Achievements
Complete the following achievements to unlock Xbox Live Gamerscore points:
Landfall (20) - Finish the first mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Holdout (20) - Finish the second mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
The Road (20) - Finish the third mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Assault (30) - Finish the fourth mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Cleansing (30) - Finish the fifth mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Refuge (30) - Finish the sixth mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Last Stand (40) - Finish the seventh mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
The Key (40) - Finish the eighth mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Return (50) - Finish the final mission of the Campaign on Normal, Heroic, or Legendary.
Campaign Complete: Normal (125): Finish the Campaign on Normal.
Campaign Complete: Heroic (125) - Finish the Campaign on Heroic (unlocks achievement for Normal, if not earned).
Campaign Complete: Legendary (125) - Finish the Campaign on Legendary (unlocks achievements for Normal and Heroic, if not earned).
Iron (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Black Eye (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Tough Luck (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Catch (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Fog (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Famine (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Thunderstorm (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Tilt (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Mythic (10) - Find and claim this skull when playing on Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Graduate (10) - Earn 5 EXP or finish 10 games to complete the requirements for basic training (Online).
UNSC Spartan (15) - Earn your Sergeant rating to be recognized as a true Spartan (Online).
Spartan Officer (25) - Advance to the Spartan Officer ranks (Online).
Two for One (5) - Score a Double Kill with a single Spartan laser shot in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Too Close to the Sun (5) - Destroy an enemy Banshee with the Spartan laser or missile pod in a ranked playlist or in campaign.
Triple Kill (5) - Kill 3 enemies within 4 seconds of one another in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Overkill (5) - Kill 4 enemies within 4 seconds of one another in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Lee R Wilson Memorial (5) - Score 5 grenade sticks in any ranked free for all playlist (Online).
We're in for some Chop (5) - Destroy an enemy vehicle with equipment in a ranked playlist or in campaign.
Killing Frenzy (5) - Kill 10 enemies without dying in any ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Steppin' Razor (5) - Score a Triple Kill with the sword in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Mongoose Mowdown (5) - Splatter an enemy with the mongoose in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Up Close and Personal (5) - Kill 5 enemies by melee or assassination in a ranked free for all playlist (Online).
Fear the Pink Mist (5) - Kill 5 enemies with the needler in a ranked free for all playlist or in campaign.
Headshot Honcho (5) - Kill 10 enemies with headshots in a ranked free for all playlist or in campaign.
Used Car Salesman (5) - Destroy a vehicle that has three enemies in it in a ranked playlist or in campaign.
Marathon Man (40) - Locate and access all Terminals in the Campaign.
MVP (5) - Earn the MVP in any ranked playlist (Online).
Maybe Next Time Buddy (5) - Board the same vehicle within 10 seconds after being boarded in any free for all playlist (Online).
Guerilla (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the first mission.
Demon (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the second mission.
Cavalier (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the third mission.
Askar (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the fourth mission.
Exterminator (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the fifth mission.
Ranger (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the sixth mission.
Vanguard (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the seventh mission.
Orpheus (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the eighth mission.
Reclaimer (10) - Score over 15,000 points in the Campaign meta-game on the final mission.
These are the additional achievements:
Alas, Poor Yorick (25) - On a Legendary map, get 3 Oddball melee kills during any ranked or social match.
Assembly Skull (25) - On Assembly, find the hidden skull.
Awww Too Bad (25) - On a Mythic map, get a Killjoy medal during any ranked or social match.
Blades of Fury (25) - On Heretic, get a Sword Spree during any ranked or social match.
Came... From... Behind (50) - On a Legendary map, get 3 assassinations during any ranked or social match.
Citadel Skull (25) - On Citadel, find the hidden skull.
Defend This (25) - On a Legendary map, get a flag melee kill during any ranked or social match.
Delicious Brains (25) - On a Mythic map, infect 2 humans during any ranked or social match.
Double Double (25) - On a Legendary map, get two Double Kills during any ranked or social match.
Flag Dropped (25) - On a Legendary map, get 2 flag carrier kills during any ranked or social match.
Ghost Patrol (25) - On Longshore, get 3 kills with a Ghost during any ranked or social match.
Hammer Time (25) - On Assembly, get 5 Hammer kills during any ranked or social match.
Have Fun Respawning (25) - On a Mythic map, get an Extermination during any ranked or social match.
Heretic Skull (25) - On Heretic, find the hidden skull.
