Earn the indicated amount of points within the listed time limit to earn a "Gold" rank in the corresponding mission.
Mission 1 (Alpha Base): Over 27,000 points within 5 to 12 minutes.
Mission 2 (Relic Approach): Over 70,000 points within 15 to 30 minutes.
Mission 3 (Relic Interior): Over 45,000 points within 8 to 18 minutes.
Mission 4 (Arcadia City): Over 50,000 points within 21 to 23 minutes.
Mission 5 (Arcadia Outskirts): Over 40,000 points within 21 to 23 minutes.
Mission 6 (Dome of Light): Over 45,000 points within 15 to 30 minutes.
Mission 7 (Scarab): Over 32,000 points within 12 to 24 minutes.
Mission 8 (Anders' Signal): Over 30,000 points within 18 to 30 minutes.
Mission 9 (The Flood): Over 35,000 points within 18 to 30 minutes.
Mission 10 (Shield World): Over 55,000 points within 23 to 32 minutes.
Mission 11 (Cleansing): Over 30,000 points within 23 to 30minutes.
Mission 12 (Repairs): Over 32,000 points within 10 to 20 minutes.
Mission 13 (Beachhead): Over 40,000 points within 20 to 60 minutes.
Mission 14 (Reactor): Over 30,000 points within 15 to 30 minutes.
Mission 15 (Escape): Over 30,000 points within 20 to 33 minutes.
Achievements
Complete the following achievements to unlock Xbox Live Gamerscore points.
Achievement
How to unlock
2 Bugs are Better Than 1 (10 points)
Win a Skirmish Game with Dual Scarabs.
24 Hours of Quality (20 points)
Play Halo Wars for at least 24 Total Hours.
Adjudicate the Arbiter (30 points)
Complete the Campaign on Heroic Difficulty.
Alas, Poor Andrew Thomas (5 points)
Collect your first Skull.
Backscratcher (10 points)
Complete any Campaign Mission in Co-op Mode.
Basically Naive (10 points)
Obtain the Recruit Rank on Xbox LIVE.
Battened Down the Hatches (5 points)
Mission 11: Save all the Airlocks.
Beaming with Pride (5 points)
Mission 13: Destroy 25 units with the Scarab.
Big Al's Scooter (10 points)
Win a Heroic Skirmish Game against the AI in under 10 minutes.
Covenant "Hot Drop" (5 points)
Mission 3: Kill at least 5 Covenant Units with the Bridge.
Crushed Colors (10 points)
Improve your Score in any Campaign Mission.
Detour the Great Journey (50 points)
Complete the Campaign on Legendary Difficulty.
Didn't Get To Second Base (5 points)
Mission 14: Don't claim an extra base.
Empire Builder (5 points)
Win a game in every Skirmish Game Mode.
Endless Fun (5 points)
Mission 2: Destroy every Methane Tank.
Epic Grinder (40 points)
Obtain a Lifetime Campaign Score over 1,000,000.
Everything's Better with Bacon (5 points)
Mission 1: Ram 50 Grunts with Warthogs.
Gallivant around the Galaxy (25 points)
Win a game on every Skirmish Map.
Graverobber (30 points)
Collect all Skulls.
Halo Academic (15 points)
Unlock 20 Timeline Events.
Halo Historian (40 points)
Unlock All Timeline Events.
Handy with Tools (5 points)
Mission 12: Repair the Power Core in less than 4 minutes.
He's Got The Jack (5 points)
Mission 5: Jack 6 Covenant Vehicles.
Micro Manager (5 points)
Mission 7: Do not destroy any Power Node.
Momma's Boy (5 points)
Get a Gold Medal on any mission.
Mr. Punctual (15 points)
Finish all missions under Par Time on Heroic difficulty.
My Virtual Friends Love Me (10 points)
Win a 3v3 Skirmish game with 2 AI Allies.
N00b n0 M0r3 (10 points)
Win a Matchmade Skirmish Game on Xbox LIVE.
Officer on Deck (30 points)
Obtain the Lieutenant Rank on Xbox LIVE.
