Multiplayer Strategies in Halo 2 (V1.0) Author: Darth Mud Crab (crate pusher extraordinaire) /--\ Lead Psycho Cannibalist _____________________________________________________________________ CONTENTS -Purpose of this FAQ -Scoring System -Copyright Multiplayer Strategies- Slayer Games -Camping Sniper -Roving Sniper -Heavy Vehicles -Light Vehicles -Banshee Bomber -Heavy Weapons Specialist -MIUAYG Multiplayer Strategies- CTF, Assault, Bomb -Distracter -Guerrilla -Tactician _____________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Purpose of this FAQ Whilst on cheathappens.com, I noticed that while there were numerous accounts of vehicle guides, weapons guides, etc, there were none for what to actually do with them. So I wrote this. This FAQ is designed to help those people who have trouble getting into a rhythm in multiplayer games; they have no battle plan. In order to become a true master at halo, you must use an improvisation of one or more of these strategies in such a way that no one ever knows what is coming. I hope this helps in some way -Scoring System The scoring system on this FAQ is as follows 1. Adaptability (how many maps this strategy is effective on, and which ones it is best on) 2. Improvisation (how easy it is for someone to change it to his/her own strategy) 3. Skill (how much skill is required to use this strategy) All these things shall be given scores out of 5, and the final score shall be the first 2 minus the last one. All scores are my own opinion. -Copyright I declare that all work within this FAQ is my own, or is used with the permission of those who provided it. It is to be used for personal use only. The information contained herein may not be reproduced without the prior permission of the author. Multiplayer Strategies- Slayer Games -Camping Sniper Ah, the camper. Find a sniper rifle, a nice high place, with a good view of the terrain, and stay there until some fellow with a good eye notices you. This is an excellent strategy in enormous maps such as Waterworks and Coagulation, and also works very effectively on smaller maps such as Headlong and Ivory Tower. However, do not become reliant upon this strategy as it may well prove your undoing in tiny maps such as Midship and Beaver Creek. However, in larger maps a camper with a good aim can take down a good dozen people before he is found. A recommendation for the camper though: use the covenant sniper. It has a brighter beam, but it lasts a fraction of a second and has normally disappeared by the time the body has hit the ground. Fewer beams, more kills. And keep a backup carbine or battle rifle for close range combat. Adaptability: 3/5 (use on outdoor, large maps such as Headlong, Waterworks, Ivory Tower, Coagulation Improvisation: 2/5 (it's the most common of the strategies, but almost everyone does it the same, and it has little room to change) Skill: 3/5 (newbies can use them effectively, but it take practise to get renowned for your skills) Overall 2 -Roving Sniper The roving sniper is one who exercises great skill and care in his multiplayer. Unlike the camper, he is unable to rely on the fact that there is no hole behind him for others to sneak through. He must rely on his perception and good eye to make sure that no one finds him, and tries to deceive them with bright sniper tracers. This strategy is astonishingly hard to master, but once it has been, it is the best. If you can use your motion tracker and the line of sight to your advantage, you can deceive people into thinking that you are a ghost. Use the human sniper for this one: you can lure them to where you used to be, then cap them from where you are now. Whilst learning, carry another weapon for close range combat, but if you ever master it, simply carry both sniper rifles so you don't get caught at ammunition points as often. With practise, this strategy can make you dominator of the playing field Adaptability: 4/5 (not to be used on Midship or Beaver Creek, but excels almost everywhere else) Improvisation: 5/5 (no one ever does it the same) Skill: 5/5 (hideously hard to master) Overall 4 -Heavy Vehicles Lets face it: if you're new to a game and looking for a way to seriously kick butt, you can't go past a tank. They are big, slow, loud, conspicuous, and, ultimately, unstoppable. Almost. Hop in a tank in halo 2 and it takes an absurd amount of lead to kill you, and by the time someone has been able to loose two rockets at you, they are probably on their way to St Peter themselves. A tank is the best way to show who's boss, but it has drawbacks: they know you're coming, you are kind of hard to miss, an you aren't the most maneuverable hunk of steel on the planet. Most of the time you can rest assured that you will last