- Rise of the Banished expands Halo: Flashpoint with Atriox's aggressive, melee-heavy faction.
- Faction identity: heavy weapons, brutal close combat, and early-game pressure define the playstyle.
- Best targets: unprotected objective holders and defensive UNSC positions crumble under concentrated assault.
- Counterplay: spread threats, use cover, and deny charge lanes to blunt Banished momentum.
- Tools: use the official Halo: Flashpoint App to build and validate Banished Fireteams.
What Is Rise of the Banished?
Rise of the Banished is the faction expansion that brings Atriox's warband onto the tabletop in Halo: Flashpoint, Mantic Games' officially licensed tactical miniature skirmish game. Where Spartan and ODST forces reward disciplined fire and objective control, the Banished reward direct confrontation: heavy weapons, brutal melee attacks, and specialists that force opponents away from contested areas.
The expansion fits the core game's design frame — 2 players, 30–90 minute skirmishes, ages 14+ — while shifting the tactical tempo. Banished units such as Jiralhanae (Brutes), Sangheili raiders, Grunts, and Jackals give the faction a distinct combined-arms profile, anchored by Atriox himself as a high-impact character model.
Rise of the Banished suits players who enjoy aggressive, confrontation-driven lists over careful positional play. If you like forcing your opponent to react from turn one, this is your faction.
Expansion overview at a glance:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Faction | The Banished (Atriox's warband) |
| Playstyle | Aggressive assault, heavy weapons, melee pressure |
| Featured units | Jiralhanae, Sangheili, Grunts, Jackals, Atriox |
| Core game stats | 2 players, 30–90 min, age 14+ |
| Official rules tool | Flashpoint App / Index |
| Rules updates | Official FAQ & Errata |
Banished Faction Identity and Unit Roles
The Banished function as a shock force. Their unit cards emphasize strong attack profiles and close-range threat over flexibility, which shapes every deployment decision you make. Understanding each unit's battlefield role is the first step toward building a coherent Fireteam instead of a loose collection of strong models.
Atriox
- Faction anchor character
- High-impact individual threat
- Draws enemy attention and breaks defensive lines
- Best used where the fight is hardest
Jiralhanae (Brutes)
- Heavy assault line
- Strong melee attacks and durability
- Ideal for pushing enemies off objectives
- Pairs well with supporting ranged units
Sangheili and specialists
- Elite versatility
- Energy weapons and role-specific traits
- Flexible threat ranges
- Fill gaps between Brute aggression and cheap bodies
Unit role comparison:
| Unit Type | Battlefield Role | Strengths | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atriox | Line-breaker | High damage, command presence | Point cost, becomes a focus target |
| Jiralhanae | Assault core | Melee power, durability | Slow approach into open ground |
| Sangheili | Elite flex | Weapon variety, threat range | Needs coordinated support |
| Jackals | Skirmish screen | Cheap bodies, area denial | Fragile against concentrated fire |
| Grunts | Objective filler | Numbers, board presence | Low individual impact |
Do not send every Banished model forward at once. A staggered assault keeps pressure continuous across rounds instead of creating one all-or-nothing push your opponent can punish.
Step-by-Step: Building a Banished Fireteam
Follow this workflow to move from unopened box to a validated, tabletop-ready Fireteam. The official Web App handles list construction, points tracking, and rules checks, so build there rather than on paper.
Create a Fireteam in the App
Open the official Halo: Flashpoint Web App and start a new Fireteam. Select the Banished faction options available for your collection.
Add Your Core Threats
Add your primary assault units — Atriox and Jiralhanae form a natural core. Keep the roster compact while learning; fewer, stronger models teach positioning faster.
Fill Support Roles
Add skirmish screens and objective tools such as Jackals or Grunts. These inexpensive models contest areas and protect your expensive attackers from being baited.
Review Points and Weapons
Check the running points total and configure available weapons. Match weapon choices to your scenario plan rather than defaulting to the most expensive option.
Validate, Save, and Play
Use the app's rules references to confirm the list is legal, save it, and bring it to the table. Start with a simple scenario like Team Slayer before objective-heavy missions.
Suggested build progression:
| Stage | Focus | Example Composition |
|---|---|---|
| First games | Learn the faction | Atriox + 2 assault units + 1 screen |
| Casual play | Scenario coverage | Add objective specialists and a second character |
| Organized play | Tournament-ready list | Balanced mix validated against the current tournament pack |
Banished rosters tempt you toward expensive power units. Reserve at least a third of your points for screens and objective tools, or you will lose missions while winning fights.
Tactics: Applying Pressure the Right Way
Banished tactics revolve around converting early pressure into late-game board control. Your assault units want to force opponents away from contested areas, but the win usually comes from objectives, not eliminations — the same lesson that governs every faction in Halo: Flashpoint.
Core tactical principles:
| Principle | How to Apply It |
|---|---|
| Staggered assault | Advance units in waves so pressure continues across rounds |
| Cover discipline | Use terrain on approach; Brutes are strong, not invulnerable |
| Target priority | Attack exposed objective holders, not the toughest model |
| Screen protection | Keep cheap units between enemies and your expensive attackers |
| Lane denial | Position melee threats to cut off reinforcement routes |
A well-run Banished push forces your opponent into bad trades: either they abandon objectives or they commit units into your melee threats. Recognize that moment and consolidate rather than overextending.
Playing against the Banished also follows clear rules: spread your deployment so one charge cannot cripple you, keep firing lanes open, and refuse fights your units cannot win. Competitive Banished lists punish players who cluster.
Pre-Game Checklist:
- Fireteam built and validated in the official App
- Unit cards checked for latest FAQ and Errata updates
- Scenario objectives read before deployment
- Assault waves planned with cover routes identified
- Screens assigned to protect key attackers
Expanding Your Collection and Staying Current
Rise of the Banished slots into the broader Halo: Flashpoint product line. New players typically start with a core starter experience — such as the Spartan Edition — and add the Banished expansion to field the opposing faction or run mirror matches. From there, terrain, unit card updates, and additional expansions keep the table evolving.
Mantic's official roadmap and news feed announce new releases, organized play packs, and rules updates, while the Flashpoint product pages list current boxes. Because points values and card wording change over time, always verify your roster against the current app data before an event.
| Expansion Priority | Product Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| First | Core starter set | Models, rules, dice, tokens — everything to play |
| Second | Rise of the Banished | Adds the faction and Atriox |
| Third | Terrain packs | Cover-heavy tables favor better games |
| Fourth | Unit Card Update Pack | Keeps older cards current with official revisions |
Tournament organizers use the pack supplied for their event, which can override general rules. Check the specific event documents before list finalization — see official Halo news.
FAQ
Q: Is Rise of the Banished a standalone game?
No. Rise of the Banished is a faction expansion for Halo: Flashpoint. You need the core game components — rules, dice, tokens, and terrain — from a starter product such as the Spartan Edition to play.
Q: Are the Banished good for beginners?
They are playable but demanding. The Banished reward aggression and target discipline, and mistakes with expensive units are punished quickly. Many new players learn faster with Spartan or ODST forces first, then add the Banished once they understand movement and objectives.
Q: How do I check if my Banished unit cards are current?
Use the official FAQ and Errata page plus the Halo: Flashpoint App. Updated card wording and app data take priority when an official update applies, so always verify before tournament play.
Q: Can Banished units win objective-based scenarios against UNSC forces?
Yes. While the faction leans toward combat pressure, Banished lists include cheap screens and objective tools that contest areas effectively. Success depends on staggering your assault so units arrive to hold objectives rather than overextending early.