Prepare for all out war as another Halo Wars 2 open beta is about to begin. The second beta for the upcoming Halo-based real time strategy (RTS) game begins on January 20 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. This beta will feature a new game mode – Blitz. Check out the trailer below:

The beta test will be available for free on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC from January 20 through January 30. Xbox One players will have to have an active Xbox Live Gold account in order to play. No subscription is required for PC players.

Microsoft is jumping into the digital trading card game (TCG) mix. The highlighted Blitz game mode will be revolved around a TCG aspect. Players will have to make their way to various capture points in order to fill a “Capture” meter before their opponent. Visiting a “base” will allow you to draw cards which consist of new units, attacks, and boosts to overpower the opposing team. As described by the official Halo Wars 2 website:

Blitz is an entirely new way to experience Halo Wars and real-time strategy gameplay. Combining tactical combat with card-based strategy, your deck is your army in Blitz as you build collections of powerful Halo vehicles and troops and command those units in fast-action matches online or solo against waves of enemies.

For the beta, one map titled Proving Grounds will be available. Through matchmaking, players will be able to choose one-on-one, two-on-two, or three-on-three multiplayer modes. Players taking advantage of the beta will be able to perform in daily and weekly challenges that Microsoft plans to roll out. The challenges are made to test the limits of gameplay before the game’s final release.

Halo Wars 2 is slated for a February 21, 2017 release, making the beta a very important tool to get in any required updates before launch. Those who take part in the free test can leave their experience feedback at Halo Waypoint forums.

Will you be playing the Halo Wars 2 open beta? Let us know in the comments section below and stay tuned with DFTG for all of your gaming news.