It's a big day for Halo Wars 2, as Microsoft today released the RTS sequel's latest update and DLC leader. Starting with the update, it adds a big new feature in the form of HDR lighting support on Xbox One S. That's the only new feature added, but there are also stability tweaks, including fixes for various crash scenarios. Some of the gameplay changes featured in this update include a new allied view indicator for the mini-map, two new themes for the Proving Ground Blitz map, and Blitz playlists now showing up in the main "Find Match" screen for multiplayer.

Additionally, an exploit for "Combat Salvage" has been removed with this update. There are also some audio changes, including the dialogue line "Upgraded Complete" for leaders where it was missing. Additionally, Microsoft changed the "high frequency" sound on the Highway's Forerunner structure because it was proving to be "unpleasant to hear."

You can see the full patch notes below, as posted by Microsoft on the Halo Waypoint site. As for the new Halo Wars 2 DLC leader, Sgt. Johnson is out now on Windows 10 and should come to Xbox One very soon, according to community manager Brian Jarrard.

Halo Wars 2's previous released DLC leaders included Kinsano and Colony; they are included with the game's $30 DLC pass or can be purchased individually for $6 each. Presumably, the same is true for Sgt. Johnson.

The patch is a big one, coming in at around 8 GB. Microsoft says if your download looks like it's frozen, it's a good idea to "just leave it and be patient. It will eventually resume." You can trigger the download to start right away by rebooting your console, but this method requires you to install the entire game again, so it might not be the best idea.

Halo Wars 2 May 22 Patch Notes:


New Feature:
  • Support for HDR lighting is now enabled for console players with compatible hardware

Stability:
  • Players should no longer have a chance of loading into the game without the ability to issue any commands
  • Fixed a crash that rarely occurred after signing in on the Main Menu
  • Fixed a crash when playing against AI in Firefight or Skirmish mode
  • Fixed a desync that could occur in ranked 2v2 games
  • Fixed a crash on "Last Stand" that could occur from loading from an old save from a previous release
  • Fixed a crash that could occur when attacking the first barricade in the Prologue

Gameplay:
  • Added allied view indicator to the mini-map
  • Added 2 new themes to "Proving Ground" Blitz map
  • Blitz playlists will now also appear in the main multiplayer "Find Match" screen
  • Made "Restoration Drones" get more expensive when it is upgraded to its 3rd tier
  • Adjusted the Foundry so that its always hit by Hunters' and Marines' upgraded projectiles when attacked
  • Added better "Combat Salvage" visual effects when a unit dies and is immediately built back at base
  • Removed an exploit with "Combat Salvage"
  • Reworked a targeting exploit that could occur with using "Extraction"
  • Pelicans and Darts should no longer leave floating lights above bases
  • Made it so that "Ghost in the Machine" would no longer disable Colony's "Combat Repair" on the units it borrowed
  • Spartans no longer strip upgrades from vehicles they hijack
  • Some tech upgrades were not applying completely to some units
  • Fixed an issue with moving units not properly attacking Garrisoned units
  • Units teleported off the map are now teleported back to your base
  • Spartans no longer increase the level of units they hijack

Localization/Accessibility:
  • Made card pack descriptions show up in the appropriate language for France and Taiwan
  • Added text to the Pelican Transport level 2 when selected on the leader power radial

Audio:
  • Added "Upgrade Complete" voice over for various leaders that was missing
  • Adjusted the audio to the Forerunner structure on Highway to remove the high frequency that could be unpleasant to hear
  • Audio/music should no longer drop from games played through a playlist
  • Locust beam is no longer audible in the fog of war
  • Hellbringers should no longer play Kinsano voiceover when being attacked by an enemy Spartan

Source: GameSpot