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{{Era|RW}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:MCC - Heroic symbol.png|150px|thumb|The Heroic shield, as per ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection|Halo: The Master Chief Collection's]] release.]]
[[File:Heroic.jpg|The Heroic Icon.|thumb]]
{{Quote|Your enemies are as numerous as they are ferocious; their attacks are devastating. Survival is not guaranteed.|Description from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 2]]'', ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', and ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.}}
[[File:TLJ Heroic Difficulty (Reach).png|thumb|right|The ''Halo:Reach'' version. Notice the lack of a Marathon symbol.]]
{{Quote|Fight against formidable foes that will truly test your skill and wits; this is the way Halo is meant to be played.|Description from ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.}}
[[File:TLJ Heroic Difficulty (ODST).png|The ''Halo 3: ODST'' stylisation.|100px|thumb]]
{{Quote|Fight against foes that will truly test your skill - this is the way Halo is meant to be played!|Description from ''[[Halo 4]]''.}}
{{Quote|Your enemies are as numerous as they are ferocious; their attacks are devastating. Survival is not guaranteed.|Description from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]''.}}
{{Quote|Formidable opposition will test your resolve. Skilled, tactical play required. Recommended for veteran Halo players.|Description from ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''}}
{{Quote|Fight against formidable foes that will truly test your skill and wits; this is the way Halo is meant to be played.|Description from ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.}}
{{Quote|You will have to utilize every skill and tactic you've learned to survive. Recommended for players who have mastered Halo Wars 2.|Description from ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''}}
'''Heroic''' is the second hardest difficulty in the [[Halo Universe|Halo]] series [[campaign]] mode.
{{Quote|Your foes are well-armed and resolute. Quell the storm and ride the thunder. Recommended for veteran Halo players.|Description from ''[[Halo Infinite]]''}}
'''Heroic''' is the second hardest difficulty in the [[Halo universe|Halo]] series [[campaign]] mode.


==Summary==
==Summary==
The symbol for the Heroic difficulty setting in the trilogy is represented with a shield that has the [[Marathon]] Logo encrusted into the center; over the shield are two [[UNSC]] Standard Issue [[Combat Knives]] crossed over each other. In [[Halo 3: ODST]], it is represented by two M7S SMGs crossed over a shield with the Marathon symbol encrusted into the center.
[[File:Halo 3 - Heroic Symbol.png|thumb|The original Heroic shield.]]


Heroic pits you against the [[Covenant]], who are now slightly smarter, and their [[weapons]] inflict more damage per hit than their Normal-level counterparts. Even the weakest of infantry, the Grunts, can withstand quite a few bullets before they go down. It is otherwise considered "Hard", in other games. That being said, Bungie has stated that Heroic difficulty is the "true Halo universe".
The symbol for the Heroic difficulty setting in the trilogy is represented with a shield that has the [[Marathon]] logo encrusted into the center; over the shield are two [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[machete]]s crossed over each other. In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', it is represented by two [[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun|silenced SMGs]] crossed over a shield with the Marathon symbol encrusted into the center.
 
Heroic pits you against the [[Covenant]], who now rely on more efficient battlefield tactics, and their [[weapons]] inflict more damage per hit than their Normal-level counterparts. Elites will often take cover when their shields are down, and Grunts can withstand quite a few bullets. It is otherwise considered "Hard", in other games. While Normal represents health, strength and firepower of [[John-117|the Master Chief]], [[Covenant]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]s, Bungie has stated that Heroic difficulty is the "true Halo universe", due to the fact that enemy numbers, behavior, and accuracy are more realistic.


