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Spirits of Fire, a fledgling Halo clan starting to find its way online by way of challenges and cultivating new friendships and developing renown, recently threw down the preverbial gauntlet to the Cirques, challenging them to a five game skirmish. Led by Captain Apollo Running (no, not he of Battlestar Galactica fame), the Spirits of Fire roared into battle, and took on the Cirques for some spirited and frenetic fighting.
The matches were drawn up and rosters announced, with the two teams arranging to meet on the field of battle this past Saturday night for some Halo goodness. Mission accomplished! The Spirits of Fire, led by Apollo, were the challengers, with the Cirques looking to add to their most recent clanmatch win. It was a big match for both sides, but the overriding theme for the night was good sportsmanship, good fun, and great games. Oh..and to make the occasion even more special, it also happened to be bsangel's birthday. Happy birthday angel! For the Spirits of Fire, they went into battle with:
For the Cirques, they went into battle with a pool of 7 players. Their lineup was:
Game 1: Squad Slayer on Standoff Result: CdG wins 98-56 Summary: Ballistic mayhem as a raging battle was fought around a couple of rows of rocks. The map and gametype was not much of a surprise. What did become a bit of a surprise was how each side was able to negate the ability of either enemy warthog to dominate this map initially. With a combination of good lasering, drainers, grenades, brute shots, blind luck and good shooting, it was not a day to take a warthog for a spin. This game seemed to become all about rock possession and control. The team that was able to control the rock lines seemed likely to win, and this proved to be the case. The Cirques were able to keep the Spirits warthog pretty much down for the count for every respawn, and managed to keep the rocks for the majority of the game. The Spirits of Fire did fantastically well considering they were without warthog support for most of the entire match, and I will freely admit I don’t really feel the final scoreline was indicative to how the game went. There were times when the Spirits were clawing their way back into the game only for the Cirques to find another gear and run off a stream of kills to ensure their lead never was lost. The Cirques were also able to finally get some success with their wartie to help seal the game, with the deadly combo of Addict3d and Sleeveen proving to be menaces. The warthog threat helped the Cirque ground troops to be able to prey on the Spirits who were trying to stop the wartie. The game ended with time running out. The margin of victory did not feel as large as it looks on the scoreboard. Star of the game: CdG’s AWOL34, just narrowly over the warthog pairing of Addict3d and Sleeveen, who definitely deserve to share the spotlight. AWOL managed to lead the line in both kills and was only 2nd in assists to wartie driver Addict3d. Actually, the entire team acquitted itself well, as Addict3d only missing out on the kills because she was racking up wheelman medals. For Spirit of Fire, rowboat000 proved to be the top dog in this one ,leading his teams in both kills and assists. He also managed to notch a positive in K/D for the match. Well played, sir. Match Score: CdG leads 1-0-0 Game 2: Multi Flag CTF on Orbital Result: CdG wins 3-0 Summary: Chaotic positional battle in the narrow halls of Orbital. Being down 1-0, the Spirits of Fire were ready to hit back in the narrow confines of Orbital. In the pre-game lobby, we heard some discussions about bs angel and her grenade throwing skills. Apparently, her own team were as worried for their safety as the Cirque team should have been. We cannot say we were warned, but of course, one of the first kills of the game was F1at1ined dying to a well thrown grenade pitched by bs angel. Angel later said in the lobby that she probably was throwing it at a teammate and it bounced onto me. Ah well. Fortunately, the rest of the Cirque opening rush went well, establishing Rockets. This proved to be a key factor in this game, as the Cirques were able to control the Rockets area for key times in the match. Once the Spirits base was breached and their door opened, it became a tough battle to stop the relentless Cirques who could smell blood…er..flag. On Orbital, you aren’t going to get a clean grab and unmolested score without some serious teamwork, a bit of luck, and good timing. Fortunately for the Cirques, they had all three elements present for each score. With some good slaying done before flag grabbing, some timely touches, and some effective covering fire from teammates protecting flagbearers, the Cirques were able to inch the Spirits flag out three times. RoVino happened to be the lucky Cirque carrying the flag to safety each time, but it was a total team effort. The Spirits of Fire did really well in managing to do keep the Cirques at bay as well as they did, and they still made sure they kept trying to grab the Cirques flag, managing to touch it a couple of times. However, the Cirques seemed to always have numbers when it mattered, and were able to punch home for the win, with each grab going by Sniper Low. Star of the game: CdG's RoVino. Well, he did score 3 times after all. The game doesn’t lie, right? Honorable mentions to AWOL and RevDotNed, who provided some good support killing. For the Spirits, bs angel did prove to be deadly with a grenade, and all the Spirits had their moments. CrazedOne top scored in kills for his side, with all Spirits managing to chip in with kills and assists. Match Score: CdG leads 2-0-0 
