Noob Combo: Difference between revisions

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Noob Combo is a term coined by multiplayer gamers shortly after the release of Halo 2. However, the original idea came from Halo: Combat Evolved, albeit a modified version. It is typically used to refer to the combination of a Plasma Pistol overcharge and a semiautomatic or burst-fire weapon, such as a Magnum or a Battle Rifle, though it can also refer to other weapon pairings, but not as commonly. The idea is that a noob combo can be used in multiplayer games to gain quick, easy (and arguably "noobish") kills.

Background[edit]

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 headshot. The most common noob combo is the combination of a Plasma Pistol and Battle Rifle. Another popular combination is of the Plasma Pistol and Magnum -- dual-wielded, of course, to remove the need to switch weapons—as the Magnum is sufficiently accurate at medium range.

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. This effectively caused a drastic decrease in the use of the noob combo.

In Halo 3: ODST and all subsequent games, the lack of dual wield makes this technique slightly harder than before. However, in the Campaign, enemies are usually stunned when their shields are drained, giving the player time to switch to a finishing weapon.

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, even though this is highly unlikely due to the speed of the combo and the unfairness of the defender having been instanly drained of their shields. Some people believe that 'noob Combo' should refer to the action, not the weapons.

Counter[edit]

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 then 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[edit]

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 and Firefight on higher difficulties, especially against powerful enemies such as Zealots and Spec Ops Elites. It is of limited use against either varieties of Brute Chieftains, but against the rest of the Brute ranks found in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST it is devastating, removing their armor making the follow up headshot, usually lethal. Halo 3: ODST encourages the latter usage, granting players an achievement for earning ten kills with the combo. In Halo: Reach, the noob combo is less effective against high-ranking enemies. Sangheili Zealots and Brute Chieftains gain shields that can withstand multiple overcharges, and are prone to dodge the projectile despite its homing effect.

Trivia[edit]

The Noob Combo has seen one use in the canon, during the bonus cutscene "Another Day at the Beach".
The combo has to be used to earn the My Clothes! achievement in Halo 3: ODST.^[1]

Sources[edit]

^ Bungie.net: Halo 3: ODST Forum : What is an EMP?

[1] Bungie.net: Halo 3: ODST Forum : What is an EMP?

[1]

