Noob Combo

The "Noob Combo", is a term coined shortly after the release of Halo 2 and is the combination of the Plasma Pistol and a Battle Rifle, Carbine, or Magnum. Duel wielding a Plasma Pistol and a Magnum is the most commonly used combo, due to the Magnum's accuracy and the fact that you don't have to switch weapons and aim again. Often a player will be walking and hear the Plasma Pistol being fired only to turn around and be hit in the face with the plasma bolt and then be shot in the head with the players secondary weapon. This combo is especially effective on Beaver Creek and Colossus, often turning the tide of games. This tactic was considered so unbalanced that Bungie attempted to remove it from the game by implementing the new Battle Rifle game type which removes all Covenant weapons from the map, this was largely ineffective. For a limited time the Team ActionSack playlist contained a game type for it called "combo training".

Sometime after the release of Halo 2 Bungie became unsatisfied with the changes they had made, as players were now exploiting the weapon to the point that became mostly unfair. As Halo 3 entered full production Bungie revised their changes minimizing the Plasma Pistols tracing ability to only be effective at close range, the same way the Halo: CE Plasma Pistol worked, another change was how fast the bolt traveled causing it to have very little maneuverability. Also players that overcharge the Halo 3 Plasma Pistol are forced to deal with an ever decreasing battery power the longer the player holds down on the trigger.

Whether or not this weapon combination is actually a sign of being a "noob" is up for debate. While it is indeed a powerful and imbalanced combination, it does not require much skill to use, while those in support of the combo have argued otherwise. Correctly using these weapons however, is not a trait of a new player; even a player who would normally lose to a more skilled player can kill him/her at least once with it. The main distinction being that a skilled player will survive the counterattack and go on to get a spree, while an actual new player will easily be taken down once the initial surprise is gone.

Combinations

Plasma Pistol

1. Battle Rifle and Plasma pistol
2. Carbine and Plasma pistol
3. Dual wielding Magnum and Plasma Pistol
4. M6D Pistol and Plasma Pistol

Note: The noob combo is executable only with a Plasma Pistol and a close range headshot-capable weapon. Many gamers consider dual wielding the SMG or the Pistol with a Plasma Pistol or Plasma Rifle an "honorable" noob combo. However, this combo is very useful in campaign, especially on the higher difficulties.

Plasma Rifle combos

1. Dual Wielding SMG and Plasma Rifle
2. Dual Wielding Spiker and Plasma Rifle
3. Dual Wielding Magnum and Plasma Rifle

Melee combos

1. Mauler followed by a close melee.
2. Mauler duel-wielded with plasma pistol
3. Plasma Pistol followed by a close melee.
4. Plasma Pistol and a single Brute Shot slug or grenade.
5. Dual Wielding Mauler and Spiker
6. Brute Shot slug with quick melee.

Automatic Weapon Combos

1. Charged Plasma pistol followed by SMG
2. Charged Plasma pistol followed by Dual Wielded SMG
3. Charged Plasma pistol followed by Assault Rifle
4. Charged Plasma pistol followed by Plasma Rifle
5. Charged Plasma pistol followed by Dual Wielded Plasma Rifle

Grenade combos

1. Grenade followed by sentinel beam

Blocking the Attack

It is possible to block the overcharge shot in Halo 2 by:

• You must be dual wielding and facing your opponent. Wait until the plasma bolt is about to hit you, then quickly melee. If done correctly (with proper and ample time), the plasma bolt will hit the weapon you just threw out. It seems best to drop a Plasma Rifle as it has a bulky head.

• A second method which can block the combo is to hit the discharged shot with a grenade. Plasma and Frag Grenades both work. It is argued that a plasma grenade is better, because it is a glowing ball of energy that the discharged bolt will home on, while some believe that Frags are better because they fly through the air faster. The Plasma Pistol overcharge may also set off a Frag Grenade that is thrown at it, injuring the person attempting to block the overcharge. However, that only applies in Halo 3.

• Another tactic, which should only be used as a last resort, is to lob a Fragmentation Grenade in the direction of the blast and then crouch. While the person using the combo is attempting to line up a headshot (slowed down slightly by you crouching), the frag grenade should knock them off balance long enough for your shields to recharge a bit, or kill them if you're really lucky. Don't use a Plasma Grenade because you want an explode-on-impact grenade.

• It may also be evaded. Examples are to jump sideways or move behind a wall. This can be difficult in open areas because of the way the overload tracks targets.