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*Original post. Click at your own discretion.
For everyone: the fans and the mods and the curators:
Its been some time since I’ve paraded these forums. I think it was bungie.net when I was last on a halo board. 343 has done admirably with the IP and I’m sure its been rough but it’ll be fine if not more than fine. You’ve lost story guys and multiplayer guys and now have one of the most enduring g halo titles under your belt- halo 5. Bravo.
But I’m a fan of the series. And I want the IP to continue to do well. The biblical symbolism and space opera stuff is great. And I’ve always been the man behind the visor. A lot of the ideas that were discussed on halo boards ended up in reach and were received well enough. I guess armor abilities were somewhat sour in reach and 4, but quite amazing g in 5. Truly, 343 handles the gameplay revolution within a revolutionary shooter as no company could. Look how bad Disney is killing the star wars saga, and you’ll be amiss as to how quickly a valiant ship can sink.
The pro pipe in reach was my baby. It was essentially taken from oni. But via a backdoor route of smashing ideas. Its still a fabled weapon unto the halo community. So, I will be outlining weapons. I’ll also be addressing plot after the reclaimer saga. Since its conclusion seems somewhat obvious.
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The plasma wrench TM
What it is: This is my newbaby. It only got a name a week ago. But its been a working concept for a few months and is a sort of evolution of a generic plasma gun idea. Basically, its the offspring of the plasma pistol and a shotgun. The name wrench is a throwback to the gravity wrench from alpha halo. So the name has a certain visual connotation, a heavy two-pronged gun that delivers massive plasma output.
How it works: You charge it like a plasma pistol, and it glows blue/purple (ideally not the same color as the plasma pistol) and when you release the trigger a large cloud of plasma flies forward before dissipating after 10-15 feet. So, yes, its a blue flamethrower. A single shot flamethrower. And all it does is kill shields. Its the quintessential protoss weapon, emphasizing the short range combat and shield destroying abilities. Its likely great fun against warthogs but is probably rather ineffective because of the relatively short range. Oh, the projectile is piercing. Meaning, if 3 guys are lines up, the plasma wrench projectile will hit the first and continue to pass through to the second and third enemies.
Why it matters: I like breakout. Its a strange thing, though. Passed from 343 to the community and filing a niche role. But breakout is pretty much all snipers and shotguns. Its super tactical and doesn’t make room for swords and plasma rifles. I think back to halo2 and on a map like collossss, plasma pistols and rifles were used to push with guerilla tactics. And so, the plasma wrench is that role but to 11. On a game type like breakout, a super plasma flamethrower thing is ably suited for tight corners and narrow halls. Whether 3 shots will kill someone like the haloCE plasma pistol is somewhat irrelevant. Whether a temporary blind mechanic can be added to shield zaps is also irrelevant.
The shock grenade
What it is: emp, chaff, shock, whatever. Its a human grenade that can’t kill a person but has a similar damage output and puts vehicles on ice. I’m sure the symbol of a lightning bolt seems evocative of a shock grenade, but I’m of the opinion that a magnet might be cooler. It does stick to surfaces.
How it works: take a frag grenade. Remove its ability to deal damage. Add the ability to zap shields and stall vehicles. Now make it stick to players and vehicles, but remain as bouncy as a frag grenade.
Why it matters: because breakout, of course. The thing is that breakout fundamentally changes the gameplay, yet weapons and stuff were not introduced with the gametype. If you look at gears of war, a very successful round based team shooter, you’ll notice that you begin the match with a grenade that cannot kill- the smoke grenade. It sucks to die to a grenade when you have one life. But if I am the last one from my team and hold up in a small room, the enemies won’t be able to spam grenades to finish me off- we have to fight. And that’s what makes halo compelling- the gunplay.
The blue screen of death
This is yet another idea to further breakout’s success. The blind mechanic. This could just be an option for multiplayer. Blinding players for 1-2 seconds with an overcharged plasma shot / emp type effect really deepens the sandbox for breakout and swat. I wouldn’t see casuals loving the idea too much but maybe MLG will make use of it.
The power up weapons
The sword should make you invisible and the hammer should give you overshields. Power up + melee weapon. Such a system would have no room for an invisible sniper hiding on a perch. The sword basically is the ninjanaught powerful. Its not a complicated idea, but paves the way for more fun.