How to Balance Elites in Multiplayer?

[A6ENT of CHA0S]

I think the Elites can be balanced without being identical to the S-IVs without them being the same in terms of size, stance, and hitboxes. To balance the Elites' larger size (which makes them a larger target), I think they should be given a slightly faster movement speed/jump height and slightly stronger shields (not strong enough to warrant an extra BR burst, but merely a few AR rounds worth).

 

The difference in stature (the Elites' hunched-over physique) does make them harder to get a headshot on from behind, but there are two factors that balance this out, in my opinion: the Elite player can't shoot at you at all when facing away from you, and the head itself is larger in size (both length and width), and so is a bit more susceptible to headshots from the side.

 

As for how to approach loadouts for Spartans and Elites, I can actually agree that they should be able to use any of their primary/secondary weapons (although I would probably match my player model with my weapons anyways, I don't suppose there's a reason to limit players on balanced choices being used interchangeably). While I initially felt that this list should be comprised of the AR, Storm Rifle, BR, Carbine, DMR, and Needle Rifle as primaries, perhaps it would be better for gameplay purposes to limit the DMR and Needle Rifle to 'on-map-weapon' status. That would allow a few players to possess these longer-ranged primaries, but with more limited ammo (as they couldn't pick up ammo from dead players unless they also had them). Maybe loadouts should include the choice between Spartan or Elite, rather than making the player model consistent throughout all loadouts?

 

As for the secondary weapons, I hope that we can all agree that the Plasma Pistol doesn't belong in loadouts, as it makes loadouts enable and encourage the N00B Combos and makes vehicles much less effective than in previous games. To take its place, I'd like to see a Needle Pistol (essentially a sidearm that operates similarly to the Needle Rifle, but balanced to be a counterpart to the Magnum). Then, we could also have the SMG and Plasma Rifle as secondary options.

 

I don't see much of a problem with allowing Plasma Grenades in loadouts, so long as they are truly balanced with the Frags. I think Frags should do more damage to compensate for not having the "adhesive" factor that Plasma Grenades have. Combine that with the age-old differences like the bouncing physics and detonation times (again, in a balanced way), and MAYBE limit the grenade count at spawn to 1 to prevent "2-sticking" vehicles and decrease grenade-spamming in general (while allowing the 'Resupply' ability to return to base player traits).

 

As for this customization option's place in Matchmaking, I'd like to see it acceptable in the "competitive" scene, but realize that that's being very hopeful no matter how balanced the differences are. Maybe in the competitive group of playlists (assuming/hoping there will be one), there could be a Spartans vs. Elites (SvE) playlist that would allow two rounds in a match, giving players a round each as the different species. This playlist could range from simple SvE Slayer to more objective-based gametypes, including Invasion.

[Caboose The Ace]

Good idea another way to balance them could be this as well

 

Elites has better shields

While Spartans have more health

Elites are bigger targets

Spartans are more agile

Elites are faster than Spartans.

[Composite Armour]

Halo Reach seemed fine in the way it did it.

[haloman 2]

i wouldnt mind it being like it was in halo reach or halo 3. but caboose id rather have it where elites have more health weaker shields and are slower spartans have weaker health not strong or weak shields and more agile