Esports

Official HCS

HCS Charlotte Major 2025 (October 3-5) Buy Tickets Now!

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

Click here to create an account on FACEIT.

Click here for the full HCS Points Leaderboards.

Click here to buy tickets to the HCS Charlotte Major 2025

Click here to see the HCS 2025 Code of Conduct

The race to the HCS Charlotte Major kicks off this weekend!



The HCS Open Series returns as players in all regions battle it out in weekly tournaments for their chance to compete live in Charlotte NC on October 3-5.



Have what it takes to claim glory?



<ul>
<li>Register for free & Compete for Cash.</li>



<li>Climb the HCS Leaderboards.</li>



<li>Qualify for LAN.</li>
</ul>



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



<ul>
<li><a href="#dates">Tournament Dates</a></li>



<li><a href="#qualify">Major Qualification</a></li>



<li><a href="#compete">How to Compete</a></li>
</ul>



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



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="dates">Road to Charlotte – Tournament Dates</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>





<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="qualify">Charlotte Major Qualifiers</h2>



Following the HCS Open Series, teams from all regions will battle it out in their respective Charlotte Major Qualifiers for Pool Play seeds and/or Travel Coverage to compete in the Open Bracket!



<ul>
<li>Free to Enter</li>



<li>Double Elimination</li>



<li>NA/EU Prize: Pool Play Seeds, HCS Points, & Travel Coverage</li>



<li>MX/ANZ Prize: HCS Points & Travel Coverage</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">POOL PLAY QUALIFICATION</h3>



<ul>
<li>NA Charlotte Qualifier: Top 4</li>



<li>NA HCS Point Totals: Top 2 (After Qualifier)</li>



<li>EU Charlotte Qualifier: Top 1</li>



<li>EU HCS Point Totals: Top 1 (After Qualifier)</li>
</ul>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-1024x576.png" alt="OpTic Gaming's Renegade, celebrating after a map win." class="wp-image-139415" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/SLC25-OS-OpTic-Renegade-Popoff.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="compete">HOW TO COMPETE</h1>



Want to see how you stack up against players in your region? Follow the steps below and prove you have what it takes to claim glory!



STEP 1: Create FACEIT Account Official HCS tournaments take place over at FACEIT. You will need to create an account and link it with your Halo Gamertag.





STEP 2: Sign up for the next tournament. Assemble your squad and register for FREE in your region. Your teammates will also need FACEIT accounts to join your team!





STEP 3: Climb the HCS Points Leaderboard. Compete for Cash Prizes as you climb the HCS Points Leaderboards ahead of the LAN Qualifiers.





STEP 4: Qualify for LAN. Place well in the LAN Qualifiers or stack up enough HCS Points and secure Travel Coverage to compete live at the HCS Charlotte Major!





<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="handbook">Player Handbook & Code of Conduct</h2>







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HCS Open Series: Road to Charlotte – Compete Now!

Click here to purchase tickets to the HCS Charlotte Major

Click here to purchase a Team Pass for the HCS Charlotte Major

Click here to register for the HCS Open Series

Click here to view the Open Bracket results from the HCS Salt Lake City Major 2025

HCS SLC 2025 - Halo Infinite FFA

Shopify Rebellion are your HCS SLC 2025 Champions!

Community

Fiction

You are what you dare.



As part of the ongoing <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/audiobook-club">Audiobook Club in partnership with Simon & Schuster</a>, we joined up with Franchise writer Alex ‘Haruspis’ Wakeford and special guest Chloe Bear to reflect on the late Greg Bear’s novel, Halo: Cryptum.



<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="Spartan Chatter: Cryptum" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YvkBkzx0BGc?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>



If you want to explore the Forerunner origins, learn more about Bornstellar, Chakas, and discover the Didact, <a href="https://bit.ly/3FMiJND">grab your own copy of the audiobook today</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Looking Ahead</h2>



Next up is Matt Forbeck’s novella, Halo: New Blood.



