Our Halo Wars 2 Units Guide will help you learn everything you need to know about Infantry Units, Ground Units, and Air Units along with tips to use them better.
Assembling a strong army requires you to do some planning. All the Halo Wars 2 Units in the game have their unique strengths and weaknesses, and in this guide we will teach just what those are.
For more help on Halo Wars 2, read out our Best Leaders Guide, Phoenix Logs Locations Guide, and Blitz Guide.
Halo Wars 2 Units
Keeping these things in mind, you should always aim at building an army having a variety of units which is well-rounded. If you simply focus on building an army having all the counter-units, you’ll get annihilated in a couple of minutes.
In our Halo Wars 2 Units Guide, we’ve detailed everything you need to learn about Infantry Units, Ground Units, Air Units, Super Units, and Ultimate Units.
Infantry Units
When it comes to Infantry in Halo Wars 2, these are probably the best and the only ones at your disposal for capturing Control Points and Resource Nodes. Moreover, these units counter Air Units but fall short when it comes to dealing with Ground Vehicles.
If you wish to have a good standing army, you need to have a mix of Infantry Units, Ground Vehicles, and Air Units.
UNSC Infantry Units
UNSC Infantry Units Global Upgrades
Infantry Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost. It requires Tech Level 1 and 400 Power.
Infantry Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Infantry Upgrade I. It requires Tech Level 2 and 600 Power.
Infantry Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Infantry Upgrade II. It requires Tech Level 3 and 800 Power.
Marines
These are flexible ground troops with quick capture capabilities. Here is the available research for the units:
Grenade Throw
Can throw grenades. Small area attack. Cannot target air.
Combat Tech
Can repair vehicles, buildings, and air units. Wields rocket launcher. Requires Grenade Throw.
Hellbringers
This Anti-Infantry Unit is accessed via Barracks. They’re strong rushers and are good against buildings but can’t attack air units. Here is the available research for the units:
Dispersion Nozzles
Sets ground on fire.
Sniper
This Anti-Infantry Unit is accessed via Barracks. They’ve extremely long range and can also detect cloaked units. Here is the available research for the units:
Active Camo
Conceals unit from enemy units without detection abilities.
Stanchion Sniper System
Increases damage. Requires Active Camo.
Spartans
These are enhanced super soldiers. They are strong against everything and have the following abilities:
Spartan Slam
Spartan leaps high in the air and slams an enemy, taking control of enemy aircraft or vehicles.
Shield
A passive ability that gives Spartans an energy shield which absorbs damage and regenerates when out of combat.
- There are three different Spartans available, each restricted to a different leader.
- Professor Anders has Douglas-042, with the ‘Guard’ passive, enabling him to take damage on behalf of nearby allies.
- Isabel has Alice-130, with the ‘Reflect’ passive, which deals half of damage received back to an enemy attacker.
- Captain Cutter has Jerome-092, with the ‘Rush’ passive, which means he doesn’t suffer fatigue when deployed outside his base in blitz
Cyclops
This Anti-Vehicle Unit is accessed via Barracks. They’re extremely mobile and heavily armored but can’t attack air units. Here is the available research for the units:
Shock Rounds
Shots slow vehicles. Increases damage.
ODSTs
This Elite Infantry Unit is accessed via Cutter’s ODST Drop and ODST Assault Group Leader Powers. They can be dropped directly into battle and can use the Demolition Charge ability. Here is the available research for the units:
ODST Drop
Activate to drop an ODST squad into battle.
ODST Assault Group
Activate to get an orbital drop of veteran units: two Cyclops, two ODST squads, one Scorpion, one Wolverine.
Banished Infantry Units
Banished Infantry Units Global Upgrades
Infantry Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost.
Infantry Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Infantry Upgrade I.
Infantry Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Infantry Upgrade II.
Grunts
This Core Infantry Unit is accessed via Banished Bases and Minibases. They’re quick capture units and are extremely affordable with low population count. Here is the available research for the units:
Shrapnel Mines
Grunt squads deploy mines that damage and slow enemies.
Pack Brother
Additional Brute and Grunt join the squad. Requires Shrapnel Mines.
Jump Pack Brutes
This Anti-Building Unit is accessed via Raid Camp. They rely on melee combat and have short-ranged jump but can’t attack air units. Here is the available research for the units:
Dark Skies
Adds one Brute to pack.
Suicide Grunts
This Anti-Infantry Unit is accessed via Raid Camp. They’re for one-time use only and are devastating in numbers but can’t attack air units. Here is the available research for the units:
New Recruits
Increases squad size.
Elite Rangers
This Anti-Infantry Unit is accessed via Raid Camp. They’ve mid-to-long range and can detect cloaked enemy units.
