Epitaph: Difference between revisions

{{Ratings}}

{{Era|H3}}

{{Multiplayer Map Infobox

|image=[[Image:Halo_3_Epitaph.jpg|300px|]]

|location=Unknown World

|terrain=[[Forerunner]] structure set in a desolate desert wasteland. Possibly near the level [[Sandtrap (Level)|Sandtrap]].

|vehicles=None

|equipment=*[[Bubble Shield]]

|power-ups=*[[Active Camouflage]]

|playernumber= 4-10

<center>{{Article Quote|Some believe the [[Forerunner]]s preferred desolate places. Others suggest that few other sites survived the [[Flood]].}}</center>

'''Epitaph''' is a [[multiplayer]] map featured in ''[[Halo 3]]''.

[[Image:EpitaphHeatMap.jpg|left|thumb|200px|A birds-eye view of Epitaph]]

Epitaph is set in an enclosed "Cathedral-like" [[Forerunner]] structure with a ceiling vaulting nearly 200 feet into the air and may possibly be located on [[The Ark]]. It is lined with corridors, [[Gravity Lift]]s, and shield doors forcing rapid-paced, corridor-based combat. It towers above a virtually endless wasteland, although careful inspection will reveal metallic-like ribs jutting through the sands below. Though not featured in Team Slayer, Epitaph is played primarily in [[Team Doubles]], [[Lone Wolves]] and [[SWAT]] variants, where the primary game-types include [[Slayer]] and the occasional [[Oddball]] gametype. Epitaph is a semi-symmetrical map in the relative shape of a cross or plus sign (or possibly a [[Tombstone]] ''cross'', which would be suitable with its name) with a "base" at either end. These bases are essentially enclosed, with a spacious gap in the center that forms the primary cathedral area.  

To either side of the bases are stairways that lead to a pair of raised tunnels, one on each side of the cathedral area. However, they are separated from the open space by a wall, preventing players in the tunnels from overlooking the cathedral space. Situated in each "base" is a gold colored Gravity Lift, similar to the main lift on ''[[Construct]]''. The Gravity Lift on one end ejects players into the air, similar to the one on [[Colossus]], in the center of the cathedral area where a platform with an [[M41 SSR MAV/AW|Rocket Launcher]] wobbles. This platform is reminiscent of the platform on the [[Halo 2]] map [[Midship]], though much smaller in shape and size. Only two pieces of equipment exist on this map, the [[Power Drain]] (found by the main Gravity Lift), and a [[Bubble Shield]] (found on the opposite side of the map).

== Cathedral Interior ==

The interior of the cathedral is split into five sections, each section having multiple levels, and access to the ramps and walkways outside. Of the five sections, four form the "spokes" of the interior with two of the sections being identical. From each of these sections, players may travel to the walkways on the outside of the level, and back into the interior of the cathedral. The main hallway in Epitaph is split into two sections. Easily identified by the large Forerunner symbol hovering in the air on one end, players can tell where they are located. On one end of the level, a Gravity Lift propels players to the Rocket Launcher platform, while the opposite lift only carries players to the upper level. Two smaller gold-colored gravity lifts (one on each side of the main section) also send players to the upper levels of the cathedral. A plethora of weapons and grenades can be found on the upper and lower levels of this main section, including [[Mauler|Maulers]], [[Needler|Needlers]], and [[Brute Spiker|Brute Spikers]].

On the lowest level of the interior, in the center rests a [[Gravity Hammer]], which is often a contested weapon between players and teams alike. Directly above the Gravity Hammer, resting on a floating platform, players can find the Rocket Launcher, an equally contested weapon like the Hammer. The identical sections of the map are adjacent to the Gravity Hammer and Rocket Launcher, and can be accessed from a number of directions. The lowest level of these two sections holds a [[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle|Battle Rifle]], while the upper part contains a [[M6G Magnum|Magnum]] on one side, and a [[Plasma Pistol]] on the other. Players can jump to access the platform where the Rocket Launcher rests from the ramp on the upper level of this section. Players can also find an [[Overshield]] on the lowest level of the main hallway.  

