Bullet Math
Just a small idea i've had about the major changes in the shield system and the result the H2 weapons create. The major difference is the change in the number of shots to kill with and without headshots. Let's examine shields from both games.
Halo 1 Shield - required 5 pistol shots to the body (or 6 shots to the feet FYI ;-) ). If you were to headshot your opponent one could kill in only 3 shots (2 to the body to deplete shield, 1 to the head to kill), or 40% less shots.
Halo 2 Shield - required 7 battle rifle shots to the body, or 4 headshots (technically to kill 11 bullets to the body, and 1 bullet to the head), or about 43% less shots.
While these two flavors of shield behavior are not shockingly different, they can drastically change the gaming dynamic. The major difference between a 3 shot kill and a 4 shot kill is the ability to skillfully fight off a more well-equipped opponent. In Halo 1 every time a player spawned they were given a fighting chance to gain kills by strategically attacking their opponent. If you were faced with a rocket wielding player the pistol allowed you to 3-shot him in about the same time he would be able to kill you with a rocket. In Halo 2 however if you are faced with a sword opponent, a plasma pistol combo, or a rocket opponent your chances of killing them face to face with only the BR you spawned with aren't very likely.
Another strange behavior of the between the two shield designs is their reaction to fragmentation grenades. If a player was to receive 2 pistol shots (67% damage to a headshot kill, or 40% damage to straight body shots kill) they could be killed by a single frag grenade. In Halo 2 if a player receives one battle rifle shot (25% damage to a headshot kill, or 14% damage to a straight body shots kill) they can be killed by a single frag grenade. The statistical difference shown here is unrealistic. One must question why the frag grenade in Halo 2 is magically able to kill an opponent who has received such a small percentage damage. While the frag grenades appear to behave quite similar to Halo 1 grenades (overlooking their ability to explode in the air, and their ability to be blown up by other grenades) the major problem must be some type of design flaw with the Halo 2 shield.
There is one more interesting characteristic I have noted about the Halo 2 shield. While many players were shocked on the first launch into Halo 2 due to the removal of the health system there was a general belief that the two still behaved in a similar fashion. However in reality the shield system in Halo 2 is actually two shields. The outer shield is displayed and visually receives damage. The interior shield is invisible and receives damage upon depletion of the outer visible shield. The regenerative ability of this shield can be noticed by playing a no-shield gametype, such as the Swat matchmaking gametype. In a no shield game a player is killed by a single headshot or 3 shots to the body. However if a player were to receive 2 body shots and wait (read: hide) for around 10 seconds they could recieve a third without being killed. Or following the 2 body shots if they were to hide for about 15 seconds they would be able to receive another 2 without dying. Clearly the unseen "health" shield recharges itself much like the normal visible shield. This interior recharge applies when there is a normal visible shield as well. Following being shot 6 times a player may simply hide for a brief moment and re-join the battle unscathed. I feel without the penalty of losing health the overall dynamic of the game is changed again further from the amazing gameplay of Halo CE.
Allright I'm out... Happy Easter everyone.
Halo 1 Shield - required 5 pistol shots to the body (or 6 shots to the feet FYI ;-) ). If you were to headshot your opponent one could kill in only 3 shots (2 to the body to deplete shield, 1 to the head to kill), or 40% less shots.
Halo 2 Shield - required 7 battle rifle shots to the body, or 4 headshots (technically to kill 11 bullets to the body, and 1 bullet to the head), or about 43% less shots.
While these two flavors of shield behavior are not shockingly different, they can drastically change the gaming dynamic. The major difference between a 3 shot kill and a 4 shot kill is the ability to skillfully fight off a more well-equipped opponent. In Halo 1 every time a player spawned they were given a fighting chance to gain kills by strategically attacking their opponent. If you were faced with a rocket wielding player the pistol allowed you to 3-shot him in about the same time he would be able to kill you with a rocket. In Halo 2 however if you are faced with a sword opponent, a plasma pistol combo, or a rocket opponent your chances of killing them face to face with only the BR you spawned with aren't very likely.
Another strange behavior of the between the two shield designs is their reaction to fragmentation grenades. If a player was to receive 2 pistol shots (67% damage to a headshot kill, or 40% damage to straight body shots kill) they could be killed by a single frag grenade. In Halo 2 if a player receives one battle rifle shot (25% damage to a headshot kill, or 14% damage to a straight body shots kill) they can be killed by a single frag grenade. The statistical difference shown here is unrealistic. One must question why the frag grenade in Halo 2 is magically able to kill an opponent who has received such a small percentage damage. While the frag grenades appear to behave quite similar to Halo 1 grenades (overlooking their ability to explode in the air, and their ability to be blown up by other grenades) the major problem must be some type of design flaw with the Halo 2 shield.
There is one more interesting characteristic I have noted about the Halo 2 shield. While many players were shocked on the first launch into Halo 2 due to the removal of the health system there was a general belief that the two still behaved in a similar fashion. However in reality the shield system in Halo 2 is actually two shields. The outer shield is displayed and visually receives damage. The interior shield is invisible and receives damage upon depletion of the outer visible shield. The regenerative ability of this shield can be noticed by playing a no-shield gametype, such as the Swat matchmaking gametype. In a no shield game a player is killed by a single headshot or 3 shots to the body. However if a player were to receive 2 body shots and wait (read: hide) for around 10 seconds they could recieve a third without being killed. Or following the 2 body shots if they were to hide for about 15 seconds they would be able to receive another 2 without dying. Clearly the unseen "health" shield recharges itself much like the normal visible shield. This interior recharge applies when there is a normal visible shield as well. Following being shot 6 times a player may simply hide for a brief moment and re-join the battle unscathed. I feel without the penalty of losing health the overall dynamic of the game is changed again further from the amazing gameplay of Halo CE.
Allright I'm out... Happy Easter everyone.
posted by Annihil8or at 12:32 PM
5 Comments:
Wait, so are you saying that the gameplay in Halo 2 is NOT amazing?
Not really, unless all you do is play One Versus One, and furthermore are just as good as your enemy. Even then, the "hosting" isn't al lthat noticeable.
And don't even bothering arguing with what I just said there, just discuss what I said earlier about where hosting does become a problem. 'Tis a matter of perspective.
Reality....
Honestly, I don't see how it is a matter of perspective. The host clearly seems to have an advantage.
Actually I feel it is less obvious that the host has an advantage. However it is unreal the advantage a host actually has in a 4v4 or even 2v2 Xbox Live game. Due to the network protocol of Halo 2 it is much harder to notice the advantage given to the host. I might discuss this in a later article.
I'm going to finish this comments page up. Reality listen real close. IF HALO 1 WAS ON XBOX LIVE WITH MATCHMAKING IT WOULD TRUMP H2 SALES. Infact it probably would hurt Halo 2 tournaments so bad MLG would start MLG for halo 1 again.
"HALO 1 on XBOX LIVE would be the greatest game ever." - That's REALITY
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