a long time, but if you have two blokes with rockets, or extra damage has been turned on, you will not last. Another obvious drawback of this strategy is that it only works on levels where there are tanks. No tank, no strategy. Adaptability: 2/5 (only on levels that contain them) Improvisation: 1/5 (not many ways to shoot a cannon now is there?) Skill: 0.5/5 (complete noob strategy) Overall 2.5 -Light Vehicles Fast deployment of troops is good, and in large Halo fests you need a lot of help from vehicles. Light vehicle specialists can carry troops, protect from ghosts, and generally help the team. In Halo 2 you can have enemies sitting in the same vehicle as you, which comes in handy when you want to wipe out that pesky guy in the wraith. All to often though, campers or heavy weapons specialist can make short work of your trusty transport. A well placed plasma grenade can send your plans sky high, and I have been known to push fuel cells in front of warthogs, rendering them harmless. It takes practice to be able to deftly avoid rockets and grenades, and the art of splattering is known to precious few. With help from a better player, and practise, this can be an excellent strategy though. The obvious setback of needing a vehicle for this strategy still exists Adaptability: 2/5 (only on levels with vehicles) Improvisation: 4/5 (diverse range of light vehicles makes it hard to get two identical twists on this strategy) Skill: 3/5 (hard to master, but easy to get going with) Overall 3 -Banshee Bomber Bungie decided to remove the ability to shoot fuel rod cells from the banshee with good reason. This light fighter can cut through soldiers with ease, taking all of 2 seconds to kill an enemy, and its maneuverability is unmatched. Boarding can present a problem, as can rockets, but overall it's a damn good plane. Not many levels sport a banshee in their arsenal, but where they are present they are excellent. Banshees are the ultimate anti-sniper weapons, and at long range all they have to fear is those pesky rockets fired from behind. It is easy to use, but frail, so watch where you run it into, lest you lose a wing. Adaptability: 2/5 (only on levels with banshees) Improvisation: 4/5 (can be used for almost everything Skill: 2/5 Overall 4 -Heavy Weapons Specialist The basic aim of the heavy weapons specialist is to find the rocket launcher. Rocket= power. Much of the rocket launcher's strength lies in its anti-vehicle power, but it is suicide to be stuck in close range combat with them. More than once I have obliterated myself due to hasty leanings on the controls, and the enemy has run away with naught more than half his shield gone. As a precaution, take a shotgun or sword for close range to avoid losing your dear weapon. The lock on feature of the new rocket launcher is pure genius, but it is not to be used all the time. While you are busy locking on, that banshee is flying straight towards you, cutting you to ribbons. Also, they should not be used in small levels with enclosed walkways. Use grenades if you still want an explosion, but have no room to maneuver the rocket. Adaptability: 4/5 (not good in closed in levels) Improvisation: 2/5 (secondary weapon and grenades can be used very strategically) Skill: 3/5 (takes a little more than just point and shoot) Overall 3 -MIUAYG This stands for Make It Up As You Go, and it is the most versatile of all the strategies, but not the best. If you can master being able to pick up any gun and use it to your advantage, you are a very good player indeed. It has so many problems it is doubtful you will ever be the best, but you can be a formidable foe to those who stick to one weapon. If you do become the best, you will be absolutely unstoppable, and your friends will cower before your mastery of their precious weapons. You will rule at all levels. Your best quality is unpredictability, so use it to your advantage. Why use the needler you killed the last guy with when there is a full carbine lying right there? Why use that when you could dual wield the needler and the SMG? And the list goes on. This is the ultimatum of Halo Combat Adaptability: 5/5 (any level, its yours) Improvisation: 5/5 (brilliant options) Skill: 5/5 (nigh on impossible to get really good at) Overall 3 _____________________________________________________________________ I hope you have enjoyed my guide, it was made with the help of Shinigami, and I dedicate it to A.M.M.O If you have any questions or suggestions, email me at darthmudcrab@yahoo.com.au, or PM me, and I will do my best to put it in the next version. Already going in the next version are strategies for CTF and the like. CRATES FOREVER!!! No Marines were harmed in any way in the production of this Guide.