The Ultimate Arsenal: Finding the Best Weapon in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
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In the brutal world of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, survival hinges on strategic prowess and, crucially, having the right tools for the job. The question of the “best weapon” isn’t a simple one, as effectiveness often depends on the specific situation, soldier class, and chosen playstyle. However, if we’re talking about pure, unadulterated power combined with tactical flexibility, the Darkclaw pistol stands out as a top contender for the title of best weapon in the expansion.
The Darkclaw: A Sharpshooter’s Secret Weapon
The Darkclaw, a unique sidearm exclusively for the Sharpshooter class, defies conventional pistol limitations. It boasts damage output comparable to a sniper rifle, a rare and incredibly valuable trait in the heat of combat. Beyond its raw power, the Darkclaw’s most significant edge is its ability to ignore up to five points of armor. This armor penetration makes it devastating against heavily armored enemies, allowing Sharpshooters to punch through defenses and deliver consistent, high damage. This is especially critical in the later stages of the game, when facing enemies with robust armor plating.
Why the Darkclaw Excels
- Unmatched Damage Potential: The Darkclaw’s high damage output allows Sharpshooters to eliminate threats quickly, often in a single well-placed shot. This is particularly crucial against high-value targets like Mutons, Andromedons, or the Chosen themselves.
- Armor Piercing: The ability to ignore five points of armor is a game-changer. Many of the tougher enemies in War of the Chosen rely heavily on armor for defense. The Darkclaw allows a Sharpshooter to effectively ignore this, dealing far more damage than other sidearms.
- Class Synergy: The Darkclaw is perfectly suited for the Sharpshooter class, complementing their skills in long-range engagements. Sharpshooters can use their powerful sniper rifles for ranged attacks, then switch to the Darkclaw for close-to-mid-range situations or against enemies that have closed the distance.
- Versatility: The Darkclaw is useful in a wide range of scenarios, from taking down high priority targets with a single shot to clearing out weaker enemies. Its consistency and damage output makes it a reliable tool.
While other powerful weapons exist, such as the Plasma Bolt Caster for its extreme damage per shot, its single shot and subsequent reload requirement limit its consistent use in multiple engagement scenarios. The various tier of weapons (Conventional, Laser, Magnetic, Coilgun, Plasma) all offer an increase in damage output but these are primary weapons. The secondary weapons, are mostly unique per class, making the Darkclaw particularly important for Sharpshooters. The Darkclaw stands out for its incredible consistent performance and flexibility.
Additional Considerations
While the Darkclaw takes the lead in many aspects, it’s essential to note that the best weapon is always situational. For example, Reapers excel with stealthy attacks and can set up devastating ambushes. Grenadiers, with their ability to destroy cover, are crucial for softening enemy defenses. Additionally, Rangers can often do more damage with their various weapons in a close combat situation. Weapon choice should always be a reflection of the mission at hand and the individual soldier’s role in the squad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most powerful weapon in XCOM 2 overall?
The Plasma Bolt Caster is the most powerful single shot weapon in XCOM 2. It delivers incredibly high damage, but its single-shot reload mechanic makes it less versatile than other weapons.
2. Which soldier class is the strongest in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
Many consider the Reaper to be the strongest class. Their stealth abilities, combined with their high damage output, make them extremely valuable on any mission.
3. What are the different weapon tiers in XCOM 2: Long War of the Chosen?
There are five tiers of primary weapons: Conventional, Laser, Magnetic, Coilgun, and Plasma. Secondary weapons are unique to each class.
4. Who is the strongest enemy in XCOM 2?
The Berserker has the strongest melee attack. This monstrous enemy can become enraged, significantly increasing her attack range and damage. Additionally, The Archon King is considered the hardest alien ruler.
5. What is the “Steady” ability in Long War of the Chosen?
“Steady” is an ability that provides an aiming bonus and reduces the chance of reaction fire when activated. In Long War of the Chosen, it’s converted into Combat Readiness if the unit can’t see any enemies at the start or end of the turn.
6. Is XCOM 2 or XCOM: Enemy Unknown easier?
XCOM 2 is generally considered easier than the previous games on Veteran and Commander difficulties. However, it is significantly harder on Legendary difficulty.
7. Is XCOM 2 better than XCOM 1?
XCOM 2 is generally considered the better game overall due to its increased variety in enemies, playstyles, and the inclusion of the War of the Chosen expansion.
8. What makes War of the Chosen different from the base XCOM 2 game?
War of the Chosen adds new story elements, enemies (including the Chosen themselves), hero characters (Reaper, Skirmisher, Templar), modifiers, and new behaviors for characters. It also changes the campaign structure.
9. How do I beat the Assassin Chosen in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
Avoid placing your soldiers in close proximity or in a line to avoid her psionic attack. Focus fire and exploit her randomly assigned weaknesses as quickly as possible.
10. Should I play XCOM 2 first before War of the Chosen?
If you have War of the Chosen, there isn’t a strong reason to start with the base game. War of the Chosen adds a lot of improvements and content making it the best option to start with.
11. What is “The Hammer of the Chosen?”
The Hammer of the Chosen is an early-game weapon that offers a +1 Crit Damage bonus, which increases to +2 when upgraded. It also gains the “Righteous Auto” perk.
12. Is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen harder than the base game?
War of the Chosen is often considered harder than the base game, particularly in the early game. The new enemies and systems can overwhelm new players. However, the mid- and late-game become easier with the introduction of powerful new soldier classes.
13. How big is XCOM 2: War of the Chosen?
The storage requirement for XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is approximately 65 GB.
14. What is a “Gideon” weapon?
A Gideon weapon, like the Scepter of Gideon, refers to a unique weapon associated with a specific character, like Sir Gideon Ofnir in Elden Ring. The pearl represents knowledge. This is not a part of XCOM.
15. What is the best team composition in XCOM 2?
A standard mid-game build could have two Rangers, one Specialist, one Grenadier, and one Sharpshooter. This balance allows for good offensive capabilities alongside support and utility.
Final Thoughts
While many weapons can contribute to victory in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the Darkclaw’s blend of high damage, armor penetration, and Sharpshooter class synergy makes it a powerful and highly versatile choice. Remember, the right weapon for the right soldier is critical, and understanding the nuances of each class and their specific gear is essential for overcoming the alien threat.