Fathom

Fathom
Map overview
Game:	Halo 5: Guardians
Map file name (?):	ng23_ss_skew
Lore information
Location:	Fathom Station, Beta Gabriel
Date (?):	Between 2554 and 2556
Gameplay overview
Terrain:	UNSC underwater laboratory
Map layout:	Symmetrical
Recommended number of players:	8
Recommended gametype(s):	Slayer Capture The Flag Team SWAT Free-For-All

“

The UNSC explores Beta Gabriel’s vast oceans in hopes of recovering wreckage hidden in the crushing depths.

”

Fathom is a Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer map set aboard the research station UNSC Fathom, deep in the oceans of human Inner Colony planet Beta Gabriel. Riptide is a remix of this map.

Universe and lore

Fathom is set within Fathom Station, an underwater research facility located along the Aleutian Rim in the Cortez Ocean on the human Inner Colony Beta Gabriel. Constructed by the Imbrium Machine Complex and funded by the UNSC Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence, Fathom Station was designed to locate the crash sites of Splendid Intention and UNSC Of Uncommon Courage, two warships that crashed into the sea during the Human-Covenant War. The staff aboard Fathom Station was tasked with recovering valuable Sangheili weapon plans carried by the Covenant carrier that could render the powerful energy projector obsolete.

Though the station's operations continued unhindered for years and the location of Splendid Intention was discovered, the crew of Fathom Station were largely unsuccessful in their search for the carrier's weapon plans. However, during a routine search conducted by twenty-three explorers in 2556, Splendid Intention suddenly shifted from its resting place in the Aleutian Rim and violently slid down a nearby trench, sending debris and water into Fathom Station's northern terminal. The complex was torn apart and forty-one researchers were killed in the incident. Splendid Intention and the twenty-three explorers trapped inside the carrier were lost, and operations at Fathom Station did not continue.

Overview

Layout

Topdown view of Fathom.

Fathom is a symmetrical arena map, and features themed coloring; one side is blue, while the other is red. The design choice was done to provide "that sporty, team feel". Certain areas of Fathom have long sight lines, though the sight lines change in other areas to create difficulties for long-range weapon users. The glowing buttons on the back of several ramps on the map can be shot, which causes the ramp to descend. As the back lane opens up, players with long-range weapons are given an advantage. However, these ramps only remain down for a few seconds before they rise back up and offer cover again. Cover in some of the hallways can be shot down to give players a full sight line. Small entrances allow players to slide through via Spartan abilities to allow for a quick escape from combat or to allow players to ambush opponents.

The Railgun is featured as the map's focal power weapon. The map also features Lightrifles, Storm Rifles, SMGs, Boltshots, Battle Rifles and an active camouflage. The active camo powerup spawns on the central floor and the Railgun spawns on a platform above it—both an equal distance from both teams' spawning areas. If the player falls into the water surrounding the submarine, they will instantly die. Hallways toward the outer edges of Fathom create battle chokepoints as they allow access to the ramps that lead to the second floor of the central area, the location of the Railgun spawn. The open walkway area gives players a wide view of the map, but leaves them vulnerable to attacks from other players from a lot of angles.

Callouts

The following are locations on the map that are so named on the player's heads-up display during gameplay:

Red Base Red Window Red Yard Red Street Red Porch Red Vat Red Sub Red Slide Red Tree House Red Bridge Top Mid

Blue Base Blue Window Blue Yard Blue Street Blue Porch Blue Vat Blue Sub Blue Slide Blue Tree House Blue Bridge Bottom Mid

Production notes

• Fathom features heavy red and blue theming on either side of the map to give it a "sporty, team feel." This was intended to pay homage to the old Quake games. Each side of the map is also labeled with large letters to help teams easily communicate.
• Several sea creatures, like the Paelosur and the Qothal, can be seen swimming outside of the base; one of the Paelosurs is named "Timmy the Whale" by the staff of 343 Industries, after creative lead Tim Longo.
  • The ambient sea life noises can be adjusted in the map options.
• The UNSC diver easter egg can be found on this map.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Development images

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  Concept art of Fathom.

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  More concept art of the map.

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  Concept art of a cut fish from the map.

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  Concept exploration of 3D mapping for Halo Infinite using Fathom.

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  More Halo Infinite concept exploration.

Screenshot

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  A view of blue base.

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  A view of red base.

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  A red Spartan passing by a Qothal.

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  Three blue Spartans moving across the map.

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  A blue Spartan wielding a Hydra while passing by a Paelosur.

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  First-person view of a Spartan approaching in a ground pound.

• 

  First-person view of two Spartans clashing.