Editing Cut Halo Wars units

{{Title|Cut ''Halo Wars'' units}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{GameFiles}}
[[File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicles.jpg|300px|thumb|A number of cut Covenant units including the Gargoyle, Hydra and Brute Tank.]]
{{Series/Cut/HW}}
During the [[Development of Halo Wars|development]] of ''[[Halo Wars]]'', a number of units were concepted, prototyped and cut from the game.

==UNSC==
===Cougar===
{{Main|M35 Cougar}}
{{Quote|The Cougar is a heavily armored anti-infantry support unit used on the battlefield, specifically rough terrain. Equipped with dual M68 gauss cannons and an automated gun with computer targeting. Capable of long range travel and speeds of up to 90MPH.|Concept art description}}

The Cougar was designed as a UNSC AFV, equipped with two [[M68 Gauss cannon]]s. Although anti-heavy armor fire would blow the Cougar away quite easily, this vehicle was highly effective in holding off enemy armored vehicles until slower armored units could arrive at the battlefield. The Cougar had gained infamy in several urban tactical situations prior to the deployments in the war against the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWFeatures|URL=http://halowars.com/Features.aspx|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Features|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Features|D=14|M=7|Y=2007}}

It appeared as a somewhat standard armored fighting vehicle with two wheels up front and two pairs in the rear. It bore a small mounted turret armed with two [[M68 Gauss cannon]]s, as well as a machine gun or grenade launcher on other concept art.{{Ref/Reuse|CAThreadP2}} There was a windscreen on its forward body, with two side windows to provide a fairly high amount of visibility for the driver, which would have proved useful. It would have been able to reach a top speed of 90&nbsp;mph.{{Ref/Reuse|CAThreadP2}}

The Cougar was ultimately cut from the game in favor of other vehicle ideas.{{Ref/Site|Id=HW021408|URL=http://www.halowars.com/news/articles/archive/2008/02/14/Halo-Wars-Monthly-Update-02.14.08.aspx|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Halo Wars Monthly Update 02/14/08|D=09|M=5|Y=2008}} Its shape may have proved the inspiration of the [[SP42 Cobra]], as its role in ''Halo Wars'' was originally an anti-vehicle unit. The Cougar bears a striking resemblance to the World War II armored car, the [[Wikipedia:M8 Greyhound|M8 Greyhound]].

The vehicle was later fully-canonized as the [[M35 Cougar]] in the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]'', with the vehicle's lore and armament closely matching the lore flavor text given in the original concept art.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P142|Enc22|Page=142}} The Cougar was one of several potential ideas suggested by [[MEGA Construx]] in a [[2022]] fan vote for which set should be created next. Concept art for the Cougar was provided alongside the [[Reaver]], [[Warden Eternal]] and [[Flood]] invasion at [[Traxus Tower]]. The Cougar ultimately lost the vote.{{Ref/Twitter|megabloksnews|1499765227818266630|Mega Construx News|Quote=Cats are out of the bag! Mega Construx Halo Fan Vote 2 lineup has been revealed! This time, we can either choose UNSC Cougar, Banished Reaver, Warden Challenge, and Traxus Tower Flood! What do you guys think? What are you voting for??|D=17|M=04|Y=2022}}

<gallery>
File:HW Cougar Concept 3.jpg|Early concept art of the Cougar.
File:HW Cougar Concept 1.jpg|Finalised concept art of the Cougar.
File:HW Cougar Concept 2.jpg|The final Cougar model.
File:HW Cougar Model.jpg|What the Cougar would have looked like in-game. 
</gallery>

===Falcon===
{{Main|F-23 Falcata}}
{{Quote|The UNSC Falcon is the primary air attack unit of the UNSC Army. With swift attacks and exceptional maneuverability a small squad of Falcons can be devastating to enemy vessels. Armed with sidewinder missiles and heavy armor piercing guns.|Concept art description}}

