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How to Counter a Rush 101


CAT4

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Introduction

 

Rushing: a method in which a player attacks another player early in the game before he or she is prepared.

 

 

The first important thing to know is if the enemy is rushing. If the enemy is UNSC, he would be building hogs. For signs of hog rushing, scout the base, if you see the base lights flashing, that means he is building warthogs or researching gunner. (note: that some players build an extra hog to collect resources at a faster rate). If the enemy is Covenant, he would be using his leader. For signs of a rush, the temple will be built first. From there, the leader pops out and will most likely head for the base. If the temple is not built first, then he may not rush at all. When the temple is built, scout periodically to check where the leader is at all times.

 

 

 

UNSC vs. UNSC

There are two options to fend off a hog rush, either hog rush back or invest in rail gun turrets and later build tanks. Anders is the only leader that will most likely carry on the rush researching gauss hogs due to her cheap costs and faster teching abilities. Usually a fresh expansion will be laid just at gauss cannon is researched. Attacking her expansion will set her productive abilities by a lot.

 

If you took the tank strategy, as your first tank is out, start harassing the hogs as much as possible while staying within proximity of your turret in case your tank get overwhelmed. If you cannot find the hogs, start clearing out a base to expand. Before you build a base, have at least 3 or 4 tanks guarding the expansion. Scout the enemy periodically. The enemy already anticipates that you are pumping tanks out of your vehicle depot. If the enemy is Anders, beware of Gremlins. If Anders builds a vehicle depot, chances are, she will be using a tank and gremlin combo. In retaliation, build cobras to counter gremlins. If she's building hornets, then make wolverines.

 

Marines are not so useful against warthogs in early games because they are slow and the warthog's ramming ability is more effective against infantry than the marine's grenade ability on light armor. Unless theres a crucial hook you need to grab, such as on frozen valley or exile, that is when building a barracks will be useful.

 

 

 

UNSC vs. Covenant

There are two ways to stop a leader rush. You can either confront the leader directly or counter attack his base with a warthog rush. To deal with the leader directly, you should build #1 supply pad' #2 barracks' #3 supply pad'. (On much larger maps, make the barracks your 3rd building). From there, you just want to keep making flame throwers until the attack has stopped. If your enemy is a prophet, build 1 or 2 marines to keep his shields suppressed. Do you think the prophet is going to stand still? He will be running around your base, away from the flame throwers. If the enemy does stop attacking, think one step ahead. Chances are, the enemy will make banshees to counter the flame throwers. Make two or more turrets and upgrade them to missile launcher. Build warthogs or wolverines.

 

If you decide to counter attack with warthogs, your build order should be #1 supply pad', #2 Reactor', #3 Supply pad'. As your buildings are queued up, build a hog or two immediately so you collect more crates around the map as well as building your army of course. Camp the front door of the opponent's base and ram the enemy infantry before they can teleport to their leader. You will have an army of warthogs at his base while he will have just his leader. If the leader decides to teleport back to his base, run your hogs around the base away from the leader. The covenant leader will be frustrated and therefore resign from the game. Warthog rushes do not work against the arbiter.

 

 

 

Covenant vs. UNSC

 

To counter a warthog rush, build a turret at your base and upgrade it to fuel rod. Its that simple. If you want to do more, upgrade your leader. If you are the arbiter, or have an arbiter as an ally, warthog rushes are futile. Rage mode is cost effective against warthogs.

 

An infantry rush does not happen often, unless its against the arbiter. I would avoid using rage mode against infantry as you would be spending more resources to kill infantry than they are worth building, which results in a disadvantage.

 

 

 

Covenant vs. Covenant

 

If your enemy is the arbiter, build a hall, lock your base and build 10 jackels. If the enemy is rushing with suicide grunts, build up a turret on the opposite side of your base and/or use your leader power to kill the suicide grunts. If you are the brute, dont bother building special brute forces, unless you are going to garrison towers or to grab hooks. Their attacks may be strong, but they will die fast.

 

If your enemy is the brute, build a turret near your temple and build jackels. If you cannot build a hall, then build your unique leader's special units. Spread out your units to absorb minimal damage from the brute chieftain's vortex.

 

If your enemy is the prophet, use your leader to chase him. Building suicide grunts can be devastating to the prophet. DO NOT rely on turrets to ward off the prophet. Cleansing beam is extremely effective on turrets.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Few Words...

 

Hopefully this guide will give you a better insight on which choice to make when dealing with a rush. Remember that micro is very important when it comes to warthogs and remember to SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT!!! Knowing what the enemy is building will change game completely in your favor.

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Forge is the best person to hornet rush with cause no one expects it. Then pair that with tanks. its super deadly. Especially in 2v2.

 

There are very few rushers I fear. One is 'boost freak' his rush is almost unstoppable. I have beaten him only a handful of times. There are a few others but he is the main one.

 

One thing about rushes is that to stop it is usually about leader pairing. Most of the time if I get beat by a rush its cause my team had the wrong leader pairing to stop and repel then counter attack. We play only random all. It keeps the game from becoming boring. If you think your rush is beast come and play me and my pals. It might take 2 tries but I can beat it. Gamertag is the same as my name here.

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With so many different types of rushing, you can't just put a label of Alliance VS Horde (or more Halo appropriate,) UNSC and Covy. I see that you have made plenty of valid points and several great shut-downs for rushing but I feel like you simply can't label the game with THIS vs THAT side. It just can't be done so easily.

 

However, with all the valid points you have made, I think some of the things listed are possible and could be done even if you are just picking up Halo Wars for a few times.

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Remember this guys, after you build you supply pad hit the back button and check their ranks. If they are Generals then expect a rush, I am a general and I never rush noobs (I like to milk them for points, trololollol) but when I see another General it is on, I will rush like there is no tomorrow, because if I don't, then they will rush me. It's like, you got to hit them before they hit you.

 

Btw, Hornet rush w/ forge is amazing as long as they are human and not Anders.

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