Halo Wars 2: The Black Lance DLC

"We are the unchained"

- The tagline used to promote the DLC

Halo Wars 2: The Black Lance is an upcoming faction of The Black Lance, a former Covenant penal unit that severed ties with their jailers to serve Atriox and The Banished. The new faction promises to shake up the play style for The Banished players, adding new units and abilities that focus on hit and run tactics and devastating lighting assaults. The DLC will also feature its own side campaign following the Lance in their service to the Banished.

Campaign
The Black Lance story is set just before the events of the main game. The story follows Tal 'Zerex as he leads the Lance in pursuit of a traitor from the ranks of the Banished, Jarn 'Vorg from the Silent Shadow. But he soon becomes embroiled in the upper workings of the Banished.

1. The Hunt Begins (Cinematic): Tal and the Lance pick up their prey's scent as he flees for the Frontier.

2. Blood in the Void: The Lance launch a void on Jarn's ship as it attempts to refuel at a disused space dock.

3. Cut up: The Lance must regroup and face the wrath of a new foe.

4. The Hunters and the Hunted (Cinematic): With Jarn captured Tal learns the truth of his betrayal. He discovered the location of the Ark, though now his new covenant friends have it.

5. Fight or Flight: The Lance gives chase to the new covenant forces, ramming their ship and engaging in a boarding action.

6. Cut off the Head: Having failed to stop the covenant from reaching the Ark Tal leads what's left of the Lance in an attempt to kill the leader of this splinter group and claim the Ark for his own.

7. Staking a Claim: With the death of the new splinter groups leader the rest of his warriors either scatter or join The Banished when their main fleet arrives. Tal is congratulated by Atroix, who gives Tal a new mission.

Gameplay
The Black Lance features many major changes for players of The Banished, including new units and alternate upgrade paths as well as unique abilities that focus on the Lances trademark speed and brutality. While they are a much riskier faction to play the possible pay off can make up for it with the right tactics.