Halo 5 Guardians adds Big Team Battle and new maps in free Battle of Shadow and Light update

Halo 5: Guardians' first major batch finally adds fan-favourite 16-player mode Big Team Battle to the Xbox One shooter, as well as new maps, armour, assassinations and REQ cards for use in the game's ambitious new Warzone mode.

The free update clocks in at a sizeable 6.2GB and is available to download now. A blogpost from developer 343 Industries at Halo Waypoint details what is included: "Our promised commitment to meaningful post-launch support and expanded free content begins today with our first drop: Battle of Shadow and Light, which adds the stealthy new Shinobi ninja-themed armour, some legendary Light Rifle firepower and perhaps most importantly, the arrival of Big Team Battle maps, modes and mayhem to Halo 5: Guardians."

Four new maps are being added to support Big Team Battle. These are called Deadlock, Basin, Guillotine and Recurve. These are the first of 15 maps 343 is planning to release for free over the next few months.

"There are tons of new REQs added to this month's drop, including ones that might give you access to the Ultra Rare Shinobi armour and Legendary Dying Star LightRifle (to name but two)," the post said. "We have Tundra and Woodland-themed vehicle skins, a brutal (and occasionally hilarious) Shove It assassination and dozens more items to unlock, discover and utilise.

"But Big Team Battle is the cherry on top, and you'll recognise elements and aspects of the first four maps in the mix, but all four have been, in varying ways, significantly adjusted for the new mobility, weapons and features of Halo 5 – and all are available in both Custom Games and Matchmaking, and present just a hint of the content featured in next month's update."

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