XCOM 2: War of the Chosen is a large expansion to critically acclaimed XCOM 2 that added new factions, enemies, and many new gameplay mechanics. Among the highest additions to the limits of strategy are new soldier classes. This review treats the best classes in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, addressing their strengths, roles, and how best to consider them in order to give the players more usage out of their squads.
1. Introduction to Classes in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen
The additions bring with them three new classes: the Reaper, the Skirmisher, and the Templar. With each having a distinct set of abilities and style of play, they offer a wide tactical array from which to choose. Knowing the strengths and how they synergize with others will be vital in laying down a winning squad before the most grievous of challenges.
1.1 The Reaper
The Reaper class, fostered by the resistance faction known as the Reapers, is good for stealth and precision strikes. The class is made for players who appreciate stealthy, hit-and-run tactics.
1.1.1. Abilities and Strengths
Shadow: Reapers can enter stealth mode whereby they become invisible to enemies. Invisibility allows them to reposition or ambush without being detected.
Claymore: The unique claymore explosive device can be planted and detonated remotely. Perfect for luring enemies to where they will be blasted, it can also be used to deal with groups of enemies.
Remote Start: This set-up lets Reapers trigger environmental explosives from afar, like gas tanks, or explosive barrels. It can be a nightmare for enemies’ health as well as triggering chain reactions.
Silent Killer: This ability allows Reapers to inflict greater damage when shooting from stealth, thus giving them amazing sniper capabilities.
1.1.2. Best Uses
The Reaper class proves highly versatile and specializes in ambushing enemies and setting up traps. It is especially useful in missions requiring stealth and precision, such as infiltrating enemy bases or taking out key targets without alerting the entire enemy force. Being able to deal high damage from stealth makes them perfect for wiping out key targets early in a mission.
1.2. The Skirmisher
This is a class of Skirmishers, which is a fairly flexible class that emphasizes mobility and high offensive action. This class is perfect for players who prefer to act aggressively, balancing high mobility with everything else.
1.2.1. Abilities and Strengths
Grapple: This ability allows Skirmishers to gain elevation or reach space quite distant from the target, granting them wonderful mobility and positioning options.
Skirmisher’s Armor: Gives more armor and damage resistance, thus enhancing the Skirmishers’ survivability in the heat of the battle.
Whiplash: A strong melee attack that knocks back enemies and inflicts heavy damage, especially against opponents in armor.
Bladestorm: Skirmishers have the chance to retaliate in response to an enemy moving within their reach, thus providing further defense combined with offense.
1.2.2. Best Uses
Skirmishers can engage enemies in close-range and interrupt enemy formations using their higher mobility and melee skills to flank enemies and sow chaos in the battlefield. They are suited for missions that require rapid maneuvering and aggressive tactics, such as ambushes or assaults on fortified positions. Among other things, they can grapple and reposition themselves, changing the circumstances of combat that unfold before them.
1.3. The Templar
The Templar class was introduced by the Templars, primarily focusing on psi and melee abilities. Designed for those who enjoy a combination of psychic powers and close-range combat.
1.3.1. Abilities and Strengths
Psi Power: Templars have special psi powers to deal damage, control enemies, and help allies. Some of these methods include telekinesis, mind control, and energy manipulation.
Volt: A psionic strike of great power striking high damage on a single target, most frequently against heavy-armored or important enemy targets.
Bladestorm: They can make ravenous melee strikes, penetrating into the enemy’s thick armor and dealing considerable amounts of damage.
Parry: It is the protective power with which Templars take all counts to reduce damage from enemy attacks and gain some degree of survivability in close combat.
1.3.2. Best Uses
Templars shine while going on the offense or defense. Their psionic abilities can disable or otherwise manipulate enemies to control the battlefield; their melee attacks, however, will give you a strong offensive facet. Basically, they can do missions that involve getting your hands dirty with the enemies or some psionic-related challenge, such as dealing with enemies with psionics or heavily armored foes. The control and disruption bore makes them useful for solo engagements and team support.
2. Comparing the Classes
2.1. Tactical Flexibility
Reapers: Greatly flexible for stealth and precision purposes. Ideal for ambushes where stealth is required to take out certain targets. Remote start and claymore options give the Reaper versatility when handling groups of enemies.
Skirmishers: Offer greater mobility and offensive power. Their grappling and whiplash abilities provide very high tactical flexibility, enabling them to close in or disengage at will.
