Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. (At least, if you’re on defense you really hope you can embody that immovable object spirit.) It’s tactical, it’s intense, and it’s got just enough Halo: Reach DNA to make longtime fans feel right at home… Invasion has arrived!

Whether you're storming the gates or desperately trying to keep them shut, Invasion turns every match into a showdown of Spartan grit and glorious chaos.

OBJECTIVE OVERDRIVE

At its core, Invasion is an asymmetrical, one-sided objective mode pitting two teams of 8 against each other. Each team will get the chance to attack and defend for a total of two rounds. Each round is broken into 3 phases, and if you complete each phase, you get a point. The modes available for each phase are identical to those found in Reach, plus one new addition: 

LOADOUT LOGIC

The setup will be UNSC vs. Banished-affected Spartans, very similar to the experience in Banished Slayer. Each phase will have multiple options to select from, so choose wisely.

Spartan Setups

Phase 1, UNSC Scout

Phase 1, UNSC Sentry

Phase 2, UNSC Warrior

Phase 2, UNSC Operator

Phase 2, UNSC Skirmisher

Phase 3, UNSC Headhunter

Phase 3, UNSC Healer

Phase 3, UNSC Marksman

Phase 3, UNSC Sentinel

Phase 3, UNSC Heavy

Banished Battle Kits

Just like the UNSC side, the Banished side also has loadout options that update each phase.

Phase 1, Banished Sentry

Phase 1, Banished Scout

Phase 2, Banished Marksman

Phase 2, Banished Hunter

Phase 2, Banished Sapper

Phase 3, Banished Headhunter

Phase 3, Banished Warrior

Phase 3, Banished Sentinel

Phase 3, Banished Medic

Phase 3, Banished Dark Assassin

SAFE SPAWNING

One of the more unique features Invasion introduced was Buddy Spawning. This allowed you to spawn on your buddy directly rather than at the default spawn location. It’s not required but who doesn’t love options? Your buddy is randomly assigned during the match and you cannot change or swap. Once the game starts, you are together for the full match. Yes, this means if your buddy abandons the match that you no longer have the ability to Buddy Spawn. The caveats to Buddy Spawning:

If you don’t want to spawn on your buddy, you can choose to spawn at the other zones: Left, Middle, or Right spawns.

VICTORY VARIABLES

So…how do you win an Invasion match? Each phase you “win” or progress will net your team a point. So if you are attacking first and you make it through all three phases and you complete them, you will have earned three points total. If you are on defense and you stop the team at the second phase, the attacking team only has one point.

It is possible to tie so if both teams successfully make it through all three phases and earn three points, everyone goes home a winner.

IMPRESSIVE INTSALLATIONS

There are six new maps coming to Invasion which means plenty of variety for you to engage with. Let’s check them out! Grab the mode here, and then grab the maps below.

Breakpoint
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Credits: Okom1, Virus11010, Scrubulba, Mr Kwatz, Igrizhar, spartan blood 1, JoValiant, Mr IncrediJON, THE SLAMMERSS

A classic returns from Halo: Reach. Don’t let it push you to your breaking point.

Crashout
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They said it was a crash. We called it a tactical arrival.

Exhumed
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Credits: Mr IncrediJON, Scrubulba, spartan blood 1, Virus11010, Mr Kwatz, Igrizhar, JoValiant

You came looking for glory but you found a grave.

Last Road
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Credits: Mr Kwatz, MikRips, Scrubulba

Last Road: where the only traffic is incoming fire.

Recovery
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Credits: Okom1, Virus11010, Scrubulba, D0ctorSmurf, spartan blood 1, Mr IncrediJON, Mr Kwatz, Cousin Tim, JoValiant

They terraformed Reach, now it’s your turn to reshape the battlefield.

Wavelength
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Broadcasting live from the edge of chaos.

EXIT ENGAGEMENTS

Now, it’s time to invade the battlefield. Whether you're storming the gates or holding the line, Invasion’s better with buddies (and a few well-placed grenades), so squad up and hit the ground running!