From Halopedia verbatim:
Halo: Reach
Stockpile is a team-based gametype where two teams fight for four neutral flags which appear randomly throughout the map and return them to their respective capture points, making it somewhat similar to Capture the Flag. Points are not awarded instantly when the flag carrier drops the flag on the capture points; there is a timed countdown of sixty seconds on each capture point and successfully holding the capture point as well as the flag after the countdown will award the winning team points.The team that scores 10 flags first or the most flags in the 10 minute time limit wins.
Halo Infinite
Stockpile in Halo Infinite is a Big Team Battle gametype, where two teams compete for power seeds that spawn in the middle of the map. Players need to deposit power seeds at their bases to score.
Collecting Power Seeds
At the start of the game, a group of power seeds (nine by default) spawn at a neutral area between the two bases. Players from both teams must compete to bring the power seeds back to their bases, where there is a station for players to deposit power seeds. Players can steal power seeds from the opposing team’s station, but there is a lengthy interaction time (7 seconds by default) to steal a power seed from a station. Players in the opposing team are also notified of any power seeds being stolen from the station.
While carrying a power seed, a player cannot fire their weapons or sprint, but they can throw the power seed (and melee). Players can move power seeds on the ground using the Repulsor or pick one up from afar using the Grappleshot. Furthermore, two power seeds can be attached to the back of the M15 Razorback. Any power seeds that have fallen off the map or have been untouched for too long would return to it initial spawn location.
Scoring
Upon depositing five power seeds, the power seeds in the station disappear, “powering up” the base and scoring a point the team. Additional power seeds (six by default) then spawn at another neutral area on the map, allowing both teams to compete for more power seeds.
Victory Condition
By default, Stockpile games are 15 minutes long, and the team with the most points at the end wins. If there is a tie, the game enters overtime, and the team that first scores the next point wins the game.
So those are the rules.
Here are the main differences:
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Reach’s flags don’t spawn in a big group. Teams have to split up to secure them. Also they aren’t always in “neutral” locations. Usually both teams will have a flag that starts near their zone to get the ball rolling.
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Infinite requires teams to deposit 5 seeds before a point is awarded. This can cause stalemating or lead to double scores.
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Reach’s points are rewarded on a timer. Both teams can only score at the same time. This also means it is possible to “save up” flags near your zone and place all ten in the zone at once.
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I believe new flags spawn every minute. Not just upon scoring. This prevents stalemating and lulls in pace.
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In Reach, you don’t have to hold x to steal a flag for 10 seconds. You just have to pick it up and move it out of the zone before the timer reaches zero.
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I’m not sure if flag carriers appear on the HUD, but they do in Infinite, removing the stealth component of the mode.
The main takeaways
Reach didn’t make the enemy depositing a flag feel hopeless. As long as you could reach their zone before the timer reset, you could stop them from scoring.
Infinite doesn’t have this. Not really. Stealing a seed takes forever. Made worse if you want to steal more than one. Meaning any worthwhile attempt at stealing might need multiple teammates. Stealing leaves you very vulnerable since:
- You have to hold the interact button
- You have to be looking at the seed deposit (IIRC)
- You can’t move while stealing (IIRC)
While you’re stealing, the enemy gets a message telling them where you are, ruining stealth and multi-seed steals. You appear on the HUD, so they bee-line right to you. Also the deposit boxes are in super exposed locations, so many times a sniper will just cross-map you
Even if you steal a seed, then what? If you get killed, the enemy just runs them back to the ports. At least in Reach you could time a steal just right and make them miss the scoring reset. You can’t tactically steal seeds in Infinite because it takes 7 seconds to steal a seed while the enemy can deposit 5 instantly.
It feels like a game of running away. Both teams run to the middle grab some seeds. Then turn their backs on the enemy.