Not to be confused with a [[Cut Halo 2 vehicles|cut vehicle of the same name]] from ''[[Halo 2]]'' or the [[UH-144 Falcon|tiltrotor helicopter]] that appeared in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the Falcon was a UNSC aircraft that got so far as having a 3D model made. The Falcon was a twin seater fighter aircraft planned to be used by the [[UNSC Army]]. Originally intended to be a usable unit, stored in the [[UNSC airpad]], it filled the role of strike fighter, packing enough firepower to destroy enemy vehicles and infantry with "Sidewinder" missiles and heavy armor-piercing guns. Like several other units, it was cut from the final game before it shipped.{{Ref/Site|Id=CAThreadP2|URL=http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?152206-**UPDATE**-page-2-(March-10)-Halo-Wars-Concept-art-dump!-(Huge-DL)/page2|Site=conceptart.org|Page=**UPDATE** page 2 (March 10) Halo Wars Concept art dump! (Huge DL)|ArchiveURL=https://archive.is/Pwbtu|D=12|M=1|Y=2013}}

In terms of design, the Falcon uses forward-swept wings (giving it an appearance similar to the 20th Century [[Wikipedia:Sukhoi Su-47|Sukhoi Su-47]]), which are used to provide stability during steep dives, indicating an emphasis in air-to-ground combat. Another, smaller set of wing flaps are attached to the ventral hull, possibly to improve stability. It also possesses two inward-angled vertical stabilizers at the rear, and missile pods attached to the base of the wing and the ventral hull. At the rear of the craft are twin jet thrusters, capable of tilting to allow [[VTOL]] capability. Retractable landing gear appears to be located at the wing tips.

In [[2023]], the Falcon was canonized as the [[F-23 Falcata]], following a highly detailed model recreation made by [[343 Industries]] 3D Character Artist [[:Category:Images by Fletcher Kinnear|Fletcher Kinnear]] under the alias Skaboodlydoodle. The model made by Kinnear was one of many done by him as part of a series of personal projects to bring several ''Halo Wars'' vehicles into the [[first-person shooter]] ''Halo'' games via [[modding]], with other such recreations including the [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]], [[HRUNTING Mark III (S) Cyclops]], [[M121 Jackrabbit]], and {{Pattern|Shua'ee|Locust}}.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/fletcherkinnear|Site=ArtStation|Page=Fletcher Kinnear|D=20|M=12|Y=2023}} Thanks to the work of the concurrent [[Digsite]] project, Kinnear was able to use the original Ensemble-developed Falcon model for reference when making his higher-detail recreation, making it a drivable vehicle mod for ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. This process was documented in several videos on his YouTube channel, [https://www.youtube.com/@skaboodlydoodle/videos here].

Due to the Falcon being a name taken by ''Reach''{{'}}s utility helicopter, the aircraft was instead designated the Falcata, after the pre-Roman Iberian blade of the [[Wikipedia:Falcata|same name]]. This naming convention follows the UNSC's tradition of naming fighter aircraft after blades, with the name literally meaning "falcon-shaped," referencing the original ''Halo Wars'' Falcon designation.{{Ref/Reuse|CFFestivities}}

<gallery>
File:HW Falcon Concept.jpg|Concept art of a squadron of Falcons in flight.
File:HW Airpad Early Model.jpg|An early model for the [[UNSC Airpad]], with several Falcons docked on the runway. Later builds would see these Falcons replaced with [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s, before the design was changed completely.
File:HW Falcon Model.jpg|The finalised game model for the Falcon.
File:HR Falcata Screenshot 1.jpg|The Falcata modded into ''Halo: Reach''.
</gallery>

===Fox Cannon===
{{Quote|The UNSC Fox Cannon is a mobil log[sic] range artillery cannon firing rounds to ranges exceeding 50KM (52.8 maximum). Capable of firing five rounds per minute with satellite targeting. Firing 175mm M197 projectiles with destructive results.|Concept art description}}
The '''Fox Cannon''' was a [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] vehicle cut from ''[[Halo Wars]]''. It was to be a self-propelled artillery vehicle, capable of firing five shells per minute, and with great accuracy due to satellite targeting over a distance greater than 50 kilometers. The Fox was equipped with a 175mm cannon that shot the M179 projectile. Given its role, it was likely replaced by the [[SP42 Cobra]].
<gallery>
File:HW_FoxCannon_Concept_1.jpg|thumb|Fox Cannon concept art.
File:HW FoxCannon Concept 2.jpg|Fox cannon concept art.
File:HW FoxCannon Render 1.jpg|Render of the Fox Cannon from the development of ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW FoxCannon Render 2.jpg|Another render.
File:HW FoxCannon Wireframe 1.jpg|Wireframe view of the Fox Cannon.
File:HW FoxCannon Wireframe 2.jpg|Another wireframe view.
File:HW - Prerelease - UNSC Barracks with units.png|Prerelease version of ''Halo Wars'' with the Fox Cannon in it.
</gallery>

