Battle Creek

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Splash Splash, Bang Bang.

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Battle Creek is a multiplayer level in Halo: Combat Evolved. It is an outdoors map set in a tiny canyon featuring two symmetrical bases that are separated by a small creek. Being one of the smallest multiplayer maps in the game, Battle Creek is well suited for small, usually team-based, games between two and eight players.

Battle Creek was remade as Beaver Creek for Halo 2 and Battle Canyon in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

Universe and lore

Similar canyons on other Halo installations serve their functions as rocky canyons housing two Forerunner telemetry spire structures which serve as the bases. The spires are key components of their ring's translocation grid. The rocky warrens of these part of Halo installations provide the ideal environment for an array of impressive telemetry clusters. These spires’ synchronization conduits ensure that the ring's translocation grid is always fully operational, part of a remarkably powerful system which allows near-instant transportation across the full ten thousand kilometers that span the installation.

While not confirmed as such, it is likely that Battle Creek serves a similar purpose for Installation 04, as these other almost identical canyons on other installations.

Overview

Layout

Battle Creek's basic layout is very simplistic; it consists of two identical bases separated by a small creek. Outside, there are plenty of rock formations that can be used for cover, an arch spanning the river, and two raised outcroppings on the canyon walls. In addition, there are two-way teleporters located behind each base; each transports players to the teleporter at the opposite base.

The interior of the bases consists of a main room which houses the flag in CTF, a pair of hallways that lead outdoors, and a series of tunnels connected to the hallways by a ramp that lead to the other entrances. The entryways consist of the main door in the front, a side door leading to the tunnels underneath, stairs leading to a tunnel located in front of each base, and a hole in the roof above the flag room.

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  An annotated overview of the map.

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  An interior view of the bases.

Strategies

• To access the roofs of either base, a player can jump onto small ledges located at the right of each base, a boulder at red base and a wedge of concrete debris at blue base. Once there, a player will have a commanding view of the map, but is exposed to enemy fire.
• Camping in the little rocket launcher alcove is not a good idea on this map because of the multitude of needlers and pistols. Grab the rocket launcher then jump down.
• If you pick up the Active Camouflage by the river, go to the other side, crouch, and walk in. You will be in a small cave under the water. Players will barely be able to see you, so you can throw grenades and give them a nasty surprise. When it wears off, they can see you only a little bit, but they have to be looking straight down into the cave.
• If you are being chased, run into one of the bases entrances and lob a grenade at the walls. The enemy will lose their shields, and give you a chance to finish them off or run away.
• On the farther back sides of the bases high up there are little holes (one on each side) which goes to the main flag room. If shields are not in the game, simply throwing grenades through these holes can lead to several kills, especially if friendly fire is off and a teammate is getting the flag in CTF.
• In CTF, if one manages to take possession of the enemy flag, that player can then run to the back of the enemy base and use the teleporter to quickly access the friendly base.
• Do not walk through a teleporter and then back up. You will not go through the teleporter you backed into, and possibly be telefragged if someone else enters the teleporter and you do not move in time before your screen turns completely white. However, if someone else is trying to enter the teleporter, you can maneuver into the corner of the teleporter, and by jumping, the enemy will go through. At this time, you can take them by surprise, throw a grenade or melee them.
• During CTF, with teams of four or more, beware of opponents throwing grenades through the small windows at the sides of the base. They can make short work of defenders, and give their teammates an easier chance of stealing the flag.
• Try to stay away from the natural bridge formation in the middle because you are an easy target from all angles once you're up there.

Trivia

• In the game data this map is called "Beaver Creek" indicating that this was the map's name during development. The remake in Halo 2 later used this name.

Gallery

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

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  Loading screen in the Master Chief Collection.

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  Battle Creek's skybox.

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  Red base.

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  The sniper spawn overlooking red base.