Alright, Spartan, you want that solo Legendary achievement in Halo: Reach? Well, let's get a few things straight. For the uninitiated, choosing Legendary as your campaign's difficulty is priming yourself for a world of hurt. I'm here to offer up some fundamentals that every soldier needs to survive it. You may be good at Heroic, but without these tips, you won't last long on Legendary.

What are my credentials? I've beaten every single Halo game to date on Legendary, including the overpriced fart known as Halo 3: ODST. I suffered through Jackal snipers and brainless Flood. I cried, begged, and screamed at the Bugger swarms. I've endured these throes of agony only to come out with some of my nerd pride still intact. By sharing these simple tips and tricks, I'm hoping your experience will be better.

Legendary 101: Plasma Pistol + Scoped Weapon = Dead Elite

Halo: Reach is different from every other Halo game in that there is no Flood to worry about. That means the Covenant enemies are smarter, tougher, and more ruthless than ever. However, Halo: Reach is far more balanced and reasonable than its predecessors. (Read: No more goddamn Jackal snipers.)

Your priority targets are Grunts and Jackals. Kill them first to expose and isolate the Elites. Aim for the head and use your grenades. DMR and Magnum are your friends. Once you've reduced the pack, go for the Elites. Charge your Plasma Pistol to shatter their shields then pop one sweet bullet into each Elite's brain. Rinse, repeat.

Other Weapons

For the times you don't have access to a Magnum, Plasma Pistol, Needle Rifle, or DMR, you'll have to improvise. For close-quarters combat, I recommend the shotgun or original Needler. For long-range fights, the Plasma Rifle or Plasma Repeater can do some okay damage. Bad news, assault rifle fans: That gun is useless on Legendary. Ditch it as soon as you can.

Dealing with Hunters, Brutes, and Elite Leaders

On Legendary, a melee swing from a Hunter is enough to kill you, so you need to learn the Hunter's dance. Think of him like a bull and you're the bullfighter. Get close enough so he charge, then sidestep or jump so his back is exposed to you. Continue to melee and shoot that sweet orange spot until he falls dead at your feet. Too complicated? A few rockets or enough sniper shots to the head will also put him down.

Hammer-wielding Brutes are similar to Hunters, but their swing is faster and they will jump at you from a great distance. Do your best to avoid them and pump them full of whatever bullets you have. (Note: plasma is not very effective against Brutes.) I strongly recommend using the shotgun against the tough ones; headshot the lesser ones with either the DMR or Magnum.

Elite Generals and Zealots are nasty mofos. Save any plasma you have for them. Just remember they're like normal Elites but with way better weapons. Break those shields and go for the kill. Let nothing stop you.

Use Cover, Watch Flanks

The headline pretty much says it all. Your impressive Spartan suit may as well be a wet towel with the words "Covenant Bait" scrawled on the back.

Rot in Hell, you little son of a bitch.

If you're out in the open for more than a few moments, you will die. Popping out for quick killshots is essential. Get your hits in, then hide and regenerate. The best cover points are spots that protect your sides from roaming Covenant. They will flank you. Also, if you're fighting Elites or Brutes, be mindful of a rush.

If you need to regenerate and you are confident the enemy is going to rush you, toss grenades. Grenades not only decimate enemies, but they're great at stopping their advance, buying you precious seconds you need to get back in the fight.

Legendary Armor Abilities

I don't care if your tastes in favorite armor abilities differ from mine. If you're new to Legendary, you want to use:

1. Bubble Shield
2. Armor Lock
3. Hologram (if the above two aren't available)
4. Camouflage (situational only)

The Bubble Shield is portable, 360-degree cover that restores your health. It's absolutely awesome on Legendary, but don't expect it to take too many hits before it disappears.

Armor Lock is great too if you know you're going to get messy; however, people often misuse it. Understand that Armor Lock is designed to buy you time if there is friendly assistance nearby. Only pop it if you need to shrug off some grenades, or if allies are rolling with you so they can distract the enemy. Popping Armor Lock in a room alone with an Elite after he's already worn down your shields is just prolonging your inevitable demise.

Lastly, use Hologram to distract your enemies either for a quick getaway or for some fast headshots. They won't shoot your double for long, so make the most of it.

Think It Through and Take Breaks

If you're coming into this fresh, it's imporant to take stock of your mental state. If you're feeling really frustrated at a particular point in a level, take a break or try a completely different approach. Sometimes, you'll get lucky and outwit your foes. Charging the enemy over and over again in a rage only to die repeatedly is not the answer. Be cool, my young grasshopper.

Assassinate Them Fools

Oh baby, assassinations are where it's at. Not only do they save ammo, but they are sickeningly satisfying to boot. When a situation presents itself, even in the heat of combat, I strongly suggest going for the assassination. Rarely on Legendary will the enemy have a chance to kill you before you break their leader's neck. Do it, Spartan, and bask in the glory of your awesomeness.

You're Ready

That's should be enough to get you started. The Halo series remains at the top of the pack because its enemy A.I. is the smartest in the business. The Covenant forces will surprise you. Prepare yourself. If you run into any trouble on your adventure, or want advice on a particular section, leave me a comment below. Good luck, Spartan.

Author's note: This guide is dedicated to the Jackal snipers of Halo 2 and Halo 3. May you burn in hell for your sins.