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Subject: Single-shot or Burst-fire: Which is the better competitive weapon?
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Posted by: Achronos
It isn't our shiznit anymore.

From the "hit or miss" accuracy to the lack of swipe shots when the enemy's shields are down, I'm thinking that a single-shot weapon has a higher skill gap than a burst fire weapon. Did Reach's bloom turn people off to the entire idea of a single-shot utility weapon (even though single-shot weapons don't have to have bloom)?

I would like to hear the advantages of a burst fire weapon (over single-shot) and why everyone is excited for the BR's return in Halo 4. I'm more than willing to support the BR as the best competitive weapon, just as long as there are logical reasons behind it.

  • 03.06.2012 1:08 PM PDT

Some think the single instant that you have your target on an enemy is what is important and support single shot.

Others think that you should have to posess the ability to keep your aim on a target for longer than an instant and support burst.


I don't know which it should be, but the BR is back and the other two headshot weapons will probably be the pistol and carbine.

  • 03.06.2012 1:23 PM PDT
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Posted by: Achronos
It isn't our shiznit anymore.

Posted by: RC R3w1nd
Some think the single instant that you have your target on an enemy is what is important and support single shot.

Others think that you should have to posess the ability to keep your aim on a target for longer than an instant and support burst.
I've never thought of it that way before. So I'm guessing a stronger focus rifle would be on par with the human sniper in terms of skill gap, then (assuming better headshot damage).

  • 03.06.2012 1:33 PM PDT

I was mainly talking about the DMR and BR.

A focus rifle would be much harder to use than a sniper at long range because you need to keep the beam on target, which is harder at longer distances.

Conversely the sniper is harder to use in small distances because of the non existant aim assist.

  • 03.06.2012 1:37 PM PDT
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Posted by: Achronos
It isn't our shiznit anymore.

Posted by: RC R3w1nd
I was mainly talking about the DMR and BR.

A focus rifle would be much harder to use than a sniper at long range because you need to keep the beam on target, which is harder at longer distances.

Conversely the sniper is harder to use in small distances because of the non existant aim assist.
Fair point. I'm a bit partial to the single-shot utility weapon from CE, but now I can understand others' support for the BR, and also the potential for a better focus rifle.

[Edited on 03.06.2012 1:43 PM PST]

  • 03.06.2012 1:40 PM PDT
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The reason everyone is excited about the return of the BR is simple: it takes skill and is balanced. It's also feels immensely better than the DMR

  • 03.06.2012 1:46 PM PDT

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Single shot is definitely more consistent which makes it better in a competitive environment. Both spread and the ability to get "partial credit" for a shot lower the skill gap because damage can be done even when the player isn't accurate (a burst aimed at the chest finishing with a headshot etc) - likewise the inverse is true and a player might be incredibly accurate but not be fully rewarded for their accuracy due to spread.

I feel as though burst fire artificially hampers the player and simply introduces a level of inconsistency which player's cant' track properly to plan around, thus it also promotes more linear aggression from players in order to minimise the negative effects and limiting the creativity of players as a side effect of this.

So personally I'd take a bloomless, single shot weapon over a burst-fire weapon any time.

[Edited on 03.06.2012 1:51 PM PST]

  • 03.06.2012 1:50 PM PDT

Welcome to the internet. Joy dies here.

I think the BR is regarded so highly because it was the primary weapon at the pinnacle of the franchise. Single shot and burst fire aren't drastically different in terms of the amount of time you need to aim, particularly when you account for the fact that multiple shots are necessary regardless.

Frankly, I think single shot is more rewarding. If your shot lands, you know you did what you intended. With burst fire, you can land one and miss two shots because of the spread at longer range. I guess that's just personal preference, but accomplishing my goal sloppily doesn't appeal to me. I like my kills neat and tidy.

That said, I think the Focus Rifle takes a lot more skill to get kills than the Sniper Rifle, and it's rewarding if you get a nice clean kill with it. Of course that's easier to observe thanks to the beacon beam than with burst fired bullets.

As far as competition goes, I don't think single-shot vs. burst-fire is valid. Either can be made competitive, if it's implemented right. Between the DMR and the BR I think the BR is more competitive because it has a less accurate reticule, putting more focus on judgement while aiming, similar to the magnum. Imagine how much harder it would be to use a DMR if it didn't have that little mini-reticule in the middle.

  • 03.06.2012 1:57 PM PDT

Br any day.

  • 03.06.2012 3:52 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .

What's so great about the BR?

  • 03.06.2012 3:55 PM PDT
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Posted by: RC Clone
Nope. SouthPole isn't a person. He's the avatar of the force of tryhards everywhere. He stalks the web looking for retards to set straight. He can not be stopped by mere bans or thread locks for he shall rise anew.

Single shot, but that doesn't mean we want the DMR. A BR with purely aesthetic burst would be amazing.

  • 03.06.2012 4:03 PM PDT
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Posted by: SouthPoIe
Single shot, but that doesn't mean we want the DMR. A BR with purely aesthetic burst would be amazing.

I'm confuzzled.

  • 03.06.2012 4:12 PM PDT
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Your opinion is invalid.

Single shot is better competitively. I thought that was common sense.

  • 03.06.2012 4:13 PM PDT

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Posted by: RC R3w1nd

Others think that you should have to posess the ability to keep your aim on a target for longer than an instant and support burst.



But by this logic, the automatic weapons (if it weren't for the ridiculous bullet magnetism) are the most skillful weapons.

Gotta give it to the single-shot.

  • 03.06.2012 4:19 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: NinStarRune
What's so great about the BR?

  • 03.06.2012 4:20 PM PDT

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One thing that the BR in halo 3 did that the DMR does not was bullet spread. The accuracy of the BR at longer distances dropped off while the DMR in zero bloom settings is a small less powerful sniper.

  • 03.06.2012 4:25 PM PDT

Single shot is better for competitive play. If the Halo 4 BR has spread but is hitscan, it won't matter since the 3 bullets will all land in the same place, emulating a single shot rifle.

  • 03.06.2012 4:36 PM PDT
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Posted by: RC Clone
Nope. SouthPole isn't a person. He's the avatar of the force of tryhards everywhere. He stalks the web looking for retards to set straight. He can not be stopped by mere bans or thread locks for he shall rise anew.


Posted by: Tortoise Beach

Posted by: SouthPoIe
Single shot, but that doesn't mean we want the DMR. A BR with purely aesthetic burst would be amazing.

I'm confuzzled.

Looks like the BR, works like the pistol/DMR/single shot weapon.

In other words, there wouldn't actually be a spread of bullets. They would all be in the same vector, emulating a single shot.

  • 03.06.2012 4:43 PM PDT

This is actually the stupidest thing ever posted on B.net:

Posted by: the omega man117
Why does everyone hate Halo 2? Maybe its because its the worst game ever next to mario.

How about both as in the H2 Beta BR?

I want it.

  • 03.06.2012 4:44 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: NinStarRune
What's so great about the BR?

  • 03.06.2012 4:48 PM PDT
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Posted by: RC Clone
Nope. SouthPole isn't a person. He's the avatar of the force of tryhards everywhere. He stalks the web looking for retards to set straight. He can not be stopped by mere bans or thread locks for he shall rise anew.


Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: NinStarRune
What's so great about the BR?


What isn't?

  • 03.06.2012 4:51 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: SouthPoIe

Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: NinStarRune
What's so great about the BR?


What isn't?


I don't understand. According to the manual you can burst-fire or single-shot (which, to my knowledge, is a lie). Why fire three weaker bullets instead of one strong shot? All it did was make up for H3's crap pistol.

  • 03.06.2012 4:55 PM PDT
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Posted by: RC Clone
Nope. SouthPole isn't a person. He's the avatar of the force of tryhards everywhere. He stalks the web looking for retards to set straight. He can not be stopped by mere bans or thread locks for he shall rise anew.


Posted by: NinStarRune

I don't understand. According to the manual you can burst-fire or single-shot (which, to my knowledge, is a lie). Why fire three weaker bullets instead of one strong shot? All it did was make up for H3's crap pistol.


Because it's a lot cooler imho. It also separates it from the sniper. The BR is as symbolic of Halo as Master Chief or the Warthog. It's the -blam!- BR, bro.

  • 03.06.2012 5:00 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: SouthPoIe

Posted by: NinStarRune

I don't understand. According to the manual you can burst-fire or single-shot (which, to my knowledge, is a lie). Why fire three weaker bullets instead of one strong shot? All it did was make up for H3's crap pistol.


Because it's a lot cooler imho. It also separates it from the sniper. The BR is as symbolic of Halo as Master Chief or the Warthog. It's the -blam!- BR, bro.


Are you forgetting the CE pistol?

  • 03.06.2012 5:01 PM PDT

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