Halo 2 Instruction Manual
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The Halo 2: Multiplayer Map Pack Instruction Manual is a guide to Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack that comes in the basic package.
Sections of the Manual
Safety Information
This is the safety information that tells you how to play games safely.
Intro
This section goes over a basic idea what multiplayer is in the Halo universe.
Scattered throughout the Orion arm of the galaxy, the flames of conflict burn. As the embers of conquest continue to glow in an infinite sky, a war that has decimated fleets, scorched worlds, and brought to ruin entire systems continues to levy its heavy toll. Millions have perished, and millions more will suffer still — their fates resting on battles great and small.
These skirmishes take place for untold thousands of reasons — a contested strategic location, a surprise encounter with an unexpected foe, or a long- planned assault on a heavily guarded military outpost. The reasons for engagement are many, but the objective is always the same: to survive and emerge victorious... with honor when possible.
The conflicts can conflagrate anywhere opposing forces meet. From a cargo ship hanging silently above Earth to a ruined fortress on a distant world. From an icy and desolate canyon to an idyllic water temple — these are the places that will decide the fate of the galaxy. These are the arenas upon which the struggle to save or destroy humanity will hinge. These are the battlegrounds of Delta Halo and beyond.
Getting started
This section tell all about how to use the disk and gives a map key.
Relic
This section goes over the map Relic.
Map Type: Outdoor, Asymmetrical
Default Vehicles: Ghost, Warthog
Default Weapons: Carbine, Energy Sword, Magnum, Needier, Plasma Pistol, Battle Rifle, Beam Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, SMG
Preferred Game Types: 1 -bomb Assault, 1 -flag Capture the Flag (CTF)
Turrets: Yes
Devices: 2-way Teleporter, Teleporter switch
Power-ups: N/A
"A battle-scarred island rises from the blue waters of a Delta Halo sea- A titanic Forerunner structure juts menacingly from the center like the spine of a beached behemoth."
Evidence of battle is scattered across the sun-baked sands of a lonely island. A crashed Albatross Dropship spills wreckage and materiel onto the wind- scoured beach like an eviscerated seal. Shield formations, vehicle detritus, and combat platforms litter the field. Sandstone formations provide cover, but the huge expanse of low dunes leaves infantry highly vulnerable.
This long map is split savagely down the middle by a hulking Forerunner construct — the home of the objective flag in single-flag CTF matches. Territories is fun as well, as is any mode with enough people.
Relic is unusual amongst Halo 2 maps in that its geometry changes depending on the game type selected. In all of the game modes except CTF and Assault, handy ramps run up the side of the central structure.
That structure is a natural fortress and very easy to defend, making it an incredible challenge for the attacking teams. Openings beneath the Forerunner structure provide shelter as well as access to the teleporter.
Artist Chris Barrett wanted the map to feel familiar. "I wanted to capture some of the feel of the original Halo," he says. "In this case, one of the first test levels we built was the inspiration."
The imposing ediface in the center of the island is a Forerunner structure of typically inscrutable purpose. It does, however, make a perfect natural fortress. Easy to defend; difficult to attack.
The sheer scale of this location means that fast troop movement requires vehicles.A lone foot soldier presents a tempting target for snipers and will have a long hike if he's carrying a flag or a bomb.
You can use rapid teleporter activity to soften up defenders before your team makes a concerted assault on the flag position. Players also should be careful— the deep water around the beach has made many a zoomed-in strafer take a sudden and unexpected swim...
Turf
This section goes over the map Turf.
Map Type: Outdoor, Asymmetrical
Default Vehicles: Warthog
Default Weapons: Brute Shot, Magnum, Plasma Pistol, Battle Rifle, Plasma Rifle, Brute Plasma Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, SMG
Preferred Game Types: King of the Hill, Oddball, Slayer, Territories
Turrets: N/A
Devices: N/A
Power-ups: N/A
"Once a center of commerce and community, the center of Old Mombasa is scarred by the hulk of a fallen Scarab-"
In the early stages of the Covenant assault on Earth, the casualties were appalling, but they were not all human. A Scarab, crippled and downed in the center of Old Mombasa by tenacious Marines, has become a focal point for conflict in the aftermath as human forces try to secure their prize.
The surrounding streets and evacuated buildings make this a dangerous warren, with potential assassins lurking in every shadow and around every corner. Dusty storefronts conceal maze-like interiors, and narrow walkway above street level make this shadowy part of town a sniper's haven.
Turf's environments are at once familiar and startling. Given the extra time, resources, and experience gained from Halo 2, the artists were in some ways able to make this look better than some of the single-player moments from the sequel. "The original Old Mombasa had to deal with a lot of men" issues. This time around I was able to add textures, do cool things with the brighter lighting, and add details like mud splashed onto buildings by rain," says artist Frank Capezzuto. Although it was designed primarily with Territories and CTF in mind, Turf's wildly varying situations— open streets, large buildings, narrow passageways — mean that it's surprisingly flexible. In spite of its size and complexity, the level even works well as a cat-and-mouse, one-on-one map.
The level's designer, Tyson Green, had immediacy foremost in his mind when designing Turf. "I wanted to build a level where team members could quickly refer to locations that everyone would recognize— warehouse, Scarab, street— and that they would get it even if their team members were strangers. I thought it would be cool to revisit Old Mombasa. It just seemed like a good place for a multiplayer battle."
If you're playing Territories, the tight corners mean that shotgun camping can be incredibly effective. Another technique that works in all objective game modes is the auto-bomb. Basically, a driver risks everything by barging through the warehouse doors and blowing up his 'Hog, hopefully taking out — or at least confusing— the defenders.
