Halo 4 Tips: Top 7 Weapons

Shared by OD, reposted from Primagames.  In summary, be sure to pick these up when you see them:

1. Binary rifle: One shot kill, no headshot required
2. Incineration cannon: Rocket launcher on steroids
3. Rocket launcher: The same one you have always known
4. Sniper rifle: Take it and empty it, if nothing else
5. Scattershot: I haven't figured out how to use this yet, if I'm honest
6. SAW: Very good at suppression
7. Beam rifle: The same one you have always known

Halo 4 Tips: Top 7 Weapons

These seven weapons are the ones you don’t want to pass up if you come across them on the battlefield. Pick these up at all costs, even if just to keep them out of your enemy’s hands. Just remember to do your best to properly pair it with your existing weapons. Don’t end up with two snipers or two shotguns, severing your ability to compete in specific combat scenarios unless you properly weigh the risks.

#1 Binary Rifle
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This weapon is referred to as “the Boss” by the MLG players. Everyone who loved sniping in the past Halo games is going to love this new one-shot killing machine. There’s never been a weapon like this in any previous Halo game, so you can only imagine how surprised your opponents will be when you’re killing them with this weapon. Prepare for your foes to flee when they spot the three red lasers the gun emits when you’re zoomed in. This weapon is mostly for mid- to long-range fights but can still be deadly at close range if you master the no-scope.

You have only two shots per clip, so make them count. You don’t get zoomed out when you’re struck by an enemy’s shot either, so line up your reticle and fire away! In addition, you receive a total of six bullets: These should be six guaranteed kills. If this weapon appears in an ordnance drop, it is your number-one priority to make sure you or your team retrieves it first. The only counter to this weapon is the Hardlight Shield. You do not want this in your opponent’s hands!

#2 Incineration Cannon
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Think of this weapon as a Rocket Launcher on steroids! Its splash damage covers a larger area than a normal rocket, making it exceptional for short- or mid-range fights. The weapon is pretty much unstoppable when it comes to taking down all vehicles with one direct shot. This is the optimal piece of killing equipment to have on a vehicle-friendly map.

#3 Rocket Launcher
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This is another weapon that excels on vehicle-friendly (and smaller) maps, as you’re able to take down and inflict massive damage on vehicles. It also excels at taking down numbers of foes with its splash damage, as long as your foes are clustered near one another. It has an advantage over the Incineration Cannon too: You can fire off two rockets before needing to reload (compared to one with the Cannon); if you shoot a “Puckett” rocket (named after MLG commentator “Chris Puckett,” who’s known for his inability to net kills with the Rocket Launcher) at your enemy on your first attempt, you still have another chance to take down your opponent.

#4 Sniper Rifle
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This has always been a firm favorite; those playing previous Halo games know sniping is always entertaining! You have four shots in the rifle’s clip, and these can take down an entire team with headshots before you need to reload! By placing yourself behind the rest of your team, you can pick enemies off while your team draws attention away from your position. This weapon is supremely adept at dropping foes and is exceptional at mid- or long-range battles. Even at close range, when you master the no-scope firing, it is lethal.

#5 Scattershot
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Think of this as the evolution of the UNSC Shotgun. It fires almost twice as quickly and has almost double the range. This is an extremely important weapon to carry on every one of the small enclosed maps or in tight or restrictive areas. You can take down multiple enemies with a single clip. Try sneaking up on your foes brandishing this gun, and they won’t know what hit them! If you need to take control in a close-range battle, bring this out; it is unbelievably powerful in 1v1 close-range fights!
#6 SAW
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The SAW is an exceptional weapon. It is spectacular in short-range fights and works very well at mid-range as well. Compared to other short- to mid-range weapons, this one has more than the edge, simply because it partners extreme power with fast killing potential. Just aim at your adversary and spray away!

#7 Beam Rifle

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The Beam Rifle is one of the best sniping weapons available. It may not have the same power as a Binary Rifle, but it certainly stands up to the Sniper Rifle for sheer killing power and accuracy. It retains its accuracy even while fired from the hip, which allows for some amazing snapshots. What makes the Beam Rifle unique is that unlike the other two sniping weapons, it does not need to reload after two, four or even six shots. A fresh Beam Rifle comes with ten shots in the battery, and the only thing that will slow it down is if it overheats. You will not have to break visual contact with a potential victim just to reload, so you can stay scoped in on a target for follow-up shots.

Of course, the potential for overheating a Beam Rifle means that you will have to control your trigger finger and not fire the weapon too rapidly. However, even with this restriction, you can still put more shots on a target faster than the other two sniping weapons.

Want more Halo 4 strategy? Get the full Halo 4 Prima Official eGuide here!