Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta adds more maps, modes, and weapons

If you're the owner of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, you're probably already invested in the ongoing Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta. So you're probably already aware of what week two offers in terms of new maps, modes, and weapons. For those of you who haven't yet logged in, here's what's new.

Week two, currently underway, sees the return of all the fan-favorite weapons, like the Battle Rifle, Magnum, Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), Energy Sword, Sniper Rifle, and the Submachine Gun (SMG). Two new weapons are being added as well: the Light Rifle and the UNSC Hydra.

In addition to the weapons, week two introduces a total of four new maps.

Regret, a jungle-themed map perfect for a "straight-up fight," and Eden, a map that will see teams fight for control of the sniper rifle and energy sword, are being swapped into the Slayer playlist. They will replace week one's Truth and Empire. According to 343 Industries, Regret is a remix of Truth, and Eden is a remix of Empire. As for the community vote, the Hydra MLRS, a brand-new weapon, will be added to the Regret map.

Meanwhile, two additional maps will accompany the new mode, Breakout. As described by 343 Industries, Breakout is a round-based mode in which your Spartan only has one life each round. The first team to take five rounds wins the match. This mode will be playable on two maps: Crossfire and Trench. Inspired by competitive paintball fields, Crossfire, combines the cover-based combat of paintball with the verticality of Halo. Trench is a more focused combat environment that will "test your team tactics."

So that's what's on the docket for week two of Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta. Remember, the beta will run through January 18, 2015, with each week introducing more new content.

[Xbox Wire, Halo WP]