Halo Ranks UNSC Guide

Halo is a franchise that is loved by millions worldwide. It does not require much of an introduction, as this franchise has been synonymous with gamers for two decades. With an iconic soundtrack, gripping storyline, and immersive multiplayer, there is something for everybody. Recently, books and a TV series have been released. This is a testament to the global popularity of the franchise.

Aside from it’s worldwide fame, it has a large multiplayer and competitive scene. This is an aspect which is paramount to the developers, and has led to advancements in tournaments, rankings and how the game is played. For these reasons, we decided to break down the ranking system, detail all ranks, and highlight action from the 2022 HCS esports circuit. This information will allow players from all backgrounds a chance to go up the ranks.

What is Halo?

Halo is an FPS military science fiction franchise. It was first released back in 2001 with its first game, Halo: Combat Evolved. It is owned and published by Xbox Game Studios but throughout time, four different companies have developed titles. Bungie, Ensemble Studios, Creative Assembly, and 343 Industries have all enjoyed success with specific games. The game primarily takes place in the 26th century, and it projects a conflict between humanity and an alien species as the subject.

Xbox Game Studios has released 16 titles so far, which includes remastered versions. Some titles are more popular than others such as the mainstream series which include Halo CE- Infinite. Other less obscure titles are still entertaining, but not as widely available for players. Infinite is the latest release, which had been published on December 8, 2021. In less than a year it has already been the subject of many lucrative and entertaining tournaments.

In general, the franchise has generated more than $6 billion in revenue. Moreover, it continues to grow bigger, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Alongside Gears of War and Forza, Halo is one of the highest grossing Microsoft original franchises of all time. Through the multitude of game releases, the games ranking system has remained mostly the same. For example, Reach ranks and Infinite ranks are pretty similar in terms of lore.

Halo UNSC Ranks

In the current version of Halo Infinite, we haven’t yet seen the return of the much-demanded Halo Reach ranks system, which is a progression-based system instead of a competitive ranked system. These ranks were based, up to a certain point, on real life military ranks, and unlocked cosmetic items as you advanced. Winning would make it go faster, but you’d progress at some speed win or lose.

Halo Infinite Ranks

What we do still have are the Halo Infinite ranks, which form the competitive side and esports scene for Infinite. There are six different Infinite ranks, but it doesn’t end there. On top of ranks, there are different tiers within ranks as seen below.

• Bronze – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
• Silver – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
• Gold – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
• Platinum – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
• Diamond – I, II, III, IV, V, VI
• Onyx – I

How to Rank up

Just like every other competitive video game, players need to win games in the ranked mode to climb. It is pretty straight forward, but it may take some time and talent to reach Onyx. There are many different tiers that include many talented players. There are different game modes that can be played in the ranked mode, which include Slayer, Capture the Flag, Oddball, and Strongholds. After initially finishing 10 games, the game will grant you a starting rank, that means your journey has started.

Image Credit: HaloTracker

When a game has been won, progression on tiers are made. If you keep up good performances, but lose a game you can still experience a gain in points. Infinite delivers unique ranked mode gameplay with players spawning with just a Battle Rifle and two grenades. Additionally, there won’t be a gadget. Friendly fire is on and that includes grenades. If you want to climb and reach a higher rank, get along well with your teammates and try not to hurt them.

Additionally, it is recommended that you play with teammates. Call-outs can be made and alerts can be voiced to where a player is and how damaged they are. Also, keep adjusting sensitivity as this will allow you to find your movement barriers. With the game having been out for seven months, it is the small advantages that make the biggest difference.  

2022 Esports and Competition

For a franchise as large as Halo, it also has one of the largest esports scenes for a console game. Spanning across five regions which include NA, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa, the game is highly competitive. Each region has its own championship series, but they can compete against each other in international competitions, such as HCS Majors and the World Championships.

In the most recent event, it is North America who have had the strongest showings. Sentinels had won the previous international HCS tournament in Kansas City, but the likes of OpTic Gaming, Cloud 9 and eUnited are not far behind. Aside from this current HCS 2022 season, next stop for competition will be in Orlando. Then, to finish up the calendar a World Championship Series in Seattle, October 20-23rd will be played.  For players who aren’t at a pro-level or are currently not on a team, there is a HCS Grassroots competition.

As a precursor, competitive matches are played in a 4v4 format. Alternatively, there are free-for-all tournaments that can viewed. This will allow players and content creators a way to experience first hand what competition can bring. Ninja is a former Halo professional player, but made a transition to other games. It is not impossible to join the ranks, but now you have information on the ranking system, go and take a chance.