The sport of the future arrives today. Pick up those Gravity Hammers and Energy Swords and get ready for the most epic of faceoffs with the return of Grifball!
Originally a throwaway joke in the legendary Red vs Blue series, Rooster Teeth set out to make all of Grif’s dreams a reality and created Grifball with the tools at their disposal in Halo 3’s Forge.
The game is simple:
Smash enemies. Score goals.
If you make it to the middle and grab the ball, you are blessed with an Overshield and turn orange in homage to the one and only Grif. (That OS won’t save you from friendly fire so don’t get too close to your friends!) As the runner, your goal is so easy: just score it. All you gotta do is walk over the plant and get a point. How hard can it be? Not like there’s 7 other people on the court, 4 of whom are not on your team, in your way or anything.
Jokes aside, Grifball has three weapons:
Gravity Hammer
Energy Sword
Ball (or Bomb…depends who you ask)
All of which combine to a delicate paper-rock-scissors-esque dance. Hammer beats sword, sword beats ball, ball beats hammer. But a lot of that will depend on your timing and your “dance” skills.
“But I have two left feet!” you say. Ahhh then it’s a good thing we’re not taking a spin around the ballroom floor isn’t it?
With regards to Grifball, “dancing” simply means knowing when to hold forward and smash away vs knowing when to backstep or sidestep around an enemy’s attack. Moving backwards away from an Energy Sword wielding Spartan for a moment might allow you the opportunity to step in and earn the kill.
Grif’s Got Game
We’ve already covered the Gravity Hammer-Energy Sword-Ball balance of the mode but let’s take a look at the rest of your arsenal.
As tanks (players wielding Gravity Hammers and Energy Swords):
Sprint
Gravity Hammer has gravity physics
Allows for hammer jumps
Allows for launching teammates
Allows for ball deflection
As runners (player holding the ball, trying to score):
No sprinting
1.5x speed increase moving forward/laterally
1.05x speed increase moving backwards
Overshield
Ball passing ability
All in first person….and third! Yes, Classic Grifball will be available in both first and third person modes for matchmaking so if you prefer being able to see over your shoulder, that’s definitely an option this time around!
“Classic” implies the availability of a “Not Classic” experience and you would be correct. Introducing Octane Grifball! Also available in both first and third persons, the move sets are the same as above with the addition of thrusters allowing you to zip around the court.
You can bookmark the modes here:
Battle Boxes
Generally speaking, a Grifball court is pretty straightforward – you’re battling in a boxy arena. Aesthetics are generally the biggest identifiable difference between courts with a few exceptions. (Raise your hand if you fell to your death on Grifball Naught in Halo 3 because you moved before the floor spawned in 🙋🏻♀️).
For today’s launch we’ve got plenty to share – you’ll been spoiled for courts with this impressive collection of maps. Enjoy!
Aquario
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Credits: ASpence501, Deathcrawller
Make a splash today!
Coliseum
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Credits: Deathcrawller
One of the grandest stages for the impending battle.
Gridiron
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Credits: ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller
Break out the chain gang and get ready to score some points.
High Charity Court
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Credits: Deathcrawller, Fame28
By the prophets!
Neon Night
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Credits: Deathcrawller, UneeQ TV, MikRips, Mr Greencastle, ArturBloodshot
All that’s missing is some smooth jazz.
Nexus
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Credits: ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller
Don’t get blinded by the lights, keep your eyes on the prize goal.
Way Up There
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Credits: runNOKYARDrun, ArturBloodshot, Deathcrawller
What a blast from the past!
Scarry
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Credits: runNOKYARDrun
Competition burns bright.
Sigma Stadium
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Credits: Deathcrawller, ArturBloodshot
When you’re out for a leisurely stroll and find a court, of course you throw down a mean game of Grifball.
Winter League 2008
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Credits: Deathcrawller, UneeQ TV, Mr Greencastle, MikRips, ArturBloodshot
Back to the roots and where it all started – on Foundry. (Forklift included.)
New to the sport? Catch the disease and can’t get enough? There’s a whole community that thrives on customs and league games and they have an upcoming tournament on June 15th at 1pm ET. You can check out the long-running American Grifball League of America (yes, really), for more information and to sign up. This playlist was made possible by collaboration with AGLA and their hard work and iteration.
And with that…it’s time to smash enemies and score goals! See you on the court!