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Spotlight: HELLDIVERS 2 x ODST Edition

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Fiction


<p>“<em>Just because the Covenant War is over doesn’t mean there aren’t battles to be fought.”</em></p>



<p><em>Halo: New Blood</em> follows the personal journey of Edward Buck, a seasoned ODST who is offered the chance to become a Spartan-IV. Told as a reflective memoir, the novella explores Buck’s early days in the UNSC to his leadership of Alpha-Nine, and touches on the emotional weight of leaving behind his old identity to embrace a new role. </p>



<p>We suited up for another Spartan Chatter episode of our ongoing <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/audiobook-club">Audiobook Club in partnership with Simon & Schuster</a>, this time featuring <em>Halo: New Blood</em> by Matt Forbeck. Joined by Franchise Writer Alex “Haruspis” Wakeford, we followed the personal journey of Edward Buck through his journey from an ODST in the squad Alpha-Nine to Spartan-IV.  From the gritty streets of Draco III to the halls of Spartan Command, <em>New Blood</em> offers a grounded, character-driven look at what it means to evolve in a galaxy still healing from conflict.</p>



<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: New Blood" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Knxs7NDk6ME?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><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Halo: New Blood Spartan Chatter Episode</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you want to take a peek behind Buck’s visor, you can <a href="https://bit.ly/44NldoH">grab a copy of the Audiobook</a> and listen in today!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Community Highlights</strong></h2>



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



<ul>
<li><strong>Merty: </strong>Easily one of my favorites, and it’s very rich in lore for those who want to learn more about the Spartan-IVs. Highly recommended.</li>



<li><strong>Kot_Box:</strong> I just finished reading it a couple weeks ago and LOVED it! So much so that I just ordered a copy of <em>Halo: Bad Blood</em>. I’m always happy to see more Buck.</li>



<li><strong>MOK: </strong>I love this month’s pick!</li>



<li><strong>AshamanND: </strong>I just recently finished this! Great story.</li>



<li><strong>VysorinIV</strong><strong>:</strong><strong> </strong>First Halo book I ever read—it got me hooked on the fandom!</li>



<li><strong>Briarfox13:</strong> Oh, this is one of my favorites! Thoroughly enjoyed reading <em>New Blood</em>.</li>



<li><strong>Aaron: </strong>I’ve loved the new artwork they’ve been releasing with these previews!</li>



<li><strong>DDog Dazamaan: </strong>Just wanted to chime in to say I’m really enjoying this one, too! Pretty fun having it all from a character’s recollection of events.</li>
</ul>


snickerdoodle

Halo: New Blood | Spartan Chatter


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



<p>This month’s book club title is <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em>, a riveting story that sees Blue Team return to the decimated surface of Reach on a mission to infiltrate ONI’s CASTLE base and recover assets that may prove vital to challenging Cortana’s undisputed rule.</p>



<p><em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> is written by Troy Denning, a <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author and a true heavyweight in Halo’s literary universe. The audiobook edition is narrated by award-winning audiobook narrator and broadcaster Sean Patrick Hopkins. Listen to an exclusive excerpt from <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> below:</p>



<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="Shadows of Reach | Audiobook Preview | Available Now from Simon & Schuster" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/17WzdN-y5L4?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>



<p><a href="https://bit.ly/41kPh90">Purchase your copy of <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> from Simon & Schuster.</a></p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="2560" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-scaled.jpg" alt="Shadows of Reach audiobook cover. Text: "The New York Times Bestselling Series. Halo: Shadows of Reach. A Master Chief story. Read by Sean Patrick Hopkins. TROY DENNING. New York Times bestselling author."" class="wp-image-147650" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Shadows-of-Reach-1568x1568.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>2559. Cortana has subjugated worlds across the galaxy and imposed martial law under the rule of her Created. Beyond from her watchful gaze, the <em>UNSC Infinity</em> makes its way to Reach to dispatch the Master Chief and Blue Team on a secret mission.</p>



