Editing Halo 3 manual

{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Title|''Halo 3'' manual}}
{{Under construction}}
[[File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 6.jpg|thumb|250px]]
The '''''Halo 3'' manual''' is a publication by [[Bungie Studios]] that accompanies all copies of ''[[Halo 3]]''. It serves as an introduction to ''[[Halo 3]]'', revealing characters, weaponry, controls, and further.

==Sections of the manual==
The manual has 33 pages. It is divided into a number of sections.

===Introduction===
This section contains health and safety information, as well as a guide to the rating system (differing depending on region).

===The Story So Far===
"It is the year 2552. Humanity has long been at war with the terrifying
alien civilization that collectively calls itself the Covenant. This monstrous
conglomerate of warlike species sees Humanity as a form of heresy against
their religion—a religion based in the single-minded belief that a Great
Journey awaits its faithful and that this Journey can be embarked upon by
firing an array of vast ringlike weapons scattered throughout the galaxy.

"These immense terraformed rings, known as Halos, have been abandoned
by their mysterious and long-vanished creators, the Forerunners.

"This conflict, terrible and destructive though it is, has recently been
complicated by a series of cascading events. One of these artificial worlds,
these Halos, was discovered and subsequently destroyed by Human forces,
led by Spartan-117—the Master Chief—the last fighting member of the
legendary SPARTAN II military program and Humanity’s last, best hope.

"Conflict at a second Halo installation then ignited a galaxy-spanning
conflagration as civil war erupted within the Covenant, driven by revelations
that the Covenant leadership, the Prophets, had been deliberately deceiving
its populace.

"In truth, these Halos would not take the Covenant on a Great Journey but
rather eradicate all sentient life in the galaxy—a last-resort defense against
the most terrifying menace the galaxy has ever known—and a menace
the deluded Covenant has reawakened for the second time in a hundred
thousand years.

"That horror is the Flood—a sentient, all-consuming parasite that makes
monstrous puppets of those it kills and will not stop until every last thinking
creature is absorbed into its ferociously intelligent plan.

"The second Halo has been activated, putting all of the remaining installations
in a dangerous state of emergency standby—they are now primed to fire.
Worse still, the Covenant has discovered the long-hidden location of Earth
and crushed almost all Human resistance as it seeks vital clues to the
nature of the Halo array, some of which may have been hidden under our
very feet for untold millennia.

"Even with our newfound allies, the Elites, and their valiant and honorable
leader, the Arbiter, we are still hopelessly outnumbered. The Prophets
set their wills against us—and forces greater than the Covenant wheel
malevolently into place, intent upon the destruction of all but the Flood.

"As the Master Chief hurtles Earthward in a Forerunner spacecraft, he may be
our last chance to stop the Covenant, the Flood, and the ticking time bomb
that is the Halo network, before every last soul in the galaxy is destroyed.
The stakes have never been higher.

"It’s time to finish the fight."

===Game Controls (Default)===
This section explains the default game controls, including the film and forge mode controls.

===Heads-Up Display (HUD)===
This section describes the different components of the heads-up display, as well as their functions. It details Grenades, Equipment, Shields, Motion Tracker, Waypoint, Weapons and Ammo/Charge, and Multiplayer Information. 

