Editing Standard

{{Status|Gameplay}}

'''Standard''' is a mode in ''[[Halo Wars]]'' [[multiplayer]] and [[Skirmish]]. As its name suggests, it is the standard mode of play in the game. The mode was featured again in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]'', though renamed to [[Deathmatch]].

==Overview==
In Standard, the objective is simple; destroy all bases belonging to the enemy team. Depending on game settings and [[:Category:Halo Wars multiplayer maps|map]], teams can be 1v1, 2v2 or 3v3. All players start with one base, and if all a player's bases are destroyed, they have sixty seconds to claim a new one before they are defeated. All players start off with 800 [[Resources]] and a tech level of 0, alongside a population cap of 30 (for [[UNSC]] players) or 40 (for [[Covenant]] players). The starting [[Firebase]] or [[Covenant citadel|citadel]] starts at its first upgrade level, with five potential build slots{{Ref/Note|Players playing as [[James Cutter|Cutter]] start off at the second tier with [[seven]] build sites due to his passive bonus, however}} and four turret sites. Additionally, players start with a free scout unit - depending on the player's choice of [[Leader]], this can be a [[Scout Warthog|Warthog]] (UNSC), [[Ghost]] ([[Ripa 'Moramee|Arbiter]] or [[Prophet of Regret]]) or [[Chopper]] ([[Thrallslayer|Chieftain]]). 

As the standard mode of play, players must manage resources by building [[UNSC Supply Pad|supply pads]] or [[Covenant warehouse|warehouses]] to increase supply, and [[UNSC reactor|reactors]] or [[Covenant temple|temples]] to upgrade tech level and unlock access to more upgrades for buildings, [[leader power]]s and units. All trained units start with no upgrades but can be upgraded by spending resources as tech levels are advanced, with players becoming progressively more powerful as the game goes on. Unit upgrades are researched from their respective building (such as a [[UNSC Barracks|barracks]] for [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]), while upgrades for base defense turrets and leader powers are researched from the [[UNSC Field Armory]] or Covenant temple. 

===Covenant vs. UNSC===
To reflect the difference in doctrine between the efficient and highly trained UNSC vs. the Covenant's more brutal approach to warfare, the two factions have several major gameplay differences. Notably, the UNSC invest in new tech tiers by building and upgrading their reactors - when a reactor is destroyed, their tech level goes down one or two points (depending on the upgrade state of the reactor in question). On the other hand, the Covenant research technologies from the temple, which can be upgraded several times. Only one temple can be built at a time and if it is destroyed, all Covenant tech tiers are lost, though rebuilding the temple restores these tiers. The Covenant additionally get access to their [[Factory]] and [[Summit (building)|Summit]] buildings from the game start allowing them to train vehicles and aircraft, while the UNSC equivalents the [[UNSC Vehicle Depot|vehicle depot]] and [[UNSC Airpad|air pad]] can only be constructed at tech level 2. Combined with the Covenant's ten additional population over the UNSC, this allows the Covenant to invest in a playstyle more conductive to mass-armies.

Aside from faction, players have a choice of six different [[leader]]s to pick from. Each leader has an exclusive super unit, leader power set and economy bonus that can help influence playstyles.

To help acquire more supply, several neutral structures can be found on maps such as [[Supply]] crates, [[Forerunner secondary reactor|reactor]] sites for free technology advances and [[Forerunner supply elevator|supply elevators]] that act as an additional supply pad. The latter two structures must be manned by an infantry unit, while the former acts as a resource that can be gathered by any scout unit.

==Tips==
*Almost all air and ground [[vehicles]] are more powerful than infantry.
*Never send in a [[Deutoros-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] without support on any difficulty above Normal or any Automatic difficulty above 56. Even your strongest units will fall if they have no support. And the support should be more than your Covenant leader.
*Make sure to upgrade your primary units.
*You'll need [[supplies]] to fulfill your objective.
*Beware the rebels - they guard all unclaimed sites.
*Extra [[Bases]] are a must.
*Make use of the extra structures on the map (one population cost to garrison):
**[[Forerunner secondary reactor]]s upgrade tech level at no supply cost
**[[Forerunner supply elevator]]s can replace supply pads or warehouses
**Sniper Towers and cover greatly increase the range and damage resistance of garrisoned units.

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}
{{Gametype}}

[[Category:Skirmish gametypes]]
[[Category:Halo Wars gametypes]]