The following are a list of changes in the Heroic difficulty:
The following are a list of changes in the Heroic difficulty:
*[[Health]] meter is smaller. Hits do more damage.
*[[Health]] meter is smaller. Hits do more damage.
*[[Shields]] are only 75% their "Normal" capacity.
*Enemy numbers increased.
*Increased Shields and/or armor for enemies.
*Increased AI on enemies. They will behave much more intelligently to defeat the player while also maintaining defense.
*Many [[Minor Elite]]s are replaced by [[Major Elite]]s. [[Major Grunts]] are more frequent as well, along with other opponents.
*[[Energy shielding|Energy shield]]s are only 75% their "normal" capacity.
*Enemies are smarter regarding tactical actions, and are thus harder to kill (ex. starting to hide behind barriers when their shields are down).
*Increased shields and armor for enemies.
*[[Marine]]s have reduced effectiveness and are weaker; their tactical intelligence has also been reduced.
*Enemy placements have changed. Lower ranking Covenant troops will be replaced by higher ranking ones. Tougher enemies like [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] will appear in certain areas of the level where they were not originally present in Normal.
*[[Ultra Elite]]s and [[Ultra Grunt]]s appear ever so often and for the Elites, they normally dual wield.
*Enemies will wield more powerful weapons than they did in their Easy and Normal counterparts.
*Many more [[Jackal]] snipers are placed throughout levels, and in [[Halo 3|''Halo 3'']] and Halo 3: ODST, some of them have [[Beam Rifle]]s instead of [[Carbines]].
*[[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] have reduced effectiveness and are weaker; their tactical intelligence has also been reduced.
 
==''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo: Anniversary''==
===General differences===
===Awards===
*In ''Halo: Anniversary'':
**The [[This One's for Jenkins!]] achievement is awarded for killing 50 [[Flood combat form]]s on [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]] on Heroic or higher.
**The [[Popcorn.gif]] achievement is awarded for killing 100 [[Infection form]]s during [[Keyes]] on Heroic or harder.
**The [[Brovershield]] achievement is awarded for completing a level of ''Halo: Anniversary'' on Heroic in cooperative play.
*Shared between ''Halo: Anniversary'' and ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'':
**The [[Beachhead (achievement)|Beachhead]] achievement is awarded for storming the beach during [[The Silent Cartographer]] without suffering any Marine casualties on Heroic or harder.
**The [[Grenadier (achievement)|Grenadier]] achievement is awarded for escaping the map room during The Silent Cartographer without firing a shot on Heroic or higher.
**The [[That Just Happened]] achievement is awarded for completing [[The Library]] on Heroic or harder without dying.
**The [[Look Out for the Little Guys]] achievement is awarded for completing [[Two Betrayals]] on Heroic or harder without killing any [[Unggoy|Grunts]].
**The [[Tying Up Loose Ends]] achievement is awarded for killing every Elite on the level Keyes on Heroic or harder.
**The [[Believe in a Hero]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo: Anniversary'' on Heroic.
{{Clear}}
==''Halo 2''==
===General differences===
===Awards===
*In ''Halo 2: Vista'':
**The [[Demon (Halo 2 achievement)|Demon]] achievement is awarded for completing a level of ''Halo 2: Vista'' without dying on Heroic or harder.
**The [[Hero (achievement)|Hero]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 2: Vista'' on Heroic.
*In ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'':


All of these wrap up into a nice gameplay option for more experienced players, who find [[Normal]] less exciting, and [[Legendary]] too hard. This difficulty may be deemed the most realistic by some players; however, this is not to be stated as a fact, as each player has his/her own comfort zone, regarding difficulty.
{{Clear}}
==''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST''==
[[File:Halo 3 ODST - Heroic Symbol.png|150px|thumb|The ''Halo 3: ODST'' Heroic shield.]]
===General differences===
===Awards===
*In ''Halo 3'':
**Completing [[Tsavo Highway]] on Heroic will unlock the [[Flight harness]] chest for multiplayer use.
**Completing [[The Ark (level)|The Ark]] on Heroic will unlock the [[Flight harness]] shoulders for multiplayer use.
**Completing the campaign on Heroic will unlock the [[Flight harness]] helmet for multiplayer use.
**The [[Campaign Complete: Heroic (Halo 3 achievement)|Campaign Complete: Heroic]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 3'' on Heroic.
*In ''Halo 3: ODST'':
**The [[Campaign Complete: Heroic (Halo 3: ODST achievement)|Campaign Complete: Heroic]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 3: ODST'' on Heroic.
**The [[Vidmaster Challenge: Endure]] achievement is awarded for passing the fourth set in a game of Firefight on 4-player co-op on Xbox Live.
*In ''Halo 3'' on ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'':
**The [[With Your Shield or On It]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 3'' on Heroic.
*In ''Halo 3: ODST'' on ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'':
**The [[Shoot and Scoot]] achievement is awarded for completing [[NMPD HQ]] without firing the sniper rifle on Heroic or harder.
**The [[One Way Ride]] achievement is awarded for completing a level of ''Halo 3: ODST'' without using a health pack on Heroic or harder.
**The [[Just Sayin...I Ain't Dead]] achievement is awarded for completing a level of ''Halo 3: ODST'' without dying on Heroic or harder.
**The [[First In, Last Out]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 3: ODST'' on Heroic.
{{Clear}}


