Valhalla: The Bungie Beta Guide
The crew of V-398 barely survived their unplanned landing in this curious gorge. The wreckage of their downed Pelican rests on the field, its remains an unpicked carcass. Tall timbers are dwarfed by titanic granite cliffs and a mountain river spills into a frigid alpine lake.
Valhalla is sure to recall memories of Blood Gulch, but it’s a far different beast. Big enough for the most epic battle, but with enough transport options to make fast navigation a simple matter. Grab a vehicle or launch from Forerunner gravity chutes at either opposing tower.
Weapon spawns will of course vary depending on game type and matchmaking protocols, but each tower (or base) houses a pair of power weapons in the Missile Pod and sniper rifle, in addition to a piece of equipment – the explosive and devastating tripmine.
Valhalla is a loooong map, but it’s surprisingly wide, too. For that reason, the map relies heavily on modes of transport (although a walking sniper can do a lot of damage to an opposing team). Behind each base, Lake(1) and Waterfall(2), are two parked Mongoose vehicles. These are handy, as is the Warthog behind the bases, for traversing Valhalla’s rolling planes, serene river and craggy rock outcroppings. However, if you want to just grab a Battle Rifle and bowl into the fray, you can use one of the two “Mancannons” at each base.
The middle cannon vaults players into the center of the map. Waterfall Base launches players just below the Center Ridge(11) and Lake Base launches players to the River(12). Betwixt and above River and Center Ridge rests the Spartan Laser – Valhalla’s most important asset. The accompanying “whoosh!” sound may as well be a clay pigeon “pull!” Anyone with a sniper rifle who hears it will instantly track you.
However, it’s not all “into the great wide open.” To the left of the Lake Base is Pelican Rear Cave(9) and in front of that is the aforementioned downed Pelican. To the right of Lake Base, players can Mancannon to the Ravine(5) into the very heart of shenanigan land.
Shenanigan Land - Valhalla's middle
Turret Side(7) has players squabbling over an extra Mongoose, a Bubble Shield and the detachable Turret(6). This zone becomes hotly contested, not only because of the detachable turret resting here, but because across the river on an elevated plateau rests the Spartan Laser and its Sniper Rifle meets Rocket Launcher meets Death Star brand of destruction – is crucial on.
Traveling beyond Turret side down the river takes players into Canyon Bend(4). After exiting Canyon Bend, there’s a series of rocks that lead up to a nook where players can stand, snipe or cower in fear. Traveling further around the back of the map, players will pass behind the Waterfall base and arrive at a waterfall emptying into the river in front of the base(2).
Along the top side of the map, players run into the downed Pelican(8) and traveling from Waterfall Base sits Pelican Nose Cave(10). There’s a Battle Rifle and a couple of plasma grenades inside the cave. The Power Drainer, one of the pieces of equipment on Valhalla, spawns at the nose of the downed Pelican. At the rear of the Pelican is the appropriately named Pelican Rear Cave(9) and a Shotgun.
Valhalla’s size, symmetry and undulating terrain make it an ideal map for both Slayer and objective-based gametypes. The new round-based version of Territories and Assault are two of gametypes players will experience in the Public Beta. Additionally, VIP – a slayer variant – also appears in the Matchmaking playlist.
Linear Mode
