RTS and sci-fi fans might be surprised at the initial release of Halo Wars. After all, a Halo game without all that action (not to mention Master Chief) seems very un-Halo-like. However, this Xbox strategy game proved capable of being called a Halo spin-off. In fact, this spin-off series provided a more in-depth look into the military structure of the human UNSC and the alien Banished.
This time, with 343 Industries releasing a spiritual successor in Halo: Infinite, now might be the time to get back to Halo Wars. And with Halo Wars 2, Halo fans can now see how alien factions like the Banished act and move against Earth's forces. However, just how do the Banished dominate the battlefield? Banished players might want to try to use these strategies.
10 Secure Crates Early On
If possible, players should make an effort to secure supply crates scattered around the map early on. It's likely that players will have complete control over their side of the battlefield, and as such should secure them ASAP. After all, the extra resources these crates provide can be enough to force the Banished into Tech 2 just a few minutes into the match.
Banished players could task their Ghosts into securing these points given their nature as scouts. That way, Grunts can focus on securing points and defending the main base.
9 Power Sets Up A Strong Midgame
Like most pro builds in RTS titles, getting Power early on can turn the tide of battle to the player's favor. Lacking Power on the onset can leave players significantly behind their enemies, which can use Power to push more advancements faster. As such, Banished players should focus on upgrading one to two Power Extractors in the early game, alongside a couple of Harvesters.
That way, players can have easy access to Power and Resources to branch out into other strategies depending on their commander of choice. Likewise, this setup gives them a headstart in terms of resources, giving them some legroom to study the enemy.
8 Create A Mini-Base
Extended matches usually become wars of attrition. For instance, the first side to slip up their defenses would usually take a huge beating. In these extended battles, both sides usually have a couple of mini-bases scattered across the map. However, these new bases usually take the time to build - unless, that is, the player focuses on building a mini-base early on.
Moreover, a second base extremely early on won't be destroyed by enemy forces that easily. Players who put their effort into a second base would hardly face resistance from the enemy, as the latter would likely have their focus on something else. If successful, players with a second base could use this base as a jumping-off point for their attacks to the opponent, while their primary base can focus on resource gathering and upgrading to better Tech.
7 Spawn A Hero ASAP
Banished units are popular for their battle prowess, and the same goes for their Hero units especially early in the game. As such, players who secured their Power Extractors and Harvesters early on should focus on building a War Camp for their Hero units. If they succeed, they can get an Honor Guard or Atriox's Chosen very early on in the game.
Interestingly, having even one of these Hero units can turn the tide of battle. They tend to be extremely durable and apt for defending the main base while players secure their other objectives. Moreover, players can destroy the War Council in the meantime to make room for another Extractor - what's important is that the existing Hero unit persists until the mid-game.
6 Remember The Unit Triad
Thanks to its fast-paced nature, units in Halo Wars 2 also follow quite a straightforward classification system. In essence, units are organized into Infantry, Vehicle, and Air units - each of which is strong and weak against another type. Infantry work best against Air but are weak against Vehicles. Meanwhile, Vehicles decimate Infantry but are weak against Air. And lastly, Air units annihilate Vehicles but don't work well against Infantry units.
As such, players who get an idea what their opponents are majorly using can set up a counter against them. However, it's also advisable for players to focus on at least two kinds of units, as a lot of units do sync well together. For instance, Infantry and Vehicles (especially Anti-Air) can work against an enemy relying on an Air-based assault.
5 Scouting Can Pay Off
Players can in fact scout enemies early on in the battle in order to get a sense of what kind of build they're making. Around five minutes into a match, players can send one lone Grunt unit or Ghost unit to do a little recon on the enemy base. With the right timing, they might catch the base undefended or with a few turrets and they can check out what the enemy is building.
Based on a quick assessment of their building types, players can get a sense of what the enemy is planning. Hopefully, that quick preview can help players adjust their plans quickly.
4 Position Troops With Rally Points
Rally points serve as one of the most fundamental tools pros use in RTS games, and such an option exists for Halo Wars 2. Considering the more fast-paced nature of the game, proper positioning can change the tide of battle. Thanks to the Up key in the D-Pad, players can set certain points of the map as rally points for new troops. This factor removes the need to micromanage new troops as they can head to reinforce troops straight away.
Likewise, players should alternate their rally points depending on the situation at hand. For instance, if they need to defend a nearby base, a good rally point might be the middle point between the two bases. Moreover, they can place a rally point near places of ambush.
3 Take Note Of Early Game Patterns
It's also important for players to observe and check how their enemies are playing in the early game. It also helps to check if they're reacting to their particular patterns. Players who do this can start anticipating what moves their enemies are making. Moreover, this move ensures their safety for the rest of the match.
For instance, rush enemies will usually start making a move during the first five minutes of combat. However, if players don't have any encounters this early on, enemies might be pushing for a more defensive strategy or even might want to go for map control.
2 Leader Powers Can Change The Tide
Another important element Banished players should consider would be maximizing their Leader Powers. Depending on their commander of choice, their Leader Powers can range from support buffs to outright combat-oriented abilities. Timing these properly with the right build can decimate opponents early on or in crucial moments.
Moreover, these Leader Powers can be very powerful when unlocked with certain tiers. For instance, Atriox's Tier 5 powers can either grand invulnerability to deployed units or even unleash glassing beams. As such, players should ideally look for Leader Abilities that complement their combat style early on.
1 Focus Fire Makes Them More Precise
Players who want to have a more focused approach on combat should take note of Focus Fire. After all, some enemy units are capable of soaking damage, which risks eliminating the player's own forces. Thankfully, players should remember to select their attacking units and Focus Fire towards specific enemies they want to eliminate. Not only does this ensures units are being used efficiently, but that players don't waste time with their particular objective.
Focus Fire becomes extremely useful when players are rushing towards the enemy base. Likewise, this works against enemies if players have to defend their own base. Moreover, Focus Fire becomes an ideal way of targeting specific Hero units that are ruining a player's strategy.