Editing Blood Gulch (Halo Wars level)

{{Title|Blood Gulch}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{disambig header|the Halo Wars Skirmish map|other uses|Blood Gulch (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiplayer map infobox
|image = [[File:HW Menu Skirmish BloodGulch.png|300px]]
|name = Blood Gulch
|game = ''[[Halo Wars]]''
|location = [[Trove]]
|terrain = *Desert/Savanna
*Canyon
|playernumber = 1v1 (2 players)
}}
{{Article quote|A fast and brutal fight awaits in Blood Gulch. Teleporters allow for surprise attacks, while bonus Reactors offer opportunities for the aggressive.}}
'''Blood Gulch''' is a ''[[Halo Wars]]'' [[multiplayer]] map, based off the iconic ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level [[Blood Gulch|of the same name]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWCS|URL=http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/maps/BloodGulch.aspx|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Skirmish Maps - Blood Gulch 1v1|D=26|M=09|Y=2009|LocalArchive=Halowars.com/Skirmish Maps/1v1 Maps#Blood Gulch}}

==Universe and lore==
Blood Gulch is likely set on the interior of [[Trove]], the [[shield world]] encountered during the ''Halo Wars'' campaign. This would place Blood Gulch in a unique position as the only shield world-set map to feature [[Insurrectionist]]s as the neutral enemy type, rather than [[Sentinel]]s and [[Flood]].

==Overview==
===Layout===
Like its ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' predecessor, Blood Gulch takes the form of a desert box canyon, with cliff paths on either side. At either end of the canyon lies one of two player starting bases, with two neutral [[Unidentified insurrectionist group|rebel]] faction [[Rebel base|bases]] towards the middle of the map. The map has a symmetrical placement of neutral objectives, with the cliff to the right of each base (from the base's perspective) containing a [[Forerunner supply elevator|supply elevator]] and two [[Covenant watchtower|sniper towers]], while the left contains a [[Forerunner secondary reactor|reactor]] and a single sniper tower. These neutral buildings are guarded by [[rebel sniper]]s and [[Rebel Infantry|infantry]]. 

Behind each base is a one-way [[teleporter]], with an exit point in the middle of the map near the reactor spawn. 
<gallery>
File:HWBG.png|A strategic map of Blood Gulch.
File:Bloodgulch HW.jpg|A topside view of Blood Gulch.
</gallery>

===Strategies===
*It is recommended to capture new base locations and bonus buildings. The player can use the teleporters to reach the reactors quickly. Since both structures are defended by rebel snipers units, the player should attack with anti-infantry or vehicle units.
*Capturing the reactors can be a vital way to quickly gain technology advantage over your opponent.
*Brute infantry can be advantageous in scaling the cliffs containing the Reactor and Supply Pad buildings.
*Taking the rebel base closer to the opponent's starting base can serve as both a surprise attack and a means to slow down the opponent's expansion. Leave a small army and setting up turrets after setting up a base there before moving on to other regions of the map.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCS}}

==Production notes==
Blood Gulch was created due to a desire to create a map existing ''Halo'' players would be familiar with. Blood Gulch was chosen due to the map's open spaces and variety added by the cliffs on either side. To keep the canyon layout intact with ''Halo Wars'' production methods, the developers had to use a larger base terrain size, then restrict the viewing area to a rectangle.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCS}}

Blood Gulch was one of the first Skirmish maps revealed to the public. Editors from ''Official Xbox Magazine'' visited [[Ensemble Studios]], and were able to play on the map.{{Ref/Mag|Id=OXM92|Official Xbox Magazine|Year=2009|Month=1|Issue=92|Title=Return to Base|Page=41|Quote=These modes are worth noting not just because they're the only ones that let you play as the Covenant, but also because the map we skirmished on was none other than the classic "Blood Gulch"!|Quotee=Ryan McCaffrey}}

During matches on Blood Gulch, the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' OST track ''[[Bad Here Day]]'' plays as the level's ambient music.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of Blood Gulch (Halo Wars)}}
<gallery>
File:Blood Gulch3D.jpg|An overview of Blood Gulch.
File:BloodgulchLA final.jpg|An angled view of Blood Gulch.
File:HW2.jpg|UNSC and Covenant forces battle around a Forerunner supply elevator.
File:HW BloodGulch Battle 1.jpg|UNSC and Covenant forces battle around a Forerunner supply elevator. 
File:HW BloodGulch Battle 2.jpg|Covenant forces attacking a UNSC firebase. 
File:HW BloodGulch Battle 3.jpg|UNSC and Covenant vehicles fighting near a Forerunner supply elevator.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Levels|HW|mode=yes}}