How to Dominate the Early Game in XCOM 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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Getting a strong start in XCOM 2 is crucial for long-term success. The initial months are unforgiving, and poor decisions can lead to a downward spiral. To get the best start, you need to prioritize strategic base building, smart soldier management, and effective tactical gameplay. This means immediately building a Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS) or Resistance Ring in War of the Chosen, focusing on squad size upgrades and rapidly promoting Rookies, while also understanding the importance of resources like Intel, Scientists, and Engineers. Don’t get overwhelmed, with a structured approach you can turn the tide against ADVENT from the very beginning.
Building a Solid Foundation: Base Construction and Priorities
The Avenger, your mobile base, is the heart of your operations. The first few buildings you construct will significantly impact your early progress.
Prioritize the Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS) or Resistance Ring
Your very first facility should be the Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS) in the base game or the Resistance Ring in War of the Chosen. Both are invaluable for the early game.
- GTS (Base Game): This is essential for unlocking Combat Tactics, allowing you to increase your squad size and boost the experience gain of your soldiers. Getting that extra soldier on the field early dramatically improves your tactical options. You can also access more powerful perks early on.
- Resistance Ring (War of the Chosen): While it does not boost your squad size, it offers access to Covert Actions, which are crucial for generating resources, getting new soldiers, and completing vital intel gathering. It is recommended to follow up your Resistance Ring with the GTS as soon as possible.
Follow-up Construction: A Balanced Approach
After your initial priority, consider the following order:
- Power Relay: You’ll need power to build more facilities, so this is an early must. Strategically placed near an existing steam vent can give an early boost.
- Resistance Comms: To make contact with new regions, expand your reach, and secure resources, this is essential.
- Advanced Warfare Center (AWC): This will reduce soldier recovery time, allowing you to keep your best troops fighting fit and more rapidly remove negative soldier traits and train them to have positive traits. It also enables retraining of soldiers, which is incredibly valuable if you are stuck with a poor skill choice.
- Proving Grounds: This unlocks many important and highly powerful upgrades and experimental weaponry you can use.
- Psi Lab: This allows you to train Psionic soldiers, which are an immense late-game asset.
This balanced approach ensures you can grow your squad, expand your reach, and keep your troops in peak condition. Remember to consider your specific situation and make adjustments as needed.
Soldier Management: Leveling and Deployment
Your soldiers are your most valuable asset. Managing them effectively is vital for success.
Promote Rookies ASAP
Get your Rookies leveled up as soon as you can. This is often done by taking them along on missions and being careful to protect them. Avoid taking more than one Rookie on a mission if possible. This maximizes their survivability, keeps them out of bad situations, and ensures you aren’t relying on a squad of ill-prepared soldiers. The GTS allows you to choose which classes a Rookie can become. By promoting them you increase your strategic options.
Prioritize Experience Gain
Use the Combat Tactics from the GTS to gain more experience and have a higher chance of survival. Remember that you can gain additional experience from mission assists, which will help level your team out evenly.
Diversify Your Squad
Don’t rely too much on one or two types of soldiers. Instead, ensure you have a good mix of abilities and classes to deal with the different threats you will face. Some of the best early-game classes are the Grenadier, the Ranger, and the Specialist when playing the base game, and the Reaper is the most important for War of the Chosen.
Tactical Gameplay: Key Strategies
Your tactics on the ground are equally important as your strategic choices.
Use Frag Grenades Liberally
Frag Grenades are your best friend in the early game. They can take out cover, injure multiple enemies, and eliminate weaker foes outright. Don’t be shy about using them!
Don’t Split Up the Squad
Always stick together as a team. Separating units makes them vulnerable to being flanked and easily picked off. Use the Overwatch ability often to keep a secure perimeter.
Utilize Cover and Line of Sight
Cover is essential for survival, and proper management of line of sight is crucial to avoid ambushes and to flank your enemies. Learn to predict the enemy’s movements based on line of sight.
