Assembly

Halo 3 Multiplayer Maps

Welcome to the Halo 3 multiplayer maps section of this guide, showcasing all 24 Halo 3 multiplayer maps; three maps (Citadel, Heretic, and Longshore) are brand-new with the release of Halo 3: ODST. All the multiplayer strategies in this section were provided by tournament-level players from the PMS clan. For each level, there are labeled maps, location information and tactics, ideal sniping spots, and more.

Assembly

The Covenant war machine continues its march to conquest; even with its head severed, it is still dangerous.

Data Stream

Recommended Game Variants:

• Slayer
• Team Slayer
• Capture the Flag (CTF)

Number of Players:

• Recommended: 2-8
• Maximum: 8

Advantageous Equipment:

• Rockets
• Mauler
• Active Camouflage
• Gravity Hammer

Available Equipment & Gear Respawn Times

Weapons

Equipment

Topographical Overview

• The setting is that of an assembly line, contained within a Covenant Scarab factory. Assembly's tunnels and corridors make it easy to hide from your enemy and take cover.
• Weapons within the maps containment area are of Human, Covenant, and Brute origin - a broad range of weapons to suit anyone's fancy.
• This map is great for Slayer and Team Slayer play.
• Assembly is two-way symmetrical (from base to base), rather than four-way (all four corners being the same).
• The map can be split into four quadrants. From each section, a road leads to the center of the map, where you'll find a brilliant stream rising into the sky. This powers the Scarab machines and houses the Active Camo. This area is known as "Camouflage (Camo) Tower."

Call-out Locations

Camo Tower

Other Names: N/A

Placed within the center of the map, Camouflage Tower is a pivotal structure of Assembly. The structure possesses two levels and multiple access points and is not easily captured.

Middle Camo

Other Names: N/A

Middle Camo Tower is on the main level of the playing field. There are four entry points—off the light and dark runways—to Middle Camo. A center energy stream rises into the air to the Scarab Assembly line. Middle Camo houses the Active Camo within its central beam, rendering you invisible for a brief period of time.

Bottom Camo

Other Names: N/A

Bottom Camo is located on the lower, ground level of Camouflage Tower and has two entry points. Each doorway faces the Orange Base and the Yellow Base. You will also find the Gravity Hammer in this area.

Light Side Camo Shelf

Other Names: N/A

Mounted to the interior walls of the Camouflage Tower, Light Side Camo Shelf often goes unnoticed. However, pay close attention and you’ll find the Mauler—a sharp, quick weapon that packs a nasty punch. Crouch on the shelf, ready to pounce on your opponent with the Mauler. This is always sure to bring about a quick kill.

Dark Side Camo Shelf

Other Names: N/A

Just as the Light Side Shelf contains the Mauler, the Dark Side Shelf contains a weapon just as deadly—the Needler. While not meant for close-range fighting, the Needler is a deadly object meant for cross-map game warfare.

Orange Base Light Court

Other Names: N/A

Located on the light side of the map, directly next to Orange Base, Light Court is an obvious place for taking cover and ambushing your enemies as they attempt to invade your territory. Within the Light Court, directly behind the court Mohawk, you will find the Brute Shot.

Orange Base Light Ramp

Other Names: N/A

Allowing access from the base doorway to the Regenerator Platform, the Orange Base Light Ramp extends the length of Assembly’s light side. It is designated by the base side that it’s located on.

Orange Base Light Runway

Other Names: N/A

As you exit either doorway of the team base, you are met with runways leading to the Camouflage Tower. These runways provide access to the Active Camo, and Light Runways contain a Mohawk protruding from their bases. You will find a Covenant Carbine alongside here.

Orange Base Dark Court

Other Names: N/A

Beyond the side of the dark side of Orange Base is the perfect ambush point. This area is known as the Orange Base Dark Court. This area contains only three weapon types: two Plasma Grenades, one Magnum Pistol, and one Plasma Pistol.