In ''Halo 3'', Heroic was intended for those who have played the prior games and multiplayer, resulting in increased skill. This increase means that those who found Normal comfortable in ''Halo 2'', will find Heroic just right for ''Halo 3'', according to Frankie. [[Martin O'Donnell]] stated that, 'Normal is for beginners who are embarrassed to pick [[Easy]]. Heroic is what we intended.'
==''Halo Wars''==
===General differences===
===Awards===
*The [[Adjudicate the Arbiter]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo Wars'' on Heroic.
*The [[Mr. Punctual]] achievement is awarded for completing all missions in ''Halo Wars'' on Heroic, under the par times.
*The [[Big Al's Scooter]] achievement is awarded for winning a Heroic Skirmish game against AI in under ten minutes.
*The [[Penny Pincher]] achievement is awarded for obtaining a winning high score against a Heroic AI with ten or less squads.
{{Clear}}
==''Halo: Reach''==
[[File:HR Heroic Icon.png|thumb|The ''Halo: Reach'' Heroic shield.]]
===General differences===
===Awards===
*The [[Folks Need Heroes...]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo: Reach'' on Heroic.
*The [[Wake Up, Buttercup]] achievement is awarded for destroying the Corvette's engines and escort in under three minutes during [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]] on Heroic or harder.
{{Clear}}


==Trivia==
==''Halo 4''==
*Every difficulty shield icon has the [[Marathon]] symbol on it.
[[File:Halo 4 - Heroic symbol.png|150px|thumb|The ''Halo 4'' Heroic shield.]]
*Heroic difficulty is considered the "True Halo Universe" by most of the [[Bungie]] employees and creators, seeing that it mirrors reality of the Halo world in many ways.
===General differences===
*Unlike other difficulties, the combat is more realistic. The enemy AI is better on higher difficulties.
===Awards===
*Most of the time, [[Covenant|en]][[Flood|em]][[Sentinel|y]] ranks are usually higher.
*In ''Halo 4'':
*Heroic is a more popular difficulty level than others, because [[Easy]] and [[Normal]] are considered to be too easy, and [[Legendary]] is often considered too hard.
**The [[Bropocalypse]] achievement is awarded for completing any campaign mission cooperatively on Heroic or harder.
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved|''Halo: Combat Evolved'']], [[Hunters]] can take up to two rockets each, and two [[Scorpion]] tank shells.
**The [[Bromageddon]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 4'' cooperatively on Heroic or harder.
*[[Zealot]]s can take up to three [[plasma pistol]] overcharges before dying.
*Shared between ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'':
*''Halo 3 ''and ''Halo 3 ODST ''keep track of whether you finished Heroic Campaign on Solo or Co-op.
**The [[This is my Rifle, this is my Gun]] achievement is awarded for carrying a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] weapon all the way through [[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]] on Heroic or harder.
*In Halo 3, you unlock Elite Flight armor for beating Campaign on Heroic difficulty.
**The [[Bros to the Close]] achievement is awarded for completing [[Infinity (Halo 4 level)|Infinity]] without one preventable Marine death on Heroic or harder.
*In ''Halo 3: ODST'' the [[Close Quarters Combat Weapon System|Combat Knives]] on the difficulty shield icon are replaced by [[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun|silenced SMGs]].
**The [[Mortardom]] achievement is awarded for hijacking a [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] and using it to kill four other Wraiths during [[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]] on Heroic or harder.
*The French players of Halo often call it "crest mode"; in French, crest is translated as ''érétique'' and is a similar adjective to Heroic.
**The [[Skullduggery]] achievement is awarded for completing any campaign mission with three or more Skulls on Heroic or harder.
**The [[I Need a Hero]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 4'' on Heroic difficulty.
**The [[No One Left Behind]] achievement is awarded for saving at least one Marine in the [[Spartan Ops]] mission [[Artifact (Spartan Ops)/Hacksaw|Hacksaw]] on Heroic or harder.
**The [[No Easy Way Out]] achievement is awarded for surviving the enemy assault during the defense portion of [[Memento Mori/Spartan Miller|Spartan Miller]] on Heroic or harder.
**The [[What Power Outage?]] achievement is awarded for completing [[Memento Mori/Spartan Thorne|Spartan Thorne]] without losing a generator on Heroic or harder.
{{Clear}}
== ''Halo 5: Guardians'' ==
[[File:Halo 5 Guardians - Heroic symbol.png|150px|thumb|The ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Heroic shield.]]
=== General differences ===
* [[Kig-Yar Sniper|Jackal Snipers]] with Beam Rifles appear more often.
* [[Promethean Crawler]]s' built-in [[Z-110 Boltshot|Boltshots]] exhibit stronger tracking behavior.
=== Awards ===
* The [[Enemy of my Enemy]] achievement is awarded for helping the Elite General [[Kitun 'Arach]] charge the hill in [[Osiris (level)|Osiris]] on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Savior]] achievement is awarded for keeping 6 miners alive at the elevator in [[Evacuation]] on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Fire Drill]] achievement is awarded for completing Evacuation within 18 minutes without dying on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[No Witnesses]] achievement is awarded for destroying the [[Mikpramu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] at the Covenant camp in [[Reunion]] on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Take a Hike]] achievement is awarded for traversing the canyon without a [[Phaeton]] in Reunion on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Rolling Thunder]] achievement is awarded for operating four different vehicles at once during [[Genesis (level)|Genesis]] on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Prison Break]] achievement is awarded for simultaneously destroying two [[Warden Eternal|Wardens]] in [[The Breaking]] on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Icy Cool]] achievement is awarded for using a ground pound on an exterior power core in [[Guardians]] on Heroic difficulty, as per the achievement's official description.
** It is actually unlockable on any difficulty.
* The [[Double Stuff]] achievement is awarded for simultaneously destroying two cores in Guardians on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[My Rules]] achievement is awarded for completing any mission with three or more skulls active on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[One for All]] achievement is awarded for completing any mission in co-op on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[All for One]] achievement is awarded for completing all missions in co-op on Heroic difficulty.
* The [[Heroes Rise]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo 5: Guardians'' on Heroic difficulty.
{{Clear}}


