What Happens if the Aliens Complete the Avatar Project in XCOM 2?
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The Avatar Project in XCOM 2 is a looming threat that hangs over the entire campaign. It represents the alien’s ultimate plan, and if they succeed, it means game over for XCOM. So, what exactly happens if the aliens manage to complete the Avatar Project?
In short, if the aliens fill all 12 blocks of the Avatar Project progress bar, the game doesn’t end immediately. Instead, the display is replaced by a countdown timer. This timer signifies the final moments before the alien’s plan comes to fruition. If this countdown reaches zero, XCOM will be defeated, and the game will end in a loss. The resistance falls, and humanity is subjugated, becoming part of the Elders’ grand design.
However, all is not lost if the countdown begins. The timer can be halted, and the display returned to the normal Avatar progress screen, by reducing the Avatar progress before the timer reaches zero. This can be done through several methods, creating a tense race against time to push back the alien’s advancement. It’s a high-stakes scenario where strategic planning, quick decision-making, and a bit of luck are crucial for survival. Understanding how the Avatar Project works and how to prevent its completion is paramount for any XCOM 2 player.
Understanding the Avatar Project
The Avatar Project isn’t a passive element of the game. It’s a dynamic, ever-present threat that you must actively work to counter. The progress bar fills as the aliens construct facilities and make progress with their research. The game gives you numerous tools to push back this progress, however, and as Commander, you need to prioritize those activities to stay ahead of the aliens.
How to Reduce Avatar Project Progress
There are two primary methods for reducing the Avatar Project’s progress:
- Destroying Advent Facilities: This is the most effective way to reduce the Avatar Project’s progress. Each facility has a number of “pips” (represented by dots below the facility on the world map). Destroying a facility reduces the Avatar Project’s progress by a number of pips equal to the dots seen. This requires going on specific missions to destroy those facilities, which can be dangerous, but are critical for delaying the timer.
- Completing Story Missions: Progressing through the main narrative missions also reduces Avatar progress. Specific missions such as the Blacksite, Forge, and Codex Brain Coordinates missions will decrease the progress counter by 1-2 pips each. These missions offer both direct progress against the aliens and also weaken their control.
The Countdown Timer
Once the Avatar progress bar is full, the countdown begins and it is vital to prevent the timer reaching zero. The countdown timer forces the player into a desperate race against time. The number of days can vary, but the pressure is always on. If you allow the countdown to finish without mitigating the Avatar Project, your campaign will end in defeat. This emphasizes the importance of continually working to reduce the Avatar Project progress through facility raids and main story missions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Avatar Project
1. Is XCOM 2 never-ending?
Much like the original XCOM, there is a big final mission that will end the game. However, you never have to go to it. The game will keep spawning side missions and the aliens will keep developing the Avatar project until you decide to initiate the final mission. So yes, you can keep playing forever as long as you manage the avatar project.
2. What is the Avatar’s weakness in XCOM 2?
Avatars are immune to negative mental effects. However, they are still vulnerable to Poison, Acid, Burning, and other status effects. Inflicting these effects can reduce their options and make them easier to manage. Also, while they are immune to being mind controlled by your soldiers, you can have a viper mind control them, or use the Commander’s Avatar in the final mission.
3. Can you mind control an Avatar in XCOM 2?
In the Alien Fortress Assault mission, the Commander enters a stasis suit, which allows them to remotely control their own Avatar via the psionic network. This is the only way to control an Avatar over the course of the single-player game as they are otherwise immune.
4. Who is the hardest Alien Ruler in XCOM 2?
The Archon King, or Subject Alpha, is generally considered the hardest Alien Ruler to kill. He is the third and last of the Alien Rulers encountered in the game and is a considerable threat, possessing a variety of powerful abilities.
5. What is the best enemy to mind control in XCOM 2?
Mutons, Heavy Floaters, and Muton Elites make excellent targets for Mind Control as they have low Will, and can do a considerable amount of damage against their former allies. Additionally, they carry Alien Grenades that you can use to weaken or kill other enemies and themselves.
6. What happens when the Avatar Project is full?
As stated before, if the aliens manage to fill all 12 blocks, the display is replaced by a countdown timer. If this countdown reaches zero, XCOM will be defeated, and the game will end. You can halt the timer by reducing Avatar progress before it ends.
7. Who is the strongest class in XCOM 2?
The Reaper is often considered the strongest class in XCOM 2 due to their stealth abilities and high damage output. While the other classes have their uses, the Reaper’s unique advantages often make them the most powerful in various situations.
8. Who is the strongest enemy in XCOM 2?
The enemy with the strongest melee attack is the Berserker. This female monstrosity can become enraged, increasing her attack range and damage output, making her a terrifying threat on the battlefield.
9. Will there ever be an XCOM 3?
Firaxis has confirmed that XCOM 3 is still in development and is a project they love and see a future for. This confirms that the XCOM franchise will continue beyond the current installments.
10. Did XCOM 2 flop?
XCOM 2 was a commercial success, selling over 500,000 digital copies on Steam within its first week of release. This outperformed the sales of the original game, which was released on multiple platforms.
11. Can you play XCOM 2 infinitely?
Yes, you can keep playing indefinitely by managing the Avatar project. As long as you keep destroying alien facilities and delaying the Avatar Project, you can keep the game running indefinitely and play missions, and gain resources. The only time the game ends is when you initiate the final mission, or the Avatar project is complete.
12. How do you beat the Avatar Project?
The key to beating the Avatar Project lies in balancing your strategic and tactical choices. You must prioritize destroying Advent Facilities, complete story missions and research, and develop your squad. A combination of these activities will reduce progress and help you delay the countdown.
13. How do you remove alien rulers in XCOM 2?
You cannot completely remove them from the game. You can untick the ‘Alien Hunters’ DLC item. This will prevent them from appearing in the missions in game, but the Alien Rulers will still be present in the game if the DLC is enabled. You can avoid them by not going on the activation mission.
14. How do you deal with Faceless in XCOM 2?
Faceless enemies have a defense stat of 0, making them easy to hit, especially from elevation. Using Overwatch on civilians before they are revealed can be a good way to deal with them.
15. What is the most powerful weapon in XCOM 2?
The Plasma Bolt Caster is the most powerful non-heavy weapon in terms of damage per shot. However, it needs to be reloaded after each shot, so it’s more effective for single, high-priority targets.
Conclusion
The Avatar Project is a core mechanic in XCOM 2, representing the ultimate challenge. If the aliens complete their project, it will bring your campaign to a definitive end. But understanding the mechanics, the ways you can counteract it, and playing strategically will help you succeed. By proactively managing the Avatar Project, you can continue your fight for Earth, and finally defeat the Elders and reclaim the planet for humanity.