Weapons of Choice
Halo® 2 introduces several powerful new enemies among the Covenant hordes, but don't be intimidated. It also introduces new weapons and spruces up some old favorites, so that you have an answer for each new alien invader you meet.
As in the first game, choosing the right weapon for the job is an important strategic element of a winning battle plan. Here's a quick look at some of the lethal new toys you'll see, so you'll know which one to use when the time comes.
The Battle Rifle is your new best friend.
Battle Rifle
The Assault Rifle is no more, and the Marine pistol has been tweaked, so it's not quite as powerful. What's a SPARTAN warrior supposed to use as his default go-to gun? The answer is the Battle Rifle, an all-purpose weapon that delivers a high rate of fire (ROF) as well as a powerful punch.
Firing in three-round bursts instead of full auto, the Battle Rifle can mow down large numbers of smaller foes at mid- or close-range. It comes with a 2X zoom for precision shooting or striking at a distance. Combining the Battle Rifle with a follow-up melee attack is a quick way to penetrate the shields of Elites or Jackals and take them out in a single forward charge.
The Battle Rifle (and its Covenant counterpart, the Plasma Rifle) are always good default weapons, but they're best against squads of Grunts, single Elites, and the new flying enemies, Buggers. A single burst is all it takes to kill one of these fast-moving high-flyers, provided you can keep them in your sights. The zoom also makes it easy to pick them off, if and when they stop moving.
The Battle Rifle is effective against Hunters as well because it allows you to zero in on their vulnerable spots from a safe distance. If they charge, retreat and burst-fire. If you've lined up your shot properly, it's only a matter of time before you punch through their defenses. The Plasma Rifle is still the most effective weapon against the mechanical Sentinels and is also perfect for shorting out enemy energy shields (as is the Covenant Needler).
Bring a sword to a gunfight … and win.
Plasma Sword
Melee combat in Halo 2 is better than ever, especially with the new Covenant Plasma Sword. You can lift these swords from fallen Elites on the battlefield. Some levels even start you off with it, but if you see one, take it because it's one of the quickest kills in the game.
This baby's on a battery, so you only have so many swipes before it runs out of juice. But, it's almost unstoppable when it's charged. It's meant exclusively for up-close combat, but it can kill just about anything with a single swipe if you time it right.
If you combine the right trigger attack with a B button attack, you can also pull of a sweet little one-two combo. Bust out the sword with some Active Camouflage to become an invisible stealth assassin and take out your most dangerous foes before they even know you're there.
The only foe it's not good against is the Hunters, whose armor offers significant protection. Go toe-to-toe with a Hunter, and you're probably going to lose. But, apart from that, there's very little the Plasma Sword can’t handle.
Dual Wielding
In case you haven't heard already, you can tote a small or medium-sized weapon in each hand and fire them independently inHalo 2. How cool is that? Dual Plasma Rifles or SMGs (or a mix of the same) are best against a certain small, skittery enemy that returns from the first game, and they're indispensable against rooms and hallways packed with Grunts and other low-level aliens.
This combo is also strong against the Buggers, who use their speed and maneuverability to stay alive. Simply fill the air with gunfire, and they'll drop like ducks at a shooting gallery. You'll have to adjust your aim for the increased recoil, but once you learn the ropes, you'll be twice as deadly.
Dual pistols (plasma or the new Marine magnum) allow veteran gamers to execute one of the original game's best tricks … only better. Charge up your Plasma Pistol and fire on an enemy with energy shields. The plasma burst shorts out the shield, leaving that foe vulnerable to the Magnum's powerful punch (or a hail of bullets from the SMG). In Halo 2, you can do this almost simultaneously, without switching weapons, which means the Covenant thugs fall faster than ever.
Also note that when you dual wield two Plasma Rifles, it takes one rifle exactly as long to overheat as it takes an overheated one to cool down. Only fire one at a time to keep an uninterrupted stream of destruction focused on your targets without ever having to stop for a cool-down.
Prepare to eat dual plasma, grunt.
Big Guns
This time around, the Marines have upgraded the Rocket Launcher with a homing capacity—just wait for the red lock-on reticule and let fly. On the Covenant side, players can finally get their hands on the Hunter's powerful Fuel Rod Cannon, which depletes energy shields and does massive splash damage. Both of these weapons are good against vehicles, large groups of enemies, or single big foes like Hunters or Honor Guard Elite.
It's worth mentioning that both sides have access to a sniper rifle this time out, and you can use sniper rifles effectively against literally every enemy in the game. Head shots against Elites and Grunts, hitting a Hunter's vulnerable spots, or shooting a shielded Jackal in the foot to get him to break cover are all great ways to thin out the opposition with machine-like precision.
Mixing up your weapons to fit the situation is one of the true joys of Halo 2. You can squeak by using just the Battle Rifle, but if you want to become Legendary, you need to work with the entire arsenal that the developers included. It's not just good strategy … and it's also way fun!
By Scott McGough
