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Description: 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.

Layout
The map is similar in shape to Coagulation but has unique elements of its own. It also has features from the Halo: Combat Evolved level; Halo. The most obvious feature is the river. The river starts in the mountains behind blue base, and comes out at a waterfall. The river then flows in front of the base, into a cave, then down between the two prominent hills on which players find the Spartan Laser, and the Machine gun Turret. Finally it bends around the base, and empties into a large lake. There is also another cave in the map, which goes through the hill between the crashed pelican and blue base.

The distinguished beam emitter bases are Forerunner technology. The lower portion is reminiscent of the bases in Blood Gulch. There are three possible entrances to the inside of the base; two on the sides, and another is located behind. Replacing the teleporters are the Man Cannons. The largest one, on the front of the base, will send you out into the main battle, while the smaller ones on the side of each base send you a short distance to the nearby cliff for a quick getaway. Also stated about the bases is that they feature a shiny glass floor, most likely on the interior.

There are two similar hills on either side of the river. On one spawns the Spartan Laser, while the other holds a Machinegun Turret. The Sniper Rifle and several of all grenade types spawn within the bases, along with the flag. Numerous Battle Rifles are said to spawn around the map, and Spikers spawn on top of the bases along with the Trip Mine. The Missile Pod spawns inside each base. The current vehicle set per base is a Banshee, Warthog, Wraith, and two Mongooses. The Power Drainer spawns in front of the downed Pelican. While the Bubble Shield spawns at the neutral Mongoose near the Forerunner wall.

Light Arsenal
MA5C Assault Rifle
BR55HB SR Battle Rifle
Covenant Carbine
Plasma Grenades
Spiker
Spike Grenades
Fragmentation Grenades
Heavy Arsenal
Machinegun Turret
Missile Pod
SRS99D Sniper Rifle
Spartan Laser
Equipment
Bubble Shield
Power Drainer
Trip Mine
Vehicles
Banshee
Mongoose
Warthog
Wraith



FFA Strategies
• Valhalla is a big map and ranged weapons are key to dominating on this map. Most of the killing occurs in the middle of the map and at the bases so if you stick to the sides and aim inwards you will get quite a few kills before getting noticed. To remain unnoticed for the longest possible time it is best to change positions every two to three kills. Another heavy kill zone is by the pelican. If you are sticking to the sides its best to avoid this area unless your packing heavy firepower.

• Vehicles are a large part of this map both as transportation and as killing machines but vehicles like the mongoose that are defenseless are not the best vehicles to take into battle being that in a FFA game there is no second passenger to shot for you. Mongooses are better used as quick transports and then dismounted at the destination.

• To rack up a kill a live trip mine can be placed exactly under the trip mine spawn so when a player goes to equip the trip mine it detonates kill them.

• The most effective weapons combinations on this map are heavy weapons such as the missile pod or sniper rifle with lighter but still very accurate weapons like the battle rifle. Generally short range combat won't occur except in the middle of the map where everyone seems to run into each other but even still the Battle Rifle is ranged enough that a assault rifle loses some of its effectiveness due to the bullets spread but a battle rifle is precise enough to get the kill. Then the missile pod or sniper rifle can be used to take out enemies riding the mongoose or in the warthog.

• Due to all the ledges and outcroppings on Valhalla multiple enemies can be taken by surprise if you jump down from one of the ledges to land in the midst of the enemy. If your armed with a heavy weapon like the missile pod all you have to do is aim down and hit them.

• Climbing up the front of either Valhalla base can be treacherous as you are completely exposed to anyone behind you or to a sniper. Also since you cannot see over the ridge at the top you could walk straight into a enemy with a better weapons set. The best bet of avoiding this is to lob a fragmentation grenade over the ridge to land on the platform leading into the inside of the base. Even if you do not kill the person lying in wait you will put them on the defensive which will improve your chances of not getting kills as soon as you pop your head over the ridge.

• Using rocks for cover in a firefight can give you the precious seconds you need to get your shield to repair itself. However if a enemy tries to follow you around a rock to finish off the kill a melee right to the face can even the odds.

Team Strategies
• When playing a objective game and attacking the enemies base, like coagulation you can go in from either the front the back or the top. Most people prefer to go in from the top because of the surprise factor but in actuality you lose a lot of surprise this way. Since there will be multiple defenders if it is CTF or assault going in from the top allows your enemy to see you before you see them, if even for a split second and you are for another split second disoriented which gives your enemy enough time to kill you. However, if you have grenades it can be a good idea to chuck them down into the base to distract the defenders but this will also put them on their guard. Going in from the sides means you can make a effective attack and draw back if the odds are against you.

• When traversing across this map on foot its best to try and go along undetected, which isn't that hard given its size. If everyone travels separately the enemy will not find and eliminate everyone before they reach the other side of the map where the objective is. Inversely, if everyone travels together the enemy will be able to find you and see you but attacking and killing you all will be harder because of the combined firepower.

Weapons Locations
Missile Pod
The Missile Pod can be found on the bottom floor of each base.

Sniper Rifle
The sniper rifle is located on the bottom floor of the base, resting along the ramp wall.

Spartan Laser
The Spartan Laser is located in the map's center, near the tree trio.

Turret
Look for the turret on a cliff edge, near the Radio Tower.

Bubble Shield
The Bubble Shield can be found near the radio antenna.

Power Drain
Look for the Power Drain near the nose of the downed Pelican.

Trip Mine
On the upper level of each base, the Trip Mine can be collected off the ledge near the Man-Cannon.


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