Community

Fiction

As part of our <a href="https://www.aka.ms/AudiobookClubGiveaway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">audiobook giveaway series</a> with Simon & Schuster, we’re inviting Halo fans to join a community book club in our <a href="https://discord.gg/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official Discord server</a>, where we’ll focus on a new novel from the Halo canon each month. Join the #audio-book-club channel to listen along!



This month’s book club title is Halo: New Blood, a tale that covers the lengthy service record of ODST-turned-Spartan Edward Buck as he recounts some of the most important moments in his life. Join Buck, Veronica Dare, and the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers of squad Alpha-Nine as a conflict with the United Rebel Front pushes their friendships to the breaking point.



Halo: New Blood is written by Matt Forbeck, a New York Times bestselling author and game designer. The audiobook edition is narrated by acclaimed actor and writer Scott Brick.



Listen to an exclusive excerpt from the audiobook edition below:



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="New Blood | Audiobook Preview | Available Now from Simon & Schuster" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wJOSg0qyjNU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<a href="https://bit.ly/44NldoH" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purchase your copy of Halo: New Blood from Simon & Schuster.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLOT PREVIEW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2400" height="2400" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood.jpg" alt="Halo: New Blood cover. Text: "The New York Times bestelling series based on the blockbuster Xbox games! MATT FORBECK. Read by Scott Brick."" class="wp-image-146122" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood.jpg 2400w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/New-Blood-1568x1568.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" /></figure>



Spartan Edward Buck recounts his extensive military career, starting in the latter years of the Covenant War and detailing the fraught political tensions that followed as Buck’s homeworld, Draco III, comes under attack by a human rebel group.



Along the way, Buck tells the story of his troubled romance with Veronica Dare, explores his journey to the SPARTAN-IV program, and relays the tragic events that led to the dissolution of the Alpha-Nine ODST squad.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CHARACTER GUIDE</h2>



Learn more about the events of Halo: New Blood with these brief character bios.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Buck.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-146066" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Buck.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Buck-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Buck-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Buck-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Edward “Eddy” Buck</h3>



Former UNSC marine, erstwhile ODST gunnery sergeant, and reluctant SPARTAN-IV.



Buck hails from Draco III, a human colony devastated by Covenant invasion shortly after the <a href="https://aka.ms/AudiobookClubJune">attack on Harvest</a>. Upon learning of his family’s massacre and the destruction of the tight-knit, maritime community he’d known in Karnak, Buck enlisted in the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, where he soon became the leader of Alpha-Nine squad.



He is later inducted into the SPARTAN-IV program by Jun-A266 after suffering a loss.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Dare.jpg" alt="Veronica Dare" class="wp-image-146080" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Dare.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Dare-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Dare-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Dare-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Veronica Dare</h3>



As an agent of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the strictly “need-to-know” basis of Veronica Dare’s work has put understandable strain on her romance with Eddy Buck. Dare acts as ONI’s mission liaison during the events on Talitsa, tasking the Spartans in Buck’s command to save Vergil and Sadie from their Insurrectionist captors.



Halo: New Blood recounts their troubled first meeting on a furlough near Saturn, their fiery reunion during the Battle of New Mombasa, and a series of uncertain rendezvous as they try to maintain a relationship within the confines of their separate military careers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Palmer.jpg" alt="Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer" class="wp-image-146108" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Palmer.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Palmer-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Palmer-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Palmer-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sarah Palmer</h3>



Long before she signed up for the SPARTAN-IV program, Sarah Palmer served as an ODST, distinguishing herself as a ruthless frontlines combatant. She first met Buck during a failed mission to defend a UNSC munitions factory from the Covenant. When her position was overrun, Buck disobeyed Dare’s orders to mount a foolhardy rescue—but the rest of Palmer’s squad had already been eliminated.