<p>Their orders? Infiltrate the ruins of ONI’s CASTLE Base and recover the one weapon that could turn the tide. It would be a cakewalk for a team of seasoned SPARTAN-IIs, if not for the Banished army searching the ruined planet.</p>



<p>Among the roving clans dividing Reach in thirds is Castor, a Jiralhanae chieftain still loyal to the old faith of the Covenant, who means to follow the humans in his quest to unearth the fabled Portal under the Mountain—a gateway that leads to the Ark.</p>



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



<p>Learn more about the events of <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> with these brief character bios.</p>



<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/John117.jpg" alt="Master Chief John-117" class="wp-image-147622" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/John117.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/John117-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/John117-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/John117-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>JOHN-117</strong></h3>



<p>Master Chief Petty Officer. A man of few words. In his latest mission, the Master Chief leads the Spartan-IIs of Blue Team to the surface of Reach to recover key assets from Dr. Halsey’s laboratory in CASTLE base.</p>



<p>Along the way, the Chief forms an uneasy alliance with a militia group to liberate the ruined city of New Mohács, punch through the Banished occupation, and ultimately obtain something that could be used to topple Cortana.</p>



<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/BlueTeam.jpg" alt="The Spartans of Blue Team. Fred-104, Kelly-087, and Linda-058," class="wp-image-147552" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/BlueTeam.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/BlueTeam-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/BlueTeam-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/BlueTeam-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FRED-104</strong></h3>



<p>Perceptive, steadfast, and a natural leader. This combination makes him a formidable warrior at close quarters. In recent years, Fred has served as Blue Team’s commander, but he still often defers to the judgment of his former team leader, John-117. Beneath the Menachite Mountain, Fred unexpectedly encounters an old acquaintance with a critical message.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>KELLY-087</strong></h3>



<p>The fastest Spartan. When not embedded in combat, Kelly enjoys listening to classic Earth “rock” music (whatever that is) as a meditative way to distract the thoughts that trouble a seasoned soldier’s mind. Her footspeed is unmatched among Spartans, rivaled only by her hair-trigger reflexes in a firefight.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LINDA-058</strong></h3>



<p>Renowned sniper. Linda’s resolve has been put to the test many times, and this mission is no different. After separating from the rest of Blue Team during a tense firefight, Linda resorts to the lone-wolf tactics that have typified her career as a Spartan ranger. Count on Linda to survive, no matter the odds.</p>



<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/Halsey.jpg" alt="Dr. Catherine Halsey" class="wp-image-147608" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Halsey.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Halsey-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Halsey-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Halsey-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>DR. CATHERINE HALSEY</strong></h3>



<p>Possibly the Office of Naval Intelligence’s most prolific scientific advisor. Dr. Halsey is the progenitor of the SPARTAN program, a key architect of Project MJOLNIR, and the creator of Cortana. Working once more with the UNSC, Dr. Halsey has deployed Blue Team on a critical mission to recover assets from her lab within CASTLE Base that just might bring an end to her renegade progeny.</p>



<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/Castor.jpg" alt="Castor" class="wp-image-147566" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Castor.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Castor-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Castor-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Castor-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CASTOR</strong></h3>



<p>Castor is said to be the last <em>dokab</em>, a Jiralhanae religious elder, still faithful to the ways of the Covenant. Following the Created uprising, Castor pledged his cult, the Keepers of the One Freedom, to the Banished. Though his motives are held in suspicion by the movement’s upper echelon, Castor carefully maneuvers through the politics of rival clans to realize his true goal: travelling to the Ark and activating the Halo Array.</p>



<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/Escharum.jpg" alt="War Chief Escharum" class="wp-image-147580" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Escharum.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Escharum-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Escharum-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Escharum-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ESCHARUM</strong></h3>



<p>As Atriox’s former mentor, War Chief Escharum was the only Jiralhanae trustworthy enough to hold the reins of the Banished in his stead. He last spoke to Castor three months ago, when he ordered the dokab to seek the hidden Portal under the Mountain. Infighting has spread in his absence, as the Banished commanders on Reach become discouraged that they should ever find the fabled site.</p>



