Clan Pride

Screenshot courtesy of Octurian Pewn.

Clan night tonight. 9pm PT. Halo 4.

Everybody is back.

Revive RROD

From darknorpo:

Found someone on Craigslist that fixed my red rings for 50 bucks. No fix no pay and claims he guarantees it for a year but we'll see. Anyway I'm probably last but know anyone else whose got an old one they want fixed?

Contact him directly for details.

No clan night tonight.

Merry Christmas to all! No official clan night tonight, but some folks will be on ad hoc. Will evaluate demand for clan night on Thursday.

Clan night stats

For your consuming enjoyment.

Click for big to see all stats.

Clan night tonight. 9pm PT. Halo 4.

I'm back.

H4: Specializations Part 3

Now that we've had some time in the field with specializations in the field, I have a much better understanding of what they are, why they matter, and how they're used.  Previous posts here:

• H4: Loadouts (Updated)
• H4: Specializations Part 2
• Halo 4 Armor Classes (Specializations)
• Halo 4 Specializations Update

Leveling: First off, each Specialization has 10 levels (1-10), and you don't get your special armor ability until level 10.  Each Specialization level has a 1:1 correlation to your SR ranking.  So for your first Spec, the levels 1-10 correlate to SR51-60.  e.g., if you chose to pursue Wetwork first, WK1 = SR51 and WK10 = SR60.  The SRx0 levels are free promotions, as soon as you choose your next Spec, you are automatically promoted.  So when you reach SR50 you can pick a spec, but as soon as you pick, you become SR51 without having to play any game.

Armor mods: The armor mods can be either in Tactical Packages or Support Upgrades.  Once you complete a Spec and get the armor mod, you can choose it as a Loadout option at any time.  Because they come in both types (Tactical and Support), you can actually have TWO Spec armor mods active at a time.  The armor mods are as follows:

Specialization	Tactical	Support	Note
Wetwork		Stealth	Allows users to move silently during combat, lowers their visibility profile on certain VISR enhancements (like Promethean Vision), and increases their ability to kill enemies from behind.
Operator	Wheelman		Improves durability of vehicles, as well as decreasing downtime when affected by EMP discharges.
Pioneer	Fast Track		Increases the amount of XP earned per match.
Engineer		Drop Recon	Allows users to know the time and place of ordnance deployments prior to the drops actually occurring
Tracker	Requisition		Allows two different sets of options for equipment rewarded through ordnance drops.
Rogue		Stability	Increases aiming stability while taking incoming fire
Stalker		Nemesis	Allows user to hone-in on the last enemy who killed them
Pathfinder		Gunner	Improves upon elements of heavy weapon specialists, such as increasing the amount of time a mounted weapon takes to overheat during sustained fire or improving the general speed and mobility while carrying a detached turret.

For example, somebody who is always driving the Mantis should complete both the Operator and the Pathfinder Specs.  Operator would improve the durability of the robot and its resistance to EMP, while Pathfinder would improve the overheat performance of the guns and rockets.

In retrospect, since we have all discovered that Spartan Ops matchmaking with Dew DoubleXP is the fastest way to rank up, Pioneer would have been the best Spec to do first (for those that have it available with a pre-order or H4 Limited Edition).  You can choose the Fast Track armor mod instead of Mobility (like I usually have) in your Spartan Ops loadout and get 20% more XP for every game.

Clan night tonight. 9pm PT. Halo 4.

Spartan Ops and Campaign focused.

Flagssassination

These guys have pulled together all the assassination animations.  Liftoff (3:33) and Flagssassination (3:48) are rated as the most humiliating, and are pretty impressive.  I want to play CTF just to try and see that animation.

Clan night tonight. 9pm PT. Halo 4.

War Games focused.  OD will be hosting games.

