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  • Subject: A Community Guide to Survival in Firefight - Added Engineers to Pt One
Subject: A Community Guide to Survival in Firefight - Added Engineers to Pt One

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|| Average Joe ||

Welcome to the Community Guide to Firefight - here to help you!

Part One: Enemies

Take shots carefully, and don't just spray and pray. You'll end up with a few kills, and no ammo to finish the set. Use careful techniques to kill harder foes.

Grunts - Can be killed with a few Plasma Pistol shots. As they carry these weapons, ammo is no object. Save as much AutoMag ammo as possible.

Jackals - Use the AutoMag for these Covenant marksmen. One headshot will be enough, so don't use any more ammo than needed.

Gauntlet Jackals - There are two solid techniques here. The first is a charged Plasma bolt to their shields, followed by an AutoMag shot to their heads while they're stunned. The second is to use two AutoMag bullets. Shoot them once in the handle of the shield, and they will fall backwards in a recoil. Take a headshot once they're an open target.

Drones - Bursts are key. A single Drone will take around six SMG rounds to fell, so bursts are a requirement. Otherwise, recoil and spread of fire will suck up your ammo like a sponge.

Brutes - Using a combination of the SMG or a Plasma weapon to remove their shields, followed by a single Magnum shot, will make those big guys fall over onto their faces.

Hunters - The toughest of the lot, if you ask me. Use heavy weapons such as mounted turrets or Rockets. Once a bit of their armour falls off, get shots off into their flesh. They'll fall in no time.

Wraiths - When confronted with Wraith tanks, stay back on the higher difficulties, shoot them with Rockets or Fuel Rods if you have them and if you have a clear shot. I have seen many people die by Wraith Turret/Mortar fire because they try to run up on the Wraith and board it. The primary target is the turretsman. Kill them, and you will be able to take out the Wraith effortlessly when you get close enough.

Ghosts - These speedy vehicles are a pain, especially in groups. On higher difficulties, they will tear you apart. Use the AutoMag to headshot Grunts, but if you get a Brute driving one, be ready for different tactics. The Plasma Pistol will provide a perfect immobiliser, but only when they get close enough. Stay in cover, and try to focus on the driver, not the armoured front.

Choppers - These attack vehicles are deathly hard, even as a Spartan. Your best bet is to immobilise the vehicle, then kill the occupant. Remember, never shoot the front. They are very heavily armoured. Wait for them to turn around, and then blast the driver with some burst weapons. Then, a simple headshot will kill the driver. If possible, don't destroy these vehicles. They will come in very handy if you can actually use them (unconfirmed as of yet).

Engineers - These poor creatures are now Covenant bombs, and moving shield generators. Take them out ASAP, or you'll find your enemies have more shielding than before. Kill them over a group of Covenant, and they will fall onto them, creating a nice explosion, and helping calm the Covenant assault. From gameplay videos around the net, it appears that they have a lack of a headshot-spot, so you'll likely have to spray and pray. Drain their shields with Plasma, and finish them.

Chieftains - By the time you get to these bad boys, you'll need to use whatever you have left. Your ammo reserves ill be very low, so take it carefully. Fire off a few bursts from the SMG or any weapon that has lots of ammo, and the Chieftains will, or should, turn on their invincibility generators. Then, all you can do is run. Once they're out, use any quick-fire weapon to fell their armour, followed by a Magnum round to the face.

Remember: Trying to directly stick a Chieftain WILL NOT WORK until you shear their armor off. (-blam!- cheating brutes).

Firebombs are the only *sticky* grenade that will work on them at all times. Just try and wait until the chieftain uses up his invulnerability to get the most damage out of your firebombs.

Part Two: Weapon Selection

Save all heavy weapons as long as possible. Never, repeat, never use things like Rockets or a Sniper on anything less than a Brute. It's a waste if you do so. Make sure your squad mates do the same. Remember, saving Rockets for Chieftains is a good idea, because once they're all down, you get more ammo.

Part Three: Map Knowledge

Never go straight into Heroic or Legendary without playing on Normal or Easy to get used to the map. Figure out your best vantage points, and also the worst locations. Know where enemies will come from, and you'll never be caught out.