<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/Gadogai.jpg" alt="Inslaan 'Gadogai" class="wp-image-147594" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Gadogai.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Gadogai-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Gadogai-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Gadogai-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>INSLAAN ‘GADOGAI</strong></h3>



<p>A Sangheili blademaster in the service of the Banished. ‘Gadogai is quick to take offense, and equally quick to seek retribution. Though formerly an assassin in the Covenant’s Silent Shadow unit, he has strayed from the Covenant faith. His role within the Keepers of the One Freedom is to represent Escharum—and watch Castor for any sign of duplicity.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BELLA DISTZL</strong></h3>



<p>A Reach native and a survivor of its fall. Bella has distinguished herself as a five-time victor of the Tantalus 10,000, a five-day, cross-continent, open-buggy endurance race. She’s the last person you’d expect to meet hiding in a foxhole on a planet crawling with the Banished, but the first person you’d put behind the wheel of a Warthog.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LIEUTENANT MAKS CHAPOV</strong></h3>



<p>First copilot of <em>Special Delivery</em>, the Owl infiltration craft escorting Blue Team to the surface of Reach. What he lacks in experience, Chapov makes up for in arrogance, headstrong reckoning, and a certain endearing determination. It’s clear that the young lieutenant idolizes the Master Chief, and his ace pilot skills eventually manage to impress even the war-weary Spartan.</p>



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



<p><em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> occurs between the events of <em>Halo Wars 2</em> and <em>Halo Infinite</em>. This novel tells a harrowing story from humanity’s desperate last stand against Pax Cortana (the UNSC’s designation for the transformed nemesis of <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>).</p>



<p>Using the <em>UNSC Infinity</em> as a secret base of operations, Blue Team infiltrates Reach to recover assets that will prove indispensable to the creation of “The Weapon,” the Master Chief’s ally and partner in <em>Halo Infinite</em> and the forthcoming novel <em><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-edge-of-dawn-cover-reveal">Halo: Edge of Dawn</a></em>.</p>



<p>Among the “rehab pioneers” of the Viery Militia, we meet descendants of the industrial titans who established Reach as a thriving, wealthy colony in its heyday—a halcyon era that ended with the devastating fall of Reach, leaving only remnants of its culture behind.</p>



<p>Along the way, we encounter familiar characters from <em>Halo 4</em> such as Dr. Catherine Halsey, Captain Thomas Lasky, and Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer (whom you might also recognize from <a href="https://www.aka.ms/AudiobookClubAugust">last month’s Audiobook Club</a>).</p>



<p><em>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>.</em></p>



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



<p><strong>Troy Denning</strong> is the <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of more than forty novels, including <em>Halo: Divine Wind</em>, <em>Halo: Oblivion</em>, <em>Halo: Silent Storm</em>, <em>Halo: Retribution</em>, <em>Halo: Last Light</em>, a dozen Star Wars novels, the Dark Sun: Prism Pentad series, and many bestselling Forgotten Realms novels.</p>



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



<p>A student of neuroscience and speech pathology, <strong>Sean Patrick Hopkins</strong> has translated his understanding of human behavior & vocal performance into a career in storytelling. He has over 500 titles to his credit, and has been honored with Audie, Earphones, Odyssey, and SOVAS awards for his audiobook narrations.</p>



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



<p>Enter to win an audiobook copy of a new book-club title this month and next! To participate, react to the <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> post in the <strong>#giveaways</strong> channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo">official Halo Discord server</a> before September 8.</p>



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



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



<p>Listen to <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> in our Discord book club! To participate, simply join the <strong>#audio-book-club</strong> channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo">official Halo Discord server</a>, where we’ll discuss the book, share favorite moments, and select a new title from the Halo universe to discuss in October.</p>



<p>Drop a comment in the discussion thread 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 <strong>Spartan Chatter</strong> episode on Discord to discuss the audiobook and answer questions from the Halo community.</p>



