Editorials
May Halo 5 Update: Memories of Reach Details
Video game developer 343 Industries has kept last year’s blockbuster fall launch for Xbox One, Halo 5: Guardians, going with a steady stream of upgrades and new features. This month will be no different, the studio owned and operated by Microsoft revealed more about the May Halo 5 Update on Friday.
The May Halo 5 Update will introduce lots of new changes and plenty of new things to think about. For one, 343 Industries intends to make some balancing changes for REQs. REQs are the collectible cards that users can purchase packs of to give them an edge in Halo 5’s Warzone multiplayer battle mode. There is a new map and a new – but not entirely unfamiliar – game mode coming too.
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming May Halo 5 Update, or as 343 Industries is calling it, Memories of Reach.
May Halo 5 Update: REQs Update
343 Industries first teased the Memories of Reach update earlier this year. The tease provided an on-high look at the official name and some features of Halo 5 updates coming this summer. Title updates for players are pretty regular at this point. Consistently, they’ve delivered new weapons and weapon upgrades to Halo 5.
The May Halo 5 Update packs new REQ cards, but they’re not all new weapons. The ones revealed in a recent post on Halo Waypoint are mostly cosmetic skins that players can put on the weapons that they already own. The new Azure Dream REQ Cards add some white and blue stripes to make any weapon look appealing. There are Osiris Team, ODST, Noble, UNSC, Spirt of Fire and Sharktooth Grin weapon skins too.
There are some new weapon variants coming. We can see two Uncommon Assault Rifle REQs, Brute Plasma Rifle, and a new Rare variant of the DMR. The May Halo 5 Update contains new armor and helmet pieces, though only one isn’t blurred out right now: The Legendary Wrath helmet. It has a skull painted on its front.
May Halo 5 Update: New Maps
Rather than add a few new maps, the Memories of Reach map sticks to a single new map. That map is called Stasis, and it’s specifically for Arena. Arena is what Halo 5: Guardians calls the traditional multiplayer experience that’s included with the game. There’s also Warzone. Stasis is an icy, polar UNSC installation, judging by the concept art 343 provided on Halo Waypoint.
May Halo 5 Update: Infection Game Mode
The reason that 343 is sticking to just one new map for the Memories of Reach update is that it’s throwing in a new mode for players. That mode is called Infection, and its name should sound familiar to anyone that’s invested in past Halo games.
Up to 12 different players can take part in a single Infection match at a time. There are 4 different rounds, with each round lasting 3 minutes. The point of Infection is to turn as many members of the opposing team as possible into zombies. Players get to hold on to their Spartan Abilities during the game mode. Anyone that’s already been infected and turned into a zombie can only Thrust, Smart Scope and Stabilize, according to 343.
Halo 5: Guardians will pick up a number of specific medals for Infection. They are Zombie Hunter, Zombie Slayer, Hell’s Janitor, Hell Jumper, Zombicide, The Cure, Infector, Carrier, Ravager, Plague Bearer, Lord of the Flies, Last Man Standing, Infected, Ancient One, Survived, Resourceful, Stalker and Flatline
May Halo 5 Update: Forge Improvements
Memories of Reach | Games | Halo – Official Site
New and updated features:
- Material Base: Change the material of the primitive building blocks (blocks, triangles, cylinders, & rings). Choose from:
- Default Metal.
- Concrete.
- Wood.
- Covenant.
- Forerunner.
- Marble.
- Material overlay: Customize primitive blocks with additional overlay textures to blend into your environment and add character to your world. Choose between Grime or Frost overlays.
