Editing Weapons (gameplay)

{{Status|Gameplay}}

The player is allowed to use weapons from many races, such as [[UNSC|humans]], [[Covenant]], and [[Forerunner]]s, often turning the enemy's firepower against them.

An extensive array of weapons are available within the gameplay, with each weapon operating differently. This allows players to take different approaches and sometimes forces a change in tactics depending on the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon. Each player will also find a weapon to suit their tastes, in terms of power, speed, range, kickback and/or feedback.

''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' limited the number of weapons players could carry to two (of which only one could be used at any one time), forcing players to carefully select their preferred armament.<ref name=gamespotreview>[http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/halo/review.html '''GameSpot''' - ''Halo: Combat Evolved review'']</ref> Players fight with ranged and [[Melee#Use in gameplay|melee]] attacks, as well as a limited number of grenades. Bungie refers to the "weapons-grenades-melee" format as the "Golden Triangle of ''Halo''",<ref name="golden">Bakken, Lars, et al. [[Wikipedia:Marketing for Halo 3#Developer documentaries|Is Quisnam Protero Damno!]], [[Bungie]], Washington 2007</ref> which has remained fundamentally unchanged throughout the trilogy. The player character's health is measured in both [[Hit Points|hit points]] and a continually recharging energy shield.<ref name=gamespyreview>[http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/halo/ '''GameSpy''' - ''Review of Halo: Combat Evolved for the Xbox'']</ref> The energy shield absorbs a significant portion of enemy fire until it becomes depleted, after which the player character will sustain damage, potentially causing death.

''[[Halo 2]]'' introduced new gameplay elements, most notably the ability to hold and fire two weapons simultaneously, known as "[[dual wielding]]". The health system was altered in this game, with the player no longer having hit points as well as shields. Also, the [[MA5B assault rifle|Assault Rifle]] was not included in this game.<ref name="ugo halo2 retro">[http://www.ugo.com/games/halo-retrospective/?cur=halo-2 '''Ugo''' - ''Halo Retrospective: Halo 2'']</ref>

''[[Halo 3]]'' adds to the series new weapons, and a class of items called [[equipment]]. The [[MA5C assault rifle|Assault Rifle]] returns in this incarnation, albeit with a decreased magazine capacity, but with more damage per hit.<ref name="ignburning">[http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812177p1.html '''IGN''' - ''Burn, Baby! Burn!'']</ref>

''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' adds sound-suppressed weapons, namely the [[M7S SMG|Silenced SMG]] and the [[M6C/SOCOM|Silenced Pistol]], which replaces the [[BR55 battle rifle|Battle Rifle]] from ''Halo 3''. Also, the game does not contain dual wielding, and equipment is no longer usable by players; Equipment can now only be used by enemy Brutes. ''Halo 3: ODST'' also marks the return of the [[Kewu R'shi'k-pattern plasma rifle|Brute Plasma Rifle]], replacing the regular version, and is also used by [[Yanme'e|Drones]].<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''' - ''ODST Guide: "ordnance, stealthy weapons of Halo 3: ODST"'']</ref>

''[[Halo Reach]]'' replaces quite a few weapons with different variants, like the [[M392 DMR|DMR]], replacing the BR, and the [[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle|Needle Rifle]] replacing the [[Vostu-pattern carbine|Carbine]] from ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3''. It also goes over a massive overhaul with the Assault Rifle, as it is now an [[MA37 assault rifle|MA37]] rather than an MA5B. It also adds a play off of equipment called [[armor abilities|Armor Abilities]]. These can be used repeatedly with a brief "cool down" time added.

''[[Halo 4]]'' adds a new group of Forerunner weapons that fire hard light used by the [[Promethean]]s. The [[MA5D assault rifle|Assault Rifle]], [[BR85HB battle rifle|Battle Rifle]], and [[M395 DMR|DMR]] return while the Plasma Rifle is replaced by the [[Kelos'vaarda-pattern storm rifle|Storm Rifle]].

''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' introduces variants of weapons in the game: for loadout weapons, these include attachments like [[Kinetic Bolts]] and [[Stabilization jets|Stabilization Jets]], as well as new scopes (e.g. [[Morph sight]], [[Holoscope|Hybrid sight]]); and for power weapons, there are usually two upgraded variants, an improved one and an advanced one. [[Mythic weapon]]s are also introduced, with these weapons being extremely rare but powerful and historically significant (e.g. ''[[Oathsworn]]'' by [[Kelly-087]], ''[[Nornfang]]'' by [[Linda-058]]). The new weapons introduced are the {{Pattern|Tufasumo|plasma caster}}, which replaces the [[Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle|Concussion Rifle]], and the [[MLRS-1 Hydra|Hydra Launcher]], which is a spiritual successor to the [[Kopasa'mada-pattern plasma launcher|Plasma Launcher]]. All of the Forerunner weapons have been drastically overhauled as well.

