4sk BR Is a Necessity

Games Other Halo
1

Carbine 7sk: 1.38 s

DMR 5sk: 1.48 s

BR 5sk: 1.82 s

BR if changed to 4sk: 1.39 s (Almost identical to H2 BR 4sk)

*These results were accumulated through analyzing hundreds of shots frame-by-frame from MLG gameplays, and are accurate to within a few hundredths of a second.

Reasons for 4sk BR

  1. The BR would be balanced against the carbine and DMR, both of which are intended to be mid- to long-range weapons, but currently dominate the BR at all ranges. Add on top of that the BR has more recoil and spread than the carbine and DMR, and that its burst fire requires the user to be on target for a higher percentage of the time than single shot weapons to do maximum damage, and it’s clear that the BR needs to be a 4sk
    .

  2. The BR would be better balanced against sprint and AAs like hardlight shield, thruster pack, etc., all of which help the user survive.

  3. The BR would be better matched for Halo 4’s frenzied pace. Drastically increasing the pace of a game while increasing the kill times is terrible for gameplay.

  4. A 4sk BR would give the user much more individual capability than a 5sk BR, so we don’t end up with a game with artificially forced teamwork like Reach.

  5. A 5sk BR is only a superficial return of the old H2/H3 BR, while a 4sk BR would be the genuine second coming of the most beloved weapon in Halo history. Also, players who have played since H3 or earlier would be much more familiar and comfortable with a 4sk BR.

Reasons for 5sk BR

  1. “The sandbox would be better balanced with a 5sk BR.”

Answer: The DMR and carbine already dominate the BR. The AR, storm rifle, etc. can receive a slight buff if necessary (as discussed here.

Conclusion: I am not in favor of the BR becoming the dominant weapon in all situations in Halo 4. It’s just that, currently, the BR is inferior in every situation and range to the carbine and DMR, both of which can be used off spawn. A 4sk BR would fill the medium-range niche it’s intended for, as well as fitting Halo 4’s fast pace and defensive AAs and sprint. Lastly, the 4sk BR would give more power to the individual and be the legitimate return of the most loved weapon in Halo history.

Also, a complete sandbox nerf is not what is needed to balance the BR. This was attempted in Reach, with a generally negative reaction. Halo 4’s insanely fast pace and sprint and defensive AAs would only worsen the situation.

As well as increasing an individual’s capability, a 4sk BR supports teamwork by rewarding teamshooting:

5 shot kill doesn’t reward teamshooting properly while a 4 shot kill does.

Evidence:

5 shot kill

1 player - 5 shots
2 players - 3 shots
3 players - 2 shots
4 players - 2 shots

4 shot kill

1 player - 4 shots
2 players - 2 shots
3 players - 2 shots
4 players -1 shot

With a 4 shot kill, the two-man teamshot, the most widely used on in the game, and the four-man teamshot, the most difficult teamshot to execute, are rewarded much more.

While a five shot kill rewards a two-man teamshot a little (not as much as 4 shot kill), and a four-man teamshot not at all. 5 shot kill three-man teamshot is the only one that it does better than the four man teamshot.

After reading the entire post, vote here! Poll

Thanks!

2

I agree that the BR should be 4sk.

To make the AR and Storm Rifle better how about they are the only weapons with bleed through melee?

3

Aren’t you already active in about 2 or 3 other BR-shot topics?

4

yes.

5

I would like to see the weapons like this:

Battle Rifle: 4sk, No bloom.

DMR: 5sk, Little or no bloom.

Covenant Carbine: 6sk with fire rate ever so slightly reduced, No bloom.

Magnum: 5sk, slight bloom.

Sniper rifle: Same as it has been in every Halo game to my knowledge, 1 shot to the head or 2 to the body.

6

yes.

7

Let’s see a 4 Shot Kill BR!

8

> I would like to see the weapons like this:
>
> Battle Rifle: 4sk, No bloom.
>
> DMR: 5sk, Little or no bloom.
>
> Covenant Carbine: 6sk with fire rate ever so slightly reduced, No bloom.
>
> Magnum: 5sk, slight bloom.
>
> Sniper rifle: Same as it has been in every Halo game to my knowledge, 1 shot to the head or 2 to the body.

I’d have no problems with these changes. 4sk BR and 6sk carbine would be interesting.

9

> > I would like to see the weapons like this:
> >
> > Battle Rifle: 4sk, No bloom.
> >
> > DMR: 5sk, Little or no bloom.
> >
> > Covenant Carbine: 6sk with fire rate ever so slightly reduced, No bloom.
> >
> > Magnum: 5sk, slight bloom.
> >
> > Sniper rifle: Same as it has been in every Halo game to my knowledge, 1 shot to the head or 2 to the body.
>
> I’d have no problems with these changes. 4sk BR and 6sk carbine would be interesting.

