Firefight (Halo: Reach)

A Firefight match in progress.

“

It’s official. Firefight is back and better than ever. To get your drool on, go ahead and salivate over a Firefight that’s fully integrated into Halo: Reach’s matchmaking and topped off with an insane side of complete player customization, right down to each Set, Round, and Wave. And that’s just the beginning of the control you have over the experience.

”

The Firefight game mode is featured in Halo: Reach, having originally debuted in Halo 3: ODST. Unlike ODST, Firefight was revamped in Reach to include a vastly expanded custom games system allowing for much more varied experiences then before. Due to the extent of the changes, the Reach iteration of Firefight is colloquially referred to as "Firefight 2.0".

Overview

The illustration used in the Firefight menu of Halo: Reach.

Firefight's return in Halo: Reach was marked by a drastic change in focus for the mode. In Halo 3: ODST, Firefight was debuted as a survival mode with (theoretically) infinite waves and limited resources; for Reach, the focus was shifted to customisability and a more arcade-styled focus that allowed for more varied playstyles (including the aforementioned survival focus). One major change from ODST was the addition of Firefight to multiplayer matchmaking, allowing prospective players to queue up with up to three other players to play Firefight. However, due to this online-focused shift, the default Firefight experience was shifted from infinite waves to only one round, allowing matches to finish in under 20 minutes. In addition, the updated gameplay mechanics of Reach, such as the player's energy shielding and generally less punishing gameplay, pushed Reach Firefight into a more casual playstyle.

The major focus of Reach Firefight was the custom game flexibility of the mode, with improvements made to allow users to save custom Firefight gametypes as they can any other mode. Custom gametypes can change almost any aspect of the experience including which enemies appear in what waves, skulls, the presence of dropships, map hazards, and the usual suite of player attributes (health, damage, ammo, movement speed, etc). A major addition was the new Custom Skull feature, which allows a player to create up to three preset Skulls (similar to the custom powerup) that can activate at specific times in the round and provide buffs or debuffs. If the traits or skulls are customised to player advantage, they are not counted for scoring purposes, with the game only counting points for time played and not enemies killed. In such a scenario, 1 point is awarded every minute.

The expanded featureset for Reach Firefight includes the option to fight against almost all of the enemies and NPCs in Reach - in particular Elites and Skirmishers which were not available in ODST, alongside a Firefight-exclusive set of "Heretic" enemies, which consist of Elites armed with human weapons. However, Engineers and Drones are not available in Firefight waves save for map-specific features, nor are Elite Zealots and Field Marshals. The Installation 04 map included in the Anniversary Map Pack includes a team of ODSTs to accompany and assist the player - a first in Firefight.

Other features included in Reach Firefight include the ability to use the target locator and night vision from the game's campaign. Elite players get access to a unique purple night vision filter, which cannot be used anywhere in the game outside of Firefight.

Player customisation

The various Firefight voices available for use.

In Reach Firefight, players play as their multiplayer Spartan using the same custom armor as used in the rest of the game. However, unique to Firefight specifically are the addition of Firefight Voices - unlockable voice profiles for various characters from across the Halo series. These voices occasionally trigger while playing Firefight to say lines related to specific actions undertaken by the player.

List of Firefight voice unlocks

Firefight Voices
Firefight voice	Unlock (Halo: Reach)	Unlock (Halo: The Master Chief Collection)
Noble Six	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default
Jorge S-052	10,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 77, 1
Jun S-266	10,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 20, 1
Emile S-239	10,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 35, 1
Kat S-320	10,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 49, 1
Auntie Dot [A.I.]	15,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 56, 1
Carter S-259	100,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 67, 1
GYSGT Stacker	5,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 7, 1
GYSGT Buck	15,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 81, 1
SGTMAJ Johnson	100,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 97, 1
Cortana [A.I.]	100,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 95, 1
John S-117	150,000 cR	Series 1 Tier 100, 1

Supported maps

In the initial launch of Reach, the game supported eight maps. As with ODST Firefight, all of the Firefight maps are based on areas encountered in the main campaign, though unlike ODST do not have to be unlocked. Two original maps were later added in the game's downloadable content, with all maps included in the port of Halo: Reach included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

• Beachhead (Based on the Exodus mission)
• Corvette (Based on the Long Night of Solace mission)
• Courtyard (Based on the ONI: Sword Base mission)
• Glacier (Based on the The Package mission)
• Holdout (Based on the The Pillar of Autumn mission)
• Outpost (Based on the The Package mission)
• Overlook (Based on the Winter Contingency mission)
• Waterfront (Based on the Nightfall mission)
• Unearthed (Featured in the Defiant Map Pack and Master Chief Collection)
• Installation 04 (Featured in the Anniversary Map Pack and Master Chief Collection, based on the level Halo from Halo: Combat Evolved)

Firefight gametypes

Arcadefight

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Firefight Classic

Firefight Classic is a gametype intended to emulate the experience of Halo 3: ODST's Firefight mode. Players have limited lives and are challenged to survive as long as they can against infinite waves of Covenant.

