13 Oct 2025

Halo has given fans some of the greatest multiplayer maps in gaming history. In its first two decades, the franchise has put out over 150 maps, each with a different combination of tactics, chaos, and competitive fun. From intimate close combat to expansive open spaces, Halo multiplayer maps offer something for everyone. Some are timeless classics, others are fan favorites, and, of course, some are better left forgotten. But today, we’re diving into the top 15 maps that stand out across the entire Halo franchise. These maps were selected not only for their design and gameplay but for the memories they’ve created for fans over the years.

Before we dive into the list, a few things to remember: This list is only made up of official maps—no community-created maps, although there are plenty of great ones to be had thanks to Forge and mods. And we're not including new Halo Infinite maps either. It's too soon to give them full retrospective treatment yet—they need more time to be established as part of the Halo multiplayer landscape.

Now, let's begin. Here are the top 15 Halo multiplayer maps—ranked only by how well remembered they are.

1. Blood Gulch (Halo: Combat Evolved)

A true Halo classic, Blood Gulch was the place where Halo players around the world cut their teeth in multiplayer. This massive map, with its open spaces, enormous hills, and middle build that serves as the base, has been played a thousand different ways across the years. Play CTF or Team Slayer, the map design cries out for strategic play and insane vehicle combat. Legendary Banshee and Warthog runs remain a fan favorite today.

2. Valhalla (Halo 3)

If Blood Gulch was the point of origin, then Valhalla was the perfect sequel. Bigger, better, and more carefully designed, Valhalla boasted it all—vehicles, open areas, close bases, and more strategic options than you could shake a stick at. The map has all you could want in a Halo multiplayer game, and the gigantic size is made possible by the placement of various vehicles so that everyone has a way in which to get into the action.

3. Sanctuary (Halo 2)

Sanctuary is one of the most beloved competitive maps in the Halo franchise. Its symmetrical layout, tight spaces, and various levels of verticality make it ideal for fast-paced action. Whether you’re playing Slayer or a game of King of the Hill, the map’s structure provides a perfect balance of open areas and chokepoints. If you’re a fan of 1v1 battles, this is your map.

4. The Pit (Halo 3)

One of the best multiplayer locations in Halo 3, The Pit is compact enough to be high-speed and frantic but big enough not to be claustrophobic. The open center is ideal for close-quarters combat, while the elevated ledges on either side are ideal for sniper duals and long-distance firefights. The Pit's elegance and efficiency have cemented its place in Halo multiplayer history.

5. Construct (Halo 3)

The multi-level structure of Construct made it the most unorthodox map of Halo 3. Its narrow walkways, large middle areas, and various levels make Construct perfect for a mix of close combat and tactical positioning. The middle area with the gravity lifts adds an element of surprise, leading to confusion and possible effective ambushes.

6. Guardian (Halo 3)

With its tight layout, verticality, and blend of open and enclosed spaces, Guardian was a hit right out of the box. The map is a masterpiece of balance. There is plenty of opportunity for long-distance combat, but the close-in corridors beg for brutal, up-close combat. The map is tight enough to keep tension high, but big enough for significant tactical game play.

7. Midship (Halo 2)

A tradition and fan favorite, Midship is balanced and symmetrical, making it the ideal map for team-based game types like Slayer and Oddball. Its layout encourages end-to-end action at all skill levels, and the open middle area offers lots of opportunities for engaging the foe. Midship's combination of verticality and tight corridors makes it a map that requires both fast reflexes and thought.

8. Warlock (Halo 2)

A classic, Warlock is a favorite with its asymmetrical shape and wonderful free-for-all and team play flow. The multi-level area is an interesting mix of close and long-range combat zones, and the middle building offers a great sniper station. This map's combination of close quarters and open spaces is a good balance.

9. Lockout (Halo 2)

As one of the greatest Halo maps, Lockout is renowned for its perfectly balanced design, with just the right touches of verticality, narrow corridors, and open areas. The map is conducive to all types of combat, from close-range to long-range battles. The mix of levels makes a fantastic map for competitive and casual players.

10. Standoff (Halo 3)

With its wide open fields, vehicles, and natural features, Standoff is one of the better maps for large-team games like Big Team Battle. The central area is practically begging to be contested with warfare on vehicles, and the bases are nice strategic positions to defend or attack from. Its open design allows for plenty of flanking and high-speed battles, so that no two rounds ever feel quite the same.

11. Sidewinder (Halo: Combat Evolved)

The original Halo introduced us to the scale of Sidewinder, where vehicles were as big a feature of gameplay as combat. The open spaces and narrow corridors were the perfect setting for vehicles like the Warthog, and the map size was large enough that players had to be clever about movement. It's an old map still remembered today for its vehicular play.

12. Rats Nest (Halo 3)

With its complex layout and vehicle-based combat emphasis, Rats Nest was a standout map that made it different from the others in Halo 3. With its open spaces and tight corners, it allows for close fights, while the building in the middle offers a strategic location of controlling match flow. Vehicle-based combat and teamwork emphasis made the map a hit among many players.

13. Hemorrhage (Halo: Reach)

Hemorrhage is a nod to Blood Gulch and brings it to a new level. The map is wide open, large, and vehicle-filled, with bases having more than one point of entry. The size of the map provides ample space for vehicle battles and normal gunfights both, which makes it a Big Team Battle staple.

14. Avalanche (Halo 3)

A spiritual sequel to Sidewinder, Avalanche has all of the original elements that enthusiasts loved, but with more terrain and cover diversity. Vehicles dominate the map, but there is enough structure so that battles on foot remain involving. The snowy setting gives it a unique appearance, while its open level design allows for plenty of flanking and close combat.

15. Epitaph (Halo 3)

With its beautiful layout and large central area, Epitaph is among the best maps in Halo 3. The central tower creates a great vertical, and the periphery offers ample spots for close-range and long-range combat. Its design makes it ideal for tactical gameplay as well as crazed running and gunning, which distinguishes it from other maps in the franchise.

Final Thoughts

The Halo series has yielded some of the most iconic multiplayer maps in the history of gaming. From the open spaces of Blood Gulch to the skyscraper-style verticality of Guardian, each map has its own feel and playstyle. Vehicle battles, high-speed corners, and expansive arenas – Halo has something for every taste. These 15 maps are just the beginning of the Halo multiplayer legacy, and they still stand today as some of the best maps in the franchise.

Which one of these is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to revisit these classics the next time you play a Halo game.