Ascension

Ascension is a Halo 2 multiplayer level.

Description

The skies of Ascension are exceptionally obscure and hazy, but some players can slightly make out the Halo ring in the atmosphere. There are also giant rock formations in the background. This map is probably a communication relay structure of the Forerunners. It contains a dish for receiving and a forked tower for sending. It is not known exactly why this structure was built, but it's thought to play a role in maintaining Installation 05's structural integrity. Located on Delta Halo, it is one of many similar structures unique to this ring.

Many Xbox Live and System Link users also use this map in using a game-type known throughout the Live community as "Tower of Power" in which there are traditionally two teams of 8 and only Shotguns as weapons. The aim of the game is to control the tower containing the .30 Cal turret, as this is the most powerful aspect of this game-type, especially as there are no shields enabled. The frag count is typically 250.

Territories

Dish/Middle
Command Center/Big tower
Leap of Faith/Rocket Spawn
Sniper Roost/Little Tower
Landing Pad/Banshee Spawn

Strategies

Sniping Tips

A Spartan armed with a Sniper Rifle during a Slayer match on Ascension.

Though this map is somewhat small, it is a very good sniping map. There are two Sniper Rifles, one on a walkway near the left side of the big sniper tower, and one on a platform near the left side of the small sniper tower. Though these sniping towers are great places to get a quick kill, you cannot stay here, as you are extremely visible. There are two, much better sniping spots on this island.

For the worse of the two, get a Rocket Launcher, Sniper Rifle, and Banshee. Then you can fly up above the small sniper tower, to where it looks like two fork prongs. At the base of these "prongs", there will be a large platform. Jump out of the banshee, and on to this platform. Then you can walk up either of the two prongs and stand on the very tip. From there, you can see the entire map. If someone shoots at you, move slightly back so you become hidden, and you get instant cover with the prongs. Back up some more if they shoot a rocket at you. If a Banshee comes at you, shoot him out of the sky with your little secret, the rocket launcher!

For the better of these two spots, you also should have a rocket, sniper and a Banshee. Just fly up to the big sniper tower and you should see a large opening in the sides. Fly right in and jump out of the banshee. Note: Try to make the banshee fall out. Now you can see out of a large hole in the front. Snipe-away but be careful. If someone sees you and starts shooting at you, you can just back up and you will be safe. You will even be safe from rockets, though you may be slightly damaged. This is why you don't want the banshee in there. If it were to get hit by a rocket, you might die.

If they throw grenades in there, back up more so that you start going up another incline. You will still get damaged but they should run out of grenades before you die. Another way to completely avoid damage from grenades or rockets is to go up to the sniping opening. Turn around and you should see a ramp on the left side of the wall. Go all the way up this and the only thing you have to worry about is your more open position. People will be able to see you but only from the banshee platform, needler platform, and the Overshield bridge, so keep your eye out for unlucky enemies. Again, if a banshee comes around, blow 'em out of the sky.

In some games, the Banshee is removed, or it is banned by honor rules. The best countermeasure is to snipe from the large tower and change position after every shot.

Hiding Spots

Where the Banshee spawns turn left and head down a small ledge just bellow there is a small platform with a rocket launcher on it. It's called the "Leap of Faith". Try maneuvering behind the teleporter. This is a great place to hide with the oddball and it is easily escapable because there is a gravity lift and a teleporter so if someone finds you, you can teleport or fly off the platform. If you don't use the banshee and jump down while someone is following you, you can grab the rocket launcher and go through the teleport. Chances are they will follow you through the teleport and you'll be ready on the other side with A rocket pointed at the teleport.

Another hiding spot is by taking the banshee and going to the big tower, and you should be able to see that the tower is open from the middle, land there and people have a less chance firing at you since there is a wall in front.

More helpful of a hiding spot is if you get a Banshee and fly down to the things that hold up a structure like under the platform with the man cannon. AKA: "Leap of Faith".

Glitches

There are two ways to get out of this map. The first only requires one person. To do this you will need a Rocket Launcher, an Overshield, and a Banshee. Place the Banshee wherever you need and flip it over and knock one of the wings to the ground. The lower wing should be pointing where you want to go, which is anywhere there is not a tower. Get on the Lower wing and shoot at the high wing with the Rockets and it will send you flying out of the level. If you go far enough, the invisible floor will be above the death barrier so you can walk very far out of the level, but you will eventually hit a barrier.

