A new Halo Infinite update nerfs the Mangler, news confirmed in a new update blog by developer 343 Industries.

As the first season of the Halo Infinite draws to a close, the large blog post on the official Halo website discussed the current status of the game and more importantly its multiplayer.

In the report, the developers briefly discussed issues leading up to the release of the now concluded season, addressed common feedback from the community expressed on a multiple social media platforms, and provided a list of updates happening with the release of Season 2 on May 5.

Chief among the changes arriving in season 2 is that the Halo Infinite update nerfs the Mangler, the game’s current best gun – which some pro players have noted is too powerful.

Here is a rundown of the upcoming changes.

Halo Infinite update nerfs the Mangler

AUDIO

• The ability to hear an opponent’s shield recharge sound will be reduced to prevent providing too much information about a player’s location
• The volume of the Grunt Birthday Party sound effect will be increased in Campaign

MULTIPLAYER

Arena

• Catalyst (new Arena map) will be added to multiple playlists on day one
• King of the Hill will be added to multiple playlists
• Attrition will be added to multiple playlists
• In Attrition, a revived player will be able to move immediately after spawning back in
• Motion Tracker (Radar) will have its outer edge detection enabled for shooting and sprinting in social playlists

Big Team Battle

• Breaker (new BTB map) will be added to matchmaking on day one
• Jeff Steitzer’s voice is returning to call out player-earned medals
• Issue causing asymmetrical Weapon Rack spawns has been addressed

Matchmaking

• Rather than track a player’s entire session, the CSR progression bar will now reflect the progress made from their most recent match

Custom Games & Forge

• Addressing some Custom Game bugs, with more coming down the road

Personal AI & Spartan Chatter

• Balance adjustments were made to emphasize what’s most important for players

PC

• Noticeable stability improvements; the team has resolved dozens of PC crashes

SANDBOX

Networking

• Melee fights should be more consistent, with opponents “phasing” through each other less and “whiffing” less when a melee should’ve connected

Weapons

• Halo Infinite update nerfs the Mangler – A global melee damage decrease of 10% on all weapons will require the Mangler to land two shots and a beatdown for a kill.
• The Ravager’s base (non-charged) shot will see a damage increase

Friend or Foe (IFF) Recognition (Player Outlines)

• This system will now have options allowing players to modify the opacity and thickness based on their preferences

Equipment

• Drop Wall will see slight performance increases
• Overshield will provide slightly more shielding

Vehicles

• Chopper collision (splatter) damage will be increased to its vehicle-splattering glory
• Banshee’s agility and damage output will be increased to improve its role as a strike fighter
• Warthog & Razorback should be more resistant to flipping and bouncing

We’ll have another Outcomes blog focusing on the Live Team’s areas such as Customization, Shop, Battle Pass, Progression (Challenges), Events, Theater, and Observer Mode in the near future. Be sure to keep an eye out for it here on Halo Waypoint and give it a read when it lands.

You can read the complete Season 1 Outcomes Report which confirms the new Halo Infinite update nerfs the Mangler here.

Halo Infinite is available on Windows PC (via the Microsoft Store, Steam), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass. You can read our review of the game here.