Halo Wars: Definitive Edition hub

Campaign Timeline

The Halo Wars story rail

51 in-game timeline entries, in the order they appear on the main menu rail. Unlocked entries are visible from the start; Locked entries reveal as you clear campaign missions.

1. 16 January 2498

   Locked

   Arcadia Colony opens the DSRA, the Deep Space Research Array, designed to research and study extremely high gravity events, such as black holes, and other areas that exploratory vessels cannot visit directly. The DSRA is eventually destroyed by the Covenant during the initial attack on Arcadia in 2531.

2. 2506

   Unlocked

   Project ORION, the original SPARTAN project - the first attempt by the Colonial Military Administration to create and train teams of super-soldiers for covert military operations in the Outer Colonies - is deactivated. Though the Spartans are effective, their abilities fall short of original expectations, and they are far too expensive to develop and field. The soldiers in the program are reassigned to various special operations units.

3. 17 August 2517

   Unlocked

   Dr. Catherine Halsey and her aide, Lt. Jacob Keyes, covertly inspect one of the first test subjects for the mysterious "SPARTAN-II" project. The prospective candidate - a six-year-old child named "John" - is ideal for the project. Halsey arranges for the subject to be covertly conscripted.

4. 23 September 2517

   Unlocked

   Halsey's SPARTAN-II project begins, with primary research conducted on the planet Reach in the Epsilon Eridani system. Seventy-five children of both sexes are subjected to an intense program of physical and mental retraining and technological augmentation, including reinforced skeletal structure and improved musculature.

5. 20 July 2520

   Locked

   Captain Alexander, the last civilian captain of Spirit of Fire, retires from active duty at the conclusion of the Verent mission. The ship is requisitioned by the UNSC and scheduled for refit.

6. 1 September 2520

   Locked

   Spirit of Fire completes an extensive refit at the Reach orbital shipyards before entering active military duty as a ground support vessel, initially detailed with providing ground support for Operation TREBUCHET.

7. 2524

   Locked

   It is known the Kig-Yar ship Pitiless has brought forth an Unclean Being's corpse. Hear now all Kig-Yar vessels are to be searched. Let faithful Sangheili lead teams of Unggoy to all Kig-Yar ships and seek further evidence of the Unclean. It is done.

8. 2524

   Locked

   Hear now that five hundred teams are to be formed to study the language of the Unclean. Each team to consist of the most clever and most educated Unggoy and Sangheili. These teams to speak only the Unclean language among themselves. The Unclean language to be taught to all military strike teams, that the foe shall be vulnerable.

9. 2525

   Locked

   The youngest of the new Prophets, Regret ascended by manipulating and blackmailing those around him. Regret was one of the Prophets who visited the Oracle, an ancient AI, where it was learned that the humans were somehow connected to the Forerunner race and that the very foundation of Covenant belief was flawed. Their decision to eradicate humanity to hide these facts is debated to this day.

10. 2525

    Locked

    All within the Covenant hear now and obey. Weapons and ships of war to descend upon the inhabited world of Epsilon Indi. Strike with all force. No intelligent survivors may remain, upon severest penalty.

11. 3 February 2525

    Unlocked

    Contact with the agricultural colony Harvest is lost. Initial attempts to re-establish contact fail. The worst is feared. Meanwhile, in orbiting ONI facilities near Reach, surgical procedures to augment the SPARTAN-II candidates are about to begin. Many candidates will "wash out" - dead or crippled by the process.

12. 2525

    Locked

    This new Arbiter did not fear death, but even he was afraid of what was inside the relics of the Ancients. Before he entered a relic, he would send in a squad of Unggoy to check for any signs of danger. If all was clear, they would live, but at the slightest sign of trouble the Arbiter would detonate plasma bombs attached to the methane tanks.

13. 20 April 2525

    Unlocked

    Contact with the scout ship Argo, sent to investigate the problem on Harvest, is lost. A larger, armed battlegroup is prepared in response.

