MLG (playlist)

This article is about the playlist. For the professional gaming company, see Major League Gaming.

MLG is a playlist for Halo 3 and Halo: Reach. The playlist utilizes the game settings used for 4v4 matches in the Major League Gaming tournaments.

History

Neither Halo 3 nor Halo: Reach had an MLG playlist upon release. On March 12, 2008, Bungie announced that an MLG playlist would replace Team Hardcore in Halo 3 matchmaking. The playlist went live on March 31, 2008. The MLG playlist along with the other Hardcore playlists were moved to the Ranked Playlists while the Hardcore Playlist was retired as of August 4, 2009.

The MLG playlist for Halo: Reach was announced for release on December 7, 2010, under the competitive playlists. It will utilize MLG's version 2 settings.

Currently, the Halo 3 playlist runs version 8 of MLG settings. Reach utilizes version 2.

Forge utilization

MLG in Halo 3 and Reach involves using the Forge to modify maps for fast competitive gameplay. Weapons are changed based on competitive viability, availabilty and location. Map movement is made as streamlined as possible, and explosive scenery is removed.

Power weapons, such as the Rocket Launcher and the Sniper Rifle, are unique in that they utilize a drop-spawn system, where they respawn on a constant timer. This is done through the Forge by placing the weapon above the ground, either by placing it on top of a crate or making it phased, and then removing the crate or disabling phase. This encourages more map movement since players will know exactly when the weapons return.

Forge is also used to create more competitive maps. Examples include Halo 3's Foundry to create three arena-style maps: Amplified, Onslaught and Lockdown (removed from rotation). In Halo: Reach, Asylum was recreated, titled MLG Sanctuary, to eliminate frame rate issues.

Halo 3 Playlist

3-4 players per team, max party size of 4.

Maps

• MLG Construct
• MLG Guardian
• MLG The Pit
• MLG Narrows
• MLG Heretic
• MLG Amplified (Foundry variant)
• MLG Onslaught (Foundry variant)

Gametypes

All games have a 15-minute time limit in matchmaking. However, CTF matches at MLG tournaments have a 15-minute regulation time period, with an extra 15 minutes set in case of a tie or sudden death.

• MLG Team Slayer (Amplified, Construct, Narrows, Heretic, The Pit)
  • All Team Slayer games go to 50 kills.
• MLG Team Oddball (Guardian)
  • Team Oddball has a maximum score of 250 points.
• MLG Team King (Construct)
  • Team King has a maximum score of 250 points.
• MLG Multi Flag (Heretic, Narrows, Onslaught and The Pit)
• CTF on Narrows and The Pit have a maximum score of three captures. Onslaught and Heretic go to five captures.

Settings

• Players start with a a Battle Rifle and two Frag Grenades.
• Players move at 110% speed, inflict 110% damage and have a shield recharge rate of 90%.
• Motion Tracker is disabled.

Weaponry

MLG gametypes removed a large amount of weapons and all the equipment.

• Battle Rifle, 10 seconds respawn.
• Frag Grenades, 10 seconds respawn.
• Plasma Grenades, 30 seconds respawn.
• Plasma Pistol, 60 seconds respawn.
• Covenant Carbine, 90 seconds respawn.
• Mauler, 150 seconds respawn. (Guardian uses a drop-spawn)
• Sniper Rifle, 150 seconds respawn, drop spawn.
• Rocket Launcher, 180 seconds respawn, drop spawn.

Power-ups

All Powerups spawn after 120 seconds.

• Custom Power-up: There are two versions of the Custom Power-up.
  • On The Pit (All games) and Construct (King of the Hill), the custom power-up gives the player a 3X overshield. This only works if the player has full shields or if they are recharging, otherwise the power-up will be burned and the effect will be negated.
  • For King of the Hill on Construct, the custom power-up appears for the first time after two minutes of play.
  • For TS on Construct the power-up takes the form of an Active Camouflage. This will last for 60 seconds after pickup. The Camo will not spawn on Construct until after the first two minutes of play.
• Active Camouflage: The powerup is unchanged from the normal camo. (This Powerup only spawns on Guardian.)

Halo: Reach Playlist

Team size of 4, max party size of 8, max local players of 2.

Maps

• MLG Reflection
• MLG Countdown (Normal and 1 Flag)
• MLG Zealot (Space portals blocked off)
• MLG Sanctuary (Forge World varaint, recreation of Asylum)

Gametypes

Unless otherwise listed, all games have a 15 minute time limit.

• MLG Team Slayer (All listed maps)
  • All Team Slayer games go to 50 kills.
• MLG CTF (Countdown, Sanctuary and Zealot)
  • CTF on Sanctuary has a maximum score of three captures. Countdown and Zealot go to five captures.
• MLG One Flag (Countdown and Reflection)
  • Two five-minute rounds
• MLG Bomb (Countdown, Sanctuary, Zealot)
  • Bomb on Sanctuary has a maximum score of three bombings. Countdown and Zealot go to five bombings.
• MLG Territories (Sanctuary and Zealot)
  • 10 minute time limit, three territories to capture, unlimited scoring.
• MLG Oddball (Countdown and Zealot)
  • Maximum score of 250 points.

Settings

• Players get two loadout choices, one with the DMR and one with the Needle Rifle. Both start with two Frag Grenades.
• Players move at 110% speed, jump at 110% height, have 150% player gravity, and inflict 75% melee damage.
• Motion Tracker is disabled.
• Sprint is the starting armor ability.

Weaponry

MLG gametypes removed a large amount of weapons.

• Rocket Launcher, 178 seconds respawn, drop spawn.
• Sniper Rifle, 118 seconds respawn, drop spawn.
• Grenade Launcher, 118 seconds respawn, drop spawn.
• Plasma Pistol, 90 seconds respawn.
• Shotgun, 90 seconds respawn.
• DMR, 10 seconds respawn.
• Needle Rifle, 60 seconds respawn.
• Magnum, 60 seconds respawn.
• Frag Grenades, 30 seconds respawn.
• Plasma Grenades, 30 seconds respawn.
• Health Pack, 30 seconds respawn.

Armor Abilities

Armor abilities are placed on the map for pickup. They respawn 34 seconds after the last player holding the ability is killed.

• Jet Pack
• Evade

External links

• MLG Settings and Playlist description on mlgpro.com
• Halo 3 MLG Playlist, version 8, on mlgpro.com
• Halo: Reach gametypes, version 2, on mlgpro.com
• Halo: Reach MLG playlist on bungie.net
• Halo 3 MLG playlist on bungie.net