Mechville

Custom Gametypes: Mech of the Hill (KotH variant), Mechville Horror (Slayer variant)

Created by: Call Me Power

Map Description
This map is unique in that virtually no forging has been done on it, but please don’t think that means that no thought has gone into this mini-game. It’s a very simple map / gametype, but I think that simplicity is part of what makes it fun. The map relies entirely on 1) natural terrain and 2) teamwork. If you play this mini-game then I think you’ll realize that, in a great irony, the more foreign objects that are placed on the map, the less fun the map becomes. This is true for some of the reasons why Ragnarok was chosen for this gametype over other large maps in Halo 4:1) This is a vehicles specific game and vehicles need a lot of space to move around in without having to worry about a bunch of objects getting in the way of travel; also in the case of the Mantises, too much cover would block your shots.
2) Ragnarok is a relatively simple north/south map, yet it still has plenty of natural cover. It doesn’t have an odd shape (like Meltdown) and it doesn’t have a lot of width compared to its length (like Vortex). This relatively narrow layout makes it good for one side vs another, meeting in the middle to fight.
3) Ragnarok is a classic map, so it has a good feel to it (its good feel is what made it a classic map in the first place).

This map / gametype is only set up for 2 team Slayer or KotH (I prefer KotH on this map). Each base has 4 Mantises, 2 Banshees and 1 Rockethog. The respawns for these vehicles are quick, so that by the time you die and come back they’ll be ready to use again.

The bases are shielded off so that each team spawns safely. If your base is getting hammered and you can’t get out from one of the shield doors, there is a teleporter that will randomly take you to 1 of 3 receivers behind your own base. In the area behind your base where the vehicles spawn, there is a trait zone so you will be invisible. This gives some defense from an enemy that might be at your base wasting everything (you won’t turn invisible in the other team’s trait zone though, to prevent an enemy from camping your vehicles and just jacking you before you start out). You also spawn with a plasma pistol and 2 plasma grenades, which helps with defense too. If you are unsuccessful in defending yourself at your own base and the enemy team keeps killing you there, you will eventually spawn at the enemy base where you can take their stuff and have a fighting chance.

Custom Gametype Description
As far as a general overview of the gametypes, each player starts out with a plasma pistol, 2 plasma grenades, no armor abilities, tactical packages or upgrades, no friendly fire and everything else is unchanged. For Slayer (Mechville Horror), it’s a battle to 300 points, with point differences for normal kills, vehicle kills, splatters and sticks. For KotH (Mech of the Hill), hills move progressively around the map and 150 points wins. The game is set up where you can have 2-16 players, but I would say that you need at least 4v4 for this to be fun.

I was able to test this recently at a LAN party with some of my friends and they really liked it. I didn’t think to save the video though before I unplugged my Xbox to take it home, so the temporary videos cleared and I don’t have any action shots, which is super lame :/ I was kinda pissed at myself for that, but if you have any action shots you want to add to the thread or have feedback on what could be improved then I would appreciate it!