Due to a shortage of characters in the subject box, the actual name of the topic is "Why the DMR and Boltshot shouldn’t be in loadouts.
No, it’s not one of THOSE topics. Instead of bashing the weapons completely and advocating the removal of these guns, I will voice my opinion on why they shouldn’t be loadout weapons, but are completely fine in MP.
The Boltshot
If you didn’t know already, the Boltshot is a pistol/shotgun hybrid which is possibly the most used secondary weapon in the game. Many players favor the weapon for its shotgun function, as it tends to give them an edge in close quarters when equipped with a precision weapon. The troubling aspect of this function, however, is that its range surpasses that of even some shotguns in the game. For the most part, the Boltshot can outdo most close-quarters weapons (even some power weapons) in battle. At some point, every Halo 4 player has lost a close-quarters battle to a Boltshot, which often leads to some frustration. Another detriment this situation poses is that instead encouraging more aggression in close quarters, players will be able to safely pick off enemies from a distance with a precision weapon. If one of them attempts to seek out the person or people staying back, that player will ultimately be defeated by the Boltshot.
This thread is starting to sound an awful lot like a rant, but hear me out.
The above paragraph describes its capabilities, and so far it seems quite ridiculous that such a weapon is available to a player once they spawn. The Boltshot, then, shouldn’t be a loadout weapon, but would make a suitable ordinance weapon. Such an idea makes sense, as it is more fair for everyone in a game if only a few people had access to a Boltshot through ordinance drops, than everyone having one. Although the solution sounds a bit unfair in itself, less confrontations would end in a player killing the other because they had a weapon that is far superior in close quarters than most others. Restricting the gun to ordinance only allows the gun to be kept for as long as the player lives, instead of having a newly filled Boltshot every respawn. An example of this idea in action can be seen with the Mauler in Halo 3. Although underrated, the Mauler was also a handheld shotgun with great capabilities, and instead was a weapon that was picked up off the ground. In conclusion, it would be satisfactory to many Halo 4 players if such a change was made.
The DMR
The DMR is a long-to-mid range precision weapon which is also very popular among Halo 4 players. The community has also had primarily negative feedback about this gun as well. Before I address this weapon, I would like to make a claim:
Let’s face it, the Halo series has focused more on short-range combat rather than long-range.
Innovation is key in making a new game, and it won’t always be accepted by everyone. However, the placement of the DMR in loadouts alongside the other precision weapons was another mistake. Yes, I understand we won’t be able to win all battles from long range when pitted against the DMR, but the inclusion of a long-range weapon available from the start in a game that has been primarily about close-range engagements is quite a big change, and one that is rendering most other loadout weapons obsolete in some confrontations. Most of the other precision rifles don’t have the long-to-mid range capabilities of the DMR. So, naturally, players will drift toward the weapon they believe will yield more success. The Battle Rifle and Covenant Carbine do not have much capabilities outside of mid-range, and the LightRifle can only do so much at long range, but still cannot match the DMR in a battle. As so, playlists with large maps such as Big Team Slayer have many, if not all, players utilizing the DMR. As a result, if you expect to do well in a Big Team Slayer match, you would want to include a DMR in your loadout, because it will defeat all other rifles at these maps with long lines of sight. It may not seem so bad if everyone used a DMR, but the reason so many people, including myself, detest the rifle is because it discourages variety. Most players won’t want to use another rifle that will not promise as much success as the DMR. Some players, as well as I, love to use other weapons, and at times will have great success in some games. But unfortunately, we will always encounter those who have adapted to use the DMR, and take advantage of the sight lines they have over us.
Some could argue:
“Just get up close to the player with a DMR and you can overpower them.”
The approach is possibly the most difficult aspect of killing an enemy, which is especially difficult if the enemy is peppering you with DMR shots, or if the person awaits you with a Boltshot once you have reached them.
“Adapt to the game.”
Adapting to the game is quite difficult when there is potential for variety in this game. I, along with so many others, don’t want to perform poorly simply because we decide to vary in our weapons.
As such, the DMR would also be fair as an ordinance weapon.
With such range and accuracy, it would fill this niche better and would be welcomed by the community. For the same reason the Boltshot should be a power weapon, it is more fair for only a few to have access to the DMR, than be dominated by a team whose members are all using it. Also, the sniper rifle is another long range rifle that is only available from ordinance, and it fits in the game well, just as it always has.
If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate the fact you took the time to read and understand my point of view. I will admit that I dislike both of the weapons discussed, and as such some bias may be present. My intention was not to discourage the use of the weapons nor to pointlessly complain about 343’s decision to include them.
Feel free to comment and add insight into this idea.