Note: The text below is the comments received from a guest to the Halo 2 Multiplayer Tips and Strategies post.  It's long, well-written, and thorough enough that I couldn't justify removing from the site, so I put it here in its own space.

- Mike

 

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I started typing and just couldn’t stop…

First off, Spartans are much better than elites. I don't care whether they get an extra inch off the ground or shoot a bit faster with a plasma rifle, they have BIG heads. It's so much easier to snipe an elite than to snipe a Spartan. Elites look cool, yes, but are not tactically smart. Snipers are so plentiful in the halo 2 world that this is a grand disadvantage and can, many times, make the difference.

Secondly, grenades are THE most important strategic device in your arsenal. Frag grenades specifically. Plasmas are one hit kill, IF you stick them. Which, we all know, is much harder in 2. Plus, when playing more skilled opponents, a sticky grenade is all to easy to dodge and even in the player isn't dodging, they will likely walk in random patterns as to make it much harder to stick. If you're a skilled player, use sticky grenades as a last resort weapon or to sneak somebody who is camping from a far distance. Back to frag grenades, though... Very effective! A direct frag and a battle rifle shot directly after is deadly. Also, 2 frag grenades end in death. If you hit with the first grenade, they will likely retreat, use this to throw one into their path. Throwing grenades into an enemies likely path is a great thing to get used to. Many times have I killed a sword, rocket or shotgun holder at medium range as he charges at me with my good ol frags and an SMG.

Next, vehicles.
Warthog: With a machine gun, average. With a gauss cannon, great for skilled players. I myself have never gotten used to the gauss cannon. Use this as a Skirmish vehicle (CTF, Aussult) as transport for the holder. Make sure, however, that your team owns the rocket launcer... That can be a very big triple kill. Unless the enemy is backed towards a wall or a very new player or you think you can sneak up on them (in a warthog!) don't try to ram them... With a hog, not a very good tactic. When faced with the decision between ramming or trying on foot, try on foot. Or, if you're in medium long distance, jump out and into the turret. Sometimes sliding into them kills them, but sometimes not. If you have a gunner in your hog, go for him and it will at least damage their shields. Also, when in gunner, watch sniper fire. Even though you're moving fast, a skilled sniper in the right position can pick you off of the high perched cannon.

Ghosts:
Very wonderful... Extremely high rate of attack and notorious when ramming. Sometimes very tough to aim with though. Medium to short distances are good targets or at non-moving opponents at any distance. A skilled player can dodge ghost fire long enough to take you out via a well placed grenade or simple BR fire so keep moving closer. Not too close, of course, because of Bungies awesomeness! Unless you’re boosting, a ghost is easy to board.
Here's a nice little tactic I've picked up. When using the ghost (or banshee) against a skilled player in close range, damage them a bit and then get close enough for them to board you... You'll very likely kill them before they board and definitely do a lot of damage. Press X to get out before they board you and you'll have time to shoot at their non-moving vehicle as they board. You'll kill them and likely not damage your ghost at all!

Banshee:
Great for not only fighting, but quick transportation. On most levels with the banshee you can easily jump RIGHT into the enemy base onto the flag. This vehicle is very accurate. While the flips may be a tempting little stunt, try not to use them too much. You can’t fire and your path is very predictable. When dodging a rocket, use the left and right spin while facing them… Otherwise, you’re pretty much screwed. Also, ramming is quite fun in this. Get above your target and a bit back… Then boost straight down at them… This will either crush your enemy or send them FLYING. A quick warning, ramming a flag carrier is sometimes dangerous. You may send them flying TOWARDS their base, so if you attempt a smash in the Banshee, face the other way. Also, the banshee is not capable of flying more then straight down (if that) so make sure the enemy is at least a bit in front of you so they don’t slip from under you. Make the last adjustment for aim nearer to the ground. A fun thing to do which sometimes gives a bit of a tactical advantage is flipping and VERY QUICKLY pressing X to jump out. You’ll fly in the direction you pressed. You can boost yourself across the map with some tricky bunny hopping or launch yourself high and avoid fire while the confused gunner below figures out what happened.

