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This topic has moved here: Subject: THe Assault Rifle: Why bash it?
  • Subject: THe Assault Rifle: Why bash it?
Subject: THe Assault Rifle: Why bash it?
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All my opinion.

A lot of people consider the AR ( assault rifle ) a crappy gun for various reasons. Why? I've been playing SP on Heroic using the AR and some other weapon. I've taken down a lot of Elites and even a banshee.

To get the feel of being somewhat like a marine, I used only the AR and some other weapon. I never used the pistol as a primary weapon. I'm on the snowy level now, all done on Heroic without using the pistol as primary, only a sidearm.

  • 03.08.2008 6:55 AM PDT
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Heroic you say? Oh yeah, I remember the one campaign I played on that setting.....just giving you grief!

I am not a big fan of the AR, but having said that, there are times when I do use it.

I use it when it is in my hands at the beginning of a level, and dump it as soon as I can.

I use it to kill popcorn flood, or grunts, rather than waste ammo from another weapon.

I use it.....................pretty much no other time, unless I am playing with the express purpose of not using the Magnum during game play.

The main reason I am not a big fan of it is that it is just a spray and pray weapon. I guess it is a character flaw of mine that I like to try to make every shot count and manage my resources. With the AR that is just not really something you do. The 600 round capacity just makes it basically a bullet hose, with limited power and limited range and accuracy.

On the plus side, it has a cool look, a good sound and a decent melee. Overall, I just do not like using it as much as other weapons because it is on the weaker side.

One of these days I will play a game where I only use weapons I do not favor, like the AR and the plasma rifle. That should be fun!

  • 03.08.2008 10:41 AM PDT
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How can you not bash it for its weak stopping power and inaccuracy? Yeah, you can use it in Campaign, but you won't get too far on Legendary or in multiplayer. It is effective, but only at close range, and at that distance a shotgun is better anyways.

It can be a useful weapon and quite deadly if used in the right hands. A few shots followed by a running melee should be enough to kill a player.

  • 03.08.2008 11:38 AM PDT
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All my opinion.

It seems pretty accurate to me, unless you just spray everywhere.

& yes, I'm on Heroic.

On Halo XBC, I've seen the AR FAR more powerful then the pistol.

  • 03.08.2008 12:38 PM PDT
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Ah yes womf... managing resources... I've done that so many times on AoTCR... I used to save the rockets until the very end and even then I wouldn't use them... nowadays I sport the duke controller and just let that big behemoth rumble like mad as I frag out, spray and pray, and use all the heavy ordnance shells I can find. Of course, I play on easy, so managing resources isn't an issue... though I'm going through it on legendary with the duke, as training for the controller size and layout, and yeah, managing resources is really important. But heck, the game is for pure ownage, which is exactly why I play on easy.

  • 03.08.2008 10:00 PM PDT

Every gun in Halo 1 is the "ultimate gun" against at least something (except maybe the needler).
The problem with the AR is that it's the ultimate gun against popcorn flood, which are too easy to kill anyway. Every other enemy is killed far better by some other gun.

And you have no room for it. On legendary campaign, you absolutely need both Pistol and Plasma Pistol to kill Elites. Or if you leave another behind, you'll need a power weapon.

AR effectivity list:

Grunts: Pistol is far better.
Jackals: 0 damage.
Elites: Can kill a single Elite if you can get close, otherwise suicide.
Hunters: Too much health, and one pistol shot kills.
Sentinels: Too little damage.
Popcorn flood: Pwnage, fast melees, but you could just melee with any other gun.
Carriers: Not enough range. Use pistol.
Flood: Ineffective, use pistol.
Banshee: Can do some damage if it gets close.
Ghost & Wraith: Suicide.
Shade: Too inaccurate.

  • 03.09.2008 6:00 AM PDT

I always offer fair game and usually allow some "extermination" of my teammates. I think that anyone should be able to play Halo or any other game they please.

The AS is sweet because it is like an MG,it lays down suppressive fire while others move up.

  • 03.09.2008 12:41 PM PDT

I always offer fair game and usually allow some "extermination" of my teammates. I think that anyone should be able to play Halo or any other game they please.

Warthog:ownage

  • 03.09.2008 12:42 PM PDT
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AR = Best BLB gun.

  • 03.09.2008 2:23 PM PDT
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Corrected.

Posted by: Mutoid Log
Every gun in Halo 1 is the "ultimate gun" against at least something (except maybe the needler).
The problem with the AR is that it's the ultimate gun against popcorn flood, which are too easy to kill anyway (After you've played Halo 2). Every other enemy is killed far better by some other gun (aka rocket launcher).