Also, the new Crimson Map Pack is now available.  Reposted from 343:
 

The Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack is officially available in the wild! And by the wild, I mean the main menu of Halo 4. You can download the Crimson Map Pack for 800 Microsoft Points from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, and it's also available at no additional charge for those that purchased the Halo 4 Map Pass or Halo 4 Limited Edition. If the latter applies to you, follow the below steps to download the new maps:

1. Load Halo 4
2. Press Start
3. Select "Xbox LIVE Marketplace"
4. Download "Crimson Map Pack"

If you'd like more information about the Crimson Map Pack, check out the following articles. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you on the new virtual battlefields!

Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack Achievements
Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack Trailer
Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack Screenshot Gallery

H4 pwns CoD

IGN's people's choice shows Halo 4 clearly thumping CoD Black Ops 2.

Full video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFaUh0Kkn5Q

H4 DLC Overview

Several Halo 4 DLC map packs are planned:

• 12/10/12: Crimson - Includes Wreckage, Shatter, Harvest
• 2/25/13: Majestic - Landfall, Monolith, Skyline
• 4/1/13: Castle - Daybreak, Outcast, Perdition

These aren't strictly required for clan play, but both OD and myself have pre-purchased the War Games map pass and will get all 3.  They should be about $10 each, or $25 via the War Games map pass.  Each map pack should come with new achievements, the Crimson ones have already been announced.


Shared by OD.  Descriptions reposted from 343:

Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack Trailer And Details

Nov 29 2012 06:03 PM | adamj004 in 343 Industries News

Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack 343

Watch the Halo 4 Castle map pack trailer also with detailed descriptions.

We get a little look at the new map pack Crimson. The map pack releases on December 10th and it contains 3 new maps. Wreckage, Harvest and Shatter.

Crimson will be followed by the Majestic map pack which will be released February 25th 2013 then Castle map pack on April 1st 2013.

Map descriptions quoted from the bulletin.

Wreckage Description

Wreckage is a manifestation of the chaos of war. A medium-sized, asymmetrical map, this playspace is great for accommodating a wide range of objective-based game modes including King of the Hill and Capture the Flag. It is a ravaged environment of crashed debris, where the surrounding destruction creates complex paths perfect for throwing off your opponents or testing the limits of your Warthog. This devastated landscape provides plenty of cover, and tons of nooks and crannies are at your disposal while fighting for your turn to become King. Wreckage supports up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 in a variety of other modes, including Capture the Flag, King of the Hill and Oddball.


Harvest Description

Harvest is a canon concept brought to life – the doomed agricultural planet where humans first made contact with the Covenant. A small to mid-size map, Harvest is ideal for Capture the Flag. Here, you’ll need to get creative to effectively use light vehicles which are limited to the exterior pathways and can’t get into the bases, making this fully symmetrical map perfect for infantry firefights and face-to-face skirmishes. Snipers will also feel right at home, as long sightlines are broken up by great cover and hiding spots. Harvest allows 8 - 12 players to face off in Capture the Flag, Infinity Slayer, King of the Hill, SWAT and Slayer Pro.


Shatter Description

Shatter is themed around natural crystalline surfaces and the huge UNSC factories mining them. This large, symmetrical map is a playground for the Warthog and Mantis – its open pathways make getting around easy, whether on foot or in vehicles. Shatter is a great fit for large games of Dominion and Extraction. For some close-quarters face-time, escape the open landscape and duck into a mining facility, or slip through a doorway and hunt unsuspecting Spartans. Shatter enables multiplayer mayhem for up to 16 players in Infinity Slayer and up to 12 in other modes, such as Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Dominion and Extraction.

Clan night tonight. 9pm PT. Halo 4.

Spartan Ops and Campaign focused.