Their fateful second meeting occurs on Draco III years later, after Palmer had become a Spartan-IV.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Jun.jpg" alt="Jun-A266" class="wp-image-146094" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Jun.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Jun-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Jun-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Jun-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jun-A266</h3>



A Spartan-III of Alpha Company and the only member of Noble Team to survive the fall of Reach. In the aftermath of the Covenant War, Jun served as an advisor and recruiter for the burgeoning SPARTAN-IV program, an initiative that used revolutionary technological advancements to turn adult volunteers into super-soldiers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/AlphaNine.jpg" alt="Alpha-Nine" class="wp-image-146052" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/AlphaNine.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/AlphaNine-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/AlphaNine-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/AlphaNine-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kojo Agu (“Romeo”)</h3>



Ace sniper, former ODST, and current Spartan-IV. After suffering critical wounds during the Battle of New Mombasa, Buck worked tirelessly to save Romeo’s life, thereby earning his unwavering loyalty, even in the face of a changing wartime political landscape.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jonathan Doherty (“The Rookie”)</h3>



The youngest member of Alpha-Nine and the nameless protagonist of Halo 3: ODST. Though relatively inexperienced, the Rookie proved himself during the Covenant occupation of New Mombasa and became a highly valued member of Alpha-Nine in the years to come. On Draco III, he takes part in a mission that forever alters the trajectory of the squad’s lives and careers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Taylor Miles (“Dutch”)</h3>



A hardened ODST and a God-fearing man, despite all his time in hell. After witnessing the glassing of Earth firsthand, Dutch grew beleaguered by war against human separatists. The ONI-led operation on Draco III ultimately tests his resolve more than any other mission.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Michael Crespo (“Mickey”)</h3>



Demolitions expert and former ODST. As the UNSC turns its attention to insurrectionists in the wake of the Covenant War’s end, Mickey joins the SPARTAN-IV program seeking a more noble appointment. Soon the reignited flames of civil war and a traumatic event lead him to question his personal loyalties.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quick to Adjust (“Vergil”)</h3>



A Huragok who defected from the Covenant. Known to humanity as “Vergil” (after the Superintendent AI whose data he assimilated in New Mombasa), he is best known for providing valuable intel on the Covenant’s quarry during the Battle of Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sadie Endesha</h3>



Vergil’s companion and assigned handler. As a child, her father programmed the “Vergil” subroutine of New Mombasa’s Superintendent AI to watch over her. Sadie later helped rescue the Huragok Quick to Adjust, who inherited the absorbed AI’s affinity for Sadie, leading them to become inseparable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GAME CONNECTIONS</h2>



Halo: New Blood connects several plot threads from the Halo universe.



Told in the style of a memoir, Buck’s recollections form a time-hopping narrative that bridges the gap between Halo 3 and Halo 4, in the years when the Master Chief had been declared MIA (still adrift on the wreckage of the UNSC Forward Unto Dawn), and explores the troubled “peace” that followed the end of the Human-Covenant War.



Buck revisits Alpha-Nine’s pivotal rescue of Vergil, as experienced in Halo 3: ODST, and outlines the personal tragedies that culminated in his desire to move away from leadership and reassignment to Fireteam Osiris (a story that continues in Halo 5: Guardians).



Along the way, we are reunited with Jun-A266, the last surviving member of Noble Team (the tragic Spartan heroes of Halo: Reach), who now recruits candidates for the SPARTAN-IV program. We also encounter Sarah Palmer in her early years as an ODST, well before she attains the rank of Spartan Commander aboard the UNSC Infinity in Halo 4.



To learn more about the Halo novels, visit our <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/official-halo-book-guide">Official Halo Book Guide</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</h2>



Matt Forbeck is a New York Times bestselling author with over thirty-five novels and the designer of countless published games. His projects have won a Peabody Award, a Scribe Award, and numerous ENNIE and Origins Awards. He is also the president of the Diana Jones Award Foundation, which celebrates excellence in gaming.



