XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the expansion for the award-winning XCOM 2, has brought a plethora of content into the game to enrich the overall gameplay experience. Some of the most significant new features are the characters and classes, each with its own set of powers, storylines, and strategic possibilities. This review dives deep into these characters, their roles, their strengths, and how they affect the overall gameplay of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.
1.Character Introduction in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, soldiers are much more than mere pawns in a tactical skirmish; they are an integral part of the narrative and strategic depth of the game. Various new classes and factions are introduced by the expansion, each bearing its unique abilities and roles on the battlefield and gameplay that may cause you to alter your approach to completing missions and managing your squad.
2. The New Classes
Since War of the Chosen brings new classes into play, complexity and some variation are added to the game. Each has set abilities that align with and can be further developed toward different playstyles and strategies.
2.1. The Reaper
A stealth class added with WoTC. Fittingly, it is all about scouting and sneaky gory blows of precision.
Abilities:
Shadowfall: Makes the Reaper invisible, hopefully to position them for attacks or to avoid detection.
Remote Start: Same thing: set off explosives in the environment-and all the poor enemies within range might be in for some damage.
Guerrilla Tactics: Grants bonuses while attacking from concealment, so the Reaper is perfect for ambushes and surprise hits.
Strengths:
High mobility and stealth.
Dispatches high-priority targets quickly and quietly.
Great at disrupting enemy formations and creating chaos.
3.1. Strategic Considerations:
Best for operations requiring stealth or precise approaches.
Perfect for scouting enemy forward positions.
Can be used for disabling traps in the enemy lines and setting their own.
2.2. Skirmisher
The Skirmisher class brings a fresh dimension of mobility and versatility. The class is configured for hit-and-run opportunities but can adapt to various forms of combat.
Abilities:
Grapple: The Skirmisher uses this to get to higher ground or somewhere tactically better for the fight.
Impact Frame: This ability buffs the damage and implies a better survivability for the Skirmisher when in combat.
Bladestorm: When enemies come and try to melee the Skirmisher, the Skirmisher retaliates pretty strongly with blades. Great in melee.
Strengths:
Very fast and adaptable in any combat situation.
Quick to rush towards enemies or fast to retreat back.
Strong in ranged and melee combat equally.
Strategic Use:
Aggressive tactics and flanking maneuvers.
Close-quarters or high ground battles against an enemy.
Can also be used for rapid traversal across the battlefield, to break through formations, and exploit openings.
2.3 The Templar
A class of ultimate psionic, commanding the Templar with a potent blend of melee strength and psychic power.
Abilities:
Void Rift: Opens a rift that damages and debuffs enemies in its area of effect.
Bladestorm: Performs a strong melee attack after which it causes a psychic backlash to enemies.
Focus: Bolsters Templar combat effectiveness and channeling of psychic energy toward various abilities.
Strengths:
Meaty melee attacks plus psychic powers.
Heavy damage and crowd control potentials.
Good at delivering strong single target damage and area-of-effect abilities.
Strategic use:
Should be used against high-priority targets and for breakups/freeing of enemy formations.
Used for crowd control against big groups of an enemy.
Used to take down priority enemies and assist fellow squad members.
3. The Chosen
These are truly alien powers, introduced in War of the Chosen. Each Chosen embodies different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Such varied powers make them formidable foes that require thorough planning and a strategic approach in their defeat.
3.1. The Assassin
The Assassin is a stealthy and agile Chosen concentrating on close-quarter combat and assassination.
Abilities:
Hunting: Tracks and ambushes XCOM operatives with deadly precision.
Teleportation: Allows the Assassin to reposition with great speed, keeping him largely undetectable.
Assassination Strike: A devastating melee strike that incapacitates or kills its target with a single blow.
Strengths:
Highly mobile and super stealthy.
Deadly at close range and great at disrupting XCOM ops.
Hard to anticipate and counter because of teleporting and ambush strategies.
Strategic Considerations:
Requires planning to avoid a surprise attack or ambush.
These countermeasures include greater alertness, placing troops in defensive positions.
Disrupt the Assassin`s capacity to move and attack.
3.2. The Warlock
The Warlock is a psychic Chosen that possesses strong psychic abilities of his own, with a focus on battlefield manipulation.
Abilities:
Mind Control: Can take over the minds of XCOM operatives, turning them against their own allies.
Psychic Storm: Creates a storm that deals damage and debuffs enemies in its AoE.
Teleport: Teleports and repositions across the battlefield.
Strengths:
Disrupt and control XCOM troops with increased psionics.
Cause chaos and confusion within the squad.
Fast and able to control how the battle unfolds.
Strategic Considerations:
Counter-powers and focus on decreasing the Warlock’s effectiveness.
Protect key squad members from mind control and psychic attacks.
Use cover and positioning to reduce the Warlock’s impact on the battlefield.
3.3. The Hunter
The Hunter is a Chosen that participates in long-range combat and tracking XCOM operatives across the battlefield.
Abilities:
Sniper Shot: Long-range attacks with high damaging power and precision.
Tracking: Tracks XCOM operatives and can locate hidden targets.
Explosive Trap: Sets traps that deal heavy damage to XCOM troops.
Strengths:
Long-range deadly precision attacks.
Capable of setting traps and attacking from distance.
Able to harass and disrupt XCOM operations efficiently.
Strategic Considerations:
Cover must be utilized to concentrate on countering the long-range attacks of the Hunter.
Avoid discernable movement patterns to lessen the effect of tracking.
Use suppressive fire and flank the target to remove Hunter’s potential advantages.
4. The New Factions
Along with the new classes and Chosen, War of the Chosen also drops new factions that capture the main importance from the narrative and strategy point of view.
