XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the expansion to the critically acclaimed XCOM 2, introduced a wealth of new content to enhance the gameplay experience. Among the most significant additions are the new characters and classes, each of which brings unique abilities, storylines, and strategic depth to the game. This review provides an in-depth look at these characters, their roles, strengths, and how they impact the overall gameplay of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Characters in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, characters are more than just soldiers; they are integral to the game’s narrative and strategic depth. The expansion introduces several new character classes and factions, each with distinct abilities and roles that can significantly influence how you approach missions and manage your squad.
2. The New Classes
The introduction of new classes in War of the Chosen adds a layer of complexity and variety to the game. Each class comes with unique abilities that can be customized to suit different playstyles and strategies.
2.1. The Reaper
The Reaper class, introduced with War of the Chosen, is a stealth-oriented class that excels in reconnaissance and high-damage, precision attacks.
- Abilities:
- Shadowfall: Allows the Reaper to become invisible, making it easier to position them for optimal attacks or avoid detection.
- Remote Start: Detonates an explosive in the environment, causing significant damage to enemies within range.
- Guerrilla Tactics: Provides bonuses when attacking from concealment, making the Reaper highly effective for ambushes and surprise attacks.
- Strengths:
- High mobility and stealth capabilities.
- Excellent for taking out high-priority targets without alerting nearby enemies.
- Effective at disrupting enemy formations and causing chaos.
- Strategic Use:
- Ideal for missions requiring stealth and precision.
- Useful for scouting ahead and identifying enemy positions.
- Can be employed to set up traps and manipulate the battlefield.
2.2. The Skirmisher
The Skirmisher class brings a new dynamic with its combination of mobility and versatility. This class is designed for hit-and-run tactics and can adapt to various combat situations.
- Abilities:
- Grapple: Allows the Skirmisher to move quickly to higher ground or other advantageous positions, providing tactical flexibility.
- Impact Frame: Increases the Skirmisher’s damage and survivability during combat.
- Bladestorm: Enables the Skirmisher to strike back at enemies who attempt to melee them, making them formidable in close-quarters combat.
- Strengths:
- High mobility and adaptability in various combat scenarios.
- Effective at closing in on enemies or retreating to safety quickly.
- Strong in both ranged and melee combat.
- Strategic Use:
- Useful for aggressive tactics and flanking maneuvers.
- Effective at engaging enemies in close-quarters or from elevated positions.
- Can be employed to quickly traverse the battlefield and exploit weaknesses in enemy formations.
2.3. The Templar
The Templar class introduces psionic abilities into the mix, allowing for a combination of powerful melee attacks and psychic powers.
- Abilities:
- Void Rift: Creates a rift that damages and debuffs enemies within its area of effect.
- Bladestorm: Delivers a powerful melee attack that can also cause a psychic backlash to enemies.
- Focus: Increases the Templar’s combat effectiveness and ability to channel psychic energy for various abilities.
- Strengths:
- Powerful melee attacks combined with psychic abilities.
- Capable of dealing significant damage and crowd control.
- Provides strong single-target damage and area-of-effect abilities.
- Strategic Use:
- Ideal for taking on high-value targets and disrupting enemy formations.
- Useful for crowd control and dealing with large groups of enemies.
- Can be employed to focus on high-priority enemies and provide support to other squad members.
3. The Chosen
The Chosen are powerful alien adversaries introduced in War of the Chosen. Each Chosen has its own abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, making them formidable foes that require careful planning and strategy to defeat.
3.1. The Assassin
The Assassin is a stealthy and agile Chosen with a focus on close-quarters combat and assassination.
- Abilities:
- Hunting: Can track and ambush XCOM operatives with deadly efficiency.
- Teleportation: Allows the Assassin to reposition quickly, making it difficult to pin down.
- Assassination Strike: Delivers a powerful melee attack that can incapacitate or eliminate enemies with a single blow.
- Strengths:
- High mobility and stealth capabilities.
