XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Strategy Guide

Introduction

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the expansion to the critically acclaimed XCOM 2, introduces a wealth of new content and strategic depth to the already complex and engaging game. This expansion builds upon the core mechanics of the original game while adding new factions, enemies, and features that significantly alter the strategic landscape. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of strategies for mastering XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, including squad management, combat tactics, base management, and dealing with the new content introduced in the expansion.

1. Understanding the New Features

1.1. The Chosen

The Chosen are powerful alien enemies with unique abilities and behaviors. There are three Chosen, each representing a different aspect of the alien invasion:

• The Assassin: Specializes in stealth and assassination, using her abilities to target and eliminate key squad members. She can use stealth to her advantage, making her a formidable opponent who can strike unexpectedly.
• The Hunter: Known for his tracking abilities, the Hunter excels at tracking down and engaging XCOM soldiers. His skills include deploying traps and using his superior mobility to outmaneuver the player’s squad.
• The Warlock: Utilizes psionic powers to manipulate and control the battlefield. The Warlock can debuff XCOM soldiers and summon reinforcements, adding a layer of complexity to engagements.

Dealing with the Chosen requires understanding their strengths and weaknesses, which will be discussed in the combat strategies section.

1.2. The Resistance Factions

War of the Chosen introduces three resistance factions that offer additional support and resources to the player:

• The Reapers: Specialize in stealth and long-range attacks. They provide valuable reconnaissance and can deal significant damage from a distance. Their abilities include invisible movement and powerful sniper attacks.
• The Skirmishers: Highly mobile and versatile, Skirmishers can perform a variety of roles on the battlefield, from heavy assault to support. They are adept at using cover and executing tactical maneuvers.
• The Templars: Focus on psionic powers and melee combat. They can perform devastating close-range attacks and provide powerful support abilities, such as healing and area-of-effect damage.

Each faction has its own unique abilities and missions that will impact the overall strategy. Integrating their strengths into your overall strategy is crucial for success.

1.3. New Enemies and Mechanic Enhancements

The expansion also introduces new enemies and mechanics:

• The Lost: Zombie-like creatures that appear in large numbers. They are weak individually but can overwhelm the player with their sheer numbers. Effective strategies include using area-of-effect attacks and leveraging environmental hazards.
• New Alien Units: Including the Purifier and the Codex, which introduce new challenges and tactics. Purifiers can use flamethrowers to deal damage over time, while Codex can clone themselves and use powerful psionic abilities.
• Dark Events: Random events that occur throughout the campaign, providing new challenges and altering the game’s difficulty. Dark Events can include increased enemy strength, reduced resources, or other negative effects.

2. Squad Management

2.1. Building the Perfect Squad

Building an effective squad is essential for success in XCOM 2. Consider the following tips for squad management:

• Balance Roles: Ensure your squad includes a mix of different roles, including damage dealers, support units, and specialists. Each role contributes to the squad’s overall effectiveness.
• Utilize Abilities: Each class in XCOM 2 has unique abilities. Choose abilities that complement each other and maximize the squad’s overall effectiveness. For example, pairing a Sniper with a Ranger can provide both long-range and close-quarters capabilities.
• Upgrade Gear: Regularly upgrade your squad’s equipment to stay competitive. This includes weapons, armor, and special items. Pay attention to the new technologies and enhancements introduced in War of the Chosen.

2.2. Promotion and Training

Promoting your soldiers and investing in their training is crucial for success:

• Promote Soldiers: Gain experience and level up your soldiers by completing missions. As soldiers level up, they gain access to new abilities and upgrades. Prioritize promotions to unlock powerful skills and improve your squad’s effectiveness.
• Specialization: Invest in soldier specialization by selecting abilities that align with your tactical goals. For example, focusing on stealth abilities for a Sniper can make them more effective in reconnaissance and ambushes.
• Combat Strategy: Regularly review your soldiers’ performance and adjust their roles and abilities as needed. Experiment with different setups and strategies to find the optimal configuration for your squad.

