Dual wielding: Difference between revisions

Dual wielding allows a player to use two weapons at any one time. The saying is that "two heads are better than one," and dual wielding is no different. Players often develop a liking or disliking to certain dual wielding combinations.  If the dual wielded weapons are different the game will simply combine the reticles. ''Halo 2'' is the only game where enemies are seen dual wielding, and all those enemies are [[Elites]]. The Elites are most often seen dual wielding a pair of [[plasma rifles]] or [[Plasma Pistols]]. Elites have been seen dual wielding combinations of a [[needler]] and a plasma rifle as well. Most [[Ranger]] elites dual wield plasma rifles. In ''Halo 3'' the [[Brutes]] never dual wield, but ally elites are occasionally seen dual wielding. No [[Marines]] are ever seen dual wielding. The exception of [[Miranda Keyes]] was only during a cutscene at the end of the level [[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]. A mod for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' has allowed for dual wielding, but is very glitched to the point of not working.  

A weapon can't be dual wielded just because it can be operated by only one hand. Elites can be given rocket launchers or fuel rod cannons which they will wield with only one hand. Neither weapon can be dual wielded by an elite in the campaign or multiplayer without mods. Similarly, the Needler (which was dual-wieldable in ''Halo 2'') is no longer dual-wieldable in ''Halo 3''.

Before the release of ''Halo 3'', ''[[Halo: Graphic Novel]]'' had elites dual wielding swords. There were elements of the community who believed this could be balanced, with others believing that it would be impossible without making it anymore of a "noob" weapon than it is already considered, and others believing it wouldn't matter since the sword is usually a one-hit kill weapon anyhow. Ultimately, it is not known if it was ever actually considered as a feature in the actual game; nonetheless, in the finished game, the Energy Sword was treated as a two-handed weapon.

== Changes in Halo 3 ==

The primary difference between Halo 2 and Halo 3's dual wield is that the player can now fully control the reloading process. In Halo 2, the player was forced and strained to reload the two weapons simultaneously at the same directed time. In Halo 3, players could reload the left weapon first while keeping the right weapon ready, vice versa, or both at once, independent of each other. By doing this, [[multiplayer]] gameplay is balanced.

Another difference between Halo 2 and Halo 3 dual wield is the alteration in the amount of damage dealt per weapon. In Halo 2, there is no change in the amount of shots needed to kill if you are single or dual wielding. In Halo 3, with the exception of the plasma pistol, when you dual wield each weapon becomes individually weaker by varying degrees. This becomes especially noticeable when overshields are in use.

[[Halo 2]]

*[[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|M7/SMG]] (New Weapon in [[Halo 2]].)

*[[M6C Magnum Sidearm|M6C Magnum]] (Exclusive to [[Halo 2]].)

*[[Brute Plasma Rifle]] ([[Weapon]], did not return in [[Halo 3]].)

*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]] (No longer dual-wieldable in [[Halo 3]].)

[[Halo 3]]

*[[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|M7/SMG]] (First appeared in [[Halo 2]].)