Sidearm Showdown! Magnum v Boltshot v PlasmaP

Games Other Halo
1

So here is a showdown between the 3 sidearms in Halo 4. The UNSC Magnum, the Promethean Boltshot, and last but not least, the Covenant Plasma pistol.

Last time, we did the Shotguns. Click here to vote and/or see results

So, lets get right on into things.

Magnum
Megazine: 8
Shots to kill (headshot): 5
Shots to kill (Body shot): 8
Range Close-Medium/Long

Pros:
2x zoom for precision shooting at far range
Hitscan bullets (no bullet travel time)
Easily controlable bloom and recoil

Cons:
Slowest firing sidearm
Lowest amount of shots fired before reload
Bloom

Boltshot
Magezine: 10
Shots to kill (headshot): 5
Shots to kill (bodyshot): Unknown (assuming 8)
Range: Close/Medium

Pros:
Faster firing than Magnum, same as Plasma Pistol
Larger Magezine than Magnum
Charged shot for instant kill shotgun effect (costs 5 bullets)

Cons:
Not hitscan bullets
Bullets lose speed farther they go
Charged shot is only instant kill only at very close range
Charged shot leaves you vulnerable as you charge
Cannot fire weapon after Charged shot for short time

Plasma Pistol
Magezine: Unlimited
Shots to kill (body shots): 7
Range: Close/Medium

Pros:
Unlimited magezine for unlimited shots if times right
Disables shields in 3 shots
Charged shot disables vehicles
Charged shot drops shields on hit
Charged shot tracks targets

Cons:
Weak against armor
Overheats fast
Charged shot track less than previous games
Cannot fire weapon after Charged shot for short time (overheats)
No headshots

What is the best? It really comes down to personal preference and the situation. On maps with vehicles, Plasma Pistol would probably be best. Close Quarters maps, the Boltshot would be most effective round tight coridors and close combat. Long sightline maps, the pistol would be best for the precision accuracy at close to long ranges. My thoughts, I liek the Magnum the best. It is a very versitile weapon that can be used at almost any range and easy for those clean up kills when you need to reload with a primary. With the Boltshot being an instant kill, people would use that as primary at close ranges. Same with the plasma pistol and the charged shot (even though I think that single fire in more benefitial to the PP). The Pistol is the actual sidearm that seems to come in handy in a pinch when you most need it.

So, what are your thoughts? Let me know which you like best and why or why not.

Also leave suggestions for the next Showdown! I would love to do more of these.

2

Magnum <3

3

Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.

Boltshot it is.

4

> Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
>
> Boltshot it is.

Love how you introduce the DMR to a sidearm topic! Love ya though <3

5

Plasma Pistol for BTB is going to be a must. Smart full teams will carry someone with the Wheelman to reduce the EMPS effectiveness though. Works for every vehicle from the Hogs to the Banshees. Still, not everyone (well hopefully) will have Wheelman so the Plasma Pistol can still work. You need to keep in mind the lock on has been nerfed for Halo 4 since it’s a loadout weapon now.

Boltshot is more useful for smaller maps but it doesn’t have a scope like the Magnum does nor does it have lock like the PP does. However, it’s true strength lies with it’s charge function, which makes similar to a shotgun. It’s a one hit kill if you can land the attack, which is tricky since you can’t delay the shot by holding it down, so you need to have good aim and timing. Semi autofire looks decent, not so much as powerful as the charged shot.

M6H Magnum is your standard Halo pistol sans the 3 shot kill. More of a backup weapon than a primary killer, best to use this when you have to reload. Good for close or medium range encounters or when you are in a pinch. Do not use this downrange like the CE pistol.

It’s based on preference and situation (gametype/map) IMO. I am bit worried about the Boltshot though. Once players can nail down the charge attack (which takes skill btw), i can see others come on this forum, complaining about how OP it is.

6

> > Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
> >
> > Boltshot it is.
>
> Love how you introduce the DMR to a sidearm topic! Love ya though <3

Would you rather me fanboy it up over the Carbine now? I do like that really snazzy skin from the Rogue specialization? :slight_smile:

7

> Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
>
> Boltshot it is.

I think the primary is a big factor as well. If you want a suporting weapon that takes shields down for your headshot, plasma pistol would be best.

