The Looming Threat: What Happens When the Avatar Bar is Full in XCOM 2?

In XCOM 2, the tension is palpable as you fight a desperate guerrilla war against the alien invaders. A key element that dictates the game’s narrative and your strategic decisions is the Avatar Project. This seemingly innocuous progress bar at the top of your screen is actually a countdown to humanity’s doom. So, what exactly happens when the Avatar bar is completely filled? The short, brutal answer: game over unless you intervene quickly.

Once the Avatar Project bar fills all 12 segments, it doesn’t simply remain full. Instead, it transforms into a terrifying countdown timer. This timer represents the time remaining until the aliens complete their ultimate plan, and XCOM loses. This is not a standard game timer that progresses at a predictable rate. It’s a relentless downward spiral towards failure. If you allow this timer to reach zero, the game ends, and you are met with the disheartening game over screen. Your entire campaign and resistance effort are deemed a failure. The fate of the Earth is sealed by the aliens.

The countdown is not entirely insurmountable, however. The key here is not panic, but aggressive action. The timer’s appearance signifies that you have let the alien’s Avatar Project advance unchecked for too long. The transition from bar to countdown is your last warning, an ultimatum in digital form, a desperate final chance.

If you manage to reduce the Avatar Project progress by destroying facilities, completing story missions, or carrying out specific objectives the game will stop the timer and the bar will return. The game will not reset or increase the timer, but will continue ticking down based on your last stopping point if the bar fills again. You are literally racing against the clock. It’s a high stakes race against the clock, where each move counts. Furthermore, the game will set the timer at 7 days if you were at less than 7 previously and this bar fills up again.

Ultimately, it is crucial to understand that the Avatar bar and its transformation into a countdown is not merely a mechanic, but a constant reminder of the game’s overall goal. As the commander of XCOM you must fight tooth and nail to prevent that bar from filling up completely, to actively manage your resources and make hard choices when it comes to strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Avatar Project and its Consequences

1. How do I reduce the Avatar Project Progress in XCOM 2?

You can reduce the Avatar Project progress primarily by:

• Destroying ADVENT Facilities: Each facility has a certain number of “dots” indicating the impact on the Avatar Project. Destroying them will reduce the bar by that number of dots.
• Completing Story Missions: Missions such as the Blacksite, Forge, and Codex Brain Coordinates will significantly reduce the meter.
• Guerilla Ops: Occasionally, certain guerilla operations will also reduce the Avatar progress. Keep an eye out for these.

2. Does the Avatar Project Progress Reset?

No, the Avatar Project progress does not reset. If the bar fills and triggers the countdown, reducing the progress only pauses the timer and restores the bar. It will continue from the same point it left off when the bar fills again. However, if you had less than 7 days, it will be set to 7.

3. Can I play XCOM 2 indefinitely?

Yes, you can play XCOM 2 indefinitely. Although there is a final mission, the game will continue spawning side missions until you decide to trigger the ending. The challenge becomes more complex, but the game does not necessarily end due to a hard “time limit”. This does not mean you do not need to be aware of the Avatar Project and act when it becomes necessary.

4. How does the difficulty affect the Avatar Project?

Higher difficulty levels typically mean the Avatar Project progresses faster. ADVENT will also be more aggressive in their operations, forcing players to make more difficult strategic choices. The countdown timer also seems to start with less time when the bar is full.

5. What happens when the countdown timer reaches zero?

When the countdown timer reaches zero, it’s game over. You’ll be taken to a game over screen and will have to start a new campaign.

6. Can I mind control an Avatar in XCOM 2?

No, enemy Avatars are immune to mind control. The only time you control an Avatar is during the final mission, where your Commander enters a stasis suit and controls the Commander’s Avatar.

7. Is the Avatar Project the only way to lose in XCOM 2?

While the Avatar Project is the primary loss condition, you can also technically lose by letting all your soldiers die or by failing certain key missions that can lead to a game over state.

8. Does XCOM 2 have a “time limit”?

XCOM 2 has a soft “time limit” imposed by the Avatar Project. The longer you let the project advance, the sooner you will face the timer and game over. It is not an explicit timer that counts down from the start, but more of a mechanic that forces you to focus on removing alien threat by doing important missions and objectives.

9. What are the Avatar’s weaknesses?

Avatars are only immune to negative mental effects. They are vulnerable to Poison, Acid, Burning and other effects. Utilizing these on avatars can drastically reduce their options in a fight. Mind controlling a viper to bind an avatar is also a good strategy.

10. Can I stop Dark Events in XCOM 2?

Yes, Dark Events, which often accelerate Avatar Project progress, can be countered by completing Guerilla Ops. Prioritize these operations to mitigate the negative effects of Dark Events.

11. How many Chosen are there in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?

There are three Chosen: the Assassin, the Hunter, and the Warlock. These are powerful enemies that hunt XCOM throughout your campaign.

12. Is XCOM 2 scripted?

Yes, to a degree, XCOM 2 is scripted. Specific missions occur at consistent intervals. This means certain missions like the first lost mission and the first supply raid will happen in all playthroughs.

13. Can you lose Chosen Weapons?

Yes, you can lose Chosen Weapons if the soldier equipped with them dies on a mission without being evacuated. These weapons are unique and cannot be replaced so it is important to protect soldiers carrying them.

14. What is the final mission in XCOM 2?

The final storyline mission of XCOM 2 is Operation Leviathan, the Alien Fortress Assault, where you must defeat the Elders’ Avatars to complete the game.

15. Can countries that leave XCOM rejoin the resistance?

Yes, countries can rejoin XCOM if you assault the alien base that is built within their borders after they leave.

The Avatar Project in XCOM 2 isn’t just a background mechanic; it’s a ticking time bomb that drives the entire narrative. Understanding its implications and how to manage its progress is key to successfully leading XCOM and reclaiming the Earth. By focusing on weakening the Avatar Project, you can turn the tide against the alien occupation and prevent the countdown timer from marking the end of humanity.