Reqs Killed Warzone Pt. 2

Games Halo 5: Guardians
1

I invested the time to go through the 300+ replies to my post yesterday, and an interesting rough stat emerged, for those who might care: not only champions and onyxes can kick a*s in Warzone with the basic loadout, but apparently also diamonds, platinums, and perhaps a gold here and there (assuming the posts are truthful, that is). I thought otherwise, and I stand corrected.

That said, let me elaborate my key message.

We all read about the sales figures of Halo 5, right? Not so good. Considering the huge budget Microsoft put in developing this game, Halo cannot afford to be a niche product. It desperately needs new players to join.

Now consider this: if you have a friend who never touched Halo and you want to bring him in, what exciting game mode are you likely to describe to him? Well, Warzone of course! That’s because the concept is awesome.

So your friend buys the game, and you jump in Warzone with him to hold his hand (I’m a very bad hand-holder, but that’s another story). Now here’s the KEY POINT, which many of you guys missed: your friend obviously SUCKS at Halo. Right? Duh, it’s the first time he plays. He’s not like you and he doesn’t know how to aim. And a noob who tries to shoot with an AR at a platinum who shoots back with an SMG DMR or BR will be systematically destroyed (let’s even forget the power weapons for now). I think we can all agree on that, yes?

So yeah, you onyx etc guys who play Warzone with an AR are perfectly fine, and your 300+ posts made that clear. But what about our friend, the noob?

What will happen is that the noob who is systematically butchered will drop out in no time. And you know what? That’s not the noob’s problem, as you might think (he couldn’t care less about Halo). It is YOUR problem, and my problem, and a problem for everyone who loves Halo. And guess what? It’s also a big problem for the guys at 343, because if Halo fails to increase its population Microsoft will eventually kill it. You can be sure of that.

So bottom line: 343 it’s your interest to make Warzone friendlier to noobs, because what attracts many of them to Halo is the idea of taking part in Warzone.

My proposal for a “Warzone - no REQs” variant was just an idea. There’s a thousand ways 343 can add a new game mode to make the noobs love Warzone and therefore Halo. Another idea? Reverse the REQ paradigm: give the power weapons to the noobs, and have the onyxes shoot at them with the AR. That would be more fun for the noobs, and I suspect it might even be fun for the onyxes.

Halo (not only Warzone) desperately needs fresh blood or it will die. And if it dies, most of us I’m sure will feel very saddened.

PS. Oh and for the record: indeed I am a very bad player. In fact, I’m quite confident I’m the worse Halo player in the history of the game. Two reasons: (i) I’m 42 and my reflexes are not those of a 15 year old; (ii) I have a wife and kids + a job with long hours. Not a huge amount of time to dedicate, sadly. Does this detract from my argument?

2

There needs to be a BTB type warzone variant. Vehicles and weapons pre spawned, same objectives. Actually that’s your warzone no reqs idea. So yes that’s a good idea imo. I don’t like how 343 assumed everyone thats a halo fan is a 10 hours a day to game type person. As if the only way to be a dedicated part of the community is to be a no life gamer. Thanks 343. Thanks esports. And thank you pros for turning a fun, couch with your friends shooter into this “pretend you’re playing for a living” game you’ve given us.

3

> 2535449295332757;1:
> What will happen is that the noob who is systematically butchered will drop out in no time. And you know what? That’s not the noob’s problem, as you might think (he couldn’t care less about Halo). It is YOUR problem, and my problem, and a problem for everyone who loves Halo. And guess what? It’s also a big problem for the guys at 343, because if Halo fails to increase its population Microsoft will eventually kill it. You can be sure of that.

Excuse me if I’m wrong, but this friend who SUCKS at Halo and doesn’t know how to aim will probably be destroyed in ANY gametype…not just Warzone. That’s why I never introduce my noob friends who’v never played Halo to the multiplayer, I introduce them to the campaign so they can learn the game mechanics. Then we move to Custom Games, where they can learn mp mechanics in a controlled environment. OF COURSE a NOOB will get systematically destroyed in Warzone…REQ packs or not.