Wraith:
Great vehicle. If you see an open tank, jump in... Unless the flag is right there and you can save or take it in, tanks are the best. If the enemy steals the tank that nobody on your team decided to take, you’re in for a world of 2 tank hurt. Practice with the main cannon to get a feel for it (sometimes very tricky). Use the boost to ram anybody that gets within 20 feet of you. If somebody is attacking at you, backpedal and boost when they’re in range. Don’t use the boost as a way to travel fast unless you’re in an emergency and fleeing or if you’re going long distances where you think you’ll be untouched.
When boarded, jump out IMMEDIATELY. Unless you’re taking a game saving shot, you need to get out fast! You will die very quickly from the beating your opponent will lay down on you. If you jump out quick enough, you can catch them by surprise and lay down a wave of fire before they jump off.

All other vehicles are left out because… well… I hate them. Not fun at all. Most times (especially on X-box live) they will be left out.

Lesse… What other strats do I have packed up? I’ll just give some weapons overviews while I think…

Sniper rifles. Here we go! Human Vs. Covenant. My vote goes to Covenant. While you can fire the Human faster, the Covenant never requires reloading. You may be saying “Hey, overheating is just as bad!” Wrong! Manual reloading has to be done while holding the weapon while cool down can be done while using another weapon. Shoot with the beam rifle until you overheat (slow down to prevent this) and then switch to whatever weapon you have (try a Battle Rifle to keep the long range going or a shotgun so you aren’t so vulnerable at close range). Many times I’ll grab both snipers and use the Covenant rifle until it overheats and switch to human. Also, I believe the covenant rifle has a better trail… I believe it dims faster, though I’m not totally sure. Though it is bright and purple, you’ve just killed the only one likely to see it. Nobody else will see the lingering trail and find you…
One important thing when sniping, regardless of rifle type, is un-zooming. Do this often to check your motion sensor. I’ve saved myself countless times by—instead of staying zoomed—un-zooming and zooming back on a new spot when target scanning. Another little doodad, when sniping, is the un-zoom feature. If you click and hold the zoom button and then release it, you’ll zoom on the click and un-zoom on the release. This is useful for scouting targets using the 5x zoom. Most times, I don’t use the 10x zoom when scouting. Although, I must admit, I don’t use the un-zoom technique too often. If you see a target in 5x zoom, you’ll want to zoom in towards them, and there’s no way to not un-zoom. Seems a bit of a hassle to zoom, find a guy, un-zoom, zoom, zoom, aim, fire. It’s an acquired taste, I guess. Use it if it works for you, don’t if it doesn’t.

Rocket Launcher:
Basically, if you exist, you’re good with a rocket launcher. Remember to fire it at the ground. Jumping helps you get a better shot at the enemies feet. Be sparing with rockets, though… If you damage with one rocket and have the time, switch to your other weapon and make quick work of him. Even an SMG can kill a man damaged by a rocket quickly.
Lock on is, of course, very important. Here’s a fun little trick with that. Sometimes when you lock on (on coagulation for instance) the enemy will go over a hill. To get around this, lock on and fire up into the air (quickly). If done correctly, you can easily avoid many obstacles. I’ve shot around walls and around friendly troops to take out a warthog. Also, it scares the living crap out of friendlies to have a rocket spiral at your face, quickly turn and take out a loaded hog…

Carbine:
Good quick shooting, aim for the head.

Sword:
Lock on and kill. Simple enough… This is good for camping (though I dislike camping). Also, if an enemy is rushing at you from medium range, duck around a corner and get in an ambush position. Watch your motion sensor and kill the bastard. Big warning, people are used to this tactic. They likely will throw grenades around the corner to kill you. Duck as far back as you can and wait til’ they expel their grenades. Also, watch out for shotguns.

Battle Rifle:
Use in conjunction with frag grenades or a plasma pistol. Otherwise, this gun isn’t a good choice.

