The question is simple. Why should Elites be playable in multiplayer?
Have we been really missing out that much from not having them? I get that it was a cool thing at the time, in fact I used to play exclusively as an Elite in Halo 2 and 3. I just don’t see what makes this such a sorely missed “feature”. It’s a first-person shooter, all you can see is your hands unless you look down at your legs or die. I don’t mean to -Yoink- on cosmetics because I do think it’s important. If Gears of War made it so you couldn’t play as Locust (looking at you Judgment) then I would be extremely choked, if not put off from the game entirely. (Which I was)
But there’s a difference there. Gears is third person, the character I’m playing as is constantly in my view no matter what. My character in Gears also has unique dialogue and is a character featured in the story itself. In Halo, your appearance really doesn’t matter that much, as long as you can have your own unique look. Not to mention, Elites don’t operate on the same levels as Spartans, it’s not even close.
The reason we are able to do things like Spartan abilities is because we are playing as Spartans, the most feared and mythical soldiers of any battlefield. To give Elites the same capabilities as Spartans would just be gimmicky, don’t you think? Not to mention they would have to shrink the Elite’s models and balance the hit boxes, all to make them function the exact same as Spartans. So why even add them in at all if they function the exact same?
If Elites are gonna be in the multiplayer, I’d want to see it done right in an Invasion type mode, but we already know that’s not happening.
Why spend the valuable resources to create the exact same thing twice? Just because Halo 2 and 3 did it?
> 2533274850173803;2:
> One word : machinimas.
Is that really enough justification? I understand that Machinima is important to some people but that’s a lot of time and resources just for one reason.
I think it’s more of a why not feature. If it’s not bringing down the game then why not have it in there?
From the moment that Halo 5 features the new spartan abilities, It’s impossible that we can choose to play as a spartan or an elite in every match like in Halo 2 and Halo 3, but one of the coolest things of Reach was the distinction between spartans and elites. Josh Holmes, as you have already said, confirmed that there won’t be invasion mode in Halo 5 guardians, but this doesn’t means that new spartan vs elites gametypes won’t be present in the final game, because these new modes will indeniably increase the variety of the overall multiplayer experience.
> 2533274814063318;4:
> I think it’s more of a why not feature. If it’s not bringing down the game then why not have it in there?
I get that, but it takes time and resources which could be better used for things that aren’t just “why not”.
> 2533274856902212;5:
> From the moment that Halo 5 features the new spartan abilities, It’s impossible that we can choose to play as a spartan or an elite in every match like in Halo 2 and Halo 3, but one of the coolest things of Reach was the distinction between spartans and elites. Josh Holmes, as you have already said, confirmed that there won’t be invasion mode in Halo 5 guardians, but this doesn’t means that new spartan vs elites gametypes won’t be present in the final game, because these new modes will indeniably increase the variety of the overall multiplayer experience.
I agree but only if the Elites provide a new gameplay experience.
Why not? Give us a choice not everybody wants to be a Spartan all the time.
> 2533274840003618;8:
> Why not? Give us a choice not everybody wants to be a Spartan all the time.
Playing as a Spartan is kind of the whole point of playing Halo is it not? I’ve never known anyone to have a problem with this.
Pros:
-big targets
-cool looking (-Yoink!-, even)
-great for screenshots and machinimas
-many of our Elite brothers and sisters had to dress up as demons in Reach and Halo 4
-they make funny sounds when they die
-why not?
-on Xbox One, there are plenty of resources to implement Elites. Hell, they pulled it off in Halo 2 and nothing suffered because of it. I get Halo 4 pushing size and graphical limits on the 360, but they have a lot to work with this time.
Cons:
-…
> 2533274883669557;10:
> Pros:
> -big targets
> -cool looking (-Yoink!-, even)
> -great for screenshots and machinimas
> -many of our Elite brothers and sisters had to dress up as demons in Reach and Halo 4
> -they make funny sounds when they die
> -why not?
> -on Xbox One, there are plenty of resources to implement Elites. Hell, they pulled it off in Halo 2 and nothing suffered because of it. I get Halo 4 pushing size and graphical limits on the 360, but they have a lot to work with this time.