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-{{Ratings}}
+{{Status|Gameplay}}
-{{era|H2|H3}}
+{{references}}
-The so-called '''"Noob Combo"''' is the combination of the [[Plasma Pistol]] and either [[Battle Rifle]], [[Carbine]] or [[Magnum]]. Often one will be walking and hear the splash of the plasma pistol being fired only to turn around and be hit in the face with the green plasma burst and then shot in the head with the Battle Rifle, Carbine or Magnum. This combo was especially rampant on [[Beaver Creek]] and [[Colossus]]. It was incredibly effective and often turns the tide of games. This tactic was considered so imbalanced 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. They also made a [[Team ActionSack]] gametype for it called "combo training".  Latter Bungie managed to effectively eliminate this problem when Halo 3 beta came out. Bungie made the charged shot of the plasma pistol travel much faster causing it to have very little maneuverability. Also players that hold the new plasma pistol ready to release an overcharged plasma shot are forced to deal with an ever decreasing battery power the longer the player holds down on the trigger.
+'''Noob Combo''' is a term coined by multiplayer gamers shortly after the release of ''[[Halo 2]]''. However, the original idea came from ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', albeit a modified version. It is typically used to refer to the combination of a [[Plasma Pistol]] overcharge and a semiautomatic or burst-fire weapon, such as a [[Magnum]] or a [[Battle Rifle]], though it can also refer to other [[weapon]] pairings, but not as commonly. The idea is that a noob combo can be used in [[multiplayer]] games to gain quick, easy (and arguably "noobish") kills.
-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 arguably imbalanced combination, it does require some skill to use. Correctly using these weapon combinations however, is not a trait of a new player.
+== Background ==
+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 [[headshot]]. The most common noob combo is the combination of a Plasma Pistol and Battle Rifle. Another popular combination is of the Plasma Pistol and Magnum -- [[dual-wielding|dual-wielded]], of course, to remove the need to switch weapons—as the Magnum is sufficiently accurate at medium range.
-However, 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 noob will easily be taken down once the initial surprise is gone.
+''[[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. This effectively caused a drastic decrease in the use of the noob combo.
-== Combinations ==
+In ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and all subsequent games, the lack of dual wield makes this technique slightly harder than before. However, in the Campaign, enemies are usually stunned when their shields are drained, giving the player time to switch to a finishing weapon.
-#[[Battle Rifle]] and [[Plasma pistol]]
-#[[Carbine]] and [[Plasma pistol]]
-#[[Dual wielding]] [[Magnum]] and [[Plasma Pistol]]
-Note: the noob combo is executable only with a plasma pistol and a close range [[headshot]] capable weapon. The [[SMG]]-Plasma Pistol combo is NOT a noob combo for the simple reason that you are unable to do a headshot, although that rule may change due to the fact that many gamers consider duel wielding the SMG or the Pistol with a plasma pistol or plasma rifle is a noob combo. However, this combo is very useful in campaign, especially in the higher difficulties.
-----
-These are the combos that are sometimes considered noob combos too:
-#[[Dual Wielding]] [[SMG]] and [[Plasma Pistol]]
-#[[Dual Wielding]] [[Spiker]] and [[Plasma Pistol]]
-#[[Assault Rifle]] and [[Plasma Pistol]]
-(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 melee
-#[[Plasma Pistol]] followed by a melee
-#[[Plasma pistol]] and a single [[Brute shot]] grenade
-The list could go on (it's literally based on what people consider a noob combo to be). The noob combo was supposed to be a plasma pistol shot followed by a headshot, but as time went by, people began considering fast kills, such as the ones above, to be noob combos.
+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, even though this is highly unlikely due to the speed of the combo and the unfairness of the defender having been instanly drained of their shields. Some people believe that 'noob Combo' should refer to the action, not the weapons.
-==Blocking It==
+== Counter ==
+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.
-It is possible to block the combo. The solutions are listed below.
+Alternatively, a well-timed grenade can block an overcharged Plasma Pistol shot. [[Anskum-pattern 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.
-You <b>must</b> be dual wielding and facing your opponent. Wait until the plasma bolt is about to hit you, then quickly press B ([[melee]]). If done correctly (properly timed), the plasma bolt will hit the weapon you just threw out. It seems best to drop a [[Plasma Rifle]].
+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 then 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.
-A second method which can block the noob 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 in , 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.
+== 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' [[Campaign]]s and [[Firefight]] on higher difficulties, especially against powerful enemies such as [[Zealots]] and [[Spec Ops Elite]]s. It is of limited use against either varieties of [[Brute]] [[Brute Chieftain|Chieftains]], but against the rest of the Brute ranks found in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' it is devastating, removing their armor making the follow up headshot, usually lethal. ''Halo 3: ODST'' encourages the latter usage, granting players [[My Clothes!|an achievement]] for earning ten kills with the combo. In ''Halo: Reach'', the noob combo is less effective against high-ranking enemies. [[Sangheili Zealot]]s and Brute Chieftains gain shields that can withstand multiple overcharges, and are prone to dodge the projectile despite its homing effect.
-Both the dual wielding and grenade method works and it is about preference on which to use.
+== Trivia ==
+*The Noob Combo has seen one use in the canon, during the bonus cutscene "[[Another Day at the Beach]]".
+*The combo has to be used to earn the [[My Clothes!]] achievement in ''Halo 3: ODST''.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=37284756'''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Forum : What is an EMP?'']</ref>
-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.
+==Sources==
-It may also be blocked by evading. Examples are to jump sideways or move behind a wall
+{{Ref/Sources}}
+[[Category:Multiplayer lexicon]]
-[[Category:Multiplayer Lexicon]]