14. 2525

    Locked

    The new Arbiter was almost immediately tested. An installation of the Ancients near remnants of a massive space installation that was thought to contain a "key," an object that was believed could be used to activate technology. The installation was heavily defended by a growing faction of Elites who did not agree with the ways of the new Prophets. The Arbiter killed them in a battle that raged for days. A key was never found but the dissident movement was silenced.

15. 7 October 2525

    Unlocked

    Battle Group D arrives at Harvest and engages the Covenant, but is forced to jump away back to Reach after two of its three ships are destroyed by a single Covenant vessel. An audio-only message was transmitted by the Covenant during this engagement: "Your destruction is the will of the gods... and we are their instrument." It is believed that because the message was transmitted in English, the Covenant have been studying humanity for some time.

16. 1 November 2525

    Locked

    The UNSC military goes on full alert and begins making preparations to move in and retake Harvest. All Colonial Military Administration combat forces are immediately placed under NavCom / UniCom "for the duration of the crisis." The SPARTAN-II project is accelerated to its final phase: MJOLNIR, a new form of powered armor specifically designed for Spartan use.

17. 27 November 2525

    Locked

    All SPARTAN-IIs are transported to the Damascus Materials Testing Facility on Chi Ceti-4 to be equipped with MJOLNIR armor. They only have a matter of hours to test suit operation before an alien vessel enters the system and attacks their orbiting support ship. In the ensuing battle, three Spartans board the enemy ship and encounter their first Covenant soldiers, capturing an energy shield gauntlet. One Spartan is lost in the engagement.

18. 2525

    Locked

    Hear now the infamy in Chi Ceti system. Due to lack of faith on the part of the crew of the vessel Unrelenting, a band of Unclean were able to board and slay. A Science Lance is ordered formed to study the captured weapons and armor that mitigation action can be taken in future.

19. 2526

    Unlocked

    At the Battle of Harvest, Vice Admiral Preston Cole's war fleet - one of the largest ever mobilized - engages the alien warship responsible for the decimation of the colony, scoring a victory. Only Cole's last-minute tactical inspiration turns the tide of battle. Upon his return to Earth, Cole is promoted to the rank of Admiral.

20. 2526

    Locked

    Let the Victory of Episilon Indi be celebrated by fasting and prayer. Unggoy and Kig-Yar food rations to be eliminated for the next three work periods. Sangheili and Jiralhanae to spend two rest periods in public prayer. All attend the public monitors at the sounding of five bells to observe the execution of those who failed their duty at the Victory.

21. 30 January 2528

    Locked

    Captain Cutter turns down a command position on board the destroyer class ship The Prophecy. His decision to stay close to his family prompted an ONI psychological examination that determined that while fit to command, his family ties worked against any larger military career.

22. 2528

    Locked

    Security team called to Jiralhanae Chieftan's quarters at third bell, second shift. Team arrived at location to find quarters door torn from its frame and five chunks of unidentified biological matter in hallway (see attached diagram). Upon inspection, biological matter confirmed as parts of two Unggoy from Deck Four Kitchens. Chieftan was calm and responsive; stated that delivery of his midday meal was not to specifications (thorn beast overdone, dipping sauce insufficient). Maintenance crew notified; official reprimand of D4 Kitchen supervisor filed.

23. 17 August 2530

    Locked

    Sergeant Forge incarcerated for assaulting a senior officer. His career would have been over if Admiral Cole had not intervened and seen that the investigation was fair and above board. The senior officer eventually faced a court martial and Sergeant Forge was assigned to Spirit of Fire in an effort to keep the prior events quiet.

24. 30 January 2531

    Locked

    Upon boarding The Last Gleaming, I was shown my quarters. On the door it read "Doctor Anders" - the name my mother wanted me to use in my professional career. I cannot abide being reminded of her wishes. This whole cloak-and-dagger trip has her fingerprints all over it.

25. 2531

    Locked

    Return at fastest possible speed to the world they know as Harvest. We must learn the secrets inside the holy relic before the Great Journey can continue. The humans must not be allowed to enter the artifact; we will do whatever we must to deny them access. All must be resolute in this task, or face punishment.

