How Many Hero Units Can You Have in XCOM 2?
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The maximum number of hero units you can actively have in XCOM 2, including all DLCs, is seven. This number is achieved by acquiring all the unique hero classes available: one from the base game (Rookie turned into a specific class), one from the Shen’s Last Gift DLC (SPARK), and three from the War of the Chosen DLC (Reaper, Skirmisher, and Templar). The remaining two slots are filled by soldiers from the Training Center. Note that DLC ownership is essential to reach this maximum as you have a limited pool of soldiers in the base game.
Understanding Hero Units in XCOM 2
Hero units in XCOM 2 are unique soldiers that often possess specialized abilities, skills, and backstories that set them apart from the standard soldier classes. They represent a significant asset to your squad, capable of turning the tide of battle with their unique capabilities. They can be obtained through story missions or recruitment via covert actions.
Hero Units in the Base Game
In the base game, you will not start with a hero unit. You will need to promote a Rookie to one of the four base game classes: Ranger, Grenadier, Sharpshooter or Specialist. You can further expand your squad by training soldiers in the Guerilla Tactics School or the Advanced Warfare Center.
Hero Units in Shen’s Last Gift DLC
The Shen’s Last Gift DLC introduces the SPARK unit, a robotic soldier customizable with various weapons and abilities. This powerful unit is acquired through a specific story mission and can be a game-changer due to its durability and versatility.
Hero Units in War of the Chosen DLC
The War of the Chosen DLC significantly expands the hero unit roster by adding three unique resistance factions, each providing a hero class:
- Reaper: A stealth-focused unit excelling at scouting and infiltration.
- Skirmisher: A mobile and aggressive unit armed with a grapple and a powerful bullpup rifle.
- Templar: A psionic-focused unit dealing damage up close with powerful rend attacks.
Maximizing Your Hero Unit Potential
While having access to seven hero units is powerful, effectively managing and developing them is crucial. Careful consideration of their skill trees, equipment, and squad composition is essential for maximizing their potential. The Training Center, available after building it in your base, allows you to re-specialize soldiers, including hero units, providing flexibility in adapting to different combat situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the hero units from War of the Chosen automatically available at the beginning of the game?
No, the Reaper, Skirmisher, and Templar are not immediately available. You need to establish contact with their respective resistance factions through region exploration on the Geoscape. This requires scanning and completing specific covert actions to initiate contact with them.
2. Can hero units die permanently?
Yes. Just like any other soldier, hero units are subject to permadeath. If they are critically wounded and not stabilized in time or are killed in action, they are gone for good. This is a core element of the XCOM experience, emphasizing tactical decision-making and risk management.
3. Can I customize the appearance of hero units?
Yes, the game offers extensive customization options for your soldiers, including hero units. You can modify their appearance in the Armory, changing their armor, colors, headgear, and even adding props to personalize them to your liking.
4. Do hero units have unique research requirements?
Generally no, hero units use the same gear that is available to all soldiers, however, some of the special class items require specific technologies to be researched before they can be built.
5. What happens if I lose contact with a resistance faction in War of the Chosen?
If you lose contact with a resistance faction, you lose access to their hero unit temporarily. You will need to re-establish contact with the faction by scanning in their region again and completing the necessary covert actions.
6. Can I have multiple SPARK units in my squad?
While you obtain one SPARK unit through the Shen’s Last Gift mission, you can build additional SPARKs in the Proving Ground once you’ve researched the necessary project. You are not limited to just one SPARK unit. This means that you will have fewer base game class soldiers.
7. How do I level up hero units?
Hero units level up by earning experience points (XP) through completing missions, eliminating enemies, and performing tactical maneuvers. As they level up, they gain access to new abilities and skills within their respective class skill trees.
8. Are there any mods that change the number of hero units I can have?
Yes, the XCOM 2 modding community is vibrant and offers numerous mods that can alter various aspects of the game, including the number of hero units. However, be aware that using mods can impact game balance and stability.
9. How do Chosen abilities interact with hero units?
The Chosen, the main antagonists in the War of the Chosen DLC, have unique abilities that can directly impact your soldiers, including hero units. They can inflict negative traits, mind control soldiers, and disrupt tactical plans, adding an extra layer of challenge to combat.
10. Is there a way to protect hero units from permadeath?
There is no foolproof way to guarantee a hero unit’s survival. However, you can minimize the risk by equipping them with the best armor and weapons, providing them with support from other squad members, and carefully planning your tactical approach to minimize exposure to enemy fire. Additionally, using the “Ironman” mode is considered the ultimate way to play the game.
11. Can I use the Training Center to change a hero unit’s class?
The Training Center allows you to re-specialize soldiers, which essentially lets you change their class by retraining them. However, this feature might not work seamlessly with all hero units, particularly those from the War of the Chosen DLC. It is always a good idea to back up your save before performing radical changes to hero unit classes.
12. How do I effectively integrate SPARK units into my squad?
SPARK units excel as frontline damage dealers and heavy support. They are highly customizable, allowing you to tailor their loadout to fit specific combat roles. Combining them with support units like Specialists can enhance their effectiveness, providing healing and tactical advantages.
13. What are the advantages of having a diverse squad of hero units?
A diverse squad offers tactical flexibility, allowing you to adapt to various mission types and enemy compositions. Each hero class brings unique strengths and weaknesses, and combining them effectively can create powerful synergies on the battlefield.
14. Are there any unique equipment or items specifically designed for hero units?
The hero classes from the War of the Chosen DLC receive items when you reach certain levels of support with the faction they are from. These are unique items that significantly boost the power of the hero, such as weapons, armor, and ammunition.
15. How does the “Legacy Hub” affect hero unit availability in War of the Chosen?
The Legacy Hub allows you to play through past XCOM missions, some of which provide additional opportunities to acquire soldiers or level up existing ones. While it doesn’t directly affect the maximum number of hero units, it can enhance your overall squad composition and soldier development.