Halo/Halo2 Multiplayer tips from the resident Halo master...

[Jack Burton]

Ok, so you want to get good at Halo multiplayer? OK. No problem. First things first though. Are you looking to be a good Free-For-All player? Or just a team player? These two issues are key...


But we'll start with some general tactics.

1. Always use the pistol whenever possible.

Like it or not, the pistol is probably the best weapon in the game. Its accuracy and power make it extremely deadly, and three well-placed shots can ruin someone's day very quickly. Other weapons, such as the shotgun and assault rifle are better for "up close and personal" fights, but for the long range battle, the pistol is the way to go for speed and accuracy.

2. Learn where the weapons and the powerups spawn.

Controlling the weapons and powerups in Halo is one of the easiest ways that you can ensure victory for yourself or your team. If you can hog that invisibility, do it. If you can make sure that you always have the only rocket launcher on the map, that's great. You'll have a much easier time dominating everyone else.

3. Get a timer.

Get a small clock, or a watch, or something that keeps time and put it in front of your tv, or where you play your games. "What does this do?" you may ask....well, it allows you to know when the weapons and the powerups respawn. All of the weapons and powerups are on a clock. Every 1 minute, all weapons, except for the rocket launcher, respawn...and every 2 minutes, the rocket launcher and the other powerups respawn. What advantage does this give you? Well...if you get the rocket launcher right before the next one respawns, that gives you an extra 2 rockets for your launcher, or if you're in a team game, it gives you two guys with rocket launchers, not just one.

4. Keep moving.

A stationary target in Halo is a dead one. Keep moving. Always. One of the best things you can do when in a firefight is dance. And not just like doing the hustle, but by quickly moving left-to-right, forward-to-backward, just generally trying to confuse the hell out of your opponent. The more you do that, the better the chance you have of surviving the fight with your enemy in the prime position for a good humping.

5. Learn the physics of the grenades

Grenades are one of the best parts of halo because of the physics. I mean seriously, learning what MC's range is with a grenade is probably one of the best things you can do to help out both your individual and your team game....grenades can drive even the most skilled puma driver insane.

6. Always try to keep the high ground

I don't care which map it is, Sidewinder, BG, Hang 'em, whatever. The high ground is definitely where you want to be if you want to get kills. The enemy will have a hard time firing up at you, which will be a much smaller target, while they'll be exposed to you, so you can completely thrash them quickly.

7. Don't forget about the melee

The melee can be the single-most under-used feature in Halo. A simple smack to the back of the head is fatal, and it's a great way to show how much people suck when they're busy sniping, or just not paying attention. Not only that, but when a close range firefight, if you happen to run out of ammo, a quick smack to the face could be the difference between you killing and you being killed.

8. Always get away from the spawn zones as quickly as possible

This will let you live longer...spawn zones are camper-happy places. Get out of them as soon as you can.

5. If possible, get a rocket launcher and invisibility.

There is almost nothing that can beat that combination. An invisible rocket launcher is by far one of the toughest things to fight against, and the easiest thing to score with. If you're an accurate shot, it's an easy 4 kills at least.



Now we'll move on to the FFA Slayer specific tactics.

1. Always get your back against a wall whenever possible.

This tactic allows you to pistol snipe your enemies while you don't have to worry about anyone sneaking up behind you and taking you out with relative ease. It's a great tactic, and works in nearly every map.

2. Spawn camp.

Sure it's cheap, but it's a really good tactic. Killing guys that don't even know where you are is the best way to rack up a score really quickly. It's way too easy.

3. Stay away from vehicles

Sure, they might be great in team games, but in FFA games, you're just signing your own death certificate by jumping in one of the vehicles. Sure you may get a quick kill or 2, but you're setting yourself up for an easy kill.

4. Separate yourself from the rest of the pack. The more distance you put between yourself and the other maniacs trying to kill each other, the better. This allows you to steal kills and get clean-up kills from those hard-fought battles, where one guy survives with one "cheerio" (life bar).


