4. Weapons

New to Halo: Combat Evolved? This guide breaks down the weapons you'll find, from UNSC firearms to Covenant plasma. Learn how to use them effectively to survive the fight!

Alright, let's talk about the tools you'll be using to survive the Covenant threat in Halo: Combat Evolved. Picking the right weapon is key, and thankfully, the game gives you a solid variety to choose from. ### Your Arsenal: UNSC, Covenant, and Forerunner You'll get your hands on weapons from different factions. Humans (UNSC) usually rely on good old-fashioned bullets, explosives, and even lasers. The Covenant, on the other hand, favor plasma-based weapons that need to charge up. Watch out, though – firing their weapons too much can cause them to overheat and become useless for a bit. Forerunner weapons are a bit more exotic, firing hard light rounds that can really mess up enemies. ### Gameplay Basics: The Golden Triangle In Halo: Combat Evolved, you can only carry two weapons at a time. This means you'll need to make smart choices about what you pick up. Bungie calls the core combat loop the "Golden Triangle": weapons, grenades, and melee attacks. Mastering all three is crucial. Your health is protected by an energy shield that recharges, but once it's down, you'll take damage directly. Keep that shield up! ### A Note on Later Games Just so you know, later Halo games change things up. Halo 2 lets you dual-wield weapons, and Halo 3 adds equipment. Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach tweak weapon mechanics even further, like adding reticle bloom (where your aim gets less accurate the longer you fire) and turret overheating. But for your first go-around in Halo: Combat Evolved, focus on mastering the two-weapon limit and the Golden Triangle.