Matt continues Buck’s story in <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Bad-Blood/Matt-Forbeck/Halo/9781508244790">Halo: Bad Blood</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABOUT THE READER</h2>



Actor, writer, and award-winning audiobook narrator Scott Brick has narrated almost 900 audiobooks, including over a dozen Halo-universe titles. To date, his narrations have earned him over 65 Earphones Awards, five Audie Awards, five SOVAS Awards for voiceover, and a Grammy nomination for the multi-cast recording of The Mark of Zorro (2011). Scott reads Halo: New Blood and its sequel, Halo: Bad Blood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY</h2>



Enter to win an audiobook copy of a new book-club title each month now through October! To participate, react to the Halo: New Blood post in the #giveaways channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo">official Halo Discord server</a> before August 8.



Stay tuned to <a href="https://www.x.com/halo">@Halo on X</a> later this month for more ways to win! <a href="https://www.aka.ms/AudiobookClubGiveaway">See full contest rules and entry directions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JOIN THE BOOK CLUB</h2>



Listen to a new Halo title every month in our Discord book club! To participate, simply join the #audio-book-club channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo">official Halo Discord server</a>, where we’ll select a new title from the Halo universe to discuss each month now through October.



Share your favorite moments and engage in discussion topics for a chance to find your words featured in an upcoming Halo Waypoint post! At the end of the month, we’ll host a special Spartan Chatter episode on Discord to discuss the audiobook and answer questions from the Halo community.



<a href="https://bit.ly/44NldoH">Purchase your copy of Halo: New Blood from Simon & Schuster.</a>

Mutinous Core

Audiobook Club: New Blood

Games

Fall Update 2025 | Halo Infinite

Esports

Welcome back!



In this blog series, we’re posting new HaloWC 2025 updates every month, and can you believe we’re already just about through July and almost into August?! HaloWC will be here before we know it! For those who missed the first three, links are below for you to catch up on:



<ul>
<li>April: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-april">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-april</a></li>



<li>May: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-may">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-may</a></li>



<li>June: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-june">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-june</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING UPDATE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-74230" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Crowd.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As always, we’re going to start with a ticketing update for HaloWC. If you remember back in April, we announced that we’re going to be selling about 1/3 more tickets than we have in the past. Well today I’m delighted to announce that we’ve already sold more tickets than HaloWC 2024 and are over 70% sold out for the whole event. We are really excited about this because it means more of the Halo community will be under the same roof together than ever before for HaloWC.



And, <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-infinite-hcs-update">in case you missed it</a>, this year’s HaloWC will be even more special as it will be the last Official HCS Competition for Halo Infinite. After having transitioned from H2A and then from Halo 5, we know that the final event always means something a little more not only for the competitors but also for the fans who have built shared memories together over the years. This is an important part of Halo history, and we’d love for you to be part of it in person here in Seattle where we can all celebrate this amazing game and community together.



Tickets: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halo-world-championship-2025-tickets-1388344669279?aff=oddtdtcreator">Halo World Championship 2025 Tickets, Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SPECIAL GUESTS</h2>



This year we’re excited to welcome back Steve Downes and Jen Taylor, the voices of the Master Chief and Cortana. Halo events are always more special with these two in attendance and we’re very thankful to have them joining us once again for HaloWC.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-1024x576.png" alt="Steve Downes and Jen Taylor at the Halo World Championship 2022" class="wp-image-74244" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/07/HaloWC-Featured-Steve-Needler.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Steve and Jen will only be in attendance Friday and Saturday of the event where they’ll be participating in fun panels on the Community Stage, signing sessions for all fans, as well as VIP-exclusive photo opportunities. We’ll be sharing their detailed schedule closer to the event date.