26. 4 February 2531

    Locked

    The UNSC support ship Spirit of Fire enters orbit around Harvest. While Admiral Cole's fleet is engaged elsewhere, Spirit is sent to Harvest to investigate ongoing Covenant activity in the system and look for survivors from the missing UNSC Destroyer The Prophecy (previously dispatched to Harvest to investigate the same activity). Commanded by Captain Cutter, Spirit has been reassigned by FLEETCOM. ONI has placed Professor Anders onboard to lead the investigation.

27. 6 February 2531

    Locked

    Professor Anders writes her father what appears to be a detailed analysis of Homer's Odyssey. In fact it is a coded message detailing her mission to Harvest and the result of the find there. ONI censors miss the cipher completely and the message passes unaltered to her father.

28. 7 February 2531

    Locked

    Spirit of Fire holds service for the crew of the Prophecy. The crew roster is read despite objections from ONI personnel. The Prophecy was lost with all hands on a first expedition to Harvest to investigate the Covenant interest in the artifact found near the polar region.

29. 9 February 2531

    Locked

    After engaging Covenant forces on the surface of Harvest, the UNSC vessel Spirit of Fire arrives at Arcadia - only to find that the Covenant are already there and attacking the colony. Spirit's ground forces assist in the evacuation, and help fight the Covenant to a standstill on the surface of the planet.

30. 2531

    Locked

    Arbiter, you are the Hand of the Covenant - my hand. You know what must be done. Return to the surface and capture the human female - the one who managed to make fools of us on Harvest. She is the key to unlocking the secrets of the Ancients.

31. 10 February 2531

    Locked

    The capture of Professor Anders forces Captain Cutter's hand; Spirit of Fire pursues the enemy into Covenant space. The ship's AI projects an arrival at their destination in 312 hours. The ship remains on high alert for the duration, though nonessential crewmembers are briefly placed in cryo sleep.

32. 11 February 2531

    Locked

    Sergeant Forge confronts SPARTAN Douglas-042 over his recommendation to destroy the Covenant ship carrying Professor Anders. The altercation results in a broken chair, a seal malfunction on a bulkhead door and a stern interruption by the ship's AI, Serina. 42 and Forge always eat together in the mess hall following this event.

33. 14 February 2531

    Locked

    Serina, knowing that the crew may be on a one way trip, manufactures and delivers fake emails from family members to the crew celebrating Valentine's Day. She uses previous correspondence as a basis for the letters. No one ever suspects her of this deception.

34. 2531

    Locked

    The shield world that Regret intended to activate was one of just a few that the Covenant had uncovered in the quest for the Halos. These treasure chests of technology enabled the Covenant to quickly gain access to advanced weaponry and space propulsion systems allowing them to dominate the galaxy.

35. 23 February 2531

    Locked

    Spirit of Fire arrives at an uncharted planet swarming with strange alien lifeforms. Within a day, the ship is drawn into the planet's interior, where the crew confronts the Covenant and eventually rescues Professor Anders.

36. 25 February 2531

    Locked

    Pelicans engaged in ground operations on the outside of the shell planet failed invariably within four to five flights. The dust adhered to the intakes during entry into the planetary atmosphere in an almost defensive manner, as if the planet itself did not want any space vehicles descending down to its surface.

37. 25 February 2531

    Locked

    Thanks to Sergeant Forge's sacrifice, Spirit of Fire escapes from the Forerunner shield world. Spirit of Fire sets a course for home as the majority of the crew prepare to enter cryo sleep for a journey that will take years, if not decades.

38. 26 February 2531

    Locked

    The decision to burn bodies infected with the virus was not taken lightly, but the danger to the crew, and the sheer voracity of the infection made taking the bodies aboard Spirit of Fire impossible. Study of the virus and its effects also seems unwise given that we are not equipped with any quarantine labs or have the faintest idea how the virus spreads.

