- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
General tips
The important thing to remember about playing different Halo subtypes is that there quite a few objectives in the game. However, for almost all of these you can apply these simple rules.
1: The aim of the gametype is to *complete objective*
2: Secondary aim is to ensure the enemy *do not complete objective*
If you're playing to win, then everything else is secondary to these two rules. Don't bother doing other stuff, like racking up kills in a CTF or Oddball match.
Slayer tips
The most common slayer type is FFA, most kills win, infinite lives. In this situation, it's every man (or woman) for themselves. Important points to remember are:
You only get points for killing people. Taking their shields down and leaving them at one health means you've wasted time and ammo which you could have spent killing other people, and you've just given an easy kill to someone else.
The more you are shot at, the more you die. The more you die, the less time you have spent shooting other people and giving other people kills. To avoid this, dodge lots and stay away from spawn zones if possible. This means you won't get constantly engaged.
It's easier to kill a hurt enemy than to kill someone at full health. Try to engage people who are already fighting other people, you might get two easy kills.
Don't spend too long going to get better weapons if you don't need them. The more you do this the less you're killing the enemy. The exception is when you start with a plasma pistol on a big map. Then, do get something better. Really.
Try not to attract too much attention. This is usually done by a: driving round in a hog, or b: using heavy weapons: You'll draw fire very quickly if you don't kill them first!
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When playing 'Kill in order', remember that you only get points for killing the next in line. Don't empty your pistol chamber to have your target spawn in front of you and run away or kill you. If the target's dead, go after some better weapons, but try to avoid engaging the enemy otherwise.
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In Team Slayer, if there are teammates around, be considerate. Don't hog both the fuel rod AND rocket launcher, let another mate grab one if they're around. Try not to team kill, this'll remove points and give you more time out when you do kick the bucket.
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King of the hill tips
If you don't have a good weapon, you can sit in a vehicle and still gain time in the hill. Better that standing with a plama pistol vs a hog.
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In FFA KOTH, on some settings players start with plasma pistols and grenades. If the hill is contested alot, an underused tactic is to crouch just in the corner of the hill and watch other people battle it out, maybe throw a nade or two. You may be killed a few times, but most people try to shoot people shooting at them FIRST. This will give you an edge. Note: Don't try this when starting with normal pistols.
Also, grenades are EXCELLENT hill-clearers. Throw them at walls, watch the hill-holders disappear.
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In Team KOTH, it's not always best to rush to the hill. Usually other teammates will be closer, so whip out a pistol and whale on the enemy rushing towards your teammates. If the hill moves, it might move near you, gaining you team valuable extra seconds. Don't nade the hill until you've seen there are no green triangle tags showing teammates there first. It'll irritate your pals no end.
If necessary, eg you are miles away from the hill, blow yourself up with a nade or two. You have about a 50% chance of getting a helluva lot closer.
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Oddball tips
FFA Oddball, skull oddball: There is a skull. Holding it for a set period will make you win. However, you can't fire when holding the skull. Also, everyone can see you. Tips? Run around alot. You won't gain time in vehicles, so only use those to get away from a crowd. Keep moving, people will catch up to you. The skull is the best offensive weapon next to the flag, hit people with it. 2 skull hits and people WILL go down (overshield excepted). Best used when exiting portals or at the top of ladders: turn around and whack-em in the back. Good for laughs. Also, don't be afraid to throw the skull. Drop it, kill an annoying enemy, pick it up again and run. Or better yet, throw it to him so he can't fire, kill him, then take it back. Skulls have normal physics, so if you can place an explosion behind it, it'll come flying towards you. Good for laughs is continually blasting the ball all over the map.
To see who has the skull, hit F1. The person with the skull will have an asterisk * by their name.
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FFA Oddball: Juggernaut/Reverse tag
In this situation, you will usually be the main target. Therefore, stay away from crowds if you are it! If you can do more damage as Juggernaut, the best weapon is the sniper rifle: It turns into a one-hit-kill wonder. If you move faster and/or invivible, go for melee kills. It's much easier if you can catch up to your opponent. Remember, when it, run away lots. It's better staying it than not staying it, as others can't score without your death. If not it, pay attention to marker signs, radar, anything to show where the juggernaut is. Then shoot him. You may have to search thoroughly.
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Team oddball: Simply protect the ball when you have it! That's all there is to it! Get to your ball-holding/ juggernaut teammate and kill anyone not on your team from that spot.
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CTF Tips
Since there is no FFA CTF (! That would be weird) this is about Teamwork.
Remember, the aim here is NOT to kill the enemy, it's to get the flag to the base.
I have found the two best strategies for capturing the flag are either 1: full on assault, or 2: stealth assault.
Effectively, 1 requires a large number of people to go in at the same time, and the best assaults have both vehicular AND footsoldiers going in together (eg in death canyon attacking with a rod in the tunnel and a couple of hogs coming from the canyon). Kill everyone there, grab the flag, and escort it back while suppressing (heh) the enemy at the base so they can't catch up. Remember, if someone drops the flag, pick it up!
The stealth assault is also quite fun. For a stealth assault to work, it requires most of the enemy to be away from the base. Send in a single/couple of people on vehicles/foot, and leg it! Remember, you do NOT always need to go out by the same way you came in on. Many people will assume you'll go back for your hog. Go out the teleporters and leave them waiting! Or charge in on foot, grab the flag and jump onto an opponent's ghost or banshee!
One more point on the flag: It is an excellent melee weapon, and incredibly funny to use. Many times have I run round the corner holding the flag, waited a second, then given the unfortunate enemy a mouthful of pole!
Don't be afraid to drop the flag if you need to. Hell, throw the flag while jumping and reload you rockets while you're at it. And if you're still near the enemy base you can retreat inside and when the enemy returns the flag you can grab it again and sneak out the back (or wherever!)
If the enemy get your flag, you have two choices usually: Get the flag back (by intercepting the carrier via rocket or other harmful means) or taking their flag. Usually this will prevent them from scoring. If both teams cannot score, then hide. On large (vehicular) maps, try keeping in a vehicle and moving round; on small maps just stand on the flag-point and hope your teammates are better than the opponents.
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On Assault gametypes, when guarding, it is advisable to leave a hog on the flag-point and get someone in the turret. Rocket hogs are best for this. Or tanks.
Try not to return the enemy flag to their base if not necessary; that will just give them an extra chance to score again, instead waste their offensive time guarding it. Exception! If it is TOO near your flag point, return it just in case.
When attacking, the more enemies you kill on the way to the enemy base, the more enemies will be there respawned to repay the favour.
If you die when attacking, and the flag's gone miles away, stand on your flag-point and if the flag returns, you can have another chance to score immediately. You can drop the flag indefinitely when you have still have time for assault, but when the time is up when you drop the flag (or are killed) you switch to defense. Teamwork is essential, and remember drivers usually die last in hogs, so always drive if you have the flag. Go in on a vehicle and cap that last flag!
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Tips: FFA Race.
Get a vehicle. Without them, you'll lose.
Go for banshees first, then ghosts, then hogs, then tanks. When in any, kill other vehicles while heading vaguely towards the next nav-point. Otherwise, try to tip over someone else's vehicle with a nade etc and carjack em. Try to disrupt all other vehicles while keeping your own hide intact, and never get into lengthy battles. The key is speed! Again, you might want to die to get closer to your nav point.
Team Race: As above, but always stop to pick up passengers!