AAs are my biggest issue with H4 now that weapon tuning is on the horizon. They fall into 2 categories: overpowered and useless. Camo, PV and Jet Pack are an EXTREME advantage in battle. Why arent other AAs extremely powerful in their role?
Thrusters for example seem to be nerfed on purpose from its Campaign version. Since its an evasive AA you should be able to evade at least twice with longer distance. In other words it should be just as much as an advantage.
Hologram should be versatile. Like Holding LB shoots out a sprinting Hologram.
Hardlight should have faster movement for turning if attacked from different angles.
Autosentry should patrol maps or follow the player
If a new player finds a particular AA fun to use other than Campo and JP but realizes its severely underpowered compared to what others are using their experience will be ruined. And thats just AAs. Combine that with weapon imbalance, questionable map design, and we got ourselves a Gamestop trade-in for store credit. Not very “accessible” is it?
Let me say this. I never use AAs no matter the playlists. I cant stand them in Halo so I leave the AA slot empty. Not because I think Halo shouldnt have them, but H4’s AAs are the worst version of abilities in any FPS I’ve played. Play TF2 or Killzone 2&3. Abilities in those games are balanced and affect the team if not used correctly. I’d go as far to say Reach did them better and is probably more of a class based shooter. Most AAs had a specific advantage balanced by a disadvantage. Jet pack was a map breaker and the only one that wasnt balanced correctly.
Armour lock balanced invincibility with immobility. Reach Camo balanced invisibility with sensory impairment(user audio reduced AND radar disabled). They ended up slowing flow and being annoying but still more balanced.
My point is 343 should go all in with AAs making them crazy powerful, or go back to traditional Halo where you have to fight for any type of player enhancement. I know someone will say “we can have both”. The problem with doing both is one philosophy will be compromised to cater to the other like we’ve seen with Halo 4. Then nothing will be done right.
Either make Spartans like Power Rangers with flashy powers or die hard Terminators.