Melee: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:12, August 29, 2009

A strong arm, a key asset in the melee attack.

Melee is the act of using one's weapon as a bludgeon. In the Halo series, this action can be executed by pressing the B button on the Xbox version of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3, or by pressing the F key on the PC version.

Melee attacks are stealthy and conserve ammunition. The close-range attack causes damage to the target's bones and tissues, allowing an attacker to injure a target without using ammunition. A melee from behind (an assassination) functions by breaking the target's neck or spine, and is sufficient to kill virtually any enemy in the trilogy, regardless of how much shielding or armor they happen to be wearing.

Melee attacks are commonly used in Multiplayer matches, where only a few blows are needed to kill an opponent; they allow one player to kill another without the sound of gunfire revealing their location or the weapons they are carrying. Melees are usually used to assassinate, when using a melee weapon (such as the Energy Sword or Gravity Hammer), or when an opponent is too close to shoot. Players who are dual-wielding weapons are less likely to melee, as a melee attack causes a player to drop their left-hand weapon.

Lunging

When wielding a melee weapon, it is possible to lunge at a distant enemy. If a target is close enough that aiming at them turns an attacker's reticule red, then the attacker can aim at them and press RT. This will cause the attacker to lunge forward before striking.

A lunge delays a melee. If an attacker is wielding the Gravity Hammer, they may find a target and approach them. If the attacker aims away from the target, they can swing the hammer the moment their target gets within the "blast radius", killing the victim almost instantly. If, however, the attacker aims at the target, then the attacker will lunge before striking, even if the target is already within range when RT is pressed. The lunge delays the swing, giving the target more time to react, and creating extra risk for the attacker.

By contrast, lunging is extremely helpful when using the Energy Sword, as it lacks splash damage.

In Halo 2

Halo 2's melee system was based on three levels of player movement, with a stationary melee doing the least damage, a running melee taking down roughly half of the target's shields, and a jumping melee almost completely removing the target's shields.Template:Fact With the introduction of dual-wielding, a new feature was added: if a player performs a melee attack while dual-wielding, they will drop their left weapon.

In Halo 2, melee attacks had the added benefit of canceling various animations and delays. This trait was shared by various other actions, and was exploited in the form of special button combinations. A common combination is the Double Melee, a rapid repetition of the button sequence B + X.

The range of the melee attack was decreased in Halo 2, but the distance at which a lunge can be attempted was increased.

In Halo 3

In Halo 3, the attack's power increased, such that two blows to a normally-shielded opponent's body were sufficient to kill them. The attack also became more effective against some Campaign enemies, with fewer hits required to kill a Flood Combat Form. A Halo 3 title update balanced melees; if two unshielded players melee each other, both will die, and both will receive a point.

The increased power of Halo 3's melee attack has led to various new tactics and techniques regarding its usage. A common tactic is to charge an opponent using an Assault Rifle; the attacker drains their opponent's shields with the rifle, and then uses a melee to finish them off. Melees are also used in Noob Combos, with a common combo being the usage of a Mauler to drain an opponent's shields, followed by a melee.

A new feature is the ability to perform a normal melee attack while using melee weapons. Such weapons have both an RT attack and a B attack; the former attack is powerful, whereas the latter is faster. The Energy Sword's B attack is a rapid swipe; when pressing B with the Gravity Hammer, a player's character will jab the butt of the hammer forward.

Assassinating an opponent in multiplayer earns the player an Assassin Medal, while a normal melee kill yields a Beat Down Medal.

Character compatibility

Spartans
Elites
Hunters
Brutes
Drones (only when boarding)
Marines (Halo 2 and 3 only, very close enemies, and they usually kick instead of punching or whacking)
Flood Combat forms
Flood Pure Forms