39. 1 March 2531

    Locked

    Chief Engineer Prescott finishes his assessment of damage to Spirit of Fire and repairs continue to the hull. The FTL core reactor cannot be replaced and plans to manufacture a spare from base reactor units is considered impossible. The decision is made to run the ship on a skeleton crew and place the rest in suspended animation.

40. 3 March 2531

    Locked

    Professor Anders' captivity by the Covenant has made her the longest known POW in the war so far. She has not sought counseling or talked much about her time in captivity but one can only begin to guess at the nightmares she went through during that terrible time.

41. 4 March 2531

    Locked

    The artificial construction of this "world" was far beyond the Covenant. Indeed, they seemed to be scavenging this technology for their own use and were unable to operate the machinery, either by design or advancement. The fact my hand was required to unlock the device leads me to believe the original builders of the planet may have had some knowledge about humans.

42. 12 March 2531

    Locked

    Captain Cutter walks the ship, stepping into medbay to check on the crew still recovering from the battle. He assures Nurse Hershey that a way will be found home and that she will get to see her husband again. He returns to his cabin and after writing five more commendation recommendations, fourteen family condolence letters and a note to his wife, sleeps for the first time in two weeks.

43. 10 February 2534

    Locked

    The UNSC designates Spirit of Fire as "lost with all hands." The previous designation of "missing" had given hope to family and friends. The reason for the change is classified top secret. A memorial service is held for the crew, but many prominent family members do not attend, holding out hope that their loved ones are still alive.

44. 1 June 2536

    Unlocked

    The Siege of the Inner Colonies begins as Covenant forces swarm into human-controlled space. For several years, the war falls into a pattern: humans win isolated battles, typically during ground operations, but at horrible cost. One by one, the colonies fall.

45. 9 September 2549

    Locked

    The Second Fall of Arcadia. The Covenant left Arcadia alone after their first attack on the planet in 2531 but the humans mostly abandoned it, leaving the capital city Pirth to nature. Eventually a small rural farming community started Abaskun, a rich farmland area on the continent of Mu. Although mostly lawless, the area provided much needed food supplies to the UNSC until the planet was attacked again by the Covenant in the fall of 2549.

46. 2550

    Locked

    It is known that there is delay installing Luminaries upon newly constructed vessels of war. On each vessel still lacking a Luminary, one Unggoy worker out of every 64 is to be executed. To preserve discipline between the Sangheili overseers and Unggoy, choice of victim and execution is to be by Kig-Yar death squads. This to continue daily until that vessel's Luminary is installed.

47. 27 August 2552

    Locked

    Twenty-five of the twenty-eight surviving SPARTAN-IIs, including SPARTAN-117, are recalled to Reach to be briefed on the Covenant threat and to receive their new orders: board a damaged Covenant vessel, use a "mission specialist" to crack the Covenant computer system, and locate the Covenant homeworld. Once accomplished, a covert team will be dispatched to capture the Covenant leadership and broker a truce by force. Despite recent successes, the human military is being systematically slaughtered, and this may be the only chance for survival.

48. 30 August 2552

    Unlocked

    Reach, the home of ONI's CASTLE facility and the Spartan-II project, is attacked by an overwhelming Covenant force. The vessel Pillar of Autumn, Captain Keyes commanding, transports Spartans into battle, hoping to seize a Covenant vessel. Though the Covenant are prevented from learning Earth's location, most of the Spartans fall in battle and Reach is lost.

49. 30 August 2552

    Unlocked

    Pillar of Autumn, commanded by Captain Keyes, flees Reach with Covenant ships in pursuit. The ship is heavily damaged, but manages to drop into slipspace and escape. Pillar of Autumn carries the only Spartan thought to have survived the engagement on Reach.

50. 2552

    Locked

    Hear now all personnel to spend today's second rest period in attentive watchfulness before display monitors. All display monitors to display the humbling and punishment of the Sangheili Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice, for failure, cowardice, and lack of faith.

