Noob Combo: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:38, November 23, 2009

"Noob Combo" is a term coined shortly after the release of Halo 2. It is typically used to refer to the combination of a Plasma Pistol and a Battle Rifle, Carbine, or Magnum, though it can also refer to other weapon pairings. The idea is that a noob combo can be used in Multiplayer games to gain quick (and arguably cheap and noobish) kills.

Background

The most common noob combo is the combination of a Plasma Pistol and Magnum -- dual-wielded, of course, to remove the need to switch weapons -- as the Magnum is quite accurate. The basic technique is to sneak up on a player and hit them with a Plasma Pistol overcharge. The overcharged plasma bolt will drain the victim's shields, allowing the attacker to finish them off with a Magnum headshot.

Halo 3's Plasma Pistol was altered; the overcharge shot's homing ability was weakened, and the projectile's speed was reduced. A new feature was also implemented: "holding" an overcharged shot will continuously drain a Plasma Pistol's battery. However, additional noob combos became prevalent with the introduction of new weapons; most notable is the Mauler-Melee combo, which allows a player wielding a Mauler to kill an opponent at close-range within a fraction of a second.

Whether or not these weapon combinations are actually "noobish" is up for debate. Detractors of these combinations have argued that they are overpowered, unbalanced, and do not require much skill. Proponents of the infamous "noob combo" argue that a truly skilled player can survive a noob combo and kill anyone who dares to try one.

Combinations by weapon

Automatic weapon combos

Typical automatic weapon combos depend on the usage of a Plasma Pistol overcharge to drain a target's shields, followed by the usage of an automatic weapon to kill the weakened target. Alternatively, a Plasma Rifle may be used to drain the target's shields with less efficiency, along with the use of another dual-wielded weapon.

Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by an Assault Rifle burst.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a Plasma Rifle burst.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by dual-wielded Plasma Rifles.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by an SMG burst.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by dual-wielded SMGs.
Plasma Rifle and Mauler, dual-wielded.
Plasma Rifle and SMG, dual-wielded.
Plasma Rifle and Spiker, dual-wielded.

Headshot combos

Headshot combos are the standard noob combos. They involve the usage of a Plasma Pistol overcharge to drain a target's shields, followed by a headshot.

Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a Battle Rifle burst.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a Carbine shot.
Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a shot from a dual-wielded Magnum.

Power combos

Power combos involve the use of one or more powerful attacks in rapid succession.

Mauler-Melee.
- When executed from extremely close range, this noob combo can kill an opponent in less than a single second.
Plasma Pistol overcharge with a dual-wielded Mauler.
Plasma Pistol overcharge and melee.
Plasma Pistol overcharge and a single Brute Shot slug or grenade.
Mauler and Spiker. (Dual-wielded)
Brute Shot and melee.
Shotgun and melee.
Grenade and Sentinel Beam.

Evasion

In Halo 2, a player can block a noob combo through various means. One method involves a defender who dual-wields weapons and melees when the attacker's overcharged Plasma Pistol shot is about to hit. The melee forces the defender to drop a weapon; if timed right, the attacker's plasma bolt will hit the defender's dropped weapon as it falls. Plasma Rifles work well, due to their bulky heads.

Alternatively, a well-timed grenade can block an overcharged Plasma Pistol shot. Plasma and Frag Grenades both work, though it is not known which is more effective. Some argue that an overcharged plasma bolt homes in on Plasma Grenades better, while others contend that Frag Grenades are thrown faster. In Halo 3, this counter-strategy (when used with a Frag Grenade) has the added bonus of injuring the opponent -- if the defender's grenade is thrown just as the plasma bolt is fired, the bolt will detonate the grenade in front of the attacker.

When the aim is to stop a combo in progress (after having been hit by the overcharged plasma shot), a defender can lob a Frag Grenade at the attacker and the crouch. The attacker's attempt to line up a headshot will be slowed down by the defender's crouching, and the grenade will hopefully distract the attacker long enough for the defender's shields to recharge somewhat. Plasma Grenades should not be used, as they take longer to detonate.

