
When a black box is collected it unlocks an entry in the Halo Wars timeline.
Some info on Black Boxes:
- Each level has a black box hidden in it and you can see which boxes you collected on the mission select screen.
- Boxes look like small black crates, with yellow bits on them.
- You don't need to complete any mission objectives to "activate" the boxes, unlike skulls, they are always present.
- You can resign a mission right after you collect a box and it will be saved.
- Black boxes can be picked up by any unit.
Black Box LocationsMission 1: Alpha BaseThere is a small ramp by the bridge right before you rescue the last set of marines. Go down this ramp and the black box will be right between it and the bridge.
Mission 2: Relic ApproachNorth of the map there is an energy shield near the Covenant air pads and Methane Tanks. The box is behind this shield (You need infantry to reach it)
Mission 3: Relic InteriorRight from the start head down the ramp on your right and follow the path all the way to the end. The box is right before the crashed Pelican.
Mission 4: Arcadia CityThe box is directly north of the West base location right beside a sky bridge. (If you don’t know where the west base location is, just wait until you can build a base after the #3 transport is destroyed)
Mission 5: Arcadia OutskirtsThere are two capturable reactors on the map. The box is to the right of the one near the center of the map. You need to go down some steps to reach it.
Mission 6: Dome of LightOther island where you have to place the third rhino tank, there is an underground entrance south west of the rhino site, the box is in front of this entrance. (To reach the island you have to deploy the first two rhino tanks then use the Transport ability to get units there)
Mission 7: ScarabThe box is at the furthest point north east of the map beside a bunch of supply crates.
Mission 8: Anders' SignalGo as far east as possible on the map. The box is in the middle of a plateau surrounded by trees.
Mission 9: The FloodThe box is at the west most point of the map in a corner near the bordering mountains.
Mission 10: Shield WorldThe box is beside the middle set of units that need evacuation. (The group with the elephant)
Mission 11: CleansingThe box is on one of the ship sections off to the side which are inaccessible by ground units. It is on the North West side of the ship where the edge section starts to get wider. This is on the side with the flood base. It attached to the hull so it may be hard to see.
Mission 12: RepairsThis box is also on the section of ship inaccessible by ground units. It's on the very west side of the ship under the last gun turret near the power generator.
Mission 13: BeachheadThe box is on the far north east of the map at the top of a cliff. There are some small ramps which may allow for infantry to get to the box but is a lot easier to just use air units.
Mission 14: ReactorThe box is to the very south west of the map on a cliff ledge which can be accessed from the first elevation, where the first Covenant base is.
Mission 15: EscapeThe box is at the north edge of the central circle shield thing.