The methodical strategy game from Firaxis Games offers tough gameplay and extreme decision-making with strategic depth. With such intense gameplay, beginners find it a steep learning curve; however, proper guidance would let you grasp the basics and develop a strong foundation for success. This are a few very basic tips and strategies for beginners to think about as the game begins.
1. Learning the Basics
Before any really tactical decisions are made, the basics must be understood about XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
1.1. The Main Objective
XCOM: Enemy Unknown puts you in charge of a global defense force defending Earth from an alien invasion. The main objectives in the game revolve around managing your resources, researching, building and upgrading your base, and fighting tactical battles against the alien forces.
1.2. Base
Your base is where your operations are located. Management of research, engineering, and soldier training all take place within the base. The base is segmented into distinct areas, each of which has its own function:
Command Center: This is your main hub for managing operations and reviewing global threats.
Research Lab: Used for investigating alien technology and evolving new equipment.
Engineering Bay: The place where you manufacture and upgrade weapons and armor.
Living Quarters: Where soldiers will be trained and rested.
Hangar: Managing and deploying your aircraft and interceptors are here.
1.3. The Geoscape
The Geoscape is the worldwide map where you shall be managing your resources and responding to alien activity. Balancing your time is of the essence as tasks include:
Responding to UFO sightings: You must deploy interceptors to shoot down UFOs and investigate the crash sites.
Managing funding: Distribute funds to various countries and respond to their needs to foster global support.
Base expansion: Establish new facilities and upgrade existing ones to better your capabilities.
2. Building A Solid Foundation
2.1. Research Should Have The Highest Priority Early On
Research is a means of advancing technology and giving you an edge against the aliens. Early in the game, we recommend you prioritize the research of:
Laser Weapons: These provide more powerful and accurate weapons than those ballistic ones provided upfront.
Armor: Armor upgrades guarantee greater survival for your soldiers in combat.
Alien Materials: Alien materials help you research into advanced technology and equipment.
2.2. Expand Your Base Wisely
Growing your base entails organizing for efficiency. Prioritize building essential facilities such as:
Power Generators: Generate enough power for your base needs.
Satellite Uplinks: Build satellite coverage for monitoring and action against alien activity worldwide.
Workshop and Laboratory: These facilities improve your research and engineering capability.
2.3. Managing Resources Effectively
The management of resources is essential for succeeding in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Remember to focus on:
Funding Allocation: Allocate funding to different countries so that their support is guaranteed and so that none of them withdraws from the XCOM project.
Materials Management: Keep an eye on materials and make sure that there is enough to build and upgrade equipment.
3. Tactical Combat Tips
3.1. Squad Composition
Your squad is the center of any combat operation, so consider its composition carefully:
Class Diversity: Include a variety of classes like Assault, Sniper, Heavy, and Support to maintain flexibility in combat.
Equipment: Ensure that the soldiers have the best gear that is available to them and the gear that suits various combat situations.
3.2. Use Cover Strategically
Cover is important for protecting your soldiers from damage. Here are a few tips for using cover effectively:
Use Full Cover: Always place soldiers behind full cover when available since it offers maximum protection against enemy fire. Examples of full cover are walls, cars, and containers.
Use Half Cover: When no full cover is at hand, put your soldiers behind half cover, but knowing that it provides less protection against enemy fire. Examples of half cover are crates and low walls.
3.3. Flanking and Positioning
Disrupting and flanking your enemy while positioning your soldiers accordingly can determine the outcome of the battle:
Flanking: Move your soldiers from one flank of the enemy to its rear to increase accuracy and inflict more damage.
Elevation: Use the high ground to your advantage and to increase your soldiers’ accuracy.
3.4. Cooldown and Ability Management
Each soldier has duties that can be used strategically:
Cooldown Management: Consider the cooldowns of your abilities and what will best fit with your plans. Consider timing.
Ability Usage: Use these abilities properly in order to really increase their impact; this creates a tactical advantage throughout battles.
