Halo 3: ODST Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: ODST limitations don't make much sense.
  • Subject: ODST limitations don't make much sense.
Subject: ODST limitations don't make much sense.
  • gamertag: Sifer3
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So if I understand this right ODST's are different in that they don't have recharging shields, they cant jump as high,run slower, an take fall damage. That makes sense to me. But then I also saw that they cant dual wield or use equipment.

Why? They don't have two arms? Too dumb to hit the button on a bubble shield an drop it? What's especially weird is that they apparently can use heavy weapons like the Minigun. I mean they cant dual wield but they can lift a heavy ass turret an fire it without being knocked down by the recoil? Seems like they got this backwards.

I also wonder if ODST's will be playable for multiplayer and if you can use Spartans in firefight.

  • 06.05.2009 11:00 AM PDT
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They aren't strong enough. They don't have the special augments that Spartans do.

  • 06.05.2009 11:01 AM PDT

Two makes there more than speakers.

They wanted you to have more of a challenge.

-Sifer3 ... Siffera13? Coincidence

  • 06.05.2009 11:03 AM PDT

Challenge me to a Hawaiian Punch chugging contest. I dare you.


Posted by: mubox47
$.50 in store credit.

You can use the ODST helmet in multiplayer.

They are not trained to use equipment. They dont know how to operate it.

The SMGs are not as small as they seem. Sure, a spartan can hold it in one hand, but an ODST needs two, especially with the suppressor. The pistols have scopes now. You cant look through two scopes at once.

  • 06.05.2009 11:06 AM PDT
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You try duel wielding an SMG then, they only look so small in Halo because your a huge ass Spartan.

  • 06.05.2009 11:06 AM PDT

War, War never changes.

Got my Recon from the Vidmaster achievments, like most.
Reach IS awesome, don't deny it

Yeah i dont understand the equipment thing either but i can understand the dual weild thing.

  • 06.05.2009 11:08 AM PDT

Remember Reach!

It was a decision made in order to make the game more tactical. ODST's more than likely wouldn't duel-wield because it would seem unnatural. They want to have that silenced SMG or the single pistol held with two hands to make sure they are aiming perfectly. Having two pistols would only be "cinematic" or like a Cowboy, ODST's are more apt to follow training where-as Master Chief adapted quickly to situations.

Oh, and the answer of "Because Bungie said so" also works.

  • 06.05.2009 11:09 AM PDT
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Posted by: The EAKLE
You can use the ODST helmet in multiplayer.

No, you get to use a helmet modeled after the ODST's specifically made for Spartans. It is a Spartan helmet, the real ODST's do not have Spartan helmets.

  • 06.05.2009 11:09 AM PDT

Where would they keep the equipment when they pick it up? Have you seen the size of a power drainer?

  • 06.05.2009 11:10 AM PDT
  • gamertag: Bobvob
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Dual Wielding is more of a matter of aim than being able to simply hold one gun in each hand.


As for equipment, I figure they just needed the X button for something else.

  • 06.05.2009 11:10 AM PDT

Challenge me to a Hawaiian Punch chugging contest. I dare you.


Posted by: mubox47
$.50 in store credit.

Posted by: Mizzou
Posted by: The EAKLE
You can use the ODST helmet in multiplayer.

No, you get to use a helmet modeled after the ODST's specifically made for Spartans. It is a Spartan helmet, the real ODST's do not have Spartan helmets.
But its all looks anyway! Why does it matter if they look identical?

  • 06.05.2009 11:11 AM PDT

Posted by: Mizzou
Posted by: The EAKLE
You can use the ODST helmet in multiplayer.

No, you get to use a helmet modeled after the ODST's specifically made for Spartans. It is a Spartan helmet, the real ODST's do not have Spartan helmets.

Dare does

  • 06.05.2009 11:12 AM PDT

Formally Rogue Spartan

An ODST's HUD can't smart link two weapons at once. So if the rookie picked up two SMG's one wouldn't synchronise with his HUD and display the ammo level and reticule etc. Also the weight of constantly holding two weapons would not be sustainable

[Edited on 06.05.2009 11:16 AM PDT]

  • 06.05.2009 11:12 AM PDT
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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.