OMG BFF FTW (40 points)
Complete entire Campaign in Co-op Mode.
Own Worst Enemy (20 points)
Get a Gold Medal with all Debuff Skulls Active.
Penny Pincher (10 points)
Get a winning High Score with 10 or less Squads against the Heroic AI.
Playin' the Field (15 points)
Win a Skirmish Game with every Leader.
Ramblin' Man (5 points)
Mission 8: Use Elephants to train 100 Infantry.
Ready for the Sequel (75 points)
100% Completion.
Rhino Hugger (5 points)
Mission 6: Successfully protect every Rhino.
Running the Show (50 points)
Obtain the General Rank on Xbox LIVE.
So Lonely at the Top (20 points)
Win and have the Highest Score in a Matchmade Skirmish Game on Xbox LIVE.
Sweet Naptime (5 points)
Mission 9: Put every Colony in Hibernation Mode at the same time.
The Procrastinator (5 points)
Mission 10: Disrupt all Tractor Beams.
The Real Winner (5 points)
Mission 4: Save Adam.
Thinkin' about My Doorbell (5 points)
Mission 15: Open the Doors in order.
Titan (15 points)
Get 20,000 points in any Skirmish Game.
Walk-Off Winner (30 points)
Use one of the 6 Major Leader Powers to destroy an enemy's last unit.
Wall of Recognition (30 points)
Get a Gold Medal on every Campaign Mission.
Black Box locations
Search the indicated locations to find the corresponding Black Box.
Mission 1 (Alpha Base): Just under the last bridge before you enter the rear gates of the Alpha Base.
Mission 2 (Relic Approach): Enter the area through the Covenant shield with the supply crates. The Black Box is located at the top left on the map.
Mission 3 (Relic Interior): The left side of the starting point, close to the Pelican crash site. This is just outside the Relic itself.
Mission 4 (Arcadia City): At the base of the elevator tower near to the controls where you save Adam.
Mission 5 (Arcadia Outskirts): Just off the main road behind a destroyed Pelican, just down the first ramp.
Mission 6 (Dome of Light): At the far side of map, where you transported the third Rhino by Pelican.
Mission 7 (Scarab): On the right side of the map, just inside a cave-like alcove that contains some supply crates.
Mission 8 (Anders' Signal): On a ridge located to the right, close to the big Brute fire line at the start.
Mission 9 (The Flood): Go straight out from the base ramp towards the map's opposite side.
Mission 10 (Shield World): With Bravo platoon, in the middle of the platoon you pick up.
Mission 11 (Cleansing): Towards the left-rear of the ship, on the sloped wings. A flying unit is required to retrieve it.
Mission 12 (Repairs): Close to the left side of the Power Core building, just on the left edge of the Spirit of Fire.
Mission 13 (Beachhead): On a ledge near the second set of teleporters that are behind the Covenant base.
Mission 14 (Reactor): Up and to the left at the peak of first ramp. It is on the edge of the ramp.
Mission 15 (Escape): Between the Covenant base and Flood area in the northern part of the map. It can be found directly across from your starting point.
Black Boxes
The black boxes that can be found in each level unlock new Halo History entries, which goes toward getting the 100% achievement. There are also some unlocked by playing in different Skirmish matches.