Orange Base

Other Names: N/A

Other names: Blue or Red Base (depending on the spawn points)

Like most of Bungie’s maps, Assembly contains two bases: Yellow Base and Orange Base. While most bases usually are restricted to their internal areas, Assembly’s bases extend beyond their exterior walls to the surrounding areas. These locations are designated by name and the weapons they keep and by another one of Bungie’s usual features—a light side and dark side. The light side of Assembly is illuminated by the outer walls of the Scarab Factory, while the dark side is shrouded by the assembly line above.

Back Base

Other Names: N/A

Other names: N/A

Located in the rear of Orange Base is the Back Base. Here you’ll find the entrance to the ramp leading down to Bottom Base. Watch this area closely, as Top Base and Back Base are divided by solid walls that can provide cover for your enemy.

Yellow Base

Other names: Blue or Red Base (depending on the spawn points)

Like most of Bungie’s maps, Assembly contains two bases: Yellow Base and Orange Base. Most bases are restricted to their internal areas, but Assembly’s bases extend beyond their exterior walls to the surrounding areas. These locations are designated by name and the weapons they keep and by another one of Bungie’s usual features—a light side and a dark side. The light side of Assembly is illuminated by the outer walls of the Scarab Factory, while the dark side is shrouded by the assembly line above.

Top Base

Other Names: N/A

Entering the base from either doorway, you are now in Top Base. This is the landing point for the Grav Lift from Bottom Base; you will find two weapons here—the Brute Spiker and the Plasma Rifle.

Orange Base Dark Runway

Other Names: N/A

As with the light side, the dark side of the map also contains a runway from the base to Camouflage Tower. As you head across, pick up the Battle Rifle resting alongside the Dark Runway Mohawk.

Bottom Orange Base

Other Names: N/A

The bottom of the bases are just as important to control as the top. Bottom Orange Base has two hallway entry points, with a Grav Lift hallway streaming through the middle that takes you to Top Base. This Grav Lift has a front side and a back side. On the lift’s back side, you can snatch up the Power Drain to weaken your opponent. The two entry points to the front side house one Plasma Pistol and one Brute Spiker. Holding down this area will prevent your opponent from entering your base unchecked from the basement!

Orange Base Cut

Other Names: N/A

One of the most important yet sometimes overlooked areas on the map is the Base Cut. This area is located on the dark side of the map. It contains a Battle Rifle and leads you to the coveted Rocket Launcher tower. While you can scoop up the BR and be on the move, from this location, you can see the majority of the map, allowing you to shoot across it and take out your opponents. Also from this location, you can throw a Grenade into the pit below and then finish off your foe with one BR shot.

Yellow Base Light Ramp

Other Names: N/A

Allowing access from the base doorway to the Regenerator Platform, the Yellow Base Light Ramp extends the length of Assembly’s light side. It is designated by the base side that it’s located on.

Yellow Base Dark Runway

Other Names: N/A

As with the map’s light side, the dark side also contains a runway from the base to Camouflage Tower. As you head across, notice the Battle Rifle resting alongside the Dark Runway Mohawk.

Yellow Base Dark Court

Other Names: N/A

Extending beyond the side of Yellow Base’s dark side, you will find the perfect ambush point. This area is known as Yellow Base Dark Court. This area contains only three weapon types: two Plasma Grenades, one Magnum Pistol, and one Plasma Pistol.

Yellow Base Light Runway

Other Names: N/A

As you exit either doorway of the team base, you encounter runways leading to the Camouflage Tower. These runways provide access to the Active Camo and contain a Mohawk protruding from their base. You will find the Covenant Carbine alongside here.

Yellow Base Cut

Other Names: N/A

One of the most important yet sometimes overlooked areas on the map is Base Cut. This area is located on the dark side of the map. It contains a Battle Rifle and leads to the coveted Rocket Launcher tower. While you can scoop up the BR and be on the move, from this location, you can see the majority of the map, allowing you to shoot across it and take out your opponents. Also from this location, you can throw a Grenade into the pit below and finish off your foe with one BR shot.

Yellow Base Light Court

Other Names: N/A

Located on the light side of the map, directly next to the Yellow Base, Light Court is an obvious place for taking cover and ambushing your enemies as they attempt to invade your territory. Within Light Court, directly behind the court Mohawk, you will find the Brute Shot.

