343 Industries has officially launched Operation: Legacy for Halo Infinite, a massive update meticulously designed to transport players back to the golden era of Halo 3 multiplayer. This operation is live now and runs until July 8, so prepare to “finish the fight” all over again. With a plethora of classic content and exciting new additions.
I’ll be honest, the sole reason my interest was initially piqued, was the return of the Hayabusa helmet (more on that shortly). Oh man, the time it took me and my brothers to get this one in Halo 3. The rest is all icing on the cake, but I’m working hard to get that helmet, again!
The Return of the Dragon Ninja: Hayabusa Helmet!
The legendary Hayabusa helmet makes its grand return to the Halo universe. Celebrating the highly anticipated release of NINJA GAIDEN 4 on October 21, 2025.
This sleek and lethal piece of armour, part of the next generation of Project: HAYABUSA, fuses futuristic design with its iconic past. Spartans can claim the HAYABUSA ZOKUHEN bundle from The Exchange to unlock both the Hayabusa helmet and the brand-new Sigma Dragon helmet attachment.
Act fast, as this bundle is available for a limited time until July 8. Earn Spartan Points by completing challenges and playing matches in Halo Infinite to acquire it.
Relive the Glory Days: Halo 3 Legacy Playlist
The centrepiece of Operation: Legacy is undoubtedly the Delta Arena: Halo 3 Legacy Playlist. This playlist brings authentic Delta Arena settings to a curated selection of fan-favourite maps, including Halo 3’s Guardian, Narrows, Cold Storage, and Ghost Town. With the latter three making their debut in Halo Infinite matchmaking.
Get ready for a truly retro experience with these key gameplay adjustments:
- Sprint: Disabled
- Clamber: Disabled
- Jump Height: 120%
- Starting Weapon: MA5K Avenger or BR75 Battle Rifle (players choose their preferred starting weapon in the Match Composer!)
- Secondary Weapon: None
- Friendly Player Collision: On
Jump into multiplayer and return to form in these classic-inspired modes:
- Legacy Slayer
- Legacy KOTH (King of the Hill)
- Legacy Oddball
- Legacy CTF (Capture the Flag)
- Legacy One Flag
- Legacy Assault
- Neutral Bomb
- Legacy Assault One Bomb
For a complete breakdown of the playlist, mode settings, and all 11 returning Halo 3 maps, be sure to check out the official Delta Arena: Halo 3 Legacy blog.
Grifball is Back and Better Than Ever!
Prepare for chaos on the gridiron as Grifball returns with an amped-up version! This iteration combines “wonky physics with creative combat” for the most intense sportsball action yet. Featuring full-contact equipment, third-person modes, and ten brand-new arenas, Grifball has never looked this wild.
The update introduces four new Grifball game modes:
- Classic Grifball
- 3P (Third-Person) Classic Grifball
- Octane Grifball
- 3P Octane Grifball
To truly capture the traditional Grifball frenzy, 343 Industries has implemented custom tuning: reduced Gravity Hammer swing cooldown, juiced-up hammer physics, and Energy Swords swapped for the Duelist variant to allow for long-range feints. These tweaks enable hammer jumps, player launches, strategic ball passing, and timely goal deflections.
For new players, Grifball pits 4v4 teams armed with Gravity Hammers and Energy Swords against each other to control the sportsball and guide their Runner to the enemy goal. Runners gain Overshields and improved forward movement speed, though their footwork becomes less agile when retreating.
Matches consist of up to five three-minute rounds, with one minute of overtime. The first team to score three points wins, or the leader takes all after five rounds.
Operation Pass: Unlock Classic Armor and Rewards
The free 20-tier Operation: Legacy Operation Pass brings back the formidable EOD GEN1 helmet, faithfully restored to its original Halo 3 design. This armour, designed to reorient concussive blasts, harks back to a simpler time in military engineering.
Complete the pass by July 8 to earn the EOD GEN1 armour set, a generous amount of Spartan Points, and the “Adrift in Space” emblem.
For those seeking more, the Premium Operation Pass offers a durable reward track that never expires, bonus XP, and an additional challenge slot. Premium Pass holders also receive the exclusive Reavian Tooth VK78 Commando weapon model and the Perilous Forest coating.
- 500 Credits: Unlocks a durable rewards track, an additional challenge slot, bonus XP, and an instant unlock bundle containing the Reavian Tooth VK78 Commando weapon model and the Perilous Forest weapon coating.
- 2,000 Credits: Includes all the perks of the 500 Credits option, plus instantly unlocks all 20 reward tiers of the Operation: Legacy Operation Pass.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Summer Update
Get a sneak peek at what’s coming in the 2025 Summer Update! This future update will feature an expanded Weapons Bench, the highly anticipated reintroduction of sniper ricochet mechanics, the debut of the new Mutilator power weapon, and recent Forge updates, among other exciting additions.
Free Log-In Unlocks and Shop Additions
Don’t miss out on free Unity customization bundles for Pride Month 2025 by logging in before June 30. All holiday visors, armor coatings, and emblems will be found in the Armor Hall. If you missed previous bundles for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, head to The Exchange to redeem them for free starting today.
The in-game shop is also brimming with new and returning armor sets:
- Double Trouble Bundle: Features the classic Scout and Rogue helmets (Halo 3 counterparts) and the Rampant Betrayal kill effect set, inspired by 343 Guilty Spark.
- Rogue: A “privatized” MJOLNIR variant, a favorite among operators.
- Scout GEN1: Advanced alloys for stealth interventions without compromising durability. Includes the CMA Bulldog weapon variant, Old Penny weapon coating, and new armor accessories.
- Classic Security Bundle: The Security GEN1 model, originally from Misriah Armories, returns to offer a “prodigious rebuke” to extraterrestrial intruders.
- Xantippe Armor Set: A heavy-duty MJOLNIR variant, recently declassified. Also bundled with the cross-core Wintergeist coating.
- Echo Nine Bundle: Contains the Echo Nine ODST armor set, Dropjet Slate armor coating, BR75A2 Hammer battle rifle model, and other Helljumper-themed customizations.
The Exchange and Player Resources
Visit The Exchange to claim the HAYABUSA ZOKUHEN bundle, Kelly-087’s iconic Hermes armor (from Operation: Blue Team), a full palette of coatings, and rugged gear from the Entrenched Event.