoy|Heretic Grunts]] dancing in a circle around the skull.


===I Would Have Been Your Daddy (IWHBYD)===
'''Directions''': Immediately after the armory room that is full of Covenant and human weapons, there is an L shaped room. Grenade jump using a [[Ghost (Vehicle)|Ghost]] up to the rafters of this room, and you will find the skull over a doorway. Or, if you are playing co-op, get a box from the weapon room, and have one player stand on the box, then have the other player stand on the first player's head, have player 2 crouch-jump on to the ledge and grab the skull.
[[File:HTMCC-H2 IWHBYD.jpg|thumb|The IWHBYD skull and the hidden sniper rifle in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Outskirts]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': The rarity of combat dialog is changed, rare lines become far more common but common lines are still present at their normal rate.<ref>Bungie podcast Episode 1</ref>
'''Effect''': AI characters will not flinch from attacks, melee or otherwise.


'''Directions''': The skull can be found on the level ''[[Outskirts]]'' when playing on Legendary. This skull has a one in seven chance of spawning (referenced by the "1" and "7" posters in the room containing the skull) when the game loads the Jackal snipers in the alley after the clearing where Johnson is picked up in the pelican. You may skip the entirety of the encounters up to the sniper alley by using the rooftops. The following guide is a fast route to the skull with safety checkpoints. It is strongly advised that you activate the permanent invisibility glitch for this.
'''Status''': Confirmed


From the beginning of Outskirts, run into the first hallway and then look overhead. You will see two lights on either side of the hallway. Jump on to one of them, and then crouch jump up to the higher platform. From there turn around and run along the ledge to the right of the alleyway below.
===Grunt Birthday Party===


Across from it, you will see another platform. Jump to it, then Grenade Jump or double jump onto yet another higher level. From there, look left and you will see a nearby rooftop, jump to it; go to the right and head down that alley, where you'll be able to jump onto the higher rooftop. Continue to the other side of the rooftop and drop down to the street. Turn right and head toward the open area, where you can hide from the Jackals' fire behind the large truck. Once you hear that the Jackals have been killed by your allies, you can head towards the ramp ahead, but DO NOT go past the top of the ramp. Wait for the checkpoint if it hasn't happened already, then save and quit the game. This checkpoint is before the Jackal snipers in the alley are spawned, which is when the game calculates the random chance of whether the skull spawns or not. This is the checkpoint you will reload if the skull does not spawn.
'''Level''': [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]]


Unfortunately, the game automatically checkpoints a little bit after you enter the alley as well, locking in the "dice roll" of the skull spawn. It is important that this checkpoint is skipped, which you can do by constantly meleeing as you run through this next part. As long as you are meleeing, the game will not save a checkpoint. If it does checkpoint, you can exit the game entirely without saving (turning off the console) and reload your saved checkpoint, or kill yourself five times quickly to revert to the pre-alley checkpoint.
'''Directions''': The very first time you get a [[Banshee]], fly down. Below you is a large beam-like structure (not to be confused with the one directly below you that turns and goes vertical) running from the arm of the station you just came out of to one exactly like it on the side opposite. Below this structure are 3 cylinders hanging down, with cylinders of light shooting out of the bottom(And the sides.). They look like they are what keeps the station floating. If this explanation is too vague, they are the absolute lowest parts of the station. Now go to the middle engine and land on the top part of it. This and the other engines connect to the large structure mentioned earlier. The tops of the engines come up to meet the structure at an angle, where this angle is under the connecting structure and coming up to meet it, there is a place to walk (like being under a bridge). Under one side you will see the seven [[Heretic Grunts]] sleeping in a circle around the Skull. If you want to see the effects immediately, headshot one of the grunts (the others won't tell react in any way), and his head will explode!


