The Guide: Don't Rush Good Strategy
Welcome to The Guide, an editorial feature in which former Xbox 360 Fanboy lead Richard Mitchell looks at issues important to Xbox fans. The opinions expressed here belong to the author and don't necessarily reflect those of Joystiq, Weblogs Inc. or its affiliates.
Sorry, but I'm going to talk about Halo Wars again. I realize I've already devoted one column to the game, but it's really where I'm sinking almost all of my gaming time these days. I'm also really looking forward to Resident Evil 5, so maybe I'll squeeze that in there too. Probably not though.
A few people were asking me about Halo Wars via Twitter this week, specifically wondering what kind of game it is and what kind of tactics are being used online. They were valid questions and I figured I may as well address some of them here where everyone can read it. Someone asked me how Halo Wars compares with StarCraft, so I'll address that first.
First of all Halo Wars is not StarCraft. Yes, they are both RTS games and they share some similar concepts and even a few similar units (I'm looking at you Honor Guard Elite / Zealot), but they are definitely different games. Halo Wars, for the most part, is about speed. Think of it as a typical RTS game at a much faster pace or, if you prefer, as a throwback to older RTS games with fewer complexities. A typical 1-on-1 game of Halo Wars lasts around thirty minutes or so. I've had some lengthy games last almost an hour. The likelihood that you will actually max out your tech tree on more than one or two units is pretty slim, unless both players turtle like crazy.
As a result, right now at least, you will usually run into rush tactics on Live. This has likely been bolstered by an Inside Xbox video that detailed a Warthog rush strategy. The idea is simple, make a ton of Warthogs -- the only unit the UNSC can produce immediately -- get them fully upgraded with Gauss cannons and go to town. If you've yet to play Halo Wars online, you can expect to see this strategy used a lot. Of course, if you make sure to do plenty of scouting, you can spot this strategy early and counter it. Build up plenty of aircraft or anti-vehicle units (or both) and you'll be fine. It's also a good idea to attack early before your opponent can complete his research. If you're lucky he'll have spent most of his resources on producing and upgrading Warthogs while leaving other areas -- like, say, defense -- untended.
It's also important not to overlook your leader powers. a well-placed carpet bomb, cryo bomb or MAC blast can completely turn the tide of battle. Good use of leader powers can also give you a tactical advantage in an otherwise lopsided fight. That swarm of Hornets isn't quite as intimidating if a cryo bomb destroys half of them in a single shot.
Leader powers and upgrades are just as important to the Covenant -- if not more so -- and they're very different. Trust me when I say that an upgraded Brute Chieftain is a force to be reckoned with. Watching him pull an entire tank to him with his gravity hammer is a terrifying sight. Knowing that said tank is now stunned and completely inoperable, even more so. Also, don't forget that any UNSC commander can launch a disruptor and nullify all leader powers. This is critical for a Covenant leader, as their powers are often crucial to victory.
Try to control the situations where you're likely to be hit with a disruptor. It's better to be hit by one in open territory than right next to your base. If a disruptor is launched during a raid on your opponent's base, you might want to retreat until it disappears. Disruptors have a very long cool down period, so your second assault should go uninterrupted.
Finally, don't forget to expand. One base really isn't enough to establish an economy effective enough to produce and upgrade multiple unit types. One base might be enough for an effective rush strategy, but at least one more base is a good idea. After all, should your rush fail, you don't want to be left with a lonely, undefended base.
I hadn't planned on writing a Halo Wars stategy guide, and I'm by no means an expert, but that's my two cents. The most important thing to remember, as I said above, is to scout, scout, scout. As long as you know what your enemy is doing, you can build an effective counter. Trust me, you don't want to spend half an hour training a ton of marines and see your opponent roll in with a dozen Grizzly tanks.
Summing things up, Halo Wars isn't StarCraft, but it was never meant to be. It's a fast-paced, streamlined RTS. It's a blast to play and there's plenty of strategy to be had for those willing to look. Oh, and don't be afraid to try the Covenant. They're awesome.
Huh, looks like I didn't talk about Resident Evil 5 at all. Next week then.
