Editing Weapons (gameplay)

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{{Center|For the full list of weapons see [[:Category:Weapons]].}}
The '''weapons''' from the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]], available in campaign and [[multiplayer]] gameplay, form the basis of [[wikipedia:First-person shooter|first-person shooter]] gameplay within the Halo games.

== Overview ==
The player is allowed to use weapons from many races, such as [[UNSC|humans]], [[Covenant|Covenant]], and [[Forerunner]]s, often turning the enemy's firepower against them.

Human weapons tend to use bullets, explosives, coil/rail guns and lasers. [[Covenant weapons]] are generally [[plasma]] or energy based. [[Brute]] weapons use spikes or explosives. All plasma weapons use charge. All weapons run out of ammunition or charge when used extensively. Plasma weapons typically overheat if fired continuously for long periods of time, which causes the player's weapon to become temporarily unresponsive while it cools down.

To know more about the weapons from each set of races:

{| style="margin:0 auto;" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="2"
|-
|<imagemap>
File:Whitebkgrdrifle.jpg|thumb|240px|A '''UNSC''' [[BR55 Service Rifle|Battle Rifle]].
default [[Human weapons]]
desc none
</imagemap>
|<imagemap>
File:Plasma Rifles.jpg|thumb|230px|Two '''Covenant''' [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifle]]s.
default [[Covenant weapons]]
desc none
</imagemap>
|<imagemap>
File:H3-SentinelBeam.png|thumb|170px|A '''Forerunner''' [[Sentinel Beam]].
default [[Forerunner#Weaponry]]
desc none
</imagemap>
|}

== Gameplay ==
An extensive array of weapons are available within the gameplay, with each weapon operating differently. This allows players to take different approaches and sometimes forces a change in tactics depending on the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon. Each player will also find a weapon to suit his or her tastes, in terms of power, speed, range, kickback and/or feedback.

=== Usage ===
''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' limited the number of weapons players could carry to two (of which only one could be used at any one time), forcing players to carefully select their preferred armament.<ref name=gamespotreview>[http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/halo/review.html '''GameSpot''': ''Halo: Combat Evolved review'']</ref> Players fight with ranged and [[Melee#Use in gameplay|melee]] attacks, as well as a limited number of grenades. Bungie refers to the "weapons-grenades-melee" format as the "Golden Triangle of ''Halo''",<ref name="golden">Bakken, Lars, et al. [[Wikipedia:Marketing for Halo 3#Developer documentaries|Is Quisnam Protero Damno!]], [[Bungie]], Washington 2007</ref> which has remained fundamentally unchanged throughout the trilogy. The player character's health is measured in both hit points and a continually recharging energy shield.<ref name=gamespyreview>[http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halo/ '''GameSpy''': ''Review of Halo: Combat Evolved for the Xbox]</ref> The energy shield absorbs a significant portion of enemy fire until it becomes depleted, after which the player character will sustain damage, potentially causing death.

''[[Halo 2]]'' introduced new gameplay elements, most notably the ability to hold and fire two weapons simultaneously, known as "[[dual wielding]]". The health system was altered in this game, with the player no longer having hit points as well as shields. Also, the [[MA5B Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]] was not included in this game.<ref name="ugo halo2 retro">[http://www.ugo.com/games/halo-retrospective/?cur=halo-2 '''Ugo''': ''Halo Retrospective: Halo 2'']</ref>

''[[Halo 3]]'' adds to the series new weapons, and a class of items called [[Equipment]]. The [[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]] returns in this incarnation, albeit with a decreased magazine capacity, but with more damage per hit.<ref name="ignburning">[http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812177p1.html '''IGN''': ''Burn, Baby! Burn!'']</ref>

''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' adds sound-suppressed weapons, namely the [[M7S/Caseless Submachine Gun|Silenced SMG]] and the [[M6C/SOCOM|Silenced Pistol]], which replaces the [[BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle|Battle Rifle]] from Halo 3. Also, the game does not contain dual wielding, and Equipment is no longer usable by players; Equipment can now only be used by enemy brutes. ''Halo 3: ODST'' also marks the return of the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae variant|Brute Plasma Rifle]], replacing the regular version, and is also used by [[Drones]].<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''ODST Guide: "ordnance, stealthy weapons of Halo 3: ODST"'']</ref>

''[[Halo Reach]]'' replaces quite a few weapons with different variants, like the [[M392 Designated Marksman Rifle|DMR]], replacing the BR, and the [[Type-31 Rifle|Needle Rifle]] replacing the [[Type-51 Carbine|Carbine]] from ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3''. It also goes over a massive overhaul with the Assault Rifle, as it is now an [[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System|MA37]] rather than an MA5B. It also adds a play off of equipment called [[Armor Abilities]]. These can be used over and over again with a brief "cool down" time added.

''[[Halo 4]]'' adds a new group of forerunner weapons that fire hard light used by the [[Promethean]]s. The [[MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System|Assault Rifle]], [[BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle|Battle Rifle]], and [[M395 Designated Marksman Rifle|DMR]] return while the Plasma Rifle is replaced by the [[Type-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced|Storm Rifle]].