Part Four: Teamwork

Stick together, but don't focus on the same targets. Tell your teammates what you're shooting at, so they know not to waste their ammo on it. The last thing you want is to waste your last five rounds of the AutoMag on a Jackal your friend was just about to cap in one. On top of this, know your strengths! If one player is a good sniper, let them have the sniper. If one is good with Carbines, leave them to get them. Also, take turns with weapons. The last thing you want is your teammates moaning about never using the sniper.

Another method is known as "the Combo". This specific tactic requires a partner, someone who knows how you play and move, and vice versa.

Player 1: Plasma Pistol secondary, Plasma Rifle/Brute Shot primary
Player 2: Automag primary, Carbine secondary

Player 1's job is to down shields and expose targets to headshots. Player 2's entire job is to headshot. That's it. Do that, and Player 1 will be fine. This combo cuts through enemies very very quickly.

Part Five: Know your kit!

Spike Grenades - They can clear entire corridors if placed correctly. Aim for vertical faces, at about hip level. If you are being chased in a narrow area, throw a Spike grenade against the wall, and the blast will hopefully time correctly to block the enemy's path, or kill them. Additionally, sticking a wall at the end of a corridor while being chased works a charm. The chaser will see you vanish around a corner, then be blasted by spikes.

If you stick a Hunter in the chest, the spikes will ricochet off of the blast shield and do an amazing amount of extra damage. If you place it right, you can kill the Hunter with just the single spike grenade.

Also, they do a tremendous amount of damage to vehicles. Much more than a plasma grenade.

Frags - The standard explosive, it should be best used if combating groups of weaker Covenant (like Grunts and Jackals) or weakening shields (Brutes). They don't do much on their own, one would see them used to complement more precise weapons such as the Auto-Mag.

Plasma Grenades - Grunts' best friends, a Hunter's worst enemy, expect an endless amount of these things on the floor or in your direction. It can be used to take out groups of Grunts, of course, but people just can't resist the urge to attempt to stick somebody. Many times I have seen people waste plasma grenades lobbing them at Brutes to no avail. If it's simply a lone Brute aim your grenade near his feet to have a better chance of inflicting damage. These are also very effective against smaller vehicles.

Firebomb Grenade - This one should be fun, as we haven't really seen the full potential of this grenade in Halo 3 against large amounts of Covenant. This explosive is deadly, use it to dispatch of Chieftains, set fire to Hunters and Grunts, a perfect weapon. Only obtainable by killing Brute Stalkers, and remember, you don't have a motion tracker.

Plasma Rifles - These have massive ammunition reserves in their battery, and can overwhelm multiple targets with their rate of fire. Best used against teams of Gauntlet Jackals and Brutes, of any type. They are also extremely effective at removing shields.

Brute Shot - The area of effect makes this weapon ideal against any of the weaker targets. This weapon can scythe through grunts, jackals, and drones with ease. Drones fall easily to this weapon when they fly in packs, as one brute grenade will down the target and any within ~3 m of it.

Beam Rifle - Pretend you have unlimited ammunition with this weapon. Since you get a limited number of shots, and you cannot reload it, holding onto this one "just in case" severely impacts your ability to help your teammates. Remember: Beam rifle blasts pierce enemies.

Carbine - Use exactly as the automag. More shots per clip, more ammunition in reserve.

Needler - Tricky. Doesn't have much ammunition, and is a lucky weapon. Use against tougher targets, brute and above.

Remember! There is no equipment you can use in ODST!


Part Six: Strategies and Tactics

Flanking does not seem to be a good option in Firefight, as the Covenant will overwhelm you. Close to this, however, is to send a single player off to the side of where the battle is taking place. Despite being at an obvious numerical disadvantage, the amount of firepower each ODST is given should be enough to tighten the Covenant group during early waves. Flanking maneuvers are perfect for taking on Hunters. Just be sure to take out already existing weaker Covenant before you attempt this.

Noob Combos. Classic PP and headshot, these duties should be divided up to two players during waves where many Brutes are present or even Jackals, if you have enough ammo to spare or the situation demands it. Teamwork is everything, and in this case dividing up will effectively help you in survival.Remember as much of this as possible, and you should rack up the points like no-one's business!

