by PMS Doom

& PMS Pip Sq3ak

& PMS Disco

& PMS Ovaryacting

Halo 3 Maps

• Assembly • Avalanche • Blackout • Citadel • Cold Storage • Construct • Epitaph • Foundry • Ghost Town • Guardian • Heretic • High Ground

• Isolation • Last Resort • Longshore • Narrows • Orbital • Rat's Nest • Sandtrap • Sandbox • Snowbound • Standoff • The Pit • Valhalla

Data Stream

Recommended Game Variants: Team Slayer, CTF, Krazy King, Slayer, Oddball, One Bomb

Recommended/Maximum Number of Players: 2–8

Advantageous Equipment: Sniper, Sword, Shotgun

Available Weapons

Battle Rifle: 30 Magnum: 30 Plasma Pistol: 30 Plasma Rifle: 30 Shotgun: 180 SMG: 30 Sniper Rifle: 180 Spiker: 30 Sword: 150

Available Equipment

Bubble Shield: 120 Frag Grenades: 10 Plasma Grenades: 10 Power Drain: 120 Regenerator: 120

Tactical Knowledge

Utilizing the Towers of Blackout

There are three main towers within Blackout: Snipe tower, BR tower, and Red Lift. BR Tower and sniper tower are similar, in that they consist of three levels.

Battle Rifle (BR) Tower

The BR tower’s first, bottom level, commonly referred to as BR One, connects to bottom middle and also to the small section housing the sword. The second level of BR Tower, BR Two, connects to the Library (where you can drop down and pick up the sword) and also has a ramp leading up to BR Three, the top and final level of the BR Tower. Positioning your team at the BR Tower is a very smart setup as it allows the players to have a wide view of the entire map.

Sniper Tower

The Snipe Tower is also a very versatile spot on the map as it houses three levels, similar to the BR Tower, the bottom level being Snipe One, connects to bottom mid where you can drop down and pick up the shotgun. The player can also easily reach Red Lift by going through elbow. The second level of the Snipe Tower is called Snipe Two and has a bubble shield, which can be useful to any player at any time. You can also see top middle, top of red lift, BR Two and Three and some of Library. Snipe Three, or the upper-most level of the Snipe Tower houses the Sniper Rifle, which is a very good weapon to have also, be careful about Snipe Three as there is an exploding crate directly next to the Sniper Rifle.

Red Lift

Red lift, on the other hand, consists of two levels, connected by a lift. On both sides of the lift there are two platforms that can be reached by dropping down from the top of the lift. One team usually spawns at the bottom of the Red Lift in the beginning of a team slayer match, but it is not an advisable spot to set up in. The Red Lift has a wide view of the entire open top middle as well as Snipe Tower and BR Tower, but it is also a very vulnerable spot to be in as it is in perfect view by both of the main towers. Having one player at this spot can be very advantageous to a team however, because they will be able to kill or weaken any enemies who do not choose to see the Red Lift as a true threat.

Professional Planning

Controlling the Map

Blackout does not have any power ups on the map so the sniper and height advantage are key. Have one teammate with sniper on BR3 while another teammate watches their back.

Support your teammates on BR3 by spacing and creating a crossfire with a teammate at Red Lift and another at Library/BR2.

There is a set of spawn points located in each building on the map. By having teammates at Sniper and BR tower, you force spawn your opponent at Red Lift or Library. Use your knowledge of spawn locations to continue the “blanket of chaos,” while the enemy spawns.

Tactics

Weapons, Vehicles, & Equipment

Priority 1 Weapons

As with any map within the Bungie Halo 3 Matchmaking realm, it’s best to know where to locate what are called “Power Weapons”. Of the menagerie of weapons offerings, these weapons will provide the player with the best offensive and defensive in any match type.

By using and controlling the Power Weapons, the player can dominate their opponent from almost anywhere on the map.

• Sniper

Use sniper at BR3 to help support your teammates throughout the map. There are not many power weapons on this map, so even if your team does not use Sniper it is wise to at least toss it over the ledge.

• Sword

Because blackout has an abundance of small areas and levels stacked on top of one another, the sword is great for dropping down on opponents or hiding in corners to surprise your enemy. Keep in mind that you have to be so close to your teammate in order to lunge so do not run across the map with your sword out.

• Shotgun

The shotgun outweighs the sword so if you have to choose between both, take the shottie. However, the shottie should be played similar to the sword except you should always beatdown after shooting the shotgun.

Enhanced Knowledge

Know Your Weapons

In Blackout, with any offensive / defensive posturing, the player wants to make sure that their team has control over a crucial spot on the map. The most crucial spots are the Sniper Tower and the BR Tower.