And you have no room for it. On legendary campaign, you absolutely need both Pistol and Plasma Pistol to kill Elites.(That's why I'm training myself with the Duke controller on Legendary and using only the jelly and the assault rifle... pure ownage success, so many rounds to use up) Or if you leave another behind, you'll need a power weapon. (aka Frags)

AR effectivity list:

Grunts: Pistol is far better. (If you're the kind who wants the rush of killing, yes. If you don't want to waste precious pistol ammo, you wouldn't do that.)
Jackals: 0 damage. (Great way to get them to roll or show a weakness. Keeps them from shooting while you're going full auto right in their face at point blank. Pistol is good on them if you're farther away of course. If you're going stealthy about it, then use the pistol.)
Elites: Can kill a single Elite if you can get close, otherwise suicide. (More like will kill Elite if you remember not to hold the trigger down. Only suicide when your back is turned.)
Hunters: Too much health, and one pistol shot kills. (If your sensitivity is too low, turning around in time after being swung at will be hard, and thus you cause yourself aggravation. Be much better off using an accurate spray to make them hold a stance and then get behind them. )
Sentinels: Too little damage. (Indeed, a plasma rifle is the solution.)
Popcorn flood: Pwnage, fast melees, but you could just melee with any other gun. (That's an excuse, about the melee. Just looking for something to bash. Great on all the little zits isn't it? )
Carriers: Not enough range. Use pistol. (Why waste pistol ammo on something that's going to release more enemies.. shoot it with the AR since you have 600 rounds for it... only 120 for pistol. The percentage of your inventory, your bullets being used to just pop the package is 5 times the assault rifle's percentage if you use the pistol... what's smart about that?)
Flood: Ineffective, use pistol. (Pistol and shotty are good, but the rifle holds off a wave and has the pocket reload that the shotgun doesn't... pistol and assault rifle for the win here.)
Banshee: Can do some damage if it gets close. (Why use the pistol, you're wasting precious ammo on something the assault rifle can do at least as well.)
Ghost & Wraith: Suicide. (Anything but the scorpion, banshee, and rockets is suicide against these. Unless you snipe the driver of the ghost with the sniper rifle...)
Shade: Too inaccurate. (Given that they face towards you most of the time, it's going to be a bit difficult to kill the user. Thus, a grenade works much better.. take out the heavy ordnance with the explosives, back to basics buddy.)


[Edited on 03.09.2008 10:59 PM PDT]

  • 03.09.2008 10:58 PM PDT
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I have my own thoughts on this as well (this is what a forum is for after all!) Not to disagree with a person that I normally agree with (Rhudebaker), but on Legendary, all bets change dramatically..............

AR effectivity list:

Grunts: Pistol is far better. (If you're the kind who wants the rush of killing, yes. If you don't want to waste precious pistol ammo, you wouldn't do that.)

I take a certain amount of pride in taking out grunts with single pistol headshots, you get to watch them do their lil death flop and poop out a grenade through the scope! Taking them out with the AR just takes longer than I want to spend on the second most numerous enemy in the game (other than flood).

Jackals: 0 damage. (Great way to get them to roll or show a weakness. Keeps them from shooting while you're going full auto right in their face at point blank. Pistol is good on them if you're farther away of course. If you're going stealthy about it, then use the pistol.)

The bulk of the AR rounds that bounce off of their shield are needed to get them to roll and then take a few rounds in the head. If you do not headshot them with the pistol it can take 5-6 pistol shots. That is why I always go for head shots on Jackals. Either that or using a PP that I can replace from their dead paws.

Elites: Can kill a single Elite if you can get close, otherwise suicide. (More like will kill Elite if you remember not to hold the trigger down. Only suicide when your back is turned.)
Hunters: Too much health, and one pistol shot kills. (If your sensitivity is too low, turning around in time after being swung at will be hard, and thus you cause yourself aggravation. Be much better off using an accurate spray to make them hold a stance and then get behind them. )

The only time I willingly use the AR on an Elite is when I have pasted him with a PP overcharge first. The Elite shield functions as well as a jackals for bouncing those rounds off to nowhere. By the time the shield is low, you have to reload and the whole dance starts again as you have to find his hiding butt before you can finish him off, if his shield hasnt recharged by then.

Sentinels: Too little damage. (Indeed, a plasma rifle is the solution.)

Sorry, but it is Plasma all the way with sentinels.

Popcorn flood: Pwnage, fast melees, but you could just melee with any other gun. (That's an excuse, about the melee. Just looking for something to bash. Great on all the little zits isn't it? )

If there is an AR laying around, I will use it on these, otherwise forget it. I usually just melee them, one swing takes care of multiple with the cascading effect, why waste ammo (unless I am backpedaling like mad while trying not to die cause my shield is toast)

Carriers: Not enough range. Use pistol. (Why waste pistol ammo on something that's going to release more enemies.. shoot it with the AR since you have 600 rounds for it... only 120 for pistol. The percentage of your inventory, your bullets being used to just pop the package is 5 times the assault rifle's percentage if you use the pistol... what's smart about that?)

It takes 2 well placed pistol shots to take out a carrier. It is a good investment IF you take it out when it is near enough to other enemies to have good collaterral damage, then it is more than worth the two pistol rounds!

