Just want to say I think Battle of Noctus is the first Warzone map done right–bosses actually sit in the middle of firefights between players, instead of serving as DIVERSIONS from battles with players (see Raid on Apex 7, Escape from A.R.C, and Stormbreak). There’s also, for once–perhaps the first time EVER in a map by 343–enough room for real vehicle play. Man cannons are all over the place that make it reasonable for infantry play. Almost feels like a bungie big team map (imo, bungie was great at making fun vehicle maps). The locations of the bases is much better as well, as you aren’t funneled into attacking them from one of just two or three narrow routes. You can actually feasibly attack multiple bases simultaneously.
I haven’t played the map a ton yet, but so far I like what I see. Here’s to hoping the other new warzone maps are like this–then we’ll at least be fifty percent on good maps for warzone What are your thoughts on Battle of Noctus?
I’ve played it once and my first impressions were pretty good. It’s huge, I mean, is this the biggest Halo map ever created?! It’s clearly a huge vehicle playground which should be interesting. My only frustration is that it’ll clearly become a BR play ground which is fine for those who can shoot straight!
That map is the definition of suffering. Long sight lines and open spaces? Great. Be even better if I had a weapon to fight over these distances with any sort of consistency.
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> That map is the definition of suffering. Long sight lines and open spaces? Great. Be even better if I had a weapon to fight over these distances with any sort of consistency.
Yeah I can see it being a pain in this regard… I think that’s more the REQ system than the map, though. The mancannons can get you where you need to get without having to traverse too much space, in my experience.
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> That map is the definition of suffering. Long sight lines and open spaces? Great. Be even better if I had a weapon to fight over these distances with any sort of consistency.
Yeah, this map is more than likely going to lead to my biggest concern for all the original Warzone maps which was the classic walk, walk, walk, die, respawn, repeat. Seems to me that those without access to the more powerful ranged loadout weapons like the Longshot BR or DMR will suffer on this level unless you have a lot of vehicle reqs. Still, the boss spawning is fun and plenty of man cannons plus there is quite a bit of cover on the roads.
I played it maybe twice and I don’t like it a whole lot as it is right now. The map is quite large, but areas like the Monument are extremely cluttered. Another drawback is that it’s layout is not the best, especially with the garage placement. The garages are so far apart and placed on the fringes of the map that I have rarely seen any conflict near them.
The map is larger than the others, but the long sight lines and large open spaces deem only the sentinel rifles to be of any use most of the time. OP, you mentioned that there is enough room for vehicle play. While there certainly is more ground space to traverse, using a tank or wraith is going to be just as much of a deathtrap. The map is outfitted with multiple man cannons and is covered by a spiderweb of catwalks and high ground. Couple that with the crazy slow tank and it’s even wore driving mechanics, you are basically a sitting duck.
In my one game, I found a weirdly abandoned arctic Scorpion, grabbed it and discovered that movement for such a large vehcile was quite restricted due to all the stuff on the roads. I closed in on the opponents Garage and found myself very easily swamped by the opposing team. Managed to kill two before some guy boarded me from nowhere. You clearly need an escort or two to use the Scorpion in any map but who want to play Halo to “escort a random while he gets all the kills”?
Got to play it once, out of 5 games today. It was… interesting. Definitely a step up in design from Stormbreak, ties with ARC for openness and tactical options, though it actually seems too big sometimes!
I’m cautiously optimistic for future Warzone maps, though I hope they get past the Warden and the stock bases/garages. It seems like a snipers paradise here though, lots of range and hiding spots for everybody’s favourite neighborhood camper
Somebody mentioned above about vehicle maneuverability, I see his point, saw a few Scorpions and Wraiths get boarded, it looks like somebody with an ONI hog and decent gunner could shred people on here though. I’ll have to see if I can find a gunner, good ones are hard to find these days!
Until everyone gets used to the fact that the set up is mirror the other warzone maps (outlying bases more important than center) a lot of matches are going to be pretty one-sided. The one I played earlier sure was.
I really enjoy the map but I really wish the range for boss notifications would be expanded some. I didn’t even notice the Wraith boss at the garages till they were marked dead.
They did seem to be far too strong of a diversion too. I’ve had 3 games there now and each time teammates have gotten so wrapped up with the wraith that the garage they’re at got stolen right under their noses.
What are your thoughts on Battle of Noctus?