Prisoner

2-8 players

Prisoner is a multiplayer map in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Summary
This map takes place in some sort of Forerunner holding facility for the Flood. It is symmetrical on exactly 13 axes, making it a very tight map. It is mostly gray in color and with no Teleporters. The most interesting aspect about this map is the bridges, which are very useful for opening fire on opponents below, but very vulnerable to snipers. Because of its tight space it is best for shotguns and 2-8 players. The most vulnerable spot on the map is the center; however, there is an Active Camouflage under the central pillar. You can also jump over this power-up and grab the Rocket Launcher from underneath. If you're quick you can grab both power-up and Power weapon for a devastating combination. The long hallways, walls, and ramps resemble the inside structures of the level The Silent Cartographer. It also has a very "cramped" feel to it and rockets and grenades are not recommended while going up or down one of the hallways. Some players make 16 person CTF servers with only heavy weapons (Rocket Launcher, Fuel Rod Cannon, and the Flamethrower). This creates a fast paced, chaotic, but balanced game where players never stay alive for more than a minute or two.

Capture the Flag

 * If you’re playing as a blue, the red flag is directly opposite on the map. To get there, first walk straight, and you should reach a platform, which is forward from the platform below the flag. Don’t jump, as you will lose shielding to splash damage.  To the right, there is a ladder that leads down; don’t jump down that. You want to remain as high as possible to evade too much enemy attention.  Rather, turn to the right,  and jump to the next platform in front of you. If you wish to make a detour, right below you is the platform hosting the rocket launcher. Continue walking until you reach a small platform leading towards the left and, in front of that, a ramp with a red key on the wall on the right of the ramp. Go for the smaller platform  on the immediate front and continue along it. See image. When the path is about to terminate, turn to the right, climb the ladder, and you’re at the enemy base.

For reds, just do the reverse of the above.


 * Each base, due to the relative safety of having the most allies and highest place, is the best sniping spot. Paradoxically, the ‘’enemy base’’ is actually a superior sniping location due to the fact that they will not be expecting it there (and consequently make easy pickings), and you can steal the flag immediately (it also boosts morale) once it has been returned.


 * If an ally has the enemy flag and you’re at a sniper location, offer cover fire on his pursuers to at least slow them down. The seconds you have shaved off are worth their weight in gold when it comes to scoring.

Strategies
This map is a very bad idea for game types or weapon sets that involve the Rocket Launcher. Capture the Flag games are extremely challenging, as the two flags are positioned in small alcoves that are easy to miss. Slayer games are okay, but one of the best game-types to use here is Stalker. The Stalker can hide in one of the alcoves with a Shotgun or Sniper Rifle and watch the other players fall in line from below.

Another good strategy is for a Team Slayer game when you send a man out with a Sniper Rifle, and others with the Assault Rifle, Magnums, and some with Shotguns. The sniper should position himself across from a major weapon spawn, such as the Rocket Launcher in the middle tower of the map. The player with the Shotgun should patrol the Sniper Rifle spawn point, gunning down would-be enemy snipers. Lastly, position two players with Assault Rifles and Magnums near the sniper mentioned above, just in case the attack force of the other team overpowers.

Note: Not only can you make potshots through the windows in the flag alcove, but it is also a great place to hide with a Shotgun in CTF games.