Uses

Despite the negative stigma surrounding the Noob Combo, it remains a very common tactic in multiplayer. It is also extremely useful when playing the games' Campaigns on higher difficulties. Halo 3: ODST encourages the latter usage, granting players an achievement for earning ten kills with the combo.

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 {{era|H2|H3|H3R|}}
-The '''"Noob Combo"''', is a term coined shortly after the release of [[Halo 2]] and is the combination of the [[Plasma Pistol]] with a [[Battle Rifle]], [[Carbine]], or [[Magnum]]. Duel wielding a Plasma Pistol and a Magnum is the most commonly used combo, due to the [[Magnum|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".
+'''"Noob Combo"''' is a term coined shortly after the release of ''[[Halo 2]]''. It is typically used to refer to the combination of a [[Plasma Pistol]] and a [[Battle Rifle]], [[Carbine]], or [[Magnum]], though it can also refer to other [[weapon]] pairings. The idea is that a noob combo can be used in [[Multiplayer]] games to gain quick (and arguably cheap and [[noob]]ish) kills.
-The other alternative for a Halo 2 'Noob Combo', is the SMG and the Plasma Pistol. While an overcharged Plasma Pistol can destroy all shields (including overshields) the SMG can take care of the armor of the opponent. It will thus kill the opponent and will probably end up in him calling you a noob and putting you on his avoid list (if in Xbox Live).
+== Background ==
+The most common noob combo is the combination of a Plasma Pistol and Magnum -- [[dual-wielding|dual-wielded]], of course, to remove the need to switch weapons -- as the Magnum is quite accurate. The basic technique is to sneak up on a player and hit them with a Plasma Pistol overcharge. The overcharged [[plasma]] bolt will drain the victim's shields, allowing the attacker to finish them off with a Magnum [[headshot]].
-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.
+''[[Halo 3]]''<nowiki/>'s Plasma Pistol was altered; the overcharge shot's homing ability was weakened, and the projectile's speed was reduced. A new feature was also implemented: "holding" an overcharged shot will continuously drain a Plasma Pistol's battery. However, additional noob combos became prevalent with the introduction of new weapons; most notable is the [[Mauler]]-[[Melee]] combo, which allows a player wielding a Mauler to kill an opponent at close-range within a fraction of a second.
-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 unbalanced 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.
+Whether or not these weapon combinations are actually "noobish" is up for debate. Detractors of these combinations have argued that they are overpowered, unbalanced, and do not require much skill. Proponents of the infamous "noob combo" argue that a truly skilled player can survive a noob combo and kill anyone who dares to try one.
-== Combinations ==
+== Combinations by weapon ==
+===Automatic weapon combos===
+Typical automatic weapon combos depend on the usage of a Plasma Pistol overcharge to drain a target's shields, followed by the usage of an automatic weapon to kill the weakened target. Alternatively, a Plasma Rifle may be used to drain the target's shields with less efficiency, along with the use of another dual-wielded weapon.
-===Plasma Pistol===
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by an [[Assault Rifle]] burst.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a [[Plasma Rifle]] burst.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by dual-wielded Plasma Rifles.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by an SMG burst.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by dual-wielded SMGs.
+*Plasma Rifle and Mauler, dual-wielded.
+*Plasma Rifle and SMG, dual-wielded.
+*Plasma Rifle and Spiker, dual-wielded.
-*[[Battle Rifle]] and [[Plasma pistol]].
+===Headshot combos===
+Headshot combos are the standard noob combos. They involve the usage of a Plasma Pistol overcharge to drain a target's shields, followed by a headshot.
-*[[Carbine]] and [[Plasma pistol]].
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a Battle Rifle burst.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a Carbine shot.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge followed by a shot from a dual-wielded Magnum.
