SWAT SUCCESS

Bungie's double EXP SWAT weekend is over but surely it will be permanent soon (right?).  That playlist has done wonders for my K/D so I'll share what I've been doing.  I'm not much of a support player in this gametype.  If the opponent is running in groups, your team will need to stick together but there's not a whole lot of team shooting going on.  I think this gametype is more about calling out positions, knowing where your team is and quick reflexes.

The BR:
I have noticed some players using the pistol even in BR start games.  I think that's a bad move.  The BR gives you 3 bullets.  If I'm doing my math right, that makes the BR 3 times more likely to make a head shot.  When ever I aim at a target, I always sweep shoot.  That is where you move the reticle in a sweeping motion across the opponent's head as you pull the trigger.  In Halo2, the auto aim made sweep shooting very easy.  Its not as strong in Halo3, but there is still some auto aim.  Sweep shooting is still a good tactic for headshots.  Remember, you only need one bullet to hit your target.

The Escape:
This is important in regular games also but especially so in SWAT.  When you're running away, look at your feet.  This action tucks your head in so that it makes a headshot from the back almost impossible.  In regular play, that makes the opponent take at least two more shots to kill you.  Often that's all the time you need to get around a corner to safety.  Besides, the longer it takes an enemy to kill you, the less time they're spending on shooting your teammates.  In swat, it gives you even more time.

The Attack:
I've seen a few strategies work, but only one has for me.  Run and Gun.  This does two things: First, it keeps enemies in front of you.  There obviously won't be anyone behind you because you've just ran past that spot.  Enemies to the side will be a concern so its best to run through enclosed spaces (damn, I miss midship).  The Pit is a great map for this but almost all maps have adequate cover.  When you come to an open area, just turn around and travel your path in reverse.  SWAT is a fast paced game so enemies will be respawning all over the place.

Aiming:
I use tunnel vision whenever I run in almost any game type.  I don't look to the sides much.  In SWAT, I think its mandatory.  I keep my reticle at head level and look in the direction I'm running.  They way I see it, the actual process of turning your head takes away time that you are actually aiming.  In such a fast paced game its important to be as ready to shoot as possible for as long as possible.  Also, your head is most vulnerable from the front, so that is the area that needs to be protected at all times.  The process of turning makes you adjust your focus and give oppenents running towards you an advantage.

All situations are different so I try to adjust my strategy for who my opponent is, who my team is, what mood I'm in, how drunk I am... you get the picture.  For instance, if I'm running behind a teammate, my front is protected so I look to the sides much more often.