This is an Enemies Guide to Halo Reach, Mostly used for general gameplay and the "Monument to All your sins" Achievement (Complete Legendary, Solo Campaign)
The aim of this guide is to go through the enemy classes and the best weapons to use against them. Note that some classes use different tactics and weapons, and its more so better to use other weapons for effective performance. Be advised all weapons of choice are mostly ones you can commonly find on the field some weapons like the Sniper Rifle, Spartan Laser, Plasma Caster etc. don’t appear very often. Plus the following weapon usage makes use for quick and less costly work
Skull have some mention, but are not really talked about fully in this, another guide would be added about them if I get time
UPDATED: 10 Decemeber 2011: Given a revised version and added more detail to the guide
RACES
- Grunts
- Jackals/Skirmishers
- Elites
- Brutes
- Engineers
- Hunters
- Drones
Grunts: -
Weapon of Choice: DMR/Magnum/Needle Rifle.
Threat Warnings: In groups with a Commander and leaderless suicide grunts
General Disposal: Always aim for the head and take them out with one shot. Though 2 for the Ultra Grunts (1st headshot knocks its helmet off, 2nd kills them)
Extra Information: Extra caution must be exercised when killing the squad leader (Elite or Brute) for some Grunts will go suicidal and run towards you with Active Plasma grenades that exploded on contact, when one is seen and heard, maintain distance and aim for the head, killing the suicide grunt would possibly take out any others hostiles within the explosion radius when the grenades go off
Jackals and Skirmishers: -
Weapon of Choice: DMR/Magnum/Needle Rifle.
Threat Warnings: Snipers and Shields that form a wall
General Disposal: Same as the Grunts, aim for the head
Extra Information: Apart from the Snipers, most Jackal Classes have energy shields that absorb damage until it gives, They have part of their weapon wielding hand exposed to attack, aiming for it will cause them to be exposed as they shield is moved out of the way, aim for the head before he recovers. Skirmisher work like the Jackal Snipers, but they have much more speed and agility, plus can take more shoots, quick and effective aiming is needed
Elites: -
Weapon of Choice: Plasma Pistol, or any Plasma weapon and DMR/Magnum/Needle Rifle.
Threat Warnings: Higher Classes have more powerful shields and sometimes Energy swords and the Special Operations class will make appearance on a few stages
General Disposal: Usage of Plasma weapons (Pistol, Rifle, Repeater) to quickly chew through their shielding, after reducing their shields to zero, aim for the head
Extra Information: Every Elite has a personal shield system that must be reduced, but some in higher class needed ongoing attack to reduced them. The Charge shot from Plasma Pistol will EMP them, but it doesn’t always work for the higher classes like the generals, Zealots and the Field Marshall, they require two charge shots and most have heavy weapons and swords, and Special Operations Class will pick off anyone that don’t keep a sharp eye.
For all Elites, after depleting the shields, they tend to roar, leaving them open to attack, use it. If one goes after you with the energy sword, ALWAYS maintain distance and keep draining the shields, then shot the head. Always use your motion tracker, and/or look around for a shimmer to location and pick off Spec Op Elites, though hard to see, their shields are fairly poor
Brutes: -
Weapon of Choice: Needler or Needle Rifle(*), Plasma Pistol/Weapons for Chieftains first. Plasma Grenade for Armour Lockers
Threat Warnings: Thick skinned, Armoured and quite powerful in combat and in packs
General Disposal: Employ the use of the Needler weaponry to take down the Brutes. 8 from the Needler/ 3 Needle Rifle creates a supercombine explosion will kill them, Plasma Weaponry for the Chieftain to take out their shields before using the Needlers
Extra Information: Because of the Brutes thick skin and heavy armour (specially the head) Most weaponry and headshots in not really advised because they can take a lot of blows and 3-5 headshots to kill them, the helmet and headdress must be knock off first. Brutes armed with Gravity Hammers strafe left to right while charging which doesn’t make it any easier, plus some will activate Armour Lock when the heat gets too bad. The needler weapons are the best choice on this race because the supercombine will kill them (regards of rank and some activate skulls), for the shielded Chieftains, the shield depletion tactic for them works like the Elites, Plasma their shields before killing them. Armour lock may save them from some fire, but it leaves them stationary, especially when they break it, the second they break out of Armour Lock throw a grenade (Plasma preferred) at them to make short work
Engineers: -
Weapon of Choice: Any weapon
Threat Warnings: No hostile fire, quite rare to see
General Disposal: Just shoot at them
Extra Information: Firearm wise, engineers are harmless and are very slow in movement speed, but they do pose as a threat because they continuously provide the enemy within their vicinity with temporarily overshields, Quickly disposing them first will stop the overshielding being replenished
Hunters: -
Weapon of Choice: Any Explosives/Heavy Weapons and/or Shotgun
Threat Warnings: Very high Threat in pairs and Close range
General Disposal: The large weak point is usually the back. Full usage of Explosions, heavy weapons and close range shotgun.