''[[Halo Infinite]]'' introduces shock weapons that deal electrical damage over time with consectutive hits and stun vehicles. Several weapons are replaced with new ones, possibly in an attempt to make each gun feel significantly different. Weapon ammo is classified in 5 types (Kinetic, [[Plasma]], Shock, [[Hard light|Hardlight]] and Power), and can be replenished in appropriate Ammo Dispensers. Battery weapons can now replenish their ammo by taking it from discarded weapons. Equipment returns in a different form, now being pickup items with a set number of charges in Multiplayer, or switchable on the fly in Campaign. Finally, [[Fusion coil]]s can be picked up and thrown, and come in 4 types like weapon damage types.

[[File:H2 weaponszoom.jpg|thumb|500px|A few weapons as displayed in-game, with icon and name. Screenshots per weapon are when normal, firing, and when in scope/zoomed view. All in ''Halo 2''.]]

The typical arrow cursor is hidden within gameplay, and replaced with a blue targeting reticle that stays locked to the center of the screen, when in first person and third person views. The reticle turns red when a shot will hit an enemy target, and green for allies.

Many weapons are '''scoped''' and have the capability to zoom 2× or 5× into any area, with some long range weapons even capable of reaching up to 10× magnification such as the Sniper Rifle. These always show the reticle and continue scoping after shots are fired.

While wielding '''non-scoped''' weapons, the player's armor has the capability to zoom, to a minimal extent. These hide the reticle when in the zoomed view, returning to the normal view after every shot, making them inefficient for sniping. However, skilled players can use this in online gameplay to keep a good eye on enemies or destinations. In ''Halo 5: Guardians'', the smart scope feature is introduced, allowing players to increase the accuracy or range of all their weapons.

The types of available weapons follow the basic standards present in real life; Assault, Battle, and Sniping.

[[Grenade]]s are frequently made available, primarily for anti-infantry combat. Some grenades can stick and some grenades are stronger than others.

[[:Category:Melee weapons|Melee]] attacks are always available; if the player is able to get in range of an enemy, that can cause heavy damage. And melee attacks are very dangerous when you hit an enemy in the back, this will kill almost any enemy. Most times, a single melee attack is sufficient to completely deplete an enemy's shields. These are also used to take control of an enemy vehicle, by Melee attacking the craft, then planting a grenade to kill its driver.

Heavy weapons, such as [[turrets]], are also present within ''Halo'' levels, either stationary, or mounted on Vehicles. Some turrets can be removed from their stands and used as hand held [[Support Weapons]], but it makes the player move slower and gives the turrets limited ammunition. Only when driving a vehicle, controlling the Flamethrower, and controlling a turret, does the game switch into third-person view. Some vehicles, such as the [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Type-32]]/{{Pattern|Karo'wark|Ghost}}, [[Scorpion Tank]], and [[Banshee]] allow the driver to directly control mounted weapons while driving the vehicle. Other multi-occupant vehicles such as the [[M12 Warthog|Warthog]] require the player to remain in the weapon seat to control fire, and driving seat to control navigation.

[[:Category:Explosives|Explosives]] and large scale weapons, [[:Category:Missiles|missiles]], [[nuclear weapon]]s, and [[Halo Array|Halos]] are usually involved in the plot of every game, though not usually playable.

Within campaign levels, the player's character ([[John-117|Master Chief]], [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]], [[Alpha-Nine|any members of Buck's squad (excluding Veronica)]], [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]], [[Blue Team]], or [[Fireteam Osiris]], depending on the game played) usually begins with two weapons, and will always have access to weapons lying around, either near corpses or within weapon caches and stores.

Killed enemies or allies can be robbed of their dropped weapons as well. In ''Halo 2'' and every game that follows, the player can exchange weapons with allied AI when requested, making it unnecessary to kill them only to use their weapons, although grenades still cannot be traded. In ''Halo 5: Guardians'', John-117 or [[Jameson Locke]] can order AI-controlled Spartans to pick up weapons. However, AI-controlled Spartans can never drop their weapons upon death.

=== Common tips ===

* Shooting a players' weapon will cause them to take damage, and even kill them. Players can also stick their weapon with a grenade in addition to this.

* A good trick to find snipers is to watch for the smoke left behind from the weapon's tracer bullets.

* A tactic to staying aware of enemy campers is to watch for their gun barrels sticking out from behind walls, barriers, etc.

* Simply running towards your enemy and shooting at the same time is not a good tactic. Try strafing too.

* Try shooting the head, not the body when using headshot capable weapons.

* Shoot at the feet of the opponents with explosives, as a body shot could be easy to evade.

* Snipers that stay in tight spaces will be vulnerable to explosives and grenades due to lack of room to move.

* Fire in short bursts with automatic weapons, such as the assault rifle, as it is a good way to maintain accuracy and overpower enemies from afar.

== Trivia ==

The [[Marathon]] symbol can be observed on many human weapons in ''Halo'' games published by [[Bungie]], it is very small and often blends in, and it is better observed very zoomed in. For example, it can be found being on the butt of the MA5C Assault Rifle, it can also be found on the [[Sniper Rifle]] near to the gun's trigger. They are all best observed in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''.

== Gallery ==

File:Armoryoc8.png|A list of UNSC weapons in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'' shown to scale.

File:CovenantWeaponChart.gif|A list of Covenant weapons in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'' shown to scale.

== Sources ==

{{Ref/Sources}}