4. Base Management Strategies
4.1. Expand Satellite Coverage
Satellite coverage expansion is of utmost importance in keeping an eye on alien activities around the globe:
Build Satellite Uplinks: Increase the number of satellites to give cover to more countries.
Launch the Satellites: Send in satellites to monitor alien-related activities in one region or another.
4.2. Manage Panic Levels
A country may get panic if it feels unprotected. Maintaining panic levels requires:
Respond to UFO Threats: Shooting down UFOs and investigating the crash sites will curb panic.
Support the Countries: Assist the countries where panic rate is high lest these countries will withdraw from the XCOM project.
4.3. Layout Optimization
A well-thought-out base plan is key to smooth operation:
Centralize Facilities: Try to keep key facilities, such as the Command Center and the Research Lab, in central locations to minimize travel time.
Plan Expansion: Also remember to plan the expansion of your base ensuring space for future facilities.
5. Combat Preparation
5.1. Soldier Training and Promotion
Training and promoting your soldiers is central to their capability of fighting well:
Promotions: Raise soldiers to higher ranks, enabling new abilities while advancing combat skills.
Training: Train soldiers to improve their stats, preparing them for hard missions.
5.2. Equipment Upgrades
Give your equipment an upper hand to better suit your soldiers’ needs:
Weapon Upgrades: Use your resources to procure better weaponry and ammo for greater firepower on the squad.
Armor Upgrades: Give your soldiers the best armor available to keep them alive longer.
5.3. Selecting Missions
Depending on their level of difficulty, you might prefer one mission over another:
Difficulty: Assess the relative difficulty of missions to find out what level of preparation your squad requires.
Rewards: Weigh rewards and benefits from completing each mission, including resources and technology.
6. Advanced Tactics
6.1. Alien Abilities and Weaknesses
Knowing alien abilities and weaknesses to plan around displaying your strategic advantage:
Alien Types: Get to know all types of aliens and their abilities to form a counter-strategy effectively.
Weakness Exploitation: Exploit the weakness of aliens by employing particular weapons and tactics.
6.2. Use of Abilities Strategically
Each class of soldier can use its abilities in a strategic manner:
Assault: Use Assault-type soldiers for stereotypical aggressive play and close-quarters assaults.
Sniper: Use Snipers for long-ranged attacks and high-precision strikes.
Heavy: Use Heavy for concentrated area-effect damage.
Support: Use Support for healing and various utility abilities.
6.3. Resource Allocation
Allocate your resources efficiently in order to properly strike a balance between your base’s needs and global defense:
Funding: Allocate funds to keep global support up and prevent any country from withdrawing.
Materials: Materials should be given for those crucial upgrades and research projects.
7. Final Tips for Beginners
7.1. Save Often
Saving often will help you avoid setbacks and may help you experiment with different strategies:
Save Progress: Save your game regularly as to not lose any progress, to retry hard missions if you are in the middle of one.
7.2. Learn from Experience
Experience is the best teacher in XCOM: Enemy Unknown:
Analyze Battles: Analyze your battles and learn from your mistakes by improving your strategies.
Adapt Strategies: Adapt your strategies following your experiences and the changing game scenarios.
7.3. Enjoy Yourself
Last but not least, enjoy the immersive experience of XCOM: Enemy Unknown:
Explore: Explore different strategies, try out various tactics, and have fun defending Earth against the alien threat.
Conclusion
XCOM: Enemy Unknown comprises deep and complicated acting experiences that compel players to strategize and take critical decisions. Thus, by knowing the basic concepts of the game, laying a solid foundation, handling tactical combat, running proper base management, and utilizing advanced strategies, beginners will truly set themselves for success and enjoy the full experience.
This all-encompassing guide has put together a few essential tips and strategies for the newcomer’s initial approach into the game and building a strong foundation for ultimate victory. With plenty of practice and determination, you will be ready to face the challenges of XCOM: Enemy Unknown and walk away victorious with your squad.