Part 18

Learn about Exalt Data Recovery and Target Extraction missions in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, including Exalt soldier stats and base location clues.

After an intel scan (which costs money), active Exalt cells will appear on the world map denoted by an Exalt symbol next to a country's name. Sending a support class soldier to investigate will reveal the cell and prevent it from causing damage while gathering information. You will eventually be prompted to send an extraction team to rescue your operative. This team should ideally include as many MECs (Mechanized Exoskeleton Combat) as possible, leading to either an Exalt Data Recovery or Exalt Target Extraction mission.

Exalt Data Recovery Mission:

1. An encoder and a transmitter will be located on the map. Your squad must protect them.
2. The covert operative is placed near the transmitter.
3. The encoder can be hacked by Exalt forces if they occupy its area for 3 turns, or it can be destroyed by you.
4. If the encoder is hacked, the transmitter can then be hacked if an Exalt soldier occupies its area, resulting in mission failure.
5. To assist, your covert operative can hack Exalt com relays (turret-like structures) to prevent Exalt from shooting, though they can still use abilities.

Exalt Target Extraction Mission:

1. Your squad spawns on the map, while the covert operative is in a secluded area.
2. DO NOT move the covert operative initially; have them hunker (take a defensive stance) until your squad has explored the map.
3. Engage inactive Exalt squads one at a time; there are at most 3 on the map.
4. Once a clear path to the relay stations in the middle of the map is established, move the operative close to them.
5. Position your troops to overwatch (set up to fire on enemies that move into their line of sight) the outer edges of the map, leaving one or two units by the relay station.
6. Exalt soldiers will attack from the edges of the map and occasionally via helicopter.
7. Defeat the incoming Exalt forces.

Why Exalt is a Joke:

Exalt soldiers have significantly lower stats compared to alien enemies. Their aim and health are generally low, especially for non-elite units. Regular Exalt soldiers are non-threatening, and even elite units have lower aim than standard aliens like Mutons or Thin Men. Exalt soldiers struggle to hit targets in high cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects), and their damage output is minimal (highest is 7 damage from elites). MECs can easily withstand Exalt attacks due to their high health and damage. Exalt rarely utilizes overwatch, giving you the first shot. Their grenades and rockets are the primary threat, but most players will be equipped to handle this level of damage by the time they encounter Exalt. Losing a soldier to Exalt is highly unlikely unless overconfident or making poor tactical decisions. MECs with Kinetic Strike and a tier 2 gun can one-shot Exalt personnel.

Exalt Soldier Stats (Classic Difficulty):

• Sniper: Aim 75, HP 6
• Heavy: Aim 60, HP 9
• Operative: Aim 60, HP 8
• Medic: Aim 55, HP 7
• Elite Sniper: Aim 80, HP 8
• Elite Heavy: Aim 65, HP 11
• Elite Operative: Aim 70, HP 10
• Elite Medic: Aim 65, HP 10

Note: Add 5 to aim on Impossible difficulty, subtract 10 on Normal or Easy. HP varies by difficulty with no definitive pattern. All Exalt soldiers move 6 spaces per action bar.

Exalt Base Location:

Completing Exalt missions provides clues to the location of Exalt headquarters. These clues eliminate countries from a list. For example, a clue like 'Exalt is not in Canada' will mark Canada with an Exalt symbol and a cross through it, indicating the base is not there. After gathering enough clues, you can accuse a country of harboring the headquarters. If incorrect, that country is permanently removed from the available list, and mass panic may occur on its continent if the nation has already left. If correct, you will launch an invasion of the Exalt base.