Gameplay

Ragnarok

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Ragnarok
A beacon tower on Ragnarok.
Map overview

Game:

Halo 4

Map file name (?):

z11_valhalla

Lore information

Map designation (?):

War Games Map_Set/: 733-4[1]

Location:

Canyon on Requiem[2]

Gameplay overview

Terrain:

Forerunner tower bases, alpine river canyon

Recommended number of players:

6-16

Recommended gametype(s):

 
Now integrated into the War Games simulation, this curiously hidden gorge was once the site of a Spartan deployment.

Ragnarok is a Halo 4 multiplayer map. It is a remake of the map Valhalla from Halo 3, which itself is a spiritual successor to Blood Gulch and Coagulation. The map is also featured on three missions of Spartan Ops, in which it is known as Two Giants.[2]

Universe and lore[edit]

Main article: Two Giants

Ragnarok is set in a location on Requiem codenamed by the UNSC as "Two Giants". Enigmatic and multi-purposed, spire beacons similar to these apparently frequent a number of Forerunner sites, including Halo and Shield installations, as well as the Ark megastructure. Buried within deep canyons, these towers are not only sheltered from off-world debris, but their positions allowed them to leverage the steep environment’s natural harmonics to amplify their signals when firing deep into space. Most scientists believe the spires - at their base function - act as communication channels, sending specific commands to other remote locations. The full operation and over-arching purpose of these mysterious objects, however, remains a source of speculation.[3] Canyons like these were often reused based on the specific tastes of the pattern-weaver responsible for the creation of the design seed used in the region's construction, their function and as the result of other semi-random variables in the chosen design template.[4]

The area would be contested by the forces of the UNSC Infinity and Jul 'Mdama's Covenant during the Requiem Campaign, in which Mountain Squad's D79-TC Pelican would crash in the canyon.[2]

Overview[edit]

Layout[edit]

Just like Valhalla, Ragnarok features two bases, one for Red team and Blue team respectively. In the middle is a cliff, which is a good place for map control, and is also where the Spartan Laser spawns. On one side of the map is a big Forerunner 'wall', which also features a small hill with a Machine Gun Turret on it. On the opposite side of the wall is a crashed Pelican which also serves as a good place for map control. A river cuts through the middle of the map, which is an excellent route for vehicles, especially the Mongoose and Warthog, as the depth allows for good cover against both enemy fire and boarding attempts.

Callouts[edit]

The following are locations on the map that were named in the Halo 4: Official Game Guide:

  • Red Base
  • Red Rocks
  • Waterfall
  • Rapids
  • Jungle
  • Red Den
  • Top Middle
  • Turret
  • Wall
  • Pelican
  • Blue Den
  • Creek
  • Woods
  • Blue Rocks
  • Blue Base

Strategies[edit]

  • When flying a Banshee, avoid enemy Mantises, because the Mantis is easily capable of destroying a Banshee.
  • The crashed Pelican is a good place to hide when sniping.
  • Most vehicular action occurs near the center creek on the map. If you are not in a vehicle, it is recommended that you avoid the creek.
  • Close-quarter weapons, like shotguns, are not very effective on Ragnarok, due to the size of the map. Instead, long-ranged weapons are more useful and tactical.
  • The Spartan Laser is a game-changing weapon to have, if used properly. Players should try to grab it at the beginning of the match to quickly eliminate all of the enemy Mantises and Banshees.
  • It is possible to climb up the front of either base, beneath the man cannon.

Forge[edit]

The "Crate Small" object on Ragnarok assumes the shape of a Drum or Barrel rather than the traditional Crate.

Trivia[edit]

  • It is also possible to be killed by the The Guardians by reaching the top of either base tower. To reach it, you need a Banshee AND a jetpack.
  • The name refers to the Ragnarök events in Old Norse mythology, including a great battle resulting in the death of many Old Norse figures. In the same mythology, Odin is aided by many at Valhalla, hence this map being a remake of Halo 3's Valhalla.
  • There is a secret room inside of the tower in each base.

Gallery[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide
  2. ^ a b c Spartan Ops, S1E3 Catherine
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint: Requiem
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint forums: Catalog's response - [Serendipitous] or [pleasing] patterns are often represented at different scales and locales, based on the tastes of the [pattern weaver] or as a result of [semi-stochastic] initial conditions inherent in the chosen template.