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[MaximumFlipFlop]

So all SpOps episode 2 missions are just Episode 1 missions in reverse with different objectives... sigh. This is going to suffer from something that killed Farcry 2 for me. In Farcry 2 you would drive through outposts that were loaded with enemies and vehicles that would chase you down and present pretty good fights. You felt accomplished when you successfully cleared one out. The problem is once you left and came back, they were repopulated and you had to do it all over again. All of you sense of accomplishment was gone now. SpOp is going to go this route since they try to have mini stories on each chapter with objectives sprinkled in. How do I feel I have accomplished something when the next episode has me going right back to doing what I did in the previous episode? Hope this isn't a telling of its overall quality.

 

[squidhands]

.

I miss your old avatar so much.

One thing I noticed last night is that assassinations still happen a lot when I'm only trying to tap the melee button for a quick kill. And every time it happens, I usually pay the price and end up getting assassinated immediately after. Grrrr.

yeah, i never accidentally did animations in reach (or, rarely), but it seems the timing has changed, as now its rare that it doesnt do the assassination animation regardless of how quick i tap the button.

It's pretty difficult to get the assassination animation with the Fishstick setup. Melee is on the right stick, and I have to consciously hold it down to get the animation to work, and even then it's not often that it happens.

Mantis is fairly easy to take down even without a power weapon. I've got two different loadouts for BTB games specifically, and the Plasma Pistol and stickies are staples for both.

 

[MrBig]

Wait, are you saying you're upset there's not a hard 1v1 counter to the Mantis when you're on foot and it's considered a "heavy" vehicle like the Scorpion or Wraith? What?

Are you suggesting the alternative is to teamshoot at it with DMRs until it dies, as opposed to dealing with vehicles in the same way we have for the last 11 years?

 

[Tashi]

So did anyone else get absolutely worked last night in the King of Hill playlist getting matched up against Tashi, Omlet, Ram and Nutter?

No time in the hill, and went 5 and 11. Ouch. haha

Eeek! What map? I don't even remember. I hope it wasn't Complex.

 

[dalVlatko]

Seems like the Banshee got removed from CTF on ragnarok.

Good job 343!

 

[FyreWulff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09aF3PIfV8

 

[bobs...onGaf]

Egg-head and hinge-head make me shake my head every time.

Also game can be a lot of fun - it just needs the right settings - but I really wish there was a beta - at least to simply stress test the netcode

 

[Orochinagis]

Why is there no weapon on valhalla CTF capable of countering the Mantis besides the Sniper?

You can use the zoomed Light Rifle.

Why was I not informed of this?!

Also looking at the art of H4, there is concept art for the SMG. Shame it didn't go past that stage.

Death from above.

 

[Franklinator]

Seems like the Banshee got removed from CTF on ragnarok.

Good job 343!

Good news, hopefully they also change the vehicles on Exile.

But this will definitely make Ragnarok more playable.

 

[Latvian Hitman]

It has the power of a scorpion and a warthog taped together, a relatively large degree of agility, and an area of effect defense mechanic to fend off anyone who didn't choose the right loadout as they go in to board it, as it hides behinds rocks and hits players from across the map. That's all fine and dandy and I'd be ok with it if there was a direct way to counter it that didn't rely on the chance of an ordinance drop or being forced to use some abject loadout. Why isn't there an Incineration Canon, Rockets, or Laser at the top of the mid rocks as there was before?

Yes, but with limited range. I can cross-map 1HK people all day long in a Scorpion. The only thing someone in a Mantis can do at distance is pester.

Also- laser does spawn top-middle as always in BTB slayer. I'd agree with you that it should be there for all gametypes on that map that feature the Mantis, but I have to say that I've never felt pinned down by the thing. I just maneuver around it and keep my distance. Also, as with any vehicle in the game, any concerted effort to team-shoot it will cripple it pretty quickly.

 

[squidhands]

Seems like the Banshee got removed from CTF on ragnarok.

Good job 343!

Good, now if they would please remove the tanks, Banshees and Gauss 'hog from Exile, it would be a good CTF map.