Trivia

In Halo 3, it is possible to assassinate a player through thin glass, such as that found in the bases on Valhalla and Snowbound.
In Halo 2, assassinations are not always successful against Brutes on Legendary.
In the Halo 3 Campaign, the Arbiter can melee while dual-wielding Plasma Rifles without dropping them.
In the Halo 3 Campaign, it's impossible to melee while wielding Support Weapons. However, Brute Chieftains who carry Plasma Cannons can still melee you with it, most likely due to their colossal strength.
In Halo 3, players can be assassinated even if Custom Game settings have made them invincible.
If a player gets too close, Hunters will use their shields as melee weapons.
Some fans have called using melee attacks "whacking" and "nutting", and in Campaign, "Whack-Attack" or "Ammo-Saver-fest '07".
Flood Combat Forms cannot be assassinated.Template:Fact
In Halo 2 Multiplayer, it can take up to three melee strikes to the front or side to kill a normally-shielded enemy. In Halo 3, only two strikes are needed.
In Halo: Combat Evolved, a melee attack in the back can kill a Marine instantly. However, in Halo 2 and Halo 3 allies cannot be assassinated by a single hit to the back.
In the popular internet video series Arby 'n' the Chief, the Chief is frequently angered by the intricacies and perceived unfairness of the melee system in Halo 3, an attitude mirrored by many real-life gamers.
In the pre-beta (Bungie employees and staff only) versions of Halo 3 Multiplayer, the melee was less powerful, with a single melee failing to significantly deplete a player's shields.
In Halo 2's Campaign, just one melee from an Elite on Normal can kill a player immediately, whether the attack is to the back or front. If the Elite is wielding a Carbine, however, then the melee will have no effect at very close distances.
In Halo Wars, the Spartans will often "drop" their weapon to start meleeing a close enemy.
In Halo 2, if you have the Sputnik skull activated and keep meleeing a dead body for a while, the body will fall through the floor.

