[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

So you used vehicles regularly I assume? It all makes sense now.

No, I took down vehicles with skill regularly.

[Clint Beastwood]

Spartan Laser is awesome. Fuck the haters.

[Petrichor]

Spartan Laser is awesome. Fuck the haters.

It looks and sounds awesome but completely ruined vehicle combat in Halo 3.

The perfect solution would be lock-on rockets a la Halo 2 but with reduced homing, imo. At least in halo 2 you could avoid rockets in some circumstances. In halo 3 if you see the laser tracker you may as well just get out of the vehicle.

Or just don't have a dedicated anti-vehicle weapon (except for air vehicles) and just let people use tactics / grenades...

[Bombadil]

It looks and sounds awesome but completely ruined vehicle combat in Halo 3. The perfect solution would be lock-on rockets a la Halo 2 but with reduced homing, imo. Or just don't have a dedicated anti-vehicle weapon (except for air vehicles) and just let people use tactics / grenades...

It didn't ruin vehicle combat at all. It made the game so much more awesome and goal-oriented. Despite the fact that I only played in the Team Deathmatch for Halo 3, the inclusion of the Spartan Laser in maps like Valhalla and Standoff made the matches seem a bit like Capture the Flag games at the beginning. If two teammates wanted to board a warthog and cause some gatling gun massacres, it was up to me or another teammate to run to the center of the map and grab the Spartan laser first to make sure we could safely use vehicles.

It was a thing of beauty to have that level of division of responsibility. Everyone had a goal because power weapons like shotguns and lasers and swords meant that instead of running around the map without any group cohesion, we had plans. We had to get to the power weapon before the other team did, we had to take control of a certain location, we had to conserve ammunition for that power weapon, we had to make sure that whoever had the power weapon remained alive and was followed by a teammate to make sure the weapon didn't fall into enemy hands. We had someone keeping count of the respawn time for the power weapon to get the next one when it came along.

And if we had the power weapon, we controlled the vehicles. It forced the other team to remain on foot and behind cover. And of course, I've been on that side of the match before. It's fun and strategic, not mindless. And if the other team had the laser and was driving around the map in a hog shooting us up, it became even more fun when I got close enough to stick the hog (two stickies to kill unless you stick the opponent directly) and got to see the plasma grenade spinning so fast on the hubcaps.

[Clint Beastwood]

It looks and sounds awesome but completely ruined vehicle combat in Halo 3. The perfect solution would be lock-on rockets a la Halo 2 but with reduced homing, imo. At least in halo 2 you could avoid rockets in some circumstances. In halo 3 if you see the laser tracker you may as well just get out of the vehicle. Or just don't have a dedicated anti-vehicle weapon (except for air vehicles) and just let people use tactics / grenades...

Yeah that's true. It's not as bad in Halo Reach though is it?

[Petrichor]

It didn't ruin vehicle combat at all. It made the game so much more awesome and goal-oriented. Despite the fact that I only played in the Team Deathmatch for Halo 3, the inclusion of the Spartan Laser in maps like Valhalla and Standoff made the matches seem a bit like Capture the Flag games at the beginning. If two teammates wanted to board a warthog and cause some gatling gun massacres, it was up to me or another teammate to run to the center of the map and grab the Spartan laser first to make sure we could safely use vehicles. It was a thing of beauty to have that level of division of responsibility. Everyone had a goal because power weapons like shotguns and lasers and swords meant that instead of running around the map without any group cohesion, we had plans. We had to get to the power weapon before the other team did, we had to take control of a certain location, we had to conserve ammunition for that power weapon, we had to make sure that whoever had the power weapon remained alive and was followed by a teammate to make sure the weapon didn't fall into enemy hands. We had someone keeping count of the respawn time for the power weapon to get the next one when it came along. And if we had the power weapon, we controlled the vehicles. It forced the other team to remain on foot and behind cover. And of course, I've been on that side of the match before. It's fun and strategic, not mindless. And if the other team had the laser and was driving around the map in a hog shooting us up, it became even more fun when I got close enough to stick the hog (two stickies to kill unless you stick the opponent directly) and got to see the plasma grenade spinning so fast on the hubcaps.

This is all well and good; but it's the effectiveness of the laser I have a problem with, rather than a centralising power weapon existing at all . If the other team has the laser, its game over in Halo 3 in terms of vehicle combat. It's a real shame because the integration of vehicle combat is one of the most successful aspects of the halo sandbox in my opinion, and they were hardly worth using in Halo 3 with the spartan laser ruining the fun .

Worst of all, if the other team controls the laser AND is using vehicles, you're completely screwed because of the awful grenades in H3.

Yeah that's true. It's not as bad in Halo Reach though is it?

I didn't play reach multiplayer long enough to find out XD. If it wasn't as bad I certainly remember the plasma launcher being just as cheap.

[snoopeasystreet]

They should bring back halo 2's RL but let you be able to shoot the rockets down.

