So far, we’ve seen two different Sniper Rifles used by the Covenant. Halo 2 introduced the Beam Rifle, a single-shot weapon that fired a beam of particles and overheated after two shots. Halo: Reach and Spartan Assault gave us the Focus Rifle, a weapon that fired a continuous beam of light that was not too different from the Sentinel Beam.
Now, assuming that only ONE can return in the upcoming Halo game, which would you prefer?
Type-52 Focus Rifle
While it is more of a clean-up weapon than it is a sniper, the Focus Rifle was very different from its UNSC counterpart. Instead of firing single projectiles that take targets by surprise, the Focus Rifle fires a continuous beam of plasma that takes down targets who are already weakened from other engagements or who’s attention is placed elsewhere. The Focus Rifle has been seen in Halo: Reach and Halo: Spartan Assault.[/li]
Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle
Unlike the Focus Rifle, the Beam Rifle is a direct counterpart to the Sniper Rifle and fires single projectiles instead of a continuous beam. Due to the fact that the Beam Rifle has a higher rate-of-fire than the Sniper Rifle, using the Beam Rifle requires much less patience at the cost of having a far more visible projectile. The Beam Rifle has appeared in Halo 2 and Halo 3, and a newer model, the Type-27 Beam Rifle exists in Halo 4.[/li]
> So far, we’ve seen two different Sniper Rifles used by the Covenant. Halo 2 introduced the Beam Rifle, a single-shot weapon that fired a beam of particles and overheated after two shots. Halo: Reach and Spartan Assault gave us the Focus Rifle, a weapon that fired a continuous beam of light that was not too different from the Sentinel Beam.
>
> Now, assuming that only ONE can return in the upcoming Halo game, which would you prefer?
>
> Type-52 Focus Rifle
>
> While it is more of a clean-up weapon than it is a sniper, the Focus Rifle was very different from its UNSC counterpart. Instead of firing single projectiles that take targets by surprise, the Focus Rifle fires a continuous beam of plasma that takes down targets who are already weakened from other engagements or who’s attention is placed elsewhere. The Focus Rifle has been seen in Halo: Reach and Halo: Spartan Assault.[/li]
>
> Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle
>
> Unlike the Focus Rifle, the Beam Rifle is a direct counterpart to the Sniper Rifle and fires single projectiles instead of a continuous beam. Due to the fact that the Beam Rifle has a higher rate-of-fire than the Sniper Rifle, using the Beam Rifle requires much less patience at the cost of having a far more visible projectile. The Beam Rifle has appeared in Halo 2 and Halo 3, and a newer model, the Type-27 Beam Rifle exists in Halo 4.[/li]
> > So far, we’ve seen two different Sniper Rifles used by the Covenant. Halo 2 introduced the Beam Rifle, a single-shot weapon that fired a beam of particles and overheated after two shots. Halo: Reach and Spartan Assault gave us the Focus Rifle, a weapon that fired a continuous beam of light that was not too different from the Sentinel Beam.
> >
> > Now, assuming that only ONE can return in the upcoming Halo game, which would you prefer?
> >
> > Type-52 Focus Rifle
> >
> > While it is more of a clean-up weapon than it is a sniper, the Focus Rifle was very different from its UNSC counterpart. Instead of firing single projectiles that take targets by surprise, the Focus Rifle fires a continuous beam of plasma that takes down targets who are already weakened from other engagements or who’s attention is placed elsewhere. The Focus Rifle has been seen in Halo: Reach and Halo: Spartan Assault.[/li]
> >
> > Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle
> >
> > Unlike the Focus Rifle, the Beam Rifle is a direct counterpart to the Sniper Rifle and fires single projectiles instead of a continuous beam. Due to the fact that the Beam Rifle has a higher rate-of-fire than the Sniper Rifle, using the Beam Rifle requires much less patience at the cost of having a far more visible projectile. The Beam Rifle has appeared in Halo 2 and Halo 3, and a newer model, the Type-27 Beam Rifle exists in Halo 4.[/li]
>
> Well we could have both honestly.
We could have both, but then the issues with a bloated sandbox could arise. When you have too many weapons that fulfill the exact same purpose, and you have a scenario in which the amount of weapons in the game is limited, you start to see a smaller variety of different forms of weapons.
Let’s say that Halo 5 can only have 24 different weapons. If we include both the Focus Rifle and the Beam Rifle and then also have the Binary Rifle and the Sniper, a sixth of the total amount of weapons is consumed by snipers alone. So far, we have three different factions that each need their form of each weapon, and with the existence of at least 8 niches to fill, having too many weapons per niche isn’t an option.
Also, the scenario in this thread is if you had to choose one of the two.
> So far, we’ve seen two different Sniper Rifles used by the Covenant. Halo 2 introduced the Beam Rifle, a single-shot weapon that fired a beam of particles and overheated after two shots. Halo: Reach and Spartan Assault gave us the Focus Rifle, a weapon that fired a continuous beam of light that was not too different from the Sentinel Beam.
>
> Now, assuming that only ONE can return in the upcoming Halo game, which would you prefer?
