Leader

For other uses of the word "Hero", see Hero.

Leaders, sometimes called hero units, are UNSC/Covenant/Banished player characters in Halo Wars and its sequel, each of whom feature specific units, traits, and abilities in gameplay. Some leaders can also be summoned to the field in-game as special units.

Halo Wars leaders

Leaders offer a varied experience in Halo Wars' multiplayer aspects, bringing unique abilities into the fray. The Covenant have leaders that double as in-game units while the UNSC leader powers vary greatly and are numerous. Hero units are more adept to fighting, possessing more armor for protection against enemy units as well as access to unique weaponry and "special abilities" (such as "Rage mode" for the Arbiter or special upgrades like the ODSTs for Captain Cutter).

In campaign, leaders can be revived if they are killed in action, as long as the life bar is halfway full. The life bar automatically regenerates while the leader is knocked down. However, in Skirmish or multiplayer if they die they die for good and will have to be purchased again to be on the battlefield, though only Covenant hero units are present on the battlefield in Skirmish and multiplayer.

Given leaders are typically geared toward specific playstyles. For instance, Cutter is more "measured" while Forge's playstyle is quite aggressive.

UNSC

• 

  Overview of Capt. Cutter

• 

  Overview of Sgt. Forge

• 

  Overview of Prof. Anders

Covenant

• 

  Overview of the Prophet of Regret

• 

  Overview of the Arbiter

• 

  Overview of the Brute Chieftain

Halo Wars 2 leaders

UNSC

Captain Cutter

Similar to his abilities in the first Halo Wars, Cutter focuses on troop deployment and orbital support:

• Wild Hellbringers
• Trooper Hornet
• Jerome-092 (hero Unit)
• ODST Drop (Leader Power Exclusive)
• Jackrabbit (Unique Unit)

Isabel

• Alice-130

Professor Anders

• Douglas-042 (Hero Unit)
• Protector Sentinel (Unique Unit)
• Retriever Sentinel (Super Unit)

Sergeant Forge

• John Forge's M12G1 Gauss Warthog (Hero Unit)
• M850 Grizzly (Unique Unit)

Kinsano

• Kinsano's Cyclops: A heavily armored Cyclops that is driven by Kinsano herself. (Hero Unit)
• Flame Warthogs: Warthogs that have the ability to shoot fire instead of ballistics. (Unique Unit)

Sergeant Johnson

• Avery Johnson (Hero Unit)
• Mantis (Unique Unit)
• Colossus (Unique Unit)

Commander Jerome

• Commander Jerome and Theseus
• Mastodon (Unique Unit)

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Serina

• Bison
• Cryo Troopers

Banished

Atriox

Atriox focuses on heavy defenses.

• Atriox's Chosen

Decimus

• Jiralhanae Warlord
• Decimus

Let 'Volir (Ship Master)

• Sangheili Honor Guardsman

Colony

• Mgalekgolo Captain (Hero Unit)
• Skitterer (Unique Unit)
• Goliath (Unique Unit)

The Arbiter

• Ripa 'Moramee (Hero Unit)
• Phantom (Unique Unit)

Yapyap the Destroyer

• Grunt Goblin (Hero Unit)
• Cannon Fodder
• Methane Wagon

Voridus

• Voridus
• Brute Grenadier
• Infused Engineer

Pavium

• Pavium
• Banished Lich
• Mega Turret
• Wraith Invader

Trivia

• In the Halo Wars Demo, Captain Cutter was the only available hero unit for the UNSC and the Prophet of Regret was the only available hero unit for the Covenant.
• In the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta, Captain Cutter and Atriox were the only leaders available.