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Era|H1|RVB|H2|H3|H3R|HW|}}
 [[Image:hand-wack.gif|right|thumb|A strong arm, a key asset in the melee attack.]]
-'''Melee''' is the act of using your [[weapon]] as a bludgeon. This action can be executed by default by pressing the B button on the [[Xbox]] version of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], [[Halo 2]] and [[Halo 3]] or the F key on the [[Halo PC|PC version]].
+'''Melee''' is the act of using one's [[weapon]] as a bludgeon. In the ''Halo'' series, this action can be executed by pressing the '''B''' button on the [[Xbox]] version of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Halo 2]]'', and ''[[Halo 3]]'', or by pressing the '''F''' key on the [[Halo PC|PC version]].
-Melee attacks enhance the stealth of a player and conserve ammunition. One melee attack from behind (an "assassination") will kill most enemies in both [[Multiplayer]] and Campaign, provided you sneak up behind them and melee them in the back. Although this tactic is successful against most enemies in the Halo games, assassinations are not always successful against [[Halo 2]] [[Brutes]] on Legendary.
+Melee attacks are stealthy and conserve ammunition. The close-range attack causes damage to the target's bones and tissues, allowing an attacker to injure a target without using ammunition. A melee from behind (an '''assassination''') functions by breaking the target's neck or spine, and is sufficient to kill virtually any enemy in the trilogy, regardless of how much shielding or armor they happen to be wearing.
-If an enemy is hit from the side or front, it may take two or three hits to kill them, depending on the enemy and weapon being used. [[AI]]'s, such as [[Elites]], [[Hunters]], [[Combat Form|Combat Forms]] and most notable Halo 3's [[Brutes]], will melee if you get too close, but they will seldom attempt the stealth melee. The way a melee works is by breaking bones and damaging organs and tissue. An assassination works by breaking your opponent's neck or spine, resulting in instant death even with an overshield.
+Melee attacks are commonly used in [[Multiplayer]] matches, where only a few blows are needed to kill an opponent; they allow one player to kill another without the sound of gunfire revealing their location or the weapons they are carrying. Melees are usually used to assassinate, when using a melee [[weapon]] (such as the [[Energy Sword]] or [[Gravity Hammer]]), or when an opponent is too close to shoot. Players who are [[dual-wielding]] weapons are less likely to melee, as a melee attack causes a player to drop their left-hand weapon.
-A melee is mostly used when an opponent is too close to effectively shoot, to attempt assassinations, or if the prospective melee is wielding a weapon that performs melee attacks only, such as the [[Energy Sword]] and [[Gravity Hammer]].
+== Lunging ==
+When wielding a melee weapon, it is possible to lunge at a distant enemy. If a target is close enough that aiming at them turns an attacker's [[reticule]] red, then the attacker can aim at them and press '''RT'''. This will cause the attacker to lunge forward before striking.
-Assassinating an opponent in Halo 3 multiplayer earns the player an [[Assassin Medal]], while simply meleeing from the front and killing your opponent yields a [[Beat Down Medal]].
+A lunge delays a melee. If an attacker is wielding the Gravity Hammer, they may find a target and approach them. If the attacker aims away from the target, they can swing the hammer the moment their target gets within the "blast radius", killing the victim almost instantly. If, however, the attacker aims ''at'' the target, then the attacker will lunge before striking, even if the target is already within range when '''RT''' is pressed. The lunge delays the swing, giving the target more time to react, and creating extra risk for the attacker.
-{{Melee Weapons}}
-==Character compatibility==
+By contrast, lunging is extremely helpful when using the Energy Sword, as it lacks splash damage.
+== In ''Halo 2'' ==
+''Halo 2''<nowiki/>'s melee system was based on three levels of player movement, with a stationary melee doing the least damage, a running melee taking down roughly half of the target's shields, and a jumping melee almost completely removing the target's shields.{{fact}} With the introduction of [[dual-wielding]], a new feature was added: if a player performs a melee attack while dual-wielding, they will drop their left weapon.
+In ''Halo 2'', melee attacks had the added benefit of canceling various animations and delays. This trait was shared by various other actions, and was exploited in the form of [[Button Combo|special button combinations]]. A common combination is the [[Double Melee]], a rapid repetition of the button sequence '''B''' + '''X'''.
+The range of the melee attack was decreased in ''Halo 2'', but the distance at which a lunge can be attempted was increased.
+== In ''Halo 3'' ==
+In ''Halo 3'', the attack's power increased, such that two blows to a normally-shielded opponent's body were sufficient to kill them. The attack also became more effective against some Campaign enemies, with fewer hits required to kill a [[Flood Combat Form]]. A ''Halo 3'' title update balanced melees; if two unshielded players melee each other, both will die, and both will receive a point.
+The increased power of ''Halo 3'''s melee attack has led to various new tactics and techniques regarding its usage. A common tactic is to charge an opponent using an [[MA5C Assault Rifle|Assault Rifle]]; the attacker drains their opponent's shields with the rifle, and then uses a melee to finish them off. Melees are also used in [[Noob Combo]]s, with a common combo being the usage of a [[Mauler]] to drain an opponent's shields, followed by a melee.
+A new feature is the ability to perform a normal melee attack while using melee weapons. Such weapons have both an '''RT''' attack and a '''B''' attack; the former attack is powerful, whereas the latter is faster. The Energy Sword's '''B''' attack is a rapid swipe; when pressing '''B''' with the Gravity Hammer, a player's character will jab the butt of the hammer forward.
+Assassinating an opponent in multiplayer earns the player an [[Assassin Medal]], while a normal melee kill yields a [[Beat Down Medal]].
+== Character compatibility ==
 *[[Spartans]]
 *[[Elites]]
 *[[Hunters]]
 *[[Brutes]]
-*[[Drones]] (only if they board your vehicle)
+*[[Drones]] (only when [[boarding]])
-*[[Marines]] (Halo 2 and 3 only, very close enemies,and they usually kick instead of punching or whacking)
+*[[Marines]] (''Halo 2'' and ''3'' only, very close enemies, and they usually kick instead of punching or whacking)