>
> Type-52 Focus Rifle
>
> While it is more of a clean-up weapon than it is a sniper, the Focus Rifle was very different from its UNSC counterpart. Instead of firing single projectiles that take targets by surprise, the Focus Rifle fires a continuous beam of plasma that takes down targets who are already weakened from other engagements or who’s attention is placed elsewhere. The Focus Rifle has been seen in Halo: Reach and Halo: Spartan Assault.[/li]
>
> Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle
>
> Unlike the Focus Rifle, the Beam Rifle is a direct counterpart to the Sniper Rifle and fires single projectiles instead of a continuous beam. Due to the fact that the Beam Rifle has a higher rate-of-fire than the Sniper Rifle, using the Beam Rifle requires much less patience at the cost of having a far more visible projectile. The Beam Rifle has appeared in Halo 2 and Halo 3, <mark>and a newer model, the Type-27 Beam Rifle exists in Halo 4.</mark>[/li]
The Type-27 is actually an older model than the Type-50, as the type number of Covenant equipment is usually based off of the year in which it was classified.
But to answer the thread, I think I would have to go with the Focus Rifle, if we really had to pick one. I like the variety and uniqueness that it brings to the games. Rather than being solely a sniper weapon, it’s effective at almost any range. It’s more of a jack of all trades more than anything, really, and I like that.
I would love to have both in the sandbox. I know that sadly all wishes can’t be granted so if push comes to shove: Focus Rifle. It’s a much more different weapon from the Beam Rifle which is arguably far to similar to the Sniper Rifle.
The issues with the Focus Rifle in Reach were due to how the weapon was being used, and that was as a direct counter to the Sniper Rifle. It isn’t and shouldn’t have been treated as such.
Still would like to keep the Beam Rifle around just for craps and giggles.
> > > So far, we’ve seen two different Sniper Rifles used by the Covenant. Halo 2 introduced the Beam Rifle, a single-shot weapon that fired a beam of particles and overheated after two shots. Halo: Reach and Spartan Assault gave us the Focus Rifle, a weapon that fired a continuous beam of light that was not too different from the Sentinel Beam.
> > >
> > > Now, assuming that only ONE can return in the upcoming Halo game, which would you prefer?
> > >
> > > Type-52 Focus Rifle
> > >
> > > While it is more of a clean-up weapon than it is a sniper, the Focus Rifle was very different from its UNSC counterpart. Instead of firing single projectiles that take targets by surprise, the Focus Rifle fires a continuous beam of plasma that takes down targets who are already weakened from other engagements or who’s attention is placed elsewhere. The Focus Rifle has been seen in Halo: Reach and Halo: Spartan Assault.[/li]
> > >
> > > Type-50 Particle Beam Rifle
> > >
> > > Unlike the Focus Rifle, the Beam Rifle is a direct counterpart to the Sniper Rifle and fires single projectiles instead of a continuous beam. Due to the fact that the Beam Rifle has a higher rate-of-fire than the Sniper Rifle, using the Beam Rifle requires much less patience at the cost of having a far more visible projectile. The Beam Rifle has appeared in Halo 2 and Halo 3, and a newer model, the Type-27 Beam Rifle exists in Halo 4.[/li]
> >
> > Well we could have both honestly.
>
> We could have both, but then the issues with a bloated sandbox could arise. When you have too many weapons that fulfill the exact same purpose, and you have a scenario in which the amount of weapons in the game is limited, you start to see a smaller variety of different forms of weapons.
>
> Let’s say that Halo 5 can only have 24 different weapons. If we include both the Focus Rifle and the Beam Rifle and then also have the Binary Rifle and the Sniper, a sixth of the total amount of weapons is consumed by snipers alone. So far, we have three different factions that each need their form of each weapon, and with the existence of at least 8 niches to fill, having too many weapons per niche isn’t an option.
>
> Also, the scenario in this thread is if you had to choose one of the two.
But the Focus Rifle is pretty much a sentinel beam with a scope. We had both the Sentinel Beam and Beam Rifle in Halo 2 and 3.
I would prefer a re-worked Focus Rifle to be in the game.
The main things they should address when reworking it are:
Increased Anti-Shield Damage (Possibly doubled?)
‘Instant’ kill if the beam touches a shieldless head. Resulting in a “Sniper Kill” meadal.
Shortened time before overheat (The “focus beam” should punish players for missing and poor heat management, possibly short enough that it will overheat at the same time it ‘body kills’ a player)
Faster ‘cooldown’ if the weapon does NOT overheat (To reward players with good heat management)
Reduced Beam width and aim assist (This weapon should not dominate up close unless the player in question is really good at controlling their reticle, as well it’s beam should be a little less obvious)
To distinguish this weapon from the sentinel beam aside from just the scope, the Sentinel Beam will be able to sustain fire much longer before overheating, will continue to have a wider, much easier to spot beam, and will do less DPS, but will have much higher aim assist (within range related reason) and be easier overall to control than the FR in close-mid range combat.
Give me the Beam Rifle any day. As long as the weapon has it’s aim assist turned way off then it will be fine by me. The focus rifle is such a useless weapon and was only good back in the Beta days of Reach.
