Hi, I just wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the lack of weapon niches in halo 4 and how it is negatively affecting the game.
In my opinion (especially with customize-able loadouts)each weapon needs something unique to it which sets it apart and gives it its worth. There is a lack of pronunciation of these niches in this game which is making everything blur together and the DMR rule in most cases, due to the fact that it exceeds its niche.
Here I will discuss each weapon (loadout) and its niche:
Precision Weapons:
DMR:
Currently:
-All ranges really, lack of bloom and fast ROF means you can spam it close.
Should be:
-ONLY far mid-long range
Solution:
-ROF nerf (nothing big here, just enough that you cant spam the trigger up close.The alternative is bloom boost and no one wants that.
Niche:
-Most accurate mid-LR weapon in the game and fastest LR weapons ROF
BR:
Currently:
-Shortish-Mid Range
Should be:
-Shortish-Mid Range
Solution:
-The BR fits its niche pretty well, the issue is the DMR overshadowing it. The 3 burst shot means you can break shields and kill in 1 shot if your teammates already have reduced the shield of someone with another weapon. One possible suggestion I can think of is that, if both bursts hit completely with shield down, its a kill as opposed to 3 bursts (no headshots). This gives the BR a little bit more uniqueness and makes it more of a close range as well as continuing as the “learners” weapon.
Light Rifle:
Currently:
-Lr-VLR
Should be:
-LR-VLR
Solution:
-I would consider the light rifle the most unique out of all of these weapons due to the low ROF, the 4 shoot when zoomed, and the lack of aim assist compared to the others. I think this is probably the most balanced as of now but I would ask that maybe a little AA be added to the unzoomed form to compete with the auto headshot lockon the other weapons seem to have.
Niche:
-most lr weapon
-4 shot when zoomed
Covenant Carbine:
Currently:
-Short-Mid range
Should be:
-Short-Mid Range
Solution:
Carbine fits its role well, needs a boost somewhere though as its difficult to fire it at its max rate and aim. It is the only precision weapon that lacks the ability to kill 2 enemies in 1 magazine which needs to change.
Close Range Rifles:
Each of these are similar but have their own strengths and weaknesses, I would call these the most balanced aspect of the game and can be left as is. The problem is that they loose their uniqueness due to the boltshot.
Secondaries:
Magnum:
Currently:Sr-Mid range
Should be:Sr-Mid range
The magnum actually rivals the carbine in terms of ability, firing faster and killing better up close, its only downfall is its smaller magazine which balances it well as a secondary. I think the magnum is well balanced and should be left as is.
Boltshot:
Currently:SR
Should be:VERY SR
Solution:Nerf the range. That is all. This weapon is great and I love it but it unbalances the ARs and is incredibly frustrating to get killed at range from. If it was nerfed to melee range at 1 shot it would be fine.
Niche:shotgun in yo pocket
Plasma Pistol:
Currently:Short-Middish Range
Should be:Short-Mid Range
Solution:I know that 343 seems to have a hate of the noob combo, but this is pretty sad. The only point at which the noob combo is possible is just about the 1HKO range of the boltshot. Its battery depletes too quickly as well, at 2% at a single shot… ridiculous. The tracking nerf is ok but its needs more battery to make up for it.
Niche:Vehicle EMP and shield EMP (when charged)
So there you have it, feel free to comment with your own ideas and opinons, thanks for reading!