New assets:
- gameplay> weapons>
- Brute Plasma Rifle [Halo 2]
- gameplay> ammo>
- Ammo Locker [2x3x2.5; UNSC]
- Ammo Locker [4.5×4.5×4.5; Covenant]
- gameplay> death spheres> classic>
- Kill Ball: Classic [10x10x10; jr]
- gameplay> death spheres> plasma>
- Kill Ball: Plasma [10x10x10; jr]
- Kill Ball: Plasma [50x50x50]
- gameplay> death spheres> invisible>
- Kill Ball: Invisible [10x10x10; jr]
- Kill Ball: Invisible [50x50x50]
- primitives> blocks> simple>
- Block: Simple [2x2x2]
- Block: Simple [2x2x4]
- Block: Simple [2x2x8]
- Block: Simple [2x4x4]
- Block: Simple [4x4x4]
- Block: Simple [4x4x8]
- Block: Simple [4x4x16]
- Block: Simple [4x8x8]
- Block: Simple [8x8x8]
- Block: Simple [8x8x16]
- Block: Simple [8x8x32]
- Block: Simple [8x16x16]
- Block: Simple [16x16x16]
- Block: Simple [16x16x32]
- Block: Simple [16x16x64]
- Block: Simple [16x32x32]
- Block: Simple [32x32x32]
- Block: Simple [32x32x64]
- Block: Simple [32x64x64]
- Block: Simple [64x64x64]
- natural> plants> grass>
- Plant: Grass [4×12; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [6×12; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [8×12; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [12×12; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [8×24; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [12×24; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [16×24; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [24×24; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [16×48; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [24×48; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [32×48; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [48×48; alpine]
- Plant: Grass [4×12; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [6×12; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [8×12; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [12×12; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [8×24; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [12×24; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [16×24; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [24×24; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [16×48; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [24×48; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [32×48; glacier]
- Plant: Grass [48×48; glacier]
- props> crates>
- Crate [4.5×5.5×4; UNSC; large; Stasis]
- Crate [8x8x9; UNSC; stack; 8x; Stasis]
- props> bodies> human>
- Body: Human [1x1x1; skull; small]
- Body: Human [2x2x2; skull; large]
- Body: Human [3x8x1]
- Body: Human [4x3x3]
- Body: Human [4x7x1]
- Body: Human [4x7x1]
- Body: Human [4x7x1]
- props> bodies> covenant>
- Body: Covenant [5x9x3; Elite]
- Body: Covenant [6x9x3; Elite]
- Body: Covenant [6x10x3; Elite]
- Body: Covenant [6x10x3; Elite]
- Body: Covenant [7x6x4; Elite]
- Body: Covenant [5x7x3; Grunt]
- Body: Covenant [6x6x2.5; Grunt]
- Body: Covenant [6x6x3.5; Grunt]
- Body: Covenant [7x6x2.5; Grunt]
- Body: Covenant [5x8x2; Jackal]
- Body: Covenant [5x9x2; Jackal]
- Body: Covenant [5x10x2; Jackal]
- Body: Covenant [6x8x2; Jackal]
- props> trash> bags>
- Trash: Bag [2x2x3]
- Trash: Bag [3x3x2]
- Trash: Bag [3x3x2]
- props> trash> piles>
- Trash: Pile [4x7x3]
- Trash: Pile [5x7x3.5]
- Trash: Pile [6x8x4]
- extras> decals> modes>
- Decal: Mode [16×16; Grifball]
- Decal: Mode [16×16; Assault]
- Decal: Mode [16×16; Infection]
- extras> decals> symbols>
- Decal: Symbol [2×2; biohazard; orange]
- Decal: Symbol [2×2; biohazard; orange/black]
- Decal: Symbol [1×1; electricity]
- Decal: Symbol [1×1; flammable]
- Decal: Symbol [2×2; gas mask; gray]
- Decal: Symbol [2×2; gas mask; orange/black]
- extras> decals> location>
- Decal: Location [1×3; attention; surveillance]
- Decal: Location [5×2; attention; surveillance]
- Decal: Location [2×4; engine room; station 42->a]
- Decal: Location [3×1; restricted; authorized personnel]
- Decal: Location [2×3; station; food]
- Decal: Location [3×1; station; food]
- Decal: Location [3×2; station; station]
- extras> decals> caution-danger>
- Decal: Hazard [1×4; caution; blast zone]
- Decal: Hazard [2×4; caution; loading]
- Decal: Hazard [5×2; caution; no touch]
- Decal: Hazard [5×2; caution; watch hands]
- Decal: Hazard [5×2; caution; watch step]
- Decal: Hazard [2×3; danger; explosives]
- Decal: Hazard [5×2; operate vehicles; with care]
- Decal: Hazard [1×4; warning; orange]
- Decal: Hazard [2×2; warning; triangle]
- Decal: Hazard [3×4; warning; gas mask required]
- extras> decals> trash>
- Decal: Trash [1x6x0]
- Decal: Trash [4x6x0]
- Decal: Trash [5x7x0]
- Decal: Trash [6x9x0]
- Decal: Trash [9x11x0]
- extras> decals> squares>
- Decal: Square [8×8]
- Decal: Square [16×16]
- Decal: Square [32×32]
- Decal: Square [36×36]
- Decal: Square [64×64]
- extras> decals> rectangles>
- Decal: Rectangle [32×64]
- Decal: Rectangle [36×18]
- extras> decals> circles>
- Decal: Circle [12×12]
- Decal: Circle [16×16]
- Decal: Circle [24×24]
- Decal: Circle [32×32]
- extras> fx> sparks>
- FX: Sparks [waterfall; gold]
- extras> fx> fire>
- FX: Fire [Human; jet; medium]
- FX: Fire [Human; jet; large]
- FX: Fire [Human; thruster; medium]
- FX: Fire [Human; thruster; large]
- FX: Fire [Human; pyre; medium]
- FX: Fire [Human; pyre; large]
- extras> fx> explosion>
- FX: Explosion [Human; large]
- FX: Explosion [Covenant; medium]
- extras> fx> steam>
- FX: Steam [rising; vent; medium]
- FX: Steam [rising; vent; large]
- FX: Steam [falling; vent; medium]
