Part 14

Enemy Spotted in Cover: If you have soldiers on overwatch and the enemy activates on another soldier's move, they may be killed or wounded. Use remaining soldiers with free actions to shoot or use explosives to dislodge enemies from cover. Avoid dashing if you've already moved your squad, as this leaves you vulnerable.

Enemy Activates on Overwatch: If the enemy squad walks into your squad's overwatch on their turn, you are in a strong position.

General Movement and Positioning: Control the advantage by choosing how you move your squad. Explore and take high ground first for accuracy bonuses. In urban areas, this means buildings; in forests, hills. Use square-shaped hills to your advantage by taking high cover at the bottom if enemies are at the top. If enemies aren't at the top, you gain a vantage point. For buildings, use air conditioners as high cover if enemies are on top; otherwise, scout from high ground.

Combat Mechanics: Shoot from high cover when possible and flank enemies. Consider the 'Aiming Angles' Second Wave mod if you struggle with flanking definitions. To increase hit chance, move soldiers to high ground, use scopes, explosives on targets or cover, or move soldiers closer for range bonuses (avoid moving Snipers closer).

Resource Management: Explosives and manufactured items have unlimited uses. Do not be frugal with ammo and explosives; use them liberally, especially on troublesome enemies, to kill them before they attack. Losing some weapon fragments for a rocket is acceptable if it eliminates a group of enemies.

Suppression Mechanic: Supports and Heavies (and SHIVs with the upgrade) can suppress enemies. A suppressed enemy who moves gets an overwatch shot from the suppressor. An enemy who stays put and shoots gets a 30 aim penalty. Suppression is useful to prevent enemy damage when your units are in cover, or to capture aliens. It consumes significant ammo, often requiring Heavies to reload. Suppression does not stop Thin Man poison gas, grenades, or rockets. It is also less effective against enemies with high aim targeting an easy victim.

Alien Encounters: Alien landings occur in countries with satellite coverage. Ignoring UFOs (landed or fly-by) increases panic. Shoot down flying UFOs for Crash Site missions; landed UFOs automatically trigger tactical missions. Crashed UFOs have fewer enemies.