===Leviathan Mobile Firebase===
The Leviathan Mobile Firebase is a [[UNSC]] vehicle concepted during the development of ''Halo Wars'', but evidently never implemented. The vehicle is similar in size to the [[M510 Mammoth|Mammoth]], being many times the size of an [[M12 Warthog]] and serving as a mobile [[Firebase]]. The vehicle is seen to have several different configurations such as a "Suicide assault" variant with nose-mounted saw blades and a "Paris gun" variant equipped with a massive artillery cannon. However, the primary variant appears to be a vehicle that would fill a role similar to that fulfilled by the [[M312 Elephant]] in the final game, sporting numerous machine gun turrets, a mobile [[UNSC Barracks|barracks]] and the ability to tow a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]], like that seen in the mission [[Reactor (Halo Wars level)|Reactor]].

<gallery>
File:HW_LeviathanFirebase_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art.
File:HW_LeviathanFirebase_Concept_2.jpg|Concept art.
</gallery>

===Mongoose===
Early on in the development of ''Halo Wars'', the [[M274 Mongoose]] was intended to be included. The vehicle got as far as having a model created and implemented in game, though by the time of the [[Halo Wars Alpha|"Sway" alpha]], all that remained in the files was a handful of text strings referencing <code>test_pj_mongoose</code>.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=YTAlpha|My3Fqj63gYI|The Vengeful 'Vadam|Full Analysis of the Halo Wars Alpha "Sway" Build}}

To create this Mongoose model, Ensemble 3D artist [[:Category:Images by Jennell Jaquays|Jenell Jaquays]] had to rely on observing screenshots of the Mongoose as seen in ''[[Halo 3]]'', as [[Bungie]] were unwilling to share the original model file with Ensemble.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.facebook.com/Jennell.Jaquays.Artist/posts/halo-wars-was-the-last-project-that-i-did-with-ensemble-studios-we-completed-the/1544019829199457/|Site=Facebook|Page=Jennell Jaquays' Halo Wars pre-release overview|Quote=My low poly take on the Mongoose from Halo 3. I was working from screen captures from the XBOX 360 game. Bungie was not giving us game assets from the FPS games to help, so we did everything by observation.|LocalArchive=Archive:Facebook - Jennell Jaquays' Halo Wars pre-release overview|D=01|M=5|Y=2021}}
<gallery>
File:HW - Prerelease - Mongoose.png|The Mongoose unit in an early build.
</gallery>

===Prototype infantry===
This prototype infantry unit was created by artist [[:Category:Images by Gene Kohler|Gene Kohler]]. Little is known of it or its purpose in-game.
<gallery>
File:HW - Render - Prototype Unit.png
</gallery>

===Tiger Tank===
The Tiger Tank is a unit referenced in the game files. Little is known of it, except for the below icon.
<gallery>
File:HW Tiger Tank.png
</gallery>

==Covenant==
===Air Artillery===
{{Quote|Recently sighted behind several front line battles, it seems that the Covenant have developed an air based artillery unit. With no on board defenses, it can be very vulnerable if dealt with promptly. However, its heavy [[plasma mortar]] cannons can lay waste to an entire [[UNSC]] [[Firebase|base]] quickly and it is therefore critical that we gain more field information on this vehicle.|Official description.{{Ref/Reuse|HWFeatures}}}}
The Covenant Air Artillery was a unit cut from ''Halo Wars'' some time prior to January 2008.{{Ref/Reuse|HW021408}} The vehicle was to boast three [[plasma mortar]]s, and was intended for use in a ground attack role - noted to be especially effective against static bases.{{Ref/Reuse|HWFeatures}}
<gallery>
File:Covenant Air Artillery.jpg|The final air artillery model.
File:HW covenant airArtillery concept.jpg|Concept art for this vehicle.
File:HW-AirArtillery_WIP_Renders.jpg|A work-in-progress blockout of the Covenant Air Artillery.
File:HW-AirArtillery_Render.jpg|Renders of the Air Artillery.
File:HW-AirArtillery_HP_Render.jpg|A high-poly render of the Air Artillery.
</gallery>