Extra Information: Hunters always work in pairs and they are lethal as all in Legendary, long range shots and melee is very devastating, but their strength hinders movement speed, the best plan of attack is to focus killing one before the other. Throw as many grenades at them for some damage and also usage of heavy weapons is extra help as one may fall, always aim for their backs, If all options are sent, there are weapons caches with shotguns their Hunter areas, grab one and go for CQC, **BUT** When using this method, do not, I repeat, DO NOT STAND STILL! One chop or smack from the hunter KILLS! Keep moving and strafing to dodge the melee strikes, and pump some shotgun rounds into its back until it drops, if it gives you too much trouble or need to pull back, Do so, but watch your surroundings
Drones: -
Weapon of Choice: DMR/Needle Rifle and big pair of balls..
Threat Warnings: Always in large groups and very quick
General Disposal: Careful aiming of the head
Extra Information: This race are the worst of all races in Legendary because of their speed and the fact that you’ll be up against a number of 10, 20 or 30!!!!! Removing them requires concentration and time, rushing is suicidal, but thankful they only appear in three stages (Final stage is the big concern) Carefully aim and fire their heads, and they do have a headshot indicator as they explode after getting shot in the head. Using cover and distance is very important to keep them at a small number so you don’t get swarmed
VEHICLES
- Ghost and/or Revenant
- Shades
- Wraith
Ghost and/or Revenant: -
Weapon of Choice: Rocket Launcher, Plasma Launcher, Fuel Rod Cannon or any friendly manned vehicle (DMR for Grunt controlled)
Threat Warnings: Their firepower and Speed
General Disposal: Kill the driver with a headshot (Grunt only), Mostly use the heavy weapons or the vehicle gun/cannon
Extra Information: Don't bother Hijack them, unless you got good skill and big pair, because failing the hijacking is just completely suicidal from either hostile fire or splatter. If you have a vehicle (with good odds that you do) Just drive, don’t stop for anything and let the gunner (Player *co-op* or AI *solo*) do all the shooting, DO NOT LET THE AI DRIVE, that’s an open death wish. With heavy weapons, use the high ground to avoid be splattered and offload the rockets, plasma and FRG when it gets close
Shades: -
Weapon of Choice: Rocket Launcher, Plasma Launcher or Fuel Rod Cannon (DMR if no explosive weapons) (Sniper Rifle comes in handy on Nightfall)
Threat Warnings: Can’t move but has high rate of fire
General Disposal: Kill the driver with a headshot (depends on operator), Destroy the battery with heavy weapons
Extra Information: USE EXTREME CAUTION, though stationary targets their rate of fire is extreme high making them extremely lethal head on. Most Shade encountered on the field are Grunt manned some picking them off with headshots will temporarily shut it down, if it gets manned again by grunt, headshot, BUT if its an Elite… you may have to use full clip of DMR to kill him, If possible, all use an explosion weapon to take it down, Gunner and Shade together, or grenade an unmanned one so it doesn’t get used behind your back. Don’t bother manning yourself, you’ll be a sitting duck
Wraith: -
Weapon of Choice: DMR/Needle Rifle and one of the following: Grenade, Melee or Hijack
Threat Warnings: Powerful in speed and power head on, but slow on maneuvering
General Disposal: Kill the driver with a headshot (depends on operator) and use of one of three methods: Grenade planting, Melee bashing or Hijack method
Extra Information: Not most of a problem than the small vehicle counterparts because of its slow turning speed, but still a threat. Besides the plasma mortar and its charging forward speed, the Plasma Turret’s rate of fire while manned is what makes the Wraith an equal to dangerous threat. Best method of attack is to kill the turret operator first, with headshot, at a distance (T. After the operator is killed, carefully proceed towards the Wraith, though something it won’t mortar fire you while close, but it will try to run you over, when he does, get out of the way or if you Armour Lock eqiuped, use it to stop the Wraith in its tracks and breaking out will EMP it, use either opportunity to board the Wraith and use the following methods
- Plant a grenade at either end (depends on what end you board), the explosion will destroy it
- Board the ass end of the Wraith and use melee to rip it about, this must be done quickly due to some foot soldiers may give you a little surprise
- Hijack the machine, board the front and melee kill the driver (Don’t over melee and destroy it if you need it), after removing the corpse, take control. (This method is highly recommended for the final part of Exodus to clear the area of Brutes Chieftians and Ghosts, but use caution, the hijacked machine is more prone to destruction because of the melee damage)
OTHER INFORMATION - ENVIRONMENT
When in doubt with some situations, you can always use the environment around you to your advantage,
- Useless vehicles like forklifts, half destroyed warthogs, etcs.
- Fusion coils, Plasma Batteries, Fuel Tanks.
- Grenades on the grounds
When shoot at enough to make them explode, they can take a good number of enemies with them, See an opportunity, don’t hesitate to use them.
OTHER INFORMATION - EQUIPMENT
Also the use of some Equipment is really important
- The Bubble Shield is a lifesaver when injuried and no health packs anywhere
- The Hologram is important as it can take the attention away from you so can either finish the covies or move to a different spot with minimum risk.
- Armour Lock has little use but can save you from sticks and Wraith mortars and charging
- Mobility ones (Sprint, Jet Pack) have a minor role, but it does help with getting to vantage points faster
- Active Camo seems to have some hinder to most because of the Motion Tracker Jamming and outside noise deafening, but would sure good use in Nightfall
((Will update when more information has been collected))
Use this guide well and have much patience in your quest to get the "Monument to All your sins" Achievement, it'll save you alot of heartache