Alien Autopsies
Alien Autopsies are important for gaining new technologies and insights into the aliens’ capabilities. Complete them as soon as possible to gain a technological advantage.
Walls as Doors
Remember that most walls can be destroyed, giving you new avenues of attack, flanking positions, or escape routes.
Resource Management: Intel, Scientists, and Engineers
Managing your resources is just as important as your troops and facilities.
- Intel: Used to uncover Dark Events, purchase items from the Black Market, and expand your reach. Prioritize acquiring Intel whenever possible.
- Scientists: Speed up your research and allow for new technologies to be unlocked faster.
- Engineers: Allow you to build facilities more quickly and can be assigned to increase the efficiency of your operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that beginners have about starting XCOM 2:
What is the best order to build in XCOM 2?
The optimal order is usually: GTS/Resistance Ring > Power Relay > Resistance Comms > Advanced Warfare Center > Proving Grounds > Psi Lab. This order allows for a good balance between troop advancement, expanding your reach, and accessing powerful upgrades.
What should I prioritize researching early on?
Prioritize Resistance Comms and Resistance Radio to expand your reach, and focus on weaponry upgrades before armor. Additionally, research the Muton autopsy as soon as it is available, as it unlocks essential mid-game research options.
What is the most OP class in XCOM 2?
The Reaper class is often considered the most powerful due to their stealth and reconnaissance abilities, particularly in War of the Chosen. Followed by the Grenadier, the Ranger, and Specialist.
Who is the strongest enemy in XCOM 2?
The Berserker is known for their devastating melee attacks and the potential to become enraged, increasing their attack range and damage output. The Archon King is the hardest to kill and the most powerful Alien Ruler.
Should I start with War of the Chosen or XCOM 2?
It’s recommended to start with the base XCOM 2 before jumping into War of the Chosen. This allows you to understand the core mechanics before introducing the complex new systems of the expansion.
How many soldiers should I have in XCOM 2?
On Easy or Normal difficulty, 12 soldiers can be enough if you cycle low-level troops in. For higher difficulties, you’ll want to aim for around 24 soldiers.
What is the best starting country in XCOM 2?
It depends on your strategy. The US is good if you plan on focusing on aircraft, while Europe is beneficial for research and engineering-focused strategies.
What is the most powerful weapon in XCOM 2?
The Plasma Bolt Caster has the highest damage per shot among standard weapons but requires a reload after each shot.
How can I make XCOM 2 easier?
You can adjust settings such as Lengthy Scheme to double the Avatar Project timer or Time Turner to double mission timers. However, the best approach is to practice and improve your skills as a commander.
How do I level up fast in XCOM 2?
Each “mission assist” is worth 1 XP, while the amount of XP given for a kill is dependant on their class multiplier. For example, a specialist gives 3 points, a ranger 4 points, and a sharpshooter/grenadier 5 points.
Is XCOM 2 beginner friendly?
XCOM 2 is an acceptable entry point to the genre on lower difficulties. The game design accepts failure and thus it is a forgiving game with some time investment.
Does XCOM 2 have a time limit?
There is a “doomsday” meter that increases as the game goes on, which is known as the Avatar Project, which if filled means a game over. You must keep this in check to ensure your success.
Can you save dead soldiers in XCOM 2?
Yes, soldiers can carry unconscious and dead soldiers to the EVAC zone. If you do this, they will retain their equipment, and prevent them from bleeding out.
How important is Combat Intelligence in XCOM 2?
Combat Intelligence, added in the War of the Chosen DLC, determines how quickly soldiers earn Ability Points during combat, allowing them to purchase more skills faster.
Can you ignore Retaliation Missions in XCOM 2?
Failing or ignoring a Retaliation Strike will result in a loss of contact with the region and permanently reduce income.
By following these strategies, and paying attention to the information presented above, you will have the best chance to succeed in XCOM 2. Good luck commander, humanity is relying on you!