===Brute Tank===
The "Brute Tank" is a vehicle cut from the game, notable for its high similarity to the existing [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]]. However, the Brute Tank instead comes equipped with a [[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon|turret]] like those found on the [[M808B Scorpion|Scorpion]] tank. Text strings in the "Sway" alpha build reference <code>brutetank_power_hack_obstruction</code>, possibly meaning the tank was to have some form of hacking ability.{{Ref/Reuse|YTAlpha}} Presumably, this vehicle was intended to be used by the [[Jiralhanae]] and their [[Avitus|Chieftain]].

Although the Brute Tank icon found in the final release of ''Halo Wars'' depicts a Wraith with a Scorpion turret, some models seen in earlier builds have a more distinctive appearance of a Wraith with a more Covenant-style turret; these vehicles bear some resemblance to certain ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' concept art, shown below. Another piece of concept art uploaded to ArtStation by Nathan Stefan shows a vehicle very similar to the Brute Tank, though the image itself is named <code>gorgon-005</code> - this vehicle bears little resemblance to the [[#Gorgon|Gorgon]], so the art's status is unclear. 

Another icon depicts this vehicle with a dome shield-like ability.
<gallery>
File:HW_Brute_Tank.jpg|The Brute Tank.
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicleRenders.jpg|A Brute Tank (top-left) alongside several other early renders of Covenant vehicles.
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicles.jpg|A pair of Brute Tanks (lower-left) alongside other Covenant vehicles.
File:HW BruteTank Shield Icon.png|The Brute Tank shield icon.
File:HW Screenshots 004.jpg|Brute Tanks can be seen in the E3 2007 build promotional images.
File:HW BruteTank Icon.png|The Brute Tank, bearing a Scorpion turret.
File:HCE Wraith Concept 2.jpg|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' concept art by [[Shi Kai Wang]], bearing heavy resemblance to the Brute Tank.
File:HW-EarlyGorgon Concept.jpg|Nathan Stefan's concept art titled "Gorgon" - it is unknown whether this vehicle has any relation to the Gorgon mech.
</gallery>

===Chimera===
The Chimera was a Covenant unit cut from ''Halo Wars''. It was a four-legged walker bearing slight resemblance to the {{Pattern|Protos|Scarab}}, though with a more hunched appearance.
<gallery>
File:HW-Chimera_Concept.png
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicleRenders.jpg|The Chimera (bottom-left), seen alongside a handful of other WIP renders of various Covenant vehicles.
File:HW Chimera Icon.png|An icon for the Chimera from the in-game unit selection.
</gallery>

===Elite Rangers===
Found in some screenshots and an animation reel uploaded by animator Charles Tinney, the Elite Ranger was evidently to be a flying infantry unit. Their design is that of the [[Sangheili Ranger|Elite Rangers]] found in ''Halo 2''.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://vimeo.com/24789949|Site=Vimeo|Page=Halo Wars Show Reel|D=02|M=5|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Reuse|YTAlpha}}
<gallery>
File:HW Screenshots 004.jpg|Several Rangers can be found in the mid-back of this promotional screenshot.
File:HW_EliteRanger_Unit.png|The Ranger unit, as seen in Tinney's animation reel.
</gallery>

===Gargoyle===
Named only in game files, the Gargoyle was intended to be a Covenant bomber aircraft. In the final game, a menu icon is still present in the files to represent the unit.
<gallery>
File:HW Gargoyle.jpg
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicleRenders.jpg|A Gargoyle (top-right) alongside several other early renders of Covenant vehicles.
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicles.jpg|A trio of Gargoyles (lower-right) alongside other Covenant vehicles.
File:HW Gargoyle UI Icon.png|The Gargoyle's UI icon.
</gallery>

