Hello again.
In the wake of my feedback thread I’d like to offer this follow up thread. At this point I’ve been playing enough Slayer Pro to have an understanding of the map flows and I’d like to give some suggestions that would improve the only playlist catered to the competitive community. Now I’m not expecting anyone from 343 to read this and act immediately. You guys just put out a great game and I know you’re going to be busy with all sorts of adjustments. I’m just hoping the playlist coordinators could give this thread a one-over and implement some (hopefully most) of the suggestions. I’m sure other competitive players who frequent the playlist will be in full agreement with my ideas.
First, I’d suggest a change in the map rotation; the replacement of Complex with Ragnarok. The playable maps would then be Abandon, Adrift, Haven, Ragnarok, and Solace. Complex just isn’t sized or spaced properly for competitive play, and Valhalla (Ragnarok’s predecessor) was a decent 4v4 slayer map in Halo 3. It could hold up a voting space and increase variety a bit.
Next is the spawn system. Spawn times on every map should be increased back up to five seconds. Instant spawns lead to a cluster of players fighting chaotic battles as opposed to controlling strategic map positions or making fluid pushes. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in terms of game play.
The spawns (static or dynamic) on Abandon, Adrift, and Haven are fine as is. Dynamic spawns suit those maps because of their asymmetrical design, segmented nature, and small size, respectively. However the spawns on Ragnarok and Solace need to be changed to static spawns because coordinated pushes on those maps will always take longer, causing enemies to spawn on either side of players who have just killed them, and are still in mid push. Dynamic spawns do not suit more open, base-holding maps.
Next we have the weapon spawns. I still haven’t been able to make much sense of the weapon spawns, but they should be adjusted so that consistent weapons should spawn in consistent locations, at consistent times. Players should be able to time and acquire weapons right as they will be dropping without any uncertainty. The random drop of a weapon such as the rocket launcher can have a seriously negative effect on a close game.
I’d also like to address the actual matchmaking system. 4v3 lobbies should never happen in a competitive playlist even with the drop in/out feature. The start of a game can decide the outcome of the entire match so having one team begin the game disadvantaged is an awful scenario.
Next up is some adjustments to individual maps. Firstly, if Ragnarok is implemented in Team Slayer Pro it is absolutely essential that the banshee and mantis be removed from the map. In big team games it is possible for a team to coordinate and kill multiple banshees/mantises, but in smaller games if a team acquired both of one type of vehicle they would be nearly invincible.
Also, a few starting weapons such as DMRs and Battle Rifles should be placed throughout the maps so players don’t have too much difficulty finding ammo. With the new ordinance system and random map weapon drops in Halo 4 it’s quite easy to always find a weapon, but in Slayer Pro those random elements are absent and players need a way to ensure that they have consistent ammo pick ups. The quantity of placed weapons should be proportionate to the map size. So a map like Haven should have four DMRs/BRs placed at maximum and a map like Ragnarok should have four DMRs/BRs placed at minimum. Something along those lines.
The final point I’m about to make isn’t strictly necessary, as the others are, but I included it because I feel it will be a small improvement to game play. I’d suggest the removal of the Incinerator and Binary Rifle. They are simply too easy to use, and picking one of the two up is usually several guaranteed kills. Replacing the two with Rockets and Sniper Rifle (they are both more difficult to use, if only slightly) would be a small improvement, but not one of absolute urgency.
Well, everyone, this is my list of suggestions. I hope the more competitive members who these changes would effect will be willing to help me keep this thread alive. I’d be very appreciative. And feel free to offer up suggestions I may have forgotten or even debate me on my opinions.
Thank you.
-Killer Whale