Halo Reach is the xbox exclusive first person shooter developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft. It’s the most sought after and highly acclaimed game of its kind on xbox console and Reach is the latest installment of the series. The new version introduces various new multiplayer gaming modes such as “Head Hunter”, “Stockpile”, “Generator Defense” and “invasion” along with a plethora of newer and deadlier weapons. The objective of this guide is to provide basic strategy related to these modes which would aid the player get an upper hand on the opposition. So without further adieu let’s delve deeper into the strategy for each of these new and superb playing modes!
HEAD HUNTER MODE BASICS
Survival of fittest or in this case the craftiest is the order of business while playing head hunter mode. This new mode pitches players against each other in a risk versus reward match, where each player killed by an opponent leaves behind a skull which is collected and then cashed in for points. The collected skulls are traded in for points at scoring zones which randomly materialize around the map; needless to say the person with most points at the end of each round is declared the winner. There is another way of winning head hunter mode and that is by trading in ten skulls in a single transaction at the scoring zone.
HEAD HUNTER STRATEGY
The most successful player in Head Hunter mode is the one who keeps a few basic pointers in mind such as:
Always beware of your surroundings, as soon as you take out an enemy a frantic frenzy will ensue which is like sharks being drawn to blood. Most players’ meet their end when they leave themselves exposed and have their guard down trying to pick up vanquished enemy skulls. A basic strategy which I found is to hide and ambush the players coming in to deprive you of your right full bounty. This might also prove invaluable if you are running low on skull tally, what better way to horde on skulls then picking off enemies too busy engorging themselves on your righteous kill?
My favorite modus operandi is staying low after making a kill and when freeloaders make their appearance and are busy picking up the skulls, lobbing a few grenades at their feet and sit back and see their corpses erupt in fountain of gleaming skulls! What a pretty sight eh?
Another weapon which comes in handy in such situation is an assault rifle barrage to the heads of the busy enemies. A word of caution though assault rifle barrage has to connect with enemy’s temple to vanquish it, if barrage fails to connect and take out the enemy then the odds might turn against you and annihilation would be pretty evident. Also assault rifle barrage should be utilized depending on the number of enemies; if it’s more than 2 then the most feasible operating procedure would be to use a combo of assault rifle barrage and grenade lobbing.
Your skull tally which is displayed on top of your character’s head is a blessing and a curse at the same time. Blessing as in when you are running low on skull tally, a quick glance around will reveal the status of players who have their pockets full and they are your next targets. Whereas the same applies to you! When you have your skull tally full prepare to be on the run of your life as you dash towards the scoring zone with other players trying to annihilate you and making off with your treasure horde.
COMMON MISTAKES
Because the newly included jetpacks and sprint abilities (LB button on the game pad) newbie think they can just sail over the heads of opponents after having their full skull tally and just glide towards the scoring zone. WRONG APPROACH!! There are two fundamental flaws with it:
1) Like mentioned earlier scoring zones randomly materialize throughout the map and stay in one place for short period of time. Its not uncommon for players to be gleeful because they have their required skull tally and are about to cash in and win the round only to have scoring zone disappear like fog right in front of their eyes. This leaves them vulnerable to pack of skull hungry pursuers which they have to fight through to get to the scoring zone again.
2) With inclusion of new and deadly weaponry such as the designated marksman rifle, newbie players looking to glide over their enemies are shot down before they can even reach the scoring zone. Experienced players are always on the lookout for such foolhardy behavior for easy cash in.
STOCK PILE MODE BASICS
Although new to Halo reach the stockpile has previously been seen in quite a few games belonging to the same genre. In this mode the objective is to capture neutral flags from neutral venues which are located across the map. These flags rematerialize every 60 seconds. Each team has a designated spot where the captured flags are to be brought and held till 60 seconds, the more the flags the more points the team earns.
Each team’s designated spot is prone to come under attack by enemy players which try to take the flag back to their own holding area. If your team’s flag are taken by enemy before 60 seconds you lose precious points. The first team to capture and successfully retain 10 flags for 60 seconds wins.
STOCK PILE STRATEGY
Strategizing your moves is the key to success when playing stockpile. The timing of flag collection and their subsequent submission to the capture zone is crucial for winning the round. The timing has to be precise! Not too early to have the enemy battering down your defenses to get to your flags and not too late so you have to do vice versa and face the music in form of heavy enemy resistance.
Concealment, stealth and avoiding obvious routes to the capture zone if you are a flag carrier should be top priority.