Infection

Infection is a multiplayer gametype in Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 5: Guardians.Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 06.11.10 It is the official Zombie mode modeled after zombie mode's popularity as a custom game in Halo 2.
== Description ==
The object of the gametype is for the players to stay "uninfected" as long as possible while the zombies try to kill every living player. The number of players starting out as Zombies, "Alpha Zombies," can be changed in the options and are selected at random from the start. When a Zombie kills a "living" player, they are "infected" and they become a zombie. When there is just one living player left, he/she is declared "Last Man Standing."
== Medals ==
*Zombie Killing Spree – Kill five zombies without dying.
*Hell's Janitor – Kill ten zombies without dying.
*Hell's Jerome – Kill fifteen zombies without dying. (Not in Halo 3)
*Infection Spree – Infect five humans without dying.
*Mmmm Brains – Infect ten humans without dying.
*Thriller – Infect fifteen humans without dying. (Not in Halo 3)
*Last Man Standing – Be the last human left alive in the round.
== Development History ==
=== Halloween ===
On October 31, 2007, a specialized Halloween Matchmaking playlist was available, which played this game mode with up to 13 players (it being an "unlucky" number). This game type's popularity allowed it to become a "regular" among Double EXP Weekend games. It was repeated again on October 31, 2008, but unlike other occasions, the October 31, 2007, 2008, and 2009 ones were Ranked. The others were mainly Social.
=== Double EXP Weekend ===
On April 10, 2008, the playlist came back for a Double EXP Weekend as Living Dead, also starting with exactly 13 players. Living Dead also appeared on the weekend of May 22 and on the 28th August. Living Dead is a Double EXP Weekend game with many games. Infection games have also appeared in other Double EXP playlists such as Turkey Day, the 2008 Thanksgiving weekend playlist.
===Halo: Reach===
In Halo: Reach there are two default variants: Infection and Safe Havens. By default, zombies have the Evade armor ability, move faster, and can jump moderately higher than humans, making them harder to kill. In Safe Havens, humans can only deal half the normal damage but can still kill zombies with a headshot. Safe havens grant only humans inside it invincibility and normal damage until they leave its boundaries or it moves. The effects the havens give can be completely customized, as well as the rest of the variant. It should be noted, however, that if an infected player quits the game then a non-infected player will take his/her place. It's unknown if this is a bug or if it was intended. Either way, this can lead to confusion to the switched player.  In May 2011, Bungie released a new Infection gametype called Alpha Zombies.  In this version, the players who start of as zombies have a red armour colour and have unlimited sprint, however humans who get infected will not have unlimited sprint.  Also, the alpha zombies have a little more health (4 pistol shots to kill) and the lobby size has increased to 12 people.
===Halo 4===
Halo 4 has a replacement for this gametype known as Flood.
==Tactics and Tips==
*If you are making an Infection game, try to make it very balanced. For example, give the zombies 200% health but no shields and only slightly higher speed and jump. In turn, give humans Shotguns and Pistols with limited ammo. Also, when making Forge maps, if you make a hiding room for survivors, don't make it impossible for zombies to get in. Instead, give the room two entrances the survivors must work together to guard. Another fun thing to do is to put breakable or movable items such as barrels and palettes in front of doors to barricade them.
*By default, regular zombies use Energy Swords, hence has limited/short attack range, and cannot pick up weapons. As such, it is recommended for the player to be equipped with a ranged weapon such as the Battle Rifle or the Covenant Carbine.
*If you are playing as a zombie, it's a good idea to put on active camouflage, so you can sneak up unnoticed or stalk the humans from behind, making sure they don't see you.
*Yet another tactic that the "living" use is called "baiting". The players gather in a small, confined space; preferably one with only one opening. Whenever the zombies' attacks lull, the players send out a freelancer, known simply as "bait." The "bait" will attempt to lure the zombies closer to the stronghold, where the trap is set off and the zombie is killed by overwhelming force.
*Sometimes it is a good idea to commit suicide if your group is under assault by a large horde of zombies. Especially if there are only 2 of you left. Try not using Spike, Plasma, or Incendiary grenades to kill yourself, because the explosion could damage your teammates. However, this tactic is not recommended in Halo: Reach because suicides also count as being "infected." However, in Halo: Reach you can shoot Propane tanks on some maps which will respawn you in a new place with full ammo, and you will not be infected.
*Try to not use Gravity Hammers or Energy Swords when possible, unless you're very skilled with the weapons, because in most types the zombies have one or both of these weapons and such close range combat would result in you being killed often.
*A team that regroups in a single area and holds their position in a well defensible location has a much higher chance of surviving.
*Conserving ammunition is key in all Infection game types, therefore weapons that either fire single shot or bursts such as a Battle Rifle or Carbine are vital if a team is to survive.
*Accuracy and shot placement are equally important; most players tend to aim for the one spot where it will do the most damage, the head. However, from long range, targeting this part of the body can be tricky, even though the head is less shielded and armored when compared to the rest of the body, it is also a small target. Shooting at the center of mass, the torso or legs, guarantee's better chances of success. In addition, jumping or crouching makes shot placement on the head difficult; the main body isn't as easy to conceal or dodge with.
*Using hologram can confuse the zombies and make them think they are chasing the player.
*Never use Armor Lock in an infection game-type. This only makes it easier for the zombies to swarm around you and wait until you pop back up for the kill. However, if you're using the baiting tactic it is semi-useful to protect yourself as the team makes quick work of surrounding zombies.
*Sprint and Evade are also great abilities as they will help you get away from the zombies.
*Try to avoid using attached turrets where possible, as they leave you unable to move and exposed from behind and to the sides. Only use turrets if you are sure that your team can hold your flanks.
*The Jetpack can be used to get out of dangerous situations, as well as giving the player the chance to take out the zombies beneath them with headshots from a DMR or pistol. In some maps, the Jetpack can get you to locations the zombies may not be able to reach, thus granting an easy victory.
*When playing infection on Halo: Reach on Pinnacle hiding out on the 2-story building gives you the best chance to survive.
*It is common practice for survivors to camp at an exploitable part of the map, where they pick off zombies with relative ease. Though some of these areas have been eliminated through updates, many remain that are simply normal areas of the map that are easy to reach but unbelievably hard to conquer when faced with a strong survivors team.
*Survivors are not able to pick up ammo, forcing them to pace their shots. In some cases, the last player gets infected before time runs out due to lack of ammo.
*Do not remain in an open area for too long, as it makes it very easy for zombies to flank and infect you.
==Gallery==
Infection Gameplay 2.png|The Infection gametype being played on Halo: Reach.
Reach_1187439_Medium.jpg|A SPARTAN-III punching a zombie in Infection.
H2A_Concept-Multiplayer_Flood1.jpg|Concept art of the flood upper-body for the Infection gametype in Halo 2: Anniversary.
H2A_Concept-Multiplayer_Flood2.jpg|Concept art of Flood forms for the Infection gametype in Halo 2: Anniversary.
H2A_Concept-Multiplayer_Flood3.jpg|Concept art of various Flood-infected SPARTANs for the Infection gametype in Halo 2: Anniversary.
==Sources==
==Related Pages==
*Infection Settings
*Alpha Zombie
*Hide and Seek
*Save One Bullet
*Safe Haven
Category:Gametypes