The Explosive Truth: Understanding Gatekeeper Range in XCOM 2

The Gatekeeper, a formidable psionic enemy in XCOM 2, is not just a threat due to its powerful abilities but also because of its potentially devastating death explosion. Understanding the mechanics of this explosion is crucial for survival and strategic planning. So, what is the range of the gatekeeper explosion in XCOM 2? The explosion has a fixed range of 3 tiles. This means that upon death, the Gatekeeper unleashes a damaging blast that affects all units within a radius of 3 tiles from its location.

Understanding the Gatekeeper Explosion

The Gatekeeper’s death explosion is a significant factor in combat scenarios. It’s not just the damage that you need to consider but also the armor shred it inflicts.

Damage and Armor Shred

The explosion deals a considerable amount of damage, up to 7, depending on the game difficulty and enemy scaling. More importantly, it also shreds 2 points of armor from any unit caught within the blast radius. This armor shred can leave your soldiers vulnerable to further attacks.

Strategic Implications

The 3-tile range might seem small, but it’s often enough to catch multiple soldiers clustered together, especially in tight, urban maps. This encourages players to adopt spread-out formations when dealing with Gatekeepers to minimize casualties. It also emphasizes the need to finish off a Gatekeeper from a safe distance, whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gatekeepers in XCOM 2

To further enhance your understanding of these powerful adversaries and how to deal with them, here are 15 frequently asked questions about Gatekeepers:

1. Can Gatekeepers be dominated?

Yes, surprisingly, Gatekeepers can be dominated. Despite their high Will, it isn’t high enough to prevent a skilled soldier from taking control. Dominating a Gatekeeper not only eliminates a major threat but also turns them into a potent ally on the battlefield.

2. Does the EMP Bomb affect Gatekeepers?

Yes, EMP bombs are effective against Gatekeepers. They are classified as robotic units and therefore susceptible to EMP effects. An EMP grenade can both damage and potentially shutdown a Gatekeeper, providing a crucial tactical advantage.

3. What is the best strategy to kill a Gatekeeper?

A good strategy is to approach a Gatekeeper using a two-turn strategy: First, take a turn shooting at the Gatekeeper. Then on the next turn, stasis the Gatekeeper to prevent it from using it’s attack, and kill it on the third turn. In the late game, dominating a Gatekeeper to remove it as a threat is a very good strategy.

4. What abilities does the Gatekeeper have?

Gatekeepers possess several deadly abilities, including:

• Psionic Rifts: Creating rifts to damage nearby units.
• Fire Beam: A direct attack on any unit.
• Consume: Sapping life from a nearby unit to heal, potentially creating a Psi Zombie if the target is killed.

5. How do I prevent a Gatekeeper explosion from harming my squad?

The key is to maintain a safe distance of at least 4 tiles from the Gatekeeper before dealing the finishing blow. This will ensure that none of your soldiers are caught in the blast radius. Alternatively, you could use high-damage attacks from a distance to finish them quickly and limit the possibilities of close proximity.

6. What units are good to dominate in XCOM 2?

While Gatekeepers are powerful to dominate, Mutons and Andromedons are also excellent choices due to their high health, strong weaponry, and relatively lower Will.

7. Is gatekeeping a good thing?

In real-world contexts, gatekeeping is often seen as negative, as it can be exclusionary and detrimental to the mental health of individuals who feel unwelcome. In gaming, gatekeeping can come in the form of discouraging others from being involved in gaming and the community.

8. How can you get past a real-world “gatekeeper” (like in business)?

• Treat the gatekeeper as a resource, not an obstacle.
• Find a common connection.
• Be polite and confident.
• Have background knowledge on the gatekeeper.
• Consider reaching out through a cell phone number instead of a direct number.

9. How does the range of an EMP blast compare to a Gatekeeper explosion?

EMP blasts have a variable range, but in real-world applications, they are believed to have a very big radius, ranging from about 2 to 5 miles. In XCOM 2, the EMP Grenade is a short-range area of effect ability, not comparable to real world EMP blasts, and a single grenade will affect all units in the blast radius.

10. What is the most powerful weapon in XCOM 2?

The Plasma Bolt Caster stands out as one of the most powerful weapons, dealing significant damage per shot, but requires reloading after every shot.

11. Who is the strongest soldier class in XCOM 2?

The Reaper class is often considered the strongest due to its powerful stealth and scouting capabilities, as well as potent offensive abilities.

12. Who is the strongest enemy in XCOM 2?

While many enemies are formidable, the Berserker is known for its powerful melee attacks and the ability to become enraged.

13. Who is the hardest Alien Ruler in XCOM 2?

The Archon King is widely regarded as the hardest of the Alien Rulers to defeat, due to his unique abilities and tough nature.

14. Can you make XCOM 2 easier?

Yes, through several options:

• Lengthy Scheme: Doubles the Avatar Project timer.
• Time Turner: Doubles the length of mission timers.

15. What is the purpose of a gatekeeper in game?

In gaming communities, the term gatekeeping refers to the act of controlling access to, or limiting participation in, a community. This often involves discouraging new players and using elitism to make people feel unwelcome. This is not good.

Conclusion

Understanding the Gatekeeper’s explosion range of 3 tiles is vital for success in XCOM 2. By being aware of the explosion’s damage and armor shred, and by employing tactics that minimize exposure, players can significantly reduce their casualties when facing these fearsome psionic enemies. Moreover, knowing how to counter their abilities and how to dominate them can truly give your squad a tactical edge. Be strategic, stay informed, and dominate the battlefield!