How to Stop Bleeding Out in XCOM 2: A Comprehensive Guide
In XCOM 2, the fight against the alien invaders is a constant struggle for survival. One of the most harrowing scenarios you’ll face is a soldier bleeding out on the battlefield. When a soldier takes a critical hit, they don’t always die outright; sometimes, they enter a bleeding out state, indicated by a timer ticking down above their head. If that timer reaches zero, the soldier is lost forever. This article provides a comprehensive guide to stopping a soldier from bleeding out in XCOM 2, along with answers to frequently asked questions to help you better manage battlefield emergencies.
Saving Your Soldiers from Bleeding Out
The most direct answer to the question “How do you stop bleeding out in XCOM 2?” is threefold: you can evacuate them by carrying them to the extraction point, use a Medikit or use a Specialist with the Medical Protocol ability to Stabilize them.
Evacuation by Carrying
The most basic way to save a bleeding out soldier is to have another soldier physically carry them to the evacuation zone. Any soldier can carry a downed ally. Once a soldier is carried, they are removed from the battlefield and considered safe. Remember though, the carrying soldier will only move at half-speed making them a vulnerable target in a firefight. Also, the evac zone might be far away, or inaccessible requiring more complex strategies.
Stabilizing with a Medikit
A soldier carrying a Medikit can move within range of a bleeding out ally and use the “Stabilize” action. This will stop the bleed-out timer and render the soldier unconscious with 1 health, effectively saving their life during the mission. The stabilized soldier cannot perform any actions for the remainder of the mission, but can still be evacuated.
Using the Specialist’s Medical Protocol
The Specialist class has an invaluable ability called “Medical Protocol”. This ability works like the medikit, allowing the specialist to remotely stabilize a bleeding out soldier, provided they are within range of the Specialist’s drone, the GREMLIN. This is a fantastic option for a bleeding out soldier far from the rest of the squad, or in a dangerous position. The stabilized soldier will be unconscious with 1 health and unable to act for the remainder of the mission.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bleeding Out and Healing in XCOM 2
To further enhance your understanding of soldier survival and medical care, here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions with detailed answers:
1. What happens when the bleed-out timer reaches zero?
If a soldier’s bleed-out timer expires, they die. The soldier cannot be revived or recovered later. All items and equipment they were carrying are also lost unless they are evacuated. This is why it is absolutely critical to try and save them before that happens!
2. How do wounds work in XCOM 2?
Wounds in XCOM 2 are tiered based on the percentage of a soldier’s health lost in a single hit. These tiers are: 0-20%, 21-50%, 51-75%, and 75-99%. Taking damage in the 75-99% range puts the soldier at a high risk of being gravely wounded, although they might only receive a light wound. If a soldier takes over 100% of their health in a single shot, they will die outright or enter a bleed-out state.
3. How do you heal unconscious soldiers?
Unconscious soldiers can only be revived with the Specialist’s GREMLIN Revive ability or by being evacuated after being stabilized. A bleeding out soldier that is stabilized will become unconscious with 1 health point. A Psi Operative’s Solace ability can prevent soldiers from becoming unconscious in the first place if used before the damage is taken.
4. How can I speed up the healing process?
The Infirmary facility is used primarily to speed up the healing process of your soldiers. By staffing an engineer there, you will double the speed of healing, which is vital for keeping your squad ready.
5. How does the “Stabilize” action work?
Any soldier with a Medikit can use the “Stabilize” action on a critically wounded soldier that is bleeding out. This prevents the soldier from dying from their current wounds and renders them unconscious for the duration of the mission with 1 health.
6. What should I prioritize in the early game?
In the early game, prioritize Intel, Scientists, and Engineers. Intel is essential for purchasing upgrades and uncovering Dark Events. Scientists and Engineers speed up research and build time, as well as provide much needed bonuses to production. This will enable your team to grow and evolve to take on the alien threat.
7. What happens if you use a tired soldier?
Tired soldiers have a 50% chance of Panicking when they take damage or see their squadmates get hurt. While they won’t lose additional Will from a squadmate being injured, they are more susceptible to Panic, Berserk, and Shattered status effects. Avoid deploying tired soldiers as much as possible.
8. What can make XCOM 2 easier?
Several options can make the game easier. “Lengthy Scheme” doubles the Avatar Project timer, and “Time Turner” doubles the length of mission timers. These settings are in options and are useful to new players learning the ropes of XCOM2.
9. Which is the strongest class in XCOM 2?
While class strength varies by playstyle, the Reaper is widely considered the strongest, known for its powerful stealth and offensive capabilities. Other strong classes include the Grenadier, Ranger, and Specialist.
10. Can you play XCOM 2 infinitely?
Yes, XCOM 2 can be played infinitely. The Avatar Project countdown stops if there are no blacksites. You can prevent or destroy dark events that increase the meter, and you can destroy the black sites. As a result, it is possible to always stop the timer and play forever.
11. What is the best enemy to mind control?
Mutons, Heavy Floaters, and Muton Elites are excellent choices for Mind Control due to their low Will and high damage potential. Additionally, Mutons carry alien grenades, which can be used against other enemies.
12. What happens if you don’t do a retaliation mission?
Failing or ignoring a Retaliation Strike scatters the Resistance in that region. You’ll lose contact with the region, any radio relays will be destroyed, and your income from that region will be reduced permanently. You’ll need to reconnect and rebuild the resistance there.
13. Can you save dead soldiers?
While dead soldiers cannot be revived, you can carry them to the EVAC zone to recover their items and equipment. If you deliver a dead soldier successfully to an evac zone, you recover all the items they carried.
14. Which facility should I build first?
The Advanced Warfare Center should be your top priority. It provides a chance for soldiers to survive a fatal hit and allows them to rapidly recover from injuries.
15. How do you get rid of burning?
Burning can be cured by: using a Medikit / Nanomedikit, using the Specialist’s Medical Protocol, moving to a tile with water, or using the Hunkering Down general ability.
Conclusion
In the brutal world of XCOM 2, your soldiers are your most valuable assets. Knowing how to prevent a soldier from bleeding out is crucial to your success. By using a combination of carrying, Medkits, and Specialist abilities, you can ensure your team has the highest possible chance of surviving even the most intense battles. Remember to prioritize the Infirmary to speed up healing, and strategically choose missions to always keep your squad strong and battle-ready. Through strategic decision-making and a strong focus on squad survival, you will be well equipped to take the fight to the alien enemy and reclaim Earth.