10 Tips for Beginners - Halo Wars 2

These are 10 tips for players who have just picked up Halo Wars 2 or want to dive into multiplayer. Many new players jump straight into multiplayer and get overwhelmed by all the options, upgrades, and dynamics. Following these tips can help you become more successful in your matches.

Tip 1: Complete the In-Game Tutorial First

Before jumping online, complete both the basic and advanced tutorials. They're extremely helpful for understanding:

• How units work
• How upgrades work
• Unit dynamics and counters
• How your economy functions

Tip 2: Always Start with a Supply Pad

Many new players start with a generator first, then train Marines or Jackrabbits, and run out of supplies with no way to generate more.

What happens: You can't build anything - no buildings, no upgrades, no units. You're stuck waiting for a teammate to send you supplies.

Solution: Always build a supply pad first to get your economy rolling.

Tip 3: Upgrade Your Supply Pads and Generators

Upgrades cost:

• Supply Pads: 200 power
• Generators: 300 power
• Same cost for both UNSC and Banished

Some leaders have cheaper upgrades (like Forge's Rolling Economy).

Why it's worth it:

• Generator income improves dramatically when upgraded
• Supply pad rate of return decreases with more pads, but upgrading is still worth it
• Always upgrade your generators

Tip 4: Take Your Mini Bases

Mini bases cost:

• 200 supplies (1-slot)
• 300 supplies (2-slot)

Why they matter:

• Use slots for supply pads, production buildings, War Council, or Armory
• If enemies take them, they gain economy while you waste time destroying the base
• Enemies can use them for production buildings right on your side of the map for sneak attacks

Tip 5: Control Power Nodes

Power nodes provide:

• Line of sight
• Constant free power income throughout the match

The math: A slow trickle from one node multiplied by 4-5 nodes becomes significant. With just 2 generators and 3 power nodes, you'll have good power income for upgrades and advanced units.

Tip 6: Spend Leader Points Immediately

When you get a leader point, spend it right away. With 16 leaders and different playstyles, specific recommendations vary by leader (check individual leader guides).

General advice:

• You can't go wrong with most leader point options
• Consider your playstyle: Do you want a passive ability (like Colony's Combat Repair) or an active one (like Glassing Beam)?
• Good offensive powers can be game-changers
• Good passive powers can save you

Tip 7: Immediately Upgrade Expansion Bases

When you expand (usually around Tech 2), upgrade your expansion base as soon as possible.

Cost: About 400 power (varies by leader)

Benefits:

• Two more building slots
• Four turret slots (critical for protection)
• More base health

Tip 8: Build Turrets and Shield Generators

Turrets:

• Build 1-2 turrets early to discourage rushes
• Even one turret can stop an early attack
• Build on all four turret slots when you have resources

Shield Generators (Banished):

• Every Banished base should have at least one shield generator
• Also consider one cloaking generator
• Shield generators absorb massive damage (can stop Vulture spam attacks)

Tip 9: Never Build Generators on Mini Bases

Why this is bad:

• Mini bases have much less health than main bases
• Generator costs increase with each one built (2nd costs more than 1st, 3rd costs more than 2nd)
• By your 3rd-4th generator, you're spending 800-1,100 supplies
• Putting an expensive generator on a low-health, undefended mini base is an easy target for enemies to cripple your economy

Exceptions:

• Mini bases far in the back (like on Ashes or Sentry corners)
• Johnson with Digging In Deep (all buildings are free)

Tip 10: Keep an Eye on Your Units

The problem: While focusing on your base for upgrades or building placement, enemies can:

• Sneak attack with cloaked units
• Pelican transport units to your army
• Drop offensive leader powers (Glassing Beam, Inferno, Cryo Bomb)

The consequence: Your entire army gets wiped, you spend resources and time rebuilding, and opponents push straight for your base.

Solution:

• You don't need to stare at your units constantly
• Keep an eye on the mini-map
• Watch for enemy approaches or Pelican drops
• React quickly to threats

Summary

1. Do the tutorial first
2. Start with a supply pad
3. Upgrade supply pads and generators
4. Take your mini bases
5. Control power nodes
6. Spend leader points immediately
7. Upgrade expansion bases right away
8. Build turrets and shield generators
9. Don't put generators on mini bases
10. Watch your units and the mini-map