Offensive

Remembering power weapons such as the Shotgun (located under Glass), Sword (located under Library), and the Sniper Rifle (located at S3), is very important. After spawning, have one player go straight for the Shotgun, and one player go for the Sniper Rifle. After both weapons have been obtained, regroup with your team at Snipe Tower. When all players are together, have the player with the Shotgun rush with another player to grab the Sword, while the other two players remain at Snipe Tower to clean up any enemies wandering in the open.

When all power weapons are obtained, have the entire team “push” to wherever the enemies have set up camp. With all power weapons in your team’s possession, the push should go smoothly and you should eliminate all players.

Always have a sniper on the upper-most parts of the level (BR 3, S3) while you have the more sneaky players in possession of the close-range power weapons (Sword, Shotgun) ambushing the enemies that are focused on the Sniper of your team.

Defensive

Power weapons are also very important in a Defensive set up. Rather than grabbing the power weapons and pushing the enemies’ base, a defensive team should gain control of the weapons and hold a secure lockdown on whatever tower they choose to set up on.

Have two players go for the Shotgun, and two players go for the Sniper Rifle. If you are successful in grabbing the Sniper Rifle, have your team set up at Snipe Tower, if you are unsuccessful in obtaining the Sniper Rifle, move your team back towards BR Tower.

One of the most important things in a defensive set up is to be patient. If one of your teammates runs out and tries to kill four enemies on his own, your setup will have a hole in it and you have a higher chance of being taken down. Remember to wait for the other team to make a push and ambush them with your close-ranged power weapons.

Another important thing to remember is the possible equipment choices on the map. The Bubble Shield (located at the BR Ramp leading up to BR 3) and the Regenerator (located at the Snipe Ramp leading up to S3) are very useful in a defensive set up. If the enemy team attempts to rush your team with hundreds of bullets and tons of grenades, throwing down a Bubble Shield to regain your health can be lifesaving.

Objective Plotting

In CTF, the Flag spawns on Elbow. Although Red Lift is easily accessible, even if you just killed your opponent, do NOT use Red Lift. Your opponent will most likely spawn Library or BR Tower and once you go into the Lift, there is only one exit…making you highly prone to nades. Instead go to Snipe Tower to Top Mid and jump on the High Rails to BR3 from Top Mid. Another option is to go bottom mid and flag run once you hit the BR Ramp.

Even though running the flag is more efficient then just holding the flag, sometimes it pays to take your time and ninja through the map and start flag running when you are on the BR Ramp. If your teammate tries to distract the opponent, this strategy will most always allow you to cap.

BR1 is a great area to hold the oddball while another teammate camps on the shelves outlining the room with a shotgun or sword. Take Note: The Shotgun will almost always beat a player with the sword

On defense during CTF, take advantage of the high ground around the flag like Top Red, Sniper and even BR3 has a decent view of elbow. Once the opponent pulls the flag you can easily enclose on them and return the flag.

Advanced Tactics

General

Between Top Mid and BR2 there are Columns (High Rails) along the outer ledge. You can jump on top of these to access BR3 from the front and have another teammate attack from behind.

You can jump from Top Red to Elbow to dodge an opponent.

You can jump from BR3 to sword room by jumping off the left hand side of BR3 while you soar through the indent of the library building and land in sword. Not only is this a great escape from enemies at BR3 or Sniper, it’s the ULTIMATE escape because most players assume you died.

If multiple players are approaching you and you have the sword, use the beatdown instead of the lunge because you can quickly beatdown again. When using the lunge you are shortly stunned before you can attack again.

Sniping

• Sniper Three

The Sniper spawns at this level of Snipe Tower. You can see Elbow, Top Lift, all of Top Middle, BR 2 and 3, and Library Entrance. If enemies come up the lift you can Snipe then as they come up. BR 3 is open and makes it easy to kill enemies. Make sure before you get set up you blow up the fusion coils on S3.

• Top Lift

Top Lift is pretty open, but you can see most of the map. Anyone rushing Top Middle, or running on Elbow is an easy target to kill. You can also see Snipe Three, Snipe Two, BR 3, the ramps leading to BR 3, and the inside of the Library.

• Battle Rifle 3 (BR 3)

You can almost see the whole map from here. This position is good for killing opponents on Sniper Two, Sniper Three, the Top Lift, and anyone who is rushing Top Middle. You need to watch out behind you for the opposing team coming behind you and killing you. Also don’t stand directly next to the fusion coils on BR 3.