- Deadly in close-quarters combat and effective at disrupting XCOM operations.
- Difficult to predict and counter due to teleportation and ambush tactics.
- Strategic Considerations:
- Requires careful planning to avoid surprise attacks and ambushes.
- Effective countermeasures include increased vigilance and deploying troops in defensive positions.
- Focus on disrupting the Assassin’s ability to move and attack.
3.2. The Warlock
The Warlock is a psionic Chosen with powerful psychic abilities and a focus on manipulating the battlefield.
- Abilities:
- Mind Control: Can take control of XCOM operatives, turning them against their allies.
- Psychic Storm: Creates a storm that damages and debuffs enemies within its area of effect.
- Teleportation: Allows the Warlock to move across the battlefield and reposition strategically.
- Strengths:
- Strong psionic abilities that can disrupt and control XCOM troops.
- Effective at causing chaos and confusion among the squad.
- High mobility and ability to control the flow of battle.
- Strategic Considerations:
- Utilize counter-psionic abilities and focus on reducing the Warlock’s effectiveness.
- Protect key squad members from mind control and psychic attacks.
- Use cover and positioning to minimize the Warlock’s impact on the battlefield.
3.3. The Hunter
The Hunter is a Chosen with a focus on ranged combat and tracking XCOM operatives across the battlefield.
- Abilities:
- Sniper Shot: Delivers powerful long-range attacks with high accuracy.
- Tracking: Can track XCOM operatives and locate them even when hidden.
- Explosive Trap: Sets traps that can deal significant damage to XCOM troops.
- Strengths:
- Deadly at long range with high precision attacks.
- Capable of setting traps and dealing damage from a distance.
- Effective at harassing and disrupting XCOM operations.
- Strategic Considerations:
- Focus on countering the Hunter’s long-range attacks with cover and mobility.
- Avoid predictable movement patterns to reduce the effectiveness of tracking.
- Utilize suppressive fire and flanking maneuvers to neutralize the Hunter’s advantages.
4. The New Factions
In addition to the new classes and Chosen, War of the Chosen introduces new factions that play a significant role in the game’s narrative and strategy.
4.1. The Reapers
The Reapers are a resistance faction that specializes in stealth and guerrilla tactics.
- Background:
- The Reapers are a group of survivors who have mastered stealth and precision, using their skills to fight against the alien invaders.
- They are led by a figure known as the Reaper, who guides their operations and provides support to XCOM.
- Role:
- Provides additional support and tactical options to XCOM through their expertise in stealth and guerrilla warfare.
- Offers unique abilities and resources that can be utilized to enhance XCOM’s capabilities.
- Strategic Use:
- Incorporate Reaper operatives into missions to take advantage of their stealth and precision.
- Use their abilities to scout ahead, set traps, and eliminate high-priority targets without alerting enemies.
4.2. The Skirmishers
The Skirmishers are a faction of former Advent soldiers who have joined the resistance.
- Background:
- The Skirmishers are a diverse group of former Advent soldiers who have turned against their former masters and now fight alongside XCOM.
- They bring unique combat abilities and a different perspective to the fight against the aliens.
- Role:
- Provides additional combat support and versatility to XCOM’s operations.
- Offers unique abilities and resources that can be utilized to enhance XCOM’s effectiveness.
- Strategic Use:
- Deploy Skirmishers in missions to take advantage of their versatility and adaptability.
- Use their abilities to engage enemies in close-quarters, flank positions, and provide additional firepower.
4.3. The Templars
The Templars are a faction with a focus on psionic abilities and combat prowess.
- Background:
- The Templars are a group of psionically gifted individuals who have allied with XCOM to fight against the alien threat.
- They bring powerful psychic abilities and melee combat skills to the resistance.
- Role:
- Provides additional support and combat capabilities through their psionic abilities and melee attacks.
- Offers unique abilities and resources that can be utilized to enhance XCOM’s effectiveness in both direct combat and psychic warfare.
