Climb your way to the top with Halo Infinite's new approach to progression.
Halo Infinite is getting a battle pass. It's the latest shakeup to progression in the next mainline Halo entry, with our first invite-only technical preview (AKA, beta) providing a comprehensive look at the system in action. Climbing the virtual ladder grants exclusive unlocks, albeit with significant differences compared to rivals in the shooter space. Here's what you need to know about the Halo Infinite battle pass, including the expected price, and how it does things differently.
Halo Infinite Battle Pass: Everything you need to know
Halo Infinite is among the latest embracing the battle pass formula, a tier-based approach to progression and monetization in video games. The system mirrors similar implementations from Fortnite and Call of Duty, designed with a clear chain of rewards. While developer 343 Industries previously experimented with battle passes in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Infinite refines the approach.
Halo Infinite battle passes are immediately recognizable to those familiar with other popular shooters, splitting various rewards across fixed tiers. This linear progression ties to XP earned, climbing levels for completing matches, and playing the game. Weekly and daily challenges, XP boosts, and other bonuses help fast-track the process.
Progressing through the free battle pass, available to all Halo Infinite players, unlocks various rewards at each tier. There's also a paid premium track, available as a one-time purchase, with exclusive bonus gear. 343 Industries has expressed intentions to split the goodies across both channels, providing ample rewards no matter your investment.
But Halo Infinite has a different approach to battle passes. Paid passes will never expire in Halo Infinite, meaning you can earn rewards for months to come. Older battle passes you missed will also be available in later seasons. It's a consumer-friendly approach with transparent rewards and long-term value whenever you invest.
The rewards vary, although primarily center around cosmetic gear to use in multiplayer. Players will receive armor pieces, armor coatings, weapon skins, and more for hitting their associated milestones. Various one-time consumables will also add diversity, including XP boosts and "challenge swaps," allowing you to pass on specific limited-time challenges.
Halo Infinite battle pass price
Each Halo Infinite battle pass will have free and paid tracks, the latter available as a one-time purchase. However, 343 Industries remains quiet on pricing around its battle passes, leaving us to speculate based on competition. Video game battle passes traditionally fall between $5 and $15, fluctuating based on the number of rewards and tiers. We expect Halo Infinite to adopt similar pricing.
The first multiplayer technical preview also dabbles in a new virtual currency used to purchase the battle pass, likely tied to real-world cash. Various other games also offer their respective currencies as battle pass rewards, providing the opportunity to earn back your investment. A similar approach could provide extra value to the paid Halo battle pass.
The current Halo Infinite test presents players with complimentary credits to purchase the paid battle pass. However, Microsoft has stressed this isn't final pricing.
Halo Infinite beta battle pass: 'For Our Tomorrow'
The Halo Infinite beta test is our first glimpse into battle pass plans, with a 20-tier track available throughout the flight. The test presents an opportunity for the studio to test the new system at scale and scout feedback on interfaces. This pre-release "mini" battle pass is scaled down for testing and doesn't represent plans for the full game at launch.
The beta pass, titled "For Our Tomorrow," falls under the pre-release Season 0 of Halo Infinite. It has free and paid tracks, with complimentary credits available to access premium rewards. The pass has only 20 tiers and 31 rewards available, representing just a fraction of what's expected at launch.
We've now received a glimpse at the test battle pass geared around the first beta. The initial battle pass features various cosmetic rewards, including armor, armor coatings, various consumables, and XP boosts.
List of Halo Infinite beta battle pass rewards
| Tier | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Challenge Swap, Aviator (Rare Helmet) |
| Tier 2 | Karaba Sirocco (Rare Armor Coating), XP Boost |
| Tier 3 | Rampant (Epic Visor) |
| Tier 4 | Challenge Swap, UA / Agathius (Epic Right Shoulder Pad) |
| Tier 5 | UA / Agathius (Epic Left Shoulder Pad) |
| Tier 6 | Cloven Seafoam (Rare Armor Coating), XP Boost |
| Tier 7 | Goblin (Rare Visor) |
| Tier 8 | Scorpion Punch Epic Armor Coating, XP Boost |
| Tier 9 | Phalanx (Rare Visor) |
| Tier 10 | Challenge Swap, XP Boost |
| Tier 11 | UA / Alair Right Shoulder Pad (Common) |
| Tier 13 | UA / Agathius Left Shoulder Pad (Common) |
| Tier 13 | Challenge Swap, Vandal (Epic Visor) |
| Tier 14 | Blue Rampage (Epic Armor Coating) |
| Tier 15 | Challenge Swap, Unknown Knee Pads |
| Tier 16 | Cosmic Corruption (Epic Armor Coating), XP Boost |
| Tier 17 | Ghost Grey (Epic Armor Coating), XP Boost |
| Tier 18 | Dragoon (Epic Visor) |
| Tier 19 | Challenge Swap, UA / Type SP (Epic Knee Pads), |
| Tier 20 | Trailblazer (Epic Helmet) |
Full reward list obtained via Halo Infinite developer stream on July 28.
Halo Infinite Season 1 battle pass: 'Heroes of Reach'
While we're still waiting to receive the Halo Infinite beta start time, we've already received an insight into the first season of Halo Infinite content. Microsoft has teased Season 1, dubbed "Heroes of Reach," calling back to its 2010 franchise spin-off. We expect various armor and unlocks from Halo: Reach to join Halo Infinite, reviving iconic styles via the battle pass progression system.
"I can share that we picked 'Heroes of Reach' as a Seasonal theme for very specific reasons," head of creative at 343 Industries, Joseph Staten stated. "Reach has a rich history; it's a key location for Spartans of old and a focal point for a new generation of Spartans preparing to wrestle with the perils and mysteries of a galaxy that has fundamentally changed after the events of Halo 5."
Halo: Reach had a signature style back in the day, coupled with new armor styles still used in modern Halo games. We also know 343 Industries is toying with "armor kits," pre-configured armor collections, teasing past Spartans like Emile-A239 and Jorge-052. Expect armor from Noble Team members to join the available unlocks. We expect to learn more about Heroes of Reach as the Halo Infinite launch nears.
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