Head through the alley, and you should see a dumpster to your right. Jump onto the dumpster and onto the nearby roof. Jump onto the pipes attactched to the wall, onto the platform, and then leap to the roof across the alley. Head diagonally forward and right onto the roof just past bridge-like structure and turn left. You should see a balcony across the alley with a doorway. Stop meleeing now. Enter this doorway and look at the ground to the right. Wait about ten seconds. A checkpoint will occur, and the skull may or not appear at the same time as the checkpoint. If there is no skull, reload the pre-alley checkpoint, either by killing yourself five times or by quitting the game without saving, and try again.
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


If you want to save the skull, (in case you fail in the fight with the Elites) you should exit the room and proceed to get another checkpoint. Save and quit. Restart and go back to room with the skull. It will always be there. When you grab the skull, you'll be transported into the alley. You will have only a Plasma Pistol, and must fight off seven waves of Ultra Elites (wave one starting with one Elite, wave two with two Elites, and so on).
'''Effect''': [[Headshots]] turn into [[Plasma Grenade]] explosions. You must first take down an [[Elite]]'s shield for this to work on one. You also need to shoot brutes and fellow marines twice (if they don't have a helmet, you only need to shoot them once) in the head for this to work. You can also give a head shot to a dead body and it will still explode. This skull doesn't affect [[Hunters]], [[Drones]] or [[Sentinels]]. Keep in mind the Flood's 'head' is actually their sensory antennae, so you need to shoot them in the chest area. Note: you can combine this with the [[Halo 2 Skulls#Sputnik|Sputnik]] skull, this will make the explosions really powerful and amusing. (It is also A LOT easier to obtain with the [[Halo 2 Skulls#Sputnik|Sputnik]] skull.)


'''Note''': The skull is named after a quote originally spoken by [[Stacker]]:<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjKkKHShyp8 '''YouTube''': ''Halo Fest: Halo Universe'']</ref> "I would have been your daddy, but the dog beat me over the fence!" The quote has since been spoken by both [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and Sergeant Stacker. The first chapter of ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'' is also named "I Would Have Been Your Daddy...". This skull might also just be the skull to make up for the first level since it is just a cut scene all the way and that there was supposed to be at least one skull on every level.
'''Status''': Confirmed


Fighting off seven waves of Ultra Elites and the 1 in 7 chance to spawn are references to Bungie's favorite number, "7".
===I Would Have Been Your Daddy (IWHBYD)===


After you have fought several waves of enemies, you should see in the top left "I would have been your daddy". This means you attained and the skull is active!
'''Level''': [[Outskirts]]
====Tips and tricks====
This is ''much'' easier with the permanent invisibility glitch. If you die in the alley with no checkpoint after the checkpoint in the skull room, there will be several white flashes, you will be reverted to the checkpoint in the skull room, the skull will disappear sometimes and will not take effect. Also, if you attempt to escape the alley, you will get teleported to the Elites' position and lose all your collected weapons. Once you kill all seven waves, the skull will become active.


If you get a checkpoint while fighting the Elites, save and quit. You will restart where you saved and then you can continue killing them. Saving here will enable you to load the IWHBYD effect (by killing the remainder of the Elites) after the Xbox is turned off, although the actual skull will not be reloaded.
'''Directions''': This is by far the hardest skull to obtain. For the skull to spawn at all, ALL previous checkpoints must be obtained. You can progress through the level normally to get IWHBYD, but the easiest way is as follows. From the beginning of "[[Outskirts]]", run into the first hallway. A single [[grunt]] will confront you. Look overhead. You will see two lights on either side of the hallway. Jump on to one of them, and then crouch jump up to the higher platform. From there turn around and run along the thin ledge to the right of the alleyway below. Across from it, you will see another platform. Jump to it, then Grenade jump or double jump onto yet another higher level. From there, look left and you will see a nearby rooftop, jump to it; go to the right and head down that alley, where you'll be able to jump onto the higher rooftop. Head to the top left corner and wait for two checkpoints to pass. DO NOT MOVE FROM THAT SPOT UNTIL THEN! After the second checkpoint when the Pelican leaves, look to the right where the Pelican first spawned, and jump down onto the bridge below. Grenade jump onto the rooftop ahead and run forward over to above the little alley where your marines wait for you to advance and wait for the checkpoint there. Backtrack to where you first jumped onto the rooftop in front of the bridge and head left towards where the Pelican leaves. Run along the rooftops until you reach the flat part of the bridge and jump down. Jump from the bridge into the alley below and run up the cement ramp. Turn right and you'll see some boxes. Jump onto them and get onto the roof to your left. From there, look right and jump onto THAT rooftop. Head to your left. You should be on the OTHER SIDE sniper alley, facing a small bridge where a Jackal Sniper spawns. Head to the right and you'll see two interconnecting balconies. Head to the one furthest from you, and go through the door. If you've done things right, you'll see the skull between a sniper and some ammo. Be warned, the skull will ONLY appear if you've obtained ALL PREVIOUS 4 CHECKPOINTS ! There is also a checkpoint IN the skull's room, so run ALL the way into the room. Note that even if you get all the checkpoints, the skull only appears every [[seven]] times. If the skull does not appear, then simply revert to last checkpoint and try again. If you want to save the skull (in case you fail in the fight with the Elites) You should exit the room and proceed to get another checkpoint. Save and quit. Restart and go back to room with the skull. It will always be there. When you grab the skull, you'll be transported into the alley. You'll have only a Plasma Pistol, and must fight off seven waves of Ultra Elites (wave one starting with one and so on). Note: this is a LOT easier with the permanent invisibility glitch. If you die in the alley with no checkpoint after the checkpoint in the skull room, there will be several white flashes, you will be reverted to the checkpoint in the skull room, the skull will disappear sometimes and will not take effect. Also, if you attempt to escape the alley, you will get teleported to the [[Elites]] position and lose all your collected weapons. Once you kill all seven waves, the skull will become active. Note: If you get a checkpoint during fighting the elites, save and quit. You will restart where you saved than you can continue killing them. If you die, you will respawn there.  


