Capture the Flag
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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.
Built-in variants
Halo: Combat Evolved
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| CTF | The first team to capture the enemy's flag and return it to their own base 3 times wins the game. You must have your own flag to capture. |
| Assault | Teams alternate offense and defense every 2 minutes. Carry the enemy flag into their base to their flag station. 5 assaults wins. |
| CTF Classic | The first team to capture the enemy's flag and return it to their own base 3 times wins the game. |
| Invasion CTF | Carry the enemy flag into their base and plant it at their flag station. 3 successful assaults wins, but you only get 5 lives! |
| Iron CTF | All players start with health at 200% and both teams have Scorpion tanks. 3 flag captures wins the game. |
| CTF Pro | 3 flag captures wins the game, but your flag must be at home to score. Start with Grenades, Pistol, and AR. |
Halo 2
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi Flag CTF | Defend your flag while launching a coordinated attack on your enemy's flag. 3 captures to win. |
| CTF Classic | Defend your flag while capturing the enemy's. 3 points wins, flag must be home to score, flag may be returned. |
| 1 Flag CTF | Take turns on offense/defense. A capture wins a round. Flag may not be returned. Rounds last 3 minutes. First to 3 wins. |
| 1 Flag CTF Fast | Intense 2 minute rounds of alternating offense/defense. A capture wins a round. Flag may not be returned. First to 3 wins. |
Halo 3
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi Flag | Every team has a flag, and may capture when it is away. 3 captures to win. |
| One Flag | Only one team has a flag. 4 rounds, and teams take turns defending the flag. |
| Tank Flag | A variation of Multi Flag where the carrier is very tough, but very slow. |
| Attrition CTF | Highly tactical CTF. Very long respawns, but teams respawn on captures. |
Halo: Reach
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Capture the Flag | Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score. |
| Multi Flag CTF | Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score. |
| Neutral Flag CTF | Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score. |
| One Flag CTF | Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize the enemy flag, and then return it to your base to score. |
Halo 4
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Capture the Flag | Steal the Enemy Flag, Score Points! |
Halo 2: Anniversary
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi Flag CTF | Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own. |
| Classic CTF | Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score and return on pickup enabled. |
| One Flag Classic CTF | Alternating Offense / Defense. A flag capture wins the round. Most flag captures wins the game. Flag return on pickup enabled. |
| Warlock Classic CTF | Capture the Enemy Flag while defending your own. Flag at home to score and return on pickup enabled. |
| One Flag CTF | Alternating Offense / Defense. A flag capture wins the round. Most flag captures wins the game. |
| Neutral Flag CTF | Capture the neutral flag and return it to your team's base! Keep the other team away from it! |
| Gungoose CTF | Use a vehicle to steal the enemy flag and score points! |
Halo 5: Guardians
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Big Team CTF | Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own. |
| Capture the Flag | Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own. |
| Capture the Flag HCS | Capture the enemy Flag while defending your own. |
| Neutral Flag | Fight Over a Neutral Flag That All Teams Need to Capture. |
| Super Fiesta Capture the Flag | Capture the Flag with random weapons. This is madness! |
Halo Infinite
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Arena:CTF | Capture the enemy flag while defending your own. |
| BTB:CTF | Capture the enemy flag. |
| Ranked:CTF | BR loadouts, Friendly-Fire enabled, Motion Tracker disabled. Capture the enemy flag while defending your own. |
| Arena:One Flag CTF | Only one team has a flag. Teams alternate attacking and defending the flag. |
| Arena:Neutral Flag CTF | Steal and capture the forsaken flag. |
Achievements
The following achievements can be unlocked in Capture the Flag gametypes.
| 'Icon' | Title | Unlock requirement | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Play every available game variant, with at least 3 other players, to the end of each game. | ||
 |
On a Legendary map, get 2 Flag Carrier kills during any ranked or social match. | ||
 |
On a Legendary map, get a Flag Melee kill during any ranked or social match. | ||
 |
Successfully return two flags in a matchmade CTF game. | ||
 |
Prevent the attacking team from touching the flag in a matchmaking 1-Flag CTF game. | ||
 |
Stick and kill the flag carrier with a plasma grenade in a matchmade game. | ||
 |
Capture the flag twice in a matchmade Capture the Flag game. |
Medals
The following medals can be unlocked in Capture the Flag gametypes.
