> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://dees.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Install Halo SPV3 in Bottles on CachyOS
- URL: https://dees.co/install-halo-spv3-in-bottles-on-cachyos/
- Published: 2026-09-24T19:34:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T20:09:52.000Z
- Description: Halo Custom Edition refuses to run properly in Lutris? Here's a tested Bottles installation guide that finally got Halo SPV3 working on Linux with all the essential mods: Chimera, Refined, CEnshine, DSOAL, dgVoodoo2, and ReShade.
- Author: Garrett Dees
- Tags: Halo, Bottles, CachyOS

Typically I use Lutris to install Windows games on Linux, but I've tried everything I can to get this running in Lutris without success. I found that installing it in Bottles was a better solution.

**Tested environment:**

- OS: CachyOS 7.2.6-1
- Bottles: 67.3
- Wine runner: soda 11.0-10

---

---

## Why Bottles Over Lutris?

Bottles provides more granular control over Wine prefixes and DLL overrides out of the box. Halo Custom Edition (CE) requires several specific DLL overrides and mod file replacements that are easier to manage through Bottles' interface than Lutris' scripts.

---

## Components

Download these files before starting:

| Component         | Purpose                                      | URL                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Halo CE setup** | Base game installer                          | [halocesetup\_en\_1.00.exe](http://vaporeon.io/hosted/halo/original%5Ffiles/halocesetup%5Fen%5F1.00.exe?ref=dees.co)                                                         |
| **Patch 1.0.10**  | Official patch to latest version             | [haloce-patch-1.0.10.exe](http://vaporeon.io/hosted/halo/original%5Ffiles/update%5Finstallers/haloce-patch-1.0.10.exe?ref=dees.co)                                           |
| **Chimera**       | QoL mod: frame pacing, FOV slider, bug fixes | [chimera-1.0.0r1307.7z](https://github.com/SnowyMouse/chimera/releases/download/1.0.0r1307/chimera-1.0.0r1307.7z?ref=dees.co)                                                |
| **Refined**       | Visual overhaul: textures, lighting, models  | [halo\_refined\_custom\_edition\_en\_v5.01.7z](https://www.proxeninc.net/Halo/Refined/Refined%20V5%20Download/halo%5Frefined%5Fcustom%5Fedition%5Fen%5Fv5.01.7z?ref=dees.co) |
| **CEnshine**      | Shader enhancements for modern GPUs          | [EffectCollection\_ps\_2\_0.enc](https://github.com/Sledmine/censhine/releases/download/1.0.0/EffectCollection%5Fps%5F2%5F0.enc?ref=dees.co)                                 |
| **DSOAL**         | Restores 3D positional audio via OpenAL      | [dsoal-latest.7z](http://vaporeon.io/hosted/dsoal-builds/dsoal-latest.7z?ref=dees.co)                                                                                        |
| **dgVoodoo2**     | Translates old DirectX 9 to modern APIs      | [dgVoodoo2\_8\_2.zip](https://github.com/masterotaku/dgVoodoo-binaries/raw/main/dgVoodoo2%5F8%5F2.zip?ref=dees.co)                                                           |
| **ReShade**       | Post-processing effects suite                | [ReShade\_Setup\_6.8.0.exe](https://reshade.me/downloads/ReShade%5FSetup%5F6.8.0.exe?ref=dees.co)                                                                            |
| **SPV3**          | Single-player campaign expansion             | [SPV3.3.0.zip](http://www.mediafire.com/file/3g57jmumnupf9ok/SPV3.3.0.zip?ref=dees.co)                                                                                       |
| **OpenSauce**     | Multiplayer engine for custom campaigns      | [AmaiSosu-v0.4.0.exe](https://github.com/MirisWisdom/AmaiSosu/releases/download/v0.4.0/AmaiSosu-v0.4.0.exe?ref=dees.co)                                                      |

**Note on link stability:** Some links (particularly MediaFire and third-party mirrors) may expire. Consider downloading these components early and keeping local copies. The GitHub releases (Chimera, CEnshine, dgVoodoo2, OpenSauce, ReShade shaders) are more reliable long-term.

## Step 1: Create Your Bottle

1. Open **Bottles**
2. Click **Add**, then **Create a Bottle**
3. Name it **Halo**, select **Gaming** as the purpose, click **Create**
4. Click **Close**

### Install Wine Dependencies

These dependencies fix common compatibility issues with Halo CE:

1. In **Bottles**, click your new **Halo** bottle
2. Navigate to **Options > Dependencies**
3. Select **dotnet48** (.NET Framework 4.8, required by some mods), **mfc42** (Microsoft Foundation Class library), and **msxml4** (XML parser used by installers)
4. Click **Install Selected**
5. Click **Close**, then the **Back** button

---

## Step 2: Install Halo Custom Edition

1. In your **Halo** bottle, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **halocesetup\_en\_1.00.exe**, click **Run**
3. Follow the installer:
  - Click **Install**
  - Enter your [Product Key](https://gist.github.com/notwa/d351084ace490f12c8f657d36c58d61d?ref=dees.co)
  - Click **Next**, then **Install**
  - Click **Close** when done

### Apply Official Patch

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **haloce-patch-1.0.10.exe**, click **Run**
3. Click **OK** to confirm the installation

---

## Step 3: Install Mods

First, browse to your Halo installation directory:

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Browse**
2. Navigate to **Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Halo Custom Edition/**

### Install Chimera

*What it does:* Chimera is a community-engineered mod that fixes frame pacing bugs, adds FOV sliders, enables widescreen support, and patches numerous legacy issues in the original engine.