Yes, but with limited range. I can cross-map 1HK people all day long in a Scorpion. The only thing someone in a Mantis can do at distance is pester.

Also- laser does spawn top-middle as always in BTB slayer. I'd agree with you that it should be there for all gametypes on that map that feature the Mantis, but I have to say that I've never felt pinned down by the thing. I just maneuver around it and keep my distance. Also, as with any vehicle in the game, any concerted effort to team-shoot it will cripple it pretty quickly.

Agreed. I actually like how the Mantis plays in this game. It is powerful, but has severe limitations. Just two Ghosts can take it out pretty quick.

 

[JHall]

Why did they add the Mantis on Meltdown? Also, why in the hell does it spawn as soon as one gets destroyed?

One more thing, for the people trying to go for the green visor. KoTH on Valhalla and Complex is so much more efficient that trying for splatters in BTB.

 

[The P of Poland]

Egg-head and hinge-head make me shake my head every time.

Proof that Karen Traviss is on the Spartan Ops design team.

 

[Tashi]

I love that we don't have to wait a month for updates! It's one of the things I wanted with Halo 4 for a long ass time. IT MAKES ME HAPPY

 

[Franklinator]

Halo 4 SWAT is pretty fun. Much better than Reach because of the lack of bloom.

I love that we don't have to wait a month for updates! It's one of the things I wanted with Halo 4 for a long ass time. IT MAKES ME HAPPY

For sure. It's great to see that they're willing to make changes as fast as possible.

 

[The P of Poland]

Getting on Halo for about 40 minutes.

 

[ElzarTheBam]

Egg-head and hinge-head make me shake my head every time.

Also game can be a lot of fun - it just needs the right settings - but I really wish there was a beta - at least to simply stress test the netcode

Shut up, you hinge head!

 

[ThatsMytrunks]

Source?

 

[User 73706]

I feel like 343's either going to do an updating system for matchmaking that's either:

Release
Week One Updates
Month 2 Updates
Week One, Month 2 Updates
Month 3 Updates
Week One, Month 3 Updates

etc.

OR they'll do big monthlies and just change things quicker that are absolutely necessary. Which is always a good thing.

I also have to agree on the Mantis's role in combat; it can suppress the hell out of light infantry but I don't think I've ever felt truly "overwhelmed" by it like, say, the Scorpion or Reach Banshee. Even without spawning with a Plasma Pistol, I don't think it's anywhere near that broken. Honestly, I think it's a much better heavy vehicle than the Scorpion and I wouldn't mind seeing it being replaced completely by it in matchmaking.

 

[RebornYeti]

Wait wait wait, an update was released today? Is it just the SWAT update or is there more to it?

 

[ii Stryker]

Any word on the first TU for H4? The lag/hit detection definitely needs more work.

 

[Latvian Hitman]

Why did they add the Mantis on Meltdown? Also, why in the hell does it spawn as soon as one gets destroyed?

One more thing, for the people trying to go for the green visor. KoTH on Valhalla and Complex is so much more efficient that trying for splatters in BTB.

I've only seen it in Dominion on that map. It's not in standard BTB, is it?

 

[Ryaaan14]

I miss your old avatar so much.

It's pretty difficult to get the assassination animation with the Fishstick setup. Melee is on the right stick, and I have to consciously hold it down to get the animation to work, and even then it's not often that it happens.

Mantis is fairly easy to take down even without a power weapon. I've got two different loadouts for BTB games specifically, and the Plasma Pistol and stickies are staples for both.

Wow, dat realistic Cthulhu swimming motion

 

[User 73932]

This is my reaction when pulling up gaf today.

 

[Merguson]

I feel like 343's either going to do an updating system for matchmaking that's either:

Release
Week One Updates
Month 2 Updates
Week One, Month 2 Updates
Month 3 Updates
Week One, Month 3 Updates

etc.

OR they'll do big monthlies and just change things quicker that are absolutely necessary. Which is always a good thing.