Next time...I'll be talking about multiplayer team games....those are incredibly deep...

-Jack

[Web_22]

Great stuff Jack. I got slaughtered at our last Halo tournament. I probably did every taboo on there. The timer advice was very nice. So let me understand this, does that stuff respawn 1 or 2 minutes after you take it, or every two minutes regardless, as long as it's been taken? That's good to know. Spawn camping is also good to know. High ground, I try to go up there, but end up going down to partake in the big firefights. I don't really have people to play, even in Halo, down here in Santa Fe. When I go to Albuquerque, it's usually to play some SC2. Still, those are some solid pointers that could help me step it up the next time we play.

[Jack Burton]

The timer thing is from the moment that the map starts. So if you pick up a rocket launcher at 1:58, another will pop up at 2:00.

-Jack

[Richie]

Great stuff, Jack, I know I'll be taking a couple pointers from this, especially with the pistol. And, sadly, I found out the hard way what you ment by staying away from vehicles on BG the other night. Three rounds in a row, a single player managed to rack up a 25 to 0 kill/death ratio by simply doing an extended powerslide around one of the bases. It's kinda like the push/pull whores from JKII.

[the fuzzy panda]

And, sadly, I found out the hard way what you ment by staying away from vehicles on BG the other night. Three rounds in a row, a single player managed to rack up a 25 to 0 kill/death ratio by simply doing an extended powerslide around one of the bases.

i think what jack meant was stay the fuck out of a vehicle cause your just a big ass target for someone with a sniper or rocket, but in your case its stay the fuck away from anyone driving a vehicle, right ? plz give me a swift kick to the nuts if im wrong.

[Jack Burton]

You're right both ways...

I did mean that you shouldn't jump in the vehicles...

But...you should always stay away from a vehicle coming at you...the best thing to do against a guy in a puma/ghost/tank is toss a grenade about 20 feet in front of him...it takes a while to get the timing down, but once you learn it, you get one of the most satisfying feelings in the world when the guy driving straight at you flips end-over-end from the grenade blast that he ran into

And guys, if you have any more questions, please, feel free to ask...I'm glad to answer all sorts of questions about multiplayer tips

-Jack

[Web_22]

All I need is people to test this all out on. This is awesome Jack. Don't forget to check out the SC2 strats as well people, and I too will answer any and all questions.

[mighty bean]

getting skilled with the grenade is crucial. Grenades are essentially 4 instant kills in your inventory when used right. Plasma grenades are the grenade of choice for taking out vehicles. Stick one to the vehicle, or in it's path. Much easier than the bouncy human grenades.

Speaking of the human grenades; remember that they explode 3 seconds after contacting something. In most cases, this means 3 seconds after the first bounce. A crucial tactic to learn is how to skip them like stones towards an opponent so they detonate right in front of him.

[Reaper]

Knowing the weapons magazine rounds is the first key. Knowing how many rounds you have left in the clip is really important. it especially helps when you are consused or cornered. The second tip is to know the weapons range/reload time. Shooting from a distance and not hitting them is a waste of bullets. Also if you are getting shot at and have to reload it is better to have a quick reloading gun, or a submachine gun. These are just some tips that have made me a good player

[Realm]

These are just some tips that have made me the best player alive.

*Rolls eyes*

[loosecannon]

Spitfire, will you just shut up. I mean its cool "pointers" and all, but it seems as if with that big of an ego, you should at least know that we know....if you don't hit anything...its a waste of bullets.

[Jack Burton]

I challenge thee, spitfire, to a duel in Halo!

-Jack

[Reaper]

Jack, I humbly accept. Just name the time and place and I'll chalange you

[Jack Burton]

Tomorrow night, at AdrenaLAN's LAN Party here in Lawrence. Come by anytime and I'll show you how REAL people play Halo.

-Jack

[Realm]

Since I will be unable to attend this duel, I want pics!