If you manage to get the skull to spawn (appear) then do not grab it straight away; walk around for a while until you get an another checkpoint then get the skull, That way if you die while battling the [[Seven|7]] waves of elites, you can just try again instead of having to restart the level
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


You can battle the Elites with the skull if you so desire. To do this, the second you grab the skull, leave the room and drop it over the balcony. It will fall into the alley you fight the Elites in and sometimes will go straight into your hands.
'''Effect''': Fight 7 waves of Ultra Elites (A reference to Bungie's favorite number, "7"). The rarity of combat dialog is changed, rare lines become far more common but common lines are still present at their normal rate.<ref>Bungie podcast ep1</ref>


New and Updated tip for acquiring this skull: This process was used to acquire the IWHBYD skull on 3/17/2018.
'''Status''': Confirmed
To get this skull in Halo MCC Halo 2: Set Legendary/Solo with only the Scarab skull enabled. No other skulls. Kill (4) sniper jackals immediately when they spawn in the following locations. No Checkpoints needed any more. (In Co-Op the skull didn't appear. Not sure if maybe missing a different process or method or doesn't work at all for Co-Op.)


Take off and get up to the roof top through the first door/hallway. Skip the grunt at the beginning. Crouch jump on to the light and then again from the light to the roof top. Make your way to the roof top where the Pelican will appear. Skip the waiting for the Pelican and Sgt. Johnson. Proceed directly down off this roof top to the broken highway. Grenade jump over across the broken highway to the roof top and move forward to the far side of the root top.
'''Trivia''': The skull is named after a [[Sergeant Johnson]] quote sometimes heard in [[Assault on the Control Room]]: "I would have been your daddy, but the dog beat me over the fence!" [[Sergeant Stacker]] also occasionally says this on the [[Silent Cartographer]]. The first chapter of [[Assault on the Control Room]] is also named "I Would Have Been Your Daddy...". It may also refer to IWHBYD.


The first sniper is at the normal spawn place down below in the alley between the buildings. Just walk uo the edge of the roof top, make sure you don't fall off. As soon as the Jackal appears next to the purple supply box. Kill it. (This is usually Checkpoint #4.) This is Jackal #1.
===Iron===


Turn left and jump across the next root top to the right. Walk forward towards the end of this root top, then turn right. (Checkpoint #5 is usually here.) Walk towards the right side of this roof top and look at the alley way down below and to the right. There will be TWO jackals that spawn here next to a box down below. Kill them both immediately when they appear. (These usually appear soon after Checkpoint #5  and as you approach the right side of this roof top.) This is Jackal #2 and #3.
'''Level''': [[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]


Continue forward and hop across to the next root top in front of you and turn right and head towards where the skull building location is. (This is usually Checkpoint #6.) The building will be in front and to the right.
'''Directions''': When you enter the final (the second) Gravity Lift, look up. A skull will pass through you extremely quickly so you must start holding X a bit before you actually pass it to grab hold of it.


