UNSC Weapons
Assault Rifle
The Assault Rifle is the most common weapon in Halo 3. It is a fully automatic weapon with a 32 round clip and 388 total. The Assault Rifle is one of the many rifles chosen for medium range combat and assault. One of the cool features is it's display screen on top, indicating how many rounds remain in the inserted clip which is very useful in combat.
Equivalent: Needler
Equivalent: Needler
Battle Rifle
The Battle Rifle is the medium range weapon of choice because of its incredible accuracy, it's reliability, its great range, and its good amount of rounds that can be held for it. Although it is slower because of it's three round burst fire, it is very accurate because of it's scope and minimal kickback. Like the Assault Rifle, the Battle Rifle has a display screen indicating the amount of rounds you have remaning in your clip which is again, a very good feature.
Equivalent: Covenant Carbine
Equivalent: Covenant Carbine
Magnum
The all mighty Magnum is definately one of the finest close range/point blank combat weapons, and is deadly when duel wielded. The Magnum has an okay rate of fire, an exceptional amount of fire power, and is very handy when you need to make a kill. Although the Magnum has a rather small clip, its power makes it easy to conserve your ammo. Also, the magnum's best feature is its headshot bonus which makes it deadly in combat.
Equivalent: Mauler and Plasma Pistol
Equivalent: Mauler and Plasma Pistol
Rocket Launcher
The Rocket Launcher is one of the most powerful weapons in Halo 3. It is hindered only by its low ammo count.
Equivalent: Fuel Rod Gun and Brute Shot
Equivalent: Fuel Rod Gun and Brute Shot
Shotgun
The Tactical Shotgun is another amazing weapon in Halo 3. It has a bad rate of fire, but it is good at closer range and has very good power. This is a favorite to many close range fighters in Halo 3 because of it's power, and it's reliability. Although it is not good at ranges further than close range, it is still great for up close and personal fighting.
Equivalent: Mauler
Equivalent: Mauler
SMG
The SMG is a dual wield weapon that is not used that often. Although it is not that powerful, it's fast rate of fire helps to quickly finish off an already weakened opponent. Athough the SMG is not very powerful, it is somewhat accurate, and is quite useful in close range/point blank combat situations. One of its best features is the mass amount of ammo in just one of its clips.
Equivalent: Plasma Rifle and Spiker
Equivalent: Plasma Rifle and Spiker
Sniper Rifle
One of the two sniper weapons in the game, the Sniper Rifle is usually the more oftened used of the two. The Sniper Rifle has incredible range and power. If you are skilled in getting head shots with this weapon, players across the map will be afraid to even show their faces. Keep in mind that this weapon does work best when in the hands of a skilled sharp shooter. This weapon also has the ability to kill in one shot to the head, rather than just deal a little more damage (the Beam Rifle also has this ability).
Equivalent: Beam Rifle
Equivalent: Beam Rifle
Spartan Laser
The Spartan Laser is the most powerful weapon in Halo 3. Because it is a laser, it has an unlimited range, and incredible amount of power and will kill any non-powerup player in one hit, and most vehicles in 1-3 hits, depending upon where you hit it. The only downside to this weapon is that it has a charge time of 4 seconds (after Title Update 2) and a very limited amount of ammo (five shots, unable to pick up more ammo). If you have enough time to charge the weapon and have time to aim before it goes off, you should do just fine, but use the charge wisely.
Equivalent: Sentinel Beam
Equivalent: Sentinel Beam
Covenant Weapons
Needler
The deadliest of the smaller weapons, the needler packs a huge punch. It fires small razor sharp crystals at a fair rate. It is also fairly accurate, and it's crystals can ricochet. Also, if you manage to hit the enemy 7 times, all of the needles will explode, killing the enemy instantly. The only downside is that after a certain distance, the needles start to drift wildly. Equivalent: Assault Rifle
Covenant Carbine
The Covenant Carbine is by far one of the most widely used weapons of the Covenants. It is loved for its long range, its large clip, and it's ability to zoom in. Also, it is loved for its large amount of power for a mid-range weapon.Equivalent: Battle Rifle
Plasma Pistol
The Plasma Pistol is most commonly used in duel-wielding because of it's ability to reduce you enemies shields completely. The only downside to the plasma pistol is that in order to take down your enemy's shields, you must charge it completely which takes time, and you also cannot kill easily with the plasma pistol. Equivalent: Magnum and Plasma Rifle
Fuel Rod Gun
Equivalent: Rocket Launcher
Brute Shot
Equivalent: Rocket Launcher
Mauler
Equivalent: Magnum and Shotgun
Spiker
Equivalent: SMG and Plasma Rifle
Beam Rifle
Equivalent: Sniper Rifle
Gravity Hammer
Equivalent: Energy Sword
Separatist Weapons
Plasma Rifle
Equivalent: SMG, Spiker, and Plasma Pistol
Energy Sword
Equivalent: Gravity Hammer
Forerunner Weapons
Sentinel Beam
Equivalent: Spartan Laser
UNSC Support Weapons
Machine Gun Turret
The Machine Gun Turret is a very common weapon for Halo players. Its incredbile rate of fire, range, and it's power make it a very deadly weapon. Also, you can detach it from its tripod and carry it around with you, but this then gives you an ammo limit of 200, you can't walk or run as fast and you can't melee. Plus, when you switch weapons, you drop your turret. The same goes for all other support weapons. However, there is a trick to travel at an almost regular speed while carrying a support weapons. If you drop and pick up the weapons repeatedly, you'll run at a faster pace, while having the bonus of probably confusing your opponent.
Equivalent: Plasma Cannon
Equivalent: Plasma Cannon
Missile Pod
Equivalent: None
Flamethrower
Equivalent: None
Covenant Support Weapons
Plasma Cannon
Equivalent: Machine Gun Turret