- Strategic Use:
- Utilize Templars in missions requiring high-damage melee attacks and psionic crowd control.
- Employ their psychic abilities to disrupt enemy formations and deal with large groups of enemies.
- Deploy them in scenarios where their psionic powers can be leveraged to turn the tide of battle in XCOM’s favor.
5. Integrating New Characters into Your Squad
The introduction of new characters in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen provides a wealth of strategic options and possibilities. Integrating these characters into your squad effectively requires an understanding of their unique strengths and how they complement the existing squad members.
5.1. Building a Balanced Squad
When forming a squad with the new classes and factions, consider the following:
- Synergy: Ensure that your squad members’ abilities complement each other. For example, pairing a Reaper’s stealth and precision with a Skirmisher’s versatility can create a balanced and flexible team.
- Role Diversity: Include a mix of different roles in your squad, such as damage dealers, support units, and crowd control specialists. This balance will help you handle a variety of combat situations effectively.
- Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your squad composition based on the mission objectives and enemy types. For instance, you might need to include more Reapers for stealth missions or more Templars for high-damage engagements.
5.2. Leveraging Unique Abilities
Take advantage of each character’s unique abilities to maximize their effectiveness:
- Reapers: Use their stealth to scout ahead and set up ambushes. Their precision attacks are ideal for eliminating key targets without alerting other enemies.
- Skirmishers: Utilize their mobility to maneuver around the battlefield and engage enemies from advantageous positions. Their versatility allows them to adapt to various combat scenarios.
- Templars: Employ their psionic powers to control the battlefield and deal significant damage to enemies. Their melee attacks are effective against high-priority targets and can disrupt enemy formations.
5.3. Upgrading and Customizing Characters
Invest in upgrading and customizing your characters to enhance their performance:
- Weapon and Armor Upgrades: Equip your characters with the best available weapons and armor to increase their combat effectiveness. Tailor these upgrades to each character’s role and abilities.
- Ability Progression: Develop your characters’ abilities through experience and promotions. Focus on abilities that enhance their strengths and address their weaknesses.
- Synergistic Equipment: Choose equipment and items that complement your characters’ abilities. For example, equip Reapers with items that enhance their stealth and precision, while giving Skirmishers gear that boosts their mobility.
6. The Impact of New Characters on Gameplay
The addition of new characters in War of the Chosen significantly impacts the gameplay experience:
6.1. Strategic Depth
The new characters introduce a range of tactical options and strategies. The diversity of abilities and roles available allows for more nuanced and flexible approaches to missions. Players can tailor their squads to suit different playstyles and mission objectives, creating a more dynamic and engaging experience.
6.2. Narrative and Storytelling
The new factions and characters also contribute to the game’s narrative and storytelling. Each faction brings its own backstory, motivations, and interactions with the player. This adds depth to the game’s world and enhances the overall experience.
6.3. Challenge and Replayability
The inclusion of new characters and factions adds layers of challenge and replayability to the game. Players must adapt their strategies to account for the new abilities and tactics introduced by these characters. Additionally, the diverse interactions and storylines provided by the new factions encourage multiple playthroughs to fully explore their content.
7. Conclusion
The characters introduced in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen add significant depth and variety to the game. From the stealthy Reapers to the versatile Skirmishers and the psionically powerful Templars, each character brings unique abilities and strategic options to the table. The Chosen, with their formidable powers and roles, provide challenging and dynamic adversaries that test the player’s strategic acumen.
Integrating these characters into your squad requires careful planning and an understanding of their strengths and roles. By leveraging their unique abilities, upgrading their equipment, and tailoring their roles to suit different missions, players can enhance their effectiveness and enjoy a richer and more engaging gameplay experience.
Overall, the characters in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen contribute to a deeper and more varied tactical experience, enriching the game’s strategic depth and narrative complexity. Whether you’re commanding the new classes or facing off against the Chosen, the expansion offers a wealth of content and challenges that enhance the core XCOM 2 experience.