Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Poll [4 votes]: What do you think?
  • Poll [4 votes]: What do you think?
Subject: What do you think?

Woof!

Poll: What do you think?  [closed]
I agree entirely.:  25%
(1 Votes)
I like the idea, but it has some issues (specifiy):  50%
(2 Votes)
Bad idea.:  25%
(1 Votes)
Total Votes: 4

Edit: I didn't know that the title of the poll would override the original title. This thread is about the future of the needler.

Of course we're all familiar with this pink bundle of joy that has been with us from the beginning. Although it changed from game to game, the concept stayed the same- an automatic covenant weapon with homing projectiles. While that sounds like a good formula for Halo: Reach, this time around, I want a dramatic change to the way we view the needler.

Why?

The needler has seen only a small amount of growth over the years. I have noticed that needler technology is one that the covenant has squandered altogether. With the return of the old covenant in Halo: Reach, now is better than ever to give it an overhaul.

What am I proposing?

I want needler technology to be fleshed out more in this game. The needler's enigmatic way of working means that changing an already illogical gun won't confuse anyone. Along with a revamped needler, I would also like included two new weapons: the needler rifle, and the needler shotgun.

First I'll discuss the new mechanics.

First off, I'd like the tracking ability to be severely weakened. An addition to the properties of needles is that they're attracted to each other. The player should have to aim more, but after the first hit, tracking gets exponentially better (because of above property). This means that if your teammate is needling someone from up close and getting hits, your tracking will improve, because the enemy has more pink spikes sticking out of him.

How is this improvement?
More aiming=more skill
Synergy if your teammate is also shooting opponent with his/her needler = emphasis on teamwork.
That should appease MLG, at least a little bit.

Additional Properites:

Upon explosion (needle death) anyone around the explosion is coated in tiny needles, more subject to tracking.

Needles will move slightly faster, more accurately (varies from weapon to weapon, see below).

Keep in mind that needles operate on their own health system; while they do normal damage, its minimal until your death. Basically, normal health doesn't apply to needles, and neither does oversheild.

Why the new weapons?

Because needle technology has only come in one form so far. These two weapons will not be clones of the BR or shotgun, because they will operate differently based on their different mechanics (see above).

First off is the mid-to long range needler variant (Placeholder name: impaler).

The impaler is designed to engage enemies at mid to long distances, at a range similar to the battle rifle. The projectiles are large purplish shards whose tracking is best at mid range. The farther they go, the more they slow, and a slight decension comes into effect (not as effective at long range). At short range, the negligible homing, slower fire rate, and intense recoil make it difficult to get kills with.

Stats:
2x scope
Moderate to low tracking
10 shots in a clip
Slow fire rate, high recoil

The other weapon is the short range needler variant (Placeholder name: render).

The render is designed to engage enemies at short ranges that are slightly farther than that of the shotgun (anti- camping/short range). The render fires a spray of small reddish needles in a spreadshot similar to that of a shotgun. As needle tracking improves, the grouping of the render gets tighter. Because needle-weapons use a different damage system, unlike the shotgun, someone using a render would not want to beat down after firing at point blank. Also, after about 20ft, the speed of the needles fired slows exponentially, making it a loosely grouped and sluggish red cloud at long distances.

Stats:
Spreadshot
Low tracking ability
4-5 shots
Slow rate of fire
Very specific range: beyond melee and short of medium range.


Synergy

The needle-weapons have a small spectrum of range that is focused around mid range combat. This allows all three weapons to work together, where-
Render = short to mid range
Needler = mid range support
Impaler = mid to long range

Please comment. If you've read this far, I applaud you.



[Edited on 10.16.2009 2:34 PM PDT]

  • 10.16.2009 2:31 PM PDT

An intreasting idea but probably would never happen i'm afraid.

  • 10.16.2009 2:36 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I have to disagree, what I love about the needler is that you just spray a target with endless needles and see it go BOOM.

The weakened tracking idea you suggested will ruin the gun.

  • 10.16.2009 2:39 PM PDT