The only reason I played ranked is for the damn BR starts. I’m gonna be very disappointed if on launch day I can’t select BR starts for BTB just like in the mcc.
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Hey, I’m not underwriting anything else. The entire franchise is a 30 year olds escapism and well, esports engine the tournament organizer and original founder of MLG working with HCS and the studios to make competitive settings its just gold.
I agree with alot of this. Ranked should test how good you are at the game, but currently, the game plays so differently between the two modes. Is there any other game like this? Where the competitive and casual rulesets are so divergent? I don’t play many other shooters all that seriously.
Although, I don’t remember suggesting that the addition of a ranked default starts mode would necessitate the removal of BR starts, but it still begs the question, can the two coexist? Or is the default mode inherently “less competitive?” Imo its not. Default weapon starts just test slightly different skills and a different style of play, which is ok, even for the purposes of competition.
I don’t even mind the occasional BR starts. This isn’t an attack on the BR. I’m a halo fan too. But I also think this game has one of the most diverse and reasonably well balanced sandboxes, and I think we can have the best of both worlds, if we’re vocal. MCC has multiple ranked playlists and it was fine in theory, so long as the player count remains healthy.
Lastly, I’m getting the feeling that the player experience can vary quite a bit depending on their MMR and the skill level of their opponents. I dont want to be arrogant and assume the AR and pistol starts mode feels as good to others as it does me. If it were up to me, I’d probably remove the ability to descope enemy players with the AR, but I don’t feel like its a power house all purpose weapon either, not even close, but others experience may be different.
This is why we need to be so careful when it comes to weapon balance and such. The skill disparity between players can mean that the experience is wildly different between them. Hell, even the BR starts mode may play differently at different levels of play, but all I have is my experience. I still thought it was a worthwhile conversation to have.
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I think QP needs BR starts. The game is more fun when I have one, IMO. At least throw in a precision playlist (like MCC).
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If you’re honestly trying to remove BR starts from the only playlist that has guaranteed BR starts… then I think we should just burn the internet to the ground
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Nope. The AR/Sidekick both can do damage out to medium range now but you have control your burst to deal with the bloom. Meanwhile BR is the same old just point an shoot it always was. It also has massive bullet magnetism especially compared to the Commando. Just go to weapon drills, and test it out. You get headshots with BR by just aiming in the general area of a foot or so around the head lol. Where as Commando or Sidekick needs to be right on the head. So ironically ranked mode is actually easy mode besides having no motion tracker.
But I say keep like it is. Let the “MLG” crowd have their playlist. Let them believe they are the best. I wouldn’t mind having a separate Ranked playlist though with AR starts. Also would not mind having a Ranked 8v8 mode at some point.
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Thanks so much for this. I swore the BR had a completely different AA feel to it. Are there any other weapons that stick to players like the BR? Or is it the only one? Cause if its the only weapon like that… then how is that not a problem?
Yes. You are. BR starts are the best starting game loadout. Always has been, always will be. If you don’t like it, feel free to pick up something else.
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“Real question is when they’ll remove Behemoth from Ranked, garbage tier map.”
This is correct. Behemoth is awful. No idea why it’s in ranked 4v4.
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Because it’s so good that leaving it as a pickup weapon would make the game extremely annoying because the entire game would be for control over the BR, and this is how it goes in unranked.
It’s ranked for a reason, it’s supposed to be a competitive gamemode, and BR start is the most competitive start considering it’s a precision weapon and the pistol isn’t strong enough to be a primary like it was in CE and 5.
Also, on maps that have the rocket launcher or sword as the power weapon, people most definitely fight over the weapon because it is game-changing. The sniper is not as fought over because of how hard it is to actually hit headshots compared to past Halo games, and even then it’s still fought over often, because being able to set up in a position with it is still very powerful.
If you want to experience the full sandbox, go play quick play or fiesta or even play against bots. Ranked is not the mode for that.
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I partially disagree. In my experience, picking up a BR in Quick Play doesn’t instantly make a player a killing machine, even if they’re good with it. They still have to play smart and to the weapons strengths. Part of this is because the AR and pistol are really good at their intended roles too. But when everyone is wielding the BR right off spawn, the gameplay changes a bit.
And ill say this once again, this isn’t an attack on the BR. Or BR starts. Its more of a discussion on whether the default weapons make for a competitive experience as well, not JUST BR’s.
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Yes, absolutely. Because ranked Halo has basically nothing to do with that Arena sandbox gameplay. They emphasize pickups, map and location control, and spawning with a weapon that you can defend yourself with.
Here’s the thing. If the enemy has a weapon better than the weapon you spawn with, that’s junk you’re meant to swap out - they are going to win. If you have a weapon that can compete, but will lose if they are more skillful with their weapon, you have a chance. You have agency.
So generally speaking, AR starts leave you vulnerable, less consistent and overall just unhappy, because the enemy team gets to steamroll.
So yes.
You are definitely the only one.
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Nope. He is right. At least AR/BR starts.
“Yes, absolutely. Because ranked Halo has basically nothing to do with that Arena sandbox gameplay.”
I find this statement somewhat depressing.
And alot of your reply works under the assumption that its nearly impossible to recover and outplay players with AR/Pistol. In past Halo titles I would actually agree with you for the most part, but Infinite succeeds where many previous Halo games failed, at least imo.
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Dont listen to them. Their arguments are wrong and the game would be better with AR starts in ranked.
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I straight up do not like ranked, but it’s fine as is. The precision weapon is already there in the pistol, giving people BR’s just promotes more hide around corner play and makes it easier to get domed. More chaotic in a BTB sense than actual ranked gameplay.
Edit: was completely misremembering back to AR starts, sorry about that. Agree with OP on needing an AR start, but if people really wanted BR’s replace some of the lesser used weapon spawns with a few more. Majority of play is AR’s (none of the op bullet magnetism the BR features) with BR’s dropped in every now and again so it’s not stale.
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Lets see Slayer and Doubles come out with Pistol/AR start. But keep Arena with BR
are you new to halo? lol
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Nope you’re not the only one. I think so too.
It’s an Arena shooter, and the BR is far too versatile in its current role.
So what you are saying is that the BR is a power weapon?
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They’re not new, they just don’t understand how to play halo at a high level. Everyone who really understands the game knows how bad it will get if you don’t have the ability to contest map control/weapons off spawn. You would just get snowballed/stomped once you went 4 down vs any competent team. Halo is an arena shooter, but this isn’t quake…
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