Mmkay.
Big read, I know, I’m sorry!
The Succinct version:
- Team snipers needs more maps
- The spawn points are too predictable
- Needs a no scope medal (*)
- Maybe introduce a premium snipers gametype
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- shhh, I know that everyone complains about this, but read below for my idea on this. Like, way way down.
The “I hope you like scrolling” version:
So I play a fair bit of snipers, and it’s a fantastic gametype and offers some of the most exhilarating gameplay in Reach. It is a playlist which attracts a respectable number of players at any given time of the day, many of which I’m sure play it as their predominant form of multiplayer.
However, there are a few things I feel could use some attention:
1. Quantity of maps
Team Sniper Maps currently in action (excl. DLC)
- Hemorrhage
- Uncaged
- Boardwalk
- Powerhouse
- Reflection
It’s pretty obvious that there’s a shortage of maps when you’re offered 2 choices rather than 3 at the start of each game. Typically, voting will put most game on Uncaged, or, more likely, Hemorrhage. It feels like maybe 1/6 of the games I play are on Boardwalk, 1/10 are on Reflection, and 1/15 on Powerhouse.
Pinnacle was taken out, due to (agreeably) problematic spawning. Atom lasted a fair while longer than Cliffhanger, but both have virtually disappeared from Reach altogether.
Solutions:
- Surely there are some community maps that can be introduced?
- Or, make DLC compulsory? I had the privilege of playing Snipers on Breakneck, and it was a fantastic map. Obviously this move could also receive a great player backlash.
- In the same vein as the last suggestion, maybe make a premium snipers gametype?
2. Spawn Points
Play enough of team snipers, and you can virtually predict where the opposite team will spawn. I know map-control is the prime goal in any Halo game, but so is a little something called fun. I don’t see much more fun between being spawn-camped, and being the actual spawn-camper.
I understand it’s difficult to manage such a thing when every player is armed with a weapon that can fire from one side of Forge World to the other, but it all comes down to cover and general ‘smartness’ of the game. And let’s not forget luck.
3. Guests
I had to put this up. I know Halo’s meant to be fun for everyone, and I absolutely back that element of it, but seriously, sometimes they are the sole reason I leave Snipers. Not that I’m counting these stats, but 9 times out of 10 a player’s guest will have never played the game in their life. Sure, the subscribed player would like to show off their skill with the rifle, but it’s not like the SR is exclusive to this game type. And when a team has 3 guests in it, I die a little more inside.
I die again when I see guests crouch when they snipe, like they’re playing COD. It’s just…so… sad.
So by this point you’re probably thinking
‘Why would snipers need to be so pro?’
It honestly doesn’t. Everyone can play it. There will always be people new to snipers, or trying it out every so often. I don’t have a massive gripe against guests or lesser-skilled players, sometimes they’re a great competition/teammate. It’s just that now you practically can’t find a game of snipers where there’s one/multiple players who can really dominate the game. And weighing that up against a player new to the game, they may grow to hate it.
And guests also do supplement the player count, and makes for faster matchmaking, so they offer a great bonus there. There’s a lot of pros and cons going on.
4. No scope medal
This one’s been argued to death, I know. It wouldn’t make sense to add a new medal to Reach now, but maybe if something as crazy as premium snipers were to go forward, then it would kinda sorta maybe be fair to introduce it there? Sometime it’s nice to know who can no scope, and it would be even nicer to be rewarded for something that takes a fair bit of skill to pull off consistently.
Premium Snipers
I mentioned this a few times. I know it would be silly to divide the team snipers community, making one exclusive. As if sniper-players weren’t already up themselves enough (yes i’m singling you out IIxXxMa5T3rXsN1p3zz0r9151532xXxII), but I have a hunch that there’d be a significant migration toward it. That said, it’s not like the addition of a premium snipers is my ideal outcome, I really just want more maps. Realistically, a premium gametype would be going a little too far, but making DLC compulsory probably would not. And even if a premium gametype were to go forth, it’s not like it would mean the gametype becomes instantly filled with decent players.
Team Snipers just needs more maps. Regulars deserve it.
Aside from world hunger and SOPA, I think that just about covers everything.