Killtacular (25) - On a Mythic map, get a Killtacular during any ranked or social match.
Logshore Skull (25) - On Longshore, find the hidden skull.
Look Both Ways (50) - On a Legendary map, get a Splatter Spree during any ranked or social match.
Orbital Skull (25) - On Orbital, find the hidden skull.
Post Mortem (25) - On Orbital, get 2 Death From the Grave medals during any ranked or social match.
Pull (25) - On Citadel, get a Shotgun Spree during any ranked or social match.
Road Rage (25) - On a Legendary map, get 5 Warthog chaingun kills during any ranked or social match.
Sandbox Skull (25) - On Sandbox, find the hidden skull.
Save This Film (25) - On a Mythic map, get a Perfection medal during any ranked or social match.
Tank Dropper (25) - On any Mythic map, get a kill on another player while in monitor mode.
Vidmaster Challenge - 7 on 7 (0) - Enter into any ranked or social playlist with 7 EXP on the 7th of the month.
Vidmaster Challenge - Annual (0) - After 9/25/08, complete Halo on 4-player Legendary LIVE co-op, with Iron, and everyone in Ghosts.
Vidmaster Challenge - Brainpan (25) - Find all the hidden skulls on the Mythic maps.
Vidmaster Challenge - Lightswitch (0) - Get to the rank of Lieutenant in any playlist in the new EXP progression system.
Zombie Repeller (25) - On a Mythic map, kill 2 Zombies during any ranked or social match.
Get the Horns (25) - On a Mythic map, get a Bulltrue medal during any ranked or social match.
Armor parts
Complete the indicated task in Campaign mode to unlock the corresponding armor part in Multi-player mode.
Elite Ascetic Body - Earn the "Up Close and Personal" achievement.
Elite Ascetic Head - Earn the "Steppin' Razor" achievement.
Elite Ascetic Shoulders - Earn the "Overkill" achievement.
Elite Commando Body - Earn the "Triple Kill" achievement.
Elite Commando Head - Earn the "Overkill" achievement.
Elite Commando Shoulders - Earn the "Killing Frenzy" achievement.
Elite Flight Body - Complete "Tsavo Highway" under the Heroic or Legendary difficulty.
Elite Flight Head - Complete Campaign mode under the Heroic difficulty.
Elite Flight Shoulders - Complete "The Ark" under the Heroic or higher difficulty.
Spartan EOD Body - Complete "Tsavo Highway" under the Legendary difficulty.
Spartan EOD Head - Complete Campaign mode under the Legendary difficulty.
Spartan EOD Shoulders - Complete "The Ark" under the Legendary difficulty.
Spartan EVA Body - Complete "Tsavo Highway" under the Normal or higher difficulty.
Spartan EVA Head - Complete Campaign mode under the Normal or higher difficulty.
Spartan EVA Shoulders - Complete "The Ark" under the Normal or higher difficulty.
Spartan Mark V Head - Earn the "UNSC Spartan" achievement.
Spartan ODST Head - Earn the "Spartan Graduate" achievement.
Spartan Rogue Head - Earn the "Spartan Officer" achievement.
Spartan Scout Body - Earn the "Too Close to the Sun" achievement.
Spartan Scout Head - Earn the "Used Car Salesman" achievement.
Spartan Scout Shoulders - Earn the "We're in for Some Chop" achievement.
Spartan Security Head - Earn 1,000 Gamerscore points.
Spartan Security Shoulders - Earn 250 Gamerscore points.