Flood: Ineffective, use pistol. (Pistol and shotty are good, but the rifle holds off a wave and has the pocket reload that the shotgun doesn't... pistol and assault rifle for the win here.)

This is the second time I will willingly use the AR IF I am low on shotty or pistol ammo, then the AR can come in handy.

Banshee: Can do some damage if it gets close. (Why use the pistol, you're wasting precious ammo on something the assault rifle can do at least as well.)

I do remember the swelling pride I had the one time I managed to bring down a banshee with an AR. It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then I died when it crashed on me and squished me like a bug! That was some short lived chest thumping let me tell ya!

Ghost & Wraith: Suicide. (Anything but the scorpion, banshee, and rockets is suicide against these. Unless you snipe the driver of the ghost with the sniper rifle...)

I find that it is pretty easy to take out wraiths and ghosts from a distance using either a PP or the Mag. You have to select your spots and have good cover, but both of these weapons will take them out and more often than not, you do not have a scratch on you! Please keep in mind that most of the time I play without using any vehicles for combat, only to ferry my lazy butt to and from weapons caches.

Shade: Too inaccurate. (Given that they face towards you most of the time, it's going to be a bit difficult to kill the user. Thus, a grenade works much better.. take out the heavy ordnance with the explosives, back to basics buddy.)

The bulk of the turret is a great deterrent to the AR rounds. It is like going after a hunter, pretty much a waste of time with a AR.

Thats all folks!

  • 03.10.2008 10:34 AM PDT
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Posted by: No1 But Some1
AR = Best BLB gun.
That's what I use it for. :)

  • 03.10.2008 11:50 AM PDT
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I personally love the AR. If you can pulse the trigger (pulling it till it fires, releasing and repeating) rapidly and correctly, it will fire almost like full auto, but it will be very accurate, as every bullet fired is essentially a first shot.

  • 03.11.2008 2:49 PM PDT

i use, and love, the AR only because i am skilled with it and i personally dont mind using the little extra ammo that it takes to take down grunts, jackels, elites, hunters, flood (all forms) sentinels, and anyother vehical (except the wraith and human tank). but thats just my opinion..

  • 03.11.2008 6:46 PM PDT
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I usually play Coop, so filter my comments accordingly. I like AR as an occasional backup gun (I'm that rare person who's a huge Needler fan-- I don't understand why people dislike that gun so much), but my campaign partner prefers the AR as his primary weapon, and seems to do well enough with it that I'm not having to kill his mobs for him. (We're currently doing our first pass on Legendary (only started playing Halo two months ago, gosh we're nooby), currently at Library level; we've cleared the game on both Normal and Heroic before this.) I'll take the AR as my secondary until I find a shotgun, then it's shotgun/needler the rest of the way; but AR has the advantage of being so numerous with spare ammo that it doesn't matter that you waste bullets like mad with the thing. And hey, sometimes you're just in that spray n' pray kind of mood. :)

  • 03.18.2008 3:33 AM PDT
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I never like it's inaccuracy... Other than that is was pretty cool.

  • 03.18.2008 3:41 AM PDT

I've been using the AR a lot lately. I just love the feel of all the weapons in this game, how they feel like actual weapons because of the recoil. Unlike the tiny little pellet guns in Halos 2 & 3, which have no recoil whatsoever.

  • 03.18.2008 7:46 AM PDT
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i wished the AR of h1 was used in h3.. the one in h3 has absolutely no recoil and is strong as hell..

  • 03.18.2008 8:04 AM PDT
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Posted by: chickenlittle
I've been using the AR a lot lately. I just love the feel of all the weapons in this game, how they feel like actual weapons because of the recoil. Unlike the tiny little pellet guns in Halos 2 & 3, which have no recoil whatsoever.

Try telling that to the idiots in the halo 3 forum that think the guns have too much recoil.

  • 03.22.2008 10:49 PM PDT
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This is Halo, what recoil could we possibly be talking about? This isn't a tactical combat simulator that takes realistic physics into account here.

  • 03.23.2008 6:02 AM PDT

I would kill to have something as powerful as the CE, with the 60-round clip. I'm guessing the recoil is the muzzle flash when shot, and the growing inaccuracy after a few seconds of the full-auto, guns blazing feeling.

  • 03.23.2008 7:34 AM PDT

Recoil just makes it less accurate. I know that the game isn't based on reality, at all, but I would still like to feel like I'm firing a weapon that can tear through enemies like a chain fired out of a cannon(source: Mythbusters). And yes, a lot of people in the Halo 3 forum are idiots.

  • 03.23.2008 1:34 PM PDT
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Posted by: chickenlittle
Recoil just makes it less accurate.
No. Freaking. Way? Not to mention the bullets are weak as Hell.

  • 03.23.2008 5:23 PM PDT
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Think of it as a slow-motion shotgun with regards to combat Flood.
A little backing away space, and it works pretty well.


  • 03.25.2008 3:36 PM PDT