Halo 1 & 2 for PC
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Subject: All or Nothing - Making Head-Shots Work
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I figured I'd start a thread with some substance. It seems the best threads are guides, so bear with me as I try to this out.

Who has started blasting away at somebody only to have them turn around, squeeze off a few shots and nail you right after you've emptied your entire clip into them? Chances are that you fell victim to a 3-head-shot kill, a skill possessed by some of the more l337 (that's slang for proficient) Halo players. Now, naturally you'd think that since the mouse and keyboard are much easier to use than a gamepad that this skill wouldn't be so hard to come by. Indeed, you could spend hours honing your head-shot skills on campaign and not make much headway. There are a couple of reasons for this:

#1 - lag, latency, slowdown, etc.
#2 - lack of skill development

Now, I have a theory on how to improve your head-shot skills. Always aim for your opponent's head. Never aim for the body. The head is a small target relative to the body, and we naturally want to shoot the biggest target we can, but this only serves to weaken our skills. You need to pretend that the body isn't even there - just imagine your opponent is a floating head (a little spooky, but kinda cool if you really think about it). If you do this enough - you'll get better and better at it until - you're the guy wasting people after they pump you full of lead.

I recommend starting off practicing using the pistol in some matches that don't use heavy weapons and only have a couple (if any) sniper rifles. This may take awhile, but practice makes perfect. I like playing CTF, personally, so I also try to find games with very few (if any) vehicles when I want to practice. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to practice with a friend on an empty server. You should get to the point where you don't need to zoom, since getting hit immediately zooms you out and can disorient you. After you've become good with the pistol, I'd recommend practicing with the sniper rifle in the same way - maybe try finding some sniper matches (Slayer with no shields and the sniper rifle as your starting weapon).

Remember whenever you're practicing or playing - NEVER stop moving. If you stop moving in a shootout or just to aim at someone - you're asking to get killed. Always practice shooting on the run. I should say that you will find the guide on strafing in this forum very helpful. This guide is to improve your attack - your shots, while strafing helps your defense by keeping you from getting shot.

You should apply your new-found head-shot skills to most all weapons - including the shotgun, plasma rifle, plasma pistol (if you must), the needler (again if you must), but not the rocket launcher or Fuel rod gun. These last two are heavy weapons that are used against mostly vehicles and in short range combat. In short range combat, they should be aimed more at your enemy's feet so they don't go sailing past your opponent.

Finally, you should make a concious effort when you play to feel for the lag or latency. You should press F1 immediately when you join and occasionally throughout the game to get an idea of how laggy the server is. If the server has anything more than a modest lag, you'll probably have to lead your shots - this especially applies if you're trying for a head-shot. Since the head is a very small target, you should have a very good feel for how the latency affects your shot. This becomes easier as you get more and more familiar with the server or servers you play on. If you server-hop a lot, you'll have a much tougher time making the adjustment.

When firing at an opponent with lag factored in, you should also pay attention to the angle they are running at relative to your movement. Firing at an opponent moving directly across your field of vision will require a greater lead than those who approach you head on or at angle. Also, keep in mind that with the pistol and sniper rifles, a greater distance doesn't require a greater lead. However with covenant weapons and the rocket launcher the opposite is true.

I realize that you will probably get pwned (slang for slaughtered) when you start this. that's why the thread is titled 'All or Nothing'. But, if you do this consistetly, you will become a better shot and a better player. It will take some dedication, but in the end, it will be worth it.

I hope that this guide has been coherent enough to be helpful and I'd like to thank all the other forum regulars who have posted guides in the past for inspiring me to write this guides - I hope I did the forum justice with this one. Let me know what you guys think and feel free to add anythign I might have overlooked.

  • 04.09.2005 8:20 PM PDT
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Do T&R in Legendary to get sniper practice.

The computer AI isnt half as good as the regular human opponent you find online, but at least it helps sharpen your skills.

  • 04.09.2005 8:33 PM PDT
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Nothing against your method becuase it may work for you. But I tend to hit work my way up the body to ensure the first two shots are landed. Hit around the belly then the chest then the head. Its not a TSK unless you only shoot 3 shots. And it doesnt matter where the first to shots hit. As long as they actually hit. But if your method works for you, then more power to you.

  • 04.09.2005 8:35 PM PDT
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Sometimes I shoot and see the shot hit the other person but their shields don't flare and the don't get hurt. Sometimes I shoot and see the bullet hit the wall/ground but their shields flare and they get hurt. In other words, lag sucks.

  • 04.09.2005 8:46 PM PDT
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Have you ever tried to shoot people out of moving vehicles? Its incredibly hard but I have done it once.

  • 04.09.2005 8:49 PM PDT
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I regulaly shoot people out of ghosts, banshees, tanks, and warthogs - I even took out a driver and gunner with a plasma pistol once.

