Just after getting my ODST, I decided to pickup the War Games expansion for Halo: Flashpoint. It was the expansion in which they originally added points to the game and even without the recent announcement of a new 1.5 rules update and large sweeping changes across many unit cards, it was already obsolete. The app handles points now and the points in the booklet for the expansion were quickly out of date. So why buy it? Well, it was on a good sale and it came with these boys:

Another set of Spartans, but different from the core box this time. Also, another excuse to do up some colorful murder machines. Who doesn’t love those?

Starting with what is probably the best of the bunch in terms of statlines: the Spartan Gungnir. It brings an inherent plasma launcher, which is fine, but with that it also brings the Guarded keyword, which prevents enemies from scoring criticals against the Gungnir. This is big and means he shows up in many tournament lists. He also has Tactician, which is one of the best keywords in the game because it gives you more command dice. He’s so good, in fact, that in the upcoming rules update he will actually lose the Tactician keyword. For the most part, he’ll likely show up in my son’s lists. He’s a reliable, powerful Spartan.

Next, we have the Spartan JFO. He carries a respectable concussion rifle that can hit hard and explode on multiple enemies. He’s also got Armor 3, making him my first Armor 3 model. His statline leaves something to be desired, but with Scout and Tactician I could see using him in a few lists. The pink/magenta tone I chose for his armor was fun to paint.

Then we have the CQB: a model I’m sure my son will want to take. Hell, I’m a big fan of energy swords, too, so I’d also want to take him. I love silly gimmick lists, and I could see taking this guy alongside another model equipped with an energy sword and maybe a third Spartan with a gravity hammer. Anyway, I’m a touch skeptical of this one, if only because he’s somewhat slow. He does have armor 3, with 5 health, making him a lot more durable than usual. This combined with a special rule that makes him better in an assault really paints a clear picture. Give him a movement item and fire him off like a rocket at the nearest heavy enemy you need dead. I can see it working.

He doesn’t quite look it, but the HAZOP can fly. That’s… really his main claim to fame. I really tried on the yellow, but failed to make it feel organic. It looks a little better in person, but I can’t deny I somewhat phoned him in, if only because I don’t see myself using him very often. I do love shotguns, but with his 5+ shoot I’m not confident even the flight makes him useful enough. Shotguns are very powerful up close, though, so maybe he’d find use on my crate board with the variable height levels.

I’m stunned I still find these fun to paint, honestly. After the quick fire process of getting the ODST done, I was happy to return to something a touch more thoughtful.

Next on my list is the Jiralhanae (Brutes) from the Rise of the Banished expansion. I’m hoping to get started on those this weekend if I can find the time. After that, the only major missing piece I have from this game will be the Reach expansion. I’m not convinced I want it, though—I recently played Halo: Reach and uh… strongly disagreed with the common consensus that it was a great game.

But Flashpoint? Safe to say it’s my favorite Halo game. Take that, Halo 2 fans.