I also have to agree on the Mantis's role in combat; it can suppress the hell out of light infantry but I don't think I've ever felt truly "overwhelmed" by it like, say, the Scorpion or Reach Banshee. Even without spawning with a Plasma Pistol, I don't think it's anywhere near that broken. Honestly, I think it's a much better heavy vehicle than the Scorpion and I wouldn't mind seeing it being replaced completely by it in matchmaking.

They mentioned doing weekly updates. I don't know what kind of updates they plan to do. So far, all I know is that they added Team SWAT to the playlists.

 

[daedalius]

This is my reaction when pulling up gaf today.

Yep.


Watched all the terminals, wow; so great.

Wish they had of been more integrated like they were in Anniversary though

 

[Sai-kun]

David why are you being such a child? What you said to shin was down right offensive. Oh no he makes some joke tweets I guess his oppinion about your team recycling tons of missions and claiming we are getting 50 missions is worthless. David I used to respect you but honestly you can shove it.

lmfao "down right offensive"

 

[Captain Blood]

I miss OG HaloGAF.

We are still here in the shadows Spud the Bud.

 

[shinobi602]

So, everyone's favorite enemy to battle from best to worst?

-Elites
-Brutes
-Jackals
-Hunters
-Grunts
-Watchers
-Crawlers
-Knights
-Drones
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Flood

 

[Mister Negative]

first game of swat i get a killtastrophe

welcome to the future of instant respawning

 

[Sai-kun]

Props to 343 for changing the challenge to reflect this week's Spops episode

 

[Trey]

Egg-head and hinge-head make me shake my head every time.

That shit needs to stop.

Also looking at the art of H4, there is concept art for the SMG. Shame it didn't go past that stage.

C'mon, son.

Looks like opinion is pretty low on MP?

Nope. Some don't like it, some think it's fun but not what they want from Halo, and everyone else likes it.

It's much better received in the gaming side OT.

 

[JHall]

I've only seen it in Dominion on that map. It's not in standard BTB, is it?

It was added in this morning.

 

[User 73932]

So, everyone's favorite enemy to battle from best to worst?

-Elites
-Brutes
-Jackals
-Hunters
-Grunts
-Watchers
-Crawlers
-Knights
-Drones
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Flood

You can take Brutes and put them lower on the list.

 

[Trasher]

We are still here in the shadows Spud the Bud.

Wake us...when you need us.

 

[Merguson]

So, everyone's favorite enemy to battle from best to worst?

-Elites
-Brutes
-Jackals
-Hunters
-Grunts
-Watchers
-Crawlers
-Knights
-Drones
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Flood

My list would be different due to the fact that Flood have different classes.

But the worst enemy is the Flood transforming types.

Empty a clip into one? Lol, too bad. It transformed. Now empty another clip.

 

[LAUGHTREY]

Nope. Some don't like it, some think it's fun but not what they want from Halo, and everyone else likes it.

It's much better received in the gaming side OT.

I can understand having instant respawns and some of these dumb settings in MM. Whatever, general pop is the CoD craving crowd now. Let them have their fun.

Why the fudge can I not make a custom game without instant respawns or being able to drop the flag? There's no reason for it. Removing that option is the most assbackward thing I've seen in a Halo game.

 

[daedalius]

So, everyone's favorite enemy to battle from best to worst?

-elites
-knights
-grunts
-hunters
-halo 2 & reach brutes
-jackals
-corrupted human/elite/brute flood forms
-halo 3 brutes
-flood pure forms
-
-
-
-flood hang-on-walls-and-shoot-the-shit-out-of-me form

 

[Tashi]

Gotta finish Episode 1. Might run it solo just to get Episode 2 going in Co-op.

 

[angelkimne]

Aww, I really liked CTF to begin with. It's getting boring. Firstly, because there is no 1 flag or Assault or even Stockpile to alternate. Secondly, because it has become clear to me that the waypoints remove much of the fun -- capping the flag just means running and praying, getting the flag carrier just means shooting and praying. Thirdly, because every game is on Ragnarok and that map, much like Reach BTB, is borken by the DMR, whichn is just too accurate and powerful for its own good.