<p><a href="https://bit.ly/41kPh90">Purchase your copy of <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach</em> from Simon & Schuster.</a></p>


Audiobook Club: Shadows of Reach

Click here to purchase tickets to the Halo World Championship 2025

Click here to see more details for the Halo World Championship 2025

Esports

HaloWC


<p>Welcome back!  </p>



<p>The Halo World Championship is just two months away and we’ve still got even more things to reveal that we think you’ll love! But first, here are links to the other blogs if you’re looking to catch up: </p>



<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-july">July 2025</a></strong></li>



<li><strong><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-june" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">June 2025</a></strong></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-may" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>May 2025</strong></a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-april"><strong>April </strong></a><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halowc25-april" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>2025</strong></a></li>
</ul>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TICKETING UPDATE</strong></h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-1024x576.png" alt="Halo fans enjoying free-play at the Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-138536" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/05/HaloWC25-May-Featured.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>At this point, HaloWC is now over 95% sold out and we are expecting a packed house like HaloWC’s never had before. </p>



<p>If you haven’t picked up your ticket yet, at this rate you’ve only got a few more days before they’re gone.  </p>



<p>Also, we’ve seen some conversations around the idea of extra VIP tickets being put on sale which I’d like to address so there’s an official source of info. We will NOT be opening up additional VIP tickets for sale. While they sold out almost instantly and there’s definitely appetite for more – it’s important to us that we deliver a great experience for our existing group of VIP ticket holders before we expand it further.</p>







<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>HALO COMMUNITY STAGE</strong></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/HALOWC-George-1024x576.png" alt="Halo: Reach, George" class="wp-image-148134" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HALOWC-George.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The Halo Community Stage is almost locked, but we’ve still got a gem for you all. Halo 5: Guardians is not the only game with an important anniversary taking place this year – we’re also going to be <strong>celebrating 15 years since Halo: Reach</strong> was released. A landmark game in the franchise, Reach introduced us to the amazing cast of characters that make up Noble Team and made us feel their sacrifice for the costly war against the Covenant.  </p>



<p>To relive the memories and hear untold development stories our very own <strong><a href="https://x.com/ske7ch">Ske7ch</a></strong> will be kicking it back with some of his old Bungie pals. </p>



<p>Reach is near and dear to all of our hearts and really holds a special place in the Halo franchise so we’re all very excited for this panel. If you’ve got any questions – feel free to drop <a href="https://x.com/ske7ch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ske7ch</a> a line on X! </p>



<p>In next month’s blog (which will be the last of the series) we’ll be sharing the full schedule for the Halo Community Stage so you’ll know when each panel will be going down! </p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>TEAM BOOTHS</strong></h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-1024x576.png" alt="Partner Booths at the Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-141796" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Booth-Experience.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>At this point we’ve confirmed that <strong><a href="https://x.com/shopifyrebels">Shopify</a></strong>, <strong><a href="https://x.com/spacestation">Spacestation</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="https://x.com/cloud9">Cloud9</a></strong> will have booths at HaloWC – and today we’re excited to confirm that <strong><a href="https://x.com/tsm">TSM</a></strong> will also be joining us onsite here in Seattle! </p>



<p>In their booth you’ll be able to meet the players to get autographs and photos, and take part in giveaways going on throughout the weekend.</p>



<p>A big thank you to all of our partners for helping make this year’s HaloWC so special!</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MAKER’S AND COSPLAY CONTESTS</strong></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/HaloWC-Cosplay-1024x576.png" alt="Halo cosplayers on the main stage at the Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-148176" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/HaloWC-Cosplay.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Today we’re also excited to open submissions and registration for the Halo Maker’s and Cosplay Contests at HaloWC.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CONTEST ENTRY</strong></h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloWC-Cosplay-Contest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>aka.ms/HaloWC-Cosplay-Contest</strong></a></li>



<li><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloWC-Makers-Contest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>aka.ms/HaloWC-Makers-Contest</strong></a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>CONTEST RULES</strong></h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloWC-CosplayRules" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>aka.ms/HaloWC-CosplayRules</strong></a></li>