[Edited on 08.28.2009 4:41 AM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 7:52 PM PDT

Here’s what Luke had to say about the differences in treatment between the Spartans and Elites in Reach:

“Instead of piece-by-piece customization like the Spartans, Elite customization is a full model swap with models selected from the various Elite classes appearing throughout the Campaign. There are all kinds of reasons for this, not the least of which is our continued emphasis on the Spartan as your identity in Reach.”

Plasma Rifles have massive ammunition reserves in their battery, and can overwhelm multiple targets with thier rate of fire. Best used against teams of Gauntlet Jackals and Brutes, of any type.

Brute Shot:
The area of effect makes this weapon ideal against any of the weaker targets. This weapon can scythe through grunts, jackals, and drones with ease. Drones fall easily to this weapon when they fly in packs, as one brute grenade will down the target and any within ~3 m of it.

Beam Rifle:
Pretend you have unlimited ammunition with this weapon. Since you get a limited number of shots, and you cannot reload it, holding onto this one "just in case" severely impacts your ability to help your teammates.

Remember: Beam rifle blasts pierce enemies.

Carbine:
Automag +. Use exactly as the automag. More shots per clip, more ammunition in reserve.

Needler:
Tricky. Doesn't have much ammunition, and is a lucky weapon. Use against tougher targets, brute and above.

Drones are too fast, Jackals are too weak, Grunts are too weak. It can be used against hunters, but only after their armor is stripped off.

  • 08.12.2009 8:04 PM PDT

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|| Average Joe ||

Nice one, Kulikov. Also remember that the Needler has a surprisingly long range, and only requires a few needles to hit the target before detonation.

  • 08.12.2009 8:07 PM PDT

Golf Wang. Brony.

Wraiths
For the most part, these vehicles will only come into play in pairs of two, much like Hunters. And in that regard, unless you have the firepower or the required teamwork, you have to stay clear from these types of enemies. Strafing and jumping is the primary technique used to avoid the plasma Wraiths will continuously throw at your location.

Don't be stupid, and make no attempt to board a Wraith ;)

Rate of fire and accuracy vary according to difficulty. On Heroic and Legendary Wraiths will actively snipe you out like they're right there next to you. A good thing to keep in mind when you plan your movements.


Grenades
I thought it should be important to note which grenades would fit best with which situation.

Frag Grenades: the standard explosive, it should be best used if combating groups of weaker Covenant (like Grunts and Jackals) or weakening shields (Brutes). They don't do much on their own, one would see them used to complement more precise weapons such as the Auto-Mag.

Plasma Grenades: Grunts' best friend, a Hunter's worst enemy, expect an endless amount of these things on the floor or in your direction. It can be used to take out groups of Grunts, of course, but people just can't resist the urge to attempt to stick somebody. Many times I have seen people waste plasma grenades lobbing them at Brutes to no avail. If it's simply a lone Brute aim your grenade near his feet to have a better chance of inflicting damage. This grenade could go well with the more spray-and-pray weapons, but that's just me.

Spike Grenade: Use for a satisfying stick, which is usually a guaranteed kill, but it doesn't serve any other purpose IMHO. I guess you can use it as a mine, but I myself have not checked the effectiveness of this tactic.

Firebomb Grenade: This one should be fun, as we haven't really seen the full potential of this grenade in Halo 3 against large amounts of Covenant. This explosive is deadly, use it to dispatch of Chieftains, set fire to Hunters and Grunts, a perfect weapon. Only obtainable by killing Brute Stalkers.


Strategies and Tactics
Because they seem important.


Flanking does not seem to be a good option in Firefight, as the Covenant will overwhelm you. Close to this, however, is to send a single player off to the side of where the battle is taking place. Despite being at an obvious numerical disadvantage, the amount of firepower each ODST is given should be enough to tighten the Covenant group during early waves. I guess flanking maneuvers are perfect for taking on Hunters. Just be sure to take out already existing weaker Covenant before you attempt this.