Firefight Versus

An Elite player in Firefight Versus.

First unveiled at SDCC 2010, Firefight Versus is a new player-versus-player Firefight experience for Halo: Reach. The mode is a 2v2 experience which pits two Spartan players against two Elite players, with the Elite players able to fight alongside friendly Covenant non-playable character forces to try and kill the Spartans. Spartan players earn points for killing Covenant, while Elite players earn points for killing Spartans; Elites have unlimited lives while Spartans have a limited quantity of lives. For each Elite player the Spartans kill, they gain points and another life is added to their pool; Elite players are unable to gain points.

The game is played in multiple rounds, with each team alternating playing as Spartans and Elites, with the overall winners being the team that rack up the most points at the end.

Generator Defense

Main article: Generator Defense

The Generator Defense mode was first showcased in the Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta. Similar to Firefight Versus, it involves two teams of three players fighting against one another, with three players playing as Elites and the other as Spartans. Unlike Versus, in which the objective is simply to achieve kills and score points, Generator Defense tasks the Spartans with defending 1-3 fusion generators located around the map. If the generators are destroyed, the Covenant win.

In the original Multiplayer Beta, Generator Defense was simply a 3v3 PvP experience with Covenant AI disabled. In the final release, this was changed such that it could only be played with AI present on the map, which do attack the generator. However, in the July 2023 patch for The Master Chief Collection the ability to disable AI spawns was implemented, allowing players to experience the original beta version of Generator Defense again, with an increased player cap of up to 8 players.

Gruntpocalypse

Main article: Gruntpocalypse

Gruntpocalypse is a Firefight variant included, according to Reach executive producer Joseph Tung, "to prove a point" regarding the customisability of the new Firefight system. It is similar to the Bonus Round of standard Firefight, and consists of only Grunt enemies which swarm the player.

Rocketfight

Rocketfight is a built-in Firefight game variant similar to the standard default Firefight. However, all players are equipped with Rocket Launchers, Magnums, and unlimited ammo by default.

Sniperfight

Four Spartans in a match of Sniperfight.

Sniperfight is a built-in Firefight game variant similar to the standard default Firefight. However, all players are equipped with Sniper Rifles, Magnums, and unlimited ammo.

Firefight matchmaking

New to Halo: Reach was the addition of dedicated matchmaking playlists for Firefight. At the game's launch, only a single dedicated Firefight playlist was available alongside the singleplayer Score Attack playlist, though in February 2011 the Firefight playlist was replaced with the following options: All matchmade Firefight matches are played on Heroic difficulty, unless otherwise specified.

Firefight Arcade

Firefight Arcade was a less serious, more arcade-styled Firefight experience that leveraged the custom game settings to their full extent. Gamemodes in the Firefight Arcade list included:

Firefight Arcade gametypes

Gametype	Description
Fistfight	Based on Rocketfight with weapon pickup enabled, Hammers and Sword starting weapons, added 200% Damage and Melee modifier, 2 each grenade count, Player Movement 120%, enable Grunt B-day, IWHBYD and Cowbell skulls, disabled dropship, 2X Overshields, Skirmisher Bonus Round, Loadout 5 is Hologram, 5 Second Respawn, added Heretics into Waves.
Nadefight	Based on Rocketfight with weapon pickup enabled, Grenade Launcher and Concussion Rifle starting weapons, added 150% Damage and Melee modifier, 4 each grenade count, enable Grunt B-Day, IWHBYD and Cowbell skulls, disabled dropship, 2X Overshields, Skirmisher Bonus Round, Added Evade for Armor Lock, and Hologram for Dropshield, 5 second respawn, add Heretics.
Rocketfight	Weapon pickup enabled, add: 150% Damage and Melee Modifier, 2 each grenade count, enable Grunt B-day, IWHBYD and Cowbell skulls, disable dropships, 2X Overshields, Grunt Bonus Round, Swapped out Armor Lock for Evade, Swapped out Drop Shield for Hologram, 5 second respawn, add Heretics.
Sniperfight	Weapon pickup enabled, add: 150% Damage and Melee Modifier, 2 each grenade count, enable Grunt B-day, IWHBYD and Cowbell skulls, disable dropships, 2X Overshields, Grunt Bonus Round, Added Sprint back in and Hologram, 5 second respawn, add Heretics.
FRGfight	Based on updated Rocketfight with Fuel Rod and Needler starts.
Plasmafight	Based on updated Rocketfight with Plasma Launcher and Needle Rifle starts, and 4x Plasma grenades.