Thank you once again Steve and Jen, we can’t wait to see here in Seattle!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PARTNERED TEAM BOOTHS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-145744" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3-1568x1046.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/DD-HCS-KC-MAJOR-042922-091-1-X3.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Last month we confirmed that both Spacestation and Shopify were going to have a booth at HaloWC, and this month we’re excited to confirm that Cloud9 will be representing in full force. The team at Cloud9 are eager to represent at HaloWC and are in the kitchen cooking up a great experience for fans in attendance. Keep a close eye on their <a href="https://x.com/Cloud9" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/Cloud9">channels</a> to see what they’re going to be bringing to the table!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h2>



To everyone competing this weekend at the HCS Major Salt Lake City this weekend, we wish you the best of luck. To see the latest, head to the official event page: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major</a>. 



We’ve got only two more majors on our road to the final HaloWC for Halo Infinite – may the best team win and we’ll see you in the arena!



Thanks,



Tashi

Tashi

Road to HaloWC 2025 – July

When HCS first started in 2014 we were competing on Halo 2: Anniversary which delivered our first season champions in Evil Geniuses along with so many historic moments. Just a year later, we moved onto Halo 5: Guardians which ushered in a new era of competition as well as the Halo World Championship format. And in 2021, the Halo Infinite launch brought Halo esports into a new echelon.



Over the next few months, the HCS will host the 2 planned Majors as well as the almost sold out and highly anticipated Halo World Championship on October 24-26. Once a world champion is crowned in October, the HCS will be retiring Halo Infinite from Official HCS Competition. This means we will still support Halo Infinite and the tournament scene in 2026, but HCS will be moving on from Halo Infinite for official competition following this year’s Halo World Championship.  



As the studio continues to shift more and more towards the next era of Halo, we feel this is the right time for Official HCS Competition to move on from Halo Infinite. Year 4 will be the final Official HCS events for Halo Infinite, and now’s your last chance to be part of this momentous chapter of Halo esports history.



In 2021 we launched with a Ranked playlist and tournament maps and modes, as well as observer mode, and partnered team cosmetics – all on Day 1. And that week we announced the full year roadmap with all LAN and online event dates and locations for all regions, with the first tournaments kicking off just 3 days after launch.



We put our all into it – and you all showed up.



To all the players, the fans, staff, and the partners that believed in Halo Infinite and kept supporting the game and HCS, we are deeply grateful for what has been a very special period in Halo’s rich 24-year franchise history.



HCS events have become an important gathering place for the whole community, as well as our studio and developers. You’ve made it all a place where no matter why you love Halo, you can feel at home and you’ve welcomed new Halo fans to HCS who maybe never followed competitive Halo in the past. For the studio, these experiences and lessons with you all have shaped us and the games, now and into the future.



And, now, we’re just a few months away from closing out the 4th year for Halo Infinite – the longest a single Halo esports title has held major competition. And after all this time, players continue to wow us and put on a show for the entire community, and the level of competition continues to rise. We’ve got a few more Major events and of course HaloWC 2025 where we will crown a final champion for Halo Infinite and celebrate the franchise we all love. At HaloWC we will also be crowning the MVP for Year 4, as well as the MVP for Halo Infinite’s entire HCS duration starting from 2021.



HCS Major Salt Lake City hosted by Spacestation Gaming – <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major</a>



HCS Major Charlotte hosted by FaZe – <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs-tickets#major3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs-tickets#major3</a>



Halo World Championship 2025 – <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc2025</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT’S NEXT</h2>



Looking forward to 2026, while the studio is fully focused on the future of Halo, you can expect there to still be more online and on LAN competition for Halo Infinite. We will be supporting events with prizing and player travel, and even Halo 5 and MCC as we’ve done consistently via side events. We know the competitive Halo community just loves to play and compete, so we will still offer some light competition. And let’s not forget that 2026 is Halo’s 25th anniversary and we plan to celebrate the occasion in style with the whole community. Stay tuned to HaloWC this year where we’ll share the initial details of what’s to come.