While Spartans get all the glory, no soldier―not even the legendary Master Chief―wins a war on his own. Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck and his team of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) played a major role in saving Earth from all-out invasion at the end of the Covenant War―acts of bravery and ingenuity that did not go unnoticed by the United Nations Space Command.



Now, after many Spartans have been killed in battle and the Master Chief is listed as MIA, the UNSC decides to create a new generation of Spartans to defend humanity from threats both outside―and within. When they come to Buck with an extraordinary proposition, he is forced to make a life-altering decision. With the Covenant War finally over, is it time for him to retire to the sidelines for a life he could only dream about…or is he prepared to step up and become part of the military’s new blood?



We’ll see you at the end of the month for the next episode of Spartan Chatter!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS</h2>



Catch up on the community book club with great shouts from folks in our <a href="https://discord.gg/halo">official Discord server</a>!



<ul>
<li>Gamehero24: Excited to join! I’m going to go back to June to catch up so I can dive in on this next!</li>



<li>Attorney: Personally, Forerunners are the most fascinating aspect of Halo. Gives me vibes of how the European generations that grew up after the fall of the Western Roman Empire marveled at these structures and technologies that were far beyond their own capabilities and wondered about this advanced civilization which came before and built them.</li>



<li>Cydon505: This book, and entire trilogy by extension, are the best stories in the entire Halo franchise, hands down. I love the cosmic horror elements of this book and the inevitable tragedy of the Forerunners’ fate as the overwhelming forces of the Flood close in. I reread this trilogy probably about once a year it’s just so good.</li>



<li>DDog Dazamaan: Definitely found this book hard to get through on my first read; I wasn’t much of a reader, and generally had a difficult time wrapping my head around the concept of greater tech 100,000 years ago while the humans are almost cavemen-like. I’m enjoying it much more on this rereading, especially Riser!</li>



<li>Almond: I get so much more from the book now that time has passed to make more connections.</li>



<li>pins before posting: There is something so different about these books, a type of different alien wonder.</li>



<li>Aaron: I think this book improves on repeat reading. The first time I read it I found it quite challenging as it’s essentially a whole new universe to learn and doesn’t have the familiar qualities of previous Halo books. However, as I’ve become more familiar with the characters, species, and politics of that era, I’ve enjoyed revisiting this book. Also, I love the new artwork that’s been made for this month and last month’s audiobook previews! Definitely looking forward to more of them with the next book clubs.</li>



<li>Austin @ JumperScape: So glad we’re going over Cryptum. The Forerunner trilogy of books from Greg Bear are some of my favorite reads in the whole book series.</li>



<li>JimFrigginLahey: Honestly that was such a great read. I immediately picked up Primordium after I closed the last page of Cryptum. I’ve only read the first chapter but I’m excited to catch back up with Bornstellar…</li>



<li>GuyverTron: I love these Forerunner books so much. They have been called the “Dune of the Halo universe” for a reason. Every time I read them I pick up a detail I missed on previous reads. For instance, the end of chapter describes the remnants of where the Star Roads connected to the surface of this world.</li>



<li>faded_scope: Just finished this one and definitely going to need another few listens to fully comprehend it all! Really enjoyed the perspective shifts and felt it worked really well, given it was “two characters” built into the same perspective at certain points.</li>
</ul>



We’ll see you at the end of the month to discuss Halo: New Blood!

Spartan Chatter: Cryptum

Canon Fodder

Alex Wakeford

Issue 164

Canon Fodder: Falcon Fiction Flight

Games

Mutinous Core

Play Halo Infinite now through September 9.

Operation: Shadows Out Now

From the shadows comes a voice…



“GET TO THE FALCON!”



Operation: Shadows is the first Operation of our 2025 Fall Update but it will not be going quietly into that dark night. With the Falcon in the skies and the Vestige Carbine in hand, Operation: Shadows launches Famished Famished Falcons and Banished Slayer into the spotlight.



Let’s check those out!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Famished Famished Falcons</h2>



Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a cast of Falcons!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons.png" alt="A squad of Spartans piled into a Falcon with one holding the Flag during a match of Famished Famished Falcons." class="wp-image-146322" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/FFFalcons-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Why are Falcons flocking to fly furiously across the sky in pursuit of the furled flag? Why, it’s because they’re famished, of course!