The game would be vastly more fun minus the DMR. It's unnecessary given the BR and it ruins open maps.

Of course, the loadouts mean that these sorts of issues are permanent. At least when 343 realize that there are way too many power weapons and vehicles everywhere they'll remove them (I hope).

 

[StalkerUKCG]

So, everyone's favorite enemy to battle from best to worst?

-Elites/Brutes/Combat Form
-Halo 4 Hunters On Legendary (2nd encounter with them was pretty intense)
-Knights
-Other Hunters
-Grunts
-Crawlers
-Halo 3 Pure Flood Forms
-Jackals
-Drones
-Watchers
-Other Flood (Carrier/Infection)

I Played most of legendary with thunderstorm on don't know if that made it a better experience but i certainly did not see all the AI issues talked about by others to the extent some made out.

 

[Striker]

Removal of Banshee and Mantis would've been great for the 5v5 variant, but it probably has been pulled entirely. I don't get how there's not a different variant between BTB and the 5v5 version - too completely overloaded in power weapons and vehicles (worse than Battle Canyon and Highlands), and this is a map that is one of the easier to spawn camp in. Awful.

Super good points, especially on Complex. The aesthetic thing bothers me particularly on that map. It's bland in a realistic sort of way. I'm playing a game, give me cool colors and less potentially real life like areas.

Do you like Terminal, Turf, or Headlong any less because of the "real life" aesthetic? If that map has great design, I don't care if its Covenant or human themed.

 

[Captain Blood]

Wake us...when you need us.

See you starside bro.

 

[Latvian Hitman]

It was added in this morning.

Wow! Won't pass judgement until I play it but, Wow! Not sure I like, either.

 

[sp3000]

I miss OG HaloGAF.

343 wanted to "expand their audience"

Guess what? It worked.

 

[dalVlatko]

Adrift is an awful map for CTF but I had a pretty great on it.

2-2 with a few minutes remaining, I rush to the enemy base and end up escorting someone with the flag towards the middle of the map. End up dying a bunch of times trying to refresh the timer but eventually clear enough people to walk back to the base and score. I look down and see that there is only 10 seconds left but I realize that the other team managed to grab our flag and make a run for it while we were attacking.

Time ran out with them two feet away from scoring.

 

[Trasher]

343 wanted to "expand their audience"

Guess what? It worked.

Bringing in the CoD kids. Worked great! Nothing like dumbing down a game to bring in the masses and make more $$$s!

 

[LAUGHTREY]

343 wanted to "expand their audience"

Guess what? It worked.

No it didn't.

Halo 4 sold almost the exact same as any other Halo game since the dawn of time.

It's just HaloGAF is full of dummies right now. When all these filthy casuals clear out it should return to normal.

 

[CloudyTuba]

Yep.


Watched all the terminals, wow; so great.

Wish they had of been more integrated like they were in Anniversary though

Me, too. Watching them on Waypoint is a pain. Not only that, it's actually a detriment to the game.

Unlike the terminals in past games that were just fun bonuses, the terminals in this game actually fill some important gaps left open by the main story. Without watching them, the campaign can seem a bit shallow and sometimes even confusing.

Instead of becoming even harder to access, the terminals should have been further integrated in Campaign somehow.

 

[angelkimne]

I can understand having instant respawns and some of these dumb settings in MM. Whatever, general pop is the CoD craving crowd now. Let them have their fun.

Why the fudge can I not make a custom game without instant respawns or being able to drop the flag? There's no reason for it. Removing that option is the most assbackward thing I've seen in a Halo game.

There is clearly no real drive in 343 for customization like there was at Bungie.

It just seems pretty evident. Half the gametypes (race, vip, assault, stockpile, headhunter, invasion, that's not including those that were sort of but not exactly replaced) were removed. Those that remain have invariably been ravaged (flood, ctf) or unimproved (the rest).

While the attack (and this isn't just neglect, it's an active attack) on custom options may not make the game less fun right now, it could really hurt the multiplayer in the long run, what with the lack of variety and change. We'll see how things play out...