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This topic has moved here: Subject: ¿XBL Help?
  • Subject: ¿XBL Help?
Subject: ¿XBL Help?
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  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I just started playing H2 here on XBL (even though I've played this games for years in LAN games and also on XBC) and find the matchmaking system pretty messed up. So I have a few questions for anyone that cares to respond too.

1. What's the deal with maps, do I have to purchase (or wait til early july when they are free) Desolation and that other map to be able to play rumble pit, snipes, swat? Because most ranked gametypes keep saying I don't have the necessary maps, so right not I'm mostly playing team hardcore or BTB.

2. I assume you can't create your own "custom games" like MLG, Swat, Snipes, that would count as ranked, the only way you can do this is with friends, and those games are not ranked? The matchmaking makes the ranked game for you randomly, right?

3. So if the above is true, that means you can't join someone else's custom game (again other than a friend's which is unraked) which would count toward rankings?

4. What's the deal with Team Hardcore? If you're playing let's say CTF or KOTH and your team is horrible and some of them quit, do you still have to play the game until the end, even though it's basically impossible for you to win and your level could drop because of this? If that's so then that is pretty messed up...

5. Can your friends join a ranked game with you and be on your team in ranked team battles?

6. Do you always start Rumble Pit and most of the other ranked games with the BR?

7. Is there any type of match where the game is always 07 MLG (Br as starting wep with only rifles on map)? or can you put in some settings you would like the game to find and have matchmaking automatically match you with those settings (i.e.: the map you'd like to play, starting weps etc.)?

8. Is there any way you can keep the same party after a Team Hardcore game, for another Team Hardcore game (or any other team games for that matter)?

9. I assume there's no place to discuss with other people about making certain games (ones you don't have on your f list) and challenging/inviting them to your game (excluding the pre-game and post-game of another game you played, of course)?

10. Are there such game types like TOP, 1v1, Juggernaut, Oddball that matchmaking automatically generates for you (ranked or unraked)?

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I don't know where to find most of the answers so I'd greatly appreciated any help.


  • 06.25.2007 12:47 PM PDT

1. 4 playlists require the maps, 5 playlists don't. (Can't remember which ones)

2. The only way you can play a ranked game is by going through matchmaking and playing a ranked playlist.

3. Custom games and unranked playlists don't have ranks.

4. If you lose a match in ranked matchmaking, your rank may or may not decrease. If you win, your rank may or may not increase. If your teammates quit, and you lose because of it, it's not messed up if your rank goes down. If it is messed up, what would you suggest to fix it?

5. You can go into ranked matchmaking with a party, so yeah, you can play with your friends.

6. I havn't played Rumble Pit in a while, but it depends on what map you're on. I don't believe Midship has BR starts.

7. Team Hardcore is the closest to an MLG Playlist, in my opinion.

8. You can create your party at the lobby by inviting friends. If you want to play with the same team as you had the game before, you would need to invite them from the post-game carnage report.

9. Correct.

10. No. 1v1(Head vs. Head) was taken out around the time when the first new maps came out. Oddball is in playlists like Team Training, Team Skirmish, and Rumble Pit, but it's random if you'll get it or not.

  • 06.25.2007 12:58 PM PDT
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Location: Outlaws' Summit.

Posted by: Zugzw4ng

1. What's the deal with maps, do I have to purchase (or wait til early july when they are free) Desolation and that other map to be able to play rumble pit, snipes, swat? Because most ranked gametypes keep saying I don't have the necessary maps, so right not I'm mostly playing team hardcore or BTB.


If you can hold out 9 more days, they'll be free on July 4th...

2. I assume you can't create your own "custom games" like MLG, Swat, Snipes, that would count as ranked, the only way you can do this is with friends, and those games are not ranked? The matchmaking makes the ranked game for you randomly, right?

Correct. Customs are for your own games with your rules. Match Making is random, but you'll have a good idea of what kind of game you'll play based on the playlist. If you play Slayer, you'll get slayer games. Skirmish results in skirmish games. Then it's randomly decided what specific game you'll get from there.

3. So if the above is true, that means you can't join someone else's custom game (again other than a friend's which is unraked) which would count toward rankings?

Yeah joining custom games don't count toward your rank.

4. What's the deal with Team Hardcore? If you're playing let's say CTF or KOTH and your team is horrible and some of them quit, do you still have to play the game until the end, even though it's basically impossible for you to win and your level could drop because of this? If that's so then that is pretty messed up...

Your level will drop regardless of whether or not you quit, if you lose. However, if you don't want to sit there and get killed over and over, then go ahead and quit if it's just you left on the team. This applies to any ranked playlist, not just hardcore.

5. Can your friends join a ranked game with you and be on your team in ranked team battles?

As long as you have the party set. But if a ranked game is already in progress, you can't join. But, you can leave ranked games by quitting, though no one likes quitters.

6. Do you always start Rumble Pit and most of the other ranked games with the BR?

Nope. Hardcore and Swat are the only BR start lists right now. Everything else will be either SMG or BR.

7. Is there any type of match where the game is always 07 MLG (Br as starting wep with only rifles on map)? or can you put in some settings you would like the game to find and have matchmaking automatically match you with those settings (i.e.: the map you'd like to play, starting weps etc.)?

Nah, there isn't an MLG list, so you'll have to do customs if you want pure MLG '07 Rules. You can't restrict match making to your preferred maps either.

8. Is there any way you can keep the same party after a Team Hardcore game, for another Team Hardcore game (or any other team games for that matter)?

Definitely. Your party goes with you from game to game. They don't even have to be on your friends list, you can send invites to the people you just played with, and they'll stay in your party until they leave.

9. I assume there's no place to discuss with other people about making certain games (ones you don't have on your f list) and challenging/inviting them to your game (excluding the pre-game and post-game of another game you played, of course)?

On Bungie.net, not really. You can try the classifieds, but that's not a discussion forum- it's just for advertising your game. You can try New Mombasa, but I don't know how much of a mature crowd you'll get.

You should try Halo3forum or MLGpro.com for mature debates on gametypes and whatnot. You won't get flamed there (as much as you do here.) But you're more than welcome to give Bungie.net a shot, it's your call.

10. Are there such game types like TOP, 1v1, Juggernaut, Oddball that matchmaking automatically generates for you (ranked or unraked)?

Tower of Power used to be in Team Carnage, but both were taken out. Oddball is played in everything but slayer. 1v1 in Match Making has been removed, and I don't think Juggernaut is in Halo 2 match making.

  • 06.25.2007 1:01 PM PDT
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Ty, your replies have been very helpful. I see that XBL is very "balanced" compared to what I play (MLG, Sway, Snipers most of the time). Only thing I hate is when people quit but then again, like both of you said, nothing much can be done about this, other than entering with your own party.

  • 06.25.2007 1:22 PM PDT