I see a lot of threads about bashing both Assault Rifle gametypes and Battle Rifle gametypes and demanding the other one removed. I think it’s silly, inconstructive and pointless to argue which one is the right way to go as neither one is. Neither Battle Rifle nor Assault Rifle gametypes are going away, ever.
We should all discuss how to improve the game and not fill the first page with “BR sucks” and “AR sucks” threads. Hating on random people on the internet because they do not share your own views about a video game is, in the lack of a better word, stupid. Also, declaring one’s own opinions as the truth eliminates any chance of constructive and reasonable discussion that could benefit us fans and the game itself. Now, such discussion is mostly buried under all the threads that breed hatred between us forum users.
Let’s help make Halo 5 a better experience. Bye for now!
Well I can see reserving BR starts for a hard core playlist. AR starts seem to produce a more dynamic type game, that is arguably more fun, and will certainly have the broadest appeal.
> 2765156556932973;2:
> Well I can see reserving BR starts for a hard core playlist. AR starts seem to produce a more dynamic type game, that is arguably more fun, and will certainly have the broadest appeal.
Well, the fact that BR is often labeled as a weapon made for “hc” gametypes is one of the problems that cause these fights. It is not a “hc weapon”. It’s just a weapon and has as broad appeal as the AR. AR, on the other hand, is usually labelled a casual weapon and to some extent it is, but people over-exaggerate it. Automatic weapons will always be easier to use than semi-automatic weapons, but aren’t always designed to offer easy kills. AR is a close-mid range starting weapon. Nothing more, nothing less.
BR is the optimal weapon for the most competitive gametypes because of the kind of gameplay it offers and how it functions. The other starting rifles can’t support competitive gaming the same way. However, this doesn’t mean BR only fits competitive gaming. I doubt competition is even the most common reason why some prefer BR gametypes over AR gametypes as the competitive player base has always been a minority in every online multiplayer.
Both AR and BR produce dynamic gameplay and similarly both can produce passive and one-dimensional gameplay. It depends on the players themselves. And what is more fun is a personal opinion, not a fact.
> 2533274881015020;3:
> Battle Rifle starts is superior. trollface
>
> Seriously though, trying to end a heated debate is impossible no matter how much you stamp your feet and yell at strangers.
True. I just wanted to share my opinion about what’s currently going on on the forums.
And I by no means wanted to seem aggressive, just straight-forward
> 2533274862966625;4:
> BR is the optimal weapon for the most competitive gametypes…
This is why it shouldn’t be the norm. Cause, it makes the game boring. They might as well just name the game Halo 5: BR. Cause, most players won’t even bother picking anything else up.
In the majority of game modes it should be a map pick-up only. Trust me, I’ll be one of the ones picking it up. But, Halo plays better and more dynamically (map movement being #1 by an undeniable landslide) with AR starts.
343 is going to see this difference like night and day when they compare the data. They won’t need to even bother reading the forums.
> 2765156556932973;7:
> > 2533274862966625;4:
> > BR is the optimal weapon for the most competitive gametypes…
>
>
> This is why it shouldn’t be the norm. Cause, it makes the game boring. They might as well just name the game Halo 5: BR. Cause, most players won’t even bother picking anything else up.
>
> In the majority of game modes it should be a map pick-up only. Trust me, I’ll be one of the ones picking it up. But, Halo plays better and more dynamically (map movement being #1 by an undeniable landslide) with AR starts.
>
> 343 is going to see this difference like night and day when they compare the data. They won’t need to even bother reading the forums.
It isn’t the norm. Neither should AR be. Both AR and BR gametypes can turn out campy if you happen be matched with players who tend to camp. Likewise, both AR and BR gametypes can be the exact opposite. It’s not the weapon, it’s the players.
Again, what really is boring is an opinion, not a fact.
Btw if you read my entire comment, I stated that BR is the optimal weapon for competitive play because it’s the best starting weapon to support competitive gametypes. But it isn’t and shouldn’t be labeled “a gun for competitive gametypes”. The majority of players who prefer BR gametypes don’t care about competitive gaming as competitive player base is always a small minority. Most players who prefer BR gametypes prefer it for other reasons, so making a BR exclusive to competitive gaming wouldn’t be very smart or fair. Both AR and BR support casual gaming but, because of how AR functions, BR is the only one of the two that can support competitive gaming.
No. AR starts most certainly should be the norm… that’s the point you keep side-stepping. And don’t be surprised when this becomes the case with the release of Halo 5. BR starts change the way the game is played (for the worse), makes the game boring because everyone is running around with the same gun. Tell me what other FPS (besides halo titles) have you ever played that has everyone running around with the exact same gun? It’s silly. With AR starts people play differently. They have a reason to move about without getting gunned down from spawn by a team full of BRs. It’s not the players it’s the loadouts.
Think about out how a team snipers game plays out for a second. Everyone kinda hanging back, peeking around cover. Is this because of the player, or the loadout? This is an extreme example but, same effect on display.
343 wants (let’s say needs) this game to appeal to the masses. To do that, there going to have to put the BR starts in their place. Hard core, radar-less playlist and perhaps big team. Not arena maps.
> 2765156556932973;9:
> No. AR starts most certainly should be the norm… that’s the point you keep side-stepping. And don’t be surprised when this becomes the case with the release of Halo 5. BR starts change the way the game is played (for the worse), makes the game boring because everyone is running around with the same gun. Tell me what other FPS (besides halo titles) have you ever played that has everyone running around with the exact same gun? It’s silly. With AR starts people play differently. They have a reason to move about without getting gunned down from spawn by a team full of BRs. It’s not the players it’s the loadouts.
>
> Think about out how a team snipers game plays out for a second. Everyone kinda hanging back, peeking around cover. Is this because of the player, or the loadout? This is an extreme example but, same effect on display.