Halo 4 Tips: Top 7 Weapons

Shared by OD, reposted from Primagames.  In summary, be sure to pick these up when you see them:

1. Binary rifle: One shot kill, no headshot required
2. Incineration cannon: Rocket launcher on steroids
3. Rocket launcher: The same one you have always known
4. Sniper rifle: Take it and empty it, if nothing else
5. Scattershot: I haven't figured out how to use this yet, if I'm honest
6. SAW: Very good at suppression
7. Beam rifle: The same one you have always known

Halo 4 Tips: Top 7 Weapons

These seven weapons are the ones you don’t want to pass up if you come across them on the battlefield. Pick these up at all costs, even if just to keep them out of your enemy’s hands. Just remember to do your best to properly pair it with your existing weapons. Don’t end up with two snipers or two shotguns, severing your ability to compete in specific combat scenarios unless you properly weigh the risks.

#1 Binary Rifle
Click to enlarge

This weapon is referred to as “the Boss” by the MLG players. Everyone who loved sniping in the past Halo games is going to love this new one-shot killing machine. There’s never been a weapon like this in any previous Halo game, so you can only imagine how surprised your opponents will be when you’re killing them with this weapon. Prepare for your foes to flee when they spot the three red lasers the gun emits when you’re zoomed in. This weapon is mostly for mid- to long-range fights but can still be deadly at close range if you master the no-scope.

You have only two shots per clip, so make them count. You don’t get zoomed out when you’re struck by an enemy’s shot either, so line up your reticle and fire away! In addition, you receive a total of six bullets: These should be six guaranteed kills. If this weapon appears in an ordnance drop, it is your number-one priority to make sure you or your team retrieves it first. The only counter to this weapon is the Hardlight Shield. You do not want this in your opponent’s hands!

#2 Incineration Cannon
Click to enlarge

Think of this weapon as a Rocket Launcher on steroids! Its splash damage covers a larger area than a normal rocket, making it exceptional for short- or mid-range fights. The weapon is pretty much unstoppable when it comes to taking down all vehicles with one direct shot. This is the optimal piece of killing equipment to have on a vehicle-friendly map.

#3 Rocket Launcher
Click to enlarge

This is another weapon that excels on vehicle-friendly (and smaller) maps, as you’re able to take down and inflict massive damage on vehicles. It also excels at taking down numbers of foes with its splash damage, as long as your foes are clustered near one another. It has an advantage over the Incineration Cannon too: You can fire off two rockets before needing to reload (compared to one with the Cannon); if you shoot a “Puckett” rocket (named after MLG commentator “Chris Puckett,” who’s known for his inability to net kills with the Rocket Launcher) at your enemy on your first attempt, you still have another chance to take down your opponent.

#4 Sniper Rifle
Click to enlarge

This has always been a firm favorite; those playing previous Halo games know sniping is always entertaining! You have four shots in the rifle’s clip, and these can take down an entire team with headshots before you need to reload! By placing yourself behind the rest of your team, you can pick enemies off while your team draws attention away from your position. This weapon is supremely adept at dropping foes and is exceptional at mid- or long-range battles. Even at close range, when you master the no-scope firing, it is lethal.

#5 Scattershot
Click to enlarge

Think of this as the evolution of the UNSC Shotgun. It fires almost twice as quickly and has almost double the range. This is an extremely important weapon to carry on every one of the small enclosed maps or in tight or restrictive areas. You can take down multiple enemies with a single clip. Try sneaking up on your foes brandishing this gun, and they won’t know what hit them! If you need to take control in a close-range battle, bring this out; it is unbelievably powerful in 1v1 close-range fights!
#6 SAW
Click to enlarge

The SAW is an exceptional weapon. It is spectacular in short-range fights and works very well at mid-range as well. Compared to other short- to mid-range weapons, this one has more than the edge, simply because it partners extreme power with fast killing potential. Just aim at your adversary and spray away!

#7 Beam Rifle

Click to enlarge

The Beam Rifle is one of the best sniping weapons available. It may not have the same power as a Binary Rifle, but it certainly stands up to the Sniper Rifle for sheer killing power and accuracy. It retains its accuracy even while fired from the hip, which allows for some amazing snapshots. What makes the Beam Rifle unique is that unlike the other two sniping weapons, it does not need to reload after two, four or even six shots. A fresh Beam Rifle comes with ten shots in the battery, and the only thing that will slow it down is if it overheats. You will not have to break visual contact with a potential victim just to reload, so you can stay scoped in on a target for follow-up shots.