==Related Links==
==''Halo Wars 2''==
*[[Campaign Complete: Heroic]]
[[File:Halo Wars 2 - Heroic symbol.png|150px|thumb|The ''Halo Wars 2'' Heroic shield.]]
===General differences===
{{Expand-section}}
===Awards===
*The [[The hard fight]] achievement is awarded for completing ''Halo Wars 2'' on Heroic.
{{Clear}}


==''Halo Infinite''==
===General differences===
{{Expand-section}}
===Awards===
*The  [[Fight Hard, Die Well]] achievement is awarded for completing Halo Infinite on Heroic.
{{Clear}}
{{Halo Difficulty Levels}}
{{Halo Difficulty Levels}}
[[Category:Difficulties|3]]
[[Category:Difficulties|3]]

Latest revision as of 19:41, October 26, 2023

The Heroic shield, as per Halo: The Master Chief Collection's release.

"Your enemies are as numerous as they are ferocious; their attacks are devastating. Survival is not guaranteed."
— Description from Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

"Fight against formidable foes that will truly test your skill and wits; this is the way Halo is meant to be played."
— Description from Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach.

"Fight against foes that will truly test your skill - this is the way Halo is meant to be played!"
— Description from Halo 4.

"Formidable opposition will test your resolve. Skilled, tactical play required. Recommended for veteran Halo players."
— Description from Halo 5: Guardians

"You will have to utilize every skill and tactic you've learned to survive. Recommended for players who have mastered Halo Wars 2."
— Description from Halo Wars 2

"Your foes are well-armed and resolute. Quell the storm and ride the thunder. Recommended for veteran Halo players."
— Description from Halo Infinite

Heroic is the second hardest difficulty in the Halo series campaign mode.

Summary[edit]

The original Heroic shield.

The symbol for the Heroic difficulty setting in the trilogy is represented with a shield that has the Marathon logo encrusted into the center; over the shield are two UNSC machetes crossed over each other. In Halo 3: ODST, it is represented by two silenced SMGs crossed over a shield with the Marathon symbol encrusted into the center.