===Characters===
This section describes the different characters present in the game.
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Spartan-117: The Master Chief</div>
The Master Chief is the last of the elite SPARTAN II
soldiers. These genetically superior, highly trained
super-soldiers stand nearly 7 feet tall and, in MJOLNIR
Mark VI powered assault armor, weigh almost 1000
pounds. Spartan-117 is an expert in all weapons and
combat systems and can run faster, jump higher, and
hit harder than any normal Human. Honed by years of
battlefield experience, he has an unparalleled natural
talent for war.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">The Arbiter</div>
The disgraced Commander of the Covenant Fleet of Particular
Justice was stripped of his rank and forced to don the ancient
Armor of the Arbiter—an Elite custom where a warrior is sent
on a suicide mission to claim great honor in death. The Arbiter
discovered, however, that the Covenant’s Great Journey was
a lie and he subsequently started a civil war that has shaken
the foundations of the Covenant. The Arbiter’s people, the
Elites, have joined Humanity’s struggle against the rest of the
Covenant.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Cortana</div>
The UNSC’s most sophisticated AI, Cortana is the onetime
shipboard intelligence of the Halcyon-class cruiser Pillar of
Autumn. After helping to destroy the first Halo, she was lost
during events on Delta Halo. Her last known location was aboard
the Flood-infested Covenant capital ship High Charity, in the
thrall of the Flood. Cortana is the only link to the incredible
secret of Halo. She must be saved.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">The Prophet of Truth</div>
The deluded leader of the Covenant, this zealot is forcing his
civilization down a suicidal path. He intends to activate the
Halo and will sacrifice anything or anyone to do so. The Prophet
believes he can follow the Forerunners to their mysterious final
destination and share their ancient and unlimited power. He
now knows that the secret to this power may lie in the ancient
sands of Earth.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Gravemind</div>
The virulent Flood spreads by absorbing sentient creatures.
When it reaches a certain critical mass, it develops a centralized
intelligence known as a Gravemind. It was destroyed once
before by activation of the Halo array, but it will not be stopped
this time in its campaign to consume every thinking creature
in the galaxy. The Gravemind now roams free aboard the former
Covenant ship High Charity.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Sergeant Johnson</div>
Sergeant Major Avery Johnson is the battle-hardened and
longtime cohort of the Master Chief. An excellent soldier and
unmatched marksman who’s seen more than his fair share of
combat, no other Human knows the Master Chief like Johnson
does. Johnson is never more at home than in the thick of battle
and he will do anything for his men and his homeworld.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Commander Miranda Keyes</div>
Commander Miranda Keyes now finds herself in the unenviable
position of coordinating post-invasion resistance on a battered
and occupied Earth. Her father, Captain Jacob Keyes, died
on Halo as one of the first Human victims of the Flood. Her
dedication to duty and raw ability have helped her avoid
accusations of nepotism during her short but distinguished
career.
</div>
</div>

===Covenant Species===
This section covers the alien species encountered in-game.
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Grunts (Unggoy)</div>
Tough, vicious, and capable with a wide range of Covenant
hardware, Grunts are a significant military force. Their
discipline, however, is hierarchy-reliant and dependant
upon strong leadership and strength of numbers.
Leaderless, they present significantly less resistance.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Prophets (San ‘Shyuum)</div>
The religious and political leaders of the Covenant,
Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the
belief that firing the Halo array will herald some kind of
sublimation event called the Great Journey. Physically
frail, Prophets wield power through absolute command of
Covenant (and scavenged) technology.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Jackals (Kig-yar)</div>
Physically less powerful than some other Covenant
species, Jackals are employed mainly as sharpshooters
thanks to their excellent vision and dexterity. Their lack
of physical durability means they often employ energy
shields during combat. Countersniping them takes
extraordinary skill.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Drones (Yanme’e)</div>
These flying, insectile warriors serve almost exclusively
as professional soldiers rather than conforming to
Covenant societal norms. Their ability to fight on the
wing makes them an excellent strategic weapon against
ground-based opponents.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Brutes (Jiralhanae)</div>
A shift in Covenant hierarchy at the time of the Elite
insurrection elevated Brutes to a position of military
command. The Brutes wasted no time in applying their
pack and Alpha male mentality to their new Covenant role.
They are powerful, dangerous, and prone to acts of
berserker violence.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Elites (Sangheili)</div>
Formerly the ruling military class of the Covenant, Elites
are proud fighters with a valiant history. Their recent split
from the Covenant was sparked by religious differences,
but the schism runs deeper than that. Elites now ally with
their former Human foes in part because of a deep-seated
resentment of Prophet rule and in part because they
understand the scale of the Flood threat.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Hunters (Lekgolo)</div>
Hunters are actually an assemblage of wormlike entities
that create a communal, armor-plated form. They always
fight in pairs, are the strongest Covenant fighting units,
and wield powerful Plasma Cannons. Their political
motivation is completely unknown.
</div>
</div>

===Weapons===
This section covers the UNSC and Covenant weapons usable in the game.

"Spartans are trained to use any weapon found on the battlefield—Human
or otherwise. This training and philosophy means that resupply is always
just one victory away. Efficient and deadly, Spartans often look at opposing
forces as a kind of mobile weapons cache."

'''UNSC Weapons'''
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Pistol* 

M6G</div>
12 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">SUBMACHINE GUN* 

M7/CASELESS</div>
60 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">ASSAULT RIFLE 

MA5C ICWS</div>
32 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">BATTLE RIFLE 

BR55HB SR</div>
36 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">SHOTGUN 

M90A CAWS</div>
6 8 Gauge Shells
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">SNIPER RIFLE 

SRS 99D AM</div>
4 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">ROCKET LAUNCHER 

M41 SSR MAV/AW</div>
2 HE Rockets/Launch Assembly
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">SPARTAN LASER 

WAV M6 GGNR</div>
5 Shots/Charge
</div>
</div>
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Denotes weapons that can be dual-wielded. 