>
> 343 wants (let’s say needs) this game to appeal to the masses. To do that, there going to have to put the BR starts in their place. Hard core, radar-less playlist and perhaps big team. Not arena maps.
I don’t understand why AR starts should be the norm. Nor do I understand how you think BR is the only weapon that promotes cautious and monotonic gameplay. I’ve played loads of matches where people camp with the AR as well as matches where people camp with the BR. Additionally, I’ve played loads of matches with BR starts as well as matches with AR starts where people play actively and move around. You can be ambushed and gunned down by multiple ARs as well as BRs. Either way, I’ve only played 2 “campy” games in the beta so far, both of which were during the first week.
If you give players BRs at start, everyone will be running around with a BR… Because everyone has a BR. Same with the AR gametypes: you give everyone AR and everyone will be using an AR. Simple. However, in both AR and BR gametypes game objective and power weapon control are the main focus. Both gametypes require different play style, but neither requires camping. Whether you prefer BR gametypes or AR gametypes is your personal opinion and neither should be forced on players as “the norm”.
The sniper rifle example you give isn’t really comparable with BR gametypes, because a sniper rifle kills with one headshot or 2 body shots. Of course players will be cautious in that setting. BR starts and sniper rifle starts are nowhere near the same.
Also, why would 343i need to appeal to anyone else than the Halo fans? The game has already sold extremely well and we’ve only had a small mp beta. After all, Halo 4 saw a huge and quick population loss because the changes made to appeal to the fans of other games upset the existing Halo fan base. If 343i went down the Halo 4 path again, they’d kill the franchise. Cod fans will stay in Cod, BF fans will stay in BF and so forth. Halo should be made for Halo fans, because they’re the ones who’ll ultimately keep the franchise alive.
I threw it out as a joke the other day, but seriously now; what about magnum only starts? That way nobody spawns with an absolute craptacular weapon, but there’s incentive to pick up other guns while the magnum is still a very good weapon in skillful hands.
This community fights for all things possible instead of give their opinion formally.
Personally I enjoy more AR starts but respect other opinions, because I know we will have an AR starts and BR starts option in full game (I dont refer to Custom Loadouts, I refer to playlist)
> 2533274885566464;13:
> This community fights for all things possible instead of give their opinion formally.
> Personally I enjoy more AR starts but respect other opinions, because I know we will have an AR starts and BR starts option in full game (I dont refer to Custom Loadouts, I refer to playlist)
Hopefully BR starts will be in Big Team and hardcore playlists only… AR/Pistol starts for all this Arena stuff but, yeah… we’ll see. Hopefully 343 aims for the fun factor.
> 2533274831961512;12:
> I threw it out as a joke the other day, but seriously now; what about magnum only starts? That way nobody spawns with an absolute craptacular weapon, but there’s incentive to pick up other guns while the magnum is still a very good weapon in skillful hands.
Old school CE modes had you starting with just a plasma pistol of all things. But, I feel for these arena-sized maps the AR/Pistol starts work the best. The AR is finally beefed up to where it needs to be.
> 2765156556932973;11:
> LOL. Dude, 343 was not handed this franchise to keep pumping out BR-focused games for it’s dwindling core fan base. Keep thinking that tho
>
> Tell me, why can’t you just go find a BR on the map? Perhaps even fight for one.
>
> I stated the sniper was an extreme example but, it illustrates the same effect. Exactly the same effect.
>
> Truth is when you spawn in with a BR you don’t need to go after anything else, power weapons included. They become totally optional.
The fan base began dwindling when 343i started casualizing the series. BR-focused games aren’t the reason why Halo’s population has dropped so significantly.
I don’t have problems playing AR gametypes and I do go for BR immediately after re-spawn. I am not saying AR gametypes are bad or that they should be removed. All I am saying that your perception of “fun” is not universal and the game’s matchmaking should not be tailored to suit one specific group. Both fans of mid - long range focused combat and short - mid range focused combat should be taken into account when creating a matchmaking system for Halo.
What you seem to disregard is that not all fans of BR gametypes are competitive players. Most of them, in fact, couldn’t care less about competitive gametypes. Therefore, taking BR gametypes out of all but competitive playlists would be an unfair move. BR alone doesn’t make a gametype competitive. If BR truly is such an issue for casual players in general, then there could always be 3 voting options between matches, 2 of which would include AR as as the starter. But remove BR gametypes from most playlists? No thanks.
Also, BR does not remove the need of controlling power weapons. Or are you telling me that sniper rifle, rockets and sword can’t compete with the BR? I’ve been playing Halo online since the original Halo 2 matchmaking was active, and at no point have I noticed that BR (or any other starting weapon for that matter) rendered power weapons useless in any Halo game so far.
> 2533274831961512;12:
> I threw it out as a joke the other day, but seriously now; what about magnum only starts? That way nobody spawns with an absolute craptacular weapon, but there’s incentive to pick up other guns while the magnum is still a very good weapon in skillful hands.
Well, there was SWAT magnums in Reach and 4. I don’t see a reason why having gametypes with only pistols on start in other playlists as well wouldn’t work.
I think Multi-Team could definitely include AR gametypes and pistol gametypes.
Well, this is for sure with Halo 5: AR and Magnum starts are more fun than BR starts. The hardcore competitive can have a playlist for BRs, but the rest of us want AR starts.
Yeah, I prefer that BR being picked up as opposed to a start weapon. It’s a good weapon but sometimes it seems like the BR is to Halo what the M4 is to Counter-Strike (the AK47 and AWP not withstanding). Once players start with one, there’s little reason to pick up most other weapons.
What 343 really needs to work on is why we still have both a DMR and a BR. Too much mid-range rifle-type weapons like that (light rifle, covenant carbine).
