Analog vs WASD. The everlasting KBM vs Controller argument…and the BR75.
This isn a post for clarification on why KBM users are completely shafted from this game’s mechanics and why the strengths of KBM are simultaneously weaknesses. Something here has to give, there is absolutely no reason to run KBM on this game besides challenging yourself to become a better player with the input. I’ve been on both sides of the playing field, played on a controller for well over a decade and I’m on my second year of PC gaming. I’m not just talking, but speaking from experience.
Generally speaking I believe KBM has an advantage over controller in FPS titles granted the KBM player has developed lazer beam type tracking. I attribute this mostly to the MOUSE. Because in a FPS on KBM you may not have the best CONTROL over your movement, but as long as you have that raw aim to apply the damage needed to secure a kill, a lot of the times you’re going to be the victor. Right? Okay, cool.
Here’s where KBM just gets completely shafted by Halo’s mechanics, focusing on the BR, for obvious reasons…
1.) Raw aim does not decide BR fights.
So immediately, the strongest aspect of the input doesn’t have the same effect it does in other FPS titles. This mainstay of KBM input is also the most important balancing factor of AA when crossplay is involved imo. Huge problem here. We all know the AA in the Halo series stronger than pretty much any other shooter in existence, which is fine. But my raw aim that would NORMALLY combat the AA, and the main point of using the input to start with, simply does not matter for most engagements. Especially in ranked.
You can track someone with the mouse at 100% consistency in this game and still need 1-2 bursts from the BR to finish your target. This is absurd, and the main reason KBM doesn’t really see any representation in the community. The entire point of playing KBM is to excel at raw aim, if the game’s flagship weapon doesn’t reward that…why even use the input to begin with?
2.) Having top tier control over gradual movement is what decides BR fights.
Again, IMMEDIATELY KBM gets shafted again. The usual argument for KBM being on an even playing field is “Well y’all have a faster strafe!”. Well, that strafing “advantage” is both a blessing and curse. The strength of aim assist in Halo already greatly diminishes the effectiveness of strafing. And if that isn’t enough unless you have mastered control of an analog keyboard, gradual movement with a keyboard is a nightmare. I’ve always hated that aspect of KBM, but at least I had the other strong point of the input (raw aim) to offset that shortcoming.
…But that doesn’t even work here.
3.) Aim Assist
Aim assist isn’t here for the reasons you would think. It’s actually listed here for everything ELSE it does besides simply helping controller aim.
3a.) There’s a strafe-aiming coordination that decides these BR battles and the aim assist gives you SO much time to react and adjust for the enemy strafe. The sheer amount of reaction time a controller player has to my strafe alone is already insane. So much in fact, when playing this game I rarely strafe with the intention to outplay enemies. My primary reason for strafing is to maintain consistent 4 shots, since my mouse can’t do it alone. (That sounds crazy re-reading it. I’m playing an FPS and I’m not strafing to make the other player miss, nooo. I’m strafing to make sure I’M the one who doesn’t miss. Let that sink in.)
THIS is the main reason controller is so much more consistent than KBM at the moment. The other input just flat out has a massive advantage in reaction time.
KBM doesn’t get that precious reaction time gifted. When the enemy strafes, meaning every direction, any crouching or jumping. It all has to be adjusted to IMMEDIATELY without jerking your reticle even the tiniest amount. You don’t have the aim assist to help your reaction time. Now factor in the “advantage” of immediate strafing we KBM players have that lacks gradual movement and boom. You’re in a situation where you must take every fight with near perfect reaction time and mouse/key coordination or you’re going to die. There is entirely too much room for error, and not enough reward for the KBM input here.
3b.) Bullet Mag Interactions
The aim assist acts like a multiplier for bullet magnetization. The best way I can explain is with the difference in weapon feel between inputs.
-Heatwave
-Sidekick
Two weapons that have an undeniably stronger presence in a controller players hands because of how the bullet mag interact with the aim assist.
- Weak Strengths
“You can turn fast”
“You can nade from floor faster”
“You can do “X” faster”
Because of the way Halo plays controller can still do all of those things and produce the same result as fast as it NEEDS to be done in nearly every situation. Even if KBM was 5 times faster, a lot of that speed is simply wasted because of how slow of a game Halo is. You just don’t need it. It looks cool, feels good and helps movement, but for core Halo play controller is a more than adequate input for anything you need done in this game. I’m tired of seeing the massive imbalance between these inputs being defended by nothing other than “Mouse go Brrrrr” in one of the slowest FPS games ever.
It legitimately feels like every strong point of KBM and its reason for being many people’s choice of input holds absolutely no weight in this game. Every aspect of the mechanics in Infinite are actively working against the input. At the very least the BR burst should hit all 3 bullets given correct crosshair placement on shots taken from optimal range. Tighten the spread a little bit within and certain range, and even then, with all the other compromises of the input that would be enough.
This would allow console players to continue to laser but also give KBM something to even the playing field. Aim assist can stay strong and provide the boost controller needs to be competitive. But also KBM could be rewarded for the raw tracking requirement of the input.
I’m not an esports player obviously but I’m 1700 Onyx KBM Only/1630 Onyx Crossplay. Not the best but a generally solid player. The gud has been gitten, cause I know someone is coming to say just that.
Thoughts?