If we just look at the raw red reticle range numbers they speak for themselves: H2/3/4 BR & Carbine - ~60m scoped, 2x zoom Reach DMR - ~90m scoped, 3x zoom H4 DMR - ~110m scoped, 3x zoom H5 Magnum - ~60m scoped, 1.5x zoom H5 BR & LR - ~75m scoped, 2x zoom H5 Carbine - ~90m scoped, 2x zoom H5 DMR - ~110m scoped, 3x zoom H5 Warthog chaingun - ~50m Assuming that the difference between 1.5 and 2x magnification has a smaller negative effect on player efficacy than the positive effect granted by an extra 15m of RRR it's clear as day that the pistol in this game is the closest thing we have to previous BR starts. It's just a bit more difficult/weaker than the previous hitscan BRs, yet more consistent/powerful than the H3 BR because it's perfectly accurate and doesn't drop packets every other shot. As for the Sniper Rifle; that's where map design comes into play and we have to balance it "backstage" by making sure it's not placed in immediately useful positions (Longbow...) and that the rifles are placed in locations that allow players to use them to fight back fairly while not stripping the sniper of their advantage completely (it is a 3 minute power weapon after all). Based on my sweatyish Saturday night lobbies I'd say the Sniper isn't really that big of a deal when there are Ghosts ad up to 8 other players to be concerned with at once. As long as we stop making box canyon maps for BTB that is...
Haven't you heard that blood gulch is the greatest BTB map of all time and every BTB map should be an upscaled warzone with two bases on either end?
A warzone sized version of Blood gulch would be literally the definitive Halo map. It would work for everything, from 2v2's to trash compactor