The AR in Halo 1 is one hell of a weapon. Many don't think so because they get the impression it's weak from the lag in multiplayer, but at close to medium range, the weapon just mows down enemies.
I'm currently replaying H1 on Legendary, and I can attest to this claim. I was having trouble with the final fight against the four Active Camouflage Elites on TSC (ascending from the complex, just after defeating the Zealot) and I stepped back to rethink my strategy, since neither of the two pistols were effective. I then remembered that there was an Assault Rifle in the ammo cache located just outside the Hunter room, so I retrieved it and simply mowed through all four Elites using no more than two clips, and with zero Health lost. Also, on a humorous side note, Foehammer chose to be an ass and hovered the Pelican's back door over the edge of the installation, so I had to make a tough jump to end the level.
Every weapon in Halo 1 could be considered "one Hell of a weapon" under certain circumstances -- that's one of the things I loved about the game.
But if we're talking Medium-close range, I'd rather have a shotgun. I'd rather have a plasma rifle or plasma pistol, because they drop shields faster (I should note that my impression of these weapons is biased toward their campaign utility). Even the needler, if ammo is plentiful, is a more attractive option to me than the AR.
Of course, I'm not saying it's useless. I'm just saying that it's not a weapon that you want to pick up and stick with for the majority of the game, ala the Pistol, BR, and DMR. Considering how iconic the image of the Master Chief holding the AR is, I think it's a shame that it's been a second-tier option.
Wait, you'd rather have a plasma rifle or plasma pistol over the AR in campaign? I can see the latter, but the former? That thing overheats and you have to sit there holding it for five seconds while it cools off. AR is just reload n' go. This is especially useful against the Flood. Shotgun/AR combo.
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