Noob Combos. Classic PP and headshot, these duties should be divided up to two players during waves where many Brutes are present or even Jackals, if you have enough ammo to spare or the situation demands it. Teamwork is everything, and in this case dividing up will effectively help you in survival. Primary Weapons: Plasma Pistol, Brute Plasma Rifle, Frag Grenades; Secondary weapons: Auto-Mag, Silenced SMG, Carbine, Sniper Rifle (for the team's sniper)








[Edited on 08.12.2009 8:57 PM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 8:08 PM PDT

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|| Average Joe ||

Posted by: ShapeShifterBOB
Reserved for my post.

If that's okay, Dropship dude. I have something to do right now and I want to be on the front page.
:)
No problems. I've saved this thread so that I can post it again when ODST is out, using all the info anyone submits.

=)

[Edited on 08.12.2009 8:11 PM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 8:11 PM PDT

MW2 is the biggest waste of money I've ever spent. Horrible game, I regret buying it.

Thanks man! :D Kind of the same for Any thing such as campaign

  • 08.12.2009 8:12 PM PDT

dude i always save ammo unless i get bored but im going to those brutes butts

  • 08.12.2009 8:16 PM PDT

Your blood will clean the blood for now.

Nice guide! Don't forget hiding out in bunkers :D

  • 08.12.2009 8:18 PM PDT

ಠ_ಠ

There are 2 times when a man doesn't understand a woman - before marriage and after marriage.

Posted by: puppez10
dude i always save ammo unless i get bored but im going to those brutes butts

Their whole butts?

Anyway, great guide, I've gotta save this thread for later on

  • 08.12.2009 8:18 PM PDT

Chunky_Lover's Average Joe Interview

Bungie All Star Contest Winner Weeks 6,8 and 12

When confronted with Wraith tanks, stay back on the higher difficulties, shoot them with Rockets or Fuel Rods if you have them and if you have a clear shot. I have seen many people die by Wraith Turret/Mortar fire because they try to run up on the wraith and board it.

Just something I noticed in those videos of SDCC and E3.

  • 08.12.2009 8:19 PM PDT

US Army Medic

Posted by: puppez10
dude i always save ammo unless i get bored but im going to those brutes butts


What are you doing when you get their, exactly?

  • 08.12.2009 8:22 PM PDT
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Nice guide! Here's a little mini-addition:

Ghosts (if they are in Firefight) A small but devastatingly powerful vehicle, these bad boys can shred even a fully armored Spartan, and this time around, you're not one of them. The plasma shots can tear through your stamina like nobody's business, and being rammed with one means instant death. Consider using rockets on these things; don't underestimate them, because the last Grunt of the round in a Ghost could kill you all if you're not careful. If your team has good marksmen, use the pistol to pop the dome of the Grunt riding it from the side.

  • 08.12.2009 8:24 PM PDT

I'm the cult of personality,
I call it like i see it, if i feel the need to be blunt and to the point, then i will, if i feel the need to be very detailed, i will, im here to stay and im here to do things my way, if you respect that or not is your choice, not mine,
and don't worry, while i don't agree with everyone's opinion, i do respect everyone's opinion.

Posted by Survivor Fo
Nice guide! Don't forget hiding out in bunkers :D

dude hiding in firefight is suicide


[Edited on 08.12.2009 8:27 PM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 8:24 PM PDT

Nice job, hope fully this will be pinned or become the official guide for firefight.

  • 08.12.2009 8:25 PM PDT

Your blood will clean the blood for now.

Posted by: Insane AlphaBeta
Posted by Survivor Fo
Nice guide! Don't forget hiding out in bunkers :D

dude hiding in firefight is suicide


Really? I thought it would be easy if you could just hide in that little hole in Crater Night. (The place where you start in)

  • 08.12.2009 8:30 PM PDT

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|| Average Joe ||

Posted by: Survivor Fo
Posted by: Insane AlphaBeta
Posted by Survivor Fo
Nice guide! Don't forget hiding out in bunkers :D

dude hiding in firefight is suicide


Really? I thought it would be easy if you could just hide in that little hole in Crater Night. (The place where you start in)
I would have thought that too, but unlike German Zombies on World at War, bullets don't go through enemies, so holding off against a large wave of enemies will be a challenge.