Based loosely off a children’s game featuring starving river horses, Famished, Famished Falcons pits four teams of three players against each other. Work together as a team, pile into your Falcon, and race to the middle with the ultimate goal: Capture the Flag.



To make things a bit more fun, everyone has a Plasma Pistol (which can EMP vehicles!) and a Grappleshot allowing you some creative freedom and movement opportunities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Skyblocks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005.jpg" alt="The Falcon resting on a launchpad on top of the yellow, blocky base of Skyblocks." class="wp-image-146336" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/falcon_005-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/1e940e54-600e-4992-ab27-4400abb61918">Bookmark</a>



This is the (very colorful) map you’ll be having your aerial dogfights on. Remember what color platform you start on so you know where to bring the flag!



Just remember…no one said you had to be on your Falcon to capture the flag. You just gotta get the flag to your zone to score a point.



Four teams, four falcons, 12 Spartans, one flag. You do the math.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Banished Slayer</h2>



Get locked and loaded… It’s time for Banished Slayer! 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff.jpg" alt="A Spartan holding the new Vestige Carbine, one of the featured weapons in the new playlist." class="wp-image-146364" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_313-689154b0b04ff-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



This asymmetrical matchmaking mode will have you thinking strategically (who am I kidding, you should always be doing that anyway…) and working together to out-play the enemy (should be routine as well!).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Looking at Loadouts</h2>



Before you come for me for the “l” word, it’s simply a way to differentiate starting gear for both teams and has some nice alliteration. Banished Slayer is a two team mode that features asymmetrical “loadouts.” What does that mean, exactly? One team will spawn with UNSC gear:



<ul>
<li>Bandit Evo</li>



<li>MA5K Avenger</li>



<li>Frag Grenades</li>
</ul>



While the other team has some of the Banished armory at their disposal, as well as the Infected Banished overlay:



<ul>
<li>Vestige Carbine</li>



<li>Pulse Rifle</li>



<li>Spike Grenades</li>
</ul>



For those that played it, this may feel somewhat familiar to Invasion Slayer from Halo: Reach. Beyond the starting equipment, everything else is business as usual. Team based slayer, race to 50 kills, everyone has access to content on the map, etc.



If you’re looking to get your hands on the Vestige Carbine and put it through its paces, this is a great mode for that since half the lobby will be spawning with it. If you spawned with a Bandit Evo, well… You know how you can earn one. 😈



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Experience Ecotone</h2>



You’ll be playing on nine maps that should be familiar such as Forest, Prism, Dredge, and many others, along with a new Community Forge map, Ecotone! You should also be able to find Ecotone in Quick Play Slayer, KOTH, Oddball, and Strongholds if those are your jam.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-normal-font-size">Ecotone</h2>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/0dd44301-7eb2-4732-bb97-dc421431b6b3">Bookmark</a> Credits: Yeehaw J24, Scrubulba, Igrizhar, Jovaliant



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002.jpg" alt="A U N S C themed map created in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-146378" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/ecotone_002-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Danger could be lurking around any corner…on any level. Also, say hi to Fret when you find him. 



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And with that, it’s time to venture out, feel the power of the Vestige Carbine, hear the spin of the Falcon rotors, and put your skills to the test! Read more about the update in our 2025 Fall Playlist blog.



See you on the battlefield!

snickerdoodle

Fall 2025 Playlists

Wow, what an event <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/ssg-major" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HCS Salt Lake City</a> turned out to be. Congratulations to <a href="http://x.com/shopifyrebels">Shopify Rebellion</a> on an epic performance and being crowned champions! The best players on the biggest stage always provide some amazing Halo Infinite moments.  