Templars: Combining psionic power with melee attacks, they keep control of the battlefield, especially against armored enemies. Their psionic powers deliver unique tactical applications, while their melee attacks ensure they pack a punch.
2.2. Combat Roles
Reapers: Sniper or support role: selecting precision strikes and stealth. In particular, they are much better suited to scenarios where targets have to be eliminated without alerting the enemy force at large.
Skirmishers, great for an outright assault or flanking, best serve the cause of disrupting enemy formations and getting the enemy up close with them by way of mobility and melee.
Templars mainly provide support through psionics and also get involved in melee. They perform well in situations of attack and defense, create an imposing presence on the battlefield, and oversee enemy movement.
2.3. Synergy with Other Classes
Reapers: Work well with classes that benefit from stealth and precision, such as Sharpshooters or Specialists. Their ability to scout and set up ambushes complements other classes that rely on positioning and precision.
Skirmishers: Synergize with classes that benefit from high mobility and disruption, such as Rangers or Grenadiers. Their ability to engage enemies up close and create chaos complements aggressive playstyles and offensive strategies.
Templars are best paired alongside other classes that benefit from psionic support and melee combat, e.g., Psionics or Rangers. Their capability to control the battlefield and to dish out considerable melee attacks complements other classes that engage in close-quarter combat or rely on psionic power.
3. Best Class for Different Playstyles
3.1. Stealth and Precision
For players who prefer the stealth and precision style, Reaper is the best choice. They have the ability to remain hidden from sight and deal massive damage while in stealth. This makes them ideal for those who enjoy ambushing down targets silently and eliminating key targets before enemies know what hit them.
3.2. Aggressive Assault
If you enjoy the aggressive style of gameplay, then the Skirmisher class is perfect for you. They have a lot of mobility with high speed and are an excellent melee class with the abilities to grapple their enemies. Good for players who prefer being up close and disrupting enemy formations.
3.3. Psionic Power and Melee Combat
If the players want to work with psionic powers and melee combat, the Templar class is an option they need to consider. Templar are also great at providing close support and in gaining control of the situation while putting out DPS.
4. Recommendations for Effective Play
4.1. Composition of the Squad
Achieving a concert of forces between different classes presupposes a well-balanced squad. Some recommendations for effective play:
Balanced Squad: Mix Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars to take care of different tactics. This kind of flexibility lets you adjust to battlefield changes.
Specialized Squad: Streamline toward one kind of play. If stealth is what you want, then fill the squad with Reapers. If open aggression is the name of your game, go heavy on Skirmishers.
4.2. Ability Upgrading
Buying the right abilities to invest a class in is crucial to further strengthen its power to be operative fully. Abilities that reinforce the class’s strengths as well as these complementary to the overall strategy of your squad have to be considered most:
Reapers: Abilities should be upgraded for stealth, damage, and utility. Choose Shadow and Remote Start to further develop precision and versatility.
Skirmishers: Invest in abilities that increase mobility and strengthen melee. Keep upgrading Grapple and Whiplash to make these abilities shine in aggressive playstyles.
Templars: Abilities for enhancing psionics and melee attacks should proceed priority. Upgrade Volt and Bladestorm to balance offensive abilities with control over the battle field.
4.3. Paring with Mission Requirements
How to do compositions and tactics for mission requirements:
Stealth Missions. Carry out scouting and ambush setting with Reapers. They are supposed to eliminate really important targets while staying undetected.
Assault Missions: Skirmishers shall be deployed to aggressively engage the enemies. Maverick mobility and vicious melee attacks are characteristics that render them ideal for penetrating enemy lines and disrupting formations. Pair them with other classes that can provide covering fire or crowd control to a powerful offensive force.
Psionic Challenges: Trials against psionics or heavily armored opponents should be handled by templars, as they can stand against, if not neutralize, enemy psionics and do high damage to armors. Besides, their melee is especially appropriate in a close-quarters fight.
Mixed Objectives: If the mission comprises diverse objectives or mixed enemy types, one might think of a balanced squad consisting of Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars. Doing so utilizes the specific advantages each class has to offer and allows for adjustment towards various challenges as they arrive.
5. Class-Specific Strategies
5.1. Reaper Strategies
Stealth Deployment: Early in the mission, the Reapers go out ahead to try to spot enemy positions. Use Shadow to bypass foes undetected and set up Claymores either in chokepoints or clusters of enemies. Once the trap is set, Remote Start is used to cause an explosion for maximum effect.
