Team SWAT

Team SWAT is a Halo 2 and a Halo 3 Matchmaking gametype. As of May 2008, this is now a ranked playlist in Halo 3. The player has no shields, no motion tracker, and spawns with a weapon that is well suited for obtaining headshots. Common starting weapons are the Battle Rifle, Covenant Carbine, or the M6C Magnum handgun. In Halo 3 matchmaking, Team SWAT features either Battle Rifles and Magnums, or just Magnums. Mongoose ATVs can be found on maps such as Snowbound and Isolation. Inexperienced players should avoid this playlist as it can be particularly frustrating if they are not used such fast-paced gameplay.

The lack of shields can significantly increase the speed of the game due to almost instantaneous kills, though there is often a tendency for people to be more cautious due to this vulnerability. Headshots are crucial, as they will stop an opponent with a single round.

SWAT on Halo 2
SWAT game playlist has mostly slayer gametypes although it has also some objective games on it like CTF. Preferred maps:
 * Battle Creek
 * Elongation
 * Midship

SWAT on Halo 3
SWAT is now a permanent playlist under hardcore, and is ranked. It doesn't have anything else other than slayer games, per the original design of Team SWAT.

Map Rotation:
 * SWAT Construct
 * Hardcore Isolation
 * SWAT Guardian
 * SWAT The Pit
 * SWAT Ground
 * SWAT Epitaph
 * SWAT Snowbound
 * Hardcore Snowbound

Tips and Strategy

 * Many players prefer Elite armor permutations in this game type due to claims that Elites are nearly impossible to headshot from behind. This, including claims that Elites have a disadvantage when shot from the side, have been verified by Bungie as untrue, although some players would beg to differ.


 * This playlist, more or less, comes down to finding viewpoints and angles, quick reactions, getting ready for an opponent at every turn, and being outright paranoid.


 * All that is needed for a kill is one shot to the head. Long-range shooting is always worth an attempt here, unlike other game types.


 * Camping becomes a bigger problem in SWAT games than in any other game type, so always check around corners for people that may be lurking there.


 * Spawn killing also becomes a more noticeable problem than in any other game types. When you respawn, always try to find immediate cover and take out any nearby threats.


 * Being cautious is always rewarded.


 * If you do have trouble shooting Elites, try to aim between their mouth and neck, because it can be frustrating if you hit them too high. This improves your ability to win against Elites.


 * If you stand an Elite beside a Spartan, the Elite's necks is roughly at the same height as the Spartan's head. In the end result it is equal, and the critical head shot area is the same in both.


 * Always remain calm, it takes one good shot to kill a person. If you are under fire, you are either dead or have a chance to kill the other person. Losing your cool can lead you to missing your chance, or the shot.

Trivia

 * The double experience weekend playlist for Team SWAT took place from March 20th through 23rd, but due to a unknown reason was stopped short by two days. To compensate for this error, the playlist was put up again the following weekend.
 * SWAT on Blackout will be one of the main focus points of it's return in May 2008, due to the intensity and excitement of playing SWAT on Lockout in Halo 2
 * Team SWAT has appeared twice so far as a Double XP Weekend, the first time it appeared from 20th March 2008 through 23rd, although experienced technical errors and was stopped 2 days short, the second time it appeared was from April 24th 2008 through April 27th. This was its final appearance until it became a permanent playlist in Halo 3 Matchmaking in May.

Related Pages

 * Slayer Variants