1. Find **strings.dll** in the Halo directory
2. Right-click it, rename to **strings.dll.bak** (this backs up the original)
3. Extract **chimera-1.0.0r1307.7z** contents into **Halo Custom Edition**

### Install Refined

*What it does:* Refined replaces textures, lighting, and weapon models with higher-resolution alternatives, improving visual fidelity significantly.

1. Find the **maps** folder
2. Right-click **maps**, rename to **maps.bak**
3. Extract **halo\_refined\_custom\_edition\_en\_v5.01.7z** contents into **Halo Custom Edition**

### Install CEnshine

*What it does:* CEnshine provides shader collection updates compatible with modern GPU architectures, enabling improved particle effects and rendering.

1. Navigate to **shaders/** folder
2. Find **EffectCollection\_ps\_2\_0.enc**
3. Rename it to **EffectCollection\_ps\_2\_0.enc.bak**
4. Copy CEnshine's **EffectCollection\_ps\_2\_0.enc** into the **shaders** folder

### Install DSOAL

*What it does:* DSOAL (DirectSound OpenAL) restores proper 3D positional audio that was lost when original SoundBlaster hardware became obsolete.

1. Extract **dsoal-latest.7z** contents directly into **Halo Custom Edition**

### Install dgVoodoo2

*What it does:* dgVoodoo2 translates legacy DirectX 9 calls to modern Vulkan/DirectX 11/12, preventing graphical glitches and black screens on current hardware.

1. Extract **dgVoodoo2\_8\_2.zip**
2. Copy **MS/x86/D3D9.dll** to **Halo Custom Edition**
3. Copy **dgVoodoo.conf** to **Halo Custom Edition**
4. Copy **dgVoodooCpl.exe** to **Halo Custom Edition** (for configuration adjustments)

### Install ReShade

*What it does:* ReShade adds post-processing effects like ambient occlusion, color grading, and depth of field.

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **ReShade\_Setup\_6.8.0.exe**, click **Run**
3. In the ReShade installer:
  - Click **Browse...**
  - Navigate to **Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Games/Halo Custom Edition/**
  - Select **haloce.exe**, click **Open**
  - Click **Next**
  - Select **Microsoft DirectX 10/11/12**, click **Next**
  - Select **Standard effects** and **SweetFX by CeeJay.dk**, click **Next**
  - Click **Finish**
4. Back in the Halo directory:
  - Find **dxgi.dll**, rename to **D3D11.dll** (this makes ReShade load correctly with dgVoodoo2)
5. Edit **ReShade.ini**:
  - Under `[GENERAL]`, add: `PresetPath=.\ReShadePreset.ini`
6. Edit **ReShadePreset.ini**:
  - Add: `Techniques=SMAA@SMAA.fx,FXAA@FXAA.fx` (enables anti-aliasing presets)

### Set DLL Overrides

This step ensures Wine uses the modded DLLs instead of Wine's built-in implementations.

1. In **Bottles**, navigate to **Options > Settings**
2. Click **Compatibility > DLL Overrides**
3. Add each of the following, clicking **Apply** after each:
  - **D3D9.dll** (uses dgVoodoo2 version)
  - **D3D11.dll** (uses ReShade version)
  - **dsoal-aldrv.dll** (uses DSOAL audio driver)
  - **dsound.dll** (direct sound interface)
  - **strings.dll** (uses Chimera version)
4. Click **Close**, then **Back**

## Step 4: Install SPV3 Campaign

*What it does:* SPV3 is a full single-player campaign expansion created by the Halo CE community, essentially a "Halo 3-like" experience built on the CE engine.

**Important:** Extract the SPV3 archive somewhere inside your bottle's filesystem before running the installer.

1. Extract **SPV3.3.0.zip** into a folder within your bottle (e.g., under Documents or a temp directory)
2. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
3. Navigate to the extracted folder and select **spv3.exe**, click **Run**
4. In the SPV3 installer:
  - Click **Install SPV3**
  - Click **Install**
  - When prompted for installation location:
    - Click **Browse**
    - Navigate to **Documents > My Games > Halo SPV3**
    - Select **haloce.exe**, click **Open**
  - When prompted: Click **Install OpenSauce** (this integrates multiplayer engine support)
  - Click **Close**

### Update OpenSauce

*What it does:* OpenSauce is the underlying engine for custom campaigns and multiplayer mods. The v0.4.0 update provides stability improvements and compatibility fixes.

