I have posted this in a title update feedback thread but I feel this warrants more attention and specific discussion. Please, voice your opinions on my idea or add to it if you which. If possible, feedback from an administrator would be appreciated to make clear if this proposal is still possible or if it is just too late. If the later is true, I wish this to be considered for any future updates to Halo: Reach.
I have a concern pertaining to the bloom modification portion of the upcoming Title Update. As last week’s Halo Bulletin implied, the current plan is to modify the level of bloom on the precision weapons while keeping everything else the same. Since this is the proposed solution, the concept of zero bloom is seen as grossly overpowered due to the unchanged rate of fire and weapon damage. This is not the optimal way to make this change.
The update to the pistol in the upcoming classic playlist to transform it into the CE pistol is the prime example of what must be done to all precision weapons. In case you did not read, the TU allows for modification of the pistol’s rate of fire (while allowing for a less accurate “full auto” mode if the trigger is held) and damage to allow a three shot kill. Bloom will also be removed from this pistol.
Now, if this were done to the other precision weapons (the DMR and needle rifle), a “no bloom” Reach would be perfectly acceptable and capable of balance. The current concern is that the needle rifle is 100% accurate at full auto with no bloom. Instead of tweaking the bloom from there, why not add the functionality given to the pistol? Firing full auto will be inaccurate while consecutive trigger pulls (or feathering as bs angel put it) maintains 100% accuracy.
With these options accessible to the DMR and needle rifle, balancing them to the rest of the sandbox is quite simple. Lets start with the DMR:
- Choose a maximum kill time for the weapon. This could be anything, though preferably faster than default Reach and closer to Halo CE/2/3.
- With this kill time in mind, choose the minimum number of shots needed for one kill. Default Reach is 5, I would prefer 4.
- With these two parameters chosen, set the maximum fire rate of the weapon to make this happen.
SIMPLE
Now the needle rifle:
- With the kill time for the DMR in mind, choose a maximum kill time for the needle rifle, be it faster or slower based on range differences (…so faster.)
- Choose the minimum number of shots required for one kill. Default takes 7, I think this should at least be reduced to 6.
- Pick the corresponding maximum rate of fire to make this happen. Remember, full auto mode will be a faster rate of fire than the one chosen but will be hampered by inaccuracy.
Lets move on to the pistol that will be placed outside of the Anniversary playlist (the non-CE pistol):
- With the same modifiable parameters allowable by the update to make the CE pistol, choose a maximum kill time. Due to its range, I believe the pistol should have the fastest kill time of the three.
- Choose the minimum number of shots to kill. I think it should be the same as the DMR; in my example that is 4.
- Choose the corresponding rate of fire. In my example this would be faster than that of the DMR.
With faster kill times, the other weapons should also receive kill time boosts: the AR, plasma repeater, plasma rifle, focus rifle and spiker (yes, its in a community map or 2.) The plasma launcher should also track better, similar to its beta capabilities. As you can see, it is the same process for every weapon.
A zero-bloom Reach is obtainable. 343i, you need to take the modification capabilities you made possible for the pistol and apply them to the DMR and needle rifle. Yes, on its own, removing bloom unbalances the sandbox. That is why modifying kill times is so important. On its own, simply modifying bloom is not the answer.
PLEASE REALIZE THIS!