Multiplayer Ranks
A list of the Skill and Experience needed to advance in rank. Note: you can skip ranks once there is a set skill requirement. For example, many people go from Lieutenant Grade 2 (Skill:10 EXP:85) straight to Captain (Skill:20 EXP:100)
01 Recruit Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:1
02 Apprentice Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:2
03 Apprentice Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:3
04 Private Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:5
05 Private Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:7
06 Corporal Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:10
07 Corporal Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:15
08 Sergeant Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:20
09 Sergeant Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:30
10 Sergeant Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:40
11 Gunnery Sergeant Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:50
12 Gunnery Sergeant Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:60
13 Gunnery Sergeant Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:150
14 Gunnery Sergeant Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 0 EXP:300
15 Lieutenant Skill - Needed: 10 EXP:70
16 Lieutenant Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 10 EXP:85
17 Lieutenant Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 10 EXP:200
18 Lieutenant Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 10 EXP:400
19 Captain Skill - Needed: 20 EXP:100
20 Captain Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 20 EXP:150
21 Captain Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 20 EXP:300
21 Captain Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 20 EXP:600
22 Major Skill - Needed: 30 EXP:200
23 Major Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 30 EXP:300
24 Major Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 30 EXP:600
25 Major Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 30 EXP:1,200
26 Commander Skill - Needed: 35 EXP:300
27 Commander Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 35 EXP:450
28 Commander Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 35 EXP:900
29 Commander Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 35 EXP:1,800
30 Colonel Skill - Needed: 40 EXP:400
31 Colonel Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 40 EXP:600
32 Colonel Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 40 EXP:1,200
33 Colonel Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 40 EXP:1,800
34 Brigadier Skill - Needed: 45 EXP:500
35 Brigadier Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 45 EXP:1,000
36 Brigadier Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 45 EXP:2,000
37 Brigadier Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 45 EXP:4,000
38 General Skill - Needed: 50 EXP:600
39 General Grade 2 Skill - Needed: 50 EXP:1,200
40 General Grade 3 Skill - Needed: 50 EXP:2,500
41 General Grade 4 Skill - Needed: 50 EXP:5,000
Multiplayer Medals
If you do the following things you will get the medal while playing multiplayer. When you do the task it will usually show you by a little icon of the said medal appearing in the corner of the screen. Also at the end of each match you can check what medals you got. You can also check your overall medal count on bungie's official website. A very small amount of these are secret medals in that they don't tell you right when you get them but they will appear in your medal history. (One example of such a medal is the Steaktacular! Medal):
Assassin! - Hit and kill an opponent with a melee attack from behind.
Beat Down! - Hit and kill an opponent with a melee attack.
Bomb Planted! - Plant the bomb in a Assault Gametype.
Bulltrue! - Kill an opponent who is in the act of a sword lunge.
Death from the Grave! - Kill an opponent after you have died.
Double Kill! - Kill 2 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Extermination! - Get an overkill on the opposing team, wiping out all of the members.
Flag Kill! - Get a melee kill with the flag in a CTF gametype.
Flag Score! - Capture the opposing team's flag in a CTF gametype.
Grenade Stick! - Kill an opponent by sticking him/her with a Plasma Grenade or a Spike Grenade.
Hail to the King! - Kill 5 consecutive opponents in a single life from inside the hill before it moves in a King of the Hill gametype.
Hell's Janitor! - Kill 10 zombies in a row as a human without dying in an Infection gametype.
Highjacker! - Board an enemy ground vehicle.
Incineration! - Kill an opponent by using the Flamethrower.
Infection Spree! - Kill 5 humans in a row as a zombie without dying in an Infection gametype.
Invincible! - Kill 30 opponents in a row without dying.
Juggernaut Spree! - Kill 5 consecutive opponents in a single run as the Juggernaut in a Juggernaut gametype.
Killapocalypse! - Kill 9 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killed Bomb Carrier! - Kill the opposing bomb carrier in a Assault Gamtype.
Killed Flag Carrier! - Kill the opposing flag carrier in a CTF gametype.
Killed Juggernaut! - Kill the Juggernaut in a Juggernaut gametype.
Killed VIP! - Kill the opposing VIP in a VIP Gametype.
Killimanjaro! - Kill 7 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killing Frenzy! - Kill 10 opponents in a row without dying.
Killing Spree! - Kill 5 opponents in a row without dying.
Killionaire! - Kill 10 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killjoy! - End an opponent's killing spree—any spree.
Killtacular! - Kill 5 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killtastrophe! - Kill 8 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Killtrocity! - Kill 6 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Laser Kill! - Kill an opponent by using the Spartan Laser.
Last Man Standing! - Be the last human of the game in an Infection gametype.
Linktacular! - Play in a matchmade game comprised of all Bungie.net users. (Secret Medal)
Mmmm Brains! - Kill 10 humans in a row as a zombie without dying in an Infection gametype.
Oddball Kill! - Get a melee kill when holding the ball in a Oddball gametype.
Open Season! - Gun down 10 opponents with a Shotgun in a row without dying.
Overkill! - Kill 4 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Perfection! - Win a slayer game with 15+ kills without dying.
Rampage! - Kill 20 opponents in a row without dying.
Running Riot Kill 15 opponents in a row without dying.
Sharpshooter! - Snipe 10 opponents in a row without dying.
