Hey Peeps,
Ske7ch posted some new balance patch changes that are going to be coming down the pipe over at https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/rockin-railin
Timeframe: Not confirmed
Halo Wars 2 Balance change preview Right before I hit publish for today’s update, I got a hot-off-the-presses mail from the Halo Wars 2 team with some details for a mid-season balance update they’re looking to release in the near future. (I don’t have a firm date yet but it’s meant to be a mid-season update so it’s not being held until the next DLC drop) These changes are the result of player feedback (thank you!) and combing through game data. Here’s a preview of the upcoming Balance changes you can expect to see in Halo Wars 2 soon:
Shipmaster
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Spirit Support - Now drops a veterancy level 2 Hunter (Previously veterancy level 3 Hunter)Kinsano
Kinsano Cyclops
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Flamewall ability cooldown time increased from 45 to 60 seconds - Flamewall damage versus buildings reduced by 70%Flamehog w/ Flame Mortar Upgrade
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Flame Mortar damage over time effect reduced damage by 35% - Flame Mortar damage over time effect, reduced damage vs buildings by 40% - Flame Mortar range decreased by 14% - Flame Mortar fire rate reduced by 0.5 seconds, overall impact damage per second not affected, but will create fewer DOT scorch areas.Inferno
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Reduced damage versus buildings by 20% - Reduced duration from 25 seconds to 20 secondsColony
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Hunter Captain - Move speed increased by 19% - Sitterer - (bug fix) Now receives upgrade benefits from Global Vehicle Upgrades - Vehicle Symbiotes - (bug fix) No longer shows buff effect through Fog of WarGlobal Banished
Grunts
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Banished leader now start with 3 Grunt squads instead of 2 - Grunt squad resource gather speeds increased by 32%Engineers - HP reduced by 20%
Hunters
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Basic speed increased by 15% - Fuel rod projectile velocity increased to help hit movingBrute Chopper
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Move speed increased 11% - Explosive rounds upgrade now also increases damage by 15%Locust
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Line of sight reduced by 12.% - Locust cost increased from 250/175 to 300/200Wraith - Scorch projectile initial damage reduced by 50%
Global UNSC
Jackrabbit
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Basic DPS increased by 15% - Drone delay before healing reduced from 10 seconds to 7 secondsScorpion
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HP increased by 10% - Cannon DPS increased by 10% - (bug fix) Unit ability Cannister Shell now fires almost instantlyWhen these balance changes go live it’ll happen magically behind the scenes with a very small download (this isn’t a “patch”).You’ll get a prompt that “Halo Wars 2 has been updated and needs to restart.”
Ooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhh
I like these changes especially THREE GRUNTS AT THE START
Plus Hunter speed, that’s nice.
These changes look really, really good and neccessary! I’m very excited to see them roll out. Just a bit disappointed to not see much going on for the UNSC in terms of buffs.
I’d also like to add, I think those Locust nerfs are good. People will just need to learn how to counter teleporting Locusts.
My only question is, where are buffs/changes to Marauders or Warthogs? There’s still not worth their cost…
Dunno about extra grunt and increased gather speed.
I don’t agree with all of the buffs or three grunts at the start.
> 2674682457271996;7:
> Dunno about extra grunt and increased gather speed.
The grunts were at a 2:1 disadvantage for resource gathering prior. This puts them a bit closer to the same gathering speed as Marines early game, but still at a deficit.
REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
> 2533274959649201;10:
> REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
It’s no big deal, Choppers will still crush them, especially with the speed and damage buffs.
> 2533274959649201;10:
> REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
Base damage is going up, but splash damage is still gone. Have to remember that. Also, the Brute Chopper just got a nice big buff too.
> 2533274927740213;11:
> > 2533274959649201;10:
> > REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
>
> It’s no big deal, Choppers will still crush them, especially with the speed and damage buffs.
big difference, they can heal, choppers can NOT
> 2533274959649201;13:
> > 2533274927740213;11:
> > > 2533274959649201;10:
> > > REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
> >
> > It’s no big deal, Choppers will still crush them, especially with the speed and damage buffs.
>
> big difference, they can heal, choppers can NOT
After seven seconds of not taking damage, with faster Chopper speed it’s less likely that’ll happen before they die.
Yeah tank buff! Not sure about the JR reversal…
> 2533274959649201;13:
> > 2533274927740213;11:
> > > 2533274959649201;10:
> > > REALLY they will be bringing back JR’s with a 15% dmg increase and reverting a little on the nerf to the healing drone, THAT is a big mistake
> >
> > It’s no big deal, Choppers will still crush them, especially with the speed and damage buffs.
>
> big difference, they can heal, choppers can NOT
This is true, but in a micro vs. micro battle of having a unit that can ram to finish off the units, having a pretty decent buff to speed, and also having a buff to damage when upgrading that unit as well - it’s going to be interesting. Those with better micro should come out on top, but it could prove to not work as intended. We shall see when it drops though 
i am happy tho that they are nerfing locust range, that was much needed and hunters have increased movement speed and ability to hit moving targets, much needed and the whole reduced dmg to building from different sources is nice
Absolutely delighted you guys are addressing the Locust line of sight issue, I love you guys <3
We will see how the price tag increase works out, they seem very costly now. My guess is this will regulate double pumping and also punish T3 and upgrades. Essentially forcing the Locust to be a backline support/siege vehicle.
> 2533274959649201;17:
> i am happy tho that they are nerfing locust range, that was much needed and hunters have increased movement speed and ability to hit moving targets, much needed and the whole reduced dmg to building from different sources is nice
It’s actually only their LOS that’s getting nerfed. So if they have a unit spotting for them they still have considerable range.
> 2533274927740213;19:
> > 2533274959649201;17:
> > i am happy tho that they are nerfing locust range, that was much needed and hunters have increased movement speed and ability to hit moving targets, much needed and the whole reduced dmg to building from different sources is nice
>
> It’s actually only their LOS that’s getting nerfed. So if they have a unit spotting for them they still have considerable range.
Which is actually perfect. It will require micro to keep your units outside of the enemy line of sight.