Game 3: Neutral Assault on Avalanche Result: CdG wins 3-1 Summary: Cirques battle their way to a hard fought 3-1 win in the icy horseshoe canyon codenamed 'Avalanche' This game was the second longest game of the night (the longest being the next one). Watching the scoreboard from afar, it seems that both teams basically neutralized each other for more than half the match. I dont believe there was any score til maybe 8 mins to go. The Cirques were able to finally finish off a resolute and stubborn Spirit resistance, winning with just about 30 seconds left to go. Quasar took ownership of the Laser for a long time in this one, and he was pretty much able to nullify any sustained vehicle dominance by the Spirits. He managed to get 14 kills with the Laser, and his performance with the Laser allowed the other Cirques to focus on trying to push through for a plant. Rev managed to achieve an oddly noteworthy achievement - he notched 11 kills but his best tool of destruction was a frag grenade, which netted 2 kills. This means he utilized 6 different ways at least to kill a Spirit of Fire. Nice variety. In the end, after much hammering at the door, Addict3d, Rev and RoVino managed to plant successfully, with rowboat000 replying for the lone Spirits score. CdG statistically might have appeared to dominate this one, but the Spirits of Fire proved to be very determined and tough in their defense of their base. All in all, another competitive encounter, but sadly for the Spirits of Fire, another loss. Star of the game: CdG's IXI Quasar IXI. Quasar basically was able to neutralize any long term success vehicle wise for the Spirits. Toting his trusty Laser, he used it to deadly effect all game. I guess all those hours plotting and trying to laser Sro really paid off. Quasar managed 25 kills to only 4 deaths, notching an impressive 14 kills by Laser. He left the scoring up to his teammates. RoVino and AWOL also posted strong kill totals. For the Spirits, bs angel led the way with 15 kills, and rowboat000 was successful with one detonation for his side. Apollo (the star of our opening piccie) proved to be a force with the Rocket Launcher. Match Score: CdG wins 3-0. Match called. 
It was suggested that because the match was now won, that we mix up the teams and play the final two games as a mixer, with three CdG and three Spirits per side. This was readily agreed, teams were formed, and the match continued, but this team, as Teams Red vs Blue. Game 4: Neutral Assault on Valhalla Result: Team Red ties with Team Blue 0-0 Summary: A whole lot of dying, and some Banshee mastery at work. A couple of near misses was as close as it got to breaking the deadlock. With the match won at 3-0 in CdG's favor, it was suggested that we mix up the teams and put three CdG and three Spirits on each side, to let us get to know the Spirits even more, and they in turn get to know us. Team Red consisted of RoVino, CrazedOne1988, RevDotNed, IXIX Quasar IXI, Das Kalk and bs angel. Team Blue consisted of Apollo Running, AWOL34, F1at1ined, Sleeveen, rowboat000 and GreySpark. We apparently did not plan well for the map, as somehow, we ended up with the two best Banshee pilots on the same side, with RoVino and CrazedOne1988 lining up for Team Red. Fortunately, there was only one Banshee for them initially, but at various times, one side was able to procure both Banshees. The Banshees were deadly in this game for Team Red, and really their play deserved to be rewarded with a win. However, to give credit where due, Team Blue were able to mount some ferocious and fierce defense, and if they couldn’t always find ways to kill the Banshee, they made sure they killed all the Banshee’s teammates before the bomb could be detonated for a score. There was one super close arming moment, where RevDotNed was able to prime and arm the bomb, but after killing the defenders, the bomb was defused literally at the last second. In one other close call, in a moment of relatively clear skies (clear as in no Banshee vultures), the besieged Team Blue managed to get a fully laden ‘Hog all the way to an emptied enemy base. A certain score was imminent but for a last second, timely long range triple kills with the laser by IXI Quasar IXI, killing the wartie just as it was nearing safety. Time ran out, with neither base succumbing to a blast. The bomb was much travelled but ultimately was never detonated. The match report made for some scary reading if you did not have