| 'Icon' | Title | Unlock requirement | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Taken the opponent's flag. | ||
 |
Return your flag to your base. | ||
 |
Get a melee kill with the flag. | ||
 |
Capture the opposing team's flag. | ||
 |
Kill the opposing flag carrier. | ||
 |
Kill an opponent with a melee attack using a flag. | ||
 |
Complete a scoring flag capture in a Capture the Flag game. | ||
 |
Killed the opponent flag carrier in a Capture the Flag game. | ||
 |
Deliver the opponent's flag to your base. | ||
 |
Capture 2 flags in one game. | ||
 |
Capture 3 flags in one game. | ||
 |
Help a teammate capture a flag. | ||
 |
Kill an opponent who is carrying a flag. | ||
 |
Kill an opponent who is close to your flag. | ||
 |
Kill an opponent while holding a flag. | ||
 |
Perform an assassination while holding a flag. | ||
 |
Kill a flag carrier while holding a flag. | ||
 |
Drive a flag carrier close to your capture point. | ||
 |
Kill an enemy flag carrier while holding a flag. | ||
 |
Kill an enemy flag carrier who is about to score. | ||
 |
Return a flag near the enemy flag stand. |
Commendations
Halo 4
- Main article: List of Halo 4 commendations
Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking. Completing this commendation will unlock the Vanguard "Converge" (CNVG) armor set
| Tier | Required # | Rewarded XP |
| Novice | 5 | 250 |
| Proficient | 10 | 500 |
| Adept | 25 | 750 |
| Expert | 50 | 1000 |
| Master | 150 | 2000 |
Kill enemy Spartans while carrying the flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Rewarded XP |
| Novice | 3 | 250 |
| Proficient | 5 | 500 |
| Adept | 7 | 750 |
| Expert | 15 | 1000 |
| Master | 30 | 2000 |
Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Rewarded XP |
| Novice | 10 | 250 |
| Proficient | 25 | 500 |
| Adept | 50 | 750 |
| Expert | 75 | 1000 |
| Master | 100 | 2000 |
Earn any of these 2 medals: Flag Defense, Flag Assist
| Tier | Required # | Rewarded XP |
| Novice | 10 | 250 |
| Proficient | 25 | 500 |
| Adept | 50 | 750 |
| Expert | 100 | 1000 |
| Master | 250 | 2000 |
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
- Main article: List of Halo 5: Guardians commendations
Master all Capture the Flag commendations.
Reward: 2500 XP + 1 Requisition Pack
Kill an enemy flag carrier in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 10 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 30 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 60 | 300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack |
| 4 | 110 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 210 | 1000 XP + Carrier Takedown Pack |
Return your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 10 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 30 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 60 | 300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack |
| 4 | 110 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 210 | 1000 XP + Mine! Pack |
Protect your team's flag in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 10 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 30 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 60 | 300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack |
| 4 | 110 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 210 | 1000 XP + Defender of the Flag Pack |
Win a match in any Capture the Flag gametype in matchmaking
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 5 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 15 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 30 | 300 XP + Commendation Reward Pack |
| 4 | 55 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 105 | 1000 XP + Flag Victory Pack |
Capture a flag, assist in capturing a flag or kill with a flag.
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 500 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 1000 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 1500 | 300 XP and 1 Requisition Pack |
| 4 | 2400 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 4900 | 1000 XP and 1 Requisition Pack |
Earn one of the following medals: Stopped Short, Flag Joust, Carrier Kill, Flag return, Flag defense
| Tier | Required # | Reward |
| 1 | 1000 | 100 XP |
| 2 | 2000 | 200 XP |
| 3 | 3000 | 300 XP and 1 Requisition Pack |
| 4 | 4800 | 500 XP |
| 5 | 9700 | 1000 XP and 1 Requisition Pack |
Trivia
- John-117 and his squad of SPARTAN-IIs played Capture the flag with Tango company on Reach.[1]
- 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.
Gallery
Concept art for the game mode for Halo 3.
The Flag carrier on a Warthog while being pursued by Ghosts in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A Spartan driving a flag carrier in Halo: Reach.
Three Spartans on a Warthog in Halo 4.
A Spartan defends a flag carrier in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A Aviator-clad Spartan carrying the Flag in Halo Infinite.
Sources
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 157-160
