How to play as Pavium - Halo Wars 2

Pavium is one of the last leaders added to Halo Wars 2. He's a very defensive leader, best suited for players who prefer a defensive playstyle.

Pros

Pavium Hero Unit's Drone

• Heals buildings constantly
• Can save you during attacks
• Exploit: Lock Pavium in base without deploying him, and the drone still heals during attacks
• Can heal allies' bases and buildings too
• Johnson Combo: Put Pavium in a bunker - the drone heals the bunker

Lich Vanguard Ultimate

• Essentially a flying Scarab
• Fires a beam almost identical to the Scarab's main cannon
• Creates a bubble that allows you to train units on the field
• Best units to train: Wraiths, Reavers (if facing air), Hunters

Mega Turrets

• Fire almost across the entire map
• Devastating before enemies even reach your base
• Great on maps like Sentry

Burnout Ability

• Boosts economy for supply and power production
• Speeds up unit production from buildings
• Can be used on teammates' bases

Cons

Extremely Weak Overall

• Probably the weakest Banished leader
• One of the weakest leaders in the game overall
• Only leaders possibly weaker are Isabel and Anders

Mega Turret Drawbacks

• Cost stacks over time (very expensive after 2-3 turrets)
• Takes up base building slots
• Can cripple your economy if not careful

No Unique Units

• Only unique unit is the Wraith Invader
• All other units are vanilla Banished units
• Not as distinctive as leaders like Yap Yap

Poor for 1v1

• Terrible in one-on-one matches
• Works best complementing a stronger leader like Atriox
• Should only play in Team War or other team modes

Build Order

Starting Decision

• Choose Burnout over Mega Turrets first
• You don't need Mega Turrets right away
• Consider Mega Turrets as second or third point

Burnout Placement Strategy

• Build placement matters with Burnout
• For supply boost: Build two Harvesters next to each other
• For mixed boost: Build a Harvester and Power Extractor together
• For separate control: Harvesters on one side, Power Extractors on the other
• Fifth pad should be War Council, Raid Camp, or another Harvester (don't burn just one pad)

Burnout Tips

• Does NOT speed up Harvester upgrades
• DOES speed up tech upgrades and unit production
• Always use Burnout when it's available
• Controller trick: Hit left on D-pad to center on base, then select Burnout to hit all four pads

Second Tech

• Get Shield Generator
• Build a Foundry for Marauders
• Army composition depends on map, opponents, and teammates
• Pavium has no unique second tech units

Leader Points Progression

• First Point: Burnout 1
• Second Point: Burnout 2 (bigger radius, more pads)
• Third Point Options:
  • Rain of Fire (spinning Glassing Beam - combos with Voridus's Maelstrom or Johnson's EMP Mac)
  • Wraith Invaders (unique unit)
  • Avoid Orbital Designator (worst choice)
• Fourth/Fifth Point: Lich Vanguard (flying Scarab ultimate)

Wraith Invaders

Usage

• Pavium's only unique unit
• Similar concept to Jerome's Mastodons and Arbiter's Phantoms
• Upgrade improves defense and attack, NOT carrying capacity
• Has a siphon-like cannon that attacks ground, infantry, and air
• Units inside are protected when the Wraith takes damage

Best Units to Carry

• Hunters (2-3 per Wraith Invader)
• Elite Rangers (weaker, no shields, 3 per squad)
• Ratio: 2-3 Hunters per 1 Elite Ranger squad

Mega Turrets

When to Build

• Not appropriate for every map
• Highway: Not a good map for Mega Turrets
• Sentry: Great map for Mega Turrets

Optimization

• Don't mix regular turrets and Mega Turrets on the same base
• Add more Shield Generators to protect expensive Mega Turrets
• Add Sensor Towers for increased line of sight
• Combos well with Johnson's Remote Sensors upgrade
• Power Nodes help Mega Turrets gain line of sight
• Orbital Designator can give line of sight for specific spots

Upgrades

• Lingering Death: Continued damage after impact
• Compound Detonators: Increased damage on impact
• You can get both upgrades

Team Synergies

Johnson Combo

Johnson's Remote Sensors + Pavium's Mega Turrets = Insane line of sight coverage

Support Role

• Pavium works best supporting stronger leaders
• Use Burnout on teammates who are struggling
• Drone can heal ally bases

Additional Powers

Enduring Will

• Large healing radius
• Slow healing rate
• Good for entire armies or bases
• Upgradeable three times

Pavium's Stand

• Like Atriox's Unbreakable but for structures only
• Makes all structures invincible for a short time
• Great when under heavy attack

Summary

Pavium is a defensive specialist who excels at protecting bases and supporting teammates. Use Burnout constantly, be strategic with Mega Turret placement, and leverage the Wraith Invaders for mobile infantry protection. He's not recommended for 1v1 but shines in team games where he can complement aggressive leaders.