SMG:
Good for doubles and works well with any other double-able weapon. Exception: Needler… Still sucks! The SMG paired with any plasma weapon will do the work on the body. The plasma will take down shields and the SMG will finish them off. The is good with plasma pistol, but my personal favorite is with the Magnum. That’s one of the best combos in the game.

Plasma Pistol:
Use with Battle Riffle or with Magnum. One hit with magnum or BR to the head after a charged shot is a one hit kill. If you’re not charging this weapon, you’re wasting your time. This is also effective with the SMG.

Plasma Rifle:
Not good alone or with another plasma weapon, great with SMG and admirable with Magnum. With SMG, use at close range or medium close range unless you fire with the plasma rifle then switch to firing with the SMG.

Magnum:
Great weapon. Doubles are extremely effective with good accuracy (head shots) and with an SMG, this is deadly. The SMG will help take the shields down fast and the magnum will kill with a headshot. Great at close to medium range.

Brute Shot:
Use mainly for medium-long range when no other option is available. Also, when at close range, take a few shots then melee. VERY powerful melee. (all brute shot matches are interesting)

Brute Plasma Rifle:
Stronger than regular rifle, but much quicker overheat. Not on any levels normally.

All other weapons not worth the time…

Warning: whenever firing double weapons, other than plasma pistol and pistol, the accuracy of both weapons are drastically lowered.

Smacking:
Not a very good technique. If their shields are down, go for it, but don’t go for a completely smacking kill unless it’ll be an assassination.
Unless, of course, you have either the flag or the bomb. Typically, these weapons have extra smacking damage. 2 smacks, typically, will kill. Beating down a sword guy with the bomb is SO satisfying…

Random stuff: You can jump to the top of the blue base from the big open area in ascension. Also, to the sniper rifle spot.
On Coagulation, jump from the back of the base to the top by crouching at the peak of your jump(takes a while to get used to).
On Zanzibar. Ride the fan to the top and jump down on the rocket… Throw a grenade (plasmas are easier) into the sword place to knock it down to the fan bottom. Jump into the sea wall by jumping at the curved area and ducking at the end. There is a really tough jump that you can make from a wall underneath the rocket launcher to the bottom ledge of the rocket launcher area.
On Ascension. Jump onto the weird structure over the overshield and over on the middle area (quick way up). Jump out of the sniper tower (main base) and kill anybody trying to come up at you (sneaks on top of them).
On Waterworks, land on the beam over the enemy base for a nice shot at the flag after throwing a few grenades. Shoot down the stalactites which can crush vehicles (I believe) and players. Also, fly up to the top machine thingy in the middle. Fly to the side and you have a snipe spot that can take out most anybody in the map. Be careful when landing, if done incorrectly your banshee is crushed by the machine.
On Headlong. Fly around with the banshee and you can find some awesome snipe spots on the tops of buildings.
On Colossus: Cheap assness… Bounce the flag off of the conveyer belt onto the other side. Non-cheap assness… Jump from the plasma rifle to the enemy ground floor. Stand on the rail near the teleporter thing and jump up. Also, grab the overshield which spawns very quickly.
On Midship: Play around with the plasma grenades. If you throw it right, you can get the energy sword near your base… Also, you can jump from the top platform into a base or throw a flag up to somebody at the top.
Beaver Creek: Try hiding in trees… Not too useful, but fun. Also, throwing flag up to roof then jumping through the teleporter, and throwing it up to another guy up top… Takes like 10 seconds if done slowly…
Burial mounds: No great secrets on this… Jumping up through the front of the base…
Foundation: No great secrets… You can hid behind some crates there and camp a base… Make sure your team has both rockets before you do this… Basically, use the rockets and turrets on this map.

Every other strategy is instanced… Just a bunch of small “hey you can jump here with this” things that are barely worth the mention. Well, if you read all of this, have fun playing halo 2…

2/24/2005 10:31 PM | Magnum