I posted this in another forum, but it seems reasonable to copy-pasta the thing here. I’ll add a poll for some semblance of interaction, I guess.
Thoughts/Tips on weapons:
UNSC:
Assault Rifle: Was the premier rushdown weapon but now with better accuracy and good damage, you can wipe out somebody merely by making sure they stay in your sight for most of the clip. Shooting in bursts sacrifices lethality for more of a support weapon, which is great for crowded skirmishes in Oddball, KotH, and Regiside.
Battle Rifle: Make no mistake this is the go-to long range rifle. Burst fire increases your kill so long as you aim upper body. Does well shooting from the hip, since burst fire gives you reasonable control while following targets. Up close you have just enough spray to do damage. Burst fire also regulates your recoil and accuracy for you, you just need to follow your target.
DMR: Reach’s primary rifle is all about the accuracy bloom. The best shots must be timed and spaced out for maximum usage. Longer range than the BR but if you pull the trigger wildly you will waste your shots, your time, your position, your life. Please respect the sight bloom. A lot of posers going all DMR when they should be using the BR based on how they shoot. If you have a degree of control and have a confident position, go for it.
Pistol: Think of this as a baby DMR with better fire rate, though it also has a bloom you can use to maximize long range shots. You can dot snipers to get them off their groove and also go crazy at mid range hoping to score a head shot on a shieldless enemy. Has a scope for some Combat Evolved type justice, though not as nearly as strong. The accuracy (with paced pulls) and fire rate makes this a sleeper weapon that may catch on later down the line.
Spartan Laser: Significantly weakened since its debut in Halo 3, but still a decent vehicle rapist. Lead your shot while charging up and don’t be ashamed to abandon the charge unless you’re sure of the shot. Try not to impress yourself by using this against infantry. Yeah it feels good but you will either a) get BR/DMR’d right out of the charge or b) probably miss and let the enemy know you have a prize for them. Charge laser gives you away so make the shot and move on. I like to use this initially to take out vehicles and then get rid of it, as you’re better off going anti-infantry after the fact.
Railgun: Spartan Laser’s baby brother. Similar premise but for people and with a shorter charge time. It has a deceptively wide kill shot with splash damage that makes this more versatile than it seems. Pick off enemy supporters or fire into a crowd to make a difference in a battle. Use at midrange as an instant I win button, use it far range when you see a group. Looks and sounds really satisfying. Also does decent damage to vehicles.
Sniper Rifle: This, people, is a sleeper agent in the war against vehicles. I use it more on vehicles than people now, it -Yoinking!- hurts. Otherwise it’s your standard sniper rifle, four shots to make a kill and head shots seal the deal. But yeah, use this as an extra tool against vehicles, particularly against the banshee - with most pilots conditioned to dodge Spartan Laser lines.
Rocket Launcher: Yea it locks on to Banshees but let’s be honest; you wanna blast a guy’s feet with this. I don’t blame you. Use this monster to settle scores and clear rooms. Don’t waste it on Ghosts and Jeeps, and even Mantis’; the rocket is much to slow to promise a hit on those quick vehicles. Use that splash damage to end conversations with little commitment to accuracy or care. Pair with camouflage for lulz.
Sticky Grenade: A much better run and gun weapon than a trap weapon. Stick an enemy or just their area and pull right after, it’s pretty good. It’s kinda hardcore with one shot to a slow reload, but it’s will net you kills or assists right away. Run with a crew when using this weapon, you may need assisting fire.
Shotgun: I suppose in order to differentiate this from the Scattershot, the damage as increased to hilarious levels. You don’t even need the ‘shotty-whack’ anymore, close range is instakill. However, trying to use the old shot whack is nerfed as melee comes out much slower than before. Range seems to have got a buff, though, so this puppy is rabid.
Covie and Promethean weapons later.