The reason I put the Magnum in there is because on this thread:http://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst74939_Nothing-But-Unbiased-Facts--Updated-06-08-12.aspx
It says it has a 6sk, Which to me is terrible, Sure its a side-arm but it shouldn’t be a weapon people would want to swap out the first chance they get in my opinion.

10

No. BR would be too powerful. They nerfed the BR for a reason. They wanted the DMR and BR to be pretty close in kill time, and if the BR was 4SK, it would dominate everything thereby causing the unbalance they did not want. DMR is a little more powerful, but it would be beat out by DMR at close range because DMR doesn’t have the 3 shot burst that gives you a bit of leeway. 5SK is perfect for the BR in Halo 4.

11

> No. BR would be too powerful. They nerfed the BR for a reason. They wanted the DMR and BR to be pretty close in kill time, and if the BR was 4SK, it would dominate everything thereby causing the unbalance they did not want. DMR is a little more powerful, but it would be beat out by DMR at close range because DMR doesn’t have the 3 shot burst that gives you a bit of leeway. 5SK is perfect for the BR in Halo 4.

You do realize that the DMR and Carbine will still kill faster than a 4sk BR, right?

12

> I would like to see the weapons like this:
>
> Battle Rifle: 4sk, No bloom.
>
> DMR: 5sk, Little or no bloom.
>
> Covenant Carbine: 6sk with fire rate ever so slightly reduced, No bloom.
>
> Magnum: 5sk, slight bloom.
>
> Sniper rifle: Same as it has been in every Halo game to my knowledge, 1 shot to the head or 2 to the body.

You want the DMR and the Magnum to be the same strength? Sounds reasonable considering ones a RIFLE and one’s a PISTOL.

13

> > No. BR would be too powerful. They nerfed the BR for a reason. They wanted the DMR and BR to be pretty close in kill time, and if the BR was 4SK, it would dominate everything thereby causing the unbalance they did not want. DMR is a little more powerful, but it would be beat out by DMR at close range because DMR doesn’t have the 3 shot burst that gives you a bit of leeway. 5SK is perfect for the BR in Halo 4.
>
> You do realize that the DMR and Carbine will still kill faster than a 4sk BR, right?

That is only if you land every shot, which won’t happen every time.

14

> > > No. BR would be too powerful. They nerfed the BR for a reason. They wanted the DMR and BR to be pretty close in kill time, and if the BR was 4SK, it would dominate everything thereby causing the unbalance they did not want. DMR is a little more powerful, but it would be beat out by DMR at close range because DMR doesn’t have the 3 shot burst that gives you a bit of leeway. 5SK is perfect for the BR in Halo 4.
> >
> > You do realize that the DMR and Carbine will still kill faster than a 4sk BR, right?
>
> That is only if you land every shot, which won’t happen every time.

Yes, and a 5sk BR will only happen if you hit every bullet in each burst. You can miss a DMR/Carbine shot and still kill someone not missing with the 5sk BR.

15

completely agree. I’m pretty confident that 343 will either nerf the carbine/dmr or they will buff the battle riffle. I’m really hoping for the latter because halo 4 needs to have fast kill times for a game full of gimmicks that will slow the kill times.

16

> completely agree. I’m pretty confident that 343 will either nerf the carbine/dmr or they will buff the battle riffle. I’m really hoping for the latter because halo 4 needs to have fast kill times for a game full of gimmicks that will slow the kill times.

Right. All of the AA’s and gimmicks will play much better if the standard Rifles can kill quickly.

17

4sk Br FTW

18

> > I would like to see the weapons like this:
> >
> > Battle Rifle: 4sk, No bloom.
> >
> > DMR: 5sk, Little or no bloom.
> >
> > Covenant Carbine: 6sk with fire rate ever so slightly reduced, No bloom.
> >
> > Magnum: 5sk, slight bloom.
> >
> > Sniper rifle: Same as it has been in every Halo game to my knowledge, 1 shot to the head or 2 to the body.
>
> You want the DMR and the Magnum to be the same strength? Sounds reasonable considering ones a RIFLE and one’s a PISTOL.

For one, its a .50 cal round, so it should do a lot of damage, and for another, that’s the way it was in Reach, 5sk for both the DMR and the Magnum, BUT, the DMR had nearly twice as many rounds per magazine, and while the DMR may have a slower firing rate, its bloom isn’t as severe.

19

Definitely in favour of a 4sk BR. I’d hate for the BR to return as only a gimmick and not a proven weapon that can hold its own.

I have faith with 343 though, and I think that if we keep this up, they will take notice and change it. A lot can change between now and release :slight_smile:

20

If your numbers are accurate, then I will have to agree with a 4sk with the BR, but only with a reduced fire rate so it ends up at 1.5 sec kill time. The DMR has bloom which will more then likely affect the outcome of a BR vs DMR debate, in favor of the BR.