XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a deep strategic game where every single choice counts in contrast to efficient base-building, which is critical for the player’s success. In XCOM 2, the build order influences how fast your campaign advances because of the time required to obtain new technologies, recruite new soldiers, and prepare for the alien threats. This review discusses the best build-order strategies to help you build your base optimally and have a winning campaign.
1. Introduction to Build Orders
In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, your base is management central. Efficient base management requires balancing building essential facilities, recruiting and training soldiers, and researching technologies. A good build order allows you to progress smoothly and be well prepared for all the challenges that will confront you through the course of the game.
2. Understanding Key Facilities
This being said, it is important to understand the key facilities you will need to have in your base before going into the build order.
Power Relays, the energy is required to run various facilities.
Communication Relays, increase regions available to scan.
Advanced Warfare Center (AWC) is for additional training and experimentation of soldiers.
Laboratories, they speed up the research for new technologies.
Proving Ground, for the construction of experimental weapons and equipment.
Training Center for retraining and soldier customization.
Infirmary for healing and treatment.
Guerilla Tactics School (GTS) to train soldier abilities and squad upgrades. 3. Early Game Build Order
Presently, we are at the onset of the game, and the underlying premise is to get a strong footing in place. Here’s a suggested build order to carry you through the first couple of months:
**3.1. Build Power Relays
Objective: Ensure power for base facilities.
Why: Power is needed by all facilities for construction and for upkeep. If power is not sufficient then more structures cannot be built and technologies cannot be researched.
Timing: Power Relay should be built at the earliest, preferably within the first month after making the choices. This will give you adequate power for further construction.
**3.2. Build Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS)
Objective: Train soldiers and work on the squad upgrades.
Why: The GTS is where new abilities can be taught to soldiers, such as superior combat tactics and squad upgrades. Enhancing these skills is crucial for the team’s performance in missions.
Timing: This building is best constructed soon after a Power Relay. Early construction will allow you to train and upgrade your soldiers as early in the campaign as possible.
**3.3. Make a Laboratory
Objective: Fast-track the research of new technologies.
Why: Laboratories are research accelerators; therefore you can research weapons, armor, and new technologies faster. It is all-important to hone your skills and be ahead of the alien threat.
Timing: Should be constructed in the first two months to ensure research is moving.
**3.4. Build the Proving Ground
Objective: Experiment with new weapons and equipment.
Why: The Proving Ground is where higher advancement of weapons and experimental gear are made. Such enhancements bring critical combat advantages to your fighting squad.
Timing: Build the Proving Ground after the Laboratory. This way you will at least be working on new equipment and upgrades.
4. Mid-Game Production Order
Trying to get into mid-game means stepping into an environment that requires getting your base ready to include the tougher challenges:
**4.1. Build Additional Power Relays
Objective: Ensure adequate power for new installations.
Why: As your base grows and new structures are added, they will require extra power. Insufficient power will prevent you from even building or maintaining advanced structures.
Timing: Construct additional Power Relays whenever you feel the need to extend power, usually when key facilities for mid-game progression have been established.
**4.2. Build an Advanced Warfare Center (AWC)
Objective: Develop soldier abilities and enhance mission performance.
Why: Additional training options are offered by the AWC, allowing soldiers to acquire new abilities, or improve existing ones. This can significantly increase the offensive capability of your squads.
Timing: Establish the AWC sometime around mid-game, in order to reap the benefits of having soldiers with enhanced abilities—that is really the best time to really start looking into higher-level strategies and tactics.
**4.3. Upgrade Your Armors and Weapons
Objective: Improve your squad’s gear and survivability.
Why: Upgrading armor and weapons is key to keeping up with increasingly difficult enemies. Better equipment means a stronger and more effective fighting force with more chances to muster through the missions.
Timing: Always work on the betterment of armor and weaponry throughout the advancement in the mid-game. Work on the research and development of these fields to gain the edge over the now-threatened aliens.
**4.4. Build a Training Center
Objective: To retrain soldiers and customize abilities.
Why: The Training Center allows retraining of soldiers and customizing their abilities to fit different mission requirements, thus providing flexibility. This is useful for adapting to new challenges and fine-tuning your squad.
Timing: Mid-game should be the time to build the Training Center so that you can start enjoying its benefits. It’s a great way to get more performance from your squad members.
5. Late Game Build Order
As your late game starts, you will want to prepare for the final missions and make sure your squad is at full power:
**5.1. Upgrade Facilities and Research
Objective: Maximize the effectiveness of your base and technology.
Why: Upgrading your facilities and carrying out the research grants you with the very best value for weapons, equipments, and capabilities for conducting the last missions. This includes setting the legal defenses of the base and unlocking advanced technologies.
Timing: During the late game, focus on upgrading facilities and researching technology so that you can be ready for the ultimate challenges.
**5.2. Build and Upgrade Psi Lab
Objective: Development of psionic abilities and their enhancement.
Why: Psi Lab will allow the training of soldiers with psionic abilities, which is a great speed bump in combat. Psionic soldiers have very strong abilities that can be game-changing.
Timing: In late game, advance with the construction and upgrading of the Psi Lab. There should be some psionic soldiers trained and ready for deployment in the final missions.
**5.3. Preparing for Final Missions
Goal: Prepare your squad with the right armor, weapons, and abilities for the final battles.
Why: The preparation for final missions basically entails equipping your squad with the best armor, weapons, and abilities available. This important step ensures the final battles are being won so that the player can successfully complete the game.
Timing: Preparation should be a prime focus as you are waiting to reach the end of the campaign. Be sure to have the highest-performing squad positioned to face the final battles.
6. Tips for Efficient Base Management
Installing these tips will allow your base to work at their fullest capacity and yet function effectively:
**6.1. Power Management Priority
Reason: Power is the most important resource as it determines the ability to construct and maintain buildings. You must make sure there is power available that can support all the operations in your base.
Tip: Construct Power Relays right at the start and upgrade them as and when your base expands.
**6.2. Balance Research and Development**
Balance between research and development so as to progress in current technology, all the while preparing for challenges to come.
Tip: Concentrate on key technologies and upgrades that provide the most benefits to your squad.
**6.3. Utilize the Guerilla Tactics School (GTS)**
Upgrades and abilities that will greatly assist your squad in combat are provided by the GTS.
Tip: Be sure to keep any new abilities or upgrades being trained current at all times so that tactics and skills are sharpened.
**6.4. Wiser Resource Management**
These supplies, intel, and alloys needed for construction and upgrading of the base.
Tip: Always give importance to resource gathering and management, so that you would have the materials needed from the build order.
7. Conclusion
The build order is an essential choice in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen to ensure that you have a nice base established and prepared for all the incoming challenges. By using the build order suggested, you shall inevitably be focusing on key facilities and upgrades that will truly make your base perform well and help with your squad abilities.
Build Order Summary
Early Game: Build Power Relay, Guerrilla Tactics School, Laboratory, and Proving Ground.
Mid Game: Expand Power Relays, build an Advanced Warfare Center, improve armors and weapons, build a Training Center.
Late Game: Upgrade all facilities, research Psi, build and upgrade a Psi Lab, prepare for the final mission.
If you plan your build order and maintain your base correctly, you will ensure the successful completion of the campaign and defeat of the alien threat. A good build order will ensure that whether one is a veteran or a novice, they will use their tactical skills more efficiently for the successful completion of the campaign.