CrazedOne1988 and his mad Banshee skills on your side, but all the credit in the world goes to resolute Team Blue opponents, who managed to keep their base from being blown up. Star of the game: Team Red’s CrazedOne1988 (Spirits of Fire). We were told beforehand that he was handy with the Banshee, but until you actually saw him fly one, words did not do it justice. He was at one with the machine, and was especially hard to kill, knowing lots of tricks to avoid missile pod fire, and not risking his machine to skyjacks. He was ably supported by all of his teammates, and as mentioned above, Rev came closest to a detonation. For Team Blue, considering the Banshee tormenting, the stats arent that bad. AWOL, F1at1ined and rowboat000 all managed 14+ kills. Mixer Score: Team Red is tied with Team Blue 0-0-1 Game 5: Multi Flag CTF on SandsCrypt Result: Team Red wins 3-1 Summary: Multi level/tiered flag grabbing carnage seemed a fitting way to end the challenge. The final game saw the three Cirques switch sides, giving them a chance to play with the other three Spirits. Team Red for this game was Apollo Running, Das Kalk, bs angel, F1at1ined, AWOL and Sleeveen. Team Blue consisted of RoVino, RedDotNed, CrazedOne1988, IXIX Quasar IXI, rowboat000 and Grey Spark. This map is quite a unique variant, with the teams starting on the main floor, and descending down to crypt level to try to grab the flags, and then bring them back up to the surface by way of one of two teleports. The crypt level has some toys down there, but the real success to this map seems to lie with which team is able to control the ground level waaaaaay up above. I believe the first two grabs were nearly simultaneously scored, suggesting this game wasn’t going to last too long. However, the game did turn into a series of hectic battles for area control. The key, pivotal moment, came when teams were trying to bring home their second flag. Team Red was successful in getting their flag through the teleport, but some deadly shooting from two Team Red members meant they were able to prevent Team Blue from getting their flag through one of the teleports. This proved to be key, as Team Blue had to split their efforts to stopping the Team Red flagbearer and still try to burst through to get down to the Crypt level to try to make a grab. However, the surface proved to be a hot zone, and though one of the Team Red flag returners, Apollo Running, was killed, F1at1ined was able to stay alive to return his flag and then move to the Blue flag spawn area to await the respawning of the Blue flag. This duly happened, and F1at1ined was able to get the winning flag through teleport and up to ground level. From there, it was just a brutal battle trying to inch the flag closer and closer against determined and desperate Team Blue defenders. Sadly for Team Blue, the respawns worked against them, allowing Team Red to punch home the third and final flag to end this game and this challenge. Star of the game: Team Red's Sleeveen, who managed two scores. Honorable mention to teammate bs angel, who led her team in kills with 6. The birthday girl led the way, and allowed the Red Team to prevail against a strong Blue Team. Speaking of the Blues, rowboat000 again proved to have a nose for objectives, notching their lone flag cap. RoVino and CrazedOne1988 showed they could kill without the aid of a Banshee, being the top slayers for the Blues. Mixer Score: Team Red wins 1-0-1 
Cirques were able to prevail but they were tested every step of the way. For a relatively new clan, the Spirits of Fire were able to stand toe to toe with the Cirques through every game, and it will be only a matter of time before they will get to enjoy victory themselves. It took the Cirques a few tries to break their clan match ‘duck’, and this writer is in no doubt that they will get a win sooner rather than later if they keep fighting like they fought this past weekend. We would like to thank the Spirits of Fire for squaring off against us on the Halo battlefield. Before this challenge, we had not had much, if any, interaction with the Spirits of Fire, but after this fun night of gaming, we feel we got to know them much better, and they play the games with the same ethics and spirit as we do. Though the match score might not be pleasant reading for them, so much good came out of this match, most notably new friendships. Even though when the games started, the battles were intense affairs, both teams were very sporting and maintained a great attitude, win or lose. It was indeed an honor to play them. Additionally, we would like to congratulate Addict3d 2Cha0s and Apollo Running for captaining the two sides and setting up this fun challenge, with an extra congrats going to Captain Cha0s for leading her team to victory. Finally, kudos go out to our fellow Cirques and Cirque friends, who graciously donated their time and efforts to help us practice for this match. THANKS! PS: Thanks to Addict3d for the great screenshot piccies capturing this match!
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