- FX: Steam [falling; vent; large]
- extras> fx> lensflares>
- FX: Lens-Flare [Forerunner; medium]
- FX: Lens-Flare [Forerunner; large]
- extras> fx> energy>
- FX: Energy [Covenant; small]
- FX: Energy [Covenant; medium]
- FX: Energy [Forerunner; spiral]
- FX: Energy [Forerunner; teleport]
- FX: Energy [Forerunner; vacuum]
- extras> fx> slipspace>
- FX: Slipstream [open]
- FX: Slipstream [loop]
- FX: Slipstream [close]
- extras> fx> bugs>
- FX: Insects [swarm; small]
- FX: Insects [swarm; medium]
- FX: Insects [swarm; large]
- FX: Insects [Forerunner; red; medium]
- FX: Insects [Forerunner; blue; medium]
- extras> fx> water>
- FX: Water [drip; light; medium]
- FX: Water [drip; light; large]
- FX: Water [drip; heavy; medium]
- FX: Water [drip; heavy; large]
- extras> fx> lighting>
- FX: Lightning [strike; large]
- extras> blockers> type> two-way>
- Blocker: Team [1×1; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [1×2; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [2×2; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [2×4; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [4×4; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [4×8; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [8×8; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [8×16; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [16×16; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [16×32; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [32×32; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [32×64; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [64×64; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [64×128; team pass]
- Blocker: Team [128×128; team pass]
- extras> blockers> type> one-way>
- Blocker: One-Way [1×1; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [1×2; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [2×2; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [2×4; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [4×4; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [4×8; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [8×8; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [8×16; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [16×16; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [16×32; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [32×32; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [32×64; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [64×64; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [64×128; team pass]
- Blocker: One-Way [128×128; team pass]
May Halo 5 Update: Balance Changes
By measuring Kills Per Use, 343 Industries says that it was able to get a far more accurate look at how each weapon in Halo 5: Guardians works and behaves. Having that ability has allowed the team to go back and examine some of the weapon variants in Warzone. Weapons changes are incoming.
- The Plasma Caster will have its charged shot arc decreased. Cluster grenades on the weapon should be more effective. Grenades will explode faster after they bounce.
- The Hyrda Launcher will have its recoil reduced, and its splash damage radius increased. The Typhon version of the Hydra Launcher will be able to target three different opposing team members.
- The Scattershot Loathsome Thing variant will pick have 8 projectiles instead of just 5.
- The High Five Rocket Launcher will have increased blast radius on cluster rockets.
- The Twin Jewels of Maethrillian Binary Rifle variant will get its recoil reduced and projectiles will launch closer together.
- Rain of Oblivion Covenant Carbine is getting its recoil reduced and better zoom.
- The River of Light Incineration Canon will have homing for charged shots.
- The Heartseeker Incineration Canon will have proximity detonation for charged shots.
- Pool of Radiance Fuel Rod Cannon has a thicker projectile and more damage after its explosion.
- The Talon of the Lost Needler will have its projectile count lowered. Needles will stay around longer now, 8 seconds instead of the 4 seconds they do today.
- Selene’s Lance Spartan Laser will have reduced recoil and a thicker beam.
May Halo 5 Update Release Date (Update)
At first, we we only knew that the Memories of Reach update was coming to Halo 5: Guardians players absolutely free sometime this month. The studio wasn’t ready to clarify exact timing on that just yet.
A Memories of Reach livestream with the Halo community on Wednesday, May 11th confirmed that the update would launch today on Xbox Live. Any owner of Halo 5: Guardians with an internet connection should get the upgrade soon. Most users should find that their console automatically downloads the update, but those with Always-On connectivity turned off will need to manually update the next time they open the game.
Judithgarnold
05/15/2016 at 9:14 am
wonderfull…Ｉ ᴊᴜｓᴛ ɢᴏᴛ ᴘᴀɪᴅ 6784ＵＳＤ ᴡᴏʀᴋɪɴɢ ᴏғғ ᴍʏ ʟᴀᴘᴛᴏᴘ ᴛʜɪｓ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ. Ａɴᴅ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴀᴛ’ｓ ᴄᴏᴏʟ, ᴍʏ ᴅɪᴠᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ʜᴀｓ ᴛᴡɪɴ ᴛᴏᴅᴅʟᴇʀｓ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀ $9ᴋ ʜᴇʀ ғɪʀｓᴛ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ. Ｉᴛ ғᴇᴇʟｓ ｓᴏ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ｓᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴍᴏɴᴇʏ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ғᴏʀ ｓᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʟᴇｓｓ.
Ｔʜɪｓ ɪｓ ᴡʜᴀᴛ Ｉ ᴅᴏ ….. See More