Powering Your Resistance: A Comprehensive Guide to Energy in XCOM 2
In XCOM 2, managing your Avenger’s power supply is crucial for expanding your operations, researching new technologies, and training your soldiers. Without adequate power, you’ll quickly find your progress stalled. So, how exactly do you get more power in XCOM 2? The primary method is through constructing Power Relays, which form the backbone of your base’s energy infrastructure. You start with a free power supply and need to build more structures to maintain your base. The game gives you a starter power supply.
Understanding Power Relays
Basic Power Output
Each Power Relay you build provides an additional 3 power to the Avenger. This baseline output is essential for maintaining a functional base and gradually expanding your capabilities. Building more relays allows you to construct more facilities, which in turn enable more powerful research and development and soldier training.
The Engineer Boost
Staffing an Engineer at a Power Relay adds a significant boost, increasing its power output by an additional 5 power. This makes having engineers a high priority for base management. This is often your first step in increasing your power generation beyond its base.
Utilizing Power Coils
To truly maximize your power output, you need to take advantage of power coils. These special locations, which appear at random on your Avenger, provide significant bonuses when building on top of them. A Power Relay built atop an exposed power coil will generate an extra 7 power. This makes locating and utilizing these coils critically important, particularly in the early game.
The Shielded Coil Bonus
There is a further bonus. Shielded Power Coils are more difficult to access as they are often found on the lower levels of the Avenger. These are more difficult to get to since you must pay resources to clean the way, however they give the highest bonus. When a Power Relay is built on a shielded power coil, it will generate an additional 10 power. This is the most significant single power boost you can get from a single structure. This makes securing and cleaning these locations a priority once you have the resources to do so.
Maximizing Power Coil Benefits
Given the scarcity of power coils, it’s best to always use them for Power Relays. While other facilities that require significant power, like the Psi Lab, might seem like good candidates for the power coil bonus, the overall impact of increased power infrastructure outweighs the benefits from other buildings.
Upgrading Your Relays
Later in the game, you’ll gain the ability to upgrade your Power Relays. This upgrade further enhances their base power output, but crucially, it also boosts the power generated by the power coil bonuses. Upgrading the power relays should be a high priority after you have established your base and soldier training, making power coil locations even more valuable.
Strategic Placement
While power coils are the ideal location for your Power Relays, they are not always readily accessible. You may need to strategically place your other relays to support the facilities you need. Consider grouping your high-power facilities together so they are close to the Power Relays and ensure a clean power path.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need two Power Relays in XCOM 2?
Yes, absolutely. While the game starts you off with some free power, you will quickly need at least two Power Relays to support your base’s operations. One should ideally be built on a power coil, while the second can be placed strategically to support your other facilities.
2. What can I build on power coils besides Power Relays?
While theoretically you can build any facility that fits within the space, Power Relays are the most advantageous structure to build on power coils due to the massive power boost they receive. Facilities like the Psi Lab could benefit from the bonus power, the overall power infrastructure is far more valuable.
3. How many Power Relays should I build?
The number of Power Relays you need depends on your base size and expansion. Aim for one to two early, and add more as needed. Prioritize utilizing your power coils first. You will likely need at least 4-5 by the mid game.
4. Should I prioritize building on shielded power coils?
Yes, shielded power coils provide the largest power bonus (+10). You should definitely clean a space for them once you have the ability and resources to do so.
5. What is the best order to build facilities early in XCOM 2?
A common and effective build order is: Guerilla Training School, Resistance Comms, Power Relay on an exposed coil, Proving Grounds, and then a Psi Lab. A Power Relay on an exposed coil should be within the first few buildings you establish.
6. How does staffing engineers improve power output?
Staffing an Engineer at a Power Relay adds a flat +5 power to the relay’s output. This significantly increases your energy generation.
7. Can I move a Power Relay once built?
No, you cannot move buildings once they have been constructed, so make sure you are placing them wisely, particularly with power coils.
8. How do I find power coils on the Avenger?
Power coils will appear randomly in designated locations on your Avenger. They can be either exposed or shielded. Check all the build locations, and be aware that shielded coils must have the adjacent areas cleared in order to be built on.
9. Can I build multiple Power Relays on power coils?
Yes, if you have multiple power coils, you can build multiple Power Relays on them. This is the best way to maximize your power output. The game only gives you a limited number.
10. How important is power management in XCOM 2?
Power management is absolutely essential. Without sufficient power, you’ll be unable to build essential facilities and will experience severe operational restrictions.
11. Does upgrading my Power Relays further boost power coil bonuses?
Yes, upgrading your Power Relays not only boosts their base power output but also further increases the bonus provided by power coils.
12. How quickly should I build a second Power Relay?
As soon as you build enough infrastructure that the first one cannot handle, usually after the Proving Grounds. This can be after the early research and first missions to level up the team.
13. What is the maximum power output for a Power Relay?
A Power Relay on a shielded power coil, with an engineer stationed at it, will generate the maximum power output before upgrades. With max upgrades, these will get additional output.
14. How many engineers should I have on the Avenger?
You should prioritize getting engineers early. Aim for 2-3 engineers early in the game to maximize construction and power efficiency. Later, it’s advisable to have at least 4 to cover all aspects of your base. You may need to recruit them from the market.
15. Is it better to get an engineer or build a facility that needs power early?
Engineers are crucial early on due to their ability to boost power output at the power relays. Focus on getting Engineers before you build a facility that will cause a power deficit.
By understanding the importance of Power Relays, utilizing power coils, and employing engineers effectively, you can ensure a steady stream of energy, supporting your operations and ultimately helping you defeat the alien threat in XCOM 2.