Heroic pits you against the Covenant, who now rely on more efficient battlefield tactics, and their weapons inflict more damage per hit than their Normal-level counterparts. Elites will often take cover when their shields are down, and Grunts can withstand quite a few bullets. It is otherwise considered "Hard", in other games. While Normal represents health, strength and firepower of the Master Chief, Covenant and Mariness, Bungie has stated that Heroic difficulty is the "true Halo universe", due to the fact that enemy numbers, behavior, and accuracy are more realistic.

The following are a list of changes in the Heroic difficulty:

  • Health meter is smaller. Hits do more damage.
  • Enemy numbers increased.
  • Increased AI on enemies. They will behave much more intelligently to defeat the player while also maintaining defense.
  • Energy shields are only 75% their "normal" capacity.
  • Increased shields and armor for enemies.
  • Enemy placements have changed. Lower ranking Covenant troops will be replaced by higher ranking ones. Tougher enemies like Hunters will appear in certain areas of the level where they were not originally present in Normal.
  • Enemies will wield more powerful weapons than they did in their Easy and Normal counterparts.
  • Marines have reduced effectiveness and are weaker; their tactical intelligence has also been reduced.

Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo: Anniversary[edit]

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

Halo 2[edit]

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

  • In Halo 2: Vista:
    • The Demon achievement is awarded for completing a level of Halo 2: Vista without dying on Heroic or harder.
    • The Hero achievement is awarded for completing Halo 2: Vista on Heroic.
  • In Halo: The Master Chief Collection:

Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST[edit]

The Halo 3: ODST Heroic shield.

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

Halo Wars[edit]

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

  • The Adjudicate the Arbiter achievement is awarded for completing Halo Wars on Heroic.
  • The Mr. Punctual achievement is awarded for completing all missions in Halo Wars on Heroic, under the par times.
  • The Big Al's Scooter achievement is awarded for winning a Heroic Skirmish game against AI in under ten minutes.
  • The Penny Pincher achievement is awarded for obtaining a winning high score against a Heroic AI with ten or less squads.

Halo: Reach[edit]

The Halo: Reach Heroic shield.

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

Halo 4[edit]

The Halo 4 Heroic shield.

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

  • In Halo 4:
    • The Bropocalypse achievement is awarded for completing any campaign mission cooperatively on Heroic or harder.
    • The Bromageddon achievement is awarded for completing Halo 4 cooperatively on Heroic or harder.
  • Shared between Halo 4 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection:

Halo 5: Guardians[edit]

The Halo 5: Guardians Heroic shield.

General differences[edit]

Awards[edit]

  • The Enemy of my Enemy achievement is awarded for helping the Elite General Kitun 'Arach charge the hill in Osiris on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Savior achievement is awarded for keeping 6 miners alive at the elevator in Evacuation on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Fire Drill achievement is awarded for completing Evacuation within 18 minutes without dying on Heroic difficulty.
  • The No Witnesses achievement is awarded for destroying the Phantom at the Covenant camp in Reunion on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Take a Hike achievement is awarded for traversing the canyon without a Phaeton in Reunion on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Rolling Thunder achievement is awarded for operating four different vehicles at once during Genesis on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Prison Break achievement is awarded for simultaneously destroying two Wardens in The Breaking on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Icy Cool achievement is awarded for using a ground pound on an exterior power core in Guardians on Heroic difficulty, as per the achievement's official description.
    • It is actually unlockable on any difficulty.
  • The Double Stuff achievement is awarded for simultaneously destroying two cores in Guardians on Heroic difficulty.
  • The My Rules achievement is awarded for completing any mission with three or more skulls active on Heroic difficulty.
  • The One for All achievement is awarded for completing any mission in co-op on Heroic difficulty.
  • The All for One achievement is awarded for completing all missions in co-op on Heroic difficulty.
  • The Heroes Rise achievement is awarded for completing Halo 5: Guardians on Heroic difficulty.

Halo Wars 2[edit]

The Halo Wars 2 Heroic shield.

General differences[edit]

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

Awards[edit]

  • The The hard fight achievement is awarded for completing Halo Wars 2 on Heroic.

Halo Infinite[edit]

General differences[edit]

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

Awards[edit]

Halo games' difficulty levels
Easy • Normal • Heroic • Legendary • Mythic • GASO
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