Competitive play has been a staple in Halo since the beginning and has continued all the way through to Infinite. The lifeblood of competitive Halo, or any competitive FPS for that matter, is map selection. While Infinite has some spectacular dev made maps to choose from, like Aquarius and Recharge, and forge made maps like Solitude and Starboard, there is always room to improve the map rotation. I mean this very sincerely, considering that Forge is the most powerful it’s ever been, and the line between dev made and forge made maps is extremely thin. I believe that 343 could take any of these maps in the following list (that is in no particular order), put them in ranked, and they would fit seamlessly into the rotation.

10. Guardian

Guardian, which first appeared in Halo 3, is a remote Forerunner structure where scores are settled. This map has been regarded as the counterpart to MW2’s Rust. Top mid is open, and only the foolish or cocky would dare jump into open territory such as that. The map has three lanes to run around on, and many ways to outsmart and out-maneuver your opponents.

Why Guardian should be in ranked:

• Scaled well to compensate for Infinite’s movement
• Stunning visuals
• Homage to a beloved installment of the franchise
• Plenty of skill jumps

9.  Sanctuary

Sanctuary first appeared in Halo 2, which some may argue is neck and neck with Halo 5: Guardians for the sweatiest title in the series. Regardless of which game takes the cake, this dilapidated, overrun, temple like map was built for competitive Halo. Two snipers spawn, and the map is symmetrical, which is the recipe for a skill-based blood bath.

Why Sanctuary should be in ranked:

• Symmetrical map with plenty of power positions and choke points
• Plays great for Capture the Flag, and would play well for something like Strongholds as well.
• Power weapons are snipers on either side of the map, which allows for adequate skill expression.

8. Lockout

Lockout is another Halo 2 classic, except with one sniper. In creating Halo 3’s guardian, this map served as a great inspiration. Asymmetrical architecture, high vantage points, and multiple lanes and levels.

Why Lockout should be in ranked:

• Stunning visuals. Forerunner structure lodged into a frozen cliffside.
• Homage to a beloved installment of the franchise
• Infinite’s physics open up the possibility for new rotations to be discovered, thus putting a new spin on this beloved map.

7. Oaxaca Station

This is the first map on the list that’s not a remake of a former multiplayer map! Instead, it is inspired by Cairo Station in Halo 2’s campaign. It made its matchmaking debut in a Team Doubles playlist, but it could easily host a sweaty 4v4 with lots of cross mapping mixed with close quarter jiggle peaks.

Why Oaxaca Station should be in Ranked:

• Symmetrical map with a power up in the middle. The way it starts, with each player open to being cross mapped, feels reminiscent of a chess board. Your first move can also be your last.
• Three lanes, multiple levels, and plenty of cheeky corners to escape through.
• This map would pair great with the Quantum Translocator, Infinite’s newest equipment. Creating portals opens up a whole new dimension (haha!) for this map’s movement.

6. The Cage

This map is a recreation of an old Forge map from Halo: Reach. Besides the nostalgia, this map has a similar feel to things like Guardian and Lockout with the use of man cannons that can launch you across the map and protected sniper towers that offer easy map control.

Why The Cage should be in ranked:

• Classic three lane structure.
• However, the levels are deceivingly plentiful. It is very easy to surprise and escape your opponents.
• Rocket’s spawn at the very bottom of the map. For those who don’t play much Halo, the best place to be with the Rocket Launcher is above everyone else.

 

 

5. Necromancer

  This map is a remake of Warlock from Halo 2. Originally, this map could be considered a cross mapping frenzy. It played very well for games like Capture the Flag, Territories (which is essentially a predecessor to Strongholds), and Slayer.

To Match Infinite's, this map would play best in a 2v2 playlist.

Why Necromancer should be in ranked:

• There is added cover, and no teleporters like the original version. This would be helpful with Infinite’s, sometimes oppressive, sandbox and equipment.
• Besides Active Camo, there are no equipment spawns. This will allow players to rely on their raw skill.
• The map is completely symmetrical, and allows for many interesting power positions.

 

 4. Turf

  This is another Halo 2 remake. The map is almost diamond shaped in terms of its traffic flow. One sniper spawns in the middle, and controlling that means controlling the map.

Why Turf should be in ranked:

• Almost all boxes are curb-slide height, encouraging skill based movement.
• Plenty of power positions when wielding the sniper
• Lots of cover and nooks to play around on when in gunfights.

 

 3. Apostle

  This map, with its Covenant aesthetic, would be great for ranked play. It reminds me, for some reason, of Halo 2’s Gemini, with all of its cut sight lines, long hallways, and tall vantage points.

Why Apostle should be in ranked:

• While there may be lots of space to run, there's not a whole lot of places to hide. Besides a few ledges, this is a map where you know exactly where someone is going.
• One sniper, but no clear vantage point. This helps prevent camping and fosters dynamic gameplay.
• This map would play well for Oddball. While there is lots of space for the holding team to hide with the ball, there are multiple lanes for their enemies to make tactical advancements and flanks.

 

2. Onslaught

  This map is inspired by a configuration of Foundry, the dedicated forge map in Halo 3. This map, while tickling the nostalgia bone, may also offer a fresh take on old visuals.

Why Onslaught should be in ranked:

• Curb-slide height ledges, and many small obstacles to dance around during gunfights.
• Symmetrical.
• A powerup in the middle encourages bold plays to dash from cover. This would be a great slayer map that relies on pure skill, much like Necromancer.

 

1. Ascension

  The final map on this list is, yet another,remake of a Halo 2 classic. With a large shield that spawns in the middle, and two asymmetrical sniper spawns, this map only breeds the best outplays and expressions of skills. As long as the Banshee were gone, then it would play perfectly.

Why Ascension should be in ranked:

• Scaled well to compensate for Infinite’s movement.
• Stunning visuals.
• While there are spaces to hide, it is easy to both control the map and flip control in an instant.

 

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