Black Box
How to unlock
All Others
Win on each Skirmish map and win Skirmish with each leader
Black Box 01 - Alpha Base
Under the last bridge before entering Alpha Base
Black Box 02 - Relic Approach
Top left of the map, behind a Covenant shield
Black Box 03 - Relic Interior
On the small ramp on the left side right at the start, before going inside the Relic
Black Box 04 - Arcadia City
Just north of the starting point, right next to the skyscraper where you can save Adam
Black Box 05 - Arcadia Outskirts
Go down the first ramp as you are fleeing from the Covenant, it's behind a downed Pelican
Black Box 06 - Dome of Light
Far left of the map, to the left of where you transport the third Rhino tank
Black Box 07 - Scarab
Far right side of the map, in a small alcove with supply crates
Black Box 08 - Ander' Signal
Near the big brute fire line at the start, on a ridge to the right
Black Box 09 - The Flood
Straight out from the base ramp on the other side of the map
Black Box 10 - Shield World
Alongside Bravo platoon, which is the middle platoon you pick up
Black Box 11 - Cleansing
Left rear of the ship, on wings that slant down...you'll need a flying unit
Black Box 12 - Repairs
Left edge of Spirit of Fire, not far from the Power Core building, on the left side
Black Box 13 - Beachhead
On a ledge near the second set of teleporters, near the Covenant base
Black Box 14 - Reactor
Up and left at the top of the first ramp, on the edge of the ramp
Black Box 15 - Escape
Directly opposite the starting point on the north edge of the map, between the Flood and the Covenant base
Easy "The Real Winner" achievement
On mission 4, look just north of the starting point to find a tower with the Black Box at the bottom. Down there is a door behind which Adam (a small child) is trapped behind. Highlight the door and press A to open it. Clear a path to the transport for Adam. You have to be careful, as he can be one hit killed.
Extra reactors
Use the following trick to get five free Reactors. Play as Anders. Build a Reactor and fill your base with Supply Pads. Upgrade the Supply Pads and get 2,600 supplies. Recycle three Heavy Supply Pads and begin to build three Reactors. Immediately Cryo Bomb your base. When your Reactor level in the top right corner reaches "4", stop the construction of the three Reactors and recycle them. Your money will be refunded, but you will have your Reactor level and four Reactors.
Gamerpics
Complete the indicated task to unlock the corresponding gamerpic.
Sergeant Forge: Start Halo Wars.
Professor Anders: Complete the Campaign.
Get two protectors on one vehicle
Get a Spartan and a vehicle. Then, put a protector on each. Next, have the Spartan take over the vehicle. You now have two protectors for your Spartan/vehicle. Note: A good place with protectors would be "Labyrinth".
Historic Battles: Achievements
Complete the following achievements to unlock Xbox Live Gamerscore points.
Achievement
How to unlock
Drain Cleaner ( 30 points )
Kill 20 enemy squads with a continuous Covenant Leader Power on Memorial Basin.
Killjoy ( 25 points )
Disrupt 5 active Leader Powers in a single game on Blood River.
Never Leave a Man Behind ( 15 points )
Finish a game with 5000 net resources contributed to your teammates on Barrens.
Tour Coming Through ( 30 points )
Hot drop 50 squads to your Covenant Leader in a single game on Memorial Basin.
Multiplayer ranks
Score the indicated number of points to earn the indicated rank.
Recruit: Play one game online
Lieutenant: 80,000 points
Captain: 200,000 points
Major: 400,000 points
Commander: 800,000 points
Colonel: 1,600,000 points
Brigadier: 2,400,000 points
General: 3,200,000 points
Save units
The following is a good way to save valuable units, for example, if you were trying to save a Spartan or The Prophet of Regret. This works especially well with the Covenant Base (Prophet of Regret). When you officially make the Prophet or a Special Elite unit, make them stand exactly where they spawned from in the base. Next, select the base and choose "Lock". The Claws will interlock with each other, trapping your character in there. He will stay safe from enemy fire, but if an enemy gets within range, he will go out and fire. Then you will just have to put your character back in there. Note: You will have to keep enemies at bay so he will not go out. It still saves money and time.
Secret Achievements
Achievement
How to unlock
Ice Warriors ( 40 points )
Complete Act I on any difficulty.
Key to Pirth ( 50 points )
Complete Act II on any difficulty.
Meet Sergeant Forge ( 10 points )
Complete the first mission on any difficulty.
No Way Home? ( 70 points )
Complete Act IV on any difficulty.
Ugly is only Skin Deep ( 70 points )
Complete Act III on any difficulty.
Skull locations
Complete the indicated task to unlock the corresponding skull at the listed location.
Boomstick
Kill 12 Spirit Transports. In mission 12 (Repairs), the skull is located on the super structure on the Spirit of Fire at the far end from the Power Core. A flying unit is required to get above the main deck on a platform in order to retrieve it. There will be a 5% chance any non-player unit blows up upon death, with explosive area of effect damage and your final score will decrease.
