Halo Wars title update 3 details revealed

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 10th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Robot has revealed specific details regarding the third title update for Halo Wars. Most of the changes being implemented are for the sake of balancing the game, and there are also a handful of bug and exploit fixes. It looks like the effectiveness of the Gauss Warthog will see a reduction, with the unit doing less damage to tanks and receiving more damage from grenades. The Warthog will also take three seconds longer to build (25 seconds). Anders has also seen her research speed bonus reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent.

There are a smattering of other changes, the most significant perhaps being that stockpiled units in a locked-down base will now release much faster when the base is unlocked. Very good news for anyone that has seen their stockpiled units killed one by one as they emerge from an unlocked base.

Check out all the changes after the break.

Balance Changes:

UNSC Warthogs Gauss cannon damage against tanks and other heavily armored vehicles reduced by 25%
UNSC Warthogs build time increased by 3 seconds to 25 seconds
Anders research time bonus decreased to 25% from 50%. Her Research cost bonus remains unchanged at 50%
Covenant and UNSC turrets have 5% increased health and 5% increased damage
UNSC Elephants have a 20% more health
Grenade damage type now has 25% additonal damage against Warthogs and other medium armor ground vehicles.
Recycle basic cost return fixed to be 50% for constructed buildings.
Locked down bases when unlocked will now release units inside very quickly, which means that when under attack a player can now build a fighting force while locked down and then release them much more quickly than before
UNSC Leader powers disabled at the start of Reinforcement Matches
Players no longer receive points for team killing.
Self Destructing/Recycling buildings now gives points to opponents

Bug Fixes:

Players should now find it much easier to play System Link games
Fixed Covenant Shield Generator Exploit
Invisible Units should now have invisible health bars
Players will no longer be able to scout opposing bases by using the area-select tool

Tags: ensemble-studios, halo, halo-wars, robot

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

James @ Jul 10th 2009 12:39PM

Any chance they'll nerf the Arbiter? At least make it more expensive and a timer between rages.

RedSonRising @ Jul 10th 2009 3:15PM

dont touch my arbiter. he's got enough problems without being stuck to a timer.

"Self Destructing/Recycling buildings now gives points to opponents"
huge update for me. ambushing leader rushers should be a bit easier now..

warthog rush needed a tweak. maybe 9/10 games wont start with the same lame rush attempt, prolly cut it down to 7/10 instead.

Gamer4Life @ Jul 10th 2009 1:00PM

I'd like them to cut the build time (15 sec) and cost (500) of the scarab and nerf those damn vultures.

Latin_Trident @ Jul 10th 2009 1:12PM

i haven't bought the game yet but I should. Maybe now is a good time.

whylekat @ Jul 10th 2009 2:03PM

What was the Covenant Shield Generator Exploit?

RedSonRising @ Jul 10th 2009 3:21PM

nothing you can use. shields would regenerate randomly even under fire, theyre not supposed to regenerate if the base is taking any damage.

Access Granted @ Jul 10th 2009 3:22PM

NO!!! ANYTHING BUT ANDERS!!!

RedSonRising @ Jul 10th 2009 4:03PM

yes, anders especially. they need to bring her in line with cutter and forge, its too easy to get a leg up early with her stat bonuses. im just sick of warthog rushes, its 50/50 beating them and its getting old.

i love halo wars (still in the top 800 1v1 MP wins) but im been losing interest. a lot of 'higher level' players arent very creative and most of the matches are getting really boring.

LegendaryRedass @ Jul 10th 2009 6:01PM

I'm still on the fence with this game. I want it but I'm not sure. The only RTS I've played is C&C3. I didn't care for the limited access to resources during the scenarios. I'd prefer wide open battle with access to all types of units and weaponry. Can any RTS newbs like myself give me their thoughts on this game.

AnnoyingPoster @ Jul 10th 2009 8:19PM

definitely worth it, its a lot of fun and you dont need to get so involved with it as to learn every single thing about every single unit and learn an entire tech tree. its simplified, streamlined, yet deep. ensemble did a great job on this title

RedSonRising @ Jul 10th 2009 10:22PM

if you want to pick up and play the best rts on a console halo wars is the only choice. the controls are tight and you can easily learn from your mistakes.

you will have to learn about each unit or youll never live long enough to build an army that can overcome counters with sheer numbers.

the tech trees are pretty shallow tho and theres a limited number units so building huge armies really isnt the best choice. micromanagement is key in halo wars..

LegendaryRedass @ Jul 11th 2009 10:28AM

Thanks for the feedback. I'll put it at the top of my queue. I've already played everthing else that's good out there. I'm sure this is worth a shot.

FJ Noob @ Jul 10th 2009 6:22PM

Good changes they are all needed. Im not convinced that the hogs are having the correct nerfs. Its apparent they are overpowerd, but it was mainly because there counters dont counter them, and they have the most building damage. Who ever controls building damage, controls the game. The extra build time on the hogs was the wrong change to make, considering it was such a small change. The damage against other untis was correct, but its not enough to stop them being OP. I would like to see the a decrease in building armor type damage from the hogs, then they will truely be balanced.

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eMax @ Jul 11th 2009 6:52PM

how about making the Self Destruct do some damage to the surrounding units???

It would be nice If I could sacrifice a base but kill off an attack before they get to my next base.

I figured this was the whole point, but apparently it does nothing.

ChomskyKnows @ Jul 13th 2009 9:21AM

I'm on the single player campaign and am surprisingly loving it. Not into RTS games, but this is simple and intuitive and I love all the shared assets from the Halo FPS games (the sounds, the Spartan shields that regenerate, etc -- they really did a class job to stay in the universe). Sad that Ensemble is no more. Anybody know if MS eying a sequel with Robot Entertainment??? They're still supporting the first one, and this is the best selling "console" RTS ever, so why not develop a sequel???

fez carlson @ Jul 21st 2009 9:52AM

what about damn prophet rushes, i hate that crap!

Konstantine @ Jul 27th 2009 11:31AM

I hate the fact that when Halo Wars is unbalanced, and buggy, people don't whine about how it's a terrible game.

But when Gears has problems, and needs some title updates, OH NO, the game is terrible now.

That's a bunch of crap, I hate the internet.