Shotgun Spree! - Gun down 5 opponents with a Shotgun in a row without dying.
Skyjacker! - Board an enemy aircraft.
Slice 'N Dice! - Cut down 10 opponents with the Plasma Sword in a row without dying.
Sniper Kill! - Kill an opponent by using a sniping weapon.
Sniper Spree! - Snipe 5 opponents in a row without dying.
Splatter Spree! - Splatter 5 opponents in a row without dying.
Splatter! - Hit and kill an opponent with a vehicle.
Steaktacular! - Beat the opposing team by over 20 kills; (Luke owes you a steak dinner) (Secret Medal)
Sword Spree! - Cut down 5 opponents with the Plasma Sword in a row without dying.
Triple Kill! - Kill 3 opponents within 4 seconds of each other.
Unstoppable! - Kill 10 consecutive opponents in a single run as the Juggernaut in a Juggernaut gametype.
Untouchable! - Kill 25 opponents in a row without dying.
Vehicular Manslaughter! - Splatter 10 opponents in a row without dying.
Wheelman! - Be the driver of a vehicle when a passenger kills an opponent.
Zombie Killing Spree! - Kill 5 zombies in a row as a human without dying in an Infection gametype.
Hayabusa Armor
Collect the hidden skulls throughout the game to unlock the pieces of Hayabusa armor:
Hayabusa Chest - Get 6 hidden skulls.
Hayabusa Helmet - Get 13 hidden skulls.
Hayabusa Shoulders - Get 9 hidden skulls.
Skulls
You can only claim/collect the skulls under the Normal, Heroic or Legendary difficulty settings. You must start from the beginning of the mission. You will not be able to see the skulls if you load from a checkpoint. In Co-op mode, as soon as one player picks the skull up, all players will receive the achievement. Not all skulls earn an achievement; only nine of them do so. To use skulls, press [X] at the lobby screen. This will give you a bonus multiplier for co-op and go towards earning the Guerrilla, Demon, etc. achievements.
Black Eye Skull - From the start of the "Crow's Nest" mission, without moving anything, you can see a massive pipe above you. Walk up the stairs, then up the next set. Turn to your left and jump up on the shelf unit. From there, jump to the red cross beam then up onto the pipe. From there, just walk to the end. Walk over the Black Eye Skull to claim it. You do not have to pick this skull up, it does it automatically. Its description reads "Bash your way to better health." Your shield will not auto-recharge anymore, and you must kill an enemy with a melee attack.
Blind Skull - In the first mission, get to the area where you see the Phantom overhead. A Marine will point it out. Jump over the rocks and follow the path on the right. When you reach the cliff, there will be a rock over the side. The skull is at the end of the rock. Its description reads "Shoot from the hip". This skull must be activated before you start a Campaign map.
Catch Skull - In "The Storm" mission, do a grenade jump off a Warthog; or get a Ghost and go back to the ramp from which you first appeared. Use the Ghost to push a big square crate over to the front of the silo pod that has the skull. Jump from the box to reach the skull. Its description reads "Pull pin. Count to three. Throw." All NPCs will have two grenades and will throw them frequently.
Cowbell Skull - In "The Ark" mission, get a grav lift from the small building near where you fought the Scarab. Continue through the mission until you reach the second sloping hallway (stairway). Find the partitioned risers (platforms) halfway down. The skull is on the top level. Throw the grav-lift on the right side of the hall so that it ends up on the fourth small green dot from the door. Get a running jump and use the grav-lift to boost you to the top. You will get a checkpoint when you enter the room. Using this skull will increase explosive force, similarly to the Sputnik Skull from Halo 2.
Famine Skull - In "The Ark" mission, enter the valley to the right after the wrecked Phantom. Look to the left to find a large boulder. Use a Ghost to reach the side of the boulder that is closest to the bridge overhead. Get the Ghost up the side of the wall by using the thrust. Get two Ghosts up the wall to the top of the bridge. Stack them on top of each other next to the beam where the skull is located. Then, jump from the top of the Ghosts towards the skull and land on the beam. Its description reads "Trust us. Bring a magazine." Dropped weapons will have less ammunition.
