Halo 3 Standoff Map - Halo 3 Standoff Tips

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Halo 3 Map : Standoff

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Bungie's Halo 3 Standoff Quick Tips:

• The Spartan Laser is for killing vehicles, once enemy Warthogs have been destroyed or commandeered then use it to kill infantry.
  For sneakily achieving objectives, drive a Mongoose behind a base and creep in the back door.
• Don’t underestimate the defensive advantages of dropping your own shield windows. You can use the windows as sniping perches and they’re relatively safe.
• A fast moving Warthog is relatively safe from grenades and fire thanks to the numerous large boulders. So take advantage of the chaos it can cause.
• The best vantage point in the entire game is the open Silo cover behind Blue Base. Know it by the giant “3” emblazoned there.
  Active camo is a key asset - especially in objective game types.

Once, nearby telescopes listened for a message from the stars. Now these silos contain our prepared response. Standoff, a serene valley boasting symmetrical bases on both sides is an ideal map for nearly all player counts. Despite not actually being large in size, like say, Valhalla, Standoff’s rock configurations and broad width allow plenty of space and plenty of cover for temporary residents.

Each of the bases boasts three entrances from the outset, but the flip of a switch will open some windows and a lower exit, a fourth entrance/exit to protect. In Objective games, where Standoff really shines, commandeering and triggering that fourth entrance can be critical.

There’s a significant armament within and atop each base. By default there are no Sniper Rifles on Standoff, so the stationary (and of course, removable turrets) become determining factors in defending your base, while simultaneously, keeping enemy actions around their base under control. The ensured remedy to the respective Turret problem waits in the center of the map – the Spartan Laser.

The Spartan Laser is also ideal for dealing with the Warthog parked in front of each base. If the Spartan Laser is dry and grenade spamming doesn’t work – each base has a Rocket Launcher, but instead of the usual four rockets, Standoff’s Rocket Launchers only have two. There’s a pair of Needlers bookending the valley cradling the Spartan Laser. Just in front of each base’s main entrance/exit is a Shotgun, ideal for defending the precious interior.

Beautiful overhead map of Standoff. Click on image to enlarge!

Key Standoff Map Locations - Power Weapons are the Shotgun. Located at either base leaning against a pole next to a Warthog. Mauler, located at the second floor of each base. The Warthog, located at each base. The Rocket Launchers, located at each base, to the left beside some rocks. And the Spartan Laser, directly in the Middle of the map. (contributed by: Halo 3 Expert Austin, added January 8, 2008)

Other Tips - What you need to know about Standoff

Standoff is a mostly symmetrical map that is best for team based games like multi-flag CTF, Territories, and Assault. The map is relatively small, but with enough open spaces that each side's Warthog can get around pretty well. The main base of each building have two front entrances as well as a back and side entrance (though the side entrance has to have a switch flipped to make it accessible).

Above each base is a mounted machinegun. You can find a Brute Shot and Battle Rifle just outside the base upper portion of the base, a shotgun outside the main entrance, as well as a Plasma Pistol, Power Drain, Mauler, and Magnum inside the base. Just outside and close to the landing pad is a Rocket Launcher and Active Camo for each side. The Spartan Laser is located in the center of the map.

The map has lots of rocks and gentle hills that will allow you to get close to your opponents. Players who like to hang back can do so effectively while using a Battle Rifle, while aggressive players can use the Maulers and Needler--located in the center of the map amongst the rocks and by the launch pads--to take the fight to the enemy.

If left unchecked, the enemy can easily run the map with a Warthog. Players have numerous options for taking out a vehicle. We recommend using the rocket launcher, Plasma Pistol, Spartan Laser, or grenades. Using your own vehicle is, of course, an option as well.

We've found that the shotgun or Mauler/Magnum make great defensive weapons when playing multi-flag CTF. Just make sure that if you are going to camp inside that you watch out for grenades--there isn't a whole heck of a lot of space to run inside the base.

(source: MyCheats.com, added March 30, 2008)

Click on images for full size Foundry screenshot!

Three of Standoff's (open-at-default) entryways are visible here. Not pictured: The back door.

The differences between the bases are subtle. Notice the red UNSC insignia on the exterior. Decorations on each base's interiors offer other clues as to whether or not you are inside Red or Blue base.

Halo 3 Standoff Gameplay Video!
GamesRadar.com for more Standoff
(added December 17, 2007)

Halo 3 Standoff Map Flythrough Video!
(added December 11, 2007)

Heroic Map Pack (Standoff, Rats Nest, Foundry)

Now Free to Download - March 25, 2008!

Release Date: December 11, 2007
Price: $10 or 800 Microsoft Points

How to Get the Map Pack

To download the map pack, sign into Xbox LIVE on your Xbox 360 and then go to the Marketplace blade. Select "Game Store," then select "All Games." Scroll down to "Halo 3" (you can hold down the right trigger to scroll a page at a time) and select it. Finally, select the "Heroic Map Pack," then select "Confirm Download."

Standoff map is described in the press release as a "symmetrical valley, with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders [making it] ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types."

Here is an interview from Bungie.net about Halo 3 Standoff Map

Q: For reasons that should become obvious now, Frankie referred to Standoff as Jodrell Bank. What inspired the creation of this outdoor playground?

Christopher Barrett: Standoff, or Bunkerworld as it’s known internally was one of the maps we had originally planned as one of the Halo 3 release multiplayer maps [Bunkerworld was cut early in Halo 3's development, long before reaching a playable state]. Because of time we ended up postponing it until DLC, and here it is!

Steve Cotton: We wanted a small, outdoor, vehicle map. It started out simple enough. 2 relatively small bases seperated by a landscape of hills and rocks. Good visibility and quick access to the Warthog parked right out front. And a turret on top for defensive types. After that, the rest just built itself. Actually, Justin [Hayward] built it. That guy is good.

CB: Obvious? I still have no idea why Frankie keeps talking about his bank all the time [ed. Google Image Search – L.S.].

Q: Give us a general description of the map’s spaces since we’re not showing too much right now, what’s the overview of Standoff?

CB: There’s two opposing bases and some rocks and a tree and a road and some giant missile silos and enormous satellite dishes.

SC: Oh, and a lot of transportation and firepower.

CB: Imagine Blood Gulch, except squished together, with 4000 foot satellite dishes.

Q: What sort of revisions and iterations changed from early-period Standoff to the version of the map that folks will be playing in December?

CB: The original version only had the two front doors into the base. We eventually added two side routes into the base one of which is opened via a switch inside like Zanzibar/Last Resort.

Originally the sun was at or around high noon, about a month ago we lowered the sun towards the horizon giving the map a very moody sunset feel which really adds to its atmosphere.

We weren’t satisfied with two ways into the bunker so we added a third entry.

Q: How many players can Standoff comfortably accommodate?

CB: Surprisingly it works for almost any number of players pretty well, but 4 vs 4 feels about right.

SC: 2v2 Multi-flag is actually very cool. So is 8v8. I think it pretty much covers the spectrum. It's just a very fun team objective map no matter how big the teams are.

CB: I was very comfortable playing a one player game on Standoff but it wasn’t a whole lot of fun. At least I didn’t die as much as usual.

Q: What are some of your favorite gametypes to play on Standoff?

CB: Multi Flag CTF

SC: Kill Barry.

CB: I found out your teammates love it when you yell out “I CAN’T FIND THE FLAG” during team slayer games.

Q: What kind of items will populate Standoff’s Forge palette?

CB: Apart from the standard crates and barricades we’ve created some new placeable mancannons, shield doors, and a very special secret object.

SC: You can add a Wraith as well. In addition to the mancannons of course.