Hunters
This Anti-Vehicle Unit is accessed via Raid Camp. They’re heavily armored which is why they’re sluggish. Moreover, they can’t attack air units. Here is the available research for the units:
Beam Cannon
Increases damage. Does damage along trajectory.
Vehicles
Vehicles in HW 2 are incredible against Infantry Units in the game. However, these units fall behind when it comes to dealing with Air Units.
In Halo Wars 2, there are a number of Ground Vehicles that ranged from being fast-moving to being heavily armored, depending on your needs and the game’s condition.
UNSC Vehicles
UNSC Vehicles Global Upgrades
Vehicle Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost.
Vehicle Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Vehicle Upgrade I.
Vehicle Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Vehicle Upgrade II.
Jackrabbit
This scout unit is accessed via UNSC Bases and Minibases. They’re fast moving and can de-capture. Here is the available research for these units:
Mini-Frag Launcher
Weaponizes Jackrabbit.
Support Drone
Equips drone. Increases line of sight. Detects cloaked units. Drone heals Jackrabbit. Requires Mini-Frag Launcher.
Warthog
This Core Vehicle is accessed via Garage. They’re fast moving and have the ability to ram enemies. Here is the available research for these units:
Gauss Cannon
Damage boost. Range boost.
Grizzly
The Grizzly is the biggest tank the UNSC has in its arsenal. It is double-barreled and four-tracked. They good against infantry and vehicles, and do just ok against air units and are exclusive to Sergeant Forge.
Missile Barrage
Fire several missiles at medium-range targets
Wolverine
This Anti-Air Unit is accessed via Garage. They can detect cloaked units, has light armor, and also has mid-range missiles. These units don’t have any unit-specific research.
Kodiak
This Artillery Unit is accessed via Garage. They’re incredibly strong against Infantry Units, have pretty long range, and can fire missiles. These units don’t have any unit-specific research.
Scorpion
This Heavy Tank Unit is accessed via Garage. They’re heavily armored and have powerful attacks. Here is the available research for these units:
Canister Shell
Area attack. Strong against infantry. Ground attack only.
Banished Vehicles
Banished Vehicles Global Upgrades
Vehicle Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost.
Vehicle Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Vehicle Upgrade I.
Vehicle Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Vehicle Upgrade II.
Chopper
This Scout Unit is accessed via Banished Bases and Minibases. They’re extremely mobile and ram enemy units. Here is the available research for these units:
Shrapnel Rounds
Adds explosive rounds. Detects cloaked units.
Ghost
This Scout Unit is accessed via Banished Bases and Minibases. They’re fast moving units which are only available for Shipmaster and have the ability to ram enemy units. Here is the available research for these units:
Vehicle Shielding
Ghost gains a Shield. Detects cloaked units.
Marauder
This Core Vehicle Unit is accessed via Foundry. They are heavily armored and can shot down weaker enemy units. Here is the available research for these units:
Thick Hide
Greatly increases armor.
Reaver
This Anti-Air Unit is accessed via Foundry. Although they’re weak against vehicles, they can easily detect cloaked enemy units. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Locust
This Anti-Building Unit is accessed via Foundry. Despite having low armor, they’ve incredibly long range and can hold their own. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Wraith
This Heavy Tank Unit is accessed via Foundry. They’ve increased amount of damage and fairly decent range. Here is the available research for these units:
Scorch Mortar
Shots continue to cause damage after impact.
Air Units
There are plenty of air units available in the game. However, not every unit is meant to be engaged in combat. There are some air units which are designed to heal and repair other units in your army.
UNSC Air Units
UNSC Air Units Global Upgrades
Air Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost.
Air Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Air Upgrade I.
Air Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Air Upgrade II.
Protector Sentinel
This Core Air Unit is accessed via UNSC Bases and Minibases. Do note that it’s only available to Anders, is pretty mobile, and needs Protector Sentinel Leader Power. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Drone Escort
Increases damage. Increases health. Unlocks Lockdown Bolt active ability.
Defense Grid
Increases speed. Detonates on destruction. Requires Drone Escort.
Hornet
This Core Air Unit is accessed via Airpad. The unit is incredibly fast-paced and boasts medium range. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Wingmen
Adds Marines with rocket launchers. Increases health.
Nightingale
This Support Unit is accessed via Airpad. The unit has a defensive smoke ability which you can use while repairing and healing. Moreover, the unit can also detect cloaked units. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Vulture
This Heavy Air Unit is accessed via Airpad. It’s basically a heavily armored gunship which is effectively against most of its targets, thanks to its Phoenix Missiles ability. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Banished Air Units
Banished Air Units Global Upgrades
Air Upgrade I
10% damage boost. 10% health boost.
Air Upgrade II
20% damage boost. 20% health boost. Requires Air Upgrade I.
Air Upgrade III
30% damage boost. 30% health boost. Requires Air Upgrade II.