===Gorgon===
{{Quote|When we originally spec'd out the Covenant, we gave them a ground-based, antiair unit called the Gorgon (above left) -- a bulbous, biped walker that used heavy Needlers to rip apart thin-skinned aircraft. Once it was in the game, though, we realized that we'd created a recognition problem: was the Gorgon a vehicle or infantry unit? We intended for it to be a vehicle, but the legs were causing problems, since we also said that "anything with two legs that walks is a dude." The final nail in the Gorgon coffin? The Covenant already had too many ground vehicles; we needed more air units.|Dave Pottinger on the Gorgon.{{Ref/Reuse|1UP}}}}
The Gorgon was a vehicle created for the Covenant and intended for use in the anti-air role. The vehicle was envisioned as a walker equipped with a [[needle cannon]], used to attack air targets. The vehicle's mech-based nature conflicted with Ensemble's philosophy that anything with legs was considered infantry, and the overwhelming abundance of Covenant ground vehicles - combined with the relative lack of aircraft - ultimately led to the Gorgon being scrapped and replaced with the {{Pattern|Bkowe'nei|Vampire}}.{{Ref/Site|Id=1UP|URL=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3172311&p=|Site=1UP|Page=10 Things You Didn't Know About Halo Wars|D=13|M=4|Y=2016}} A very similar vehicle; the [[Reaver]], was later implemented in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.

Interestingly, a later Artstation upload by Nathan Stefan titled <code>gorgon-005.jpg</code> depicts a vehicle more similar in nature to the [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] or similarly-cut [[#Brute Tank|Brute Tank]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/2JvrY|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo Wars Concept art I did for Microsoft at Ensemble Studios|D=01|M=5|Y=2021}}
<gallery>
File:HW Gorgon Render.jpg|The cut Gorgon mech.
File:HW-EarlyGorgon Concept.jpg|Nathan Stefan's concept art titled "Gorgon" - it is unknown whether this vehicle has any relation to the Gorgon mech.
File:HW Gorgon MenuIcon.png|The Gorgon's menu icon in the final build of ''Halo Wars''.
</gallery>

===Hydra===
Named in an image upload by artist Don Gagen, the Hydra was intended to be a Covenant aircraft.
<gallery>
File:HW-Hydra Concept.png
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicleRenders.jpg|A Hydra (top-middle) alongside several other early renders of Covenant vehicles.
File:HW-EarlyCovenantVehicles.jpg|Several Hydras (top-right) alongside other Covenant vehicles.
File:HW Hydra MenuIcon.png|The Hydra's icon, seen in the final game.
</gallery>

===Recon Drone===
Present in the "Sway" alpha, the Recon Drone appears on an early version of the map [[Repository]] as a unit buildable in the map's central [[Sentinel factory]] alongside [[Aggressor Sentinel]]s. Despite this Forerunner construction and neutral placement, the Recon Drone takes the form of a [[Yanme'e]]. The Drone has a complete model and animations, and is able to fly at high speeds around the map. True to its name, the Drone has no attacks, and is instead only intended for scouting.{{Ref/Reuse|YTAlpha}}
<gallery>
File:HW Drone Sculpt.jpg|The high-poly sculpt of the Recon Drone.{{Ref/Site|Id=ASBriley|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/RyY6D|Site=ArtStation|Page=(Halo Wars)|D=22|M=5|Y=2021}}
File:HW Drone Textured.jpg|The textured final unit of the Recon Drone.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
File:HW Drone Alpha.png|The Recon Drone in the internal alpha.
File:HWDE Drone Cut.png|The Recon Drone found in Halo Wars: Definitive Edition.
</gallery>

===Scarab (Protos variant)===
{{Quote|The Scarab has an anti-everything gun, and I'm losing.|Graeme Devine's remark upon encountering the Scarab in the E3 demo.}}
Seen in the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2007 build and on the box art for ''Halo Wars'', among other promotional screenshots, is the [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Type-47A "Protos" Scarab]] - the Scarab variant notably found in the ''[[Halo 2]]'' campaign levels ''[[Outskirts]]'', ''[[Metropolis]]'' and ''[[The Great Journey]]''. In the final ''Halo Wars'' game, the {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} design notably used in ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' is used.

