Who is the Strongest Soldier in XCOM?
Determining the “strongest” soldier in the XCOM universe is a complex question, as strength can be defined in multiple ways: raw damage output, battlefield utility, survivability, or even strategic impact. However, based on a combination of factors and consistent community consensus, the Reaper class in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen most consistently earns the title of the strongest soldier. While other classes excel in specific areas, the Reaper’s unique blend of scouting, damage dealing, and strategic flexibility elevates them above the rest.
Why the Reaper Stands Above the Rest
The Reaper’s strength stems from their inherent abilities and the crucial role they fill on the battlefield:
- Unparalleled Scouting: The Reaper’s Shadow ability provides near-permanent concealment, allowing them to scout ahead, identify enemy positions, and set up ambushes. This information is invaluable for tactical planning, allowing your squad to engage on their terms. They can essentially function as long-range eyes for the team, dramatically reducing the risks associated with navigating unknown terrain.
- Devastating Damage Output: Reapers wield a powerful Vektor Rifle that deals substantial damage, especially against isolated targets. Their Banish ability further amplifies their damage potential, allowing them to unload a series of attacks on a single enemy with greatly increased chance to hit. This ability turns them into a single target executioner, making them incredibly efficient against high-threat foes.
- Strategic Flexibility: The Reaper’s mobility and scouting prowess allow them to operate independently. They can flank enemies, set traps, and provide overwatch support with minimal risk. Their ability to remain concealed allows them to reposition and react to changing battlefield dynamics. This gives them a flexibility that other classes struggle to match.
- Claymore Explosives: Not only do Reapers have a powerful weapon, but they also have the ability to drop a timed bomb called a Claymore. This powerful bomb can do a large amount of damage, making them incredibly lethal.
- Strategic Map Advantage: Reapers are not only powerful in tactical combat, but they excel at the strategy layer. They are incredibly effective at covert actions, especially those that rely on infiltration. This makes them a great choice for those difficult covert actions that can be challenging with other soldiers.
While other classes might shine in particular scenarios, the Reaper’s consistent utility and high impact make them the most versatile and powerful soldier in XCOM 2. Their ability to dictate the terms of engagement through scouting and their capacity to single out and eliminate high-priority targets make them invaluable assets on any mission.
Other Strong Contenders
While the Reaper often takes the top spot, other classes also deserve recognition for their unique strengths:
Grenadier
The Grenadier stands out for their unmatched crowd control and area-of-effect damage. They can use explosives to shred enemy cover, weaken armor, and deal heavy damage to groups. While they might lack the stealth of a Reaper, their battlefield disruption capabilities are invaluable for breaking down entrenched enemy positions. They also have the ability to use a heavy weapon which can offer unique tactical advantages.
Sharpshooter
The Sharpshooter excels at long-range engagements, capable of picking off high-priority targets from afar. Their ability to chain shots together, especially with the Kill Zone ability, can make them a devastating damage dealer when positioned correctly. This makes them essential for clearing out high priority, or dangerous, enemies from a distance.
Ranger
The Ranger, with their close-quarters prowess and potent shotgun, excels at dealing high burst damage. They are ideal for flanking enemies, eliminating threats quickly, and utilizing melee attacks. They are incredibly deadly in closed spaces making them crucial in any combat situations that happen indoors.
Specialist
The Specialist provides crucial support with their hacking abilities and healing capabilities. They can shut down enemy robots, provide much needed medical support, and help control the flow of combat. They are a very versatile class, that can be used in several combat roles making them incredibly valuable.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the title of “strongest soldier” is subjective. However, considering the consistent impact, versatility, and tactical advantages the Reaper provides, they consistently earn the top spot in the eyes of the XCOM community. While other classes have their areas of strength, the Reaper’s unique combination of scouting, damage, and adaptability makes them the strongest all-around soldier in the XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the soldier ranks in XCOM?
A soldier may progress through the following ranks: Rookie, Squaddie, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonel. Each rank unlocks new abilities and improves the soldier’s stats.
2. How many soldiers can you have in an XCOM squad?
In the original game, players can initially field four soldiers at a time, which can be upgraded to six soldiers later in the game. Some mods allow for even larger squads.
3. Who is the main villain in the XCOM Reboot franchise?
The main villains are the ADVENT Coalition, a hostile invading coalition of genetically-engineered species led and enslaved by the Ethereals (later known as the Elders).
4. What is the final boss of XCOM: Enemy Unknown?
The final boss of XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the Uber Ethereal, encountered on the bridge during the Temple Ship Assault.
5. What is the strongest weapon in XCOM 2?
The Plasma Bolt Caster is considered one of the most powerful weapons in XCOM 2, offering high damage per shot, however it has a long reload time.
6. What is the purpose of the Commander in XCOM?
The Commander oversees every aspect of XCOM, including strategic planning, soldier management, logistics, construction, upgrades, and research. The Commander also personally orders soldiers in tactical combat missions.
7. What is the Skirmisher class in XCOM 2?
The Skirmisher class consists of defective ADVENT soldiers who have broken free from their control and seek revenge against their former masters. They are a hero class with unique abilities.
8. Who is the leader of the Reapers in XCOM 2?
The leader of the Reapers is Konstantin Volikov (callsign Volk).
9. What is the hardest alien ruler in XCOM 2?
The Archon King is the hardest alien ruler to defeat in XCOM 2.
10. What does SHIV stand for in XCOM?
SHIV stands for Super Heavy Infantry Vehicle. They are deployable weapons platforms that can substitute human soldiers on missions.
11. Does XCOM 2 continue after the ending?
After completing the campaign, players can start a new game with the Ironman mode enabled for increased difficulty. There are no additional campaigns after the main story.
12. How many endings does XCOM have?
There are two possible outcomes to the game: winning by defeating the final boss, or losing when a certain number of nations abandon the XCOM project.
13. Who leads the Templars in XCOM?
The Templars are led by Geist, one of the original Psionic soldiers.
14. What is the significance of the Captain rank?
The Captain rank is the fifth rank available to soldiers and unlocks Squad Size II for purchase at the Officer Training School, allowing you to field larger squads.
15. What does XCOM stand for?
XCOM is an abbreviation of “Extraterrestrial Combat“, representing the organization’s mission to combat alien threats.