Anyone who plays social slayer in Halo 4 knows those go-to weapons on every map and exactly where they spawn- those weapons that are universally acknowledged as superior, that all the players dash for as soon as the game starts. However, next time you’re choosing your loadout or scavenging for weapons, reconsider your options; sometimes the less obvious choice can be the better one.
Powerful? Yes. But what it possesses in power it lacks in handling. Not only do you have to hit your opponent at the right angle to get that kill (otherwise your swing will just catapult them away from you), the gravity hammer is incredibly limited in range; if someone is shooting at you from a distance, you have no chance at getting close enough to get reach them before your health runs out. Sure, it seems pretty badass, but don’t end up being that player that is running around like a fool, unable to close in on their opponent.
The Battle Rifle is overused as the primary weapon in loadouts for several reasons- it has the feel of a DMR but seems easier to use and has a 3-round burst shot. However, it’s rather inaccurate for long range and also less powerful than the DMR while also less effective than numerous other guns for short range, thus crowning the BR king of some middle ground realm, with limited relevance since most play is either from a distance or in close combat.
New to Halo 4, the Scattershot looks like it would be awesome gun; the explosive dispersal of projectiles and the powerful, potentially deadly shot make this one of the most coveted weapons in the game. Many consider it to be the Promethean counterpart to the Shotgun, but as its name describes, the shot scatters, rendering it far less accurate. More random and frustrating than it is effective, the scattershot is a gamble when it comes to attempting the one-shot kill.
Again, don’t fall for the flashy reputation of the Energy Sword. Like the Gravity Hammer, it is a power weapon with limitations. As a very distinct weapon, your opponent will most likely see you coming from across the map, and the debilitatingly short range of the Sword makes it less effective than people give it credit for.
We’ve all become a little jaded to the Needler since it’s been around since the first Halo, and it’s not as flashy as the Sword or as intriguing as the new weapons. However, don’t dismiss this too quickly, because for what it lacks in sheer power it makes up for with its slight tracking feature. Not the best at aiming? No problem- your shots will curve towards your target, making the Needler a more effective weapon than you’d think.
The Sticky Detonator can be a particularly frustrating weapon to pick up because its shot is not as straightforward as your typical gun and players are unfamiliar with its low-profile handling, as it makes its first appearance in Halo 4. Using this weapon requires foresight, planning and timing. The Sticky Detonator has an incredibly steep learning curve, but once you’ve mastered the strategy, you’ll be able to set off blasts from a distance that completely blindside opponents.
The Magnum is often underestimated for two reasons- first because it is available in the loadout menu, also because it is a secondary weapon. People often take for granted the weapons they can start a level with; the habit of overvaluing weapons you have to find or earn causes many to overlook the serious damage the Magnum is capable of. Don’t have time to reload mid-combat? Swap over to the pistol to keep shooting and finish off the other player. Combine the magnum with dexterity and you’ll your opponents won’t know what hit them.
For the same reason the Magnum is overlooked, the Suppressor, available as a primary weapon in your loadout, does not receive the appreciation it deserves. While it doesn’t look particularly powerful, it is very comparable to the SAW in its performance for close range combat. Not to mention, its large magazine and quick reloading allows for high efficiency.