Engineer
This Support Unit is accessed via Apex. The non-combatant unit can effectively heal and repair, not to mention its ability to detect cloaked units. Moreover, it can also deploy an Energy Shield to sustain itself. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Banshee
This Core Air Unit is accessed via Apex. It’s a fast moving unit which you should upgrade as soon as possible because of its effectiveness against other Air Units. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Plasma Torpedo
Increases the Banshee’s effectiveness against air units.
Shroud
This Support Unit is accessed via Apex. The unit is basically non-combatant with cloaking ability at its disposal. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Blisterback
This Artillery Unit is accessed via Apex. The unit is heavily armored and can be deployed to become artillery unit on the ground. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research.
Hero
These leader-specific powerful units are unique in the sense that they don’t count towards your overall population. However, it’s important to note that you can’t have more than one active Hero Unit in your army at any given time.
Every Hero Unit in the game is equipped with an Energy Shield which makes them extremely formidable in the heat of the battle.
UNSC Hero Units
Jerome-092
This Hero Unit is accessed via Armory. The ranged hero is only available to Cutter. Its Ground Pound ability deals a massive amount of damage to all nearby enemy units. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Hijack
Hijacks vehicles. Health boost. Damage boost.
Spartan Laser
Equips a Spartan laser. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Hijack.
Neural Implant
Increases Hijack speed. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Spartan Laser.
Alice-130
This Hero Unit is accessed via the Armory. The ranged hero is only available to Isabel. This unit has a massive Ground Pound attack which packs a punch. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Hijack
Hijacks vehicles. Health boost. Damage boost.
Heavy Machine Gun
Equips a machine gun. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Hijack.
Neural Implant
Increases Hijack speed. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Heavy Machine Gun.
Douglas-042
This Hero Unit is accessed via Armory. The ranged unit is only available to Anders and has a Ground Pound attack which deals a massive amount of damage to all nearby enemy units. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Hijack
Hijacks vehicles. Health boost. Damage boost.
Rocket Launcher
Equips a rocket launcher. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Hijack.
Neural Implant
Increases Hijack speed. Health boost. Damage boost. Requires Rocket Launcher.
Banished Hero Units
Atriox’s Chosen
This Hero Unit is accessed via War Council. The ranged hero is only available to Atriox and packs spiked ammo. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Plasma Rounds
Increases damage. Adds area of effect.
Scorch Rounds
Increases damage. Damage over time. Requires Plasma Rounds.
Rifled Barrel
Increases damage. Greatly increases range. Requires Scorch Rounds.
Warlord
This Hero Unit is accessed via War Council. The melee unit is only available to Decimus. It has a powerful AOE attacks but can’t attack air units. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Hammer Pull
Equips Warlord’s Hammer with a gravity beam to drag targets closer.
Hammer Stun
Warlord’s Hammer stuns and deals area-of-effect damage. Requires Hammer Pull.
Siphon
Warlord gains health with each attack. Requires Hammer Stun.
Honor Guard
This Hero Unit is accessed via War Council. His melee hero is only available to Shipmaster. The unit has the ability to cloak and deals an incredible amount of damage but can’t attack the air units. Here is the available research at this unit’s disposal:
Mercenary Rage
Increases movement speed. Increases attack. Increases health and shield.
Mercenary Wrath
Increases damage. Increases health and shield. Requires Mercenary Rage.
Unseen Blade
Permanent cloaking. Increases damage. Increases health and shield. Requires Mercenary Wrath.
Super Units
These are extremely powerful units which are expensive to produce and require a lot of time to produce. Due to these reasons, you’re better off producing these units in the later stages of the game.
UNSC Super Units
Condor Gunship
This Super Unit is accessed via Armory. It can target multiple enemy units at the same time and is heavily armored. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research at its disposal.
Banished Super Units
Scarab
This Super Unit is accessed via War Council. It’s heavily armored and deals a massive amount of damage. Moreover, you should be able to traverse all terrain using this unit. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research at its disposal.
Ultimate Units
Ultimate Units can only be summoned using Tier-5 Leader Powers. These units don’t benefit from unit-specific research and global upgrades.
UNSC Ultimate Units
Retriever Sentinel
This Ultimate Unit is accessed via Anders’ Retriever Sentinel Tier-5 Leader Power. The unit has a large AOE attack at its disposal and is heavily armored. However, do note that you can only have one active Retriever Sentinel at any given time. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research at its disposal.
Banished Ultimate Units
Decimus
This Ultimate Unit is accessed via Decimus’ Own Decimus Drop Tier-5 Leader Power. The unit is shielded and heavily armored and has a high-damage cleansing beam. However, do note that the unit is limited to only one active Decimus. This unit doesn’t have any unit-specific research at its disposal.
