- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
(please read this post in full before replying)
Let me explain my opinion, and please, if you wish to discuss this with me, don't troll, and don't give short ignorant answers.
The Pistol shouldn't come back to Halo 3 as the main weapon. However, I don't think the Battle Rifle should either.
This is why:
Whenever you spawned with the Pistol in Halo1, if you were good with it, there wasn't much of an incentive to play with any other weapon. The game became cut and dry/use this weapon or you don't win.
Sometimes when you spawn with a Battle Rifle, and there is a guy with a rocket/sword/duals in your face, the, "braaap, braaap, braaap, braaap" of the Battle Rifle just isn't fast enough to allow you to defend yourself.
Notice how both of these weapons have their shortcomings, but from opposite ends of the "weapon spectrum."
Why a new starting weapon (or other single shot semi-automatic weapon) would be better suited for starting out is once an experianced player begins shooting you with a Battle Rifle, it is very hard to turn around, and avoid the next 2-3 shots since the 3-burst shot sprays you. This was one of the advantages of the Halo1 Pistol. If it was just one bullet for each shot, you could then engage battle and dodge a few bullets giving you the chance to come out on top. However, 3 shots to kill someone is just not enough. That is why I believe Bungie required 4 trigger pulls of the Battle Rifle to kill someone.
I believe the definition of weapon balance in the world of FPS's is the ability to defend yourself no matter where you spawn in any map.
If we had a Pistol/Battle Rifle Hybrid, I believe Halo3 could have an awesomely balanced starting weapon, while still giving the incentive to use other weapons.
Agree?
[Edited on 6/21/2006]