In the E3 2007 demo, the Scarab appears near the end in a short viginette, climbing out of a Forerunner underground shaft. The Scarab proceeds to rampage across the battlefield, destroying several tanks and other units, and must ultimately be destroyed via [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|MAC orbital bombardment]].
<gallery>
File:HW Scarab Concept.jpg|Concept art depicting this Type-47A variant.
File:HW Screenshots Screens 1.jpg|Multiple Scarabs in an early build of the game.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A Type-47A Scarab fighting Hornets.
File:HW Screenshots 004.jpg|A Type-47A Scarab seen right, firing on the UNSC force.
File:HW Screenshots 005.jpg|A Type-47A Scarab can be seen on the bottom-left of this image.
File:HW Screenshots E07 3.jpg|Another screenshot of the Scarab.
File:HW E307 Scarab.png|The Scarab as it appears in the [[Halo Wars E3 2007 Demo|''Halo Wars'' E3 demo]].
</gallery>

==Forerunner==
===Cut Sentinel boss===
While the Sentinels do appear on many maps and levels of the final ''Halo Wars'' game, this Sentinel design in particular does not. While superficially similar to the final game's [[Super Sentinel]] in design and proportion, it has a number of very notable differences; predominantly the massive size it has compared to most other units in the game. The unit was intended to appear on the campaign level ''[[Cleansing]]'' as a boss enemy, though was ultimately cut. The model for the Sentinel remains in the game files, unused. An image of the Sentinel in-game appears to show it emitting [[plasma mortar]]-like projectiles firing at the Flood forces below.{{Ref/Site|Id=ASWalden|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/1zYO2|Site=ArtStation|Page=Forerunner Sentinel|D=22|M=5|Y=2021}}

Interestingly, this design was later brought back almost unchanged in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' as the [[Protector Sentinel (Installation 00)|Protector Sentinel]].
<gallery>
File:HW_BossSentinel_Concept.jpg|Concept art of this Sentinel design.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://artofphilwohr.blogspot.com/2009/03/halo-wars-is-realeased.html|Site=Art of Phil Wohr|Page=Halo Wars Concept Art!|D=22|M=5|Y=2021}}
File:HW_BossSentinel_HiPoly.jpg|A hi-poly render of the early Sentinel.{{Ref/Reuse|ASWalden}}
File:HW_BossSentinel_Wireframe.jpg|A wireframe of the early Sentinel.{{Ref/Reuse|ASWalden}}
File:HW_BossSentinel_Render.jpg|A textured render of the early Sentinel.{{Ref/Reuse|ASWalden}}
File:HW BossSentinel InGame.jpg|The Sentinel boss in-game, demonstrating its massive size.{{Ref/Reuse|ASWalden}}
File:HW2 Blitz Protector Sentinel.png|A [[List of Blitz cards|Blitz card]] illustration of the Protector Sentinel, as it appears in ''Halo Wars 2''.
</gallery>

==Ambient AI==
===Creep===
A number of maps in ''Halo Wars'' feature neutral AI factions such as [[Unidentified insurrectionist group|rebels]], [[Sentinel]]s and [[Flood]]. These factions will typically be hostile to both the UNSC and Covenant. A number of additional factions were intended to be implemented in the game. These factions were developed under the codename of "creep", and include the following.
====Heretics====
One possible creep faction intended to be included in ''Halo Wars'' were the Covenant [[List of known Covenant heretics|heretics]] - those who sought fit to defy the [[Covenant religion]]. Concept art reveals that Sangheili were intended to be soldiers in this faction, while unused files within the releases of ''Halo Wars'' and ''Halo Wars: Definitive Edition'' showcase additional Heretic [[Unggoy|Grunts]]. An additional texture file known as <code>creep_heretic_ghost_01</code> indicates the Heretics would have access to the [[Ghost]] vehicle; piloted by a Sangheili.
<gallery>
File:HW Heretics Concept.jpg|Concept art for the Heretic Elites.
File:HW HereticGrunts.png|The Heretic Grunts; spawned in via modding.
File:HW HereticGrunt Icon.png|The in-game unit icon for the Heretic Grunts.
</gallery>

