The newest entry in theHalofranchise,Halo Infinite, has arrived, and with it comes some interesting changes to theHaloformula.Halo Infiniteintroduces an open-world map for the first time in the series' 20-year run.Zeta Halo’s sprawling open-worldis unlocked little at a time, easing returning players into the new feature. This open world has allowed for many new experiences and opportunities, like devshiding easter eggs aroundthe map or emphasizingvehicles and equipment.
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Another new addition toHalo Infiniteis the Valor system. As players progress through the Valor system, they can call in useful items from Forward Operating Bases found scattered around Zeta Halo. The Valor system can be progressed by unlocking Valor after completing certain tasks. These tasks range from quick side objectives to tedious and difficult battles, but the reward is well worth the effort. Some of the best weapons and vehicles inHalo Infinitecan be obtained from the Valor system or its accompanying objectives. Here’s how to unlock Valor fast.
6Capture Forward Operating Bases
Perhaps the most beneficial way players will earn Valor is by capturing Forward Operating Bases, or FOBs. Forward Operating Bases are outposts that were once controlled by the UNSC but have fallen into the hands — or paws — of the Banished. Forward Operating Baseswill serve as fast-travel pointsfor players once they are captured, and will also allow players tocall in vehicles and weapons that they have unlocked in their Valor progression.
The FOBs are a convenient stopping point along many players' journeys and are the perfect place to tool up before going into battle. Once captured, Forward Operating Bases will also serve as aspawn point for UNSC Marines, different variants of which can also be unlocked through Valor progression. Marines will join Master Chief as he departs the FOB and will aid him in battle. To take full advantage of the Marines, players can also give them powerful weapons and load them into multi-person vehicles, making them a threat to any Banished Chief encounters.
5Take Down Banished Outposts
Taking down Banished Outposts will not only award players with a load of Valor, but will alsothrow a wrench into the plans of the Banished on Zeta Halo. Banished Outposts are the location of major Banished operations on the Halo. Whether it is a fueling station, a scrap yard, or a mining facility, taking out the outpost is no easy feat, but will help further Master Chief’s goal of ridding Zeta Halo of Banished soldiers and foiling their plans.Banished Outposts usually housecollectiblesandaudio logsas well, giving players plenty of reason to take them down.
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Banished Outpost can also be used as afast travel pointonce defeated but, unlike Forward Operating Bases, can still occasionally spawn enemies or Phantom dropships, making them a less reliable way to safely traverse the map. Each Banished Outpostfeatures its own mechanicsand ways to defeat it, but all have the same general premise: ridding an area of Banished soldiers and stopping whatever activity they may have been doing in the area.
4Respond To UNSC Distress Calls
Dotted around Zeta Halo are pods of UNSC Marines still trying to fend off Banished advancement or survive a massive ambush. These Marines will send out distress beacons that can be answered by Master Chief. Answering the UNSC distress calls by taking out the Banished in the area will resolve Marines' issues and award players with a heap of Valor as thanks.
UNSC distress calls can be found byexploring the Halo ring, with Master Chief’s new AI companion pointing out Marines in need of help in the area. Players can also find these distress beacons by taking FOBs or Banished Outposts, witheach takedown revealing the points of interest in the surrounding area.
3Destroy Propaganda Towers
Found all around Zeta Halo, Banished Propaganda Towers will be blasting words of discouragement to any humans within earshot in hopes of weakening their resolve and dampening their hopes. While Destroying Banished Propaganda Towers will not result in a huge amount of Valor,they are so plentiful on Zeta Halo that it is worth taking them out when spotted.The Valor adds up over time.
The Banished Propaganda Towers are the home to some ofHalo Infinite’sfunniest and most memorable dialogue lines, so players should give each message a short listen before destroying the tower. From pleading with Chief to not destroy the Towers as it would put him out of a job to lying to listeners about Chief’s fabricated death, the Grunt announcer in charge of the Banished Propaganda Towers will say nearly anything to win the war against humans.
2Defeat High-Value Targets
Patroling different areas around Halo Infinite’s open world are some of the most deadly members of the Banished. These enemies feature long rap sheets, and are known to the UNSC as “High-Value Targets.” Taking down High-Value Targets is no easy feat, as each of them has its own unique perks and abilities that make them a threat to Master Chief. They are also often surrounded by a squad of lower-tier enemies that players must also contend with to come out victorious.
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There are more perks to taking out High-Value Targets than just Valor, aseach HTV carries their own unique weapon.These weapons have slight modifications when compared to their standard counterparts. Whether it be a Rocket Launcher that has target-locking capabilities or a Needler that can lock on to two enemies at once, these weapon variants are worth the trouble players may face when taking down High-Value Targets. After they have been defeated,each High-Value Target’s unique weapon will be available for players to requisition at any Forward Operating Base’s weapon table.
1Complete Main Story Quests
Completing main story quests will award varying amounts of Valor. Aside from simply progressing through the story, this will help keep players focused on the main story if they want to max out their Valor progression. Bosses encountered as a part of the main story will award Valor, as well as completing any main story objectives that don’t require a boss fight.
With one of the final bosses in the game awarding players the last available Valor points,players will only be able to max out their Valor progression after completing the main story.This isn’t too bad of a deal, as players can take full advantage of their Valor requisitions, as after the main story is over players can return to the open-world areas of Zeta Halo to tie up any loose ends that they may have left behind.
Halo Infinitewas released for the PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X on December 8th, 2021.