<li><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloWC-MakersRules" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>aka.ms/HaloWC-MakersRules</strong></a></li>
</ul>



<p>If you’ve got any questions – don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!</p>



<p>Also for the maker’s contest explicitly, we’ve enlisted the help of <strong><a href="https://x.com/nobleofdeath16">Jonah (NobleofDeath16)</a></strong>, one of the 405<sup>th</sup>’s fearless leaders to ensure this is a smoothly run competition. If you’ve got any specific questions for Jonah, you can feel free to reach out to him.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COMMUNITY MEETUPS</strong></h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-141768" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/06/HaloWC25-Spartans-Crowd.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Like last year, the Community team will be hosting daily community meetups at the Halo World Championship! All fans in attendance are welcome to hang out with fellow Halo fans, show off their cosplay, play some games, be a part of group photos, and meet some folks at Halo Studios as well.  </p>



<p>The meet up schedule will be posted on the <strong><a href="https://x.com/halo">Halo</a></strong> social channels during the event itself so keep an eye out, and if you miss the announcements then be sure to visit the Info desk onsite for those details.  </p>



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



<p>We’re nearly at the finish line for the season as well as Halo Infinite for official HCS competition and we want to make sure that the HaloWC is as great of an event as fans expect it to be. The studio, alongside our partners, are working hard to deliver just that! Remember, we’re just a few more days away from selling this event out – thank you to everyone who’s purchased a ticket and we’ll see you all there! </p>



<p>Thanks, </p>



<p>Tashi </p>


Tashi

Road to HaloWC 2025: August

Games


<p>As <em>HELLDIVERS 2</em> arrives on Xbox Series X|S, we’ve partnered with Arrowhead Studios to commemorate the occasion with a new, ODST-inspired Warbond.</p>



<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="Helldivers 2 x Halo: ODST Legendary Warbond | PS5 & PC Games" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2O_9hwQ8jLw?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>



<p>Starting today, <em>HELLDIVERS 2</em> players on all platforms can purchase the <strong>HELLDIVERS 2 x Halo: ODST</strong> Legendary Warbond, containing two ODST armor sets, UNSC-themed capes, “green and mean” vehicle patterns, and weapons inspired by the iconic armaments of <em>Halo 3: ODST</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WHAT THE “HELL?”</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-scaled.jpg" alt="Two Helldivers clasp hands in a ruined city. They wear the A-35 Recon and A-9 Helljumper ODST armor sets." class="wp-image-147537" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/08/Helldivers-2_14-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



<p>By an absurd twist of fate, the similarly named Obedient Democracy Support Troopers (also known in their universe as “Helljumpers”) are the stars of a beloved animated series on one of Super Earth’s most popular state-sanctioned broadcasts.</p>



<p>This Legendary Warbond gives Helldivers the chance to live out the cartoon heroes’ most patriotic exploits! <a href="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/08/19/helldivers-2-halo-odst-crossover-warbond-xbox-launch/">Read more at Xbox Wire.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>INTO THE UNJUST</strong></h2>



<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="Helldivers 2 - Into the Unjust Deep Dive" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dJi8VsvnkoE?start=298&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>



<p>Check out this video from Arrowhead Studios for a closer look at the Legendary Warbond and all the Halo-inspired weaponry arriving in the <em>HELLDIVERS 2 </em>Into the Unjust update.</p>



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



<p>Ready to dive feet-first into game dev? Watch the latest <a href="https://www.youtu.be/CxUOcdLBl9g">Official Xbox Podcast</a> video to hear Halo Studios and Arrowhead Studios developers explain the story behind this orbital hot-drop.</p>


Available now on all platforms.

