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Subject: Staples of a Halo 2 LAN Party - Or, gametypes for those who like a ...
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HALO 2 LAN PARTY STAPLES

I don't know about you, but XBOX Live wasn't always my prefered way to play Halo 2 multiplayer. In fact, it still isn't. Something about the good old LAN party is just so appealing, even in this modern-day internet-saturated gaming society we have. I always call up some buddies whenever I'm on a break from college and get a nice LAN going somewhere around town - its a great way to catch up with people, play with some buddies of mine, and break out some of the gametypes that the mainstream Halo population has passed by.

These are some of the gametypes that we always make sure to play at these get-togethers - I'm sharing them here in case anyone is looking for a good suggestion for a LAN party or even a XBL Custom game sometime. If you all want to tell me to buzz off and that these gametypes are "zomgz so old", then go right ahead. But if you like the off-the-beaten-path gametypes, are familiar with some of these that I have posted, or have any other cool suggestions, then post in here! If this idea takes off I'll post a few more ideas in here - but here's three of my personal, non-typical favorites to start! Enjoy!

Capture the Flag - Colossus

SETTINGS -
Multi-Flag CTF (Classic) Preset
Make no changes!

Recommended players - 6

Colossus is a map that many do not like. The boring geometry, the sporadic weapon placement, that god-awful mancannon - this map causes groans all around when it comes up in Matchmaking. However, get a good game set up at a LAN party, and you may very well find yourself in the most exhilarating game of Halo that you have ever played.

From personal experience, this works best as a 3v3 game. (Perhaps four players a team would work as well, I have never personally tried that though.) The fact that the weapon selection on this map is fairly paltry only ADDS to the strategy needed by your 3 man team. For example, the beam rifle becomes key. Shotguns are a must for defense, and BRs/carbines are invaluable tools. Since the default spawn weapon is an SMG, and not the now-typical BR, you enter the game after each respawn with not a whole lot to protect yourself.

The best part about 3v3 CTF on Colossus is that teamwork comes WAY before individual skill. The first time I played this at a LAN, it was as a joke, as myself and two other pretty good players were playing against 3 not-so-great players. However, their amazing tactics made the game a stalemate at 2-2 until we were finally able to break through and capture the win. Do you keep one guys or two on defense? When do you throw down an all-out rush on the other team's base? Since respawn times are long and most power weapons are ONLY at each base, assaulting a base is very difficult to do. Touch returns on the flag ensure that only the most flawlessly executed plans will work by a team.

In the days of BR spawns and incessant CTF matches on Sanctuary, this is a good break from the norm, and a real exercise in teamwork. Winning a round of 3v3 CTF Collosus is probably the only time I had a real feeling of accomplishment in a videogame, and if you are able to find 2 teams who are fairly evenly matched, expect a long, tense, and outrageously fun game.

WRAP UP

Pros
- Teamwork to the max
- A break from the normal CTF matches that everyone plays

Cons
- Can take quite a while to finish a game sometimes
- Hopefully you have more than 6 people at a LAN - some will have to sit out a round

FFA Rockets - Foundation

SETTINGS -
Free For All slayer
CHANGES -
*No shields*
*Extra damage*
Primary weapon - Rocket
Secondary weapon - none
Weapons on map - Rockets
Starting grenades - yes
Grenades on map - yes
Kills to win - at least 100

Recommended players - at least 6

This is a twist on the typical Rockets gametype, which is fun in its own right. This, however, is probably the craziest, most action packed FFA gametype you can conjure up for a LAN. Pretty much, anything kills you. The splash damage from the Rocket Launcher is drastically increased with the extra damage on, and you have no shields whatsoever. Plenty of nades keeps the party moving along as well. This gametype typically results in a lot of yelling and laughing, and I'd imagine it'd be quite fun to play whilst drinking some beers (for those of age). Not too much to say about this one - the more players, the better it is, and make sure to jack up the kill count to at least 100 if you have more than 6 people - the game moves quite fast!

WRAP UP

Pros
- Adrenaline rush
- A mindless action gametype, a good break from complicated skirmish games

Cons
- May result in objects in vicinity being broken - this gets pretty exciting, haha

  • 07.23.2007 11:08 PM PDT
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Team Crazy King - Lockout

SETTINGS -
Team Crazy King Preset
CHANGES -
Time to win - 5 minutes
Contested hill - OFF
Hill Moves - every minute
Starting weapons - SMG or BR
Team damage - off
DO NOT enable extra time for more people in the hill on one team at the same time

Recommended players - 6-10

This is a pretty intense gametype, and falls under the same category as FFA Rockets as a mindless action game. However, there is an element of team play in here, which ensures that you won't be too bored. The moving hill ensures that one team is never out of the fight. Really, the game is all about nade tossing and ridiculous amounts of double/triple kills. It is a welcome break from the "zamwg control the power weapons" mentality of a lot of team based games, as having the sword here is more of a handicap than a boost, IMO.

This gametype also works well on Gemini. Adding a Fiesta element (random weapon spawns) is fun as well, and if you feel like getting lots of killtaculars and so on, make it a FFA for even more carnage. This is a gametype that we like to play at LEAST twice a LAN party, and the only bad thing about it is that the limit is 5 minutes, and can't be pushed even higher...

WRAP UP

Pros
- Good balance between mindless action and strategy
- A great way to get tons of kills/feel good about yourself
- Gives the losing team a chance, with the hill moving

Cons
- Some people get bored after a little bit
- Very much unlike "typical" gametypes, can get a bit "nooby"

  • 07.23.2007 11:09 PM PDT

RIP Halo 2.

Good LAN games:
MLG TS
MLG FFA
MLG Flag

  • 07.23.2007 11:13 PM PDT
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Posted by: IIDWells55XII
Good LAN games:
MLG TS
MLG FFA
MLG Flag


claps.

  • 07.23.2007 11:26 PM PDT
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There was a pretty nice mix of gameplay in this Multi-Flag match on foundation I played a while back. 2-4 people a team, at least 3 teams. I know you started off with a random weapon, and then a set one but I forgot which one the set one was. Fiesta would probably work just as well though. There were some other crucial gametype elements that I forgot, but they're probably on my old regular xbox.

Yea it's still there. No motion sensor, flag per team, flag touch return off, flag at home to score is off, but it might work better on. Starting weapons were just map default and random. everything else pretty much unchanged. Pretty sweet games, it's too bad all the interesting types never come up anymore.

[Edited on 07.24.2007 7:53 AM PDT]

  • 07.24.2007 7:47 AM PDT
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Another few gametypes I made up, haven't ever really played them.

Flag of the Gods - Neutral flag, random primary and secondary weapon starts, picking up flag gives you camo, damage resistance, extra damage, vehicle use, and slow with flag is off. flag indicator always on, flag reset time 5 secs. I was thinking of Colossus when I made this, but its neutral flag, so anything would work. Either Teams or FFA. Also made same style for KOTH and Assault.

One a friend made which ended up being pretty fun actually. Forgot the actual name but "Sneaky Bastard" works fine for now. Everyone has camo, no motion sensor, and no shield. Primary starting weapon is shotty, secondary is magnum. Grenades..not really sure, either way's fine. Doesn't sound like much but it ends up being a totally different style of game.



[Edited on 07.24.2007 8:06 AM PDT]

  • 07.24.2007 8:04 AM PDT
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That Sneaky Bastard game sounds like it'd be fun on Backwash - too bad that'd never work with a 360 of course. As far as CTF with more than 2 teams, is that even fun? I would think that everyone would be picking on the weakest team.

  • 07.24.2007 9:54 AM PDT