The Game Gods

Top 10 Halo 2 Tactics

Posted in » Tips & Tricks

The Game Gods have 100's of hours logged playing a little game called Halo 2.  While we find a couple of faults with this game, we're addicted and cannot stop playing it!  We've seen people that we let win, and there are many more people who are absolute morons when it comes to playing this game.  That's why as our first Top 10 weekend update we've decided to help you out by giving out our list of Halo 2 tactics that will keep you from going 3-18.  These are compiled from what we've learned and seen other people needing to learn.  Stay tuned each week for more Top 10 lists!

Click below to begin your training, young grasshopper!

#10 The Newb Combo

I've put this at #10 because it's necessary to learn.  Nothing is more annoying than your teammates bitching about getting newb comboed.  It is all annoying to hear your opponents yell at you and report you for cheating just because you use something that Bungie has giving you.  You only need a plasma pistol and battle rifle.  The trick is shooting the battle rifle at the head (see #7) at the time the plasma charge hits your opponent.  In fact, dual wielding the plasma pistol with other weapons work effectively in closer combat settings.  The main purpose of the Newb Combo (and it's purpose on this list) is using the plasma pistol to lower your opponents shield.  Then take them out in your favorite way!

#9 Fully Loaded

This tactic is a completely "duh" idea, but you have no idea how many times Game Gods has heard the familiar click-click-click of empty battle rifles and such.  I've put it at #9 because without ammo, the Newb Combo is useless.  It main seem a completely stupid thing to be saying, but always keep a full clip.  Reloading animations take too long in a fire-fight.  If that happens you can just add 1 to your death count.  Also, try to catch your enemies after they've just been firing and before they get a chance to reload.   Remember to have your ammo full, and you can beat them before they can finish reloading.  Just watch the melees (#8).

#8 Melees

Often overlooked by people, the melee button should become one of your best friends!  This button has the ability to remove shields, kill when the shields are gone, and kill people in one hit (assassinations).  I've always liked meleeing a person then spinning around and battle rifling them in the head.  Thanks to a little thing known as auto-aim, sometimes the sweeping motion of the battle rifle will kill them easier than aiming for the head.  Don't be afraid to use the melee button because if you kill someone with the B button, you always earn a medal!!

#7 Headshots

Another tactic that should be a given to any FPS enthusiast.  Getting shot in the head is always a much quicker death than getting shot in the foot!  This is a thing to practice all the time.  Battle rifles can kill in three shots to the head if you're good enough.  Snipers kill in one headshot.  This is a very important point, but not listed higher because people can be killed quickly without headshots.  Just remember, aim for the head!

#6 One Hit Kills

This one is paired pretty closely to headshots.  That's cause many of the one hit kills involve the head.  It's a well-known fact that people can't kill you if you can kill them in one shot!  There are many ways of tackling killing in one hit.  The sword lunge is a one hit kill, cheap as people think it is.  It can be countered which is why I don't deem it as cheap.  Snipers kill in one hit if aimed at the face, usually two shots if not.  Rockets kill in one hit almost always!  Rockets can be used to kill more than one at a time because of their effectiveness.  Unfortunately, they are not that many chances to use rockets effectively.  Assassinations kill in one hit, and I find them to be very satisfying.  Plasma grenades are effective one hit kill weapons in two ways.  One is the very obvious effect of sticking the grenade to an unfortunate victim (another medal).  The other effective use of the plasma grenade is that they will kill instantly if they explode underneath or extremely close to an opponent.  This makes them more effective than frag grenades in that regard.  An up close shotgun blast is another great method of ripping an opponent to shreds in one hit.  This one is effected by host sometimes, but still a very good weapon in close combat.  The last method is splattering people with vehicles.  Probably the easiest to be countered against by jumping and dodging, the splatter is still a very effective means to dispatch an enemy (and a great medal to show to friends)!

#5 Predict Movements

This is a very effective method of countering opponent attacks.  By predicting where they might go, you are able to take them out a bit easier.  Grenades and other items can be very effective if placed where they will land or are running to unsuspectingly.  Swords and shotguns can be effective you camp behind a corner and wait for the opponent to run by.  Predicting movements like these can turn the tides of the game to the favor of the Game Gods.

#4 Don't Run in Straight Lines

This is one of the worst things I've seen people do.  They're attacking the base and are killed almost instantly because they are running in a straight line.  Snipers really love this more than anything!  Moving from side to side, jumping around, and other methods of not moving in a straight line will not only help you live long, but will let the rest of your team kill the distracted foes.  Counter these "dancing fools" with grenades and other methods of wearing them down quickly before you're toast!

#3 Grenades

Grenades are an important part of your arsenal.  These often get overlooked by less experienced players, but when used, can destroy opponents.  Is someone camping?  Throw grenades.  Not only do sticks and some plasmas kill in one blast, but all grenades of the ability to remove shields.  This is very effective when accompanied by the battle rifle.  Always keep grenades handy.  A tactic that I've found extremely handy is to throw grenades when death is imminent.  Oftentimes you've worn the guy down enough that a last ditch grenade will kill him as well, which is necessary in keeping the game close.  

#2 Cover

I know this is not Gears of War, but cover is still very important.  I don't know how many times I've lived to kill an attacker because I've ran around the corner or moved under cover to wear I cannot be attacked.  Oftentimes the enemy runs directly towards you without letting his shields recharge.  Stupid move!  It's time to murder him!  The main counter to this of course is grenades and flanking teammates (that is, if you run with the team).  So watch your ass and for the grenades!

#1 Run with the Team

This has to be the most important Halo 2 tactic!  Running with the teammates is vital to survival.  Life is so much easier when two people are battle rifling the same guy.  When being unselfish and team oriented, your team has the advantage.  It works for basketball teams (and other sports), so there is no reason it doesn't work here.  One opponent cannot kill 2-4 unless he gets really lucky or hits you all with a rocket!  It becomes even more vitally important in skirmish game types.  The Game Gods demand teams that work together, so let's not piss them off!  That's right!

Now that you have the Game Gods Top 10 Halo 2 tactics, there is absolutely no reason to reach level 50 by the end of the weekend.  Practice makes perfect, but we're here to help you along the way.  Feel free to comment and leave us your tactics on how you dominate the Halo community.  Maybe you'll see them on an updated version of this list.  Next week will bring you another objective Top 10 list from the Game Gods!