 *[[Flood Combat forms]]
 *[[Flood Pure Forms]]
@@ Line 25: / Line 43: @@
 **[[Flood Stalker Forms]]
 **[[Flood Thrasher Form]]
-==Halo 3==
-In Halo 3, the melee ability is much more powerful than it was in the past two games, making it a seemingly integral part of all close range engagements, especially in multiplayer. Due to it's augmented power, a common multiplayer tactic is to charge the enemy with an assault rifle, then melee the enemy once up close. If performed correctly, the enemy should have been slain once meleed, given that the enemy had regular shields. When the energy sword is equipped, the melee ability becomes a quick "slice", which although faster, is significantly weaker than the regular "lunge". Also, it is possible to assassinate another player through thin glass, such as the glass in the Valhalla and Snowbound bases.
 ==Trivia==
-*In the Halo 3 Campaign, the Arbiter can melee while dual-wielding Plasma Rifles without dropping them.
+*In ''Halo 3'', it is possible to assassinate a player through thin glass, such as that found in the bases on [[Valhalla (Level)|Valhalla]] and [[Snowbound (Level)|Snowbound]].
-*In the Halo 3 Campaign, it's impossible to melee while wielding [[Support Weapons]], even for the Arbiter. However, Brute Chieftains who carry [[plasma turrets]] can still melee you with it, most likely due to their colossal strength.
+*In ''Halo 2'', assassinations are not always successful against Brutes on [[Legendary]].
-*In [[Halo 3]], even if you set the players to have invincibility (as in the famed Halo 3 playlist Rocket Race), assassinations will still kill them, though nothing else will.
+*In the ''Halo 3'' Campaign, the Arbiter can melee while dual-wielding Plasma Rifles without dropping them.
-*If you get too close, [[Hunters]] will use their shields as melee weapons.
+*In the ''Halo 3'' Campaign, it's impossible to melee while wielding [[Support Weapons]]. However, Brute Chieftains who carry [[Plasma Cannon]]s can still melee you with it, most likely due to their colossal strength.
-*Some fans have called using melee attacks "whacking" and "nutting", and in [[Campaign]], when using the method mentioned above (going around in Campaign hitting enemies) "Whack-Attack" or "Ammo-Saver-fest '07".
+*In ''Halo 3'', players can be assassinated even if [[Custom Game]] settings have made them invincible.
-*Melees are almost useless against [[Flood]] [[Combat forms]], except when you have its arm blown off. However, in Halo 3, the melee is actually more powerful to them. A newly infected [[Combat form]] will usually die with one blow while an old combat form should die in 2-3 blows. Assassinating a Flood form does not work.
+*If a player gets too close, [[Hunters]] will use their shields as melee weapons.
-*In [[Halo 2]] [[multiplayer]], it can take up to three melee strikes to the front or side to kill a fully regularly shielded enemy. In [[Halo 3]] [[multiplayer]], if the target has no [[Overshield]], only two strikes to the front or side are needed.
+*Some fans have called using melee attacks "whacking" and "nutting", and in Campaign, "Whack-Attack" or "Ammo-Saver-fest '07".
-*Halo 2's melee system was based on three levels of player movement, a stationary melee doing the least damage, a running melee taking down roughly half of the shield, and a jumping melee almost completely removing the shield.
+*Flood Combat Forms cannot be assassinated.{{fact}}
-*In [[Halo 2]] and Halo 3 the melee attack has a short distance compared to that in [[Halo CE]] , though in Halo 3 and Halo 2 the lunge is longer.
+*In ''Halo 2'' Multiplayer, it can take up to three melee strikes to the front or side to kill a normally-shielded enemy. In ''Halo 3'', only two strikes are needed.
-*It seems in Halo 3, melee attacks are moderately more powerful than they were in the previous Halo games. This allows players to combat enemies with ease.
+*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', a melee attack in the back can kill a Marine instantly. However, in ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo 3'' allies cannot be assassinated by a single hit to the back.
-*In the recent update to Halo 3 the melee attacks are more balanced so that if the server has trouble declaring a winner, both players will be killed and each will recieve a kill credit.
+*In the popular internet video series [[Arby 'n' the Chief]], the Chief is frequently angered by the intricacies and perceived unfairness of the melee system in ''Halo 3'', an attitude mirrored by many real-life gamers.
-*In Halo 2, repeatedly press X&amp;B combined and you will melee very fast if pressing nonstop fast, although it will only hurt at random times. It does not work in [[Halo:Combat Evolved]], but partially works in Halo 3.
+*In the pre-beta ([[Bungie]] employees and staff only) versions of ''Halo 3'' Multiplayer, the melee was less powerful, with a single melee failing to significantly deplete a player's shields.
-*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], a melee attack in the back can kill a Marine instantly. However, in Halo 2 and Halo 3 friendly characters cannot be Assassinated by a single hit to the back.
+*In ''Halo 2'''s Campaign, just one melee from an [[Elite]] on [[Normal]] can kill a player immediately, whether the attack is to the back or front. If the Elite is wielding a [[Carbine]], however, then the melee will have no effect at very close distances.
-*In the popular internet video series [[Arby 'n' the Chief]], the Chief is frequently angered by the intricacies and perceived unfairness of the melee system in Halo 3, an attitude mirrored by many real-life gamers.
+*In ''[[Halo Wars]]'', the Spartans will often "drop" their weapon to start meleeing a close enemy.
-*In the pre-beta (Bungie employees and staff only) versions of Halo 3 multiplayer, the melee was less powerful, a single melee failing to significantly deplete a player's shields. Obviously, this feature was changed in the final game.
+*In ''Halo 2'', if you have the [[Halo 2 Skulls#Sputnik|Sputnik]] [[Halo 2 Skulls|skull]] activated and keep meleeing a dead body for a while, the body will fall through the floor.
-*In [[Halo 2]] just one melee from an [[Elite]] on campaign on [[Normal]] can kill the player immediately, whether the attack is in the back or front. However if an Elite is wielding a carbine ,then the melee will not effect the player if at very close distance.
-*In [[Halo Wars]] the Spartans will often "drop" their weapon to start meleeing a close enemy.
-*In Halo 2, if you have the Sputnik skull activated and keep meleeing a dead body for a while, the body will fall through the floor.
 [[Category:Terms and Phrases]]