The pistol only functions well when the team skill and knowledge is equally distributed among all of the players. Otherwise it becomes a death machine in someone's hands. It's why it's highly lauded in the competitive community and it rightfully should be. It is the easiest, maybe best way, to show greater skill in a player versus player environment. But it breaks down when you get to semi-competitive and casual levels. At Halo's core it needs to have a strong competitive environment, while still fostering and tending for those other types of players. The CE Pistol neglects that last part. 4 and Reach neglected the core. Both situations are bad, but failing to create a solid core will eventually kill the outside.