Colossus

Colossus
Map overview
Game:	Halo 2
Map file name (?):	colossus
Lore information
Map designation (?):	War Games Map_Set/: 201-7
Location:	Thresholdian satellite
Gameplay overview
Terrain:	Forerunner Structure
Recommended number of players:	4-14
Recommended gametype(s):	Slayer; CTF;

This article is about the Halo 2 multiplayer map. For the powered exoskeleton, see Colossus.

“

Numerous scientific expeditions have failed to reveal what the Forerunners intended with all this damn gas.

”

Colossus, originally called Cloud City.,^[2] is a Halo 2 multiplayer map.

Summary

This map is a gas mine located in one of Threshold's satellites, with data of this location acquired by scans conducted by the UNSC Red Horse and corroborated by dialogues between Humans and Sangheili.^[1] It consists of four main parts. The first section is the long corridor in the middle of the map. Here you can find an Overshield on the farthest way from the gravity lift. This long corridor acts a large gorge between the red and blue sides of the map. Both sides along with the corridor in the middle lead to the fourth part of the map that is the ramp area. Here you can find a shotgun at the bottom of the ramp and a beam rifle at the top of the lift that propels you from the lower corridor to the upper part of the ramp area.

This is a map famous for the very prominent availability of the so-called "Noob Combo". A good trick is to collect as many plasma grenades as you can, then hang in one of the two huge windows near the bottomless pits (where the gas canisters drop into) and blast everyone who shows up. The gas canisters provide a high advantage, if you see a filled one and somebody standing near it, simply by firing at the canister can cause it to explode and kill anyone near it. That means that if someone is shooting at it, you run away.

Territories

Command Deck
Trench
Red Base
Blue Base

Tactics

Colossus is an oversized map, but there isn't much breathing room. Snipers will most likely camp on the opposite side of the map and pick you off, either with a distanced weapon, battle rifle, Covenant carbine or long-ranged sniper rifles. Don't let this happen. Know the course, and know the paths that will block their fire, or at least let you get your shields up before dying.
The walkway near the gravity lift is a popular battle spot. Check around corners and prepare for the worst anytime you're near there, and make sure to watch your back/each other's backs.
The mid-sized windows near each ramp to the aforementioned walkway can be jumped through, for surprise or quick maneuvering.
On the previous note, expect grenades to be thrown through them, and do so yourself. If there's a blip on your radar, or if there's someone that just went up a ramp, don't hesitate to toss a grenade or two up through them - it could mean the difference between full shield and no shield.
Sniper rifles are commonly used on this map. Don't hesitate to grab them, as they're infinitely useful.
Use the explosive containers to your advantage; shoot them when enemies are close to them.
Utilize the overshield, which can mean a win or loss and is invaluable for games CTF and Assault.
The overshield is in a bad spot near the two holes at the end of the conveyor belt. A person can sneak up and knock a player in to the Abyss leaving the overshield useless.
Pushing a gas can into the gravity lift can score you an occasional kill.

The gravity lift.

Trivia

If you look through certain windows on the level, you can see the swirling storm in Threshold's atmosphere that is witnessed in campaign mode. One of the clouds outside forms a giant whale with its mouth open.
Some elements of Colossus were incorporated into the Halo 3 map, Epitaph. These include the front Gravity Lift and the Inner Side-Hallways.
Colossus resembles the campaign levels The Arbiter and The Oracle.
Colossus may have inspired Halo 3's Construct due to the ramps and the basic shape of the structure.
If you are on the sniper ledge and you look straight ahead, the windows resemble an unhappy face.
If you stand below a spot where the canisters drop, sometimes one will fall on you, and you will die. The message "Killed by the Guardians" will appear on your screen.

Gallery

Colossus Map.
The first layout of Colossus. The map design was eventually scrapped and the name repurposed to what would be seen in the final release.
A design document of Colossus from the development of Halo 2.
A design document of Colossus from the Development of Halo 2.
A view of Colossus from the top of the map.
A view of one of the sides of Colossus, as seen from over the central trench.
A view of Colossus from the bottom of the map.

Sources

^ ^a ^b Halo Waypoint - Universe: Threshold
^ Max Hoberman on Twitter - I avoid the news on April 1st because so much of it is bogus. Here's something totally legit, just to be different: our original design doc for Halo 2's Colossus multiplayer map, initially called Cloud City.

[HU-1] Halo Waypoint - Universe: Threshold

[2] Max Hoberman on Twitter - I avoid the news on April 1st because so much of it is bogus. Here's something totally legit, just to be different: our original design doc for Halo 2's Colossus multiplayer map, initially called Cloud City.

[1]

[2]