MYSTIC
by SgtSlaphead

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Today, we are taking a look at MYSTIC by SgtSlaphead, a 3v3 map that is best suited to play Strongholds. You may even recognize this map as it is a recreation of the Halo 4 map, CRYTPIC. When SgtSlaphead first introduced Cryptic on the Erosion canvas, it was one of the most carefully woven environments on that canvas. Here Slaphead uphold these traditions in his new version and sets the map within a classic Halo CE forerunner atmosphere. Please join us as we sit down with SgtSlaphead for an exclusive interview below.



WARH0LIC
How long have you been a fan of Halo and can you tell us a little bit about your forging history? When did you first start forging and what was it about forge that interested you to continue creating throughout the years?

SgtSlaphead
The first I heard about forge was this one day at school where my friend told me about an AT-AT Walker someone had made on Avalanche. I asked him if it could actually walk. A few months later I got Halo 3 and after playing a ton of Jenga and Trash Compactor, I felt I ought to give forging a go. My first map was a co-forge on Foundry which I proudly named "Platforms". It was a vaguely symmetrical map composed of platforms. In order to balance the map, we decided to place every weapon in the game at either base. We then placed at least four snipers (with as much spare ammo as possible) at the highest platforms. All in all, it was really about controlling the platforms. Even up to Halo Reach I was of course creating bases on Forge World from which I could snipe my friends or even fly away in a Falcon I kept on my landing pad. It was about a year after Reach's release that I started to attempt more serious core map designs. I mainly tested these maps with a small group of friends, who's feedback involved either "oh this is cool" or "I don't want to play that again". I built several Midship/Lockout rip offs as I figured out how to put pieces together. I wasn't that aware of the larger forge community until a few months into Halo 4 where I rapidly learnt a lot. It first came as quite a shock to have someone objectively explain why a map of mine played poorly, I couldn't even argue back.

WARH0LIC
Mystic, is your first forge project in Halo 5 is it not? What lead you to choose this map above any others out of your history? Did you think it would best suit Halo 5's movement mechanics?

SgtSlaphead
Mystic is my first finished map in Halo 5. I decided to learn the new Forge through creating a map I knew well. Cryptic in Halo 4 just fell short of my original intention for a solid 2-8 player map due to limitations. Thanks to the new forge and lighting control, I wanted to push the eerie CE atmosphere a bit further with a map that supported 4v4 while remaining fast paced for lower player counts. I don't necessarily consider it my best map but it was certainly a breakthrough for me. I know a designer should never get too attached to their designs but I couldn't help revisiting this map, I learnt so much in developing Cryptic thanks to the great testing and feedback. I took a pretty big leap from my first version to my last in Halo 4.
Original Version
Final Version
As for supporting new movement mechanics, I have worked in a few subtle but useful jumps that in certain situations can make quite the difference. A few of the old trick jumps now require use of the new movement, allowing me to clean up the geometry without having to place obvious crouch-jump ledges that I had used before.



WARH0LIC
Do you have any other experience with level editors outside of Halo's Forge?

SgtSlaphead
I've messed around with Far Cry 3 and Trials Evolution but I haven't had much interest in designing maps for games other than Halo.

WARH0LIC
Can you tell us a little more about yourself? Where are you from and where are your professional passions targeting in the future?

SgtSlaphead
I am an 18 year old from England who intends to be an architect. It wasn't forge that got me interested in architecture but it certainly has made me a better designer.

WARH0LIC
Do you have any favorite forge maps or forgers that inspire you to create great work?

SgtSlaphead
To mention any names feels like an injustice to any I don't because there are so many to choose from. In Reach, I loved Think Twice by A 3 Legged Goat because I never got shot in the back. Going into Halo 4 I received some very valuable feedback from Zandril that helped me not be terrible at forging and finish Cryptic. I think that Tron by a Chunk is a particularly excellent design like no other Halo map I have played. I often learn a lot about map flow from CANADIAN ECHO's designs and I also really enjoy the elegant arenas by Solo XIII. My good friends Error 5577, The S0UL FLAME, The Epic BK, Karbyy, Str8 Line Nova and Kell Of Scots are a huge help to my forging as they have all given me valuable testing and feedback as well as inspiring me with unique designs of their own.

WARH0LIC
What are your forge plans for the future? Can you tell us a little bit about your current work in progress?

SgtSlaphead
I am getting more and more interested in co-forging. Going in alone with just you and your vision can be great, however the possibilities are infinitely greater when you tackle one idea through at least two different perspectives. I know I will remake Checkmate at some point but before then I have a couple of co-forges I plan on finishing. One has a dense industrial theme featuring pipework that provides a ton of jumps and controlled vertical engagements. The other map is a super secret 2v2 project. (It's super secret because I don't know what it is).

WARH0LIC
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us here on ForgeHub. We look forward to your forging future and will look out for your next project!