51. 2552

    Locked

    In recognition of the virtue of the Jiralhanae, it is ordered that all Sangheili aboard the Fleet of Profound Solitude, The Fleet of Tranquil Composure, and the Fleet of Inner Knowledge to be completely replaced by Jiralhanae. Each removed Sangheili to be assigned other duties. In celebration, all imprisoned or criminal Jiralhanae to be released, rehabilitated, and pardoned.

• Adrenaline

  UNSC

  Booster shots enable all infantry units to run at significantly increased speeds.

• Advanced Reactor

  UNSC

  This Reactor provides enough energy to match the output of two Reactors.

• Age of Doubt

  Covenant

  Improves all Covenant technology.

• Age of Reclamation

  Covenant

  Improves all Covenant technology.

• Ancestral Perversion

  Covenant

  Two protectors hover near the Prophet and protect him.

• Assault Beam

  Covenant

  Equips Hunters with a devastating beam-based weapon.

• Autocannons

  Covenant

  Adds front-firing 35mm guns, improving the Chopper's attack.

• Beam Rifle

  Covenant

  Jackals are now equipped with particle beam rifles.

• Birthright

  Covenant

  When the Chieftain's hammer is charged up, the Chieftain will pull his enemies to him.

• Blessed Immolation

  Covenant

  Upgrades the Prophet's plasma cannons to fuel rod cannons, increasing damage.

• Blessed Warehouse

  Covenant

  Upgrade the production capacity of this Warehouse to produce more supplies.

• Blinding Rage

  Covenant

  Rage Mode increases Arbiter combo damage and the attack power of nearby allies.

• Bonded Shield

  Covenant

  Equips each Hunter with a huge shield that can deflect many projectiles.

• Boost

  Covenant

  Enables Speed Boost Ability.

• Boosted Ram Ability

  Covenant

  Enables the Boosted Ram Ability on Ghosts, allowing them to effectively ram their targets.

• Brute 1

  Covenant

  Shadow tech for Brutes

• Canister Shell Ability

  UNSC

  Equips Scorpions with a secondary Canister Shell attack. This attack is devastating to any infantry in its blast area.

• Ceramic Armor

  UNSC

  An additional set of composite alloy plates boost the Elephant's damage mediation.

• Chaff Pod

  UNSC

  Hornets gain the passive Chaff Ability that is used to distract and divert incoming missiles.

• Chain Amplifier

  UNSC

  EMP Ability can chain to hit multiple targets.

• Chain Gun

  Covenant

  Equips Spartans with two-handed auto-guns for dramatically increased damage.

• Chain Gun

  Covenant

  Equips Spartans with two-handed auto-guns for dramatically increased damage.

• Chain Gun

  UNSC

  Equips Spartans with two-handed auto-guns for dramatically increased damage.

• Citadel

  Covenant

  Upgrades base to a Citadel, which adds two building sites.

• Cloak Ability

  Covenant

  Enables Cloak Ability.

• Cobra 1

  UNSC

  Improves Cobra damage and defense (for now).

• Cyclops 1

  UNSC

  Improves Cyclops damage and defense (for now).

• Deacon

  Covenant

  Inspires the Grunt squad, improving their combat abilities.

• Defense Gauntlet

  Covenant

  Adds extra shielding to deflect incoming projectiles.

• Defense Turrets

  UNSC

  Adds a light auto-cannon to all Elephants. This turret is only operable when the Elephant is deployed.

• Defiant Rage

  Covenant

  Health is restored every time the Arbiter inflicts a fatality in Rage Mode.

• Defile

  Covenant

  The Suicide Grunt's explosion splashes enemies with burning chemicals.

• Deflection Plating

  UNSC

  Hardened steel plates give the Cobra extra protection when locked down.

• Destiny

  Covenant

  Adds an area-effect stun to the gravity hammer, and inflicts fatalities on stunned enemy infantry.

• Divine Absolution

  Covenant

  Upgrades to the Prophet's chair grant him full flight capabilities.

• Dual Launchers

  UNSC

  An extra rocket pod gives Wolverines considerably more damage potential.

