Apex

Discovery of this space port led to excavation of the sand below.

Description
Apex is an arena map built in the skybubble of Sandbox. It features two main structures: the cylinder interior and its square-shaped exterior framework. Also, it can be played as a four-way map in addition to a two-sided map.

Designed to emulate an ancient space port, Apex is reminiscent of Foundation from Halo 2, only in the sky and with a bit more vertical play. The map focuses on driving players into the center piece, which is a two-level structure, navigable by a grav lift. It is treacherous, but players are rewarded with two power ups, any neutral objective, and the quickest route to the other side. The map features four usable bases, with two primary bases, serving teams in RvB game types. In those game types, the secondary bases serve as "overflow," should a team's base be overrun.

Backstory
Apex is the top of a space port gravity elevator. Personnel would enter the elevator in the crypt, and the system would use a gravity drive to lift them to this structure where they could board space craft. After being abandoned for so long, the gravity drive has weakened, and it no longer lifts personnel to this height. However, the structure remains.

Screenshots

Obligatory overview shot. Lights and colored columns offer navigational help.

Here, you can gauge the distance between bases. It's optimal for rifle fire, offering a midway point to take cover and reload.

Overview with a bit more height to give you a better feel for the overall layout.

Other than just thinking this shot is really cool, I thought it would give you a better understanding of how the framework was put together. Also of note, the entire map is built OFF of the Forge grid, meaning if you fall, there will be a few seconds before you actually die. I like this feeling of impending doom and was adamant about having it in this map.

A shot of a midway point on one of the sidelines. You can see into the cylinder and where the camo floats.

Overview of the cylinder. Early playtesters requested more flooring around the center structure, so I added the corner pipes to help players navigate around and possibly catch themselves after slipping. I also lowered the corner pieces to help players vault over the structure, using the grav lift. This helps players navigate across the map in a straight line.

The center structure is a heavily contested area and features two power ups and any neutral objectives. It features two gravity hammers, which seems odd at first, but considering placement limitations, it makes sense. It also looks cool. Finally, with any power weapons, I would set the run-time maximum to double the amount on the map anyway.

One of my goals for this map was to create a kind of four-way battle. This is one way I accomplish this. Many players stay in these doorways, fighting off players in the other doorways until the coast is clear to make a break for the center structure.

Just a shot to show where the lift would come from if it were still operational. The center of this map is centered over the crypt hole.

This is another contested area. I found a lot of encounters happened in front of the base, and if a player was down, the only thing he could do was hide behind the corner block. I added stone bridges to help players make a break for the lower center entrance if need be. They are not meant to be main areas of navigation.

The port doors offer a defensive position to repel opposition that may seek to lock down one's team. From the base, a team can cover both side sight lines with rifle fire to allow teammates to move. Of course, these port doors also are a vulnerability for rooting out camping teams with grenade spam. That said, the bases serve as spawn hives for teams to start in cover, but they don't offer reliable cover for an extended stay.

Recommended Gametypes
All gametypes supported. Works best with Team Slayer, CTF, and Oddball. With more than 4 players, FFA spawns likely will be wonky.

Weapons and Equipment
8 Battle Rifles
4 Covenant Carbines
2 Needlers
2 Brute Shots
2x2 SMGs
2x2 Spikers
4x2 Plasma Grenades
2 Bubble Shields
2 Power Drainers
1 Active Camouflage
2 Gravity Hammers

Thanks in advance for any feedback, and thanks to H3ITWP peeps for helping me thus far.

Download Apex

Note: This is a new version. While running Atlas vids, we found you could plant the bomb in base 3 or 4, even if there are no teams 3 or 4. I removed those bomb spawn and plant points as well as those team spawn points. It doesn't appear to be possible to set a map up for four-way assault if you want to only play with two teams. It's one way or the other, an oversight by Bungie. :-(