With the DMR, you would probably want the Boltshot to accomodate for the DMR’s lack of Close Quarters durability.

But where you see the Magnum as worst, I see it as the best due to its versatility.

8

> > > Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
> > >
> > > Boltshot it is.
> >
> > Love how you introduce the DMR to a sidearm topic! Love ya though <3
>
> Would you rather me fanboy it up over the Carbine now? I do like that really snazzy skin from the Rogue specialization? :slight_smile:

Yeah looks amazing! Hope that i can play with you halo 4. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

9

Definitely the Boltshot! It can get headshots, and it’s a mini-Shotgun too!

10

> > > > Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
> > > >
> > > > Boltshot it is.
> > >
> > > Love how you introduce the DMR to a sidearm topic! Love ya though <3
> >
> > Would you rather me fanboy it up over the Carbine now? I do like that really snazzy skin from the Rogue specialization? :slight_smile:
>
> Yeah looks amazing! Hope that i can play with you halo 4. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Putting you two in the same room would be priceless.

OT: I think the Boltshot would win.

11

> > > > > Either one but the Magnum. But I think the DMR has enough killing potential to not have to noob combo it up with a Plasma Pistol.
> > > > >
> > > > > Boltshot it is.
> > > >
> > > > Love how you introduce the DMR to a sidearm topic! Love ya though <3
> > >
> > > Would you rather me fanboy it up over the Carbine now? I do like that really snazzy skin from the Rogue specialization? :slight_smile:
> >
> > Yeah looks amazing! Hope that i can play with you halo 4. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
>
> Putting you to in the same room would be priceless.
>
> OT: I think the Boltshot would win.

It would be amazing…

12

> Definitely the Boltshot! It can get headshots, and it’s a mini-Shotgun too!

Keep in mind that where its a Master in Close quarters, at lacks in range. Though its a powerhouse face to face, it is at a very large disadvantage down long sights.

13

> > Definitely the Boltshot! It can get headshots, and it’s a mini-Shotgun too!
>
> Keep in mind that where its a Master in Close quarters, at lacks in range. Though its a powerhouse face to face, it is at a very large disadvantage down long sights.

It seems accurate enough when fired single shot.

14

> > > Definitely the Boltshot! It can get headshots, and it’s a mini-Shotgun too!
> >
> > Keep in mind that where its a Master in Close quarters, at lacks in range. Though its a powerhouse face to face, it is at a very large disadvantage down long sights.
>
> It seems accurate enough when fired single shot.

Something we agree on. The boltshot looks pretty accurate but really hard to master.

But magnum is hitscan, so it will be really easy to get kill with it.

15

> > > Definitely the Boltshot! It can get headshots, and it’s a mini-Shotgun too!
> >
> > Keep in mind that where its a Master in Close quarters, at lacks in range. Though its a powerhouse face to face, it is at a very large disadvantage down long sights.
>
> It seems accurate enough when fired single shot.

Accurate, yes. But you must keep in mind that the bullets fired are not hitscan, it will take some time to reach the target. If the target is strafing, then that would be a huge issue. Promethean weapons (Suppressor, Boltshot, Scattershot) bullets all slow down the longer they are in the air which also severely hurts the range.

16

Boltshot. Good compliment to the Light Rifle, and the thematic player in me wants to like a load-out of Light Rifle/Boltshot/Promethean Vision. The Promethean weaponry is just so pretty.

Magnum will still see plenty of use by me mind, likely paired with the Carbine/Battle Rifle (which I am sincerely hoping is good in the final build).

17

the AR would win…

automatics beat everything!
:3

18

Wait, Plasma Pistol has unlimited ammo? Or that it doesn’t use a magazine?

19

> Wait, Plasma Pistol has unlimited ammo? Or that it doesn’t use a magazine?

Doesn’t use a magazine. It has 100 energy, which is consumed quickly.

20

magnum is a weak POS. wha tis it now 6 or 7 shots to kill, its a joke. It would havebeen nicer if they just made a magnum skin for the DMR

bolt shot isnt as versatile and its shotty efect is virtually the same as a pp’s 3 shot spray. except its lots easier to land 3 shots of a pp.

PP can:
in one shot turn the tide of a fight
blind side from a range
3 shot+melee = dead
disable vehicles

Plasma pistol.Its clearly the best