John Forge/Gameplay

Halo Wars

Forge's abilities in Halo Wars.

Abilities

• "Hero Unit Ability": (Campaign only)
  • Ram — Forge initially mounts an M12G1 Gauss Warthog which has the ability to ram enemies
  • Shotgun Barrage — If Forge's Warthog is destroyed, he will be revived on foot and armed with an M90 shotgun, which he can unload quickly upon a target until empty.
• "Leader Power": Carpet Bomb — A bombing run with a long range that deals devastating damage to ground units. Costs 600 resources and a tech level of 1.
• "Unique Unit": Cyclops — A powerful exoskeleton that can punch enemy ground units, throw wreckage, and repair buildings.

Upgrades

• "Super Upgrade": M850 Grizzly — a superior version of the M808B Scorpion which has dual cannons and an additional mounted machine gun. Costs 1,800 resources and a tech level of 4.
• "Economy Bonus": All Supply Pads on Forge's bases start as Heavy Supply Pads.
• Carpet Bomb Upgrades: Medium Carpet Bomb (700 resources and a tech level of 2), Large Carpet Bomb (1,000 resources and a tech level of 3), and Super Carpet Bomb (1,400 resources and a tech level of 4).

Halo Wars 2

"Forge's strengths lie in an armored and slow-building economy, using heavy vehicles to push through enemies."

— In-game description of Sergeant Forge.

• Unique Units: Forge's Warthog (Hero unit) and M850 Grizzly (Replaces M808S Scorpion)
• Privileges: Allows Sergeant Forge to use Grizzly Tanks on the battlefield.
• Tier 1 Leader Powers
  • Rolling Economy I: Reduces costs and build times for Supply Pads, Generators, and their upgrades.
  • Rolling Economy II: Improves all Rolling Economy bonuses.
  • Heavy Metal I: Targets own units. Affected units gain a defensive boost. Slows targeted units while active.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 200
    • Power Cost: 50
    • Cooldown: 180 seconds
  • Heavy Metal II: Increases Heavy Metal’s target size, defense boost, and duration.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 400
    • Power Cost: 100
    • Cooldown: 180 seconds
  • Heavy Metal III: Increases Heavy Metal’s target size, defense boost, and duration.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 600
    • Power Cost: 150
    • Cooldown: 180 seconds
• Tier 2 Leader Powers
  • Lotus Mine I: Drops a line of cloaked mines. Once armed, mines explode on contact. Does not damage air units
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 25
    • Power Cost: 100
    • Cooldown: 105 seconds
  • Pelican Transport: Transports own units anywhere in range.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: N/A
    • Power Cost: 100
    • Cooldown: 100 Seconds
• Tier 3 Leader Powers
  • Scatter Bomb I: Drops a scattered salvo of bombs.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 350
    • Power Cost: 275
    • Cooldown: 165 seconds
  • Scatter Bomb II: Increases damage and number of bombs fired by Scatter Bomb
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 450
    • Power Cost: 450
    • Cooldown: 165 seconds
  • Restoration Drones I: Units and buildings within area are healed.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 200
    • Power Cost: 50
    • Cooldown: 160 seconds
  • Restoration Drones II: Increases power of Restoration drones
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 350
    • Power Cost: 125
    • Cooldown: 160 seconds
  • Restoration Drones III: Increases power of Restoration drones
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 400
    • Power Cost: 150
    • Cooldown: 160 seconds
• Tier 4 Leader Powers
  • Vehicle Drop I: Deploys a veteran M400 Kodiak from a G77S Pelican.
    • Population Cost: 6
    • Supply Cost: 625
    • Power Cost: N/A
    • Cooldown: 180 seconds
  • Vehicle Drop II: Adds a veteran Warthog to Vehicle Drop.
    • Population Cost: 10
    • Supply Cost: 925
    • Power Cost: N/A
    • Cooldown: 180 seconds
  • Accelerated Assembly I: Reduces costs and build times for vehicle production.
  • Accelerated Assembly II: Further reduces costs and build times for vehicle production.
• Tier 5 Leader Powers
  • Combat Salvage: Causes next eight non-infantry units to respawn at home base after being destroyed for 45 seconds.
    • Population Cost: N/A
    • Supply Cost: 1,500
    • Power Cost: 1,000
    • Cooldown: 330 seconds
  • Grizzly Battalion: G77S Pelicans drops off three veteran Grizzlies.
    • Population Cost: 33
    • Supply Cost: 2,740
    • Power Cost: 450
    • Cooldown: 330 seconds

Forge's Warthog

• Info: Improved Warthog, Unique to Forge
• Tier: 1
• Cost: Population 0, Supplies 350, Power 275
• Forge's Warthog upgrade: Anvil Round
  • Info: Fires an EMP round, Slows enemy vehicles
  • Tier: 1
  • Cost: Supplies 0, Power 325
• Forge's Warthog upgrade: Defensive Aura
  • Info: Improved Nanobots, Increase nearby allies speed
  • Tier: 2
  • Cost: Supplies 0, Power 550
• Forge's Warthog upgrade: Gauss Overcharge
  • Info: Upgraded Anvil Round ability
  • Tier: 3
  • Cost: Supplies 0, Power 650

Forge's Warthog comes equipped with energy shielding. Because Forge's Warthog is a hero unit there can only be one per player. In Blitz Forge's Warthog costs 220 energy and comes with the Rally ability to increase damage for nearby friendly units. Prior to upgrades the Warthog is effective against infantry and performs adequately against vehicles, aircraft, and structures. Once the Gauss Overcharge upgrade has been researched the Warthog will perform well against vehicles. Unlike in the original Halo Wars, Forge does not emerge from his Warthog when the vehicle is destroyed.

Strategy

General

• It's not recommended to use Grizzly Battalion Leader Power due to population consumption that exceeds standard Grizzly.
• Rolling Economy allows players to establish supply lines faster than other Leaders.
• Accelerated Assembly gives a player advantage for faster vehicle production.
  • Note that this only affects units from UNSC Garage.
  • Having at least two Garages at Firebase can be beneficial in hastening the production.
  • All vehicle prices are reduced, at least up to 20 percent, when the player maximizes the Accelerated Assembly.
• Combat Salvage is very useful, and better if the player uses Grizzly as front-line vehicles.
  • Destroyed Grizzlies can make an immediate respawn at the base as long as the effect remains active.
• Sergeant Forge is useful at late game, as 10 Grizzlies can obliterate the enemy base in less than 20 seconds (If Fortify Base level 3 was researched).
• Beware of Isabel's Ghost In The Machine, especially when the player fully relies on mechanized units.

Allies

• Having Sergeant Forge as allies is highly beneficial, considering Combat Salvage allows Sergeant Forge to spearhead the attack with Grizzlies and Nightingales as an escort.
• For an element of surprise, make sure to have the Pelican Transport ready, as it can transport a large amount of troops and land at the designated area for a surprise attack. Be wary of enemy anti-aircraft as it can kill everything on board.
• Support Sergeant Forge Grizzlies with Anti-Air and Anti-Infantry units, practically, if the player goes for the entire Grizzly.

Enemies

• Commander Jerome with Cyclops complement inside M650 Mastodon is the best counter against Sergeant Forge's Grizzlies.
• If the enemy player is using Grizzly Battalion Leader Power on the battlefield, with adequate anti-air arsenals, the player can take out at least one of the Pelican carrying Grizzly, giving the player some advantage.
• Keep an eye on the surroundings, such as minimap as Pelican Transport Leader Power is a serious threat due to elements of surprise attack.