The Second way requires two people. One person needs an Overshield and the other needs a Banshee. Position one Person on the Right side of the Tall Tower, where there is a long pathway with a corner. The person with the Overshield should stand at the corner. The player in the Banshee should boost at the other player, launching out of the map.

Scream of death changes

If you manage to get shot higher than the the gravity lift from the "Leap of Faith" Your character will scream "YEE HAW" when he falls off the map. This will also work if you jump off the top of the tuning fork to your death. [verification needed]

Super Bounce

Go to the large tower. There should be a cut in half or split path, one going into the tower and the other going down to the dirt caves and Sniper Rifle. You should see a small area sticking out of the walls of the path going up to the tower. Crouch and go up to it and stay there for a few seconds. Then turn and go to the center. Turn left and don't hit any rocks. Look off to the side of the path so you can see where the pavement and dirt thin and jump on the line. If you do it right you will fly up, if you do it wrong you will fall into the map and get killed by the Guardians.

Another jump to the top of the tower is much easier, but has a chance of falling to your death. Go inside the base of the large tower. From the front entrance, go to the left. Walk down the spiral ramp and you will see a small wall coming out of the larger wall on your left side, forming a corner. Crouch into this corner walking forward until your screen starts to vibrate. When this happens turn around and run up the ramp. When you get near the top turn to face the bridge and look down. On the small walkway you see (not the bridge) there should be some lights. At the light all the way to the left stop and jump onto the railing in line with it, it should be right where the railing ramps up more sharply than the rest. Look at the railing on the bridge. You should see the first archway from the entrance to the base. Jump towards the center of the rail closest to you, between the entrance and the first archway.

When you land, jump again and you will hit the rail and got the jump perfectly. Instead of trying to time the jump perfectly, tap A while you fall and it should work with moderate success. Sometimes when this happens you can get a full jump on the rebound. Fourth, you hit the rail and got a full jump... but you flew way off to the Banshee platform. Happens to the best of us and I have no clue why. Just try again and you should do fine.

Despite common speculation (which says that if you get to the top of the tower that you are invulnerable to enemy fire), you are not invulnerable to anything while open to the rest of the course. However, you cannot be shot by anything if you go to the very back on the top of the tower, as Banshees are incapable of reaching the spot and there aren't any open spaces for enemy fire.

To do another Super Jump (easiest and very helpful) you go to the bottom of the forked tower (usually want to grab a sniper first for when you get up there). Stand behind the ramp that goes up to the little spot to snipe from. Don't go up the ramp just stand behind it looking right up the ramp. Then walk up to the right railing, jump and walk up to the top, staying on the ramp, don't jump. Then crouch down and walk forward, you should be able to let go of crouch and you should still be crouching because you are under the ledge. Now, very slowly keep walking forward for a few sec. Then let go of forward, press jump (you should still land on the railing after you jump) then turn to your right, look down and jump at an arc and land on the pillar down by the sniper.

You have to land right in the center of the pillar at the right arc. (Hint: after you jump after being crouched you should turn right and look down and jump to the pillar fairly quickly, you don't have to be super quick but don't waste time.) If you hit it right you should fly through the air upwards and land on the fork tower, if the banshee is turned off get ready for a crap load of snipes.

Trivia

Medium-long range fights, always with Battle Rifles and Sniper Rifles which have two spawn points on this map, populate Ascension.
Faces can be seen throughout the hazy clouds and rocks.
It is possible to Banshee Launch onto the rocks around the level. However, the Guardians will kill you after a few seconds if you go far out enough.
The map is considered similar to Lockout in terms of game play; this is due to its platform-like structure and 'arms' extending out from it.
Some elements of Ascension were incorporated into the Halo 3 map, Guardian, which included one of the main towers of the map.
There is a popular game type called "Tower of Power" or "TOP" played on this level.
An Ascension remake, Pinnacle, will appear in Halo: Reach as a built-in variant of Forge World.