Hop across to skull building roof top and soon as you make the landing turn immediately right and kill the jackal that appears to the right and behind you between two building walls. This is Jackal #4.
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


From here make your way over and down to the skull closet on the far side of this building where the skull should appear. (Checkpoint 7 would normally appear here.)
'''Effect''': When playing co-op, if either player dies the game restarts you at your last checkpoint. The effect resembles the effect already in place on legendary difficulty.


Entire trip should take under two minutes if done right and the skull should appear.
'''Status''': Confirmed


===Iron===
===Mythic===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Iron.jpg|thumb|The Iron skull in the middle of the gravity lift in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Level''': [[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]


'''Effect''': When playing co-op, if either player dies the game restarts you at your last checkpoint. The effect resembles the effect already in place on Legendary difficulty, making it a somewhat redundant skull.  
'''Directions''': There is a semi outdoor area which has the same type of area right next to it. There is an [[Enforcer]] in front of each one. Go past this area and down the piston and you'll be in a very dark and dank Flood infested area. There's a stack of 6 or 7 boxes as you enter the room. Use them to jump up to the landing above. There are a handful of alcoves on your right hand side. The skull is in the third alcove, floating above a dead human Flood.


'''Directions''': When you enter the final (the second) large Gravity Lift (do not confuse with smaller ones throughout the level) after passing the Inner Sanctum, look up. A skull will pass through you extremely quickly so you must start holding X a bit before you actually pass it to grab hold of it.
'''Difficulty''': Legendary
 
===Mythic===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Mythic.jpg|thumb|The Mythic skull floating above a dead Flood combat form in a vent in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Sacred Icon]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Effect''': Enemies have more health and shielding, and are therefore harder to kill. Note: health and shielding increase more as the enemies rise in rank. A red Grunt will not gain as much health as a white Grunt. Similarly, a blue Minor Elite will gain a small bit of health, but an Ultra Elite will gain a ridiculous amount of both shielding and health, to the point that a [[Plasma Pistol|Plasma Overcharge]] won't drop their shields even halfway. Besides that, it also makes your allies gain a small bit of health, and the skull will make allies immune to melees.


'''Effect''': Enemies have more health and shielding, and are therefore harder to kill. Note: health and shielding increase more as the enemies rise in [[rank]]. A red Grunt will not gain as much health as a white Grunt. Similarly, a blue [[Sangheili Minor|Elite Minor]] will gain a small bit of health, but an Ultra Elite will gain a ridiculous amount of both shielding and health, to the point that a Plasma Pistol overcharge won't drop their shields even halfway. Besides that, it also makes your allies gain a small bit of health, and the skull will make allies immune to being meleed.
'''Note''': For those who like a challenge, combine with the Thunderstorm skull.


'''Directions''':  
'''Status''': Confirmed
# There is a semi outdoor area which has the same type of area right next to it. There is an [[Enforcer]] in front of each one. Go past this area and down the piston and you'll be in a somewhat dark Flood infested area with thick green gas.
# There's a stack of six or seven boxes as you enter the room. Use them to jump up to the landing above. There are a handful of alcoves on your right hand side. The skull is in the third alcove, floating above a dead human Flood combat form.


===Sputnik===
===Sputnik===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Sputnik.jpg|thumb|The Sputnik skull floating in midair in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': [[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]
'''Level''': ''[[Quarantine Zone]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': The mass of certain objects is severely reduced, making them fly further when smacked with a melee hit, or when they are near an explosion. Weapon damage seems to have strengthened slightly. It also has the added effect of making enemies turn around when you hit them, allowing you to kill them in two hits. With the Sputnik skull's effect in place, players can reach nearly impossible places and much higher altitudes using Grenade Jumps. Also, your melee has strengthened force. This skull can be used to obtain the [[Scarab Gun]] by allowing the player to reach massive heights, and is a key component if you want to get the [[Soccer ball|Soccer Ball]] Easter egg.
'''Directions''': This is by far the easiest Skull to obtain. At the start of the level, look directly behind you for an [[Elite]]. Slightly further to left of it is a tunnel. Go through the tunnel and continue walking straight untill you pass a bridge, which is to your right. Beyond the bridge there is a narrow ledge jutting out of the cliff face ahead. Jump onto this. Hug the wall (Just enough room for you) until you get to the end of the cliff, and you will see the Sputnik Skull floating in the air.


