Decoding the Red Shield: What Flanking Means in XCOM 2

The red shield in XCOM 2 is a critical visual indicator that can make or break your mission. Simply put, a red shield icon displayed next to your soldier’s cover or when hovering over a potential move indicates that your soldier will be flanked by an enemy if they remain in or move to that position. Flanking means the enemy has a clear shot at your soldier, bypassing their cover bonus, making them significantly more vulnerable to enemy fire. Understanding and avoiding the red shield is paramount to your squad’s survival in the brutal world of XCOM 2.

Understanding Cover and Flanking Mechanics

Before diving deeper, let’s recap the basics of cover and how it interacts with flanking. In XCOM 2, cover is your primary means of defense. Objects like walls, crates, and vehicles provide either low cover or high cover, each offering a chance to reduce the enemy’s hit probability. Blue shields indicate that a soldier is adequately covered and protected from all known enemy positions.

However, when an enemy can shoot at your soldier from an angle that negates their cover bonus, the soldier is considered flanked. This is when the red shield appears, signaling the danger. Being flanked essentially renders your soldier an open target, increasing the likelihood of them taking damage, and thus, making them more vulnerable to severe injuries, being critically injured, or even dying.

The Dangers of a Red Shield

A red shield is not just a warning; it’s a death sentence if ignored. It’s crucial to avoid putting your soldiers in positions where they are vulnerable to flanking. Enemies, particularly the AI, are very astute and will take any opportunity to flank your soldiers. Soldiers caught in a flank position will often be exposed to a higher chance to hit from enemies, and are therefore much more likely to be hit. When a soldier is hit, it can lead to serious consequences, including increased risk of critical hits, bleeding, and even death. Understanding that any situation that shows a red shield will allow an enemy to score a direct hit on your soldiers is paramount to keeping your team alive.

Recognizing and Responding to Flank Threats

Identifying a red shield is only the first step. You need to actively strategize to avoid or escape flanked positions. Here are some key strategies:

• Move Carefully: Always check the shield icon when hovering over a potential move. If it’s red, reconsider your action.
• Use Overwatch: Setting soldiers on Overwatch can punish enemies that attempt to flank you.
• Flank the Flankers: Turn the tables by flanking the enemies who are trying to do the same to you.
• Use Abilities: Abilities such as Smoke Grenades and Teleportation can be lifesavers when you need to escape or create cover.
• Change Positioning: Sometimes repositioning using different cover is the best option, even if that means taking a turn to adjust to a better position on the battlefield.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flanking and Cover in XCOM 2

What is the difference between a Red Shield and a Blue Shield?

A blue shield indicates that your soldier is in a position that provides cover from all known enemy positions and is protected. A red shield signifies that your soldier is in a flanking position, where cover is ineffective, and the soldier is exposed to enemy fire.

Does high cover always protect you?

High cover offers better protection than low cover, but it doesn’t guarantee immunity to flanking. Enemies can still flank you even behind high cover, if they move to the right angle.

Can enemies get the high cover bonus against me?

No, in XCOM 2, the high cover bonus is something your soldiers can benefit from, but the enemies cannot, even if they are within 11 tiles.

How does the high cover bonus actually work?

The high cover bonus provides a +20 to your aim, effectively increasing your chance to hit when shooting from behind high cover (compared to low cover at +10). However, this bonus only applies when you are within 11 tiles of the target (unless you are a sniper), and the enemy does not receive this bonus against you.

Can sniper rifles benefit from the high cover bonus?

No, sniper rifles never get the high cover bonus, regardless of the distance.

Does defense reduce flanking damage?

No, defense only decreases the chance of an enemy hitting you. Flanking eliminates the benefits of cover and defense in XCOM 2, making you more vulnerable to taking damage and being critically hit. Defense does not reduce the actual damage you take if hit.

Do melee attacks ignore cover?

Yes, melee attacks ignore cover and always hit, making them dangerous if your soldiers are flanked in close proximity. Additionally, they ignore a unit’s defense attribute.

Do Area of Effect (AoE) weapons ignore cover?

Yes, Area of Effect (AoE) weapons such as grenades and rocket launchers also ignore cover and always hit regardless if the target is in cover, or flanked.

What is the best way to deal with a flanked soldier?

The best approach depends on the situation. Some potential actions include: moving to better cover, using an ability like smoke grenade, or setting a different soldier on overwatch to punish the flanker.

What are some common mistakes players make regarding flanking?

Common mistakes include rushing through a map without carefully checking for enemy positions, not using cover effectively, and underestimating the importance of flanking. For beginners, one of the biggest mistakes is underestimating the impact of a red shield, which often leads to casualties.

How do aliens decide who to flank?

The enemy AI will try to target the closest most vulnerable unit (usually a flanked one, or a unit in low cover), or a soldier with low defense stats.

Is flanking an essential part of XCOM 2 gameplay?

Yes, flanking is a crucial mechanic that makes XCOM 2’s tactical combat challenging and engaging. It is both a risk and a reward to master.

Can I use flanking to my advantage?

Absolutely! Positioning your soldiers to flank enemies is one of the best ways to deal consistent and significant damage.

Does the environment influence cover and flanking?

Yes, the environment plays a major role in both cover and flanking strategies. Certain map layouts make it easier or harder to flank enemies, so planning accordingly is very important.

Can my soldiers “hide” from enemies to avoid being flanked?

While you can try to use stealth to your advantage, there is no real hiding from flanking. All enemies have line of sight and will adjust their positions accordingly if they can spot any of your team.

Conclusion

The red shield in XCOM 2 is a vital piece of information that you cannot afford to ignore. It signifies an immediate threat, indicating that your soldier is vulnerable to a flank and significant damage. Understanding the red shield, along with cover and flanking mechanics is essential for survival and success in XCOM 2. By mastering these concepts, you will be able to better command your squad, turn the tide against the alien invaders, and see the resistance to a final victory.