>
> Cons:
> -…
Cons:
-big targets
-have to balance the hitbox (elites are never used in pro play)
-giving them “Elite abilities” would just be a gimmick
-unless they provide a new gameplay experience, they will be the exact same as Spartans
-if made the same as Spartans, it diminishes the reputation/myth of Spartans being the ultimate soldier
-takes time and resources that could be better used for more Spartan customization
-if they don’t perfectly balance Elites against Spartans in multiplayer, they will either never be used or used by everyone just to get an advantage
If you don’t believe me then look at what happened with Gears 3 - All the female characters have smaller hitboxes and are used to get an edge, one of the most popular characters was the Savage Kantus because of his slim model and “sponging” nature. Larger characters such as RAAM and Theron guards took the backseat because as cool as they looked, you were at a disadvantage just by playing them.
Bonus lore con:
-Elites can’t compete with Spartans because they would get destroyed, they are not as versatile and experienced. Would they even be able to use Smart Scope? I thought that was a Spartan exclusive because of their superior tech. This may not seem important but it is if 343 wants Multiplayer to be canon.
I would be worried about Elites being incorporated into regular multiplayer because of the Spartan Abilities. If the Elites can use the SAs, then why are they “Spartan” Abilities? And if they can’t use them, then that just imbalances the gameplay - even if they are given a set of “Elite Abilities” to mirror the functionality of the SAs.
> 2533274833600810;11:
> > 2533274883669557;10:
> > Pros:
> > -big targets
> > -cool looking (-Yoink!-, even)
> > -great for screenshots and machinimas
> > -many of our Elite brothers and sisters had to dress up as demons in Reach and Halo 4
> > -they make funny sounds when they die
> > -why not?
> > -on Xbox One, there are plenty of resources to implement Elites. Hell, they pulled it off in Halo 2 and nothing suffered because of it. I get Halo 4 pushing size and graphical limits on the 360, but they have a lot to work with this time.
> >
> > Cons:
> > -…
>
>
> Cons:
> -big targets
> -have to balance the hitbox (elites are never used in pro play)
> -giving them “Elite abilities” would just be a gimmick
> -unless they provide a new gameplay experience, they will be the exact same as Spartans
> -if made the same as Spartans, it diminishes the reputation/myth of Spartans being the ultimate soldier
> -takes time and resources that could be better used for more Spartan customization
> -if they don’t perfectly balance Elites against Spartans in multiplayer, they will either never be used or used by everyone just to get an advantage
>
> If you don’t believe me then look at what happened with Gears 3 - All the female characters have smaller hitboxes and are used to get an edge, one of the most popular characters was the Savage Kantus because of his slim model and “sponging” nature. Larger characters such as RAAM and Theron guards took the backseat because as cool as they looked, you were at a disadvantage just by playing them.
>
> Bonus lore con:
> -Elites can’t compete with Spartans because they would get destroyed, they are not as versatile and experienced. Would they even be able to use Smart Scope? I thought that was a Spartan exclusive because of their superior tech. This may not seem important but it is if 343 wants Multiplayer to be canon.
I can understand the smart scope problem, but there have been multiple occasions where there are some elites that are as strong as a spartan. I the cole protocol when Thel fought Jai (leader of Gray Team) if they had continued to fight they would have killed each other meaning that Thel was equal to a spartan 2. It is also stated that elites are as physically as strong or stronger than a spartan in armor. In halo 4 Spartan ops we heard that Gek (one of Jul’s commanders) had killed many Spartan 4s himself and would have killed Thorne if team majestic hadn’t come. So while weaker elites may not be as good as Spartans the stronger ones are as good or better.
> 2533274833600810;11:
> > 2533274883669557;10:
> > Pros:
> > -big targets
> > -cool looking (-Yoink!-, even)
> > -great for screenshots and machinimas
> > -many of our Elite brothers and sisters had to dress up as demons in Reach and Halo 4
> > -they make funny sounds when they die
> > -why not?
> > -on Xbox One, there are plenty of resources to implement Elites. Hell, they pulled it off in Halo 2 and nothing suffered because of it. I get Halo 4 pushing size and graphical limits on the 360, but they have a lot to work with this time.
> >
> > Cons:
> > -…
>
>
> Cons:
> -big targets
> -have to balance the hitbox (elites are never used in pro play)
> -giving them “Elite abilities” would just be a gimmick
> -unless they provide a new gameplay experience, they will be the exact same as Spartans
> -if made the same as Spartans, it diminishes the reputation/myth of Spartans being the ultimate soldier
> -takes time and resources that could be better used for more Spartan customization
> -if they don’t perfectly balance Elites against Spartans in multiplayer, they will either never be used or used by everyone just to get an advantage
>
> If you don’t believe me then look at what happened with Gears 3 - All the female characters have smaller hitboxes and are used to get an edge, one of the most popular characters was the Savage Kantus because of his slim model and “sponging” nature. Larger characters such as RAAM and Theron guards took the backseat because as cool as they looked, you were at a disadvantage just by playing them.
