Halo Wars 2 will feature a robust, story-driven campaign and plenty of multiplayer action. While we’re not talking about the game’s story (or where it takes place in the Halo timeline) just yet, we are very excited about the way it contributes to the expanding Halo universe, and we look forward to sharing more in the future.

The last time we saw the crew of the UNSC Spirit of Fire in Halo Wars, they were settling in for a long cryosleep on their way home, knowing that with a little luck, they’d make it back to civilized space in one piece. Nearly 30 years later, they’re awakened to a new threat to the Halo universe and find themselves as the one thing standing between hope and annihilation. Halo Wars 2 will take you back to the Ark, introduce new heroes and villains, and deliver a new multiplayer mode that has the potential to push the real-time strategy genre forward.

Beyond the terrain and the world in which Halo Wars 2 takes place, its compliment of heroes and villains helps broaden the world. And because the UNSC Spirit of Fire and its crew are essentially in a place out of time, having been asleep for 28 years, they’ve missed all of the recent events that the Master Chief was a part of. This creates a unique setting for new players to the series, as they will be learning about the state of the universe alongside the crew of the Fire.

Two iconic figures from the Halo Wars series return to the forefront in the latest downloadable content for Halo Wars 2, the Icons of War pack. First up is Commander Jerome-092, Spartan-II super soldier and leader of Red Team aboard the UNSC Spirit of Fire. Next is the deadly and merciless Arbiter Ripa ‘Moramee, who may not have survived his stint as the primary antagonist of the first game, but arrives in Halo Wars 2 with loads of resentment and zero Regret.

As force commander, Jerome-092 brings with him special abilities that Inspire nearby troops, trigger temporary acts of Heroism, and deploy his secret weapons: the Spartans of Omega Team and the ability to conduct a Field Promotion. And while he can’t Hijack vehicles, he can deploy his personal Command Mantis onto the battlefield with Mech Drop. Upgrades increase the radius of his Inspire ability and add a suppressing orbital barrage to the Mech Drop.

As a Banished warhost unbound by traditional notions of honor and loyalty, leader Ripa delivers the Conduit of Rage ability, slightly healing the Arbiter’s nearby units and increasing their damage and speed for a short time. Though a talented strategist, Ripa prefers to make fights personal. On the battlefield Ripa wields his two relic blades with devastating skill and can trigger his Arbiter’s Rage ability to temporarily become a murderous avatar of war. Upgrades include Swift Fury which increases his movement speed and damage, Conduit Incarnate which activates Conduit of Rage when the Arbiter kills an enemy while Raging, and Arbiter’s Reprisal which reflects damage back towards his attackers.

The Icons of War pack is available now for both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC through Xbox Play Anywhere. Both Jerome-092 and Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee are available as part of the Halo Wars 2 Season Pass, or available for individual purchase at $5.99 USD each. You can also purchase a special 2-pack version that includes both Leaders for $9.99 USD.