• Electric Shot

  Covenant

  The Brute Shot causes electrical stun damage when it hits.

• Elite Commando 1

  Covenant

  Shadow upgrade for Elite Commando

• Fiendish Return

  Covenant

  The Arbiter reflects some incoming damage back to his attacker.

• Flame Mortar

  UNSC

  Adds bonus Anti-Infantry attack to the Turret.

• Flash Bang Ability

  UNSC

  Equips Flamethrowers with active Flash Bang ability that stuns any enemy infantry for a short time.

• Focusing Lens

  UNSC

  Better components dramatically improve laser attack damage and range for all Gremlins.

• Followers

  Covenant

  Increases the maximum size of your army by 10.

• Forerunner Shield

  Covenant

  Augmented with even more repurposed Forerunner technology, all Covenant shields now recharge much faster.

• Fortress

  UNSC

  Upgrades base to a Fortress, which adds two more building sites. Each building adds to the strength of the central structure.

• Fuel Rod

  Covenant

  Adds bonus Anti-Vehicle attack to the Turret.

• Gauss Cannon

  UNSC

  Upgrades Warthog machine gun to a gauss cannon. Improves damage and defense.

• Ghastly Vision

  Covenant

  The Arbiter becomes permanently cloaked and increases reflected damage even more.

• Gremlin upgrade 1

  UNSC

  Gremlin better and stronger

• Grenadier

  UNSC

  Adds a Marine armed with a Grenade Launcher to improve attack strength.

• Grizzly 1

  UNSC

  Increases Grizzly damage and defense

• Grizzly Super Unit

  UNSC

  Upgrades Scorpions to Grizzly super units. Grizzlies are heavier tanks that pack a bigger punch than regular Scorpions.

• Gunner

  UNSC

  Adds Machine Gun attack to the Warthogs, giving them combat capability.

• Harmonious Digestion

  Covenant

  Increases movement speed.

• Hawk 1

  UNSC

  Improves Hawk damage and defense.

• Hawk Super Unit

  UNSC

  Upgrades Hornets to Hawk super units. Equipped with laser beams, Hawks are fearsome combat units.

• Heavy Shield

  Covenant

  Adds an energy shield that deflects some incoming damage.

• Heavy Supply Pad

  UNSC

  Supply production massively increased for this Supply Pad.

• High Torque Joints

  UNSC

  Massively improved mobility systems increases movement speed of each Cyclops.

• Hornet 1

  UNSC

  Improves Hornet damage and defense.

• Hurricane

  Covenant

  Additional enemies may be drawn into the vortex and potential damage increased.

• Inheritance

  Covenant

  Adds a stun to the Gravity Hammer.

• Jump Pack Ability

  Covenant

  Enables the Jump Pack Ability, allowing Brutes to quickly cross the battlefield.

• Keep

  Covenant

  Upgrades base to a Keep, which adds two building sites.

• Large Carpet Bomb

  UNSC

  Carpet Bomb strafe distance and damage increased.

• Large Cryo

  UNSC

  Increases the duration of the freeze effect and instantly kills more air units.

• Large MAC Blast

  UNSC

  MAC Blast ammo capacity upgraded to provide three shots.

• Large Turret

  Covenant

  Upgrades all Turrets to Large Turrets, increasing their hitpoints and damage.

• Large Turret

  UNSC

  Upgrades all Turrets to Large Turrets, increasing their hitpoints and damage.

• Locust 1

  Covenant

  Shadow tech for Locust

• Medic

  UNSC

  Adds a Combat Medic to the squad. The Medic heals the squad after combat.

• Medium Carpet Bomb

  UNSC

  Carpet Bomb strafe distance and damage increased.

• Medium Cryo

  UNSC

  Increases the duration of the freeze effect and instantly kills more air units.

• Medium MAC Blast

  UNSC

  MAC Blast ammo capacity upgraded to provide two shots.

• Medium Turret

  Covenant

  Upgrades all Turrets to Medium Turrets, increasing their hitpoints and damage.