4.1. The Reapers
Reapers are a resistance faction that specialized in stealth and guerrilla tactics.
Background:
The Reapers are a group of survivors who have taken stealth and precision to their highest level and use their skills in fighting aliens.
The Reaper is the leader of this group and oversees various operations while assisting XCOM.
Role:
Provides additional support for XCOM and tactical options through his mastery of stealth and guerrilla warfare.
Possesses unique powers and resources for use in enhancing XCOM capabilities.
Strategic Use:
Use Reaper operatives in missions to take advantage of their stealth capabilities and precision.
Their abilities can be used to scout, set traps, and dispatch high-priority targets while keeping hidden from enemy eyes.
4.2. The Skirmishers
The Skirmishers constitute the faction of former Advent soldiers fighting with the resistance.
Against the backdrop:
The Skirmishers constitute a mixed bag of former Advent soldiers who have turned their backs on the former masters and now offer their services to XCOM.
Thus, they offer a blend of their own combat arts and an alien point of view.
Role:
Additional combat and support and more versatility are given to XCOM operations.
Capable of unique abilities and resources in helping XCOM be more effective.
Strategic Use:
Skirmishers are deployed during missions to tap into their versatility and adaptability.
Their abilities may be applied to close-range combats, provide flanking positions, or contribute to extra firepower from one point or the other.
4.3. The Templars
The Templars work as a faction focusing on psionic abilities and combat prowess.
Background:
The Templars are psionically gifted individuals who allied with XCOM to fight the alien threat.
They bear strong psychic powers and proficient melee skills.
Role:
Additional support and combat capabilities through psionic abilities and close-range melee attacks.
Capable of unique abilities and resources to further increase XCOM’s efficiency in both direct combat and psychic warfare.
Strategic Use:
Utilize Templars in missions that demand high-damage melee attacks and mass psionic crowd control.
Take full advantage of their psychic abilities to disrupt enemy formations of large groups.
If the situation arises where a particular instance of their psionic powers can shift the scales to give XCOM an edge, deploy them without hesitation.
5. Integrating New Characters into Your Squad
New characters in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen open a whole wealth of strategic options and possibilities. Integrating them well into your squad means being able to understand their strengths and how they can complement existing squad members.
5.1. Building a Balanced Squad
In considering new classes and factions when setting up your squad, think of the following:
Synergy: Make sure your squad members have abilities that work together. For instance, combining the Reaper’s stealth and precision with the Skirmisher’s versatility would create a balanced and flexible team.
Role Diversity: Your squad should consist of a mixture of various roles: damage dealers, support units, and crowd control specialists. This keeps your team balanced to counters a wide array of combat scenarios.
Adaptability: Prepare yourself to switch out your squad configuration depending on the mission objectives and enemy types. For example, a stealth-based mission will require more Reapers, while a high-damage mission would see more Templars.
5.2. Making the Most Out of Unique Powers
Max out the unique abilities of your characters to enhance their overall effectiveness:
Reapers: Take advantage of their stealth to scout ahead and conduct ambushes. Their precise attacks serve best when eliminating crucial targets quietly before others can arrive.
Skirmishers: Their mobility gives them the ability to move freely around the battlefield and position themselves advantageously against the enemies. Their adaptability makes them fit for any combat scenario.
Templars use their psionics to divert attention, control, and inflict heavy damage on the enemies. Their melee skills are effective against key targets and are able to break enemy formations.
5.3. Upgrade and Customize Your Characters
Persevere in character-upgrade and customization to make them greater:
Weapon and Armor Upgrades: Continuously equip your characters with the best weapons and armor available to ensure that they perform well during combat, and select the improvements that fit the abilities and role of the character.
Ability Progression: Develop your characters’ abilities as they gain experience and become promoted. Concentrate on abilities that complement their strengths or minimize their weaknesses.
Synergistic Equipment: Equip those items that synergize with the character’s abilities. Items that increase Reaper stealth and precision would be ideal, while equipment that increases mobility would make a good fit for Skirmishers.
6. The Effect of New Characters on the Gameplay
Having new characters in War of the Chosen greatly affects gameplay:
6.1. Strategic Depth
The newcomers introduce new tactical options and strategies. By diversifying available abilities and roles, missions may be approached in a somewhat more subtle or creative way. Players can customize squads among different playstyles and mission objectives and thus serve a more dynamic and engaging environment.
6.2. Narrative and Storytelling
The new factions and characters also add to the narrative and storytelling of the game. Each of them brings an entirely separate counterpart to the storyline regarding its backstory and aims and interaction types with the player. The layers contribute to the richness of this mutable world into which players enter.
6.3. Challenge and Replayability
There comes the challenge and replayability due to the new characters and factions coming into the scenario. The players will have to adjust their tactics in light of the new abilities and tactics that those characters brought in. Diversified and multi-layered interactions and storylines brought by the new factions parametrize multiple completed runs for exploring all contents.
7. Conclusion
Characters introduced in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen incorporate different dynamics and varieties into the game. From stealthy Reapers to dynamic Skirmishers and psionically capable Templars, the uniqueness of each character and the strategic possibilities that each skill set provides come into play. The Chosen, being strongly powered and hence playing a variety of roles, stand out as a strong force within the game, constantly challenging the player’s strategic thinking.
Adding these characters to the player ntAK will require careful thought concerning their strengths and balancing their roles. Using their abilities, upgrading equipment, and altering role types to fit specific missions would increase player effectiveness and enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
Overall, the characters of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen add layers of tactical experience, enriching both the strategic scope and narrative depth of the game. Be it commanding new classes or battling against the Chosen, the expansion gives you a lot of content and challenges on top of the already solid experience given by XCOM 2.