Of course, the potential for overheating a Beam Rifle means that you will have to control your trigger finger and not fire the weapon too rapidly. However, even with this restriction, you can still put more shots on a target faster than the other two sniping weapons.

Want more Halo 4 strategy? Get the full Halo 4 Prima Official eGuide here!

Clan night tonight. 8:30pm PT. Halo 4.

Octurian Pewn will be hosting games.

Halo 4 Specializations Offer Update

As I have mentioned here, all 8 armor specializations are available to those who pre-ordered the game and played by 11/20.  These were unlocked via a code that was emailed out from Xbox Live yesterday.  If you followed the instructions on the cryptic email, it would have unlocked "Specialization Priority Alpha".  More details below.

Reposted from Halo Waypoint.

Halo 4 Specializations Offer Update

by bs angel · 12.01.2012 17:00

 

If you're reading this, you more than likely have a question about the Specializations email that was recently distributed by Xbox LIVE. Before I start addressing some frequently asked questions, please note:

DO NOT PUBLICLY POST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ANY OTHER ACCOUNT-RELATED INFORMATION ON OUR FORUMS. AGAIN, DO NOT POST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ANY OTHER ACCOUNT-RELATED INFORMATION ON OUR FORUMS.

As a general rule, to protect yourself and your account, you should never post or share any personal information online, and that includes our forums.

Now, back to business. When Halo 4 launched, there was a special offer involving the following.

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Play Halo 4 Standard Edition while connected to Xbox LIVE by November 20, 2012, and you'll get early access to six Specializations. That's 60 additional levels and new content in Halo Infinity Multiplayer.

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Codes giving early access to six Specializations were sent yesterday. The email says the following and includes an image of Master Chief and the Halo 4 logo.

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Here's your free gift from Xbox LIVE

Thanks for being an Xbox LIVE member. You've earned a free gift. Just follow the instructions below, and you can download it immediately.*

Here's how to redeem:

• Click here or on the "Get your free gift" link below.
• Sign in to your Xbox LIVE account using the email address you received this message at (if you are not already signed in).
• Your code is automatically entered on the page so simply click Redeem Code.

Get your free gift -->

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Here are a few reasons why your inbox may still be empty.

• Emails were sent to both opt-in and opt-out accounts (in regard to your receive marketing emails preference).
• If you did not play Halo prior to November 20 at 11:59 PM EST, you would have not received the email.
• If you are registered with Xbox LIVE in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, you would have not received the email. As noted on the original offer, these regions were not part of the Specializations offer as Specializations were extended as a pre-order offer, not a post-launch offer.

If you don't think you have received this email, here are a few things to consider.

• It may be in your spam folder. Check now!
• The codes were sent to the email address that you used when you signed up for your Gamertag. If you are now using a different email address but did not change it with Xbox LIVE, the code will have been sent to the email address associated with your Gamertag as of November 20.
• The title of the email is "You have a gift from Xbox LIVE". Since Specializations are not directly mentioned, you may have skipped over it.

If you successfully redeemed your code, you will gain early access to six Specializations.

If you received the email but are experiencing issues, here are a few possibilities as to what could be going on:

The Specializations are locked.
Specializations cannot be accessed until you reach SR50. Once you have advanced through the standard fifty levels, you will then get the option to enlist in a Specialization under "Infinity". You can choose the order in which you tackle unlocked Specializations. However once you select one, you must advance through it completely before enlisting in a separate Specialization. Please read this article for more information.

I don't see any new Specializations.
Redownload the content from your download history (from the Xbox Dashboard: Settings-->Account-->Download History). If you have the content properly downloaded, try restarting the game.

The link in my email is not resolving properly.
Please wait an hour or two and try the link again.
Please visit The Official Specializations Email Thread if you have additional questions.