'''Directions''':  
'''Effect''': The mass of certain objects is severely reduced, making them fly further when smacked with a melee hit, or when they are near an explosion. Weapon damage seems to have strengthened slightly. It also has the added effect of making enemies turn around when you hit them, allowing you to kill them in two hits. With the Sputnik Skull's effect in place, players can reach nearly impossible places and much higher altitudes using grenade jumps. Also, your melee has strengthened force.This skull is usually required to get the [[Scarab Gun]] and is one of the ways to get the Soccer Ball Easter Egg.  
# At the start of the level, look directly behind you for an Elite. Right behind the Elite is a tunnel (hard to miss). Go through the tunnel and continue walking straight until you pass a bridge, which is to your right.  
# Beyond the bridge there is a narrow ledge jutting out of the cliff face ahead. Jump onto this.  
# Hug the wall (Just enough room for you to walk) until you get to the end of the cliff, and you will see the Sputnik skull floating in the air.


===That's Just... Wrong===
'''Status''': Confirmed
[[File:HTMCC-H2 That's Just... Wrong.jpg|thumb|The That's Just... Wrong skull on top of a crate in ''Halo 2''.]]


'''Level''': ''[[The Armory]]''
===Thunderstorm===


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Level''': [[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]]


'''Effect: '''That's Just... Wrong strengthens the hearing of both allies and enemies. They will now notice the slightest sound of reloading or drawing a weapon, footsteps, etc., rendering active camouflage useless. All computer-controlled characters have better accuracy.<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1049288 Halo 2 Skull: That's Just... Wrong]</ref>
'''Directions''': In the large room after the armory, you need to use a crouch-jump to get onto a light fixture on the right wall (right of the room when you enter) and then jump from there onto the higher area. There is a series of diagonal beams. Walk up one near to the end of it and use it to crouch jump onto one of the rails. You can fall between the rails, so be careful. Once on the rail, walk down it until you can jump onto the highest platform. Then melee the trashcan away from the wall a few times, the Skull is right behind it.


'''Directions''':  
'''Alternate Directions''':It is possible to Grenade Jump up to the platform if you can't stay on the rails. The Sputnik Skull helps a lot here, but its possible without it. Just get on the ground near the platform the skull is on and Grenade Jump. You also don't need to melee the trashcan out of the way, but it will reveal a interesting hidden object. Near the skull is a burning cigar that looks like the type of cigar Sergeant Johnson is seen using.
# At the beginning of the level, after you power your shields for the first time, Sergeant Johnson shows up on an elevator. Wait in the room until Johnson starts berating you, telling you to get into the elevator. You MUST wait for him to say "Would it help if I said please?" (this takes approximately four minutes and forty seconds). Once he says this, get in the elevator, and go up to the tram.
# Get on the tram, and face towards the INSIDE of the building.  
# Press up against the glass doors towards the inside of the building.  
# You should hold X down, and you should pick up the skull. It's on a stack of crates, near the end of the tram ride.
 
===Thunderstorm===
[[File:HTMCC-H2 Thunderstorm.jpg|thumb|The Thunderstorm skull and the displaced trashcan in ''Halo 2''.]]
'''Level''': ''[[Cairo Station]]''


'''Difficulty''': Legendary
'''Difficulty''': Legendary


'''Effect''': Causes most enemy and ally units to be their highest rank. Elites and Grunts will become Ultras, Jackals will become Majors (orange shields), Sentinels will be Majors (gold) except for the ones in the levels [[the Arbiter]] and [[the Oracle]], Brutes will become Captains and all Flood Elites will have shields. Spec Ops, Rangers, Honor Guard Elites, Drones, Hunters, Jackal snipers, Flood humans, Marines, Gunner Grunts and basically everyone else are unaffected.
'''Effect''': Elite Minors and Majors become Ultras, Grey Stealth Elites become Brown Stealth Elites and Brown Heretic Elites become Gold Heretics. Rangers, Honor Guards, Councilors, Zealots and Spec-Ops Elites are unafected. Grunts (Except Gunner and Spec-Ops), Jackals (Except Snipers), and Brutes (except Honor Guards) become their highest rank. All Covenant Flood forms have shields and all Sentinels are golden and have shields (Except for those in The Arbiter and The Oracle).