• Medium Turret

  UNSC

  Upgrades all Turrets to Medium Turrets, increasing their hitpoints and damage.

• Mega Barrage

  UNSC

  Doubles the number of missiles in each salvo of the active Barrage Ability.

• Missile Launcher

  UNSC

  Adds bonus Anti-Air attack to the Turret.

• Napalm Adherent

  UNSC

  Slow-burning, sticky napalm burns enemies for several seconds after the initial attack.

• Needler

  Covenant

  Grunt squads are now equipped with needlers.

• Needler

  Covenant

  Adds bonus Anti-Air attack to the Turret.

• Neural Implant

  UNSC

  Improved reflexes allow Spartans to Jack enemy vehicles much more effectively.

• New Blood

  UNSC

  Adds another Marine to the squad. This increases the combat effectiveness of the squad.

• ODST Super Unit

  UNSC

  Upgrades Marines to Orbital Drop Shock Trooper super units. ODSTs are better than Marines in every way. ODSTs can also be hot-dropped anywhere on the battlefield from Spirit of Fire.

• Overdrive Ability

  Covenant

  Enables the Locust Overdrive Ability. This ability uses the Locust's shield generator output to overcharge its beam weapon. Attack power is drastically increased at the expense of the Locust's shields.

• Oxide Tank

  UNSC

  An advanced, higher burn point fuel increases damage to all organic units.

• Peons

  Covenant

  Grunt squads have one additional Grunt.

• Personal Shield

  Covenant

  Adds a personal shield that decreases incoming damage.

• Piercing Shot

  UNSC

  Cobra railguns gain extra power to allow them to punch through multiple targets, inflicting damage on each.

• Plasma Modulator

  Covenant

  Greatly increases the damage of the Wraith's Plasma Mortar.

• Plasma Mortar

  Covenant

  Adds bonus Anti-Infantry attack to the Turret.

• Power Turret

  UNSC

  Doubles the rotation speed for Scorpion turrets, making them considerably more responsive in combat.

• Rail Gun

  UNSC

  Adds bonus Anti-Vehicle attack to the Turret.

• Ramming Targe

  Covenant

  Increases damage inflicted when the Chopper runs over enemies, and decreases the damage taken.

• Regret's Condemnation

  Covenant

  The Cleansing Beam Ability burns even brighter, doing area damage.

• Regret's Doom

  Covenant

  The Cleansing Beam Ability is larger and does more damage.

• Regret's Sentence

  Covenant

  The Cleansing Beam Ability is larger and does more damage.

• Reinforcements

  UNSC

  Adds +10 to the population cap of your army.

• Repair Kit

  UNSC

  Equips each Cyclops with tools to heal mechanized units and buildings.

• Repeating Cannon

  Covenant

  Increases the rate of fire for the Banshee's weapons.

• Reserves

  UNSC

  Train times for all units are drastically reduced.

• RPG Ability

  UNSC

  Marine active Grenade Ability upgraded to active Rocket Ability. Rockets can attack from a longer range than Grenades.

• Sacrifice

  Covenant

  Banshees attempt to crash into ground targets and inflict area damage when destroyed.

• Scorch Ability

  Covenant

  Enables the Scorch Ability that superheats an area of terrain for extra damage.

• Scorpion 1

  UNSC

  Improves Scorpion damage and defense (for now).

• Scout Shield

  Covenant

  Adds an energy shield to Ghosts that deflects some incoming damage.

• Shield Amplifier

  Covenant

  Locust shields regenerate much more quickly.

• Singularity

  Covenant

  Additional enemies may be drawn into the vortex and potential damage increased.

• Spartan Laser

  UNSC

  The ultimate UNSC handheld weapon gives Spartans a distinct combat advantage.

• Spirit Bond

  Covenant

  Hunters get a big damage boost while both bond brothers are alive.

• Spiteful Rage

  Covenant

  Rage Mode costs less to maintain.