Fog Skull - In the "Floodgate" mission, while you are walking down from the anti-air gun destroyed in the last mission, you will see a ramp next to a missile launcher. Near this ramp is a checkpoint. After reaching it, you will hear a Marine yell, "There! Over there!". Look up and to the right at the roof of the building next to the missile launcher. There is a lone Flood that is holding the skull. Kill him before he jumps. He will drop the skull on the ground. Note: If you shoot too early the skull will get stuck on the roof. Its description reads "You'll miss those eyes in the back of your head." You will no longer have a motion sensor.
Grunt Birthday Party Skull - Immediately after the first objective of the "Crow's Nest" mission, while en route to the barracks you will fall down to a pipe. Get to the end that pipe. Look over the edge to find a small space a few feet below. Drop over then quickly pull back to land under the floor you dropped from. The skull will be at the end of this area. When this skull is active, headshots will cause enemies to explode.
Iron Skull - After freeing Johnson and killing all the Covenant that come in the Phantoms in the "Sierra 117" mission, walk to the Pelican that arrives to pick you up. Face the cargo bay, but instead of hopping in turn left and follow the path. Once you hit the wall, jump up to your right to eventually reach a walkway. Walk all the way to the end. Take a left, then a right. At the end of this a little bit to the right is a dark corner. Press [Up] to turn your light on and you should see the skull. If you cannot see it you are probably standing on it. Its description reads "Death carries a heavy price...". Instead of only losing 25 points when you die, you will lose 75.
Mythic Skull - Follow the normal path in the "Halo" mission until you reach a cave. Hug the right wall until it branches off into a small path. At the end of this path is some rubble, and in front is the skull. Its description reads "Coverage under the Covenant health plan." It gives a 3x score multiplier for all kills.
Thunderstorm Skull - In "The Covenant" mission, shut down Tower 1 and get access to the Hornet. Fly to Tower 2 (which is the one that the Arbiter shut down). Go up the stairs. Go to the middle part that connects both. There should be a stairway that leads up to a platform where the skull is found. Its description reads "Field promotions for everyone!" Enemies will be stronger.
Tilt Skull - In the "Cortana" mission, enter the circular type room with all the Flood. Look for a small structural piece next to two archways. Jump on top if it then go up on the rocks to the top left. Turn to the left and jump up again. Turn 180 degrees and jump to the rocks across from you. Then, follow the rock that is sticking out and leads up on top of the original circular room. The skull can be found in a pool of blood. Its description reads "What was once resistant is now immunity." Enemies now have different body parts that may be resistant to certain ammunition.
Tough Luck Skull - Once you get passed the part of the map after you are forced to leave your vehicles, you will go through a tunnel out onto an open "freeway". Immediately coming out of the tunnel you will see a huge pipe with two yellow ladders. Climb the second ladder. You should see a Regenerator power-up. Proceed to your right onto a small platform ledge where the yellow chain link fence is located. Jump onto that ledge, crossing over the fence. Directly behind you should be a large column that is holding up the giant pipe you were just on. Below that is a walkway. Fall off the ledge onto the walkway. Walk to the end of that. You should see a hidden ledge with the "Tough Luck" skull on it. A few attempts may be requires to jump across. Its description reads "Your foes always make every saving throw".
Terminals
Start "The Ark" mission. After entering the first building take a left into another door. You will be in a curved corridor. On the inside is a Terminal.
After activating the bridge in "The Ark" mission to let your friends cross the gap, turn 180 degrees to find the Terminal. Note: It does not open until you activate the bridge.
In the third building after defeating the Scarab in "The Ark" mission, kill the group of sleeping Covenant. Follow the corridor down. You will reach a door in front that is locked. Immediately on the left is an open door. Go through and walk straight off. Turn 180 degrees to find a secret room with the Terminal.
Enter the first tower standing on the lift in "The Covenant" mission. Face the access panel and turn left. Jump over to find the Terminal.
Land your Hornet on the second tower in "The Covenant" mission. Walk towards the entrance. When you see the locked door, turn 180 degrees to find the Terminal.
When in the third tower standing on the lift in "The Covenant" mission, face the access panel then turn right. Jump over to find the Terminal.
After reaching the end of the first cave in the "Halo" mission, hug the right wall. You will see a building. Jump up onto the walkway and turn to the left once you are inside to find the Terminal.
Alternate ending
Complete the final mission under the Legendary difficulty setting.
Smarter respawning
When playing in Co-op under the Legendary difficulty setting, it is best to have one player keep their distance from the enemy at all times. By doing this, if the rest of the players die they will respawn around the player that is farther back, rather than having to restart the checkpoint.