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This topic has moved here: Subject: Dual-wielding will bring balance to the Force... er game.
  • Subject: Dual-wielding will bring balance to the Force... er game.
Subject: Dual-wielding will bring balance to the Force... er game.
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After many multiplayer battles throughout small and large maps in the original Halo, I've decided that some weapons are just better/used more frequently than others. I divide the 8 guns into two categories (Keep in mind that this is for multiplayer purposes, the "weaker" weapons have many uses in the campaign):

1. The Big 4
A. Sniper Rifle - Best gun at long range
B. Pistol- Best gun at not quite as long range
C. Rocket Launcher- Best gun at mid to short range (and against vehicles)
D. Shotgun- Best gun at short range

2. The guns you use only when you can't find the ones listed above
A. Plasma rifle- Annoying for your foes , but also for you because it overheats at inopportune times
B. Plasma Pistol- Handy, but the overcharge tends to miss skilled players or anyone at a distance
C. Assault Rifle- It's a great gun if you've never heard of the shotgun
D. Needler- Possibly the best gun in the game, provided that your opponent doesn't strafe

After watching the gameplay footage of Halo 2, it looks like the dynamic of some of the weapons will change. It looks to me that the Battle Rifle functions very similarly to the Pistol of Halo. Also, the SMG is rather similar to the the AR in Halo.

I hate to say it, but I think that the human Pistol will not exist in Halo 2.

So, the new hierarchy will look something like this if you don't account yet for other new weapons being added:

1. Big 4: Sniper rifle, Battle rifle, Rocket launcher, Shotgun

2. Others: Needler, Plasma rifle, Plasma pistol, SMG

Then take into account that all of the "Big 4" will be big in more ways than one. They will also probably be two handed.

All the weaker weapons will be dual-wieldable. Just imagine the strength of Plasma rifle + the newer, stronger Needler. However you won't be able to throw grenades when dual wielding...

Multiplayer in Halo 2 will have a whole new kind of balance.

  • 04.15.2004 9:25 AM PDT
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perniciousJ, I agree with you on basically all of the points you've made. Except one, The plasma rifle is in kind of a wierd place. It might be too powerful if dual wielded, yet it wont be powerful enough to compete with the 2 handed weapons. Perhaps, it wont be the only weapon in this category, just look at tne newest multiplayer shot. Thats gotta be something new flying around.

[Edited on 4/15/2004 9:34:11 AM]

  • 04.15.2004 9:33 AM PDT
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it is all about personal preferances.

  • 04.15.2004 9:34 AM PDT
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well i gotta admit the pistol is cheaper and better than the assault rifle...so thats why the assault rifle is better in halo 2 so it will be better than the pistol.... ooooohhhhh

  • 04.15.2004 9:39 AM PDT
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To be honest, I rather like the plasma rifle when playing in battle creek. I enjoy stunning people, smacking them, and watching them spin around after getting drilled in the head for a while. The assault rifle is great if you get the jump on someone or you are behind them, but in most situations, other weapons work more effectively.

As far as personal preferences go, I am mostly stating the general concensus and what I have noticed people using most effectively. In the average game of CTF, the big 4 are the main weapons used. In slayer on Chill out, the SPNKr and the shotgun dominate, obviously the sniper rifle is one of the least used weapons in that level due to its size.

But I still believe that the pistol won't be around... perhaps that is one of my main points. I don't think dual plasma rifles would be as bad as dual pistols.

  • 04.15.2004 9:41 AM PDT
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Yeah, alot of people need to face the fact that their precious pistol is gone. Not one screen shots has shown the pistol, none, zero, zilch. Dual plasma rifles seems powerful to me becuase that is a whole lot of stunning. Plus they make dual plasma pistols obsolete.

[Edited on 4/15/2004 9:58:44 AM]

  • 04.15.2004 9:44 AM PDT

Dual plasma pistols...ehhh....Baaaaad idea. 1 hit your sheild is gone, next hit half life, next few quick shots, your dead...bad idea. I mean they should make it so you can't have the same of the same weapon, except the SMG, but thats understandable, because it doesn't do alot of damage with just one of them. But i mean people saying like Shotgun and Shotgun, or Plasma Pistol with Plasma Pistol are crazy. I totally agree with both of you.

  • 04.15.2004 9:54 AM PDT
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As seen in the latest Halo 2 screenshot, a Jackal is holding a plasma rifle in one hand. Since Jackals are smaller and weaker than MC, it is likely that he will be able to as well.

I hate to break it to you, but dual plasma pistols will most likely be possible, and far from overpowering. Giving up grenades is a large sacrifice.

[Edited on 4/19/2004 4:53:37 PM]

  • 04.19.2004 4:51 PM PDT
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A lot of people underrate the PR immensely. It is an excellent weapon if used correctly. I would take a PR over an assault rifle, a needler, and in some cases I even take it over a shottie. All you have to do is hit your target with 2-3 shots, then melee them while running and they die. Providing that you are close enough, you can almost always waste someone if you get the first shot in. The mistake alot of people make when using the PR is trying to utilize the "stun" effect by strafing around the person's view. This works on some people, but it's much faster and much more efficient if you just charge the guy and hit them. I've beaten people with shotguns, AR's, and even RL's with the PR. It's a powerful weapon, if used correctly.

  • 04.19.2004 5:13 PM PDT
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I agree with you. The plasma rifle is my fifth favorite weapon. I often pick it up instead of some of the other guns just to have some fun doing exactly what you describe. And you are right, a lot of people do underrate it, and that's why I put it in the second group.

It still looks one handed in the latest screenshot in the hand of that jackal. So overpowered or not, plasma rifles will probably be dual-wieldable.

[Edited on 4/19/2004 5:20:46 PM]

  • 04.19.2004 5:19 PM PDT
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The other thing is, if D-wielding takes away melee AND grenade, it might actually be a disadvantage. IMHO, the melee is critical (at least for me) in close combat, and two PR's without melee is gonna be less effective than one PR with melee and grenades. If there's no melee, I'm pretty sure that D-wielding is gonna be a choice, not a goal.

  • 04.19.2004 5:19 PM PDT
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All of the old weapons will be in Halo 2!

  • 04.19.2004 5:26 PM PDT