- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Halo: Reach will revolutionize the Halo franchise. As a prequel, it will be able to kick off the series fresh. The graphics will be better, and it could be the most successful Halo game in the series. We need to discuss some changes that Bungie need to make NOW in order to insure that Halo: Reach will be as good as it can be. Of course, Bungie must be thinking already, but we need to help them out. There are many aspects of Halo that are fine the way they are, but some of them should be changed. Online play is the true gem of Halo. I think that 10% of Halo is playing Campaign, alone. The other 90% is playing matchmaking, campaign, custom games, sharing forged maps, sharing films or screen shots and more. Right now I'd like to focus on the rank system as we have been for the last 20+ replies, but feel free to discuss anything else you feel that Halo: Reach should add, remove or change.
Now, for the rank system, I think that we have the gyst of what I and thousands of others are trying to say - The rank system should be based on individual performance. It should involve less of the team's outcome, but more of the individual's.
Right now, the only EXP penalty is quitting a match, or getting booted from a match. We need to introduce more EXP penalties to Halo: Reach's multiplayer.
Think of bad things that happen in a match, whether it is you only, or if it affects the whole team. Things like:
-Getting killed
-Having your spree ended
-Getting your flag captured
-Having a bomb planted in your base
-Having the other team exterminate you
-Committing suicide
-Betraying others
-Getting betrayed
Too name a few.
All, or some of these could result in an EXP penalty. Certainly, it would not result in an EXP reward! What sense does it make to earn 1 EXP point for getting killed? Adding EXP penalties balances out the rank system more. It seems that the rank system right now is more win, win, win, than win, but be careful.
Let's talk more about the fun part - earning EXP! Now if this system is implemented into Halo: Reach, the ranks would have a much higher EXP requirement. Some factors would reward the player with lots of EXP, others, not so much. A kill would be the most basic form of earning EXP, next to winning the match. In slayer, kills are what determine the matches outcome, on the other hand, so do deaths. Perhaps different games would allow different ways of earning EXP.
For example, a CTF game would reward you EXP only for capturing the opposing teams flag - regardless of how many kills you have (To the exception of killing the flag carrier).
I think, especially that slayer would be affected the most by this. Being how it is probably the most popular game in Halo, it needs to make changes that satisfy all Halo players. I feel that a player should not be penalized for as much as he is rewarded - ie. A kill could be +5 EXP, and a death could be -3 EXP. This could make players focus more on keeping their K/D spread in the positives, which allows the team to have a much higher chance of winning, and winning a match equals more EXP!
Bonus EXP would also be an interesting twist on the current rank system. As mentioned earlier, "special" kills would be worth a small EXP bonus. Things like:
-Killing a player with a grenade stick
-Killing a player with a headshot
-Killing a player with a beatdown
-Killing a player with an assassin
-Killing a player with a "death from the grave"
-Killing a player who is on a killing spree
-Killing the oddball holder
-Killing the flag carrier
-Killing the VIP
-Killing the juggernaut
-Killing the bomb carrier
-Capturing the flag
-Planting the bomb
-Earning the double kill/triple kill/overkill/killtacular...medal
-Earning the Killing Spree/Killing Frenzy.Sword Spree....medal
There could also be new medals which would allow more bonus EXP. Things like:
-Staying in the hill for 15 seconds or longer
-Getting a double kill with the oddball
-Getting a killionaire on grifball
-Killing a player with a melee attack that is holding a gravity hammer or energy sword
Things like these! They are little things that go a long way. I love seeing the killing spree medal pop up in the bottom of the screen, but it would feel even better knowing that it is helping me reach the next rank.
Well, I have spoke my entire mind. Please discuss! This is something I have been thinking of since I heard of Halo: Reach!
Thanks for listening
-Erik