Top Base

Other Names: N/A

Entering the base from either doorway, you are now in Top Base. Here is the landing point for the Grav Lift from Bottom Base. You will find two weapons here—the Brute Spiker and the Plasma Rifle.

Back Base

Other Names: N/A

Located in the rear of Yellow Base is Back Base. Here you’ll find the entrance to the ramp leading down to Bottom Base. Watch this area closely, as Top Base and Back Base are divided by solid walls that can provide easy cover for your enemy.

Rocket Launcher Tower

Other Names: N/A

Located on the dark side of the map, Rocket Launcher Tower is a place of power in any game type. There are three levels to this tower: Bottom Rockets Lift: Located on Assembly’s ground level, the Bottom Rockets Lift takes you to the third level of Rockets. On the ground directly in front of the lift are two Plasma Grenades and one Needler. Throw the Plasma Grenades up the Grav Lift while your opponent is on the Rockets Platform to weaken their defenses. Mid-Rockets: Between the dark cuts of either base, with a ramp leading to the lower ground level, you will find the pass-through of Mid-Rockets. The Bubble Shield is on the platform. Top Rockets: Access this location either by jumping from the dark cuts of either base to the back of Rocket Launcher Tower or by using the Rockets Lift. Top Rockets contains a platform where the Rockets spawn. This area gives an advantageous viewpoint, as you are perched high above the rest of the playable areas on the map.

Regenerator Platform

Other Names: N/A

Standing alone on the light side of Assembly, in the center of two bases, you will experience the Regenerator Platform. Also called “Regen Plat,” this area has two levels. The lower level contains no weapons, but resting atop the upper level is the Regenerator, which brings health and shields to the player who utilizes it.

Batteries

Other Names: N/A

Powering the Scarab assembly line with its energy, the Batteries are located directly between the Regen Plat and the Camo Tower. These midlevel playing obstacles are great for ducking around as opponents try taking you out.

Bottom Yellow Base

Other Names: N/A

The bottom of the bases are just as important to control as the top. Bottom Yellow Base has two hallway entry points, with a Grav Lift hallway streaming through the middle that takes you to Top Base. This Grav Lift has a front side and a back side. On the lift’s back side, you can snatch up the Power Drain to weaken your opponent. The two entry points to the front side house one Plasma Pistol and one Brute Spiker. Holding down this area will prevent your opponent from entering your base unchecked from the basement!

Tactical Knowledge

Utilizing the Four Quadrants and Camo Tower

Rockets Tower

• To gain advantage in any game variant, utilizing the Rocket Launcher Tower is essential. Rushing for the Rocket Launcher will come at a price, as you’ll have to fight your way to it. Pick up a Battle Rifle on the “Cut” on your way. Take down your opponent, then hold down the Tower with your teammates.

• Once at the tower, you have an advantage because you can see the entire map. Save the Rockets for when you need them; instead, use your Battle Rifle and “team BR” your opponents from above.

• Having top-map advantage will always give you kills, as it’s easier to shoot below you than shooting above.

Regenerator Platform

• Grabbing the Regenerator and holding down the platform will put you in the open. This area of the map is easily exposed to both bases. Watch for the team controlling Rocket Launcher Tower, as you can easily be taken out if you move off the Regen Platform.

• Taking the Regenerator back to your base to continue shooting long range across the map will benefit you and your team.

Active Camouflage Tower

• You’ll have to fight your way across the runways to the Camo Tower. The opposing team will be looking to do the same thing.

• Grab some Sticky Grenades on your way. Pick up either the Battle Rifle or the Carbine, and head through enemy fire to the tower.

• Once you attain the Camo Shield, you can pick up the Mauler in Camo Tower and make your way to the Back Base of the other team. This will allow you to spawn-trap, Mauler, and melee the opposing team.

Base Control

• Hold down your own base.

• Don’t let the other team sneak into your base, as you’ll be at their mercy as they attempt to spawn-kill you. • As the opposing team tries to shoot you down from across the map, use the Mohawks in the base’s Courts as cover.

