I havent seen a thread about it here on HoC, so i decided to repost one on MLGPro to here.
MLG H3 V5 Weapon Times - MLG Forums


Glossary of Terms:

live: a weapon, on a drop spawn, is considered live AFTER it has spawned but BEFORE it is considered dormant
dormant: after a weapon has spawned and has had the proper time to land on the ground and stop moving (generally 2 or 3 seconds)
deterministic system: when a weapon spawns based on predetermined spawn times
drop spawn: the FORGE technique that is used to allow Halo 3 to mimic the deterministic system.
previous weapon system: when a weapon spawns based on when the previous weapon was picked up
weapon dropped system: when a weapon spawns based on when the previous weapon was dropped

FAQ:

Q: What is the drop spawn system?
A: In general, Halo 3 weapons respawn based on when they are picked up (Sniper picked up at 7:47 would respawn at 5:17 if it were on a 2:30 respawn). In Halo 1 and sometimes in Halo 2, weapons spawned on a deterministic timing weapons (Rockets would ALWAYS spawn at 12:30, 10:00, 7:30, etc... no matter WHEN the previous weapon was picked up.

MLG has found a way to utilize FORGE and allow H3 to mimic the deterministic spawning system. This is called the drop spawn system. In Forge, a weapon is placed on a box and then the box is removed. This makes it so when the weapons spawns it falls from a certain height causing the weapon respawn timer to "activate".

It is through this method that weapons can spawn on a deterministic schedule as compared to a "previous weapon" system or even a "weapon drop" system.

Q: Why does the weapons sometime NOT spawn when it is supposed to?
A: I don't know that anyone knows for 100% sure as of right now but judging from what I have heard and what I have experienced, this is what happens.

Due to MLG's utilization of the "drop spawn" system, when a power weapon spawns it must fall to the ground. Being that it does not INSTANTLY hit the ground, it is possible to catch the weapon in mid-air.

It is speculated that THIS is the cause of the delay in weapon spawns.

Q: What can I do to prevent this?
A: Simply, don't catch the weapon before it hits the ground. When a weapon spawns there is a 3 second window (or 2 seconds for the sniper on The Pit) when the weapons is still considered live. So being that you now know when a weapon is GOING to spawn, try to plan accordingly so you don't pick it up AS it is spawning.

If you pick the weapons up after it is considered dormant then the times will continue as previously determined.

Q: So I picked it up while it was spawning, what do I do now to figure out when it will spawn next?
A: There is not deterministic answer quite yet, but if you pay attention, keep your eyes open, and utilize some easy math skills then you can figure out when the next time the weapon will spawn.

Its easy. You are not quite sure WHEN the weapon will spawn, so keep your eyes open. If you see it spawn, take not of what time it spawns and then subtract the predetermined spawn time from the current time and THAT will be when it spawns next.

EX: You see the sniper on The Pit spawn at 7:49. The next sniper will spawn at 5:17 (2:32 after it spawns).

And then you keep subtracting the predetermined spawn time to figure out when the subsequent weapons will spawn. It can be irritating and hard to keep up with, which is a GREAT reason to try and make sure you DON'T pick it up while it is still active.

Q: How often does Camo or Custom Powerup spawn?
A: Camo and CP spawn every 2 minutes (or 120 seconds). Respawn times are NOT affected by picking it up as SOON as it spawns.

Also, here is a mp3 that alerts you when weapons spawn.


I just posted this because i just found it and i feel it can benefit many of the players here. All i did was print out the picture of the spawns and then keep it where i play. It helps a lot.