How Many DLC Does XCOM 2 Have? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: XCOM 2 has a total of five DLC packs alongside the major expansion War of the Chosen. These DLCs add a variety of content to the base game, ranging from cosmetic items and new weapons to significant gameplay changes and story missions. While often bundled together in the XCOM 2 Collection, understanding the nuances of each DLC is crucial for any player looking to maximize their XCOM 2 experience. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of each pack and clarify what they bring to the table.

The Five XCOM 2 DLC Packs

The five DLC packs for XCOM 2 are:

1. Resistance Warrior Pack: This DLC provides customization options for your soldiers, including new outfits, headgear, and face paint. While it doesn’t add gameplay mechanics, it allows players to personalize their squad, fostering a deeper connection with their troops. This pack was often included as a pre-order bonus for the game.

2. Anarchy’s Children: This DLC focuses on extreme cosmetic customization. It offers a wider array of outlandish hairstyles, face paints, armor styles, and more, allowing you to create some truly unique and visually striking soldiers. Like the Resistance Warrior Pack, it doesn’t change gameplay but gives you more creative control over your squad’s appearance.

3. Alien Hunters: This pack introduces new powerful “Alien Ruler” enemies who will appear randomly during missions. These rulers are exceptionally challenging to defeat and can dramatically alter the flow of a campaign. The DLC also adds new powerful hunter weapons and armor to combat these threats, allowing you to turn the tables and become the hunter. It also comes with three new story missions, providing a fresh narrative element to the base game.

4. Shen’s Last Gift: This DLC features a new story-driven mission that focuses on Chief Engineer Lily Shen and her connection with a mysterious robot. Completing this mission unlocks the SPARK robot class, a powerful, fully customizable robot soldier that can join your team. This adds a new unit type to your roster, offering tactical versatility and depth.

5. Tactical Legacy Pack: This pack is a more substantial offering than the other DLCs, including new gameplay modes, missions, and soldier types. It features a series of chronological missions that bridge the gap between XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2. It also adds new maps, weapons, and the ability to recruit iconic characters from the previous XCOM game, offering a nostalgic and exciting twist for fans of the series.

The War of the Chosen Expansion

While not a DLC, the War of the Chosen expansion is an integral part of the XCOM 2 experience and often bundled within the XCOM 2 Collection. This expansion is a significant addition, introducing:

• New Soldier Classes: Including the Reaper, Skirmisher, and Templar, each with unique abilities and playstyles.
• The Chosen: Three powerful and unique enemies that act as recurring antagonists, developing over time and posing new challenges throughout the campaign.
• New Factions: The Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars offer new resources and strategic opportunities.
• Reworked Strategy Layer: Adds new activities, missions, and strategic decisions that impact the overall campaign.
• Additional Story Content: Expands on the lore of XCOM and introduces compelling new narrative elements.

The War of the Chosen expansion is considered by many to be essential for the ultimate XCOM 2 experience, substantially enhancing the core gameplay and offering greater replayability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding XCOM 2 and its DLC, designed to address common queries and provide valuable insight for players:

How do I activate the XCOM 2 DLC and War of the Chosen?

Within the game’s launcher or main menu, you can choose to activate or deactivate any of the DLC and expansion that you own. You can also choose to launch directly into the base game without any of the additional content. It is a matter of checking the boxes beside the add-ons you want to include in your playthrough.

Does the XCOM 2 Collection include all DLC?

Yes, the XCOM 2 Collection includes the base game, all five DLC packs, and the War of the Chosen expansion, offering the complete XCOM 2 experience in one bundle.

What does the War of the Chosen expansion change in XCOM 2?

War of the Chosen significantly overhauls the campaign structure, adding new soldier classes, enemies, factions, missions, and strategic elements. It provides a more dynamic and challenging experience compared to the base game.

Are the XCOM 2 DLC worth the purchase?

Absolutely. Each DLC adds a unique element to the game, and they are often considered essential for a complete XCOM 2 experience. The Alien Hunters and Shen’s Last Gift add engaging narrative content and the Tactical Legacy Pack provides a nostalgic challenge.

Can I play the base game after installing DLC?

Yes, the DLC can be selectively activated or deactivated allowing you to play the base game without any of the additional content if desired. This is a good way to learn the game before adding complexity.

Is War of the Chosen worth it if I liked XCOM 2?

Yes, War of the Chosen is a highly recommended expansion for XCOM 2 fans. It essentially revamps and enhances the base game to provide an enriched experience. It is generally considered to be an essential part of the XCOM 2 experience.

What is the most powerful class in XCOM 2?

The Grenadier class is often considered one of the most powerful classes in XCOM 2 due to its ability to deal significant damage, destroy cover, and control areas on the battlefield.

Does XCOM 2 have an ending?

Yes, XCOM 2 does have an ending, but the game can be played indefinitely by continuing with side missions. Players can either decide to complete the campaign and end the game, or continue after that to engage in a never-ending series of engagements against increasingly powerful enemies.

What happens if the Avatar Project completes in XCOM 2?

If the Avatar Project reaches completion, the game ends in a loss for XCOM. It is the game’s fail state and a key indicator of your progress in the campaign.

What order should I build facilities in XCOM 2?

A balanced early build order should include the Advanced Warfare Centre, Guerrilla Training School, Power Relay, Resistance Comms, Proving Grounds, and Psi Lab for a balanced progression. However, the specific needs of the player will vary and require further strategic considerations to maximize efficiency.

Will there be an XCOM 3?

While there has been no official announcement, there has been an indication from the lead designer XCOM series will be continued as long as they remain in the game development sector.

Is XCOM 2 an addictive game?

Yes, XCOM 2 is notoriously addictive due to its challenging tactical gameplay and resource management. The constant threat of losing a valued soldier and the need to strategize to overcome the enemy create a compelling and immersive experience.

Can you play XCOM 2 endlessly?

Yes, XCOM 2 can be played endlessly. After completing the main campaign, players can continue to engage in side missions, and encounter increasingly challenging enemies.

How do I obtain more Intel in XCOM 2?

Intel is obtained from various sources, including scanning regions, completing certain missions, and trading at the Black Market. It is more valuable than supplies, so strategic use of this resource is required.

Are the accuracy percentages in XCOM 2 misleading?

The percentages in XCOM 2 are not true Chance-To-Hit indicators but rather Chance-Not-To-Mess-Up. High values are more reliable, while lower values have more deviation in results. Knowing this can be useful in making strategic decisions during combat.