-*[[Dual wielding]] [[Magnum]] and [[Plasma Pistol]].
+===Power combos===
+Power combos involve the use of one or more powerful attacks in rapid succession.
-*[[M6D Pistol]] and [[Plasma Pistol]].
+*Mauler-Melee.
+**When executed from extremely close range, this noob combo can kill an opponent in less than a single second.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge with a dual-wielded Mauler.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge and melee.
+*Plasma Pistol overcharge and a single [[Brute Shot]] slug or [[grenade]].
+*Mauler and Spiker. (Dual-wielded)
+*Brute Shot and melee.
+*[[Shotgun]] and melee.
+*Grenade and [[Sentinel Beam]].
-*SMG and Plasma Pistol.
+== Evasion ==
+In ''Halo 2'', a player can block a noob combo through various means. One method involves a defender who dual-wields weapons and melees when the attacker's overcharged Plasma Pistol shot is about to hit. The melee forces the defender to drop a weapon; if timed right, the attacker's plasma bolt will hit the defender's dropped weapon as it falls. Plasma Rifles work well, due to their bulky heads.
-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.
+Alternatively, a well-timed grenade can block an overcharged Plasma Pistol shot. [[Plasma Grenade|Plasma]] and [[Frag Grenade|Frag]] Grenades both work, though it is not known which is more effective. Some argue that an overcharged plasma bolt homes in on Plasma Grenades better, while others contend that Frag Grenades are thrown faster. In ''Halo 3'', this counter-strategy (when used with a Frag Grenade) has the added bonus of injuring the opponent -- if the defender's grenade is thrown just as the plasma bolt is fired, the bolt will detonate the grenade in front of the attacker.
+When the aim is to stop a combo in progress (after having been hit by the overcharged plasma shot), a defender can lob a Frag Grenade at the attacker and the crouch. The attacker's attempt to line up a headshot will be slowed down by the defender's crouching, and the grenade will hopefully distract the attacker long enough for the defender's shields to recharge somewhat. Plasma Grenades should not be used, as they take longer to detonate.
-===Plasma Rifle combos===
-*[[Dual Wielding]] [[SMG]] and [[Plasma Rifle]].
-*[[Dual Wielding]] [[Spiker]] and [[Plasma Rifle]].
-*[[Dual Wielding]] [[Magnum]] and [[Plasma Rifle]].
-===Melee combos===
-*[[Mauler]] followed by a close melee.
-*[[Mauler]] duel-wielded with [[plasma pistol]].
-*[[Plasma Pistol]] followed by a close melee.
-*[[Plasma Pistol]] and a single [[Brute Shot]] slug or [[grenade]].
-*[[Dual Wielding]] [[Mauler]] and [[Spiker]].
-*[[Brute Shot]] slug with quick melee.
-*[[Shotgun]] and melee
-===Automatic Weapon Combos===
-*Charged [[Plasma pistol]] followed by [[SMG]].
-*Charged [[Plasma pistol]] followed by [[Dual Wield]]ed [[SMG]].
-*Charged [[Plasma pistol]] followed by [[Assault Rifle]].
-*Charged [[Plasma pistol]] followed by [[Plasma Rifle]].
-*Charged [[Plasma pistol]] followed by [[Dual Wield]]ed [[Plasma Rifle]].
-===Grenade combos===
-*Grenade followed by [[Sentinel Beam]].
-==Blocking the Attack==
-It is possible to block the overcharge shot in Halo 2 by:
-*You <b>must</b> 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 Grenade|Plasma]] and [[Frag Grenade|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. However, this can be difficult in open areas because of the way the overload tracks targets.
 == Uses ==
-*Some may chose to use it in Multiplayer, and not care about what others think about the tactic.
+Despite the negative stigma surrounding the Noob Combo, it remains a very common tactic in multiplayer. It is also extremely useful when playing the games' [[Campaign]]s on higher difficulties. ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' encourages the latter usage, granting players [[My Clothes! (Achievement)|an achievement]] for earning ten kills with the combo.
-*The combo is very useful when playing through the campaign on high difficulties to knock out an elite's shields/brute's armor, then a swift headshot to eliminate them. In [[Halo 3:ODST]], getting ten kills with this combo will earn you the [[My Clothes! (Achievement)|My Clothes!]] achievement, a reference to brute armor falling off after taking enough damage.
 [[Category:Multiplayer Lexicon]]