'''Covenant Weapons'''
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Plasma Pistol*</div>
100–150 kV, 2–3 dA
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Plasma Rifle*</div>
420–600 Rounds/Minute (variable)
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Brute Spiker*</div>
48 Spikes/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Needler</div>
30 Needles/Caddy
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Carbine</div>
36 Rounds/Magazine
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Brute Shot</div>
6 Rounds/Belt
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Beam Rifle</div>
18 Shots/Charge
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Energy Sword</div>
10 Uses/Charge
</div>
</div>
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Denotes weapons that can be dual-wielded.

'''Grenades'''

"You can carry a maximum of two of each grenade type at a time. Press Left-Bumper
to switch between available grenade types when not dual-wielding."
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Frag Grenade</div>
M9HE-DP Fragmentation

Kill Radius: 5m

Casualty Radius: 15m
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Plasma Grenade</div>
Type-1 Antipersonnel

Kill Radius: 4m

Casualty Radius: 12m
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Spike Grenade</div>
Type-2 Antipersonnel

Kill Radius: 3m

Casualty Radius: 11m
</div>
</div>

'''Support Weapons'''

"A turret is typically activated by pressing Right-Bumper. A Spartan, however, is strong
enough to tear off these weapons (press B-Button while using the turret) and
use them almost like rifles. When detached, these weapons have limited
ammunition capacity."
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Plasma Cannon</div>
Type-52 Automatic Plasma Cannon

200 Shots/Charge
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Machine Gun</div>
AIE-486H HMG

200 Rounds/Belt
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Missile Pod</div>
LAU-65D/SGM-151

8 Guided Missiles/Charger
</div>
</div>

===Equipment===
This section covers the equipment usable in the game, giving several examples.

"UNSC and Covenant forces have recently deployed powerful new combat
equipment to all fronts in the war. Once you pick up a piece of equipment,
you can activate it by pressing X-Button or swap it with a different piece of
equipment by holding Right-Bumper. Note: Some equipment is activated immediately
upon acquisition.

Here are a few of the many equipment options you’ll encounter in the field:"

<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Bubble Shield</div>
This globular local-radius energy shield deflects all projectile
weapons and thrown grenades. Its effect is short-lived, and it can
be penetrated by simply walking through its field. The generator
itself is very fragile once deployed.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Trip Mine</div>
This pressure-sensitive explosive can be set off by any contact with
a physical object or by close contact with vehicular gravitational or
energy fields. Trip Mine explosive power is significant, and mines
should be handled with extreme caution.
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Grav Lift</div>
This basic tool use of the gravity field generators found on Covenant
vehicles provides a short-range lift allowing the easy vertical elevation of beings, objects, and even vehicles.
</div>
</div>

===Vehicles===
This section covers the UNSC and Covenant vehicles found in the game.

====UNSC Vehicles====
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Mongoose</div>
Crew: 2

Weaponry: No Armament
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Warthog LRV/LAAV</div>
Crew: 2 (+ 1 gunner)

Weaponry: Variable
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Scorpion</div>
Crew: 1 (+ 1 gunner and 4 jumpseats)

Weaponry: 90mm High-Velocity Cannon,
7.62mm Machine Gun
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Hornet</div>
Crew: 1 (+ 2 jumpseats)

Weaponry: 2 Class-2 Guided Munitions
Launch Systems
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Pelican</div>
Crew: 1 (+ 10 in cargo hold)

Weaponry: Variable
</div>
</div>

====Covenant Vehicles====
<div class="tabcontainer">
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Ghost</div>
Crew: 1

Weaponry:Twin Plasma Cannons
(100–250&nbsp;kW range)
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Shade</div>
Crew: 1

Weaponry: 2 Class-2 Energy
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Wraith</div>
Crew: 1 (+ 1 gunner)

Weaponry: Plasma Mortar,
Dual Auto-Firing Plasma Cannons
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Banshee</div>
Crew: 1

Weaponry: 2 Class-2 Energy,
1 Class-2 Projectile
</div>
<div class="tabbox">
<div class="tab">Phantom</div>
Crew: 1 (+ 2 gunners and 24 in cargo hold)

Weaponry: 3 Class-2 Energy
</div>
</div>

===Basics===
This section covers the basics of playing the game, such as game lobbies and settings. It details Campaign, Matchmaking, Custom Games, Forge, and Theater, as well as the customization of in-game identity and experience through the Media and Settings functionalities.