4

I can completely understand the viewpoint from the OP on both of these threads…I haven’t got time to read or address all the arguments against him but there is some valid points being raised…after all, why else would there have been so many threads about Xmas Warzone n00b slaying a few weeks ago?!

It takes a while to learn how to play Warzone properly and any new players coming in trying to learn could easily become frustrated and quit the game if they are constantly and repeatedly killed by high level REQ items (vehicles, power weapons, etc). They also need to learn and understand the REQ system which I imagine isn’t obvious for any new players (theres been numerous threads on here where players didn’t even know what the REQ points do!).

Do REQs ruin Warzone? No, simply because its part of the game…in fact, its probably the main reason why Warzone even exists (its all about profit from microtransactions but thats a debate for another time!). The only thing I find frustrating about REQs is going into a base and being instantly killed by campy little -Yoink- with swords, shotguns, fuel rods and rockets…the number of times I die at the hands of a cheap instant death appears to be on the increase, but I die in the knowledge that power weapon domination is and always has been part of the game. Will that put new players off playing the game? Yes, it probably will.

edit:
@ KraniumKruncher - I’m in a similar position to yourself but without the wife and kids to worry about…I’m 41, work and mortgage/bills to pay. I would suggest that the main failing of this game is that 343i have STILL not provided a decent social playlist for casual gamers…it would actually fix most of the issues that you have detailed, and new players would be able to learn the game without going into competitive Arena or getting out-REQ’d in Warzone.

5

This whole post just screams of having a better social aspect. Another is the rankings, which will in turn improve the matchmaking. Once the quitters are handled, the matchmaking will improve, no doubt. I do not that a new gametype will better the current system. Put a pistol and AR in a diamonds hands and it will not matter what power weapon you will have if your silver. To me the Req system creates other issues.

Another thing is about age, when I played H2 there was a guy that was 62 who was getting like 60 kills, just destroying everyone he played. This game is is about discipline, sure reflexes can help but many dont use the skills to their advantage. I think understanding movement and map awareness dynamics compensate for an immature player. I have seen this happen day after day. Some people are good and some bad, no matter their age. Oh, and by the way, I am older than both of you, with a home, a family and a business.

6

I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make Dann?

I agree that age doesn’t necessarily have any impact on gaming ability as long as you have good natural eye to hand co-ordination, basic intelligence and team work.

7

> 2728296738561752;6:
> I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make Dann?
>
> I agree that age doesn’t necessarily have any impact on gaming ability as long as you have good natural eye to hand co-ordination, basic intelligence and team work.

This was my point. “To me the Req system creates other issues.” The social will handle the noobs.

8

Not again. If your friend sucks at halo, then that is only motivation for him to play it more and get better. I absolutely sucked at halo when I first played online (I first got internet and gold in around 2010- and before anyone laughs, unlike the current generation, I did not make my parents pay for my every desire). At first I was blaming my slow internet, thinking my shots were not getting through to them. Until I realised you have to consistently land shots and strafe, it was not like other games where you shoot first and get the kill near instantly. I was then motivated to get better, I played it split screen with my brother, then after a few weeks wipe got the hang of it.

My my point is, Halo has always been a game of skill, no matter the gametype. If your friend is new, create a customs lobby and 1v1 him to teach him the basics, then bring him out to the wild. It’s not like other games where you get good straight away, it requires time and practice, casual gametype or not.

Pain regards to warzone, all you need are loadout weapons and you WILL dominate if you have the skill, if not, then STICK WITH YOUR TEAM. In regards to REQs, they are only bad when they are being spammed. In regard to vehicles, plasma pistols render them USELESS. Learn to play before you complain about the system, I am sick of seeing these threads.

9

Your other thread is still going. There is no need to start another “part 2” thread.

10

My wife started Halo 5 just after Christmas with a number of awesome REQ cards that I had yet to see at the time – she had a Mantis, a Banshee, several power weapons including an incinerator cannon… she only had one of each, but she had about 20 different REQs.

I’m pretty sure 343i is aware of this “problem.”