  • 08.12.2009 8:33 PM PDT

I'm the cult of personality,
I call it like i see it, if i feel the need to be blunt and to the point, then i will, if i feel the need to be very detailed, i will, im here to stay and im here to do things my way, if you respect that or not is your choice, not mine,
and don't worry, while i don't agree with everyone's opinion, i do respect everyone's opinion.

Posted by Survivor Fo
Nice guide! Don't forget hiding out in bunkers :D

Posted by Insane AlphaBeta
dude hiding in firefight is suicide

Posted by Survivor Fo
Really? I thought it would be easy if you could just hide in that little hole in Crater Night. (The place where you start in)

nope bungie said then when you camp a.k.a hide in any spot no matter what spot all of the covenant are going to gang up on you and kill basically if you camp out or hide somewhere bungie has a surprise for you


[Edited on 08.12.2009 8:39 PM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 8:37 PM PDT

imagine what he comes up with when the game comes out

  • 08.12.2009 8:49 PM PDT

Nice recon : )

  • 08.12.2009 8:49 PM PDT

Here’s what Luke had to say about the differences in treatment between the Spartans and Elites in Reach:

“Instead of piece-by-piece customization like the Spartans, Elite customization is a full model swap with models selected from the various Elite classes appearing throughout the Campaign. There are all kinds of reasons for this, not the least of which is our continued emphasis on the Spartan as your identity in Reach.”

Spike Grenades:
They can clear entire corridors if placed correctly. Aim for vertical faces, at about hip level.

If you stick a hunter in the chest, the spikes will ricochet off of the blast shield and do an amazing amount of extra damage. If you place it right, you can kill the hunter with just the single spike grenade.

Also, they do a tremendous amount of damage to vehicles. Much more than a plasma grenade.

The Combo
This specific tactic requires a partner, someone who knows how you play and move, and vice versa.

Player 1: Plasma Pistol secondary, Plasma Rifle/Brute Shot primary
Player 2: Automag primary, Carbine secondary

Player 1's job is to down shields and expose targets to headshots. Player 2's entire job is to headshot. That's it. Do that, and Player 1 will be fine. This combo cuts through enemies very very quickly.



[Edited on 08.12.2009 11:09 PM PDT]

  • 08.12.2009 10:58 PM PDT

Golf Wang. Brony.

Posted by: Uncle Kulikov
Spike Grenades:
They can clear entire corridors if placed correctly. Aim for vertical faces, at about hip level.

If you stick a hunter in the chest, the spikes will ricochet off of the blast shield and do an amazing amount of extra damage. If you place it right, you can kill the hunter with just the single spike grenade.

Also, they do a tremendous amount of damage to vehicles. Much more than a plasma grenade.
O_O

I always assumed plasma grenades were more effective, I don't know why. Oh well.

To add a bit more:
-spikes shot vertically from where it is stuck will gurentee a kill to whoever is caught in the blast
-though difficult, you can kill a Brute Chieftain by sticking its hammer with a spike grenade

  • 08.12.2009 11:23 PM PDT

Mythical Group

There is no greater catharsis than arguing on the Flood.

Great guide. You should update this upon the game's release. Possibly adding map strategies too.

  • 08.12.2009 11:28 PM PDT

Here’s what Luke had to say about the differences in treatment between the Spartans and Elites in Reach:

“Instead of piece-by-piece customization like the Spartans, Elite customization is a full model swap with models selected from the various Elite classes appearing throughout the Campaign. There are all kinds of reasons for this, not the least of which is our continued emphasis on the Spartan as your identity in Reach.”

Posted by: ShapeShifterBOB
-though difficult, you can kill a Brute Chieftain by sticking its hammer with a spike grenade

Good stuff.

Remember: Trying to directly stick a Chieftain WILL NOT WORK until you shear their armor off. (-blam!- cheating brutes)

Also, I have never successfully killed a Chieftain with a Needler. They either dodge just before you get enough needles into them, or their armor refracts the needles.

Firebombs are the only *sticky* grenade that will work on them at all times. Just try and wait until the chieftain uses up his invulnerability to get the most damage out of your firebombs.

  • 08.13.2009 1:33 PM PDT
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LeaveItYeah

Nice guide, guys (:

  • 08.13.2009 2:01 PM PDT