Precision Strikes: Use that big damage in stealth mode from a Reaper. Prioritize high-value targets — enemy commanders or heavily armored threats with little time to react. Reapers can also silence enemies at a distance.
Extraction and Recon: Reapers are best at reconnaissance and extraction missions. Their stealth abilities allow them to penetrate far into enemy bases or extract valuable assets completely unnoticed. Use such mobility to quickly slip in and out of enemy territory.
5.2. The Strategies of Skirmishers
Flanking and Disruption: Whether it is flanking or creating job chaos on the battlefield, let your Skirmishers do it. Grapple helps them to climb high up places or bypass obstacles that offer them a huge advantage onto engaging enemies from unexpected angles. Combine Whiplash with other attacks to channel maximum damage.
Mobility and Positioning: Use the high mobility of Skirmishers to reposition themselves quickly during combat. Grapple can be used to get out of dangerous situations or to places that will offer an advantage. They can engage foes at close or long-range, thus making them quite versatile in different combat scenarios.
Counterattack: Use Bladestorm to your advantage by having your Skirmisher counter enemy melee attacks. These automatic hitbacks discourage enemies from closing in on your squads, thereby also giving some offensive punch.
5.3. Templar Strategies
Psionic Control: Put the abilities of the Templars into play when controlling battlefields. Volt can inflict grievous damage on foes, while psionic control can either fuck a threat up or literally set enemy A and B at one another. Give consideration to neutralizing an enemy that has strong psionic powers.
Close-Quarters Combat: Templars have to be introduced in cases that call for strong melee attacks. Bladestorm and high damage from melee make them excellent for close combat. Have them forge through enemy lines and engage directly with high armor or high-health enemies.
Support and Disruption: Templars are useful support fighters who disrupt enemy plans and control the flow of engagements. Use their psionic powers to open paths for other classes, neutralize a threat. His defensive powers give him additional resilience: this comes into handy for lengthy engagements.
6. Combining Classes for Maximum Effectiveness
6.1. Synergistic Squad Composition
Most class combinations serve to increase overall squad effectiveness. Here are a few other synergies worth considering:
Reaper + Skirmisher: This arrangement provides a balance between stealth and aggression. The Reaper may scout from the shadows and lay traps while the Skirmisher comes crashing in aggression as enemies try to sort out the chaos. The Reaper’s precision with the Skirmisher’s ability to quickly maneuver around the battlefield can form a devastating offensive combo.
Skirmisher + Templar: Skirmishers and Templars bring the best of mobility, melee, and psionic support to the table. The enemies behind enemy lines will be thoroughly disrupted with Grapple and Whiplash by Skirmishers, and the Templar will make sure that they are supported with his psionic powers and adequate control with his close-quarter attacks.
Reaper + Templar: This combination brings together stealth, psionic powers, and melee combat. The Reaper should focus on stealthily taking out priority targets while the Templar should handle area control and close combat.
6.2. Tactical Deployment
Here are some tactical guidelines for the deployment of different classes:
Positioning: Keep Reapers in areas where they can set up effective traps and use their stealth property to the maximum. Skirmishers need to flank the enemies and break down their formations. In contrast, Templars need to engage objectives at close range where their psionic and melee powers can be used to full effect.
Complementary Abilities: Use one class’s ability to complement another’s abilities. For example, Reapers may scout and report on enemy locations, and then Skirmishers and Templars can act on those locations.
Adaptability: Be flexible in adjusting your strategy as the battle develops. Different mission types and enemy compositions may require you to switch up your squad composition and tactics. Being flexible and adaptable is necessary to conquer the various challenges in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen.
7. Closing Remarks
To make use of the classes to their highest potential, the XCOM 2 environment requires choice-class selection. The Reaper, Skirmisher, and Templar have unique capabilities and strengths that may be put to work in forming a very potent and flexible squad. A player who comprehends each class’s role and best method of usage will find his strategic approach enhanced to meet and overcome the game’s numerous challenges.
Maybe they like the sneaky approach of a Reaper or the get-in-there-and-kick-ass style of a Skirmisher—the Templar skillset is fairly balanced between those extremes. Compatible groups and changing tactics, then, give one the flexibility to conquer almost every challenge that XCOM 2: War of the Chosen can swerve onto an unsuspecting player.
Reach into the strategic depth this game provides, trying out various class combos, and building upon them to create an efficient squad tailored to your playstyle and mission requirements. With proper strategies and balanced squad setup, you can go through any mission, even the hardest ones, and bring humanity to victory.