Anchor 9

Anchor 9
Map overview
Game:	Halo: Reach
Map file name (?):	dlc_slayer
Lore information
Location:	Anchor 9, in orbit over Reach
Gameplay overview
Terrain:	Metal space station interior, space
Map layout:	Symmetrical
Recommended number of players:	2-8
Recommended gametype(s):	Capture the Flag; Assault; Stockpile;

Looking for the space station? See Anchor 9.

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Orbital dockyards provide rapid refueling and repairs for a variety of UNSC vessels.

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Anchor 9 is a multiplayer map in Halo: Reach. It was released with the Noble Map Pack, along with Tempest and Breakpoint for 800 Microsoft Points.

Description

Anchor 9 is set in a UNSC Sabre engineering facility inside the refit station Anchor 9 in low orbit over planet Reach.

Overview

Layout

This map features many close quarters combat sections. It is fully symmetrical with a two-leveled base at each side and a long spine separating the map into the "Weapons" side and "Repair" side. Both sides feature a large shield door that allows access to a narrow walkway outside the station for low-gravity combat.

Anchor 9 Map.
A heatmap of Anchor 9.

Callouts

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

Repair Control
Repair Wing
Weapons Wing
Observation Deck
Control Room
External Platform
Space
Hangar
Sabre
Repair Ledge
Repair Operations
Access Tunnel

Variants

Unanchored^[2]

Trivia

It is the fifth level and the third multiplayer map in the Halo series to expose players to the vacuum of space, after Boarding Action, Cairo Station, Long Night of Solace, and Zealot.^[3]
In the distance, Sabres can be seen flying around outside of the playable area, close to the two Frigates and near the other side of the station. This can be most easily observed during Forge.
Despite the name of the level being Anchor 9, the actual space station does not look like the Anchor 9 from campaign. The colors of the station are more white and yellow as well as the geometry of the station is quite different. The multiplayer version looks more like the UNSC Hopeful. It is possible Bungie was going to have the level be set on a different Anchor, but changed the number to 9 for unknown reasons, as in the Bungie-made fly-through they noted that there were 18 Anchors above the planet.
The grenades fired in the Space areas from the Plasma Launcher act strangely; they travel upwards unless locked onto a target or fired directly at the surface of Reach, where the gravity of said planet pulls the grenades down to the surface.
Using Pan Cam, a player can see that the playable area is actually a floating cube, separated from Anchor 9's superstructure.
The two frigates stationed outside do not have visible names or hull classification symbols, unlike most known UNSC vessels.

Gallery

Concept art of the map's exterior area.
Concept art of Anchor 9's cargo bay.
Concept art of one of the map's various hallways.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art of an ordnance loading system on the map.
The central area of the map.
Outside the Sabre repair bay.
Comparison between the in-progress and finalized Anchor 9.
Comparison between the in-progress and finalized Anchor 9.

Sources

^ Halo: Reach Editing Kit, game file HREK\tags\levels\multi\dlc\dlc_slayer\dlc_slayer.scenario
^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 02/04/11
^ Bungie.net "...this platform no longer provides any safe harbor whatsoever – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field."

[HREK-1] Halo: Reach Editing Kit, game file HREK\tags\levels\multi\dlc\dlc_slayer\dlc_slayer.scenario

[2] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 02/04/11

[3] Bungie.net "...this platform no longer provides any safe harbor whatsoever – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field."

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