Leader

"Hero unit" redirects here. For other uses of the word "Hero", see Hero.

Halo Wars UNSC leader roster.

Halo Wars Covenant leader roster.

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 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

Leader powers

Anders' leader power menu.

Name	Cost			Description
	Population	Tech	Resources
All UNSC Leaders
Disruption Bomb	N/A	0	450	Disrupts existing Leader Powers and prevents new Leader Powers from being initiated in a small area for 1 minute.
Transport	N/A	0	200	Call in Pelicans to transport a small group of units from one place to another.
Heal and Repair	N/A	0	350	Heal any units and repair any buildings in an area.
Captain Cutter
MAC Blast	N/A	1	600	Use Spirit of Fire's awesome Mass Accelerated Cannons to incinerate enemy troops.
ODST Drop	1	3	100	Requires ODST upgrade. Drops an ODST squad at target location.
Sergeant Forge
Carpet Bomb	N/A	1	600	Use the UNSC Shortsword Bomber to devastate a strip of land with massive bombs.
Professor Anders
Cryo Bomb	N/A	1	600	Use the UNSC Shortsword Bomber to drop Cryo Bombs in an area, freezing all things for a short time.

Covenant

• 

  Overview of the Prophet of Regret
• 

  Overview of the Arbiter
• 

  Overview of the Brute Chieftain