So, when will Official HCS competition return for a new title? While we look forward to the day, it will not be in 2026. As always, we will keep the community up to date with the latest and expect another update from us on that front at some point late next year.



On behalf of the HCS team and the whole studio, thank you. We hope you’ll join us for these few historic months of Halo Infinite HCS competition!

Halo Infinite Esports Update

Community Spotlight

Spotlight: July 23, 2025

Forge Features

Community Cartography 037

Forge Features: July 16, 2025 

Click here to register for the next HCS tournament in your region.

HCS Points Leaderboards

Click here for full HCS points player leaderboards

NA Champions

NA Results

EU Champions

EU Results

MX Champions

MX Results

ANZ Champions

ANZ Results

The road to Salt Lake City is complete!



GGs to everyone who competed and congratulations to all teams who stamped their tickets to the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HCS SLC Major 2025</a> hosted by <a href="http://x.com/spacestation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spacestation</a>!



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONTENTS</h1>



<ul>
<li><a href="#next">Up Next</a></li>



<li><a href="#leaderboards">Leaderboards</a></li>



<li><a href="#na">NA Results</a></li>



<li><a href="#eu">EU Results</a></li>



<li><a href="#mx">MX Results</a></li>



<li><a href="#anz">ANZ Results</a></li>
</ul>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="next">UP NEXT: ROAD TO CHARLOTTE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-1024x576.png" alt="HCS Open Series: Road to Charlotte" class="wp-image-145425" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/CLT25-Open-Series-VISID.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>North America Starts @ 12p ET August 16-17: Open #1 August 23-24: Open #2 August 30-31: Open #3 September 6-7: Pool Play Qualifier</td><td>Europe Starts @ 12p BST August 17: Open #1 August 24: Open #2 August 31: Open #3 September 7: Pool Play Qualifier</td><td>Mexico Starts @ 12p CT August 17: Open #1 August 24: Open #2 August 31: Open #3 September 7: Open Bracket Qualifier</td><td>Australia / New Zealand Starts @ 12p AEST August 17: Open #1 August 24: Open #2 August 31: Open #3 September 7: Open Bracket Qualifier</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>





<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="leaderboards">Leaderboards</h1>



Regional Leaderboards following the HCS Open Series: Road to Salt Lake City.







<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="na">NA Results</h1>



<a href="http://x.com/complexity">Complexity</a> clinches the #5 seed heading into the Salt Lake City Major!





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Champions Team: Complexity – Cherished – King Nick – Mental – RyaNoob</td><td>Week #3: Champions Team: OpTic Gaming – Bound – Formal – Lqgend – Renegade</td><td>Week #2: Champions Team: 007 – Bound – Cykul – Last Shot – Lqgend</td><td>Week #1: Champions Team: 007 – Cykul – Frosty – Kuhlect – Lqgend</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/SLC25-na-qual" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/lvthalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LVTHalo</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKVzJoUZVoA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Qualifier / Day 1</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llyt0BGu5xM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Qualifier / Day 2</a></td><td>Week #3: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/SLC25-na-os3" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/lvthalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LVTHalo</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5_ty3NSO88" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #3 / Day 1</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSNOknfyOdM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #3 / Day 2</a></td><td>Week #2: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/SLC25-na-os2" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/lvthalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LVTHalo</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=089yL89mPwU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #2 / Day 1</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IsbEJS1Xvo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #2 / Day 2</a></td><td>Week #1: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/SLC25-na-os1" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/lvthalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LVTHalo</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/kHkAeK2_7Uw?si=gBJj9kBp4LmMe6d1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #1 / Day</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQm87HAihM0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/kHkAeK2_7Uw?si=gBJj9kBp4LmMe6d1&t=4493" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJRFqF3KClo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NA Open #1 / Day 2</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="eu">EU Results</h1>



The #7 seed goes to <a href="http://x.com/nmss_gg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Team Nemesis</a>!





