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Posted by: Hitzel
I'm not at all satisfied with the BR update.
The BR is still inconsistent and frustrating to use. Knowing why doesn't stop it from being inconsistent and frustrating to use. In fact, knowing it's random by design makes it worse because now I can blame nothing but the game when I get unfairly out-BR'd.
Also, what happened to this:
Posted by John Howard, Halo 1 lead designer:
[22:08] [JohnHoward:] The Halo 1 pistol wasn't a mistake...
[22:08] [JohnHoward:] It was also intended to be the ultimate hold out weapon...
[22:09] [JohnHoward:] I always believe that balance is about giving each weapon / ability / whatever it's own perfect situation.(Taken from Shadowrun Launch Party IRC Chat)
Why can't the starting weapon be used as an all-around tool at all ranges, while all other weapons do their specific jobs better compared to that one base weapon? This inherently balances the game and gives each and every weapon a unique and distinct purpose.
Even if H3 has too many weapons to the point where some weapons are clones of each other (it's like that anyway, so it wouldn't create a new problem), it still creates an environment where you spawn with something that feels powerful, reliable and fun to use without taking away from the effectiveness of all the other weapons. You can still appeal to the casual base that way without frustrating the fans and veteran players.
In my strong, yet modest and thought out opinion, Halo 3's weapon sandbox design is flawed.
Wow, I really cannot agree more with you and JohnHoward. Spot on. The idea that a reliable BR will somehow spoil the balance is ludicrous. There *is* no balance right now since the game is so lopsided towards close quarters combat.
Close Quarters
Assault Rifle
Melee
SMG
Plasma Rifle
Plasma Pistol
Sword
Shotgun
Mauler
Brute Spiker
Hammer
Pistol
Rocket Lawn Chair lololololololol
Mid Range
BR
Carbine (on few maps)
Long Range
Sniper Rifle
Spartan Laser (on few maps)
Beam Rifle (on few maps)
Since there are no hitscan weapons, is it possible that this "balance" decision was made because the networking code couldn't handle anything beyond CQC? I wonder. Perhaps BTB wouldn't be a complete lagfest if the BR was converted to a hitscan weapon again.
[Edited on 06.21.2008 8:47 AM PDT]