• Stabilizers

  Covenant

  Improves autocannon accuracy and damage.

• Stasis Bomb

  Covenant

  When a target is drained with the Stasis Ability, it explodes, doing area-effect damage.

• Stasis Drain

  Covenant

  Stasis Ability now drains target hitpoints and heals the Vampire.

• State of Grace

  Covenant

  Increases repair rate.

• Station

  UNSC

  Upgrades base to a Station, which adds two more building sites. Each building adds to the strength of the central structure.

• Strafe

  Covenant

  Allows Ghosts to more effectively dodge incoming grenades and rockets.

• Suicide Grunt 1

  Covenant

  Shadow tech for Suicide Grunt

• Super Carpet Bomb

  UNSC

  Carpet Bomb strafe distance and damage increased.

• Super Cryo

  UNSC

  Increases the duration of the freeze effect and instantly kills more air units.

• Super MAC Blast

  UNSC

  MAC Blast ammo capacity upgraded to provide four shots.

• Supreme Gauntlet

  Covenant

  Jackal shields do not collapse when taking damage.

• Tsunami

  Covenant

  Additional enemies may be drawn into the vortex and potential damage increased.

• Twin Engine

  UNSC

  Elephant speed is greatly improved by the addition of a second engine.

• Vampire 1

  Covenant

  Shadow tech for Vampire

• Vicious Blades

  Covenant

  The Arbiter reflects even more damage and has stronger attacks himself.

• Volley Ability

  UNSC

  Enables the active Volley Ability on Wolverines. The Volley Ability can be used to deal big damage to any ground target.

• Wingmen

  UNSC

  Adds a couple of Marines riding shotgun to augment damage capabilities.

• Wolverine 1

  UNSC

  Improves Wolverine damage and defense (for now).

• Zeal

  Covenant

  Suicide Grunts are faster in Suicide Mode.

Leaders

The six playable commanders

Each leader unlocks a unique unit, a signature Leader Power, and (for some) a bonus that changes how you play skirmish.

• Covenant

  Arbiter

  Unique Unit: SUICIDE GRUNT, Leader Power: Rage

• Covenant

  Brute Chieftain

  Unique Unit: BRUTE, BRUTE CHOPPER, Leader Power: Vortex

• UNSC

  Captain Cutter

  Unique Unit: ELEPHANT, Leader Power: MAC Blast, Super Unit: ODST, Bonus: All bases start at 1 higher tech level.

• UNSC

  Professor Anders

  Unique Unit: GREMLIN, Leader Power: Cryo Bomb, Super Unit: HAWK, Bonus: All unit upgrades are half-price and research in half the time.

• Covenant

  Prophet of Regret

  Unique Unit: ELITE HONOR GUARD, Leader Power: Cleansing

• UNSC

  Sergeant Forge

  Unique Unit: CYCLOPS, Leader Power: Carpet Bomb, Super Unit: GRIZZLY, Bonus: Builds Heavy Supply Pads right away.

FAQ

Common Halo Wars: Definitive Edition questions

Does Halo Wars: Definitive Edition have crossplay between Steam, Xbox, and Windows Store?

No. The three releases are matchmaking-isolated: the Steam version only plays online with other Steam players, while the Xbox One and Windows 10 Store versions share Xbox Live multiplayer with each other as a Play Anywhere title. Buying on one platform doesn't unlock cross-play with the others.

How do you unlock the full Halo Wars 1 campaign timeline?

The story rail on the main menu starts with only its earliest entries visible. The rest stay Locked until you clear the campaign missions that reveal them. This hub lists all 51 timeline entries in menu order with their current unlock status.

How many playable leaders does Halo Wars: Definitive Edition have?

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition has 6 playable leaders: three UNSC commanders and three Covenant commanders, each with a unique unit and a signature Leader Power. See the full roster in the Leaders section below.

Where can I check the current Halo Wars: Definitive Edition Steam player count?

The Steam players widget at the top of this page pulls a live concurrent-player count from Steam's public player-count API each time you load it or hit Refresh.