Leader

For more use of "Hero", see the disambiguation of Hero. Hero units are UNSC and Covenant combat personnel in the real-time strategy game Halo Wars who are suited to lead Marines and Covenant ground forces along with air units such as AV-14 Hornets, Type-26 Banshees, etc.

Overview
Hero units offer a varied experience in Halo Wars ' multiplayer aspects, bringing leader specific powers into the fray. The Covenant have a leader for each faction (Prophet, Arbiter and Brute) while the UNSC leaders function differently. The powers of the UNSC vary greatly and are numerous as opposed to Covenant leader units.

In campaign, they also 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.

Combat experience
Hero units are more adept to fighting, possessing more armor for protection against the enemy units as well as access to unique weaponry and "special abilities" (such as "Rage mode" for the the Arbiter or special upgrades like the ODSTs for Captain Cutter).

Against the AI on skirmish, their hero unit of choice impacts on their playstyle. For instance, Cutter is more "measured" while Forge's playstyle is quite aggressive.

Trivia
In the Halo Wars Demo, Captain Cutter is the only available hero unit for the UNSC and the Prophet of Regret is the only available hero unit for the Covenant.