Halo Wars 2 – Update March 9th is now available, packs performance improvements on various hardware


Creative Assembly and 343 Industries have released a new patch for Halo Wars 2. According to the release notes, this update packs performance improvements on various hardware, fixes some performance hitches in Cooperative Campaign, and comes with under-the-hood preparations for future ranked multiplayer.

In addition, this patch fixes some AI issues in Skirmish that could cause performance hits, fixes a variety of PC crashes that were hardware-dependent, and fixes some crashes that could occur when loading a saved game.

Do note that this patch is 9.9GB in size.

Here is the complete changelog for this brand new patch for Halo Wars 2:

CRASHES/ERRORS/PERFORMANCE

  • Fixed an issue where players could get stuck on the loading screen
  • Fixed an issue that caused some PC players to see a black screen on startup
  • Several “desync” fixes, one of which covered most of the tracked occurrences
  • Fixed a variety of PC crashes that were hardware-dependent
  • Fixed a Network Error on opening Blitz Packs
  • Fixed some AI issues in Skirmish that could cause performance hits
  • Fixed some performance hitches in Cooperative Campaign
  • Made performance improvements on various hardware
  • Overall multiplayer performance improvements
  • Fixed some crashes that could occur when loading a saved game
  • Fixed an issue that would cause a Campaign mission to get stuck after loading a save
  • Fixed a bug with joining a party and getting a network error
  • Added a driver check on PC to alert users to the presence of old drivers
  • Fixed an issue that caused players to disconnect from multiplayer games at the beginning of the match

GAMEPLAY

  • Fixed issue with ‘Detect’ on some starting units not working properly
  • Fixed an issue with getting the Palmer’s Pure Gold Achievement
  • Fixed some bugs with Kodiaks in Campaign
  • Fixed a bug with garrisoned Snipers not getting additional stats
  • Fixed issue with squads getting stuck trying to garrison if another squad beats them to it
  • Gold medal can now be more easily attained in ‘Hold the Line’
  • Fixed a Cyclops and Reaver pathing bug where they would sometimes stop moving
  • Fixed an issue with units getting stuck in bases after being made
  • Fixed various skull functionality not working on some units or abilities
  • Fixed some cross-skull interactions between Annihilation and Pestilence
  • Fixed some Locust pathing issues in Blitz (even though they’re driven by Grunts)
  • Fixed an issue with units becoming unresponsive in Blitz
  • Fixed an issue in Blitz with units getting a x4 speed boost in a specific situation
  • Fixed a conflict created by swapping d-pad functionality in Blitz
  • Fixed an issue with the Blisterback not recovering from damage in Blitz
  • Fixed behavior of Marines sometimes failing to get new targets after throwing a grenade
  • Friendly cloaked units now appear on the minimap
  • Made some adjustments to Scarab creation
  • Tweaks to Grunt Mob, Bloodfuel Grunts, and Bloodfuel Locust
  • Holo Decoy can no longer be used on Pelicans or Spirits
  • Fixed card level of units affected by Holo Decoy not showing over clones
  • Glassing beam always creates vision now in Blitz
  • Adjusted AI to make better use of Healing and Cloaking fields
  • Skirmish AI now uses Extraction and Teleport
  • AIs have been practicing their Domination game

METAGAME

  • Fixed a bug where parties were always assigned to Team 1
  • Fixed a rare issue with users not actually getting to play the leader they selected in Blitz
  • “Halt” cinematic should no longer be unlocked early in theater
  • Fixed some daily/weekly challenge issues where they were not tracked in some playlists
  • PC players can no longer tab target to whisper to themselves
  • Phoenix Log page adjustments
  • Pause menu adjustments
  • Set default difficulty of AI to normal from easy

COSMETIC

  • Cleaned up some language localizations
  • Fixed a bug with UI textures failing to load
  • Fixed some minimap graphical issues
  • Fixed a PC issue with starting army text overlapping some UI
  • Fixed some issues with individual card pack opening animations
  • Fixed an issue with a terminal for a red barrier not having a display string
  • Fixed a Domination icon issue, where it would rotate briefly when being recaptured
  • Fixed an issue with Health bars getting stuck on the screen
  • Fixed some issues with particles randomly shooting across the maps for various objects
  • Adjusted transparency on locked skulls in the side panel
  • Radial menu has been cleaned up a bit
  • Added extra visual indicator to aid players when they are selecting cards
  • Made some enhancements to the leader selection carousel

AUDIO

  • Fixed an issue with the announcer constantly reporting Zone B is contested when it’s not
  • Fixed an issue with the Condor being able to be heard through fog of war
  • Fixed incorrect audio playing on some units when damaged
  • Fixed some issues with units calling out the wrong attackers
  • Fixed an issue with using right trigger or mouse wheel would cause audio spam
  • Added audio to Plasma Mines deploy
  • Added a variety of sound effects, and adjusted timing on some existing ones

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST

  • Under-the-hood preparation for future ranked multiplayer