Season 2 of Halo Infinite has just been released, and with that, some new content has been added. The theme of Halo Infinite’s second season is about the Lone Wolves. Lone Wolves are Spartans that operate alone or in small groups that dive deep into enemy territory. After the initial month of launch, we have been introduced to a few new game modes in Halo Infinite, including Land Grab, updates to the Free for All playlist, and Last Spartan Standing.
Last Spartan Standing is the mode that encapsulates this theme. In this game mode, you fight alone in a Free for All match and earn new weapons through kills as the map slowly closes in on you. This new game mode has a lot of similarities to that of a Battle Royal game like Fortnite, but on a smaller scale. A month after release, we have found a few tips and tricks to help you keep the edge on your opponents in Halo Infinite’s Last Spartan Standing game mode.
Knowing Weapon Cycles in Last Spartan Standing
Currently, Last Spartan Standing has a set number of weapons a player can cycle through from gaining XP from kills. Unlike a similar game mode typically referred to as Gun Game from previous Halo titles or other games like Risk of Rain 2, you can choose when you want your new gun instead of receiving it instantly.
This small change allows you to control what gun you can upgrade to that best suits your current situation. The upgrade system is an excellent new addition, especially when no one wants to have a shotgun forced into their hands in a long-range situation.
Every Halo Infinite player starts each Last Spartan Standing match with the Sidekick and the Disruptor. From then onward, the guns you receive are:
- Level 1: Disruptor & Mangler
- Level 2: Mangler & Assault Rifle
- Level 3: Assault Rifle & Commando Rifle
- Level 4: Commando Rifle & Bulldog
- Level 5: Bulldog & Battle Rifle
Everyone follows the same weapon order for every single match. Once you learn this pattern, you know what weapons come next to best suit you. It’s also worth noting that leveling up happens very quickly. If the situation calls for it, you can empty your weapon and upgrade to the next tier instead of reloading. If you do, the swapped-in gun will already be loaded.
The only downside to this system is the guaranteed replacement of certain weapons. Not all weapons are created equal, and some work better in specific situations than others, which is why we created a tier list of the best weapons in Halo Infinite. Many players tend to save their XP to continue to utilize the Sidekick longer than spending all their XP at once to get to level 3 to receive the Vk78 Commando Rifle.
Map Knowledge is Key to Winning Last Spartan Standing in Halo Infinite
With every video game you play, you will improve with knowledge of your surroundings. The Halo franchise is based on arena sandbox, which utilizes map knowledge to a higher level than other games. Map knowledge helps you know where weapon spawns, choke points, and highly contested areas are. Moreover, it helps you know if there’s a better way to approach certain spots.
Since you have no teammates by your side to ping or die for the knowledge of the enemy, you need to learn about your surroundings. In Last Spartan Standing, your minimap is disabled, so you have no idea what lies around every corner.
All Last Spartan Standing matches also utilize BTB maps, which are larger and thus take longer to traverse. If you are strictly a 4v4 ranked arena Halo Infinite player and are interested in playing Last Spartan Standing, it’s good to learn all the BTB map layouts. Learning maps is a passive skill that most don’t think about. Yet, it makes the difference between a casual and an experienced Halo player.
Grenade Timing
Another tip that helps you not just in Last Spartan Standing but in any Halo game mode is timing your grenades correctly. Halo Infinite has four different grenades, and each has its separate timings. The most reliable grenade to time is the standard frag grenade. Frag grenades will always explode shortly after their first bounce after hitting a surface.
If you know an enemy Spartan is approaching you from around a corner, you can throw your frag grenade at the ground. It’ll then bounce once and explode in your opponent’s face, giving them no time to react.
Plasma Grenades take a moment after sitting still before they explode. Yet, everyone knows them for their iconic ability to stick to enemies. Spike Grenades are like both frag and plasma; they require time before exploding. They also stick to any surface and, once attached, have an easy-to-read window before they explode.
Sadly, Spike grenades deal worse damage If an opponent can react. This is because its damage comes from the small spikes that burst out from the grenade, unlike usual explosions. The new Dynamo grenades are great for area denial. Not only that, but they provide continuous tick damage to ensure your opponent has no time to recharge their shields. They also apply a small slowing effect while someone is caught in the electric snare. Yet, be careful since these grenades hurt you as well.
Related Article: How to Best Use the Different Damage Types in Halo Infinite
Drop Pods in Last Spartan Standing
Like in BTB maps, drop pods spawn all over the map at different points during a Last Spartan Standing match in Halo Infinite. Each contains either an Invisibility or Overshield power-up. You can only hold one but having an Overshield in your back pocket is always an excellent way to turn a fight around. Just take note of its animation delay before the actual shield is applied. Invisibility tends to be a more robust choice.
A recent patch has buffed Invisibility which now makes climbing up ledges, crouching, or jumping completely silent, but of course, it isn’t as unreliable if you are caught out with it. Since you can only hold one power-up, if you come across another one with one already equipped, use whichever one you are carrying and grab the new one; it’s better in your hands than your opponents.
Power Up Stacking
While on the different power-ups available from the drop pods, one important note is that both power-ups mix. Overshield gives a bright white glow to indicate that someone has temporary extra shielding. The Invisibility power-up overlaps with the Overshield, allowing you to traverse the battlefield silently with additional shields.
All the effects of Invisibility mentioned above still apply, like silent ledge grabbing and jumping. This combination is potent and often occurs when a match boils down to the last four remaining players. This is a tip to have you gain the upper hand on your opponents and serves as a warning that there’s a chance that a cloaked Spartan could also be extra tanky.
Final Thoughts on How to Win Last Spartan Standing in Halo Infinite
That’s our quick Halo Infinite tips and tricks guide to better help you in one of Halo Infinite’s newest game modes, Last Spartan Standing. Most of these tips apply to any situation in usual Halo matches, practice these skills elsewhere, and they will feel like second nature in no time at all. As always, good hunting, Spartan!
And, if you are looking for other great Halo Infinite multiplayer guides, check out our guide on how to earn every Mythic Medal in Halo Infinite!
