XCOM 2: War of the Chosen – Best Build Order Guide

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a deep and strategic game where every decision counts, and building your base efficiently is crucial for success. The build order in XCOM 2 can significantly impact your campaign, influencing how quickly you can access advanced technologies, recruit new soldiers, and prepare for the threats posed by the alien invaders. This review explores the best build order strategies to help you optimize your base and ensure a successful campaign.

1. Introduction to Build Orders

In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, your base is the hub of operations. Efficient base management involves balancing the construction of essential facilities, recruiting and training soldiers, and researching technologies. A well-planned build order helps you advance through the game smoothly and prepares you for the various challenges you’ll face.

2. Understanding Key Facilities

Before diving into the build order, it’s important to understand the key facilities you’ll need in your base:

• Power Relays: Provide the energy required to operate various facilities.
• Communication Relays: Increase the number of regions you can scan.
• Advanced Warfare Center (AWC): Allows for additional soldier training and experimentation.
• Laboratories: Speed up research on new technologies.
• Proving Ground: Enables the development of experimental weapons and equipment.
• Training Center: Allows for the retraining of soldiers and customization.
• Infirmary: Provides healing and treatment for injured soldiers.
• Guerilla Tactics School (GTS): Offers training for soldier abilities and squad upgrades.

3. Early Game Build Order

In the early game, focus on establishing a strong foundation. Here’s a suggested build order for the first few months:

**3.1. Build Power Relays

• Objective: Secure power to support your base facilities.
• Why: Power is essential for constructing and maintaining all facilities. Without sufficient power, you won’t be able to build additional structures or research technologies.
• Timing: Build a Power Relay as soon as possible, preferably within the first month. This will ensure you have the energy needed for subsequent constructions.

**3.2. Construct a Guerrilla Tactics School (GTS)

• Objective: Train soldiers and upgrade your squad.
• Why: The GTS allows you to train new abilities for your soldiers, such as improved combat tactics and squad upgrades. It’s crucial for enhancing your team’s effectiveness in missions.
• Timing: Build the GTS shortly after establishing a Power Relay. This will enable you to start training and upgrading your soldiers early in the campaign.

**3.3. Build a Laboratory

• Objective: Speed up research on new technologies.
• Why: The Laboratory accelerates research, allowing you to unlock new weapons, armor, and technologies faster. This is critical for advancing your capabilities and staying ahead of the alien threat.
• Timing: Construct the Laboratory within the first two months to ensure you’re making progress on research.

**3.4. Develop a Proving Ground

• Objective: Experiment with new weapons and equipment.
• Why: The Proving Ground is essential for developing advanced weaponry and experimental gear. It provides crucial advantages in combat by enhancing your squad’s arsenal.
• Timing: Build the Proving Ground after establishing the Laboratory. This will allow you to start working on new equipment and upgrades.

4. Mid-Game Build Order

As you progress into the mid-game, your focus shifts to expanding your base’s capabilities and preparing for tougher challenges:

**4.1. Expand with Additional Power Relays

• Objective: Ensure you have enough power for new facilities.
• Why: As you expand your base and add new facilities, you’ll need additional power to support them. Without sufficient energy, you’ll be unable to build or maintain advanced structures.
• Timing: Build additional Power Relays as needed, typically after you’ve established the key facilities required for mid-game progression.

**4.2. Construct an Advanced Warfare Center (AWC)

• Objective: Enhance soldier abilities and improve mission performance.
• Why: The AWC provides additional training options and allows soldiers to learn new abilities or improve existing ones. This can significantly boost your squad’s effectiveness in combat.
• Timing: Build the AWC in the mid-game to start benefiting from enhanced soldier capabilities. It’s especially useful for developing high-level strategies and tactics.

**4.3. Upgrade to Better Armor and Weapons

• Objective: Improve your squad’s gear and survivability.
• Why: Upgrading armor and weapons is essential for keeping up with increasingly challenging enemies. Better gear will enhance your squad’s combat effectiveness and increase their chances of success in missions.
• Timing: Focus on upgrading armor and weapons as you advance through the mid-game. Prioritize research and development in these areas to stay ahead of the alien threat.

**4.4. Build a Training Center

• Objective: Retrain soldiers and customize abilities.
• Why: The Training Center allows you to retrain soldiers and customize their abilities, providing flexibility in how you approach missions. It’s particularly useful for adapting to new challenges and refining your squad’s skills.
• Timing: Construct the Training Center in the mid-game to start benefiting from its capabilities. It’s a valuable asset for optimizing your squad’s performance.

5. Late Game Build Order

In the late game, your focus should be on preparing for the final missions and ensuring your squad is at peak performance:

**5.1. Upgrade Facilities and Research

• Objective: Maximize the effectiveness of your base and technology.
• Why: Upgrading facilities and completing research will provide you with the best possible equipment and capabilities for the final missions. This includes improving your base’s defenses and unlocking advanced technologies.
• Timing: Focus on upgrading facilities and completing research in the late game to ensure you’re fully prepared for the final challenges.

**5.2. Construct and Upgrade the Psi Lab

• Objective: Develop and enhance psionic abilities.
• Why: The Psi Lab allows you to train soldiers in psionic abilities, providing a significant advantage in combat. Psionic soldiers can use powerful abilities to turn the tide of battle.
• Timing: Build and upgrade the Psi Lab as you approach the late game. Ensure that you have psionic soldiers trained and ready for the final missions.

**5.3. Prepare for the Final Missions

• Objective: Ensure your squad is fully equipped and ready for the final battles.
• Why: Preparing for the final missions involves ensuring your squad has the best armor, weapons, and abilities available. This is crucial for successfully completing the game and overcoming the final challenges.
• Timing: Focus on preparation as you approach the end of the campaign. Make sure your squad is at peak performance and ready for the final battles.

6. Tips for Efficient Base Management

To maximize your base’s efficiency and effectiveness, consider the following tips:

**6.1. Prioritize Power Management

• Why: Power is a critical resource that affects your ability to build and maintain facilities. Ensure you have sufficient power to support all your base operations.
• Tip: Build Power Relays early and consider upgrading them as needed to keep up with your expanding base.

**6.2. Balance Research and Development

• Why: Balancing research and development ensures that you’re progressing in technology while also preparing for the challenges ahead.
• Tip: Focus on unlocking key technologies and upgrades that will provide the greatest benefits for your squad.

**6.3. Utilize the Guerilla Tactics School (GTS)

• Why: The GTS provides valuable upgrades and abilities for your squad, enhancing their effectiveness in combat.
• Tip: Regularly train new abilities and upgrades to keep your squad’s tactics and skills sharp.

**6.4. Manage Resources Wisely

• Why: Resources such as supplies, intel, and alloys are essential for base construction and upgrades.
• Tip: Prioritize resource gathering and management to ensure you have the materials needed for your build order.

7. Conclusion

In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, an efficient build order is crucial for establishing a strong base and preparing for the various challenges you’ll face. By following the suggested build order and focusing on key facilities and upgrades, you can optimize your base’s performance and enhance your squad’s capabilities.

Summary of Build Order

• Early Game: Build Power Relays, Guerilla Tactics School, Laboratory, Proving Ground.
• Mid-Game: Expand with additional Power Relays, construct Advanced Warfare Center, upgrade armor and weapons, build Training Center.
• Late Game: Upgrade facilities and research, construct and upgrade Psi Lab, prepare for final missions.

By strategically planning your build order and managing your base efficiently, you can ensure a successful campaign and overcome the alien threat. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to XCOM 2, understanding and implementing the best build order will enhance your tactical prowess and contribute to a successful campaign.