HELLDIVERS 2 x Halo: ODST Warbond


<p><em>“You are what you dare.”</em></p>



<p>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, <em>Halo: Cryptum</em>.</p>



<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>



<p>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>.</p>



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



<p>Next up is Matt Forbeck’s novella, <em>Halo: New Blood</em>.</p>



<p><em>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.</em></p>



<p><em>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?</em></p>



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



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



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



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



<li><strong>Attorney: </strong>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><strong>Cydon505: </strong>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><strong>DDog Dazamaan: </strong>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><strong>Almond: </strong>I get so much more from the book now that time has passed to make more connections.</li>



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



<li><strong>Aaron: </strong>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><strong>Austin @ JumperScape: </strong>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><strong>JimFrigginLahey: </strong>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><strong>GuyverTron: </strong>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><strong>faded_scope: </strong>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>



<p>We’ll see you at the end of the month to discuss <em>Halo: New Blood</em>!</p>


Halo: Cryptum | Spartan Chatter


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



<p>As we move forward, the <strong><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/fall-update-2025-halo-infinite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fall Update for Halo Infinite</a></strong> 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: <strong><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sd-extraction-launch">S&D Extraction</a></strong>. 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<strong> <a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbR2T5fZwAik1LrhEXYWgd_BJUNDhQNUc5TUlGVlpCN1RHUktXWU82RVRJMC4u&route=shorturl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></strong> for a chance to be in our next <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCfSvnlyhEs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ranked Top 10 video</a></strong>!</p>



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



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



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



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



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



<p>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! </p>



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



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



<p>This one is tried and true – <strong>Serenity</strong>, 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Thank you again to <strong>UneeQ</strong>, <strong>Mr Greencastle</strong> and <strong>MikRips </strong>for designing this beautiful remake! </p>



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



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>Jump in now and try it out! </p>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>Starting with the <strong><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></strong> (August 16-17), <strong>Solitude King of the Hil</strong>l and <strong>Streets Oddball </strong>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. </p>



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


Official HCS

Operation: Shadows – Ranked Update


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



<p>This month’s book club title is <em>Halo: New Blood</em>, 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.</p>



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



<p>Listen to an exclusive excerpt from the audiobook edition below:</p>



<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>



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



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>Learn more about the events of <em>Halo: New Blood</em> with these brief character bios.</p>



<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"><strong>Edward “Eddy” Buck</strong></h3>



<p>Former UNSC marine, erstwhile ODST gunnery sergeant, and reluctant SPARTAN-IV.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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



<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"><strong>Veronica Dare</strong></h3>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Halo: New Blood</em> 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.</p>



<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"><strong>Sarah Palmer</strong></h3>



<p>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.</p>



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



<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"><strong>Jun-A266</strong></h3>



<p>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.</p>



<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"><strong>Kojo Agu</strong> <strong>(“Romeo”)</strong></h3>



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>The youngest member of Alpha-Nine and the nameless protagonist of <em>Halo 3: ODST</em>. 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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



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



<p><em>Halo: New Blood</em> connects several plot threads from the Halo universe.</p>



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



<p>Buck revisits Alpha-Nine’s pivotal rescue of Vergil, as experienced in <em>Halo 3: ODST</em>, 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 <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>).</p>



<p>Along the way, we are reunited with Jun-A266, the last surviving member of Noble Team (the tragic Spartan heroes of <em>Halo: Reach</em>), 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 <em>UNSC Infinity</em> in <em>Halo 4</em>.</p>



<p>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>.</p>



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



<p>Matt Forbeck is a <em>New York Times</em> 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.</p>



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



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



<p>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 <em>The Mark of Zorro</em> (2011). Scott reads <em>Halo: New Blood</em> and its sequel, <em>Halo: Bad Blood</em>.</p>



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



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



<p>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>.</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



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


Audiobook Club: New Blood


<p>Welcome back!</p>



<p>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:</p>



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



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



<li><strong>June:</strong> <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>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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 <em>Official HCS Competition</em> 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.</p>



<p>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></p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<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>



<p>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.</p>



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



<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>



<p>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!</p>



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



<p>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>.  </p>



<p>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!</p>



<p>Thanks,</p>



<p>Tashi</p>
