How to Use Marine Weapons in Halo 3

Halo 3 is all about combat, which makes it all about the weapons. There are many elements to pay attention to in a fight, but the single most fundamental element is knowing how and when to use your weapon. The range at which you use a weapon is extremely important, as is knowing which enemy weapons you can attack with your weapon and still expect victory.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An XBOX 360
• A copy of Halo 3
• An itchy trigger finger

Close range

1. 
    

   Use the magnum in conjunction with another gun. It is too weak a gun to be used by itself. Other dual-wield guns are the SMG, the plasma pistol, the plasma riffle, brute pistol and the mauler (those last four were Covenant weapons). When used in conjunction with a plasma weapon, take down your enemies' shield with the plasma weapon before firing with the magnum. Plasma weapons have no recoil and have extra effectiveness against shields, so you will be much more accurate overall by using one and then the other. When using the magnum with an SMG, fire both weapons at the same time. Both weapons recoil, so there's no use using one then the other. When used in connection with the SMG, plasma weapons or the brute pistol, it's possible to engage the enemy at medium range, as the magnum is quite accurate and the added power makes medium range engagement viable. When used in conjunction with the mauler, get as close to your enemy as you can. If you have to engage at medium range, use the magnum then close and finish the fight with a single mauler blast to the head. If you start close, fire both weapons simultaneously. A single magnum can be used to take out grunts (head) and jackals (hand, then head) at medium range in campaign mode.

2. 
    

   Use the shotgun on smaller maps, when defending on any map, and when near the enemy base on any map. It is effectively useless at medium range or longer, so only use if you can get close to your enemy. Don't fear charging anybody with the shotgun - it makes you a wrecking ball at close range. Hit the enemy with a blast and follow with a melee attack - it's much quicker than waiting for a second shotgun blast and does about the same amount of damage. Use grenades when forced into medium range combat, and when closing in on the enemy. Don't waste shotgun ammo on anything less than a brute in campaign mode. If you're close enough to use it, you're close enough to melee.

3. 
    

   Use the Flame-thrower when playing defense on any map, on small maps or when camping on any map. The flame only reaches out about six feet, but it kills nearly instantly. Moving around with the flame-thrower isn't generally a good idea, due to your restricted movement and extremely short range. It is extremely effective against the Flood in campaign mode.

4. Throw firebomb grenades at close range. They explode on impact and leave a slick of fire that can damage you if you're not careful.

Medium range

5. 
    

   Use the assault riffle at close or medium range. Simply concentrate your fire on the enemies head. The closer you are the more effective you will be, except when facing a shotgun or flame-thrower. Don't engage enemies at long range. You will cause some damage, but your enemy will likely either get to cover or take you out with a more powerful weapon before you do any significant damage. Use a grenade when engaging, then follow up with fire. Fights with other assault riffles often come down to two factors: who empties their magazine first, or who lands the first melee attack. If you land a melee attack, immediately back up so your enemy can't do the same. If you run out of bullets first, make an all-out charge to land a melee attack. The only enemy type to avoid with the assault riffle in campaign mode is the jackal, as it's almost impossible to get around their shields with the assault riffle.

6. 
    

   Use the SMG in conjunction with another gun. It isn't powerful enough to use otherwise. Ideally used with a plasma riffle - this combo is one of the most powerful in the game. When used with plasma weapons, open with a burst of plasma, then join with the SMG once their shields are down. This is much more accurate since the SMG has significant recoil that will spoil your aim. Use at the same time is used in conjunction with a magnum brute pistol or mauler. The optimal range for the SMG is hard to pin down. Assault riffles, flame throwers and shotguns are more powerful at close range, almost any weapon is more powerful at medium and long range. Engage at medium range when used with a plasma riffle, close range when used with a mauler or brute pistol. Otherwise, look for another weapon. A single SMG is really only effective against grunts in campaign mode.

7. 
    

   Use the rocket launcher at medium range against all enemies, and at long range against enemies that aren't aware of you. Aim at your enemies feet to kill him with splash damage. Aim at where your enemy is going to be, not where he is. Do not fire at close range. You are just as likely to kill yourself as your enemy. Engage any weapon at medium range, you will likely win every engagement. Conserve your rockets. Once they're gone, you're out of luck. It's often a good idea to use a secondary weapon until you encounter two or more enemies - one shot can even the most difficult odds in your favor. Save rockets for brutes or above in campaign mode.

8. Use the heavy turret at all ranges, though it's most effective at medium range. It is fairly accurate, and even if it takes you awhile to finish someone off you will score hits constantly and disrupt their aiming. You will move slower, so stay out of wide open areas. This is a powerful weapon, so it's good idea to take it whenever you find it. The heavy turret is effective against all enemy types in campaign mode.

9. Use fragmentation grenades ant medium and close ranges. Be careful at close range, as they will likely damage you as well as your enemy. The best way to use it at close range is to drop one at your feet as you back up. It's a good idea to lead with a fragmentation grenade, since they are powerful, quick, and will keep the element of surprise until they explode. Don't be afraid to bounce them off of walls into rooms you know contain enemies. It's often much better to use plasma grenades in campaign mode, as they are what downed enemies drop.

Long range

10. 
     

    Only use the sniper riffle at long range. It is ineffective at medium range, and only slightly effective at close range. When an enemy is out in the open, don't focus on head shots. If you are going to kill someone you need to do so in four shots, otherwise they will get to cover while you reload, and trying for head shots is much less accurate. When they are out in the open, it's fairly easy to score a body shot, and no matter where you hit them it only takes two hits. When you find an enemy in cover, try for the head shot. You will likely only have one shot at it, since they can duck into cover as soon as they know they are in your cross-hairs, so wait until you have the shot lined up. It's better to wait a minute or two and get the kill than to shoot right away, miss and give away your position. Find good cover near the edge of the map, or get to high ground. Save sniper riffle for brutes and above in campaign mode. The exception is a group of three or more jackals - it's worth it to take out one or two with the sniper riffle to even the odds.

11. 
     

    Use the battle riffle at all ranges in all situations. It's powerful, has great range, and a fairly large magazine. When in close range, land a melee attack first before following with a burst to the torso and head. The melee will drop your enemies' shield, and the burst will finish him off very quickly. Aim for the head in longer range engagements. You won't land every round, but with the three round burst you will land more than not. Don't waste battle riffle ammo on grunts and drones in campaign mode, but it's useful for every other enemy type.

12. 
     

    Use the spartan laser at long range, medium if you're good, and against vehicles at any range. At close range it's extremely difficult to keep an enemy in the cross-hairs long enough for it to fire, but vehicles are larger to it's very possible. When targeting an enemy, aim slightly behind him so the targeting laser doesn't tip them off, then zero in as the weapon fires up. You'll only really get a chance to use them against enemy vehicles and turrets in campaign mode.

13. 
     

    Use the missile pod at long range against enemy vehicles, or short range against enemy soldiers. Not that it's very difficult and slow to aim at soldiers. Due to the targeting mechanism, it's more accurate against vehicles at longer ranges, since the missiles can only turn at a certain degree and will likely miss speeding vehicles at short range. The missile pod is not available in campaign mode.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the left thumb-stick, or the movement thumb-stick, to aim along with the right thumb-stick, especially if you have a high sensitivity setting. Moving a foot to either side can adjust your aim by very small amounts, much smaller amounts that can be achieved with the aiming thumb-stick.
• With almost every weapon, aim for the head.