3. Combat Tactics

3.1. Engaging the Chosen

Each Chosen requires a unique approach:

• The Assassin: Use Overwatch and suppression to counter her stealth abilities. Focus on tracking her movements and using abilities that reveal her position. Once detected, concentrate firepower on her to quickly neutralize the threat.
• The Hunter: Utilize defensive positioning and cover to minimize the impact of his attacks. Be prepared for his traps and mobility, and use area-of-effect attacks to deal with any reinforcements he may call.
• The Warlock: Disrupt his psionic abilities by using items and abilities that grant immunity to mind control. Engage him from a distance to minimize the impact of his area-of-effect attacks and debuffs.

3.2. Dealing with the Lost

The Lost can be overwhelming if not managed properly:

• Area-of-Effect Attacks: Use grenades, flamethrowers, and other area-of-effect attacks to deal with large groups of Lost. Their numbers can quickly become a problem, so managing them effectively is crucial.
• Environmental Hazards: Take advantage of environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels and fire, to deal additional damage to the Lost. Position your squad to use these hazards to your advantage.
• Mobility: Maintain mobility and avoid getting surrounded by the Lost. Use cover and positioning to control the flow of the battle and prevent being overwhelmed.

3.3. Managing Dark Events

Dark Events can significantly impact your campaign:

• Prioritize Objectives: Focus on completing missions that counter Dark Events and reduce their impact. Prioritize missions that offer rewards or benefits that counteract the negative effects of Dark Events.
• Plan Ahead: Be proactive in managing Dark Events by planning your missions and strategies accordingly. Anticipate the potential challenges and adjust your tactics to address them effectively.
• Adapt Strategies: Be prepared to adapt your strategies based on the specific Dark Events affecting your campaign. Flexibility and adaptability are key to overcoming the challenges presented by Dark Events.

4. Base Management

4.1. Resource Allocation

Effective resource management is essential for success:

• Prioritize Upgrades: Allocate resources to critical upgrades, such as new facilities, research, and equipment. Focus on upgrades that provide significant benefits to your squad and overall strategy.
• Manage Supplies: Regularly monitor your supplies and manage their allocation. Ensure you have enough resources for critical upgrades and mission preparations.
• Research and Development: Invest in research and development to unlock new technologies and equipment. Prioritize research that provides immediate benefits or supports your tactical goals.

4.2. Facility Management

Managing your base facilities is crucial:

• Facility Placement: Plan the placement of facilities to maximize efficiency and support your strategic goals. Consider the impact of facility placement on overall base operations and resource management.
• Upgrades and Maintenance: Regularly upgrade and maintain your facilities to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Invest in upgrades that provide significant benefits or support your tactical objectives.
• Personnel Management: Assign personnel to facilities based on their skills and expertise. Ensure that critical facilities are staffed with qualified personnel to maximize their effectiveness.

5. Long-Term Strategy

5.1. Campaign Management

Managing the overall campaign is key to achieving success:

• Objective Prioritization: Focus on key objectives and missions that advance the main storyline and provide significant benefits. Prioritize missions that align with your overall strategy and long-term goals.
• Adapt to Challenges: Be prepared to adapt your strategy based on the evolving challenges and obstacles you encounter. Flexibility and adaptability are essential for overcoming the various threats and challenges in the game.
• Monitor Progress: Regularly review your campaign progress and adjust your strategy as needed. Track your achievements, resource levels, and overall objectives to ensure you stay on track.

5.2. Post-Game Considerations

After completing the main campaign, consider the following:

• Replayability: Explore different strategies and approaches in subsequent playthroughs. Experiment with different squad compositions, tactics, and objectives to experience new challenges and outcomes.
• Modding and Community Content: Engage with the modding community to enhance your gameplay experience. Explore mods that add new content, features, or challenges to the game.
• Competitive Play: Consider participating in competitive play or community events to test your skills against other players. Competitive play offers a new layer of challenge and engagement beyond the single-player experience.

Conclusion

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen offers a complex and challenging strategic experience that builds upon the strengths of the original XCOM 2 game. Mastering the game requires a deep understanding of its mechanics, effective squad management, and strategic combat tactics. By leveraging the new features introduced in the expansion, including the Chosen, resistance factions, and new enemies, players can create a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

This comprehensive strategy guide provides an overview of the key elements needed to succeed in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen. By focusing on advanced combat tactics, base management, long-term strategy, and post-campaign considerations, players can develop a winning approach to navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the expansion. Whether you’re a seasoned XCOM veteran or a newcomer to the series, these strategies and insights will help you achieve success in your campaign against the alien threat.