Sandtrap
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Sandtrap | |
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| Map overview | |
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Game: |
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Map file name (?): |
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| Lore information | |
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Location: |
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| Gameplay overview | |
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Terrain: |
Forerunner ruins, desert sand |
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Map layout: |
Semi-symmetrical |
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Recommended number of players: |
6-16 |
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Recommended gametype(s): |
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| “ | Although the Brute occupiers have been driven from this ancient structure, they left plenty to remember them by. | ” |
Sandtrap is a multiplayer map featured in Halo 3 and Halo Online. The map is set in a vast desert with rolling sand dunes and some enigmatic half-buried structures.
Universe and lore[edit]
Sandtrap is set in a desert wasteland on The Ark.[2][Note 1] The primary focus of the map is a series of ancient Forerunner stone structures, buried in the desert sands. Surrounding the site is a circular Forerunner wall, lined with six massive Forerunner towers. The stone ruins extend off to both sides of the map, though those in the center have been partially excavated by persons unknown.[3]
At some point during or after the Battle of Installation 00, the area came under the occupation of the Jiralhanae,[4] who fortified the site with landmines and at least one Ru'swum-pattern Phantom.[3] However, the Jiralhanae were driven from the ruins either by UNSC forces or another party,[4] such as Sentinels. UNSC forces deployed from UNSC Aegis Fate took control of the area, utilizing D96 Albatross 03 and two M313 Elephants, named "Behemoth" and "Leviathan."[3] An analysis of the region's atmosphere by the UNSC showed its atmospheric composition to be the following:
The region's surface composition was revealed consist of Carbon, Silicon, Sodium, Titanium, Nitrogen, Zinc, Calcium, and other trace elements.[5][Note 2] In addition, the composition of the structures is presently unknown, and life signs in the region are minimal.[5]
Overview[edit]
Layout[edit]
The structures on Sandtrap are symmetrical along the map's long axis, with two different bases at either end - one by the UNSC encampment by the Albatross and another by the Phantom. Each base has access to an Elephant, a Chopper, a Mongoose and two Warthogs. However, one side of the map's symmetry is fully unearthed by the excavations while the other largely still buried in the sand, adding some slight asymmetry to the map's layout. The central "spine" of the map is a two-floor triangular structure running through the middle of the map, acting as a ramp for vehicles on top and having a small infantry corridor running through the structure. One side of the spine has two small buildings with gravity lifts connected by bridges, and a vehicle-access underpass beneath the bridges.
The base near the Albatross is fairly open, while the base on the other side of the map is a multi-level structure with the bottom floor comparable to a crypt, while the top floor resembles the top of the aforementioned central spine. The downed Phantom off to the side of the map has a Banshee next to it. Sandtrap features odd Forerunner constructs (called obelisks in the Halo 3 files) and is encircled with a "minefield" that features vertically launching mines to prevent players from venturing beyond its boundaries. The outer skybox of the map features a full model of a Charon-class light frigate, the UNSC Aegis Fate.
The map has a heavy emphasis on vehicular combat. All the Forgeable vehicles available at the time in the game are on this map - for example, the "bases" are a pair of Elephants at opposite ends of the recently unearthed Forerunner ruins. There are also some very interesting sniper spots. For example, if you are inside the crashed Phantom, it will be hard for other players to see you and the location gives you a very interesting view to take down some unsuspecting players. Also, a large hill gives you a good view over the field from overhead.
Sandtrap Map.
Strategies[edit]
- In Multi-Flag CTF and Assault, a good strategy is to seize the enemy Elephant and bring it to your base in order to repetitively capture the objective. In Neutral Assault, take the enemy Elephant to the very middle of the map and continuously grab and plant the bomb until victory. Beware; stealing an enemy Elephant is quite a task, so make sure to bring several teammates along with you.
- The Brute Shot is useful for flipping runaway Warthogs and Mongooses.
- Trip mines are near impossible to spot in the orange sand color. Try throwing one in the center, near the sniper spawn for best results.
- The Chopper is valuable on this map, it is a great secondary option to eliminate enemy Warthogs, and sometimes you can splatter a Banshee with it.
- On several dunes to the side of the map where the sun is, you can easily see the whole area of the map. Set up here and you can dominate. A common tactic is to take the sniper and use a Mongoose to drive over to the area and snipe. Good secondary weapons are assault rifles to dispatch enemies that attack you at close range and Spartan Lasers, so any incoming vehicles can be eliminated, and the sniper can continue wreaking havoc from afar.
- In CTF games, try to sneak up on the flag with a partner. Take the flag from the Elephant and steal the enemy's Mongoose that spawns on the Elephant's lower level. Your opponents will think that when you steal a flag, you will be easy to kill. But you will be long gone by then.
- You don't always have to run through the map with the flag, if you are in a Mongoose, you can drive through the minefield with ease.
- If you eliminate the enemy wielding the Spartan Laser, your team can temporarily claim it taking the biggest threat to your team's vehicles
- Upon picking up the Spartan Laser at the beginning of the match, be ready t