Despite the removal of loved legacy weapons such as the DMR, SMG, Fuel Rod etc. the addition of new crazy weapons such as the Skewer, Ravenger, Pulse Carbine as well as the weird nerfed/ret-conned weapons like the Hydra Launcher, Plasma Pistol, and Shotgun I think the sandbox is rather well balanced. I have fallen in love with the new “Mangler” as it scratches that heavy hitting bullet drop itch of the Skewer CE pistol or shotgun, with a more forgivable ammo capacity and a simple three headshot kill or one hit melee combo that has me coming back for more. It also happens to spawn on almost every map. Besides that I wanted to touch on a few lacking/weird decisions 343 went with on there combat design. Not that I hate it, and will probably grow accustomed to, but since 343i has done a 180 on its reputation and really listening to fans on feedback it may be worth listening to some concerns veteran and new fans have coming into the new game. With 343 busy working on fixing the progression, and other modes such as Forge, Customs and Theatre I don’t expect changes to be made soon but its worth talking about.
For me the Plasma pistol is kind of in a weird place. It no longer short circuits vehicles and with its weaker tracking ability and other electric banished/harbinger weapons being able to do the same thing without it being able to do something like immobilize a vehicle, it really won’t have a purpose outside of being some sort starter weapon in maybe like custom games or just being a weak weapon for grunts to use just because.
The Hydra Launcher feels so foreign to me, its basically just a “plinker”/weak anti vehicle weapon that few people use. I say you change it back to its Halo 5 abilities but keep the infinite industrial look. Make it have ADS, Sharper tracking arks, and a two hit kill or just give it some better use than it currently is in.
Those are the two main weapons that feel out of place for me but other issues with weapons in general include but are not limited to:
- Commando recoil is a bit outlandish (reduce recoil slightly, slow the rate of fire, or increase its damage to make it a viable option in competition against the BR)
- The Sniper feels like a stiff piece of garbage and is probably my least favorite weapon in the game. the reticle seems smaller, and it overall feels unsatisfying to use, more frustrating.
- Bulldog needs a buff, could make it balanced by instead of a clip replace have a slower revolver type reload where each shell is loaded.
A few missing things from the sandbox: - Halo is now missing the “timed charge up weapon category” that it had with the Spartan Laser and Rail Gun (don’t forget the Plasma Caster which was almost a double time charge up with charge, and explosion timing)… Idk why there gone I guess we have the Ravenger and Plasma pistol but its genuinely satisfying to time a charge up and get a crazy powerful kill.
- Add back the Reach Grenade Launcher… (not necessary just salty its gone XD)
And yeah that’s basically my thoughts on the weapons, let me know down below everyone’s thoughts and maybe 343i will take notes?!