[Bombadil]

This is all well and good; but it's the effectiveness of the laser I have a problem with, rather than a centralising power weapon existing at all . If the other team has the laser, its game over in Halo 3 in terms of vehicle combat. It's a real shame because the integration of vehicle combat is one of the most successful aspects of the halo sandbox in my opinion, and they were hardly worth using in Halo 3 with the spartan laser ruining the fun . Worst of all, if the other team controls the laser AND is using vehicles, you're completely screwed because of the awful grenades in H3. I didn't play reach multiplayer long enough to find out XD. If it wasn't as bad I certainly remember the plasma launcher being just as cheap.

I agree up to a point. Sometimes in the Standoff map the morale of my team would drop significantly if the other team got the laser and the vehicles. The other team would gain a 10 to 0 advantage in the scoreboard and we would give up, basically. But there were other times when we pushed through it. If we remained patient and waited inside the structures, we could gather up some plasma grenades, run out to the camo power-up and stick the vehicles to stop the run.

Some of the most fun times I've had playing Halo 3 was when my team was down by a lot and we came back to win. You sound like you're arguing against power weapons because they give too much of an advantage, and while you're right, you should probably get new teammates if everyone gives up so easily.

Plus, there's only three maps (non-big team) that I remember as having both lasers and vehicles. They were Standoff, High Ground, and Valhalla. And with High Ground, vehicle use was discouraged by other obstacles aside from the laser. How could your experience of the entire game be ruined when other maps like The Pit, Boundless, and Guardian lacked the laser advantage. I think Boundless only had the laser in some of the modes.

[Conor 419]

I loved Halo 3's plethora of anti vehicular options, particularly the Power Drainer, Missile Pod and other vehicles.

[Demoncarnotaur]

So anyways..
Spoilers:

New Halo 4 enemies revealed on toy packaging

[Not a Jellyfish]

Spoilers man! They are cool but still.

[NullPointer]

So anyways..

Why are we getting so many tidbits from toys first?

[ced]

New enemies not what I had in my mind...I was thinking less organic.

[Havok]

I didn't play reach multiplayer long enough to find out XD. If it wasn't as bad I certainly remember the plasma launcher being just as cheap.

Not even close. Laser is sandbox-breaking. Plasma Launcher is the most balanced antivehicle weapon in the series.

[dancrane212]

So anyways.. Spoilers: New Halo 4 enemies revealed on toy packaging

Thanks for the warning, I'll be more careful which sites I check out for the next few days.

[Demoncarnotaur]

Why are we getting so many tidbits from toys first?

It was bound to happen, I imagine anything super secretive wont leak out this way though.

New enemies not what I had in my mind...I was thinking less organic.

To be honest, I think the one is a sentinel, albiet a new form and the other is indigenous life, or 'attack dogs' of the new enemy race. Notice the back packaging also mentions a super secret enemy? Thats the new enemy, whatever it is. I bet these will be shown at e3.

These toys were always due out before the game released, so nothing that isn't meant to be seen before the game comes out is being shown atm.. just earlier than planned.

[Scullibundo]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO PILOT THE GODDAMN PELICAN?

[JdFoX187]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO PILOT THE GODDAMN PELICAN?

Halo makers hate us and will never give us the opportunity :(

[Scullibundo]

Halo makers hate us and will never give us the opportunity :(

I just want a few fuckoff huge maps where I can load like five team mates into a Pelican and drop them off. IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK? No side guns. No turret at the back ala HALO 3. Just a big ol' flying transport vehicle.

When am I going to be able to alert people that we're in for some chop?

[Demoncarnotaur]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO PILOT THE GODDAMN PELICAN?

In Halo Reach

But I agree, I would love to see them truly incorporated into the sandbox.

[Gui_PT]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET TO PILOT THE GODDAMN PELICAN?

YOU CAN DO THAT ON REACH

Beaten by demonadlfnsflçkghlshkdfhgksjdhgdfgdfg

[Striker]

Practically everything you mention can be customized by the user in 3 and Reach cant it? And Ive played Headlong quite a bit in Reach and its just as amazing as it was then. Even more for me cause i prefer Reach`s gameplay.

No. 3 Plots could not be created at all in 3, and it's in Reach, but the maps lack for it. You couldn't re-create the Assault from 2 into 3 or Reach either because both lack sticky arming, and in 2 after you arm it in the direct circle, you plant it by walking to the object in the middle of it.

Also neither had any flag/bomb contesting, which was pretty significant in being aware of returns.

i don't think thats confirmed. louis wu stated he saw it in his preview of the game but latter wasnt sure if it was that, or the new rail gun. he only saw the outline in the HUD for the ordinance drop.

I'd hope not, but I honestly wouldn't surprised. It had no purpose in Reach, either, since it was unused in campaign outside a few minor instances.

[TUROK]

I'm definitely getting that Halo 4 Master Chief toy.

[Demoncarnotaur]

I'm definitely getting that Halo 4 Master Chief toy.

Yup, it is very nice:



I wish I knew Chinese, I would contact the seller to see if they had more info or could share better pics of the back of the packaging.

