Snowbound: Difference between revisions

{{Era|RW}}

|location=[[Covenant]]-controlled [[Forerunner]] world, close to [[human]]-occupied space<ref name="BWU">[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13160 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 01/11/08''] - ''It’s on an alien world discovered and controlled by the Covenant. It’s location is secret, but it is in this spiral arm of the Galaxy. Close to human occupied space. If you look through the glass floors of the Covenant structures, you’ll see Forerunner artifacts buried beneath the ice.''</ref>

==Setting==

Snowbound is set in a snowy Forerunner area with two large Covenant [[base]]s at either end of the map. The two bases are joined underground by a cave, revealing a deep network of Forerunner structures underground. The planet the map is set on is a former [[Forerunner]] world controlled by the [[Covenant]], not far from [[human]]-occupied space.{{Ref/Reuse|BWU}} On the horizon, two celestial bodies can be seen. The Covenant base is surrounded by a perimeter of [[Covenant automated plasma turret]]s that fire upon anything in range.

Snowbound is a medium-sized, semi-symmetrical map with two bases. The bases, known as '''high base''' and '''low base''', are connected by an underground tunnel network. Much fighting takes place in or around the [[shield doors]] found inside the bases. Rocky outcroppings are located along the southern and western edges of the map (Rock Side); Covenant-built automated turrets prevent players from exiting the map via its otherwise-unblocked northern and eastern edges (Tundra Side). When players venture too close to the map's boundaries, an alarm sounds, warning them to return to the bases before the turrets open fire.

Low Base is one of the two Covenant bases on the map. This base, which is located on the eastern side of the map, appears to be fully functional, though it has apparently been abandoned. It is often referred to by players as "BR Spawn" because of the two [[BR55HB battle rifle|battle rifles]] that spawn on its outer rear walls. Inside the base, there is a [[M6 Spartan Laser|Spartan Laser]], two [[Type-25 Spiker|Spikers]], and a [[Z-4190 bubble shield|bubble shield]]. Outside the base, a [[Type-51 carbine|carbine]], a Spiker, and a [[Type-52 Mauler|Mauler]] spawn to the south; an [[Active camouflage|active camo]] spawns towards the north. On top of the base, there is a [[Type-33 needler|needler]] and a pair of [[Type-1 plasma grenade|plasma grenade]]s.

Directly adjacent to Low Base, High Base offers a different set of weapons. High Base's lights flicker and buzz, implying that it has become damaged. The large sphere in the center of the base appears broken, and icicles hang from the base's exterior, implying that its heating system has stopped working. Whether this damage is the result of the base's abandonment or something else is unknown.

 

High Base is commonly referred to as "[[Sniper]] Spawn" or "Carbine Base" due to the carbine and [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|beam rifle]] it contains. Behind the base, players can find a battle rifle or a [[Type-25 plasma rifle|plasma rifle]] around the rocky terrain. A Mauler lies to the north of the base, and an [[overshield]] to the south. Inside, there are two plasma rifles, a beam rifle, and a [[power drain]]. On top of the base, there is a [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistol]] and a pair of plasma grenades.

 

The outdoor portion of the map is home to many predominant features, and is also a sniper's paradise.

 

Located between both bases, to the south, is the Underpass (or "Ghost Spawn"), a tunnel where a single [[Type-32 Ghost|Ghost]] (or [[M274 Mongoose|Mongoose]]) spawns. In the center of the map, the Ice Cave Tunnel provides access to the Ice Cave, which in turn provides access to the interiors of both bases. A common tactic is to blindly toss grenades into the map's lower levels from this area, turning the underground corridors and tight spaces into [[grenade]]-powered deathtraps. Further to the north, on the opposite side end the Underpass, lies the Ice Cave's main entrance, with its distinctive overhang and large shield door.

 

Predominantly known as the "[[M90 shotgun|Shotgun]] Spawn" in [[Lone Wolves]] or the "Sniper Spawn" in [[Team Slayer]], heavy fighting occurs in this cold and icy cave. This area sees frequent carnage due to its high traffic, tight quarters, and position between the High and Low Bases. To the immediate south is a narrow, elevated opening with no shield (''Ice Cave Tunnel''). On the western side of the cave's interior is a tunnel to the High Base; opposite that is a tunnel to the Low Base. Directly north is the Main Entrance, which is protected by a larger shield door.

 

Entering the Ice Cave from the Bases or the Ice Cave Tunnel is extremely risky. The main entrance is very defensible, as it affords the player with a full view of the cave's three most-used entrances and its shield door provides protection. Above the Ice Cave's main entrance spawns a [[Type-25 Brute Shot|Brute Shot]] (top), as well as a Spiker to the west and a Mauler to the east. An often seen tactic on this map is to hide on the other side of a shield door with the shotgun or Mauler and kill players as they pass through.

== Strategies ==

[[File:H3_Snowbound_Bases.png|thumb|300px|The antennae on the two bases.]]

==Variant: Boundless==

[[File:H3_Boundless.png|thumb|300px|Boundless. Note the lack of a shield door on the base.]]

{{Article quote|Open the doors, let the crisp cold air in.}}

'''Boundless''' is a map variant released to improve the gameplay balance, specifically as a response to reports of widespread shotgun-[[camping]] near the [[Shield door]]s.<ref name="boundless">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15268 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 08/22/08'']</ref> It was due to be released on September 16, 2008, along with TU2, but was delayed until September 23, 2008. Like [[Sand Tarp]] and [[Epilogue]], it is included as a default map variant in ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''. The following is a list of changes made;

*The Spartan Laser in Low Base has been replaced by a beam rifle.

*The weapons outside of each base has been equalized, with a Covenant carbine and a battle rifle on the side, and another carbine on the back.

*In both High and Low bases, the two entrances from the top middle portion of the map still have shield doors. The others have been removed.

*There are several [[The Guardians|automated turrets]], positioned along the outside of the map, that will shoot at any players who go beyond the boundaries of the map. If killed by them, the kill will be credited to the Guardians.

File:Snowbound overview.jpg|The layout of Snowbound as it appeared in [[Halo 3 Beta]].

File:Snowbound-HeatMap.jpeg|A birds-eye view of Snowbound.

File:ShotgunCave.jpg|The underground quarters of the ice cave.