Real World

Cut Halo Wars units

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This page discusses elements of deleted material and cut content. Some information on the page is sourced from game files and may not be verifiable through external sources. Where possible, such information should be clearly-marked and replaced with a proper external source as soon as one is available.
A screenshot of a number of Cut Halo Wars units.
A number of cut Covenant units including the Gargoyle, Hydra and Brute Tank.
Image of a cut Gargoyle to use in Halopedia templates. Do not add to pages.

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During the development of Halo Wars, a number of units were concepted, prototyped and cut from the game. This page primarily focuses on the cut units of the three main factions that can be played and encountered in the game - the UNSC, Covenant, and Sentinels. For an overview of the cut ambient life and neutral factions intended to appear on the game's multiplayer maps, see this page.

UNSC[edit]

Albatross[edit]

Main article: D96 Albatross

The D96 Albatross logistical dropship was modelled and implemented in Halo Wars as the original ship set to deliver supplies to the firebase. For reasons unknown, it was replaced by the D82 Darter in the final game.

  • A screenshot of the UNSC Vehicle Depot, showcasing an Albatross on the Supply Pad to the right, just out-of-frame.
    A screenshot of the UNSC Vehicle Depot, showcasing an Albatross on the Supply Pad to the right, just out-of-frame.
  • The Albatross' icon, left over in the files.
    The Albatross' icon, left over in the files.

Cougar[edit]

Main article: M35 Cougar

"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 cannons. 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.[1]

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 cannons, as well as a machine gun or grenade launcher on other concept art.[2] 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 mph.[2]

The Cougar was ultimately cut from the game in favor of other vehicle ideas.[3] 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 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.[4] 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 Factory Complex 09. The Cougar ultimately lost the vote.[5]

  • Early concept art of the Cougar.
    Early concept art of the Cougar.
  • Finalised concept art of the Cougar.
    Finalised concept art of the Cougar.
  • The final Cougar model.
    The final Cougar model.
  • What the Cougar would have looked like in-game.
    What the Cougar would have looked like in-game.
  • The Cougar's unit icon.
    The Cougar's unit icon.

Falcon[edit]

Main article: F-23 Falcata

"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 vehicle of the same name from Halo 2 or the 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.[2]

In terms of design, the Falcon uses forward-swept wings (giving it an appearance similar to the 20th Century 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 fla