It does seem strange that they can handle a Rocket Launcher and Spartan Laser with no problem, but they can't hold two pistols at the same time.

I understand that they don't use equipment because they have the VISR (even that seems a little odd, but the VISR is so damn cool I don't really care) but I really don't see why they would take out dual wielding. Even if it was only available on some weapons (Plasma Pistol/Magnum, etc.) that would make more sense.

  • 06.05.2009 11:14 AM PDT

Its probably balancing issues. Obviously the SMG and pistol will be too powerful to dual wield, seeing as they both pretty much replace the BR and AR. The reason Halo 3 had dual wielding was to diversify and strengthen the weaker weapons.

In ODST, with the enhanced SMG and pistol, I think Spiker and PR will be a little more effective, seeing as the enemy won't be trying to 4-shot you. The reason you can wield a turret is, again, balancing issues. Although it doesn't really make sense.

Also, a Regenerator wouldn't work because it heals shields, not body armor or bullet wounds and it would make the Health Booths pointless. A Bubble Shield also would be pointless since in halo 3, it was used mainly to refresh your shields and you can't really do that in ODST.

And no, I don't think you can use ODSTs in MM or Spartans in Firefight.

  • 06.05.2009 11:19 AM PDT

they dont put in duel wielding because you could potentially dual wield two scoped pistols. this creates a serious advantage for you, so Bungie took it out.

  • 06.05.2009 11:23 AM PDT

It does seem stupid, they can't duel wield pistols...but they can rip Miniguns of thier tripods...

  • 06.05.2009 11:25 AM PDT

Formally Rogue Spartan

Posted by: Spartan B004
An ODST's HUD can't smart link two weapons at once. So if the rookie picked up two SMG's one wouldn't synchronise with his HUD and display the ammo level and reticule etc. Also the weight of constantly holding two weapons would not be sustainable


"The MJOLNIR Mark VI armour features an upgraded HUD system tied directly to armour sensors and integrated fully with the neural interface.The MJOLNIR mark VI armour can monitor the status of two weapons simultaneously. A left-wielded weapon and ammo display on the left of the HUD."

Quote from the halo 2 game manual page 8

  • 06.05.2009 11:26 AM PDT

Never Give Up Without A Fight

The Hushed Casket

Its like this.

We're normal people.represents ODSTs

Shaq represents a spartan, tall, huge, and has skills (use of equipment) that we don't have

and all the other stuff people have mentioned

  • 06.05.2009 11:29 AM PDT

1.Arkham Asylum, 2.Mass Effect, 3.Halo CE, 4.Mass Effect 2, 5.Halo 2, 6.Splinter Cell Double Agent, 7.Gears of War 2, 8.Medievil, 9.Oblivion, 10.Crash Team Racing

Something about the stealth approach tells me ODSTs rather hold 1 weapon with 2 hands. Normal elite soldiers don't dual wield.
Turret is sort of last resort at times.
Equipment... maybe ODSTs don't have room or they don't fit their behavior. Only Flashes are something that could really fit. I'd like to see them but meh.

Also if this all means better balancing and more realism in terms of damage (75% effiency of H3) a la HaloCE I'm all for it.

  • 06.05.2009 11:32 AM PDT
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Don't you get it, OP? The game is set up a lot like Halo 1. Health packs, no dual wielding, etc etc. :x I'm sure they had this in mind.

  • 06.05.2009 11:33 AM PDT

Posted by: Sifer3
Too dumb to hit the button on a bubble shield an drop it?


There are only so many buttons on the controler and, as a player, I'd rather have a sweet new VISR than a dusty old Bubble shield for this new game.

  • 06.05.2009 11:36 AM PDT
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Posted by: Block Boy
Posted by: Mizzou
Posted by: The EAKLE
You can use the ODST helmet in multiplayer.

No, you get to use a helmet modeled after the ODST's specifically made for Spartans. It is a Spartan helmet, the real ODST's do not have Spartan helmets.

Dare does


Dare isn't an ODST, She's an ONI officer.

  • 06.05.2009 11:37 AM PDT