>
> Bonus lore con:
> -Elites can’t compete with Spartans because they would get destroyed, they are not as versatile and experienced. Would they even be able to use Smart Scope? I thought that was a Spartan exclusive because of their superior tech. This may not seem important but it is if 343 wants Multiplayer to be canon.
Whaaat!!! Have you even read the books? Elites are just as strong, if not, stronger than spartans! There’s a reason humanity was almost wiped out by the Covenant. Long live the Sangheili race!
> 2533274833600810;6:
> > 2533274814063318;4:
> > I think it’s more of a why not feature. If it’s not bringing down the game then why not have it in there?
>
>
> I get that, but it takes time and resources which could be better used for things that aren’t just “why not”.
Elite models are made in every Halo game regardless, textured in every Halo game, voice-acted in every Halo game, animated in every Halo game…
You get the idea…
Aside from making custom FPS hands and a custom HUD skin, porting them to Multiplayer does not exhaust any ‘resources’ that weren’t already used to put them in the Campaign. Making those things would be SO demanding amirite?
I’ll give you one straight forward and simple answer as to why Elites should be in Halo 5 Gaurdians’ multiplayer.
Because that’s what the fans want! Look how many likes the dedicated thread has for crying out loud. It’s a feature that simply should never have been removed and fans have eagerly awaited to come back.
To put it into perspective, how would you feel if Halo 5 removed any and all forms of Spartan armor customization? It would be a downgrade, wouldn’t it?
Not having Elites in MM is a downgrade to customization. That’s why people want them back. Because they like looking like an Elite when they jump into battle, just like how people enjoy wearing [insert Spartan armor variant here] when playing MM.
I want to play as an elite again for 1 reason.
They’re awesome
> 2533274833600810;11:
> > 2533274883669557;10:
> >
>
>
> Cons:
> -big targets
> -have to balance the hitbox (elites are never used in pro play)
> -giving them “Elite abilities” would just be a gimmick
> -unless they provide a new gameplay experience, they will be the exact same as Spartans
> -if made the same as Spartans, it diminishes the reputation/myth of Spartans being the ultimate soldier
> -takes time and resources that could be better used for more Spartan customization
> -if they don’t perfectly balance Elites against Spartans in multiplayer, they will either never be used or used by everyone just to get an advantage
>
> If you don’t believe me then look at what happened with Gears 3 - All the female characters have smaller hitboxes and are used to get an edge, one of the most popular characters was the Savage Kantus because of his slim model and “sponging” nature. Larger characters such as RAAM and Theron guards took the backseat because as cool as they looked, you were at a disadvantage just by playing them.
>
> Bonus lore con:
> -Elites can’t compete with Spartans because they would get destroyed, they are not as versatile and experienced. Would they even be able to use Smart Scope? I thought that was a Spartan exclusive because of their superior tech. This may not seem important but it is if 343 wants Multiplayer to be canon.
-
First two points are easy: just give them the same hitboxes as spartans, no magic required
-
All we have to do different with them is give them “thrusters”, then they will be able to do all the SA’s
-
And that’s a problem because?
-
Or sangheili are just proficient at combat because they are a warrior culture that is stronger and bigger than the average human
-
So alienate an entire portion of the community so that the spartans can look pretty?
-
Which can be done by making them play the same as spartans.
Lore point:
Nope, not if we are in a rational universe. Sangheili on several occasions have bested Spartans in combat. Plus, sangheili have always been considered as equals to spartans, so they would fair quite well in the simulators.
As for why I want them back:
-
My clan and several others can not function without this feature
-
Seeing both spartans and sangheili side by side adds a sense of culture to the game that is non existent in others
-
The stories in machinimas lately have been growing stale, and directors attribute the lack of sangheili as a major reason
-
Having them in can get rid of the recent surge of spartans > everything shenanigans, this should be a rational universe not a romantic one
-
Each time they were in the games, the new armors alone have increased our knowledge on their culture, history, and psychology, and we would like to know more
> 2533274810150284;12:
> I would be worried about Elites being incorporated into regular multiplayer because of the Spartan Abilities. If the Elites can use the SAs, then why are they “Spartan” Abilities? And if they can’t use them, then that just imbalances the gameplay - even if they are given a set of “Elite Abilities” to mirror the functionality of the SAs.
Because spartans are the only people in the galaxy that can sprint, climb, and use thruster pack technology.