The madness to my method, although ensuring the first 2 shots hit is a nice touch, but my main point was to improve head-shot accuracy, which will not only improve regular play, but also improve sniper play if you continue on. With my method, you force yourself to get better, and sometimes, for a lot of people, that's what it takes.

[Edited on 4/10/2005]

  • 04.09.2005 9:04 PM PDT
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9getting a kill from someone in a moving vehicle with something like the sniper rifle is probably considered by most to be the ultimate in aiming mastery.

As for what you said about practicing with the sniper rifle in no sheild sniper only matches I personally would have to suggest against it. Since a sniper rifle requires only one shot in the body after sheilds are down (does not include limbs which will take out about 4 bars) is a one shot kill I suggest finding sniper servers that INCLUDE sheilds mainly because the average match that requires a support role from a sniper has sheilds. plus with sheilds you will learn to better aim for the head as the body requires two shots with the rifle. I

As a personal preference I tend to be a sniper "hog" (to keep from using w**** as many players refer to people like me as, but to the people who have just recently bought the game and want to become better) and take a sniper rifle and pistol combo into combat with me (and plasma nades when applicable), using the sniper rifle first then switching to the pistol if the four sniper shots are expended without killing your opponent, using one clip from your pistol then trying for a plasma stick if you still can't get them down. IF they STILL aren't dead you probably will soon be if not already unless you are good enough, or they are bad enough in which case just reaload the pistol and keep trying.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the default height for your targeting reticle on the sniper rifle and pistol is usually at the shest provided you are both on level ground so it helps to aim high.

Once you master this combo tho nothing is more satisfying than taking down someone pumping fuel rod rounds at you with a single head shot from your trusty sniper rifle.

If you can't find a sniiper sheild match I suggest going to www.halostats.com (someone can lazy link that if they like) and downloading the halo launcher and finding sniper servers via that route.

And one more thing to keep in mind more as an ettiquette thing, NEVER try to kill a teamate who got to the weapon (sniper rifle, rocket launcher, etc) or vehicle (banshee and scorpion usually) just because they got to it before you did... tough luck. it's JUST a game... in killing your teamates for weapons and vehicles you usully make your self the "greefer" (person who doesn't care if other ppl are not having a good time playing and USUAALY TRY to make other players games unenjoyable) of the server and will be dispised until you leave the server usually.

I've said my peice and if you read it all then thank you

  • 04.09.2005 9:20 PM PDT
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nice guide, but this topic was already covered, by my guide. Sure, my guide doesn't have much shooting techniques, maybe thats wats u shiuld have ur guide be about. It would be nice if u explained how to make head shots. (ex. aim above the head and such.) Also, how to time ur shots. my guide already covered weapons, strafes,a nd etc. Just talk about shooting in this one.

[Edited on 4/9/2005]

  • 04.09.2005 9:52 PM PDT
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way to kill a good thread ioniz

  • 04.09.2005 10:41 PM PDT
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i'm saying that he shouldn't try to steal my thread.

  • 04.10.2005 7:01 AM PDT
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okay, ioniz.... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10....... whew..... Lemme find a way to do this without making you feel attacked....

I didn't steal your thread - in fact I referenced it and gave it props - you should thank me for being responsible. Your thread didn't talk about aiming and getting better at shooting. Bullets don't fall in Halo PC, either - aiming high does nothing in the game's engine - you are totally and unequivocably wrong on that one.

This guide covers HEAD SHOTS - from different types of weapons, it doesn't talk about the weapons like yours did. Making head shots doesn't take a rocket - scientist - it just takes practice and a good fell for the game.

I don't need to cover shooting techniques, because my guide is ONLY about making head-shots, not combos, and tips and tricks - this is a specialized guide. I didn't cover strafe - I told ppl your guide covered that - I didn't steal your thread.

To accuse a person of plagiarism is a serious thing ioniz - you don't know that because your voice hasn't cracked yet and I don't suppose I can hold that against you, but I am royally pissed off at you. I tried to make a good guide and instead of offering constrructive criticism, you out right say that its a rip-off - those are fighting words my friend, and in the future you should refrain fromusing them so haphazardly.

and, btw ioniz - you don't see me whining for ppl to give my guide props, and you don't see me bumping my own guide.

This was covered in your guide - quote me everything in my guide exactly where it is in yours. You can't because its not there.
Quell your ego, son.

EDIT: I won't go back and edit the post because I'm not retracting anything I said. I said that gravity has no effect on the trajectory of bullets, but I have found that aiming a little highfor head shots is necessary. I could be wrong, but this sounds more like a hit-box phenomenon rather than a physics engine one. Now I've pesonally never had to aim high, but try it out - it might work better for you that way.

