Halo: The Master Chief Collection has just released for PC, and with it, a new audience has been introduced to Halo's popular multiplayer. Mixing classic arena shooter elements with more modern mechanics, Halo: Reach's multiplayer offering is truly unique within the PC ecosystem.
It can be challenging to get into multiplayer, however. The lack of killstreaks, predictable recoil, or fast time-to-kill values might be offputting to some. Those who stick with it, though, know just how amazing and fun Halo can be. Whether you are a veteran or newcomer, here are the best tips you can use to defeat your opponents and master multiplayer.
10 Use Armor Abilities
One of the new additions Halo: Reach added are armor abilities. These abilities allow you to sprint, dodge attacks, or deploy cover. Unlike Halo 3's equipment, these abilities are on a cooldown instead of being consumed on use.
These abilities are potent and can change the flow of firefights, so it is important to use them often. Sprint can allow for easier map control and objective play, while jetpack can let snipers reach otherwise impossible vantage points. Active camo can give time to regenerate shields, while holograms can give away the position of nearby enemies. Mastering your armor abilities is core to being the top player on the scoreboard.
9 Learn Weapon Combos
Each Halo weapon has a specific purpose in the sandbox. Most Covenant weapons, for example, deal bonus damage to shields but less to health. Conversely, Human weapons deal bonus damage to health but not shields.
Using one Covenant weapon, such as a Plasma Pistol, with a Human weapon can help down players in competitive game modes. In addition, most players will want to use a close-range weapon and a long-range weapon to cover most distances a map can provide, using the most powerful weapons when possible. A shotgun with a sniper rifle, for example, is a fantastic combo for almost any range if used properly.
8 Memorize Map Layouts
Unlike most FPS titles—Call of Duty, Battlefield, or even the most recent Halo titles—Reach is almost entirely on map control. Instead of being rewarded with killstreaks or cool vehicles, players control certain sections of the map, allowing them to take any items that spawn there.
Because of this, it is critical to learn the spawn locations of everything on every map on offer. The best weapons in the game spawn in highly contested areas of most maps, meaning that those who survive can claim the power weapons. Power weapons can change entire games, so make sure you coordinate with your team to control critical parts of the map.
7 Practice Using Vehicles
Besides infantry combat, some game modes will require players to use vehicles. Like weapons, vehicles range in effectiveness from decent to game-changing. Even mastering something as simple as at Warthog can swing matches.
Find game modes that have vehicles included, such as invasion or larger scale maps. Learning how each vehicle handles can help push them to their limits. Ghosts, Scorpions, and Warthogs are all fantastic and powerful in the right hands. Finding a partner or group of friends to ride shotgun can be helpful as well.
6 Play SWAT
Aiming is one of the most important skills FPS players need to be excel at. Unfortunately, the long time-to-kill in Halo titles can harm the feedback if players are getting headshots or well-placed shots.
Luckily, SWAT is a game mode built with instant kill headshots in mind. Players have no shields and high precision weapons, meaning landing headshots is imperative to winning matches. Just a few hours of this game mode and most will get significantly more proficient at landing headshots. It is also great practice with the DMR and Magnum.
5 Find A Clan
Playing with a familiar group of people can help you improve your communication skills and change your gameplay style. Unfortunately, players need to complete 50 games before they can edit their clan tag, but once that requirement is fulfilled, it should be done as soon as possible.
Similar to Battlefield, Reach rewards teamplay and communication with map control, allowing that team to use the most powerful weapons and vehicles. However, should the tables turn and the enemy team has powerful weapons, players can coordinate with others to kill enemies and take their powerful weapons. This is easiest to do with a group of friends or clanmates, so find a clan when possible.
4 Play the Campaign on Heroic or Legendary
Every gameplay tip mentioned above can be practiced by playing the campaign at a higher difficulty setting. The enemy AI in Reach, on higher difficulties, is surprisingly intelligent and capable of extremely difficult encounters.
Enemies will dodge attacks, be more aggressive, flank, coordinate, and sometimes use stronger weapons. It is the perfect storm for practicing aim, weapon loadout choices, and the usage of abilities. Most importantly, however, nearly every campaign level uses the same layout as their multiplayer contemporary, meaning learning the layouts from the campaign can bring a direct advantage to multiplayer sessions. If the game needs to be even more difficult, activate some skulls to make levels even harder.
3 Master the DMR
Most playlists in Reach have players start with the DMR. This weapon is incredibly powerful if players can land headshots. This weapon's scope helps land shots at medium and long ranges, meaning this weapon is one of the most versatile in the game.
Developing mastery for this weapon will help in almost every game type. The best way to get good with the DMR is to play SWAT or DMR Slayer based playlists. SWAT, in particular, is great because precision weapons instantly kill on headshots.
2 Adjust Sensitivity and Field of View
PC players can change their field of view settings in the options menu, allowing them to see more on their screen compared to console players. This allows for better situational awareness and can fix motion sickness problems some suffer from.
However, changing the field of view can also make turning feel sluggish. Sensitivity settings in the options menu can also be changed to a significant degree, allowing for mouse acceleration, mouse smoothing, and general sensitivity adjustments. If it seems difficult to stay on target, or if moving the mouse barely changes where your character is looking, changing sensitivity is the best thing you can do.
1 Play Frequently
Nobody becomes a master at anything in one day. Frequent practice is the only consistent way to get better at something. While the tips above are great for getting more knowledgable or comfortable, the best way to get better at anything is practice.
Play for a consistent period every day. It can be 30 minutes, an hour, or multiple hours, but always practice. Get friends or clanmates together for game nights to just have fun. And remember, if you ever get frustrated, remember to take a break and cool off. Playing while angry can result in gameplay mistakes and make the frustration even worse. Most importantly, remember to have fun!