Bountiful Harvest
Kill 20 Vampires. In mission 14 (Reactor), this skull found just behind and to the left of the second Covenant base. Supplies come in 25% faster and your final score will be decreased.
Catch
Kill 350 Swarms. In mission 10 (Shield World), this skull can be found on an island located to the southeast. A flying unit is required to retrieve it. All player units recharge unit abilities in half the usual time and your final score will be decreased.
Cowbell
Kill 45 Hunters. In mission 3 (Relic Interior), the skull is located at the very back in a circular platform where you have to save Forge/Anders. Destruction physics are increased.
Emperor
Kill 3 Scarabs. In mission 15 (Escape), this skull can be found directly behind the Flood base, at the very rear of map. It is pinpointed to the northeast when looking at the mini-map. All player powers recharge in half the time and your final score will be decreased.
Fog
Kill 5 Wraiths. In mission 5 (Arcadia Outskirts), the skull is located on the left side of map, at the top left corner. The mini-map is disabled and your final score will increase.
Grunt Birthday Party
Kill 20 Jackals. In mission 2 (Relic Approach), the skull can be found on the south edge of Alpha Base, just inside the walls of the base. Grunts explode into confetti when killed.
Look Daddy!
Kill 100 grunts. In mission 1 (Alpha Base), the skull can be found on the left side of the last battle area before you go into Alpha Base. When grunts die, their methane tank always shoots off.
Pain Train
Kill 10 Bomber Forms. In mission 13 (Beachhead), the skull is located on a Flood vent., just where the Flood appear from as you try to enter the Pelican. All player units train 50% faster and your final score will decreased.
Rebel Sympathizer
Kill 10 Locusts. In mission 7 (Scarab), the skull is on the left side of the map at the very edge of the battlefield area. There is a ledge here that projects over the canyon, next to a Power Node. Non-player units get 25% more hit points and your final score will increase.
Rebel Supporter
Kill 750 Infection Forms. In mission 8 (Anders' Signal), the skull is to the far right of where Echo gets taken over by Flood on the ridge. Non-player units do 50% more damage and your final score will increase.
Rebel Leader
Kill 20 Flood Stalks. In mission 9 (The Flood), the skull is located very close to the base on top of a plateau (near the burning Covenant ship). Non-player units star with extra veterancy and your final score will increase.
Sickness
Kill 50 Banshees. In mission 6 (Dome Of Light), the skull is located just inside the big hangar behind your base. All player units have 50% fewer hit points and your final score will increase.
Sugar Cookies
Kill 100 Sentinels. In mission 11 (Cleansing), this skull is floating in front of the ship. A flying unit is required to retrieve it. All player units have 50% more hit points and final sore will be decreased.
Wuv Woo
Kill 50 Elites. In mission 4 (Arcadia City), the skull is on the right side of the map just below the Covenant base. It is just past the top of the stairs. Scarabs shoot rainbows.
Strategic Options DLC Achievements
Complete each achievement to get the allotted gamerscore.
Achievement
How to unlock
Freak on a Streak ( 20 points )
Gain at least 15 population from a single wave in a Reinforcement game.
Living Loving Bug ( 30 points )
Obtain a Scarab during a Reinforcement game.
One and Done ( 30 points )
Score the winning point in a game of Keepaway against Legendary A.I.'s.
Pull Hard, Pull Deep ( 20 points )
Win and never trail in a Tug of War game.
Strategic Options: Achievements
The following achievements require the July 2009 update.
Achievement
How to unlock
Drain Cleaner ( 30 points )
Kill 20 enemy squads with a continuous Covenant Leader Power on Memorial Basin.
Killjoy ( 25 points )
Disrupt 5 active Leader Powers in a single game on Blood River.
Never Leave a Man Behind ( 15 points )
Finish with 5000 net resources tributed to your teammates on Memorial Basin except in Deathmatch.
Tour Coming Through ( 30 points )
Hot drop 50 squads to your Covenant Leader in a single game on Barrens.
