I also enjoy opening Req packs in between games, how many types of warthog's are there though?
No suspecting about it though, the Req packs are indeed subsidizing all this free content, which as you say, is fine by me, at time of writing I have 6 scorpions, 6 wraiths and 5 sniper Rifles in the bank to be used. Warzone Firefight will probably take over from Warzone Assault when it drops, I can't wait for the Reach content, my expectations are big cos 343 must have a massive team working on this since launch.
I understand why you don't like the ranks resetting every month, personally I've no problem with it, when I play Arena I'm playing with pretty much similar ranked people which is the point, I dont understand why it takes 10 matches to rank you tho, surely 4-6 would be enough, flip side is that the more matches to rank you the better division it can put you in, and its not set in stone, if you play well enough you'll go up and down divisions within that month, I haven't changed emblem but regularly gone from Platinum 2 up to Platinum 6 (or the other way around, you can't go down as such tho).
I'm loving BTB, it has 8+ maps now as far as I can tell, 6 or so are based on Halo 3 maps, it brings back all the old memories. Arena is all about power weapons, to be honest, it does literally say that at start of slayer games, I can't use the Hydra canon or incinerator AT ALL so I avoid, the shotgun/scatter shot is still lethal, the sound effects of killing someone with it at close range is exquisite. The SMG is boss though, get a guy at medium distance and he's fooked! I have a Pizza assault rifle which is cool, love that the skins can be used in all game types while the weapons are used in Warzone.
The old Halo annoyances remain, they're not too bad and can be said for most online games but since BTB isnt ranked you do get some highly skilled players (although majority will play in Arena) and some under skilled folk who just don't know whats going on, I can accept not knowing maps like headlong and stuff but was playing strongholds and the amount of noobs who wouldnt stand in the stronghold with me (increasing speed of claiming) was bizarre, they'd stand OUTSIDE the area, we lost a game purely from idiots, also across Warzone AND BTB I can never get someone to get into my Warthog, I beep about and stuff and nothing, I remember in 3/Reach I'd have no problem getting someone to use the turret, in a slayer game, a good warthog team can own the opposition. The flip side is that I'm getting used to the Gungoose, totally mullered the other team in CTF last night, was great!