You will always want to be the guy with the loaded rocket launcher

Weapon Of Choice

What is an arcade-esque first-person shooter without its array of weaponry? As a match begins, you get your choice of which weapon loadout you want to start off with. Each loadout comes with two different weapons and an armor ability (example: the Soldier loadout for the Spartans give them an assault rifle, a Magnum, and the Sprint armor ability).

While other weapons will be placed on the map ripe for picking, your weapons loadout at the start can determine your playing style. You want to be a sneaky tart? Go for the Assassin loadout which has Active Camo. You want to take point and lead the charge while also being a diversion? Go for the loadout with Armor Lock and the Shotgun. Keep in mind that since it’s a beta, all of the weapons and armor ability properties are subject to change until the full game comes out.

One more thing: when you’re getting attacked, your shield will first deplete, then your health goes down. Which means that if you were to get a shotgun blast with 25% of your shield, your shield will be depleted instantly but you are still alive until your opponent blasts you again. Front and side melee attacks still adhere to this rule, though back melee and headshots are an instant kill.

With that said let’s take a look at the new and the old:

Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR)

One might think that the Battle Rifle from Halo 3 has been nerfed into the DMR, and you might be right. The DMR fires single rounds instead of a 3-shot burst. However, the range has been tweaked further; it works as a makeshift sniper rifle and can also double as a good middle-range gun when you see enemies coming after you. Accuracy still plays a huge part when using this gun though. If you aren’t precise with your shots, you might want to switch to something else quick. The damage isn’t spectacular, but it has reduced recoil meaning that you can go trigger-happy without sacrificing accuracy.

Perfect For: Sniper-happy long-distance campers who don’t mind re-learning the weapon’s timing.

Focus Rifle

Do you remember that special Protoss aircraft in Starcraft 2 that shoots out a blue beam that deals collective damage the longer it shoots? Well, the Focus Rifle works exactly like that. It also comes with a 2X scope, meaning that it works well from afar. Only that you have to hold the trigger and other enemies will know where you’re shooting from. Still, you can use it to “slash” through multiple opponents. One tactic with this gun is to bait someone into taking cover using the beam, then notify your teammates to flank them from the side.

Perfect For: Snipers who know how to find secure locations with guaranteed exits.

Needler Rifle

Point the Needler Rifle to anything you wish to shoot at; the crystal bullets will home onto it. Unlike its cousin, the Needler, it only fires single-shot rounds so you have to be quick on the Right Trigger if you wish to flood someone with Needler bullets. The upside is that it comes with a scope and has big headshot potential.

Perfect For: Mid-range fighters with good accuracy.

Grenade Launcher

This one’s a little different to use than in other games. The grenade that chucks out from its barrel explodes upon contact. It also has good long reach, and you can “cook” it by holding down the Right Trigger. If you hold the trigger after firing a round, it won’t explode until you let go of the trigger. If it hits a wall or surface, it’ll bounce and act as a frag grenade.  Treat the gun like a mini-version of a mortar cannon. You also need to get used to its triggering properties to use it effectively. But we can give you this one protip:  this +  Jet Pack = good times with explosions from the air.

Perfect For: Bombardiers with good aim.

Plasma Repeater

It still shoots out doses of blue bolts like the Plasma Rifle, but its rapid-fire properties will deteriorate when it overheats. Use the reload button to set the Repeater back to full speed, preferably when no one’s firing at you. It seems to deal more damage than the Assault Rifle so far.

Perfect For: Those who want the Elite equivalent of the Assault Rifle and prefers the “pew pew” noise.

Plasma Launcher

I didn’t get to use this gun at all, but it’s suppose to be just like the missile pod from past Halo games. If so, expect this to have lock-on onto vehicles and the ability to take them out with a few shots. It also locks onto people, but you need to be fast and accurate with its reticule to pull that off.

Perfect For: Anyone who loves to shut off Wraith-hogging jerks.

Ye Old Faithfuls

The Assault Rifle is as reliable as it should be: a medium-range rapid-fire go-to gun that deals decent damage. Most of the Spartan loadouts should have this either as a main or secondary weapon. Bungie mentioned that it has been tweaked to be more accurate, but I have yet to see that effect.

The Needler is still intact, and just as strong as it was thanks to its homing-and-exploding capabilities. Elites who pick the Assassin weapon loadout at the start of a match will get this as their main gun.

Shotgun’s still the same: up-close damage dealer. Keep in mind that Halo: Reach’s shield system works a little differently this time around.

Sniper Rifle’s self-explanatory. Stay far away, kill things dead. Headshot equals one-hit kills even with full shields.

The Magnum will take down a fully-shielded player. However, it’s only effective when you use single shots; multiple shots somehow throws off its accuracy due to its recoil. Upon further usage, it’s better to use this gun at short range.

Rocket Launcher shoots, well, rockets. It’s also a perfect counter against vehicles. Armor Lock + Rocket Launcher means perfect fodder against a vehicle-heavy situation. Bonus if you have Jetpack and happen to be packing this.