'''Directions''':  
'''Status''': Confirmed
'''Method 1'''
# In the large room after the armory, you need to use a Crouch Jump to get onto a light fixture on the right wall (right of the room when you enter) and then jump from there onto the higher area.
# There is a series of diagonal beams. Walk up one near to the end of it and use it to Crouch Jump onto one of the rails. You can fall between the rails, so be careful.
# Once on the rail, walk down it until you can jump onto the highest platform. Then melee the trashcan away from the wall a few times, the skull is right behind it.


'''Method 2'''
=== Unnamed skull ===
# It is possible to Grenade Jump up to the platform if you can't stay on the rails. The Sputnik skull helps a lot here, but it's possible without it.
# Just get on the ground near the platform the skull is on and Grenade Jump.


'''Note''': Any enemy units that have spawned, previous to you acquiring the skull, will remain at the same rank they spawned as. You also don't need to melee the trashcan out of the way, but it will reveal an interesting hidden object. Near the skull is a burning cigar that looks like a [[Sweet William cigar|Sweet William Cigar]], the type that Sergeant Johnson is seen using.
'''Level''': [[The Armory]]


==Achievements==
'''Directions''': At the beginning of the level, after you power your shields for the first time, [[Sergeant Johnson]] shows up on an elevator. Wait in the room until the Sarge starts berating you, telling you to get into the elevator. You MUST wait for him to say "Would it help if I said please?" (this takes approximately 4 min. 40 seconds.) Once he says this, get in the elevator, and go down to the tram. Get on the tram, and face towards the INSIDE of the building. Press up against the glass doors towards the inside of the building. You should hold X down, and you should pick up the skull. It's on a stack of crates, near the end of the tram ride.
The following achievements can be unlocked on ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" |'''''Halo: MCC'' (Xbox One)'''
! scope="col" style="width:135px;text-align:center;" |'''''Halo: MCC'' (Steam)'''
! scope="col" style="width:175px;height:20px;text-align:center;" |'''Title'''
! scope="col" style="width:350px;height:20px;text-align:center;" |'''Unlock requirement'''
! scope="col" style="width:200px;height:20px;text-align:center;" |'''Games'''
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker That'sJust...Wrong.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerThatsJustWrong.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: That's Just... Wrong]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the That's Just... Wrong Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Thunderstorm.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerThunderstorm.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Thunderstorm]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Thunderstorm Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Blind.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerBlind.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Blind]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Blind Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker IWHBYD.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerIWHBYD.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: IWHBYD]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the IWHBYD Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Catch.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerCatch.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Catch]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Catch Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker GruntBirthdayParty.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerGruntBirthdayParty.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Grunt Birthday Party]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Grunt Birthday Party Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Famine.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerFamine.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Famine]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Famine Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Envy.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerEnvy.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Envy]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Envy Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Assassins.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerAssassins.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Assassins]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Assassins Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Mythic.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerMythic.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Mythic]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Mythic Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Sputnik.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerSputnik.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Sputnik]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Sputnik Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Anger.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerAnger.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Anger]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Anger Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Ghost.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerGhost.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Ghost]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Ghost Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker Iron.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerIron.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Iron]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Iron Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>
|-
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Skulltaker BlackEye.jpg|center|115px]]
|[[File:HTMCC H2A Achievement Steam SkulltakerBlackEye.jpg|40px|center|65px]]
|<center>'''[[Skulltaker Halo 2: Black Eye]]'''</center>
|Halo 2: Find and claim the Black Eye Skull.
|''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''</center>


