Ahead of tomorrow’s official launch of the Halo Wars 2 Blitz beta, 343 Industries today released a tutorial video and deep dive blog post for it and revealed the client’s file size. Additionally, it looks like the Windows 10 PC version is available to download and play right now.
Blitz is a card-based mode where you build a deck and then deploy units in an attempt to capture and hold control points to score points. Capturing a location requires you to position units over it, whether that be on the ground or in the air. When you hold more control points than your opponent, you rack up score points. When both teams are holding the same number of locations, scoring comes to a halt. There are 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 options, and the beta supports matchmaking.
You start with a collection of cards and can earn more by completing the in-game tutorial and the daily and weekly challenges. You can also get more cards by winning matches. Cards from the beta do not carry forward to the full game. However, everyone who plays the beta can receive two packs for the full game at launch. One is given when you log in and the other after you complete your first match.
The first team to 200 points wins; alternatively, the team with the most points when the 12-minute timer expires wins the match.
Watch the video above and read this in-depth blog post from 343 to get an incredibly detailed breakdown of how Blitz works.
The Halo Wars 2 Blitz beta will be available on Xbox One and PC. The file size on PC is 11.96 GB, though it’s not immediately clear how much space the console version takes up. The beta, which is the game’s second one, ends on January 30
Halo Wars 2 launches in full on February 21, though people who buy the $80 Ultimate Edition can start playing on February 17. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so buying it digitally on one platform gets you access to the other for free. All progress, including saves and achievements, is available on each platform.
Are you going to try out the beta? Let us know in the comments below!