[[Image:Epitaph-Light_Side.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Light Side exterior of Epitaph's catwalks.]][[Image:1204275607 Outta epitah.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The entire structure Epitaph is built on when viewed from several hundred meters away. Note the Cathedral is at the top.]]

A series of catwalks and ramps exist on either side of Epitaph's outdoor section. These catwalks run parallel, and perpendicular to the main hallway section of the Inner-Cathedral, and thus exist on the "light side" and "dark side" of the map. Since this map is semi-symmetrical, the catwalks on either side are similar, but not identical. The commonality shared between these two sides is that they all connect to the Inner-Cathedral through a series of doorways and shield doors. While technically not a a power weapon, the [[Shotgun]] exists on a ledge of the "dark side" catwalk, beside a Gravity Lift leading into the map's interior. This section, known as the "corner of death" is a common place for players to camp. Players will wait just out of view around the corner for an unsuspecting player to come looking for the shotgun.

[[Image:Epitaph Interior.jpg|right|thumb|250px|View of the exterior showing the location of the [[Bubble Shield]] in the foreground and the [[Sniper Rifle]] in the background.]]

On a lower ramp on the "light side" catwalks, players can find [[Active Camouflage]] power-up, offering a clear advantage in the cramped spaces of Epitaph. Players can also find Maulers on the ramps, as well as [[Plasma Rifle|Plasma Rifles]]. This map also features the [[Spike Grenade]], and a number of them can be found on both the interior and exterior of the map. It is interesting to note that the Spike Grenade does adhere to the shield doors in this level. In addition to quickly accessing the upper and lower levels of the map, players can drop down onto the lower catwalks from the top, by carefully jumping down. There is also a small opening on the upper ramp on the "dark side" that allows players to drop down onto the lower level.

== Trivia ==  

<!--This is TRIVIA, not Strategies, only trivia belongs here, please put strategies below in the Strategies section-->

*GamePro has stated this is "the spiritual successor to [[Halo 2]] maps like [[Colossus]], [[Gemini]], and [[Midship]]."

* In an interview for Public Radio internationals The World, Chris Carney, the lead multiplayer map designer, stated that this map's layout and predominant blue lighting was based on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartes_Cathedral Cathedral of Chartes] in Northern France.

*The [[Dino-Birds]] can be seen flying around on one of the outside pathways. They can be shot and when killed, they either lose their wings or fall apart with blood bursting out from their wounds, but they will respawn soon enough.

*The towers visible in the distance on [[Sandtrap]] bear a slight resemblance to Epitaph, though it is unknown if there is any connection.

* While keeping silent, players can hear the [[Halo]] theme music being played in a deep synthesizer-like tone every few seconds.

*When inspected closely, players can see that the "characters" on the windows of the complex scroll from the bottom to the top.

*Said "characters" are various and random letters and numbers, in different languages and in different positions.

*Due to its name, many fans thought that this map was another remake of [[Hang 'Em High (Level)|Hang 'Em High]] and [[Tombstone (Level)|Tombstone]]. An Epitaph is what is written on a Tombstone, although it isn't the name of a classic Western.

*This map could have the same purpose as Relic, hypothesized to be a monument to a Forerunner.

*If you go outside and look out into the distance at the grey clouds, every now and again you can see lightning bolts. This may or may not be a reference to Frank Herbert's Dune, a desert planet which has lightning bolts caused by sand worms.  

*There is a small pool of [[Sangheili]] blood on one of the outer ramps where the spiker spawns.

*If you overload the map using the [[Trip mine]] glitch in forge the platform where the [[Rocket Launcher]] respawns will fall down and can be moved with a [[Gravity Hammer]]. Though if you get it into the grav-lift that takes you to the platform, the platform will go back in place and will float again.

*If you throw a [[Grav lift]] on the platform, both the lifts and the platform will continuously bounce.

*The large, gold hologram on the map has an interesting resemblance to [[Mendicant Bias]] as described in [[Halo: Contact Harvest]] when he was aboard the Dreadnought.