Field Name: Focus Rifle Scientific Name: Type-52 Special Applications Rifle Abbreviation: T52SAR Known Game(s): Halo: Reach Description:The Focus Rifle is a sniper-style weapon, that, despite its visual similarities to the Type-50 Sniper Rifle System, functions quite differently. Instead of a firing a single beam in one shot, the rifle fires a continuous purple-tinted beam of magnetically contained plasma, similar in operation to a Sentinel Beam, the Forerunner weapon from which the T-52 SAR was reverse-engineered. The plasma is formed in a cylindrical module and directed through a channel of electromagnetic coils, forming a precise beam. Like most Covenant infantry weapons, the weapon draws its power from a battery. The weapon requires high power expenditure and the battery is easily depleted. The exact mechanism by which it functions was under investigation by the UNSC as of August 2552. The weapon is equipped with a 3.5-9.5x magnification scope. It is designed for ranged suppression rather than for anti-personnel role. The smooth and organic appearance and purple coloration of the weapon is reflective of typical Covenant aesthetic tendencies, as such, it’s ergonomic grip is designed for Sangheili use. Although powerful and intimidating, the combat effectiveness Focus Rifle is crippled by several glaring flaws in the design. The beam fired by the weapon is extraordinarily visible; firing the weapon immediately reveals the user’s position. Although highly effective at depleting shields the weapon is only marginally effective against armored targets, causing negligible damage to vehicles and requiring continuous fire to ensure lethality against organic targets. If the weapon overheats it will automatically vent excess plasma, burning the user and rendering the weapon inoperable for several seconds.
Field Name: Particle Beam Rifle Scientific Name: Type-50 Sniper Rifle System Abbreviation: T50SRS Known Game(s): Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST Description:The Type-50 SRS is a battery-powered directed energy weapon that fires hydrogen gas in a beam of accelerated particles at its targets. The weapon is extremely well suited for its role: it produces negligible sounds and muzzle signature while firing, weighs less than UNSC analogs, and has very high accuracy and range. The Type-50 SRS also excels at target penetration, maximizing its lethality, as the beam will always pass through a target completely. Although the size of the wounds inflicted on a target are small, the damage done is similar to most directed energy weapons used by the Covenant. The scope on the weapon is capable of 5 and 10 times magnification. The round section in front of the hand guard and trigger area of the weapon appears to contain the Type-50’s “ammunition”; after the weapon has completed its firing sequence, the section rotates presumably to “chamber” another “round”.
**Field Name:**Beam Rifle Scientific Name: Type-27 Special Application Sniper Rifle Abbreviation: T27SASR Known Game(s): Halo 4 Description:The Type-27 beam rifle is quite similar in design to the Type-50, suggesting that both weapons were derived from the same ancient Sangheili design. However, the Type-27 has a bulkier profile akin to that of the Type-52 Special Applications Rifle. In comparison with the Type-50, the weapon’s firing channel is better concealed and is set closer to the muzzle. It features an enclosed focusing crystal compartment rather than its counterpart’s open layout. Another major difference is that the Type-27’s grip faces straight back, whereas the Type-50’s is angled upward; this allows the user to maintain a conventional shooting posture rather than being forced to fire from below the shoulder. The weapon’s grip also differs from the Type-52’s in the fact that the Sangheili-designed ergonomic grip has been reconfigured to a smaller thumbhole with additional hand grips.
I’m leaning more towards the Focus Rifle in Multiplayer due to how unique it is but I feel it needs a few adjustments to make it more lethal and skill-based, I think Fos Kuvol’s ideas (few posts above) sound good and may work out very well.
> I would prefer a re-worked Focus Rifle to be in the game.
>
> The main things they should address when reworking it are:
>
> - Increased Anti-Shield Damage (Possibly doubled?)
>
> - ‘Instant’ kill if the beam touches a shieldless head. Resulting in a “Sniper Kill” meadal.
>
> - Shortened time before overheat (The “focus beam” should punish players for missing and poor heat management, possibly short enough that it will overheat at the same time it ‘body kills’ a player)
>
> - Faster ‘cooldown’ if the weapon does NOT overheat (To reward players with good heat management)
>
> - Reduced Beam width and aim assist (This weapon should not dominate up close unless the player in question is really good at controlling their reticle, as well it’s beam should be a little less obvious)
>
>
>
> To distinguish this weapon from the sentinel beam aside from just the scope, the Sentinel Beam will be able to sustain fire much longer before overheating, will continue to have a wider, much easier to spot beam, and will do less DPS, but will have much higher aim assist (within range related reason) and be easier overall to control than the FR in close-mid range combat.
Focus rifle if the above happens…other than that beam.
> Focus Rifle, easily. The Halo sandbox is already filled with enough functional clones as it is.
>
> If people want to see a little bit more out of the focus rifle then I could see it getting a <mark>headshot multiplier.</mark>
>
> Enough with the Purple Sniper Rifle.
> Actually there are three Covenant snipers…
>
> snip
I don’t think there’s a wide enough difference between the Type-27 and the Type-50 to call them separate weapons. Both of them have the exact same mechanics but with a different shape and sound.