[Petrichor]

So anyways.. Spoilers: New Halo 4 enemies revealed on toy packaging

That blue thing looks super creepy, so does the "crawler" actually. Can't wait to see it in-engine.

They both seem like peripheral enemy types rather than the main "foot soldier" we'll be fighting... but they don't look particularly forerunnery to me though; maybe we really are fighting something completely new, or maybe some kind of flood-esque (but not the flood) corruption of the forerunner

[Chinner]

just want to agree that the spartan laser is terrible.

[Conor 419]

Uhh, why do the enemies which compose a incomprehensibly sophisticated, powerful and technologically advanced race look like gimps?

But honestly, mite b cool. I look forward to seeing them in action.

[Petrichor]

Uhh, why do the enemies which compose a incomprehensibly sophisticated, powerful and technologically advanced race look like gimps? But honestly, mite b cool. I look forward to seeing them in action.

The fact that they have names like crawler and watcher makes me think that it isn't the MAIN enemy type in the faction; think carrier forms for the flood or jackals in the covenant.

the watcher seems like it'll float above the battlefield; so I doubt it'll be the main enemy type of whatever faction we're fighting in Halo 4

I mean these clearly aren't the enemy that was teased at the end of the concept art trailer last year.

[enzo_gt]

So anyways.. Spoilers: New Halo 4 enemies revealed on toy packaging

This should be it's own thread. New news not to be muddied up in this thread/Community one. I searched and nothing came up.

[JdFoX187]

Damn that Comic-Con Master Chief toy is nice. Why did I decide not to go this year :(

[Izick]

So is everyone still freaking out over random weapon drops? I really don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, as it does eliminate weapon camping, I will have to at least play the game before I say it's for sure good or bad for the multiplayer overall.

[Bombadil]

So is everyone still freaking out over random weapon drops? I really don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, as it does eliminate weapon camping, I will have to at least play the game before I say it's for sure good or bad for the multiplayer overall.

I believe I read somewhere that weapon drops will have a pattern that the players can follow. Perhaps a shotgun or rocket launcher will spawn in 3 or 4 places throughout the map in a random order but after playing on the same map a few times players will be able to predict where to go to get the next spawn. It's not a big deal, if that's the case. It just makes it more complicated and requires more movement around the map.

[TheOddOne]

So is everyone still freaking out over random weapon drops? I really don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, as it does eliminate weapon camping, I will have to at least play the game before I say it's for sure good or bad for the multiplayer overall.

I believe I read somewhere that weapon drops will have a pattern that the players can follow. Perhaps a shotgun or rocket launcher will spawn in 3 or 4 places throughout the map in a random order but after playing on the same map a few times players will be able to predict where to go to get the next spawn. It's not a big deal, if that's the case. It just makes it more complicated and requires more movement around the map.

More was clarified about weapon drops during the Sparkast.

[Inferno313]

Did anyone just get an Email about a Halo 4 puzzle piece?

I have 14/32, apparently.

This is what it looks like:

[EvB]

yeah, I've got all 32 pieces, just putting them together now.

[TheOddOne]

Did anyone just get an Email about a Halo 4 puzzle piece?

Check the community sections, tons of people are now assembling it.

[TheOddOne]

Here it is!

Credit to spawn031

[Conor 419]

Nice boxart.

[Lakitu]

That looks real nice.

[TheOddOne]

With ESRB :lol

Credit to Boomwood.

[The Xtortionist]

Looks like Chief is being sucked into a giant blue asshole but it's cool besides that.

[Hypertrooper]

Here it is! Credit to spawn031

I like that design.

[BigTnaples]

Amazing image.

[NullPointer]

God damn thats good. I hope the game can conjure even close to that level of scale.

Given the history of the series I have no reason to doubt it.

[TUROK]

Badass... Pure badass.

[The Xtortionist]

God damn thats good. I hope the game can conjure even close to that level of scale. Given the history of the series I have no reason to doubt it.

343 has the lead level designer of Donkey Kong Country Returns! Anything is possible!

[AHappyPanda]

Am I the only one who loved the melee system in halo 2? It seems like that never comes up when people talk about it. Not just that your damage depending on if you were standing, running, or jumping, but the fact that you could actually avoid the melees of your opponent. It just made cqc so satisfying.

Nope. Why they even bothered to fuck with the melee system instead of leaving it like H2 is beyond me.

[Silly.Mikey]

Some new MP footage i think. Not much though. Really need E3 to get here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ldzZCZYa4d8

[TUROK]

Some new MP footage i think. Not much though. Really need E3 to get here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ldzZCZYa4d8

They keep saying how awesome the weapons are going to sound, but they keep obscuring the sounds in any MP footage. At this point, they... well, the BR sounds pretty weak to me. Fingers crossed for being proven wrong.

[Petrichor]

Some new MP footage i think. Not much though. Really need E3 to get here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ldzZCZYa4d8

Is it me or does the BR sound pathetic in that clip?

Cool video otherwise.