===Multiplayer===
This section covers the basics of multiplayer gameplay, such as Matchmaking, Custom Games, and Co-Op. It details the Xbox Live system, System Link connections, the Party system, Voice Communication, Custom Game Variant creation, the Carnage Report, the Spartan Ratings system, File Share, and Campaign Scoring. 

===Viewing Films===
This section provides an overview of the Theater mode, a game film functionality.

===The Forge===
This section provides an overview of the Forge mode, a new map editing game mode.

===Bungie.net===
This section provides an overview of Bungie.net, the official website of Bungie and on-line home for ''Halo 3'' resources.

===Xbox Live===
This section provides an overview of Xbox Live, including connecting and family settings.

===The Xbox 360 Hard Drive===
This section covers the Xbox 360's hard drive functionality in the game.

===Credits===
This section lists those who worked on the game.

===Warranty and Customer Service===
This section covers information about the game warranty and customer service, as well as including copyright information.

==Alternative language versions==
The following links are all to Archive.org:
*English (US) - [https://web.archive.org/web/20130920143406/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_EN-US.pdf Archive.org]
*English (AU) - [http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_EN-AU.pdf Archive.org]
*Eastern Europe (Czech) - [https://web.archive.org/web/20150711013842/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_EE.pdf Archive.org]
*German - [https://web.archive.org/web/20240729130846/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_DE.pdf Archive.org]
*French - [https://web.archive.org/web/20140316110413/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_FR.pdf Archive.org]
*Italian - [https://web.archive.org/web/20150425051856/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_IT.pdf Archive.org]
*Japanese - [https://web.archive.org/web/20130703041045/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_JA.pdf Archive.org]
*Portuguese - [https://web.archive.org/web/20130531022857/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_XC.pdf Archive.org]
*Simplified Chinese - [https://web.archive.org/web/20240729140729/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_ZH.pdf Archive.org]
*Spanish - [https://web.archive.org/web/20240729140729/http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_ES.pdf Archive.org]

==Trivia==
*[[Avery Johnson]] appears to have a lighter skin tone than he did in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*[[Grunts]], [[Drones]], and [[Jackals]] seem to have had major aesthetic overhauls and the [[Covenant]] name for the [[Prophet]] race, San' Shyuum, has been revealed.
*The [[Type-50 particle beam rifle]] and the [[Type-51 Carbine|Carbine]] have their ammo counts wrong. The Beam Rifle only has 10 shots, instead of 18. The Carbine is claimed to have a 36 round magazine instead of the actual 18 rounds per mag.
*The [[Mauler]], [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]], [[Fuel Rod Gun]], the [[Sentinel Beam]], the [[Flamethrower]], and the [[Orgudam Workshop firebomb]] are missing from the manual.

==Gallery==
===Poster===
<gallery>
File:H3 PosterController.jpg|The poster included with the manual, showing the game's [[H3:Control schemes|controller layout]].
File:H3 PosterArbyChief.jpg|The alternate side of the poster, with art by [[:Category:Images by Ashley Wood|Ashley Wood]].
File:H3 ControllerPosterArtwork Sketch 1.jpg|An early concept sketch for the poster.
File:H3 ControllerPosterArtwork Sketch 2.jpg|An early concept sketch for the poster.
File:H3 ControllerPosterArtwork Sketch 3.jpg|An early concept sketch for the poster.
</gallery>

===Variant 1===
<gallery>
File:H3 ManualCover 1 Concept 1.jpg|Variant 1 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 1 Concept 2.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
</gallery>

===Variant 2===
<gallery>
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 1.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 2.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 3.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 4.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 5.jpg|Variant 2 early design.
File:H3 ManualCover 2 Concept 6.jpg|Variant 2 final design.
</gallery>

===Variant 3===
<gallery>
File:H3_ManualCover_3_Concept_1.jpg|Variant 3 early design.
File:H3_ManualCover_3_Concept_2.jpg|Variant 3 final design.
</gallery>

==See also==
Download the PDF versions from [[Xbox.com]]:
*[http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/9/9/F99AB8F0-5191-4EDD-B312-7A9B9E4784FA/Halo3_MNL_EN_PEGI.pdf Manual Download] (Internal backup {{file link|H3 Manual.pdf|here}})

{{Manual}}
[[Category:Halo 3]]
[[Category:Game manuals]]