Skip to content
Part 14
XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Part 14

Learn essential combat and general tactics for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, including overwatch, cover, flanking, suppression, and managing UFO missions. Improve your chances against alien threats.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Learn essential combat and general tactics for XCOM: Enemy Unknown, including overwatch, cover, flanking, suppression, and managing UFO missions. Improve your chances against alien threats.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Combat and General Tactics:
    • When an enemy is spotted and takes cover, use soldiers with overwatch to potentially eliminate or wound them when they activate.
  2. 2
    Use free actions with remaining soldiers to shoot or use explosives to dislodge enemies from cover.
  3. 3
    Avoid dashing if you might encounter enemies immediately after, as it leaves your squad vulnerable. Dashing is best for overwatch fire or for snipers to catch up.
  4. 4
    If the enemy squad walks into your overwatch, you are in a strong position.
  5. 5
    Map movement is crucial. Explore and take high ground (buildings or hills) for accuracy bonuses.
  6. 6
    Atop hills or buildings, use high cover (like air conditioners) if enemies are present; otherwise, use the high ground for scouting and attacks.
  7. 7
    When shooting, use high cover and flank enemies whenever possible.
  8. 8
    Consider the 'Aiming Angles' Second Wave mod if you struggle with the game's flanking definition.
  9. 9
    To increase hit chance: move to high ground, use scopes, use explosives on targets or cover, or move closer (except for Snipers).
  10. 10
    Explosives and manufactured items have unlimited uses; use them liberally, especially on troublesome enemies. Losing some weapon fragments to destroy groups of enemies is acceptable.
  11. 11
    The suppression mechanic (available to Supports, Heavies, and SHIVs with upgrades) can be used to prevent enemies from attacking or to capture aliens.
  12. 12
    A suppressed enemy moving gets an overwatch shot from the suppressor. A suppressed enemy shooting gets a 30 aim penalty.
  13. 13
    Suppression is useful when you need to prevent damage or capture an alien. It consumes significant ammo.
  14. 14
    Suppression does not stop Thin Man poison gas, grenades, or rockets. It's also less effective against enemies with high aim and easy targets.
  15. 15
    Alien Landings, Crash Sites, and Terror Missions:
    • Alien landings occur in countries with satellite coverage.
  16. 16
    Ignoring UFOs (flying or landed) increases panic (2 for landed, 1 for fly-by).
  17. 17
    Shoot down flying UFOs to trigger a Crash Site mission; landed UFOs automatically start a tactical mission.
  18. 18
    Crashed UFOs may have fewer enemies and potentially damaged components (power cores, flight computers) that can be sold if intact.
Tips
  • Always prioritize taking high ground for combat advantage.
  • Don't be afraid to use explosives liberally to gain tactical advantages.
  • Suppression is a powerful tool for control and capture, but be mindful of its ammo cost and limitations.
  • Manage your satellite coverage to prevent panic and intercept UFOs effectively.
  • Improved tactical understanding and combat effectiveness.
  • Potential salvage of damaged UFO components.

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content