[Edited on 4/10/2005]

  • 04.10.2005 10:09 AM PDT
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I apologize in advance for the double-post.

Thanks for reply shy guy - snipers w/o shield probably is a better practice game - and thanks for the link - it is very tough to find a sniper match with sheilds still on.

  • 04.10.2005 11:27 AM PDT
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and remember everybody, with the pistol, aim at the tip of the head, the bullets drop a little bit.

  • 04.10.2005 11:50 AM PDT
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well, sry to offend u but i had sveral of my threads in the past stolen.

  • 04.10.2005 12:09 PM PDT
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"sorry... but" isn't much of an apology, but I do appreciate the effort ioniz.

I apologize if I was harsh as well. In the future, understand that accusing someone of ripping you off is a very serious charge, and, in this instance, it was was a false one as well.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

I do have one simple request, though. If you still believe I 'stole' your thread, that's fine - free speech says you're entitled to that I won't begrudge you that; but, if you no longer think I 'stole' your thread, any editing of the posts where you accused me of such would be greatly appreciated...

[Edited on 4/10/2005]

  • 04.10.2005 12:42 PM PDT
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Ok, break it up people...

Alright i'm done now.

Anyway, Nice guide Inspire.

Shy, I for one discourage use of plasmas, as frags explode faster, and if you have a $#!^ video card like mine, they're practically invisible.

On the part of plagarism, Ioniz, you're reminding me of a specific english teacher I have right now, who accuses anything that sounds halfway decent of plagarism. Still, I don't blame you for defending yourself.

Anyway, Hope I haven't sounded like a dumbass (like usual)
Yout3

  • 04.10.2005 1:19 PM PDT
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well, sry about taht then. anyways, i liked the part of pretending that theres a floating head. however, i do not reommend practicing on no shield games. Many peeps here have awful pcs so they can't turn decals on to see if they hit the enemy or not in the game.

Also, i suggest that u explain how to aim for the head, but the rest is great! I liked the practice part alot. m,aybe u should change this threads name to how to practice.

  • 04.10.2005 1:45 PM PDT
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your welcome inspire! i really liked your guide (not that i didn't already know any of it but there is always new players on Halo) and I'm glad you read my post with an open mind unlike a lot of people on these forums... hope to find you in a match sometime, would like to see how we compare hehe

EDIT:

Sry didn't read entire thread before posting. To Yout3 well it's understandible if yyou don't suggest practicing with plasma's if you can't really see them. I too once had a crummy integrated vid card. I still believe in practicing with the plasma's tho, yes they take longer to blow up but...
1. if you can become quite succesful at sticking ppl it's an instant death for them provided they don't have oversheild
2. you can't really dodge a plasma nade after you've been stuck unlike frags which you can jump away from and survive usually
3. it's so much more satisfying to kill someone with a plasma nade... it's like the equivilant pwnage level of killing someone with a flag/oddball/ or a needler (god it sucks to get taken down by a needler)

but now that i think about this has nothing to do with headshots and is the wrong thread lol... I gotta go out for a frat meeting but later I will post in this hread again with more tips on getting headhots

[Edited on 4/10/2005]

  • 04.10.2005 5:47 PM PDT
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH i was just making a REALLY REALLLY long post on evaluating pl;ayer's tactics and it just accidently close the window!!!!!!!!! ERRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! I'm really mad!!!!!!!! i had at least 1000 words already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

god, u have no idea how pissed off i am now, i feel like smashing something...oh well maybe i'll make waht i wrote a thread later on, though it'll never be as good *tear*

[Edited on 4/10/2005]

  • 04.10.2005 6:44 PM PDT
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happened to me too, when i was trying to minimize my thread.

  • 04.10.2005 7:18 PM PDT
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Behold, the superiority of windows... (sarcastic)

  • 04.10.2005 7:22 PM PDT
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behold my grudge against windows.

  • 04.10.2005 7:31 PM PDT
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Ah, I could lay down some advice on sniping and accuracy shots, but I won't bore you with my old yarns. I can tell you this about that vehicle shooting though, considering you don't resort immediately to the heavy weapons. The shotgun is magic against vehicle-wielders. If you can dodge, and unload an entire set of shotgun rounds into your enemy while they drive, that warthog will find itself without a driver in no time. Same for banshees. I recommend sniping tank cockpits from a distance though; they'll blow your ass away.

  • 04.10.2005 7:36 PM PDT
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nice siggy joe - lol, thatnks for all the input guys - ioniz, you are right, I should go more in depth on how to aim for the head - but I don't have the time to do that right now - feel free to beat me to it, though... :)

  • 04.10.2005 8:16 PM PDT
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i know, but ur guide tells how to practice well.

  • 04.11.2005 12:52 PM PDT

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