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **AmaiSosu-v0.4.0.exe**, click **Run**
3. Click **Browse**
4. Navigate to **Documents > My Games > Halo SPV3**
5. Select **haloce.exe**, click **Open**
6. Click **click here to install opensauce!**
7. Click **Close**

### Final DLL Override for OpenSauce

1. In **Bottles**, navigate to **Options > Settings > Compatibility > DLL Overrides**
2. Add: **dinput8.dll** (handles DirectInput for controllers and keyboard/mouse)
3. Click **Apply**, then **Close**, then **Back**

### Install SPV3

You must extract spv3.3.0.zip somewhere in the bottle before running spv3.exe.

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **spv3.3.0/spv3.exe**, click **Run**
  1. Click **Install SPV3**
  2. Click I**nstall**
  3. Click **OK**
    1. Click **Browse**
    2. Navigate to **Documents > My Games > Halo SPV3**
    3. Select **haloce.exe**, click **Open**
    4. Click **Install OpenSauce**
    5. Click the **Close** button
  4. Click the **Close** button

#### Update OpenSauce

1. In **Bottles**, click **Quick actions > Run Executable...**
2. Select **AmaiSosu-v0.4.0.exe**, click **Run**
  1. Click b**rowse**
  2. Navigate to **Documents > My Games > Halo SPV3**
  3. Select **haloce.exe**, click **Open**
  4. Click **click here to install opensauce!**
  5. Click the **Close** button

#### DLL Overrides

1. In **Bottles**, click **Options > Settings**
2. Click **Compatibility > DLL Overrides**
3. Type **dinput8.dll**, click **Apply**
4. Click the **Close** button
5. Click the **Back** button

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                             | Likely Cause                            | Solution                                                                             |
| --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Black screen on launch**        | dgVoodoo configuration mismatch         | Run **dgVoodooCpl.exe**, ensure D3D9 output is set to DirectX 11/12                  |
| **Game crashes immediately**      | Missing DLL override                    | Verify all five DLL overrides are applied in Bottles settings                        |
| **Audio crackling or no sound**   | DSOAL conflict                          | Ensure **dsoal-aldrv.dll** override is active; try disabling ReShade temporarily     |
| **Controller not detected**       | Input layer conflict                    | The **dinput8.dll** override may need to be removed for native controller support    |
| **Modded textures appear broken** | Refined map folder not renamed properly | Confirm **maps.bak** exists and new **maps** folder contains extracted Refined files |
| **ReShade overlay won't show**    | dxgi.dll rename issue                   | Verify **dxgi.dll** was renamed to **D3D11.dll**, not deleted                        |

---

## Running the Game

1. In Bottles, your **Halo** bottle should now show **haloce.exe** as a launchable executable
2. If SPV3 installed successfully, also look for a dedicated SPV3 launcher in your Documents folder
3. Launch the game and verify mods are loaded (Chimera displays version info on startup)

---

## Notes and Caveats

- This guide targets offline single-player only.  
Multiplayer functionality is experimental and may require additional configuration.
- Save your work frequently. Modded installations can corrupt save files more easily than vanilla.
- If something breaks, restoring from your **.bak** backup files is the fastest recovery method.

### SPV3 Campaign

As noted below in detail, loading a new level, playing firefight, or changing profiles will cause you to lose your checkpoint and therefore any Cross-Map Unlocks you've come across.

- [Cross-Map Unlocks](https://halo-spv3.fandom.com/wiki/Cross-Map%5FUnlocks?ref=dees.co) are a gameplay feature introduced in SPV3.1\. They offer optional aids to the player, in opposition to Skulls, as Cross-Map Unlocks serve only to aid the player, whereas Skulls offer unique detriments to make the game harder.
  - Cross-Map Unlocks are special unlocks which can change aspects of the game to aid the player in certain levels. They consist of switches that can be pressed or rewards for completing optional challenges during gameplay. It should be noted that the unlocks will only apply on a straight, uninterrupted play through of the campaign. If an unlock is enacted on a certain level that affects another, it will be negated if a different level is selected from the menu.
- [Skulls](https://halo-spv3.fandom.com/wiki/Skulls?ref=dees.co) are in-game modifiers present in *SPV3*. Much like in the official *Halo* games, they exist to modify aspects of gameplay, generally making it more difficult but without necessarily changing typical elements, such as enemy or player durability. Like in official games, they have the appearance of a normal human skull without the jawbone.
  - *SPV3*'s Cross-Map Unlock system is essentially the opposite of Skulls; both are optional, but Skulls impede players, whereas Cross-Map Unlocks serve only to aid players.
  - Through the years, *SPV3's* Skulls have become notorious to players of the mod, as they arguably offer more drastic effects than the skulls in the official *Halo* games. Unlike other *Halo* games, *SPV3's* Skulls are available on any difficulty.