Battle Rifle
Class: Single Wielding
Range: Medium
Ammunition: Bullets
Clip Size: 36 rounds
Magazine Size: 108 rounds
Firing Rate: 2.4 burst per second, 900 rounds per minute
Accuracy: High
Firing Mechanism: Burst Fire, 3 rounds
Scope Zoom: 2x
Damage: 6 per bullet (18 per burst)
Tips
Accuracy- Depending on the range that you fire the weapon, if the person you are shooting at is fairly close all the bullets should hit, but there is a random spread on the weapon, so some bullets may go astray when firing over very long distances.For example, on a map like Guardian where it is very close quarters, the BR would kill in 4 shots most of the time (with a good aim) whereas on a map like Valhalla, the BR spread would kill in 7-8 shots.
Predictability- a headshot always kills an unshielded opponent and it takes three hits to fully deplete the shield.
Ammo supply- OK, the BR seldom runs out of ammunition and one mag lasts long enough for most situations.
Fast reload- with some planning you can keep the pressure on almost all the time.
Burst Fire- increases the chances of hitting a target.
The BR is an excellent skilled weapon that anyone wishing to be a high level player must master. There are a lot more factors to the BR than you think such as the spread, leading the shots, and strafing. You have to lead your shots, even though the enemy seems close and the reticle is red. The BR is no sniper and does not hit every time where you want it to. Make sure when you fire the BR you are not standing still. You are vulnerable to snipers, sneaky beavers, plasma grenades, and/or a moving player. Make sure you strafe with your BR, which means to move from side to side. Mix it up a bit, run to the left short ways and then to the right longways. Throw in a jump or two or crouch (NOTE: only crouch when you are close its harder to miss when you far away). Never shoot an enemy you know you wont be able to kill. That's just giving up your position and wasting shots. Im talking about long distance shots such as from base to base on Standoff. Now if you can strip his shield and a teammate can clean him up. By all means fire away. Make the BR your first weapon pickup and make it your tool of destruction.
If pursuing a fleeing enemy through your scope (ideally from some high ground with good cover), keep tabs on their evasive actions. I've found it's best to tag a stationary, long range target (blue reticle at 2x zoom) a couple of times to get them freaking out. Don't waste your clip at someone who is dancing and strafing around your already inaccurate, long-range firing; instead, let them try and guess where you are. Sometimes (especially if you hit them with all six or nine bullets in the first few shots) the player believes you are right around the corner, not knowing you can still see them all the way from where you are. Once they find cover, they'll stop moving around so much, making it easier to swarm in the last two or three shots, making for an easier long-distance BR kill. Again, make those bullets count, they travel faster than feet and give away your position just as easy.
When wielding the BR, consider:
Lead your fire in such a way where every bullet in each burst makes contact with your target. Therefore aim the first 3 bursts at the targets body, slow;y raising your aim to finish him off with a headshot on burst number 4. Remember that it doesn't matter where you hit your enemy as long as he has his shield. (NB: This is not true for all weapons. Some can penetrate the electrostatic force shield, like the Sniper Rifle.)
Reload on first opportunity. The Battle Rifle has a relatively short reload time. Make sure you always have more than half a clip, as reloading in mid-fight is never to your advantage.
If you get the chance and you have a power weapon like the sniper rifle, trade your BR in for a carbine,or if you have AR/BR, trade AR in for carbine, eliminating the need to reload in mid-fight.
If you are caught by surprise with a close quarters combat weapon such as the Shotgun, move in such a way that minimized damage, such as strafing left and right, and gives you the positional advantage to hit the target easier.
The BR is possibly the best Lone Wolves weapon in the game. When I first started playing halo 3, I always used the AR, and was just out of reach to getting a kill in a fight between two other ARs. However, the BR is an excellent weapon to use, just wait until they are about to kill one another and steal their kill with a couple of headshots. I can easily get MVP on lone wolves by doing this every time.
When approaching your enemy, increase your advantage by attacking him in a range or position which your target will have a hard time turning the tables, such as on a cliff or behind an object.
As much as possible, approach in such a way where you get the first shot!
If you have a Shotgun as your secondary weapon, you "should" be suited for all circumstances.
Battle rifles are a must. (if you perfect your aiming skill you can use this weapon effectively at any range) Head shots are a must.
If your targeted enemy is long range then remember to lead with your reticle. In doing so, your target will actually run into your rounds. Think of it as placing your rounds down range and allowing your target to hit them. If your reticle is on your targets head then by the time your rounds get down range, your target will be out of that AO (Area of Operation)
Keep your reticle at head-level, as it gives you those few extra milliseconds of time. Doing this will allow you to use the left thumbstick to strafe while acquiring the head shot. Experts at aiming will use the left and right thumbstick in conjunction and still be able to keep the reticle head level.
The BR is the single most versatile, efficient, and abundant weapon of Halo 3. It covers all ranges while being most effectively used in the longer portion of short range through the shorter portion of long range. 3 direct shots followed by a single headshot is enough to take down anyone. (overshield exempt) There are multiple techniques involved in BR combat including strafing, strategic jumping, proper aiming, and combo efficiency. Personally, my best friends are fragmentation grenade and BR's because if mastered and used properly, they can take out anything... ANYTHING! Including multiple targets by yourself. The BR works perfectly to compliment any weapon because its so adaptable and can follow up on anything. It's also a very strong team-kill weapon. Consider this: 4 shots with the final being a headshot is a kill. So 2 players wielding BR's on the same target means only 2 shots each for a kill. BR's are wonderful at weeding out those pesky snipers if you aren't at a very long range. Consistent shots will keep them from being able to aim their sniper and all they can do is flail or make some very desperate attempt at killing you. One of the toughest opponents for the BR wielder is other BR wielders. BR battles involve mixing techniques like strafing, jumping, and aiming modification with proper judgment as to what your opponent is going to do. If you're skilled and manage to make the 1st shot, you're most likely always going to be the victor so assess your situation and when to go for that 1st round. Keeping a short range weapon (sword, shotgun, mauler, etc...) with a BR is a combo that keeps you prepared for any situation. If you really need to polish your BR skills, play with a friend and use just BR's in different places and situations on different maps. Watch each others movements while you battle and try to determine where they can improve. (Not enough movement or too easily predictable movement, bad aim, improper range, etc...) As you get better start experimenting with nades and other weapons followed by BR's to develop efficient killing tactics so you have an advantage over the standard BR wielder who rely's on just the accuracy and timing of his shots.
A good tactic to use with the BR is the thumb flick; this involves taking your first 3 shots at the torso of your enemy. Using the fourth shot you fire and during the shot you flick (up or down on the left stick depending on your inversion) upwards towards the head; this must be done during the BR’s burst of three bullets so it will be easier to adjust the shot accordingly if your enemy moves.If this is used properly you hit the chest, neck, and head of your opponent, without having the chance of all 3 bullets in the final shot missing or being misplaced. This tactic also has outstanding results on brutes and jackals in campaign.