Normal
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Normal is the default difficulty rating on Halo: Combat Evolved, 2, 3 and halo Wars. It is ranked second in the list of four difficulties.
Summary
Normal is not too hard, but not too easy. The enemies will not cower as much, and a few Grunts will throw Plasma Grenades. Normal mode has the most realistic strength for Master Chief, Elites and all other Covenant and Marines, though intelligence, enemy accuracy, and enemy numbers are the most realistic in Heroic. Although, the strength of the Master Chief is reasonable in Heroic, the strength of the Master Chief is slightly stronger than the Elites, hence, this is disputably the most realistic mode.
The icon for the Normal difficulty setting is represented with a shield that has the Marathon Logo encrusted into the center, over the shield is a UNSC Close Quarters Combat Weapon System from right to left.
Normal is a little harder than Easy, but players can move through levels relatively easily. This difficulty doesn’t ruin your gaming experience by being too difficult, but isn't too easy as to eliminate the challenge, either.
The most dangerous thing at close range is an Elite with an Energy Sword, and from a distance is a Sniper Jackal with a Beam Rifle. Grunts are still very easy to dispatch of and will more often than not run if the Elite with them is killed, which is also fairly easy. Drones and Jackals (with the exception to snipers) are the second easiest to kill, even with their unique capabilities. Elites, Brutes, and Hunters are around the same overall in difficulty to kill. It mainly depends on the player's weakness as to which enemy is harder to kill.
On the level Regret, where you have to kill the Prophet of Regret, his gravity beam will drain around one third of your energy shield. He is fairly easy to kill when you jump on him and start punching him. Only if you stay on him for a considerably long time will he teleport away. The Honor Guards protecting him will not do much damage, unless they have energy swords.
When you encounter the Flood, most plasma weapons are average and most human weapons are a bit better. The most effective weapon is the Energy Sword, which will kill a Combat Form in one hit. The second most effective is the Shotgun. The Flood's unarmed attacks are not that worrying on their own, but if large groups attack you or you get hit from behind, then you have an extremely good chance of being killed.
Trivia
- Every difficulty shield icon has the Marathon symbol on it.
- On Halo 3, Normal difficulty or higher is required for you to collect skulls.
- In Halo 3 ODST the sword is replaced with a M7S Caseless Submachine Gun.