|}
'''Difficulty''': Legendary
 
'''Effect''': The Unnamed Skull strengthens the Artificial Intelligence of both allies and enemies. Enemies will notice the slight shimmer of active camouflage, your character's shadow (whether playing as [[Master Chief]] or [[The Arbiter]]), the sound of you reloading your weapon, taking out your weapon, footsteps, etc. All computer controlled characters have better accuracy, and will not blow themselves up with a [[Rocket Launcher]], [[Fuel Rod Cannon]] or [[Brute Shot]] most of the time, however, a [[Grunt]] has been seen killing himself with a Fuel Rod Cannon.
'''Status''': Confirmed.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*''Halo 2'''s skulls are the only ones that have fun surroundings. An example being the [[Heretic Unggoy]] dancing around the Grunt Birthday Party skull. This is a distinction that is absent in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
*If you want to have access to any skull any time you want you can follow these steps.  
*Original Xbox players who want to have access to any skull any time they want can follow these steps.
#Set up a new profile with the name of the desired skull (so you know which profile is which)
#Set up a new profile with the name of the desired skull (to know which profile is which)
#Go to the level that has the desired skull.
#Play through on Easy or Normal until reaching to the level with the desired skull.
#Play through (on Legendary) until you get a checkpoint just before the skull.
#Play the level on Legendary until they get to a checkpoint just before the skull.
#Save and quit. Now when you want the skull you can go back to that profile, pick up the skull, and exit out. Then just go to another profile and enjoy. It is much easier done if you obtain the Envy Skull first. NOTE: If you get a checkpoint after picking up the skull DO NOT save and quit just turn you Xbox off and try again.
#Save and quit. Now when they want the skull they can go back to that profile, pick up the skull, and exit out. Then just go to another profile and enjoy. This is much more easily done if the player obtains the Envy skull first. NOTE: If you get a checkpoint after picking up the skull DO NOT save and quit just turn your Xbox off and try again.
*The file in the H2 code nicknames the Unnamed skull 'Whuppopotamus', although no name for the skull appears in-game. It has been called the "Monkey Skull", Hide-and-Seek Skull," "Please Skull," "Find Me Skull," and "Cowbell Skull", though, but still nothing official. Cowbell is also the name of a skull in [[Halo 3]].
*Rumors initially persisted that activating all skulls in the original Xbox game simultaneously (also known as [[Mythic (difficulty)|Mythic]] difficulty) would unlock a secret movie at the end of the game, similar to the Legendary cutscene in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. Players who believed the rumor found a fifteen-letter code on the ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack|Halo 2 Soundtrack]]'' and thought this code was a specific order these skulls needed to be activated to unlock the secrets. All such rumors were ultimately proven false.
*The skulls are used to vary the game a little bit, and the effect of them will go away once you turn off your Xbox, or go to the dashboard on your 360 (or, in [[Halo 2 Vista|Vista]], quit out of Halo 2.)
*The name of the That's Just... Wrong skull was originally unknown, as no name for the skull appears in-game. Data for an early version of the skull list in the ''Halo 2'' menu file nicknames the Unnamed skull 'Whuppopotamus', which was used by the community for a while. The version of the list with correct names for other skulls and also got translations lists the skull as "Cow Bell" (referencing how any noise will alert enemies), with "That's Just... Wrong" going unreferenced in the same lists. It was given its now-official name in ''The Master Chief Collection'', likely to avoid confusion with the Halo 3-style Cowbell skull.
*The IWHBYD skull is actually easier to complete with the Envy skull and activating the permanent invisibility glitch, especially against the 7 waves of Elites
*The That's Just... Wrong skull has an Exclamation Mark (!) on it. This could very likely be a reference to the Metal Gear Solid games, as when an enemy notices the player, an Exclamation mark appears above the enemy.
*The Blind Skull, the Sputnik skull and the Unnamed Skull are the easiest to get because you don't have to fight any hostiles to get them.
*A skull's melee power is a little less than equal to firing a round of an [[M90 Close Assault Weapon System|M90 Shotgun]].
*The Assassins skull is found in any difficulty except it won't give you the effect, but it could still be used as a melee weapon.
*In Halo 2's level script files, skulls are referred to as 'Ice Cream Flavors' and some have comments regarding their effects.
*There is a small symbol on the back of each skull. For the [[oddball]], it is a miniature "Bulls-Eye". At some point, there are numbers found on top of every skull you find.
*The Sputnik Skull's spawning script is named "ice_cream_superman" and contains the following comment: "you're going to get fat!!!!! or dead... because now everyone is superman!!!!" This format is shared with the Angry and Mythic skulls in their levels' scripts. This may suggest the Sputnik Skull was once called the Superman Skull.
*Only the [[Grunt Birthday Party]], [[Famine]], [[Envy]], and [[Assassins]] have characters around them that relate to name/effect.
*The Blind Skull's object name is "e1_ghost_key." This may suggest the Ghost Skull was originally supposed to be found on outskirts or the Blind Skull was originally called Ghost.
*The [[Halo 3 Skulls|Halo 3 skull]], Cowbell, practically has the same effect as the Sputnik Skull from Halo 2 (explosive force increased), it has just been renamed.
*Halo 2's hud_messages file contains a line designating the 15th skull (by ID) as "Cow Bell." Interestingly, "That's just... wrong" is listed as the 15th Ice Cream Flavor - "ice_cream_flavor_stock 14" (The IDs start at 0) while in hud_messages it is called the 16th. This may indicate the Cow Bell skull became the "That's just... wrong" skull at some point in development.
*A skull's melee power is similar to firing a round of a [[shotgun]].
*The line that spawns the Catch Skull is commented with "Mmmm, pineapple". This may suggest it was previously called the Pineapple Skull, a likely reference to the common nickname for fragmentation grenades.
*During the opening cutscene on the level [[Gravemind]] when the Gravemind reveals the Prophet of [[Regret]], a skull similar to these is fused into his tentacle.
*If the Sputnik skull is activated during the opening cinematic of Outskirts, when the Scarab walks on a truck, it will lift from the ground.
*The skulls are supposed to be Captain Keyes's skull from [[Halo CE]], as they all have the slot in the skull for the neural implants <ref>[[Halo: The Flood]]</ref>.
*The Sputnik skull can be useful in obtaining the [[Scarab Gun]] on the [[Metropolis (Level)]] and the giant [[Soccer Ball]] which is on the same level.
*With the Mythic skull on, a Brute can survive a [[Plasma Grenade]] stick.
*The Blind skull appears to be the only skull with no melee action.
 