Professional Planning

• Assembly has some symmetrical elements, making it easy for a team to control their side of the base. By positioning your team in strategic places on Base Side, Light Side, and Dark Side, you can have easy map control.

• Watching Lower Base and Upper Base is an important strategy when controlling your base’s side. The opposing team can steal Active Camo and make their way to your lower base ramps to sneak up behind you. Make sure you have a teammate watching this area of the map.

• Controlling Rocket Launcher Tower will give any team the upper advantage; however, to ensure success, have a teammate below covering the Cut and the Court areas to prevent sneak attacks. The teammate who is covering the lower base area should ensure that no one is heading up Rockets Lift to come after you and should call out if they see someone doing so.

• Positioning a team member on the Light Side Court will give you the advantage of seeing the entire light side of the map.

• Controlling these four areas—Light Side, Rocket Launcher Tower, Cut/ Dark Court, and Bottom Base—will keep the opposing team at bay.

• Once everyone is in their respective positions, utilize this positioning to team-shoot across the map; this makes it difficult for your adversaries to pinpoint where the fire is coming from.

Weapon Tactics

Priority 1 Weapons

As with any map within the Halo 3 Matchmaking realm, it’s best to know where to find power weapons. These weapons will provide the player with the best offensive and defensive in any match type. By using and controlling the power weapons, you can dominate your opponent from almost anywhere on the map. Assembly contains these power weapons:

Rockets: These are placed strategically in a tower, allowing you to look down upon your adversary and blast them out of gameplay and pick up kills.

Active Camo: This allows you to sneak up on your opponent and use stealth to gain entry to the opponent’s base, and it gives you the opportunity to attain additional power weapons while going unnoticed.

Gravity Hammer: This weapon is definitely a force to be reckoned with. With one swipe of the Gravity Hammer, you can take out multiple opponents. One trick, however, is doing this in a sneak attack. The Gravity Hammer is a short-range weapon, so wielding it outside of close-quarter combat means your death is sure.

Mauler: This is another short-range weapon that packs a punch. While a Battle Rifle or Carbine is great for long-range gameplay, the Mauler will take out your opponent at close range. A Mauler shot combined with a beatdown will always give you a quick kill.

Enhanced Knowledge

• In Capture the Flag (CTF), the importance of staying and capturing the power weapons to attain map control is paramount.

• As with any Objective game, Team Slayer tactics should always be used. After “setting up” in the Slayer areas, taking down the opposing team should be the priority before rushing in and taking the other team’s flag.

• Always kill at least two or three opponents while pushing forward; this ensures that during your enemy’s respawn, one of your team members can grab the flag.

• After capturing the opposing team’s flag, never underestimate their ability to kill you and your inability to get that flag back to your base. While your teammates will be firing from across the map, trying to keep the opponent at bay, the best idea is to “juggle” the flag by dropping it and picking it back up; this allows you to shoot at those attempting to chase you down.

Advanced Tactics

General

• Whether you spawn with a Battle Rifle or an Assault Rifle, depending on the game variant, it’s best to have a secondary weapon. Having a long-range weapon in combination with a short-range weapon will provide you the opportunity to switch between the two, depending on your situation.

• Assembly offers shield walls that provide cover while you wait for your opponent to draw near, giving you the time to switch between your primary and secondary weapons. If a foe is coming your way, instead of driving toward him, take a step back, switch weapons, and go for the quick kill as he approaches.

• Assembly has a variety of weapons, offering both short- and long-range weapons to accomplish any player’s goals.

Sniping

Top Rockets

This area provides an advantageous view over the entire map, except for the Regen Platform.

Base Courts

Hidden within the shadows of the bases, the Dark Court sides will allow you to take out your opponents with a Sniper Rifle or to rush nearby foes with a Mauler while going undetected. Also, use the Mohawks as a shield against their bullets; you won’t be an easy target.

Bottom Regen

With cover from the Batteries and in the shadow of the Regenerator Platform (using the Regenerator as additional protection), you can easily snipe or shoot out your opponent as they are on the bottom level of the map. By strafing side to side (Yellow Base side to Orange Base side), you can avoid your foe’s bullets as they come at you.