===Aiming===
[[File:H2 weaponszoom.jpg|thumb|500px|A few weapons as displayed in-game, with icon and name. Screenshots per weapon are when normal, firing, and when in scope/zoomed view. All in ''Halo 2''.]]

The typical arrow cursor is hidden within gameplay, and replaced with a blue targeting reticle that stays locked to the center of the screen, when in first person and third person views. The reticle turns red when a shot will hit an enemy target, and green for allies.

Many weapons are '''scoped''' and have the capability to zoom 2x or 5x into any area, with some long range weapons even capable of reaching up to 10x magnification such as the Sniper Rifle. These always show the reticle and continue scoping after shots are fired.

While wielding '''non-scoped''' weapons, the player's armor has the capability to zoom, to a minimal extent. These hide the reticle when in the zoomed view, returning to the normal view after every shot, making them inefficient for sniping. However, skilled players can use this in online gameplay to keep a good eye on enemies or destinations.

===Types===
The types of available weapons follow the basic standards present in real life; Assault, Battle and Sniping.

[[Grenade]]s are frequently made available, primarily for anti-infantry combat. Some grenades can stick and some grenades are stronger than others.

[[:Category:Melee Weapons|Melee]] attacks are always available; if the player is able to get in range of an enemy, that can cause heavy damage. And melee attacks are very dangerous when you hit an enemy in the back, this will kill almost any enemy. Most times, a single melee attack is sufficient to completely deplete an enemy's shields. These are also used to take control of an enemy vehicle, by Melee attacking the craft, then planting a grenade to kill its driver.

Heavy weapons, such as [[turrets]], are also present within ''Halo'' levels, either stationary, or mounted on Vehicles. Some turrets can be removed from their stands and used as hand held [[Support Weapons]], but it makes the player move slower and gives the turrets limited ammunition. Only when driving a vehicle, controlling a Missile pod, controlling the Flamethrower, and controlling a turret, does the game switch into third-person view. Some vehicles, such as the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]], [[Scorpion Tank]], and [[Banshee]] allow the driver to directly control mounted weapons while driving the vehicle. Other multi-occupant vehicles such as the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]] require the player to remain in the weapon seat to control fire, and driving seat to control navigation.

[[:Category:Explosives|Explosives]] and large scale weapons, [[:Category:Missiles|missiles]], [[Nuclear Weapon]]s, and [[Halo Array|Halos]] are usually involved in the plot of every game, though not usually playable.

===Availability===
[[File:H2 covweaponcache.jpg|thumb|150px|A Covenant Supply Case, holding two [[Covenant Carbine|Carbines]].]]

Within campaign levels, the player's character ([[John-117|Master Chief]], [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]], [[Unidentified Shock Trooper squad|any members of Veronica Dare's squad (excluding Veronica)]], or [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]], depending on the game played) usually begins with two weapons, and will always have access to weapons lying around, either near corpses or within weapon caches and stores.

Killed enemies or allies can be robbed of their dropped weapons as well. In ''Halo 2'' and every game that follows, the player can exchange weapons with allied AI when requested, making it unnecessary to kill them only to use their weapons, although grenades still cannot be traded.

Weapons can be reloaded by collecting [[:Category:Ammunition|ammunition]] or swapping the player character's weapon with a loaded dropped weapon. If the player is already wielding the same weapon, they can swap if the new weapon is loaded or charged more than the wielded weapon.

Certain weapon types usually have more or less ammunition available. For instance, sniper rifles typically have less ammunition lying around then assault or battle rifles, which are intended as primary/multipurpose weapons.

===Common tips===
*Shooting a players' weapon will cause them to take damage, and even kill them. Players can also stick their weapon with a grenade in addition to this.
*A good trick to find snipers is to watch for the smoke left behind from the weapon's tracer bullets.
*A tactic to staying aware of enemy campers is to watch for their gun barrels sticking out from behind walls, barriers, etc.
*Simply running towards your enemy and shooting at the same time is not a good tactic. Try strafing too.
*Try shooting the head, not the body when using headshot capable weapons.
*Shoot at the feet of the opponents with explosives, as a body shot could be easy to evade.
*Snipers that stay in tight spaces will be vulnerable to explosives and grenades due to lack of room to move.
*Fire in short bursts with automatic weapons, such as the assault rifle, as it is a good way to maintain accuracy and overpower enemies from afar.

==Trivia==
The [[Marathon]] symbol can be observed on many human weapons in ''Halo'' games published by [[Bungie]], it is very small and often blends in, and it is better observed very zoomed in. For example, it can be found being on the butt of the [[MA5C]] Assault Rifle, it can also be found on the [[Sniper Rifle]] near to the gun's trigger. They are all best observed in the ''Halo Encyclopedia''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Armoryoc8.png|A list of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]] UNSC weapons.
File:CovenantWeaponChart.gif|A list of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]] Covenant weapons.
File:Ammo -UNSC.png|Different types of ammunition used by UNSC weapons.
</gallery>

==Sources==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.wikihow.com/Snipe-in-Halo-2 How to Snipe in Halo 2] is a wikiHow guide that describes strategies for sniping in Campaign and especially Multiplayer.

[[Category:Weapons| ]]
[[Category:Lists]]