====Jackal pirates====
Another cut creep faction that would have been included are the [[Kig-Yar]] [[Piracy|pirates]]. Files for the Jackals are still available within ''Halo Wars'', allowing the units to be spawned in via [[modding]]. The Jackals were to spawn in squads of four, armed with [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistols]] or [[Type-33 needler|needlers]]. The pirates would also have access to [[Kig-Yar Sniper]]s armed with [[Type-50 particle beam rifle|beam rifles]].
<gallery>
File:HW JackalCreep Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the Jackal Pirates.
File:HW JackalCreep Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the Jackal Pirates.
File:HW Jackal Early Design.jpg|The final model for the pirates.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
File:HW JackalPirate Needlers.png|The Jackal Pirates spawned into ''Halo Wars''; armed with needlers.
File:HW_JackalPirate_PlasmaPistols.png|The Jackal Pirates spawned into ''Halo Wars''; armed with plasma pistols.
File:HW JackalPirate Snipers.png|The Jackal Pirate snipers.
</gallery>

====Rebels====
While an [[unidentified insurrectionist group]] does appear in the final ''Halo Wars'' game on maps set on Harvest and Arcadia, released concept art indicates the rebels were intended to be much-more fleshed out. Released concept art showcases a rebel "sci-trooper" wielding an [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP gun]] and an insurrectionist-branded [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]].
<gallery>
File:HW SciTrooper Rebel Concept.jpg|Concept art for the rebel sci-trooper and EMP gun.
File:HW_RebelSniper_Warthog_Concept.png|Concept art for the [[rebel sniper]] units which were included in ''Halo Wars'', and the cut Warthog.
</gallery>

===Animals===
Alongside the neutral factions, ''Halo Wars'' was intended to feature fauna as ambient AI in the game world. Some of these creatures were only concepted, while others were even modelled and textured for in-game implementation. For a list of other ambient life cut from other ''Halo'' games, see [[List of deleted ambient life in Halo development|this page]].
====Arctic beast====
The arctic beast was a creature concepted, modelled and textured for inclusion in ''Halo Wars'', likely intended to spawn on maps set in the polar regions of [[Harvest]].{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSConcept}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WohrAmbient|URL=http://artofphilwohr.blogspot.com/2008/04/halo-wars-ambient-creature-art.html|Site=The Art of Phil Wohr|Page=Halo Wars Ambient Creature Art|D=22|M=5|Y=2021}} This creature was later canonised in [[2015]]'s ''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' as the ''[[Chaefka]]''; a species of life indexed by the [[Forerunner]]s and present on [[Installation 00|The Ark]]. The following year's ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo|Halo Mythos]]'' saw a scene from the book visualised with a new illustration, using the arctic beast's design almost entirely unaltered.
<gallery>
File:HW ArcticBeast Concept.jpg|Concept art for the arctic beast.
File:HW ArcticBeast HiPoly.jpg|The high-poly sculpt for the arctic beast.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
File:HW ArcticBeast Render.jpg|The textured low-poly model for the arctic beast.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
File:HM-Chaefka.jpeg|An official illustration of the ''Chaefka'' from ''Halo Mythos''.
</gallery>

====Arctic ice hound====
{{Quote|I remember back in 2006 watching a show on Discovery channel called “Alien Planet”, it was based on a book called “Expedition: Being an Account in Words and Artwork of the 2358 A.D. Voyage to Darwin IV” by Wayne Douglas Barlowe (sadly out of print). Anyway, it’s a fascinating program and worth picking up the DVD. At the time we were beginning to concept Harvest and I remember coming in the next day talking about this show on Discovery and then running out and getting the DVD for the team so we could watch. I felt that the cycle presented on the show, which is as real on Earth as it is anywhere, was really well represented here (herd, hunter, scavenger) and that I wanted to see this in the worlds and environments in our game. So when you look at our concepts you’ll see that we have herd animals, hunters, and scavengers.|Grame Devine, discussing the arctic ice hound.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}}}
This creature was one of a number of concepts developed during the discussions of the wildlife of Harvest. It was concepted and even modelled and textured, though cut from release.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSConcept}}
<gallery>
File:HW ArcticIceHound Concept.jpg|Concept art of the creature.
File:HW ArcticIceHound Render.jpg|A textured 3D model of the creature.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
</gallery>

