Halo 3 Beta Impressions

Plasma Pistol

The tracking ability of the Plasma Pistol’s overcharge shot was something that made this useful, in some respects, in Halo 2. This time around the tracking seems to have diminished somewhat. Thankfully that is fixed by making the overcharge shot disable vehicles. There is nothing better than stopping a Warthog, heading straight for you, dead in its tracks.

Plasma Rifle

No real changes here as well. Sure, it’s great to look at (Halo 3 is just soo pretty that the weapons make me drool and sit there in awe), but it’s nothing special. Dual wield if you care to, but again, there is better choices available.

Needler

This actually has had a significant change. First, you cannot dual wield with the needler anymore (or at least in the beta). Second, it is much more powerful this time around, most likely due to the aforementioned reason. I had some quick, easy kills with this nifty gun. Some may say it is overpowered and causes an imbalance in Halo 3 weaponry, but I’m fine with it. That may be due to me being such a crappy player and getting rise out of an easy Needler kill. Decide for yourselves I say.

Carbine

The Covenant’s Battle Rifle looks identical to the Halo 2 version. Its ability to zoom and a decent rate of fire make this good for large, open maps as well. This is a dangerous weapon for those with headshot skills. I like it, even if it hasn’t changed.

Beam Rifle

Again we have another Covenant weapon equivalent to a human one. It is similar in theory and play when compared to the Sniper Rifle but it really isn’t as good as the Sniper Rifle. Its ability to overheat isn’t very fun either. I never use this rifle, ever. It’s weird, ugly, and just plain makes me angry.


Spiker

Now here we have a brand new weapon. It’s a cool looking thing with the blades on the bottom of the muzzle and it has a speedy rate of fire. Then again, it is not very powerful so stray away from grabbing this without dual-wielding. I’m not sure how I feel about this addition yet so more use is required to gather my final opinion.

Brute Shot

Remember that huge rifle the marines had mounted to them in the movie Aliens? That is what the Brute Shot reminds me of. Sure it doesn’t fire lasers but it’s carried similarly. Now the Brute Shot isn’t loved by many regardless of the fact it fires out small grenades (6 total in each clip). The rate of fire seems to have increased so that is good and it’s quite effective in blasting into oblivion a Mongoose passing by. Still, getting a kill out of this gun is going to take a good 4 or 5 blasts. It does cause quite a bit of chaos and pandemonium with its accelerated rate of fire, so it’s not like it’s worthless. In short, I like it enough and use it on occasion.

Chain Gun Turret

Bungie got smart and finally gave users the ability to detach the chain gun and let us have fun on the go. Using this will put you in a third person view. Also you are much slower when using it, but the chain gun does have its benefits. Feeling like Jesse Ventura in Predator? Me too, and I like.

Missile Pod

This thing is tasty. It’s a massive weapon and just like the Chain Gun Turret, using it will put you in the third person perspective and slow down your pace. It’s VERY powerful (more than the Rocket Launcher I believe) and carries 8 missiles. It homes in on vehicles and is dangerous. If you notice an opponent using one of these, just run.