As we move forward, the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/fall-update-2025-halo-infinite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fall Update for Halo Infinite</a> is almost here! Before we dive into what’s next for Ranked players, we wanted to say thank you for trying out our newest mode: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sd-extraction-launch">S&D Extraction</a>. We hope you had fun out there, and you can expect to see this again (with some tweaks) as a Ranked Rotational playlist in the future. Make sure to submit your best S&D Extraction plays <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbR2T5fZwAik1LrhEXYWgd_BJUNDhQNUc5TUlGVlpCN1RHUktXWU82RVRJMC4u&route=shorturl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for a chance to be in our next <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCfSvnlyhEs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ranked Top 10 video</a>!



Ok, so what’s next for Ranked? In our upcoming Operation: Shadows, there will be 2 new maps and a new weapon entering the Ranked suite! 



Let’s get right to the details on what you can expect when you launch into Ranked when Operation: Shadows is live. 



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-1024x576.jpg" alt="Lattice" class="wp-image-146165" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Lattice-3.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Lattice, an original asymmetrical design created by timmyforges and Kat Rat A Tat, arted by dellsoto and h8yse with support from Squally DaBeanz is coming to Ranked play and the HCS rotation.



This fast-paced map brings with it versatility and a unique look. Players will be able to find Lattice in Ranked Arena and HCS in the form of King of the Hill, Oddball and Strongholds. It will also be available in Ranked Slayer, Ranked Doubles and Ranked Tactical. When Ranked Snipers rotates in, Lattice will be available there, as well. Great job to all the forgers who worked hard to get Lattice into Ranked and ultimately onto the main stage at HCS! 



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



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Serenity – Ranked</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-1024x576.jpg" alt="Serenity" class="wp-image-146179" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Serenity-3.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



This one is tried and true – Serenity, a remake of the iconic “Sanctuary” from Halo 2, now has a Ranked version. With some sandbox tweaks and adjustments made to improve sightlines and map flow for competitive play, Serenity will be making its Ranked debut.



While Serenity (Ranked) will not become a part of the HCS map pool, you’ll still be able to play the modes you’ve played on this map for as long as you can remember – CTF (3 Captures to win) and Neutral Bomb in Ranked Arena. Arena isn’t the only Ranked playlist where you will be able to play Serenity either – it will be in Ranked Slayer and Ranked Tactical with the launch of Operation: Shadows too. It will be implemented into Ranked Doubles in the near future, and of course, be included in the Ranked Snipers playlist when that rotates back in, just like with Lattice.



Thank you again to UneeQ, Mr Greencastle and MikRips for designing this beautiful remake! 



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



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">VESTIGE CARBINE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-1024x576.jpg" alt="The Vestige Carbine rifle as seen in the Weapons Bench. Its angular stock is purple, and its silver barrel is winged with pointed ejection ports. Green lights glow on the barrel and grip." class="wp-image-145947" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/shadow_pk_703-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Along with two maps coming to the Ranked suite, we’ll also be introducing Halo Infinite’s newest weapon into Ranked: the Vestige Carbine!



As beautiful as it ever has been, the Carbine is a precision weapon that gives players another way to compete against other medium and long-range weapons like the Battle Rifle, Stalker Rifle and more. You’ll find the Vestige Carbine available on the Ranked versions of Forbidden, Lattice, Live Fire, Origin, Recharge, Serenity, Solitude and Streets.



Jump in now and try it out! 



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



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">HCS MAP POOL</h1>



As mentioned at the HCS Salt Lake City Major and above, Lattice will be entering HCS with King of the Hill, Oddball and Strongholds. With that, we felt it was appropriate to swap out some gametypes as new ones are introduced.



Starting with the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/open-series#:~:text=UP%20NEXT%3A%20ROAD%20TO%20CHARLOTTE">HCS Open Series: Road to Charlotte Open #1</a> (August 16-17), Solitude King of the Hill and Streets Oddball will be exiting the HCS map pool. Based on feedback, Streets Oddball will be exiting the Ranked Arena map pool as well, while Solitude King of the Hill will still be available in Ranked Arena, but at a lower weight. As for HCS, we will continue to monitor community feedback and data on all gametypes as we move towards the final stretch of the season. 



All new Ranked content will be available tomorrow with the launch of Operation: Shadows – good luck and have fun out there, Spartans!

Operation: Shadows – Ranked Update

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.



<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>