Capture the Flag



Capture the Flag (CTF) is a multiplayer gametype where teams compete to capture a flag from an enemy base and return it to their own. Many variants of this game-type exist, with the most common variation being the number of teams and flags. More variants can be created by altering individual settings. Capture the flag has appeared in every Halo multiplayer game.

Overview
In Capture the Flag, teams compete to capture and return the opposing team's flag to their own base.

Flag offense and defense
Flags are located at their spawn points, usually held in the teams' respective bases. Players need to defend their flags from the enemy team while trying to take the enemy's flag from their base. While carrying a flag, a player (becoming the "flag carrier") cannot fire their weapons, but they can melee using the flag. When a flag is dropped, either at the carrier's own volition or because they are killed, the flag enters a countdown. At the end of the countdown, the flag returns to the base, and the process could be accelerated by friendly players standing around it. The countdown can be reset by enemy players holding the flag again, even if briefly. Respawn timers are typically longer in CTF than in Slayer, giving more time for players in the offense to capture the flag.

In games other than Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo Infinite, the flag melee can kill a fully-shielded enemy player with one hit, though the setting can be tweaked in custom game settings.

In Halo 4, rather than being wielded with both hands, players now carry the flag with their left hand and wield an M6H magnum in their right, regardless of whichever weapons they are carrying. Players pick up the flag automatically by walking into it, but can no longer drop it; once a player has taken the flag, they are stuck with it until they score it or are killed.

Scoring
Upon returning the enemy team's flag to their own base (or the "flag return point"), a player scores a point for the team. The enemy team's flag automatically returns to the enemy base, and can be taken again. In certain variants of CTF, players cannot score if their own flag has been removed its spawn point.

Victory condition
By default, the team that first reaches the score limit (3 points by default) wins the game. If neither has reach the score limit at the end of the time limit, the team with the most points at the end wins. If there is a tie, the game may enter overtime, and the team that first scores the next point wins the game. Alternatively, if a team is holding the enemy team's flag at the end, the game may enter sudden death. During sudden death, the flag must be taken to its return point or its spawn point, the result of which decides the victor of the match.

Tips

 * Designate one player as be the flag carrier. This is the player who will capture the flag and return it to your team's base, and another would be the color guard (the person who guards the flag).
 * Have every other teammate except for a few people defending your flag provide cover fire for the Flag Carrier. One person should (if it is available) grab a Sniper rifle and provide cover from a distance. Everyone else should have decent medium-range weapons, such as the battle rifle or plasma rifle.
 * Use vehicles like the Warthog, so that the flag carrier can make a speedy getaway. Deny the enemy team from pursuing in their own vehicles and destroy all of their vehicles.
 * In Multi-Flag CTF, the strategy is a little different. Designate one defender in the base with the shotgun or a rocket launcher. The sniper should play from either backfield or midfield, and should have a defensive focus most of the time. A good team will be sufficiently defended using the single inside defender and the covering sniper. Remember respawning teammates can at times remain on defense to support. As long as every enemy on the board is accounted for and the inside defender is aware of enemies entering the base, any standard attack will be easily defeated. Any attacking players that enter the base should be easily killed by the shotgun/rocket defender. This defender must always crouch so as to avoid detection. Cover the entrances, not the flag. Other players must also listen to warnings from the sniper or defender, stating that they may soon be overwhelmed by the enemy attackers.
 * Offense will require careful coordination to succeed in higher levels of gameplay. Assuming that a good enemy will kill on average 50% of your attackers, you will need to strike with enough manpower to fight a battle inside the enemy base with half of your team. One strong way to sneak attack your opponents is to skirmish attack your enemy base knowing you will lose the fight. Keep one or two of your teammates inside the enemy base hiding and waiting to attack in unison with the next wave of attack. The enemy will underestimate your attack strength. You should use the hiding players to attack the defense seconds before your teammates arrive in the second wave. This will allow them to enter the enemy base more easily. Without more than half of the team on offense, it is unlikely that you will ever score against a strong enemy. Offensive players must also be able to survive the trip downfield to the enemy base. To do this try to (I) sneak, (II) fight (III) speed your way past the enemy. Sneaking is straight forward; travel undetected. Fighting will require strong coordination of firepower. Battle rifles are great for offensive walks downfield. Make sure that each teammate shoots together at the same enemy, killing him before moving on to the next. Think about it: three shooting enemies half dead are more dangerous than two shooting enemies and one dead enemy. The idea is to minimize the firepower your enemy is using, if you all shoot at one enemy and kill them right away, you will eliminate 1/3 of their firepower (1 out of 3 battle rifles). Speeding will require the Warthog or Mongoose, and will require you to be prepared to fight an enemy that knows you are coming.
 * In 1-Flag CTF, the attack forces are going to rush in full force to take the flag, you have to grab the best weapons you can manage and cover the entrances. It might be wise to have some units avoid the main fray and sneak around the enemy base to ambush them.
 * It is advised not to attempt flag running (dropping the flag while jumping) as it gives away your position for a barely noticeable speed boost.
 * If you decide to leave one player behind to guard the flag, find out if there is any available vehicles and park them over the flag. Using this strategy, you can blow away anyone attempting to grab the flag, because they will try to grab it and instead hop into a vehicle.

Achievements
The following achievements can be unlocked in Capture the Flag gametypes.

Medals
The following medals can be unlocked in Capture the Flag gametypes.

Halo 4
Flag Victory Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking. Completing this commendation will unlock the Vanguard "Converge" (CNVG) armor set Deadly Flag Kill enemy Spartans while carrying the flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Carrier Takedown Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Defender of the Flag Earn any of these 2 medals: Flag Defense, Flag Assist Capture the Flag Mastery Complete all of the following commendations: Flag Victory, Deadly Flag, Carrier Takedown, Defender of the Flag. Completing this commendation will unlock the "Flag" emblem

Halo 5: Guardians
Flag Mastery Master all Capture the Flag commendations. Reward: 2500 XP + 1 Requisition Pack Carrier Takedown Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Mine! Return your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Defender of the Flag Protect your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Capture the Flag Mastery Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking Patriot Capture a flag, assist in capturing a flag or kill with a flag. Flag 'Em Down Earn one of the following medals: Stopped Short, Flag Joust, Carrier Kill, Flag return, Flag defense

Trivia

 * John-117 and his squad of SPARTAN-IIs played Capture the flag with Tango company on Reach.
 * The CTF weapons glitch can be done in CTF games. When the player exchanges a flag for a weapon, then exchanges the weapon for the flag, then drops the flag, leaving the player with three weapons.