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Factions and Leaders

By ScotPublished Updated Sources checked

Tactical Quick Answer

Halo Wars gives you two playable factions in skirmish and multiplayer. The UNSC drops rigid base buildings from orbit and raises tech by building Reactors, while the Covenant uses circular bases linked by energy fields and upgrades its citadel instead. Your Leader choice sets your early game plan, so pick Captain Cutter if you are new, Sergeant Forge for economy, or the Arbiter if you want to control a powerful hero unit.

Halo Wars features two playable factions in multiplayer and skirmish modes. You play as the UNSC or the Covenant. Each faction has distinct base building mechanics, unit types, and Leader Powers. Choosing a Leader defines your early game strategy and your late game potential.

The UNSC Faction​

The UNSC relies on a structured, rigid base building system. You drop buildings from orbit onto specific base pads. Upgrades are linear. You build Reactors to increase your tech level, starting from Tech 0, so two Reactors give you Tech Level 2 and three give you Tech Level 3. The UNSC ceiling is Tech 4, one higher than the Covenant's.

UNSC units are durable and versatile. The Warthog provides early map control. Marines are cheap and can be upgraded with rockets. The Scorpion tank is the backbone of any late game UNSC ground force.

UNSC Leaders​

Each UNSC Leader provides a unique Leader Power and a special unit.

  • Captain Cutter: Cutter is the best choice for beginners. His Leader Power is the MAC Blast, costing 600 resources at Tech 1, which calls down an orbital strike on a small area. His unique unit is the M312 Elephant, a mobile infantry spawner costing 400 resources. His economy bonus is structural: his starting base is already a Fortress, and every new base he builds starts as a Station instead of a Firebase, which hands him extra building slots from the moment he expands.
  • Professor Anders: Anders focuses on research and air superiority. Her economy bonus cuts upgrade cost by 50% and research time by 50%. Her Leader Power is the Cryo Bomb, 600 resources at Tech 1, which freezes enemies in place, and frozen aircraft crash and are destroyed outright. Her unique unit is the XRP12 Gremlin, which EMPs vehicles but cannot attack air. Hawks, an aircraft upgrade to the Hornet available only to her, are her late game win condition.
  • Sergeant Forge: Forge is an economy powerhouse. All Supply Pads on his bases start as Heavy Supply Pads, saving him 225 resources per pad. His Leader Power is Carpet Bomb at 600 resources. His unique unit is the HRUNTING Mark III (B) Cyclops, which is available only when Forge is your selected leader. Forge players often rush tanks using their early economy lead.

The Covenant Faction​

The Covenant plays completely differently. Their bases are circular and connected by energy fields. Instead of building Reactors, the Covenant runs all of its tech through a single Temple, then upgrades that Temple to climb the tiers. Upgrading the Citadel itself buys building and turret slots and never tech, so the two are separate investments.

This is the biggest structural difference between the factions. Your Covenant Leader is a physical unit you control on the battlefield, deployed automatically once you build your first Temple. If it dies you can buy another for 400 resources, and you can only field one at a time. UNSC leaders never appear on the battlefield in skirmish or multiplayer.

Covenant Leaders​

  • The Prophet of Regret: The Prophet floats in a gravity chair and deals high damage. His Leader Power is Cleansing, an energy projector beam. Upgrades progressively raise its power and cut its supply drain. His unique unit is the Sangheili Honor Guardsman, elite infantry armed with energy swords.
  • The Arbiter (Ripa 'Moramee): The Arbiter is an aggressive melee fighter. His Leader Power is Rage, during which you steer him directly while he drains resources per second. His unique unit is the Suicide Unggoy, Grunts that blow up themselves and nearby enemies with plasma grenades.
  • The Brute Chieftain (Avitus): The Chieftain is a tanky brawler. His Leader Power is Vortex, a spiraling pull that tears apart everything in range and explodes when cancelled. His unique unit is the Chopper, which is built at the factory and replaces the Ghost entirely instead of sitting alongside it.

Choose a Leader that fits your playstyle. If you want a strong economy and tanks, pick Forge. If you want to micro-manage a powerful hero unit, pick the Arbiter.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Which Halo Wars leader is best for beginners?

Captain Cutter. His MAC Blast calls down an orbital strike on a small area, his Elephant is a mobile infantry spawner, and his economy bonus is structural: his starting base is already a Fortress and every new base he builds starts as a Station, so he gets extra building slots for free. Note that the infantry movement speed bonus often attributed to him belongs to Halo Wars 2, not this game.

What is the difference between UNSC and Covenant bases?

The UNSC drops buildings from orbit onto specific base pads and builds Reactors to climb the tech tree, starting at Tech 0 so two Reactors give Tech Level 2. Covenant bases are circular and connected by energy fields, and all of their tech runs through a single Temple that you upgrade. Upgrading the Citadel adds slots, not tech. The UNSC caps at Tech 4 and the Covenant at Tech 3.

Which leader has the strongest economy in Halo Wars?

Sergeant Forge. His Supply Pads come pre-upgraded as Heavy Supply Pads, which hands him a massive early resource advantage that Forge players often convert into an early tank rush.

What happens when a Covenant leader dies?

Your Covenant Leader is a physical unit deployed automatically when you build your first Temple. If it dies you can buy another for 400 resources, and you can only have one at a time. UNSC leaders never appear on the battlefield in skirmish or multiplayer.

Which leader is best for air units?

Professor Anders. Her upgrades cost 50 percent less and research 50 percent faster, and Hawks, an aircraft upgrade to the Hornet available only to her, are her late game win condition. Her Gremlin EMPs enemy vehicles, though it cannot attack air at all.