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Champions Team: Team Nemesis – Glory – SLG – Snipedrone – Wutum</td><td>Week #3: Champions Team: Team Nemesis – Glory – SLG – Snipedrone – Wutum</td><td>Week #2: Champions Team: Team Nemesis – Glory – SLG – Snipedrone – Wutum</td><td>Week #1: Champions Team: Zero Tenacity – Bastoss – Mighty – Sica – Tchik</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-eu-qual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/eurohaloleague" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EuroHaloLeague</a> – <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2511283467" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Qualifier</a></td><td>Week #3: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-eu-os3" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/eurohaloleague" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EuroHaloLeague</a> – <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2499030690" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Open #3</a></td><td>Week #2: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-eu-os2" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/eurohaloleague" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EuroHaloLeague</a> – <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2492826325" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Open #2</a></td><td>Week #1: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-eu-os1" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a> Tournament VOD by <a href="http://twitter.com/eurohaloleague" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EuroHaloLeague</a> – <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2480410234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EU Open #1</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="mx">MX Results</h1>



<a href="https://x.com/ETHRGaming" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETHR Gaming</a> will represent Mexico in SLC as they battle through the Open Bracket!





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Champions Team: ETHR Gaming – Acid – Drift – Tapping Buttons – Noblc</td><td>Week #3: Champions Team: ETHR Gaming – Acid – Drift – Tapping Buttons – Noblc</td><td>Week #2: Champions Team: ETHR Gaming – Acid – Drift – Tapping Buttons – Noblc</td><td>Week #1: Champions Team: ETHR Gaming – Acid – Drift – Tapping Buttons – Leuor</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-mx-qual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #3: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-mx-os3" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #2: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-mx-os2" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #1: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-mx-os1" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="anz">ANZ Results</h1>



Australia’s finest, <a href="https://x.com/Mindfreak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mindfreak</a>, are ready to take on the SLC Open Bracket!





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Champions Team: Mindfreak – Wryce – Swayz – Scoobmeistr – Barcode</td><td>Week #3: Champions Team: Mindfreak – Wryce – Swayz – Scoobmeistr – Barcode</td><td>Week #2: Champions Team: Mindfreak – Wryce – Swayz – Scoobmeistr – Plasma</td><td>Week #1: Champions Team: Mindfreak – Wryce – Swayz – Plasma – Pipz</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>





<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>SLC Qualifier: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-anz-qual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #3: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-anz-os3" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #2: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-anz-os2" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td><td>Week #1: Results <a href="http://aka.ms/slc25-anz-os1" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/os1-eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full Bracket</a></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Official HCS

HCS Open Series: Road to Salt Lake City (2025)

Halo Studios

Halo: Moonrise Over Mombasa

Play Halo Infinite now through August 5.

Operation: Reclaimer Out Now

The time has come – S&D Extraction has arrived in Halo Infinite and we’re going to breakdown what you can expect. Let’s jump right in.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="NEW Halo game mode: S&D Extraction - Play Now!" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oCQZwSkYTPk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT IS S&D EXTRACTION?</h1>



For the uninitiated, S&D Extraction (Seek and Deploy) is an all-new mode based on the classic tactical FPS genre.  



Here’s how it works:



<ul>
<li>Sandbox: All of your movement capabilities, shield health, weapon damage / traits are all the same and what you would expect out of Halo Infinite.</li>



<li>Round based: The mode is a Best of 11 rounds, where the first to win 6 rounds will claim victory in the match.</li>



<li>Extraction: In other tactical games players carry a bomb – well, in S&D Extraction there is no bomb, and instead you go to either A or B sites to plant the Extraction device. This means that anyone can plant on Offense and you don’t need to worry about who carries the bomb. </li>



<li>One sided: Each team will take turns on Offense and Defense. On Offense, your job is to plant the Extraction device and either eliminate everyone on Defense or successfully extract the device. On Defense, you have to stop the enemy team from planting either by wiping them out, stopping them from planting within the 90 second round, or “defusing” the Extraction device after it’s been planted. </li>



