MA5B assault rifle
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
MA5B ICWS Assault Rifle
Rate of Fire : High, fully automatic (15 rounds per second)
Operation : Gas System
Fire Mode : Game : Automatic
Story : Automatic
Ammunition : 7.62mm rounds(M118: Armor-Piercing, Full Metal Jacket (AP-FMJ))
Damage per Hit: Low
Range : Short to medium
Accuracy : Low
Magazine Size : 60 rounds
Maximum Ammo : 660 rounds (including fully loaded magazine)
Advantages
When fired in short bursts to increase accuracy, the assault rifle is effective at killing unshielded opponents, and is especially useful for killing large groups of weak enemies. This includes Covenant grunts and all variety of Flood. The assault rifle is also effective for destroying Banshees, Ghosts, and other Covenant vehicles. As an added bonus, the gun gives the player an at-a-glance ammo count on its digital readout, as well as an arrow pointing toward the gas giant Threshold (which acts as a kind of compass). It should be noted that aiming an assault rifle is likely odd, since the ammo counter is in the way of the sight.
Disadvantages
Like the pistol, the assault rifle performs poorly against shields. Unlike the pistol, the assault rifle is inaccurate, preventing it from being effective against both Jackals and Elites. In addition, the assault rifle's high rate of fire necessitates frequent reloading. The combination of inaccuracy and lack of a scope lead to difficulties in accurately hitting targets at long range. Finally, the assault rifle is still rather inaccurate when in bursts.
Advanced Tactics
The Assault Rifle is weakened for multiplayer. however there a couple things you can do to make the most of this weapon, when no other close range weapon is around.
- The AR's accuracy degrades after EXACTLY 1.5 seconds. Check the tag files using Bungie's utilities for CE, you'll see. Although it is not extremely significant, when in a medium range situation it can save your life.
- The AR's melee attack is extremely quick, the fastest other than the Plasma Pistol. When up against anything short of a shotgun, use it. However, be wary of the Plasma Rifle. Its attack is almost as fast, and the plasma bolts rip apart shields. Plus the PR is more accurate then the AR.
- When used with effective grenades, the AR can hold its own. (Depending on the range, use the 1.5 second bursts or go "all out". Practice makes perfect.) Backpedal and use any 'nade you have handy, and let the gun take care of your enemy after his shields are down.
- In Halo PC, you have to lead your target, just like all of the other weapons. In the Xbox, this isnt a problem due to autoaim.
- Bunny Hop with the AR. It's your best defense against anything but a sniper.
- When up against a Sniper (or in some cases, a pitol-wielder) use 'nades and strafe in a circle. Only open up when you're within range. There's nothing worse then an empty mag when you're finally able to take the kill.
- The AR's Mag drops quickly, try to stand behind a wall when using it. Pump out 3-5 bursts, throw a cover 'nade, drop to cover and reload. Don't be afraid to crouch for extra safety.
Multiplayer Role
Since players in Halo multiplayer normally spawn with shields, the assault rifle's effectiveness is limited. It is often used only because more specialized weapons are unavailable. However, when combined with the plasma pistol (which can destroy shields quickly), the assault rifle can be a powerful short and medium range option. It takes about 15 accurate rounds to kill a spartan normally.
Appearences
The Assault Rifle was introduced as a weapon in Halo 1. Unfortunately Bungie did not like how the rifle behaved, they compared it to an SMG. So it did not make it into Halo 2 and was "replaced" with the Battle Rifle. This weapon will return in Halo 3. Accuracy is supposedly more important and this Assault Rifle may be the MA5K Assault Rifle from Ghosts of Onyx.
The "excuse" that the MA5B AR used in Halo 2 to explain the weapon's absence was the same as the pistol from the original Halo: The weapon was an exclusive armament to the crew of the Pillar of Autumn. This explains why in Halo: Fall of Reach many shots that the SPARTANS make are described in three-round bursts, inherent of the Battle Rifle, not the Assault Rifle.
Effective Against
Grunts, Jackals (only when shield is down), Flood, and mounted weapons as suppressive fire. It can also be extremely effective against Elites if used when their shields are down. After hitting an Elite with a plasma pistol charge, one well placed shot in the front of the cranium will take them out, though this has never been truly confirmed. On the Easy or Normal skill levels, cutting loose with the Assault Rifle at close range will cut through an elite's shield in seconds.
The assault rifle is also highly effective against Elite Rangers who attack with active camouflage. Aside from quickly penetrating their weak shielding (if they have any at all), the high rate of fire easily reveals these enemies by disrupting their camouflage and makes them easy targets.
Trivia
- It is interesting to note that the sound effects for the assault rifle are also the same sounds as the MG42 Machine Guns in the HBO TV series Band of Brothers.
- One inspiration for the MA5B Assault Rifle was the "MA–75B Battle Rifle (with integral 40mm Grenade Launcher)" from the Marathon series. In fact, before Bungie reengineered the game for the Xbox, it was fitted with a grenade launcher.
- Another inspiration is the MA5B Assault Rifle design seems to be taken from the M-590 7.62mm assault rifle of the USMC from 1995-1996 TV series Space:Above and Beyond.
- Robert McLees at Bungie has gone on record comparing the basic design of the MA5B to that of the Fabrique-Nationale, FN2000
