Top 10 UNSC Leader Powers Ranked - Halo Wars 2

This is a subjective ranking of the top 10 active leader powers for the UNSC in Halo Wars 2, based on casual team play. Only offensive leader powers that can be dropped to cause damage or battlefield changes - no passive abilities like Johnson's line of sight upgrade or Anders' sentinel spawns from Kodiaks.

#10: Johnson's Bunker

Not technically offensive since it can't damage units when dropped, but incredibly useful:

• Originally consumed population at launch (3 pop, then 4 with shield upgrade) - was useless back then
• Synergy with Pavium: Pavium in a bunker is a beloved strategy
• Great for protecting Snipers and Marines
• Mastodon is similar but consumes pop and is mobile

#9: Grizzly Battalion (Forge)

The Grizzlies vs Scorpions debate exists (Isabel's shielded Scorpions are strong), but Grizzly Battalion has unique advantages:

• Grizzlies consume more population than Scorpions
• Three veteran Grizzlies with Pelican protection on drop
• Gunship Glitch: Sometimes the gunship stays permanently (unkillable, can't be targeted)
• Best counter is Omega Team - hijack all three Grizzlies

#8: Sentinel Network (Anders)

An excellent utility power that provides vision and distraction:

• Great for distraction (draws aggro)
• Provides excellent line of sight across the entire map
• On maps like Vault, Badlands, or Sentry: See opponent movements, base control, unit positions

#7: Cryo + Seismic Blast Combo (Serina)

Combined because together they're much better than individually:

• Critical: Never drop Seismic without Cryo first
• When upgraded: Multiple shots of each with single use
• Simply amazing when executed properly

#6: Inferno (Kinsano)

Used to be better in older patches, but still effective in the right situations:

• Was insane on ground units, now not as effective
• Maybe worth dropping on massed infantry
• Best use: On bases (especially UNSC bases)
• Take down shield first, then Inferno
• Destroys individual buildings (Gens, War Councils, units being trained)
• Can interrupt Scarab production

#5: Scatter Bomb (Forge)

The community calls it "Lag Bomb" for good reason:

• Hard to escape once bombs start falling
• Difficult to dodge
• Quick wind-up time compared to other powers
• Works great on air, ground, and sometimes bases
• All around great power

#4: Enduring Salvo (Jerome)

Falling garbage from the sky that's incredibly powerful:

• Can lose whole army to this power
• Quick regeneration/cooldown time
• Best non-ultimate drop in the UNSC roster
• Superior to EMP Mac Blast and regular Mac Blast
• Jerome's leader wheel is generally great

#3: Omega Team (Jerome)

One of the best unit drops in the game:

• Four Spartans total: Commander Jerome + Mantis + three Omega Team Spartans
• Requires 30 pop (10 each Spartan)
• All Spartans inspire units like Jerome does
• Great for commanding Mastodons or hijacking enemy vehicles
• Perfect counter to Grizzly Battalion
• One of the favorite leader powers overall

#2: Combat Salvage

Insane when used correctly - not technically "offensive" but affects offensive units:

• Best with Vultures: Combat Salvage Vultures
• Meta leans into mass Vultures/cringe air
• Full pop Vultures twice in short succession is devastating
• Works with Scorpions, Mass Hornets, any vehicles
• Mantis and Colossus combo also works great
• Hard to face leaders with Combat Salvage

#1: Ghost in the Machine (Isabel)

The complete game changer when used correctly:

• Many games turned from losing to winning with a good drop
• Best targets: Vultures, Scarabs, Condors
• Reduces opponent's attacking units
• Aggro opponent's units onto their own temporarily controlled units

Advanced Trick

• Hold position the controlled units on the other side of the map
• When opponent regains control, hold position command sometimes persists
• If they're not paying attention, they must manually remove it
• Ultimate troll: Steal units, destroy their base, tell units to hold position elsewhere

Summary

Here's the complete ranking of the top 10 UNSC leader powers:

1. Ghost in the Machine (Isabel) - Complete game changer
2. Combat Salvage - Devastating with Vultures
3. Omega Team (Jerome) - Four inspiring Spartans
4. Enduring Salvo (Jerome) - Best non-ultimate drop
5. Scatter Bomb (Forge) - The "Lag Bomb"
6. Inferno (Kinsano) - Base destroyer
7. Cryo + Seismic Combo (Serina) - Deadly when combined
8. Sentinel Network (Anders) - Vision and distraction
9. Grizzly Battalion (Forge) - Veteran tank drop
10. Johnson's Bunker - Defensive powerhouse

Each of these powers can turn the tide of battle when used effectively. Master their timing and combos to dominate your opponents on the battlefield!