<li>Economy: Based on individual and team performance, each player will earn points that they can spend next round.  The more kills, assists, and round wins you get – the more points you get. </li>



<li>Custom Loadouts: While each player starts with Bandit Evo, you’ll have a chance at the beginning of each round to upgrade your loadout with the points you’ve earned including weapons, grenades, and equipment. Do you spend each round, or do you save your points for the big spend? Each round your items get reset, so only buy something if you know you’re going to use it. </li>



<li>Buy Back: Players with enough points can buy back into a round after they’ve died to provide reinforcements to the team in times of need. It’s expensive though so decide wisely and once you buy back, you’ll just have your Bandit Evo and won’t be able to buy anything else.</li>
</ul>



The entire mode was scripted in Forge, and Halo Studios hired none other than <a href="http://x.com/ArtificesLab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artifice</a> to make this design and vision come to life. Thank you, Artifice, for your hard work and masterful skill scripting in Forge.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-1024x576.png" alt="Spartan planting the Extraction device in S&D Extraction" class="wp-image-130172" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/02/Screenshot-1.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">PLAYLISTS</h1>



S&D Extraction will launch with two playlists:



<ul>
<li>Ranked </li>



<li>Social /Unranked</li>
</ul>



The Unranked playlist will be available for a limited time, and the Ranked playlist will become part of the monthly rotationals.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">MAPS</h1>



The S&D Extraction playlists will launch with (6) total maps made exclusively for this mode.



For the first map titled Hangar 18, Halo Studios hired <a href="https://x.com/MikRips" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mikrips</a> from the community to design and art this amazing map. Thank you Mikrips for your work on this map and for your close partnership in designing and fine tuning this map from beginning to end.  



The remaining 5 maps were chosen from the finalists from the <a href="https://www.forgehub.com/events/contests/12631" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forgehub S&D Extraction contest</a> earlier this year. We want to thank the entire <a href="http://x.com/forgehub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forgehub</a> staff for running this competition, and of course matching our prize pool contributions. And thank you to the over 50 Forgers that submitted their maps into the contest after working so hard to complete their maps in time for the tight deadline. Thank you!  



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HANGAR 18 by MikRips</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-1024x576.jpg" alt="Hangar 18 by MikRips" class="wp-image-143259" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hangar-18_2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABRASION by ExtraDot</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Abrasion-1024x576.jpg" alt="Abrasion by ExtraDot" class="wp-image-143217" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Abrasion-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Abrasion-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Abrasion-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Abrasion.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOLLOWED by Zaddy Hammer</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hollowed-1024x576.jpg" alt="HOLLOWED by Zaddy Hammer" class="wp-image-143203" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hollowed-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hollowed-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hollowed-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Hollowed.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FRACTURE by SilencerEU, UnknownEmerald, KatRatATat, Squally DaBeanz</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Fracture-1024x576.jpg" alt="FRACTURE by SilencerEU, UnknownEmerald, KatRatATat, Squally DaBeanz" class="wp-image-143189" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Fracture-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Fracture-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Fracture-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Fracture.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ELLIPSE by mysh0tisntsik</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ellipse-1024x576.jpg" alt="ELLIPSE by mysh0tisntsik" class="wp-image-143175" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ellipse-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ellipse-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ellipse-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ellipse.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ASHORE by ADSR</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ashore-1024x576.jpg" alt="ASHORE by ADSR" class="wp-image-143231" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ashore-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ashore-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ashore-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/07/Ashore.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>





<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



When we set out to make this mode, we wanted to make something new, competitive, and fun that Halo’s never had before. So while this won’t be featured on the mainstage in HCS, we hope that players have a blast and we can’t wait to see all the epic moments that come out of it! 



Enjoy! 



Thanks, 



Tashi

Halo Infinite: S&D Extraction (Seek and Deploy)