Halo: Ground Command Lives! Our Studio Paints a Fan-Favorite Collection
Every so often, a project lands in our studio that’s a real “blast from the past,” and this recent Halo: Ground Command commission was exactly that.
A client, who absolutely loved this classic tabletop wargame, approached us with a treasured collection of its miniatures. Their passion for the game, set in the rich Halo universe during the Human-Covenant War, was infectious, and their dream was to see these forces finally brought to life with a professional paint job.
For those who might not remember it, or perhaps are new to the name, Halo: Ground Command was a 1:100 scale tabletop wargame developed by the now-defunct Spartan Games. It was designed to let players command entire armies from the iconic Halo universe, recreating those epic land battles between the UNSC and the Covenant with legions of infantry, squadrons of vehicles, and even air support. Though no longer officially produced, its focus on larger engagements offered a unique perspective on Halo warfare.
What makes this story even cooler is that while Spartan Games may be gone, Halo: Ground Command is far from forgotten. A dedicated community keeps the game alive and kicking! They’ve put together an incredible online resource – we’re talking STLs for 3D printing miniatures, the full rulebooks, and community updates to keep those dropships flying. Here is the Google Drive to all those files, so, check it out.
For now, let’s crack straight into the units we had the honor of painting for this special Halo: Ground Command project.
UNSC Units Deployed: Humanity's Finest
The United Nations Space Command, or UNSC, is pretty much humanity’s main line of defense against all the nasty stuff out there in the 26th century – and top of that list is usually the Covenant. These guys fight tooth and nail for survival across countless planets, relying on good old-fashioned grit, numbers when they can get them, and of course, their legendary Spartan super-soldiers. Their gear looks like it means business, their tactics are often down-and-dirty, but you can’t question their determination.
Spartans - Humanity’s Walking Battle Tanks
When things get really hairy, the UNSC calls in the big guns: the Spartans. These guys are legends for a reason. Genetically beefed up, cybernetically enhanced, and wearing the iconic MJOLNIR powered armor, each Spartan is basically a one-person army. They’re incredibly strong, fast, tough, and just plain deadly. In Halo: Ground Command, even a single Spartan is a game-changer, capable of taking on multiple Covenant bad guys and making nearby UNSC troops fight a whole lot harder.
UNSC Infantry - The Boots on the Ground
At the heart of the UNSC’s war machine are the regular Joes and Janes of the Marine Corps and Army. Armed with their trusty MA5 assault rifles, M6 pistols, and a pocketful of frags, these troopers are the ones holding the line against some truly terrifying alien threats.
- Infantry Squads: These are your bread-and-butter UNSC troops. Their job is to take ground, hold objectives, and go toe-to-toe with Covenant infantry.
- Fire Support Units: When you need something a bit punchier, these squads bring out the heavy gear – machine guns, rocket launchers, sniper rifles. Perfect for dealing with angry Hunters or enemy vehicles.
- Officer Units: Every squad needs a good leader. UNSC Officers keep their troops motivated, call the shots, and generally make sure everyone’s fighting effectively, which is a big deal on the chaotic battlefields of Halo: Ground Command.
UNSC Warthogs - Fast, Furious, and Ready to Scout
The Warthog. If you know Halo, you know this vehicle. The M12 Force Application Vehicle is the go-to light vehicle for the UNSC. It’s quick, surprisingly tough for its size, and you can slap all sorts of guns on it – machine guns, Gauss cannons, rocket launchers, you name it. Whether it’s zipping infantry squads to where they need to be, flanking the enemy, or just providing some much-needed mobile firepower, Warthogs are always in the thick of it. In a game of Halo: Ground Command, having a couple of these can really help you run circles around slower Covenant units.
Covenant Forces Mobilized: The Alien Crusade
The Covenant. This is a powerful, a-bit-scary alliance of different alien species, all united by their fanatical belief in the ancient Forerunners. They think activating the Halo rings will send them on a “Great Journey” to becoming gods or something, and they started a brutal holy war against humanity because they see us as an insult to their beliefs. Their tech is way out there, their energy weapons pack a serious punch, and their religious zeal makes them incredibly dangerous foes.
Covenant Infantry - The Diverse Ranks of the Devout
The Covenant military relies on a whole bunch of different alien species to do their dirty work, usually under the command of an Elite or, later in the war, a Brute.
Elite Officers and Zealots - Faith, Fury, and Energy Swords
Higher-ranking Elites are the ones calling the shots for bigger Covenant operations. You’ll often see them in flashier armor – gold or white – and carrying better gear, like deadly Energy Swords. Zealots are the real hardcore believers among the Elites. These guys are fanatics, often leading assaults or guarding important stuff. They’re masters of combat, especially with those glowing Energy Swords, and can give even a Spartan a run for their money.
Elite Minors & Grunts - The Classic Combo
In Halo: Ground Command, you’ll often see Covenant fireteams made up of one Sangheili (that’s an Elite) Minor leading a couple of Unggoy (Grunts). The Elite Minor is a proud, skilled warrior with energy shields and usually a Plasma Rifle or Covenant Carbine. They’re the brains and brawn of the squad. The Grunts? Well, they’re small, not too bright, and tend to run away if things go bad, but there are a LOT of them. Armed with Plasma Pistols and sticky plasma grenades, they can be surprisingly dangerous in numbers, especially when an Elite is yelling at them.
Covenant Hunters - Twin Terrors in Armor
The Mgalekgolo, or Hunters as most folks call them, aren’t your typical soldier. They’re actually two bonded colonies of little worm-like critters called Lekgolo, all packed into super-tough armor. One “arm” is a massive assault cannon that spits out devastating globs of explosive gel, and the other is a nearly unbreakable shield made from starship armor. Good luck trying to take these down with small arms fire! In Halo: Ground Command, Hunters are the Covenant’s living siege engines, perfect for smashing through defensive lines and wrecking vehicles.
Scenery Elements
It’s not all about the troops and tanks, right? The battlefields of the Halo universe have their own iconic look. This Halo: Ground Command project also included various scenery pieces – things like UNSC barricades and bits of Covenant structures.
Got an Old Favorite Game That Needs Some Paint?
Seeing this classic Halo: Ground Command army all painted up and ready for action really shows what this hobby is all about, right? It’s awesome when a client brings us a game they’re passionate about, especially one like this that has such a dedicated fanbase keeping it alive. We think every collection, whether it’s for a current hot game or a treasured older system, should look its best on the table.
And that’s what we do here. Our studio paints all sorts of miniatures – doesn’t matter if it’s the latest big release, a retro gem, or a whole army in a smaller scale like these 15mm Halo: Ground Command figures. So, if you’ve got a “blast from the past” project of your own, or any unpainted minis you want to see looking sharp and ready for battle, we can handle it.
Just drop us a message! Let’s talk about your project and get those miniatures painted.
