XCOM 2: War of the Chosen builds on the core mechanics of its base, introducing additional mechanics, missions, and, most importantly, armor options. Armor proved to be another excellent way of customization in XCOM 2. The armor granted different abilities that affected the performance and survival of the squad. In this review, I will discuss the best armor choices, their benefits, applications, and how they may be used for achieving a tactical advantage.
1. Introduction to Armor in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
In XCOM 2, armor performs several essential functions. They provide soldiers with an element of survivability, resistance against different types of damage, or special abilities or bonuses. With War of the Chosen, the armor options have been expanded, with new ways of customizing and strengthening your squad.
2. Why Armor Is Important
In XCOM 2, a soldier’s armor adds another layer of protection over their base health. When successfully chosen, it may further mitigate damage from attacks, lessen the effect of status conditions, or become an active ability to change the course of battle. Having an understanding of correct armor for the correct situation is a key to winning.
3.Types of Armor
There are several types of armor in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen that offer very different properties and advantages. Let’s take a detailed look at what constitutes the very best armor choices:
3.1. Standard Armors
**3.1.1. Tactical Suit:
Description: The Tactical Suit offers a basic armor in terms of health and damage reduction.
Advantages: Basically an increase in survivability, with a small increment in health and a touch of damage resistance.
Best For: The early game when better armor is not yet available. Also good for basic protection and flexibility.
**3.1.2. Exo Suit:
Description: The Exo Suit increases mobility and gives another item slot, enabling soldiers to carry more items.
Advantages: Increased mobility and access to heavy weapons such as the flamethrower. The additional slot offers more tactical options.
Best For: Mid-game situations where sheer firepower and utility are required in the battlefield. Perfect for heavy weapons and versatile users.
3.1.3. Warden Armor:
Description: Warden Armor, providing better protection than the Tactical Suit, boasts some defensive abilities requiring activation to promote survival.
Benefits: Improved protection and other miscellaneous abilities that can, for instance, grant a tiny percentage chance to avoid attacks.
Best For: Soldiers needing the extra protection but still wishing to maintain slight mobility and effectiveness.
3.2. Advanced Armors
**3.2.1. Spider Suit:
Description: A high-mobility suit equipped with a grappling hook for vertical movement.
Benefits: Offers superb mobility to scale walls and reach high ground, while the armor boosts soldier health.
Best For: When mobility and tactical positioning are high priority. Great for flanking and gaining high-ground advantages.
**3.2.2. War Suit:
Description: Provides high protection, but also offers superior features such as a rocket launcher.
Benefits: Has an excellent armor value and offensive capability with the built-in rocket launcher.
Best For: Heavy combat where additional firepower is needed. Good when tackling large groups of enemies or tough targets.
**3.2.3. Predator Armor:
Description: Predator armor is all about speeding-up the action with its special kind of high mobility features. In addition to that array of things, it also affords that regard of stealthiness through which the soldiers are kept undetected.
Benefits: Enhancement of stealth capabilities, thereby easing in escaping detection and setting-up surprise attacks.
Best For: For stealth-level missions in scenarios where avoiding detection is a must. Best allied with squads whose focus is on stealth and ambush tactics.
4. Armors Manually Modified
Making any change in the armor is given so that it can highly enhance the effectiveness that the armor type possesses. So here is the way you go about personalizing and upgrading your armor for ultimate performance:
**4.1. Upgrades
**4.1.1: Advanced Armor:**
Description: And the one that upgrades an ordinary armor to advanced armor to raise its core attributes pertaining to extra health and damage resistance are beyond how general are enhancements to its protection and henceforth in combat situations.
Benefits: Enhanced protection and combat efficacy.
Best For: Any and all kinds of armors because the advanced upgrades greatly improve their survivability.
**4.1.2. Plasma Grenades Upgrade:
Description: Upgrading the plasma grenades also upgrades their damage and area of effect.
Benefits: Crowd control and damage output are enhanced.
Best For: Heavy combat involving groups of enemies.
**4.1.3. Battle Scanner Upgrade:
Description: Upgrading the battle scanner also increases its range and effectiveness in detecting enemies.
Benefits: Provides better reconnaissance and allows for improved planning and positioning.
Best For: Stealth/reconnaissance missions where knowing enemy positions is key.
5. Choosing the Best Armor for Different Scenarios
Choosing the right armor for a given mission can greatly influence the outcome. Here is a quick guide to choose the best armor for different scenarios:
**5.1. Urban Combat
Urban environments require mobility and protection. The ideal armor would guarantee maximum protection and mobility.
Recommended Armor:
Spider Suit, for great mobility and tactical positioning.
Warden Armor, for balanced protection and survivability.
**5.2. Heavy Combat
Heavy combat will occur during battles with larger groups or tough enemies where the armor will need to possess very high protection and increased firepower.
Recommended Armor:
War Suit: For higher protection and built-in rocket launcher.
Exo Suit: For additional utility and heavy weapon access.
**5.3. Stealth Missions
In stealth missions, the armor must enhance stealth ability and reduce detection.
Recommended Armor:
Predator Armor: For stealth and ambush.
Spider Suit: For mobility and tactical positioning.
6. Mods and Community Recommendations
The XCOM 2 modding community has created many mods to improve or alter armor options, adding more customization and balance adjustments. Here are some of the best mods and community recommendations:
**6.1. Armor Overhaul Mods
Long War 2: This mod changes extensively armor stats and the customization, thus providing a harder and more immersive experience.
The Alien Hunters: Adds new armor options and upgrades, thereby increasing the diversity of armor in the game.
**6.2. Cosmetic Mods
Armor Skins: Several mods provide new armor skins and appearances, thus allowing for further customization, visual diversity, etc.
Animations: Armor animation mods can improve visual combat experiences and add to the game’s interactivity.
**6.3. Balance Mods
XCOM 2 Balance Mod: It adjusts the armor stats for a more balanced experience, balancing any overpowered or underpowered armor choices.
Enhanced Armor Customization: This allows armor customization options to be extended, hence allowing for performance alignments.
7. Conclusion
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen; choosing the best armor is arguably the first step to success in any given combat situation. Urban, heavy, or stealth combat are all affected by the selected armor’s efficacy in changing the productivity and survivability matrix of a squad.
Summary of Top Armor
Tactical Suit: Basic protection for early-game use.
Exo Suit: Offers mobility plus the use of heavy weapons in the mid-game.
Warden Armor: Balanced protection and survivability.
Spider Suit: High mobility with grappling hook for tactical positioning.
War Suit: Higher protection with an integrated rocket launcher for heavy combat.
Predator Armor: Stealth for avoiding detection.
Knowing armor options and their basic strengths will pep you and your squad into being able to tackle any challenge that goes their way. Pairing these armor varieties with good upgrades and some level of customization maximizes their functionality and adapts them to varying combat situations.
Whether you are a seasoned player or just entering the realm of XCOM 2, making artful use of the best armor will undoubtedly increase your tactical finesse and see you through a successful campaign.