====Thorn beast====
The [[thorn beast]]s are another cut creature seen fully modelled, textured and animated; they are present in the ''Halo Wars'' [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2008]] build and can be seen walking around the map around thirteen minutes into the demo. They do not appear to attack UNSC forces.{{Ref/Site|Id=E32008|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/halo-wars-e3-2008-stage-show-demo/2300-6194807/|Site=Gamespot|Page=Halo Wars E3 2008 Stage Show Demo}} Thorn beasts remain canon in the ''Halo'' setting; with the [[Avitus|Chieftain]] character said to particularly enjoy eating them; they were later featured in the novel ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' as a delicacy enjoyed by the crew of ''[[Rapid Conversion]]''.

Interestingly, ''Halo Wars'' is not the first time the thorn beasts were developed to appear in a ''Halo'' game; they were originally designed by [[Paul Russel]] during the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', where they were modelled with an identical design and similarly cut.
<gallery>
File:Pre-Xbox Halo Thorn beast 1.png|Paul Russel's original thorn beast model for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HW Unit Thorn Beast.png|A thorn beast can be seen in this image taken from the E3 2008 demo build of ''Halo Wars''.{{Ref/Reuse|E32008}}
</gallery>

====Space owl====
{{Quote|When Ensemble looks at making worlds come alive we look at more than trees, hills and cool water.  We look at something we call "ambient life" which means things like cool space owls flying around (like this one) and creating a look and feel of a natural balance in the world.  If these creatures react to the players interaction in the world (firing weapons for example) then that goes a long way to making the player feel that the world is actually someplace believable rather than an empty sandbox with an AI.|[[Graeme Devine]], discussing the "Space Owl".{{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCSAmbient|URL=http://www.halowars.com/Default.aspx|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Ambient Life Concept|D=23|M=2|Y=2008}}}}
The so-called "space owl" is another ambient creature concepted but ultimately never implemented in ''Halo Wars''. The creature was described as having a wingspan of six feet.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSConcept}}{{Ref/Reuse|WohrAmbient}} 
<gallery>
File:HW SpaceOwl Concept.jpg|Concept art for the creature.
</gallery>

====Harvest whale====
{{Quote|After Harvest was attacked things didn’t go well for the population (Just read Joseph Staten’s excellent Contact Harvest!) but the wildlife fared even worse.  As seas boiled, turned toxic and the ecosystem turned poisonous life on Harvest became impossible for creatures great and small.  Our concept artists here have created one such scene of a beached alien whale being picked over by the last surviving wildlife on Harvest, the scavengers.|Grame Devine, discussing the Harvest whale.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}}}
The Harvest whale was designed as part of the exploration for the wildlife of Harvest. This creature would likely not be seen as an ambient AI on the map, but instead a dead body appearing in the environment.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSAmbient}}{{Ref/Site|Id=OHWCSConcept|URL=http://www.halowars.com/Galleries/ConceptArt.aspx|Site=Official Halo Wars Community Site|Page=Concept art|D=06|M=7|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Archive:Halowars.com/Galleries}}
<gallery>
File:HW HarvestWhale Concept.jpg|Concept art for the whale.
</gallery>

====Oxyaena====
The oxyaena is another creature fully modelled and textured for inclusion in ''Halo Wars''. The creature was present in the game's E3 2008 demo, and can be seen wandering the map at around one minute into the demo.{{Ref/Reuse|E32008}}
<gallery>
File:HW Oxyaena Render.jpg|The model created for the oxyanea.
File:HW Unit Oxyaena.png|The oxyanea in the E3 2008 demo.
</gallery>

====Other creatures====
These creatures have also been showcased in various work uploads related to ''Halo Wars''. Little is known of their design intent or purpose, and are thus presented below.
<gallery>
File:HW EelSnake Concept.jpg|Concept art for an eel-like creature.{{Ref/Reuse|OHWCSConcept}}
File:HW CutCreature Render 1.jpg|A textured 3D model of an unknown creature.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
File:HW CutCreature Render 2.jpg|A textured 3D model of an unknown creature.{{Ref/Reuse|ASBriley}}
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Deleted Material}}
[[Category:Halo Wars deleted material]]