Summary
Firefight is a wave-based horde survival experience. It has been a staple in theHaloseries since the mode’s debut in 2009, as part ofHalo 3: ODST. It went on to feature in almost every release that followed due to its sheer popularity. Along the way, of course, variations on the Firefight ruleset and the ways things work have been added, in the interests of keeping things fresh.
The Halo community became incredibly excited in December 2023, when it was announced that the long-awaited Firefight game mode would be making a return. At the time, the only official Firefight game mode available to play was King Of The Hill Firefight. While this is a classic, some variety would be welcomed in the form of other spins on the Firefight formula that could be added to Halo Infinite.
11Flood Firefight
A Flood Of The … Flood
WhenHalo: Master Chief Collectionreleased Flood Firefight as a content update to Halo 3: ODST, it quickly became one of the biggest modes in the game. By simply replacing the standard Covenant enemies with the Flood, it offers a much more challenging experience that tests your combat abilities in different ways.
Halo Infinite could benefit greatly from adding such a beloved game mode, which would be especially fitting considering the theme of Season 5: Reckoning. Flood enemies are fun and difficult enough, but if 343 implemented the idea of a Flood-infected Spartan as an enemy, it could make for an even more hectic experience.
10ODST Firefight
ODST Mechanics Flip The Script
Sticking with the theme of ODST and Firefight, it would be an amazing experience to see how the ODST squads on Zeta Halo fared in their fight with the Banished.
Playing as an ODST in Halo 3 was already a great time, but it’s hard not to see the potential that a modern mode featuring the Shock Troopers would have. Incorporating Infinite’s fluid movement and combining it with the unique stamina system would dramatically change how the game is played and the pace of the action. It could make for one of the best Halo experiences that has yet been curated by 343, and would certainly be among the most novel.
9Warzone Firefight
More Hectic Action, Less Requisitions
Fans ofHalo 5: Guardianswill likely remember this mode fondly, and for good reason. For the unfamiliar, Warzone Firefight focuses on objective-based waves that increase in difficulty as the match progresses, similarly to standard Firefight but with an added layer of strategy to consider.
The mode has a variety of objectives, like taking down a specific boss, killing a set amount of enemies, or protecting an asset on the battlefield (such as a generator). The requisitions system that Guardians employed would be absent here, a change that would surely be welcome to many. Such an addition would demonstrate that previously popular modes can be tweaked in positive ways.
8Versus Firefight
The Banished Versus Spartans
Versus Firefight would be the perfect excuse to add playable Elites to Infinite. The premise of this game mode is similar to that of OverRun fromGears of War: Judgment.
Versus Firefight would have one team play as races of the Banished while attempting to destroy the objectives actively being defended by the other team, which consists of Spartans. Each map would have different objectives and introduce players to various parts of Zeta Halo. Firefight has always consisted of rather more complex gameplay than the typical team deathmatch, and this twist on it would have a lot to offer fans.
7Strongholds Firefight
Great Hordes Of Banished Threaten Objectives At Every Turn
Big Team Battle Strongholds is already a chaotic game mode with just teams of 8, but when you throw in waves of Banished, the situation can easily go from bad to worse. Having the Banished in BTB Strongholds would be complete chaos and an absolute blast to play.
At the same time, there’s also a practical side to the concept. Their presence could help balance out the match somewhat, since the overwhelming numbers of the Banished on the field could push a team out of an objective. The score limit could be increased while adding team challenges to temporarily boost the score gained from Strongholds.
6Vehicle Firefight
Intense Vehicular Combat
As the name suggests, this mode of Firefight is strictly about vehicular combat. Scorpions, Wraiths, and Banshees are just a few of the vehicles that will dominate the battlefield. It’d be a great opportunity to practice becoming an ace pilot or driver, since the vehicles in Big Team Battle are often taken as soon as they spawn so it can be difficult to do so elsewhere.
Vehicle repair bays or regenerative shields could be added to keep both vehicle and pilot in the fight longer. Such a mode could massively overhaul the way vehicles work and are approached in Infinite, potentially shaping future installments too.
5Fiestafight
Randomized Loadouts Make For Dramatic And Unpredictable Matches
Complete chaos is the only way to accurately describe Fiestafight. Since it was added in Halo: MCC, the mode has become a fan-favorite. For the unfamiliar, Fiestafight is Firefight, but every time you respawn, your weapons and equipment are randomized.
you’re able to get unlucky and spawn with a Magnum and Plasma Pistol orget lucky and have a Sniper Rifle and Energy Sword. It’s an extremely enjoyable mode, requiring adaptability and familiarity with all the equipment the game has to offer. The mode could further benefit from the additional roster of features and equipment that Halo Infinite has.
4Gruntpocalypse
Underestimating The Grunts Will Be The End Of You
Grunts aren’t that dangerous on their own, but can be quite an issue when faced in large waves. Gruntpocalypse takes Firefight and makes Grunts the only enemy. It’s chaotic, fun, and very difficult at times, which is unexpected considering the reputation Grunts have. They come in a few different varieties, meaning that it’s vital to determine the makeup of the waves and the best way to deal with them.
Since there can be so many of them, crowd control can be tough, and you can easily be flanked while fighting a group. Despite being such basic enemies, Grunts make for fearsome foes here, especially on Heroic and Legendary difficulties.
3Four Swordsmen
The Energy Sword Is The Only Weapon You’ll Need Here
Four Swordsmen would feature only one weapon: the iconic Energy Sword. Players would be going against waves of Energy Sword Elites and Gravity Hammer-wielding Brutes armed with it. Increased shield health to avoid being instantly killed would be a must for the mode, since going against a Gravity Hammer without that extra degree of safety is practically asking to get clobbered.
A Grappleshot would also be a part of the loadout, and would make for some seriously cool kills and maneuvers. At the same time, the extra mobility would make closing the gap much easier than running straight at an angry Brute.
2Hunterfight
Can You Weather The Storm Of Some Of The Most Fearsome Foes In Halo?
The idea of this mode is simple: each wave spawns in only Hunters. Not only will this be an extremely intense mode, but it would test your tactics and ability to cooperatewhen playing with friends (crossplay is also an option in Halo Infinite)like nothing else. Hunters are a huge threat when there are only one or two of them present, so having six or seven of them on the prowl at a time is a terrifying prospect.
To make it more balanced for Spartans, an overshield will naturally generate on top of the standard shield. Making good callouts as well as effective use of ammo and grenades would be absolutely imperative for survival in this mode, an arena best suited to experts.
