The Halo 2 Weapon Compendium -- Page 2
- January 07, 2005 17:47 PM PST
- Email this!
Experienced players will exploit this tricky distance, as it's just outside the range of the Energy Sword's lunge attack (and melee strikes in general), but still plenty close for rapid, consistent headshots. Take heed!
Battle Rifle
Don't be too quick to scoff at this skill-based weapon, a true spiritual successor to Halo 1's much-loved Pistol. The key is to keep your distance while landing multiple headshots; if you let enemies get too close, you're toast. In skilled hands, the Battle Rifle's three-round bursts will devastate targets long before they close in for the kill. The handy zoom scope is helpful for distant targets, but with practice, you won't need it for medium-range opponents. Compared to its single-shot cousin the Covenant Carbine, the Battle Rifle holds an edge at medium-to-long range. The Carbine fares somewhat better in close-range combat.
Combo: Plasma Rifle and Magnum
It's shocking how many Xbox Live players underestimate the devastating effects of this premium combo. The Plasma Rifle will devour your enemy's shields almost instantly, leaving him vulnerable to a Magnum headshot. The trick--as with all Magnum combos--is to hold the Magnum in your dominant hand (usually, your right hand). At first, it's usually best to soften your opponent with a super-quick burst from just the Plasma Rifle. Then, blast away with both guns and blow your target out of his boots.
Combo: Dual Plasma Rifles
Once you grasp the intricacies of their firing rates, dual Plasma Rifles are a devastating force in medium range combat. When firing both guns at once, you should start firing one slightly before firing the other. This is called firing out of phase, and it maximizes their effectiveness; performed correctly, you'll deliver a constant plasma stream from both guns. Another advantage is Plasma Rifles excel at melting enemy shields, a fact you can easily exploit. When you see your enemy's shield sputter and spark, close in on your prey and deliver a Melee attack--one whack will do the job.
Combo: Plasma Pistol and SMG
The Plasma Pistol's overcharged blast will instantly wipe out an enemy's shields, even if they're sporting a tough Overshield. The SMG can then land an easy killing blow. This well-loved combo is great for newbies, especially since the Plasma Pistol's overcharge will home in on medium-range targets. But there's an alternate way to use this combo, and it excels in close-quarter encounters. You can start shooting the SMG first, while rapidly pelting the enemy's head with regular Plasma Pistol blasts. Think of it as a poor man's alternative to the SMG/Magnum combo. With practice, it's fun and effective. But naturally, the overcharged shot should take priority.
