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HCS SLC 2025 - Halo Infinite FFA

Esports

Official HCS

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Book Preview

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!

snickerdoodle

Halo: Cryptum | Spartan Chatter

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!



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



<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.



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



<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. 



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



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!

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.



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>

Audiobook Club: New Blood

Fall Update 2025 | Halo Infinite

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!