Firefight Limited

Firefight Limited was introduced in the February 2011 playlist update to focus on a classic ODST-styled Firefight survival experience, where the player team has 10 lives. Gamemodes available to play included the standard Firefight Limited, Legendary LTD (similar to Firefight LTD, but on Legendary difficulty), Genny LTD, and Crashsite LTD. Due to low playercounts, Firefight Limited was removed from the game in November 2011.

Firefight Limited gametypes

Gametype	Description
FF Limited	Based off Firefight with 10 shared lives, once lives run out and all players are dead, the game is over.
Genny LTD	Based off Generator Defense with 10 shared lives, once lives run out and all players are dead, the game is over.
Crashsite LTD	Based off Crashsite, where teams start with no lives and one Generator to protect, kept 2X Overshields, but Damage and Melee Modifier is 100% now.
Legendary LTD	Based off Firefight Limited but set to the Legendary Difficulty.

Score Attack

The Score Attack playlist was unique among Firefight modes as only one player can play the mode at a time. The game lasts one round, and the player is challenged to gain as high a score as possible to compete against their personal best and their friends' high scores. The original matchmaking playlist for Score Attack included regular Firefight, Gruntpocalypse, Sniper Attack, Mythic Attack, and Crashsite as gametype options - all essentially Score Attack-modified versions of the variants listed above. Score Attack had leaderboards visible in-game and on Bungie.net between September 2010 and the Bungie.net Halo web services shutdown in 2012.

Score Attack gametypes

Gametype	Description
Score Attack	5 second respawns, enable IWHBYD Skull.
2X Score Attack	Based on Score Attack, 5 second respawns, Weapon Drops and Hazards enabled, 2x Overshield, 200% Damage and Melee Modifier, 2 each grenade count, Boss Wave is Elite Spec Ops, Grunt B-Day, Cowbell, enable IWHBYD Skull, Update Loadouts so Grenades are set to Unchanged.
Gruntpocalypse	5 second respawns, Weapon Drops enabled, enable IWHBYD Skull.
Skirmigeddon	Based on Gruntpocalypse, 5 second respawns, every wave is Skirmishers, added evade and hologram, enable IWHBYD Skull.
Sniper Attack	Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, Updated Loadouts to include Sprint and Evade, 2x each grenade count, enable IWHBYD Skull.
Rocket Attack	Based on Sniper Attack, Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, Rocket and Magnum starts, 2x each grenade count, update Boss Wave to be Hunter Kill Team, enabled Cowbell Skull.
FRG Attack	Based on Sniper Attack, Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, FRG and Needler secondary, 2x each grenade count, enable Cowbell Skull.
Crashsite	Melee Modifier also 200%, enable IWHBYD Skull.
Mythic Attack	5 second respawns, enable IWHBYD Skull.
Fiesta Attack	Based on 2X Score Attack, 5 second respawns, Random Primary and Secondary weapons, enable IWHBYD Skull."

Changes for Halo: The Master Chief Collection

The Halo: Reach iteration of Firefight was implemented into Halo: The Master Chief Collection as part of the game's 2019 addition to the collection, making it the first Firefight mode to be featured in the collection (with ODST Firefight later debuting in Series 3: Recon). The MCC edition of Firefight is largely the same as the original Reach version, though recieved some quality-of-life updates in the July 2023 patch. These included the ability to (re)join ongoing games in progress, an increased player cap from 4 to 8, and the ability to entirely disable AI spawns in order to recreate the PvP Generator Defense functionality encountered in the Reach Multiplayer Beta.

Achievements

The following achievements can be earned in the original Xbox 360 edition of Halo: Reach.

Icon	Name	Description	Gamerscore
	Score Attack	Score 15,000 points in Score Attack Firefight Matchmaking.	10
	Firestarter	Score 50,000 points in a Firefight game.	10
	Blaze of Glory	Score 200,000 points in a Firefight game.	25
	Heat in the Pipe	Score 1,000,000 points in a Firefight game.	75
	Crowd Control	Earn a Killionaire medal in Firefight.	10
	Game, Set, Match	Complete a Firefight set on Legendary without dying.	25
	Knife to a Gunfight	As an Elite, killed 5 Spartan players in Matchmaking.	5

Gallery

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  An image used to formally announce Halo: Reach's Firefight mode.

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  A Spartan using a Magnum on the map Beachhead.

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  An M12 Chaingun Warthog driving towards two Unggoy.

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  A Spartan performing an assassination on a Kig-Yar.

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  A trio of Spartans inside a drop shield.

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  Firefight on the map Corvette.

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  Covenant troops on the map Courtyard.

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  A player using their Target Locator to bombard a Phantom.

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  A Longsword flying overhead to deploy ordnance pods.

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  The HUD of an Elite player in Firefight Versus.

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  Two Elite players encountering a Spartan.

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  A player in a round of Gruntpocalypse.

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  An Elite player's purple night vision.