Am I using the Assault Rifle wrong?

Games Other Halo
1

The AR in my experience is… inconsistent, even at the best of times.
There are matches where It’ll be okay, and others where I struggle to leave 4th place. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, nor an underline cause.

This isn’t so much a complaint, more of an inquiry.

At the moment I’m doing my damnedest to engineer CQC, one-on-one fights (the latter option being very rare, unfortunately). My typical loadout includes:

  • AR (PRM camo, because I pre-ordered :D)
  • Thruster Pack
  • Ammo/Shielding (depends on the lobby)
  • Dexterity

Success, as I’ve mentioned, has been inconsistent at best. Whether or not I get the kill seems to depend entirely on how good/bad my target’s aim is (unless I sneak up on them, of course). Obviously the weapons in Halo 4 are quite a bit more deadly than in past games. Even so, I just can’t see how a BR can sometimes outdo an AR at close range, especially considering I strafe/jump like my life depends on it (let’s just say my right stick is practically non-existent at this point). my aim isn’t the best by a long shot, but it’s good enough that I can keep my target in the reticule at least 80% of the time.
Do I need to get even closer? Is my strafing not up to par?

For reference, my idea of “close range” is about the length of 3 Scorpion Tanks.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Assault Rifle ever since the days of Combat Evolved. It was my weapon of choice in both Halo 3 and Reach, and I could sometimes outright dominate with it. I’ve seen and heard countless people say, “AR is BEAST!!”, “It’s almost OP!!!”, and such. In my experience, though, it’s more along the lines of, “AR is OKAY!!”, “It’s very SITUATIONAL!!!”.
Precision weapons don’t at all fit how I play Halo (or competitive shooters in general for that matter). I like to take the fight straight to the enemy Vanguard style.

For future reference, try to avoid just saying, “I agree, AR is bad,” or something similar (and for the record, I don’t think it’s bad necessarily). I’d like this topic to primarily be about tips and strategies.

2

How do you fire your AR might I ask? As that could obviously have a hit on your accuracy.

Against things like a DMR or a BR in the hands of a competent player, you’ll be down after about 5 shots to the head - considering those weapons are probably (though don’t quote me on this) a higher damage per bullet than the AR, and that people I keep coming across must be witches they are so frustratingly accurate all the time (I swear I’ve seen kill cams where they haven’t even been on target yet their reticule is red and I’ve died) you need to get your shots in fast, and accurate to put 'em down before they can get those 5 bullets in your skull.

In which case, I’d recommend doing what you’re doing, but also, if you can, firing in extremely short bursts, if possible at the enemy’s head.

or just switch to a BR :stuck_out_tongue:

3

i use AR all the time, cant agree with you im afraid, its all good

4

I’ve been using the AR with Firepower. BR my primary and AR as my secondary. I find in CQC situations that the AR works great. More often than not I can take out someone who’s using the DMR or BR with the Assault Rifle. Idk, my experience with has been pretty useful so far.

5

3 tanks? Thats your problem. Much further than you should be using it. The spread is making most of your shots miss regardless of how well you aim. Good luck!

6

I guess I’ve just been spoiled by Halo 3’s AR.
I just hold the trigger and keep the reticule on them. I’ll definitely consider burst-firing it to keep that accuracy up.

“…considering those weapons [BR & DMR] are probably (though don’t quote me on this) a higher damage per bullet than the AR…”
This is actually true. The precision weapons have substantially higher damage-per-bullet than the AR.

“or just switch to a BR :P”
I’m working on it. As I’ve said though, it doesn’t at all suit how I play.

“3 tanks? Thats your problem. Much further than you should be using it.”
Well, that’s a shame. Any closer and the Shotgun/Scattershot would be a more viable option. “3 Tanks” was actually my “golden range” in both Halo 3 and Reach. But if I must lessen that range then I shall adapt.

Many thanks for all suggestions, no matter how small :3
Any more tips are most appreciated.

7

> 3 tanks? Thats your problem. Much further than you should be using it. The spread is making most of your shots miss regardless of how well you aim. Good luck!

Actually considering this, I’d agree with this guy. At 3 tanks length even when you burst fire (and that can be hard on it’s own, I’ve tried burst fire to stay accurate) you’ll have a tough time hitting your target.

> I guess I’ve just been spoiled by Halo 3’s AR.
> I just hold the trigger and keep the reticule on them. I’ll definitely consider burst-firing it to keep that accuracy up.
>
>
> “…considering those weapons [BR % DMR] are probably (though don’t quote me on this) a higher damage per bullet than the AR…”
> This is actually true. The precision weapons have substantially higher damage-per-bullet than the AR.
>
> “or just switch to a BR :P”
> I’m working on it. As I’ve said though, it doesn’t at all suit how I play.
>
> Thanks all the same.

Play with what you want :slight_smile: - it’s a game after all, you’re meant to enjoy yourself.

Perhaps you could change your tactics on how you get close enough to kill with the AR? Active camo perhaps? If you can get the jump on someone you might be able to pull off a kill.

Alternatively you could go with the firepower upgrade - carry your AR and a BR/DMR as your secondary, strip shields with AR spam, put a bullet in their brain with the BR/DMR for a quick kill (kinda like the noob combo, just more suited to your tastes…)

8

“Alternatively you could go with the firepower upgrade - carry your AR and a BR/DMR as your secondary…”
Haven’t actually unlocked Firepower yet. Will definitely consider that.

“Active camo perhaps?”
As much as I love the quick-dodge capabilities of the Thruster Pack, Camo sounds quite reasonable. I haven’t really considered using it, mostly because my play style is more… “bombastic”. Nevertheless, I’ll experiment with active camo.

Thanks for the suggestions!

9

3 tanks? O.o There’s your problem, wey too far away. AR is great when used in the right situation!

10

First day with AR I was killing everyone and coming out on top of the list. Now I can barely kill someone with it. Something tells me they ninja nerfed it or something already. I hate camping, which the other weapons are for. I usually can run it and kill a room of guys in a second. Now its just hit or miss with the AR

11

“3 tanks? O.o There’s your problem, wey too far away.”
As I’ve mentioned, 3 tanks has worked very well in past games (keep in mind Scorpion Tanks, as frightening as they can be, are actually quite small). I guess the problem isn’t accuracy at range, but dealing with damage drop-off at range.

Could you give a similar range comparison (ex. 2 Warthogs), please?