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]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{realworld}}
+{{Status|Gameplay}}
-The so-called '''"Noob Combo"''' is the combination of the [[Plasma Pistol]] and [[Battle Rifle]], [[Carbine]] or [[Magnum]]. Often one would be walking and hear the splash of the plasma pistol being fired only to turn around and be hit in the face with the giant green blob and then shot in the head with the Battle Rifle, Carbine or Magnum in an instant. This combo was especially rampant on [[Beaver Creek]] and [[Colossus]]. It was incredibly effective and often turned 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" but Bungie managed to shrink this problem a bit when the Halo 3 beta came out, Bungie made the charged shot of the plasma pistol travel much faster causing it to have very little maneuverability, since many players always hold the weapon ready to release the shot, Bungie made the battery power decrease the longer the player held the trigger down.
+{{references}}
-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, and using weapon combinations effectively is not a trait of a new player.
+'''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.
-However, even a player who would normally lose to you can kill you 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 and you know he's using it.
+== 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.
-== Combinations ==
+''[[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.
-#[[Battle Rifle]] and [[Plasma pistol]]
-#[[Carbine]] and [[Plasma pistol]]
-#[[Dual wielding]] [[Magnum]] and [[Plasma Pistol]]
-#At close range in multiplayer, the plasma pistol's melee will finish an opponent without the need to switch weapons.
-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. Anyway, this combo can be useful in campaign especially on the higher difficulties.
+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.
-==Blocking It==
+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.
-With a great deal of skill, patience and practice it IS possible to block the noob combo!
+== 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.
-Here's what you do:
+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 MUST be dual wielding, and facing your opponent. Wait until the plasma discharge is about to hit you, then immediately press B, or [[melee]]. If done correctly, and properly timed, the plasma discharge will hit the weapon you just threw instead of you! 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 that can block the noob combo is to hit the discharged shot with a [[grenade]]. [[Plasma Grenade|Plasma]] and [[Frag Grenade|Frag Grenades]] both work. Its argued that a plasma is better, because it is a glowing ball of energy that the discharged bolt will home in on instead, 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 work and it's 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 and it should be noted that against a Battle Rifle you're pretty much screwed anyways.
+==Sources==
+{{Ref/Sources}}
-Finally, it's possible to kill the person while your shields are down. Jump towards the person while equipped with a powerful weapon, like an energy sword or shotgun, and try to kill them. You could also jump sideways or try to stick them. You'll probably die, but you may be able to kill them afterwards.
+[[Category:Multiplayer lexicon]]
-Survival can't be guaranteed, but it gives you an edge if you can master this slick move!
-[[Category:Multiplayer Lexicon]]