*This is the smallest [[Halo 3]] Multiplayer map to date.

*It is hypothesized by some that this map is in domicile of the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]] judging by its anatomy and structural cartography.

*If you shoot a rocket down at the brace of ''Epitaph'' and use the zoom function (right stick) you will watch as the rocket hits the bottom. It will be visible but if you try this with a grenade there will be no visible evidence that the grenade was ever thrown.

*In forge mode it is possible to put teleporters on the outside of the building as they will stick to the side of the building.

*Inside the massive golden holograms "eye" is the Marathon symbol, perhaps suggesting another link to humanity and the monitors/Mendicant Bias.

*Only the "dark side" has shield doors online and the "light side" does not: a theory suggests that the shields are online to brace for the coming storm on the "dark side".

*In matchmaking, you can hide inside of the lift by the [[shotgun]]. If you persistently run through the top of the lift, straight back, you will get stuck behind.

*This map bears a slight resemblance to [[Cold Storage]].

*When enough people die on the floating platform bodies will fall off and then respawn. The bodies will do this during the rest of the game.

== Strategies ==

*It is possible to jump from the upper level, over the edge, to the Shotgun Spawn below, behind where a camper would be.

*When lifting to the Rocket Spawn, there may be the danger of a camper up on the Pillars to the left or right. There may also be a risk of someone following you to the Rocket Spawn, this is common because of the number of people looking to see if the Rockets have re-spawned.

*Remember that after picking up the Shotgun, you can travel up the nearby lift and pick up the Bubble Shield, and this combination, apart from being against the Gravity Hammer, is very good for this map

*This area is good for a camping spot in team doubles as you can only be approached from the sides or the back and there is a reasonable amount of cover from rockets on the main hall side, the shot gun spawn below and the brute shot spawn above the ramp on the lifts left means 2 people can hold this area against almost any threat as with the door shields the shotgun beats anything (inc gravity hammer) and the brute shot will beat all but the rockets and shotgun as its one shot then beatdown never fails.

*the shotgun is the best weapon on this level due to the shield doors so get it early and stay at the edges of the map, or if you don't get it stay in the open areas so you dont leave yourself trapped with a shotgun to your face.

*After picking up the Rockets, a good tactic is to stay upstairs because there is usually a high amount of people on the lower levels, plus this tactic can be helpful to clear the hill out before you enter.

*When you get rockets look down at the lower level. Their is usually a couple people down their. You can easily get a couple kills.  

<!--This section is for Forge tips, do not put things like "Add a brute shot, its more fun"  Give good reasons WHY and WHERE to add the object(s), like "Adding shield doors in the main hallway will change the flow of battle to the sides of it, allowing for more heated firefights in the side allies." Thank you for keeping Halopedia neat-->

*Adding [[Gravity Lifts]] to Epitaph can allow players to reach the upper decks of the level without having to go onto the outside catwalks.

*A good way to avoid enemies is to go to the gold lift. Walk to the right side. Make sure you are against it. There is a small section that one can stay in.  

For reasons not yet disclosed by [[Bungie]], this map has been slightly altered when playing in [[Matchmaking]] playlists.

As of the December 11, 2007 update, both of the [[Mauler]]s that spawned in the top portion of the map have been removed, and replaced with [[SMG]]s.

It is believed that this change was caused by near-constant complaints regarding the large number of [[Mauler]]s in many levels combined with the [[Mauler]]'s ability to nearly-instantly kill an opponent at very close range. Some players felt that the weapon was unbalanced because of the close-quarters prowess of the [[Mauler]], especially in CQB-style levels.

The problem was a combination of the somewhat large number of [[Mauler]] spawn locations, the fast respawn time on a lethal close-combat weapon (usually only 45 seconds), and players not changing their play style to compensate for a number of [[camping]] and / or charging [[Mauler]] wielders.

The small triangular ledge behind the wall near the [[Shotgun]] spawns, now has an invisible wall over it, making it impossible to get to.

 

[[Category:Halo 3]]

 

[[Category:Multiplayer]]

[[Category:Multiplayer Levels]]