Hello! This is my first part of the Halo: Reach Weapons Guide. I will post lad tested results for UNSC weapons. Feel free to post your LAB results only. I will NOT take FIELD or personal results. Comments? Questions? Go ahead.
Assault Rifle
Accuracy: Average - Use only in small bursts; low accuracy at long-range
Mobility: Average - Slows you down about as much as any other mid-sized weapon
Range: Average - Remember, accuracy decreases as range increases
Damage: Low - Do not use on vehicles; fine for shield breaking
Ammo: High - Large clips and high max ammo capacity make for long uses
Overall: The AR is probably one of the worst weapons in the game. If you are going to use it, make sure to either have a good camping spot, or use it with cover fire. However, the AR works very well on new and inexperienced players.
DMR
Accuracy: High - Capable of landing head-shots on moving targets without luck
Mobility: Average - Nearly the same as the AR’s mobility
Range: Average - With deadly precision, you may be able to hit any enemies at high range
Damage: High - A few perfect shots to the body will take out a shield
Ammo: Average - 15 bullets in a clip is fairly good, but a max of 4 clips is a slight disadvantage
Overall: The Designated Marksman Rifle is a highly acclaimed weapon in all modes. Being available early and easy to access in most game modes also improves this weapon. In choosing between the DMR and the AR, the DMR beats the AR in nearly all categories.
Shotgun
Accuracy: Low - Aiming within the circle cross-hairs of this gun can be rather difficult for head-shots
Mobility: Average - Some people say that the mobility could even be considered high, although it was only a few tenths of second faster than the DMR and AR in the lab run
Range: Low - Brutal at close range; terrible at average range
Damage: High - Capable of taking out enemies with about half of their shields if timed and aimed correctly
Ammo: Average - 5 shells in the gun with 5 clips with high damage is undeniably apocalyptic
Overall: The type of player you are affects whether or not you should use the Shotgun. If you are comfortable with close-up action, use it without a care. However, if you refuse to be a wild buffalo, lean more tends something a little more humane.
In my opinion, the DMR is the clear winner of the mid-sized weapons of the UNSC. Does this mean the AR or Shotgun are terrible? No, not at all. Your playing style often dictates what weapon you should use, but if you are lost or not doing well with certain weapons, take the DMR. Just take it. Zada out.