Covenant vs UNSC – Test Game
The battle was fought on the outskirts of a small frontier outpost, half‑swallowed by a dense forest. Scattered hab‑structures, supply containers, and ruined foundations marked what was once a quiet base—now a warzone.
At the heart of the settlement lay the real prize:
a crashed transport, torn open on impact and surrounded by scorched earth and debris. Whatever it had been carrying was important enough to draw both sides into a brutal fight for control.
Forces Engaged
The Covenant strike force advanced under the command of an Elite Major, supported by:
- Four Grunts armed with plasma pistols
- Two Needler Grunts
- Shield‑bearing Jackals forming the main firing line
- A Jackal sniper attempting to dominate the crash site from cover
- A black‑ops Grunt carrying a heavy weapon
- And a Suicide Grunt, pacing nervously near the wreckage
Opposing them, the UNSC deployed a compact but highly coordinated Marine force, anchored by Sergeant Johnson, whose presence alone promised trouble.
The Battlefield
The forest pressed in on all sides, its thick canopy and undergrowth severely limiting visibility. Long‑range firing lanes were rare and unreliable, forcing both sides to maneuver cautiously between trees, ruins, and containers.
The crashed transport dominated the center of the table, forming
a natural strongpoint—and a deadly kill zone. Any unit holding it would control the flow of the battle, but staying there meant enduring relentless close‑range fighting.
Snipers on both sides struggled to find clean shots, frequently repositioning as the shifting battle lines denied them stable sightlines.
Opening Engagements
The Covenant struck fast and hard.
Using the cover of the forest and the abandoned structures, Covenant units surged forward and quickly eliminated the UNSC communications Marine before he could trigger a redeployment maneuver. With UNSC coordination briefly disrupted, the Covenant seized the area around the crash site and secured the central objective, scoring an early lead in victory points.
For a moment, it looked like the Covenant would lock the Marines out of the town entirely.
Pressure Builds
The UNSC responded by tightening their formation and preparing a Pelican‑supported push into the settlement. Marines advanced through the trees and ruins, using cover to close the distance while avoiding the worst of Covenant fire.
As the battle dragged on, Covenant momentum began to falter. Missed shots, failed damage rolls, and increasing UNSC pressure slowly eroded their advantage. The fighting shifted decisively into close quarters—shotguns, plasma pistols, and grenades dominating the narrow streets and wreckage‑strewn ground.
At the center of it all, Sergeant Johnson pushed forward with grim determination.
Disaster Narrowly Avoided
One of the most dramatic moments came when the Covenant nearly wiped out a tightly packed group of Marines near the crashed transport.
A perfectly thrown plasma grenade landed squarely among them. Had it gone off as planned, it would have broken the UNSC advance entirely.
At the last possible moment, Johnson issued a rapid command redeployment, pulling his Marines clear just before the blast engulfed the area. The explosion tore through empty ground and wreckage instead of power armor—turning what should have been a decisive Covenant strike into a missed opportunity.
Johnson Takes the Field
Surviving the blast, Johnson immediately counterattacked.
Leading from the front, shotgun roaring, he tore through Covenant infantry around the crash site. Grunts fell in droves, Jackal lines buckled under sustained pressure, and the Covenant formation began to collapse as the Marines pushed deeper into the settlement.
The Suicide Grunt remained a constant threat, forcing careful positioning and slowing the UNSC advance—but it wasn’t enough to stop the momentum shift.
The final round was tense and hard‑fought, with both sides trading blows amid the ruins and burning wreckage. In the end, UNSC control of the crash site and surrounding objectives secured the victory.
Final Result
UNSC Victory
A narrow, hard‑earned win after a brutal fight over the wrecked transport.
Final Thoughts
An extremely close and cinematic game from start to finish.
- The crashed transport gave the battle a clear narrative focus
- Dense forest and ruined structures forced constant movement
- Objectives kept both sides under pressure at all times
- Several clutch moments dramatically altered the flow of battle
Sergeant Johnson fully lived up to his reputation during the late‑game push.
Easily one of the most enjoyable test games so far.
Post‑Game Analysis & Balance Notes
Overall impressions of balance were very positive. The rules flowed smoothly, and the match stayed competitive right up to the final activation.
Grunts
Grunts are currently costed at 5 points, and while reducing them to 4 was briefly considered, post‑game reflection suggests this isn’t necessary yet. Many Covenant losses were likely due to player mistakes—especially forgetting key rules like Stand Together during critical turns.
Further testing is planned before any changes are made.
Elites
Elite units performed exceptionally well, carrying much of the Covenant’s offensive pressure. Future Covenant forces will likely include more Elites, as they proved reliable in both attack and defense.
Suicide Grunt
A standout unit. The Suicide Grunt exerted constant psychological pressure, shaping UNSC movement throughout the game. Expect to see more of them in future Covenant lists.
