How to Play XCOM 2 for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re stepping into the resistance and ready to take on the alien oppressors in XCOM 2? Fantastic! But be warned, this isn’t your average walk in the park. It’s a challenging, strategic game where every decision matters. Here’s the core of how to approach XCOM 2 as a beginner: Focus on tactical combat, base building, and smart resource management. This means understanding the importance of cover, soldier abilities, proper facility construction, and prudent resource spending. You’ll need to learn from your mistakes (and you will make mistakes), adapt to a dynamic campaign, and consistently improve your skills as a commander. Let’s dive deeper into specific strategies.
Strategic Priorities for New Commanders
Building Your Foundation
The very first thing you need to do after the opening mission is establish your base on the Avenger. The Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS) is hands-down your most crucial early game investment. This facility provides vital upgrades like squad size increase, allowing you to field more soldiers, and combat tactics, which will speed up soldier leveling. Prioritize these upgrades as they will greatly improve your combat effectiveness from the get-go. In the War of the Chosen expansion, the Resistance Ring is an important starting point, often built before or alongside the GTS, as it provides access to covert actions that offer key resources and intel.
Following the GTS (or Resistance Ring in WotC), focus on building a Power Relay for energy and a Proving Grounds to gain access to experimental weapons and armor. Balancing these initial structures gives you a robust base to work with.
Soldier Management: Your Most Valuable Asset
Your soldiers are your lifeline in XCOM 2. Avoid taking more than one rookie on a mission. Rookies are fragile and inexperienced, so placing them alongside veterans is risky. Use veteran soldiers to carry the missions while your rookies gain experience. Prioritize soldier promotions. Promoted soldiers gain access to valuable class-specific abilities that can drastically impact combat.
Be mindful of soldier positioning during tactical engagements. Cover is king. Always position your soldiers behind high or low cover to improve survivability. Do not leave them in open spaces. Use the environment to your advantage; many walls can be breached.
Tactical Combat: Mastering the Battlefield
XCOM 2’s tactical layer is unforgiving. Here are vital tips:
- Don’t Split Up: Keeping your squad grouped is paramount. Being isolated can lead to your soldiers being overwhelmed quickly. Always have backup.
- Plan Your Moves: Before you move, always think about your soldier’s positioning, potential enemy movement, and overwatch opportunities. Be cautious, and don’t overextend.
- Use Grenades Liberally: Frag grenades destroy cover and deal damage. They’re invaluable in the early game, especially against groups. Don’t hesitate to use them.
- Flank Your Enemies: Flanking removes enemy cover bonuses. Position soldiers to take these shots for better accuracy and increased damage.
- Always Be Aware of Enemy Pods: In XCOM 2, enemies often patrol in “pods.” Avoid triggering more than one pod at a time, especially early on. Use concealment wisely to gain a strategic advantage.
Resource Management: The Key to Success
Intel, Scientists, and Engineers are the lifeblood of your campaign. Intel is needed to purchase upgrades from the black market, reveal dark events, and make contact with new regions. Prioritize acquiring Intel through strategic missions and covert actions. Scientists speed up research, allowing you to unlock better weapons, armor, and tech faster. Engineers speed up building and provide needed gremlins to help boost facility effectiveness. Always try to recruit these when possible.
Don’t forget about alien autopsies. These unlock key upgrades and information, so get them done as quickly as you can.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is XCOM 2 beginner friendly?
XCOM 2 can be beginner-friendly on easier difficulties. The game’s theme allows for some failure, encouraging players to learn from mistakes. However, higher difficulties significantly increase the challenge, making them less forgiving.
2. What should I build first in XCOM 2?
Prioritize the Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS) for squad size upgrades and training in the base game. In War of the Chosen, consider starting with the Resistance Ring, followed closely by the GTS.
3. What is the most important early-game upgrade in XCOM 2?
The most critical early-game upgrade is squad size increase offered by the GTS. It allows you to field more soldiers, significantly improving your odds of success.
4. What is the best class in XCOM 2 for beginners?
The Grenadier class is user-friendly and powerful. Their ability to destroy cover, hit multiple enemies, and deal high damage from a distance makes them a great choice for new players.
5. Should I play XCOM 2 or War of the Chosen first?
Start with the base XCOM 2 game first if you want a more straightforward introduction. While War of the Chosen is excellent, it adds complex mechanics and more challenging enemies. It’s better to learn the ropes in the base game first.
6. Is XCOM 2 hard to play?
XCOM 2 has a harsh difficulty curve at the beginning. The introduction of sectoids with mind control early on is challenging for new players. However, once you understand the mechanics and soldier abilities, the game becomes more manageable.
7. How can I make XCOM 2 easier?
Adjusting difficulty settings is the easiest way. You can also use the “Lengthy Scheme” option to double the Avatar Project timer, giving you more time to progress, and the “Time Turner” option to double mission timers.
8. What should I prioritize in XCOM 2?
Focus on acquiring Intel, Scientists, and Engineers. Intel is for purchasing upgrades and revealing dark events. Scientists speed up research. Engineers are crucial for building and facility effectiveness.
9. Do I need to play XCOM: Enemy Unknown before XCOM 2?
No, you don’t need prior knowledge of XCOM: Enemy Unknown to enjoy XCOM 2. The game provides sufficient background to understand the story.
10. What is the best starting country in XCOM 2?
It depends on your playstyle. The United States is good for players wanting aircraft support, while Europe is great for those focused on research and engineering.
11. What is the most powerful weapon in XCOM 2?
The Plasma Bolt Caster boasts the highest single shot damage among the standard weapons, but requires reloading after each shot.
12. Does XCOM 2 have a time limit?
Yes, XCOM 2 has a doomsday meter tied to the Avatar Project. It ticks up whenever the aliens build structures. Failing to progress will lead to a game over.
13. How many soldiers should I have in XCOM 2?
It depends on the difficulty. For easier difficulties, 12 soldiers are sufficient. On higher difficulties, you should aim for at least 24 soldiers, to account for wounds and fatalities.
14. What’s the difference between XCOM 2 and War of the Chosen?
War of the Chosen introduces new enemies, hero classes, story elements, modifiers, and character behaviors, and makes significant changes to the campaign structure. It enhances and expands upon the base XCOM 2 experience.
15. What is the most important facility in XCOM 2?
While the GTS is critical for early game growth, the Workshop is crucial mid to late game. Placing it correctly multiplies engineers, giving adjacent facilities added benefit. A workshop placed in the middle of the second row is often best for spreading this bonus.
Conclusion
XCOM 2 is a rewarding experience for players who persevere and learn from their mistakes. By prioritizing the right facilities, managing your soldiers effectively, and mastering tactical combat, you’ll have the tools to overcome the alien threat. Take your time, learn from your failures, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Good luck, commander. The fate of the world rests in your hands!