==External Links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rnyfUw1tSU/ Tutorial on Finding the Skulls].


==Gallery==
==References==
<gallery>
<references/>
File:HTMCC-H2A Anger.jpg|The Anger skull floating on the wall surrounding the first Valley of Tears in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Assassin.jpg|thumb|The Assassins skull flanked by two invisible Sangheili in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Envy.jpg|thumb|The Envy skull and two invisible Sangheili in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Black Eye.jpg|thumb|The Black Eye skull on the top of the control room in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Blind.jpg|thumb|The Blind skull, four grenades, and a spotting scope in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Catch.jpg|thumb|The Catch skull on a ledge, high above the entrance into the area, in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Envy.jpg|thumb|The Envy skull and two invisible Sangheili in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Famine.jpg|thumb|The Famine skull surrounded by dead Flood combat forms in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Ghost.jpg|The Ghost skull sitting above the doorway in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Grunt Birthday Party Close.jpg|thumb|Heretic Unggoy dancing around Grunt Birthday Party skull in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A IWHBYD.jpg|thumb|The IWHBYD skull and the hidden sniper rifle in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Iron.jpg|thumb|The Iron skull in the middle of the gravity lift in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Mythic.jpg|thumb|The Mythic skull floating above a dead Flood combat form in a vent in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Sputnik.jpg|thumb|The Sputnik skull floating in midair in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A That's Just... Wrong.jpg|thumb|The That's Just... Wrong skull on top of a crate in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HTMCC-H2A Thunderstorm.jpg|thumb|The Thunderstorm skull and the displaced trashcan in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
</gallery>


==Sources==
==Related Pages==
{{Ref/Sources}}
*[[Halo 3 Skulls]]


{{Easter Egg}}
[[Category:Tricks and Cheats|Skulls]]  
[[Category:Tricks and cheats|Skulls]]
[[Category:Easter Eggs|Skulls]][[Category:Halo 2 Easter Eggs]]
[[Category:Halo 2 Easter eggs]]
[[Category:Skulls]]

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