Now before we start I would like to make 3 things blindingly clear
1.This thread is about a scoped SMG, as seen in ODST, which requires skill to use. I don't want to return to the spray and pray tactics of H2.
2.This isn't an anti BR thread, the BR is an excellent weapon and probably one of the most interesting to use. Even if a SMG spawn was implemented, MLG playlists would still have a BR start.
3.This isn't and anti AR thread either, the AR is also an excellent weapon. When used properly it takes nearly as much skill to use as a BR and is not a noob weapon, If you can learn to use it well.
Right, glad we've got that sorted.
Across the halo series we have seen three different starting weapons, each of which had their flaws and their advantages.
The AR is a good starting weapon because it is fairly powerful but still encourages players to pick up other weapons as it can only be used in a limited number of situations. However many players dislike it because it can't be used at longer ranges and makes dual wields redundant.
On the other hand the BR is the favorite of many players because it's effective at all ranges and is one of the more 'skillful' weapons of the game unfortuanately, because it is so powerful players very rarely pick up new weapons when the have a BR resulting in repetative gameplay.
Other players think that the SMG should be a starting weapon so that dual wields can be effective. The reason for this is that dual wields are only powerful in combinations, for example the SMG/PR combination is very effective, however because roaming the map to find both parts of a combo is difficult and time consuming, it's very rarely worth bothering, however with an SMG start, players can get combine the SMG with and dual wield they find lying around.
The disadvantage of an SMG start is that it isn't a very skillful weapon to use, it's a very innacurate weapon that relies on sheer number of bullets to take down enemies. It is in effect a bullet hose
I suggest that a scoped SMG would take the best aspects of all these weapons. The addition of a scope would give it increased accuracy, allowing it to fight at all ranges, While unscoped it would retain it's close range capabilities, however when scoped and use skillfuly (ie. firing in bursts) it would be able to fight effectively at mid range.
This would result in a weapon that was a 'jack of all trades, master of none'. Useable in any situation, but not dominating at any range, encouraging players to pick up more powerful weapons, but not leaving them defencless against long range weapons while seaching for them.
The BR and the AR would then become 'specialist' weapons, with the AR dominating at close range and the BR dominating at mid range. This would make gameplay more interesting as players would have to choose between power or versatility.
Obviously a scoped SMG would lose it's scoping ability when dual wielding to avoid it becoming overpowered. This would make the weapon very different to use in single and dual wield.
Now I'm open to criticism, but can we keep it construcitve please. If you think this idea sucks, then please explain exactly what sucks about it and offer an alternative.
Posted by: ObsidianDaer
Spawn with an all-around, find the weapon you want, take the long range, or short-range.
[Edited on 08.20.2009 4:59 AM PDT]