Part 23

Explore MEC ranks like Overdrive and Absorption Field, plus SHIV upgrades and the Psionic class in XCOM: Enemy Within.

MEC Ranks:

1. Rank 6: Overdrive - Allows the MEC to shoot twice per turn, doubling its damage output.
2. Rank 7: Absorption Field - Reduces any damage exceeding 33% of the MEC's total HP to that amount, making the MEC significantly more durable.
3. Rank 7: Reactive Targeting Sensor - Grants a reaction shot when the MEC is shot at, provided ammo is available.

MEC Chassis Upgrades: MECs do not gain experience (XP) but cost money to upgrade.

• MEC-1 Warden: Costs $25 and 40 meld. Grants +8 HP (armor). Can equip Kinetic Strike or Flamethrower.
  • Kinetic Strike: Increases MEC speed by 3, enabling a melee attack that deals 12 damage (18 with research).
  • Flame Thrower: Shoots a 6-tile triangle of flame dealing 6 damage and causing panic to organic enemies.
• MEC-2 Sentinel: Costs $32 and 60 meld. Grants +12 HP (armor). Can equip Restorative Mist or Grenade Launcher.
  • Restorative Mist: Heals all friendly targets within range for 4 HP (or 6 with research), with one use.
  • Grenade Launcher: Fires grenades dealing 4 damage (5 damage if alien grenade project is finished), with 2 uses.
• MEC-3 Paladin: Grants +16 HP (armor). Can equip Electropulse or Proximity Mine Launcher.
  • Electropulse: Deals 5 damage to all units around the MEC and disables robotic targets. It can stun organic enemies or kill them, and can hit allies.
  • Proximity Mine Launcher: Fires mines dealing 8 damage, carrying 3 mines.

SHIVs: SHIVs are frontline units that do not gain XP or level up.

• Foundry Projects for SHIVs:
  • Shaped Armor (requires Mectoid autopsied): Adds 3 HP.
  • Advanced Servomotors (requires Mectoid autopsy): Increases movement by 2 per action bar.
  • Sentinel Drone (requires drone autopsied): Heals 2 HP per turn (unlimited uses) and provides a free reaction shot towards anyone within 4 tiles.
  • SHIV Suppression: Grants the SHIV the suppression ability.
  • SHIV Repair: Allows Arc Throwers to repair SHIVs.
  • Advanced Repair: Speeds up SHIV repair time after missions.
  • Advanced Flight: Allows Hover SHIVs to fly twice as long.
  • Advanced Construction: Speeds up SHIV build time.
  • SHIV Laser: Equips a laser, adding +10 Aim (does 8 damage per shot).
  • SHIV Plasma: Equips plasma, adding +15 Aim (does 10 damage per shot).

SHIV Variants:

• Base SHIV: Defense of 20, Aim of 70, HP of 10.
• Alloy SHIV: Defense of 20, HP of 18. Can be used as half-cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects) by XCOM soldiers.
• Hover SHIV: HP of 18, Aim of 70. Has 40 defense, which can be augmented by its ability to fly high for long-range attacks, potentially reaching over 80 defense and 105 aim.

Psionic Class: Any class except SHIV or MEC can become psionic. MECs have high will to compensate for their lack of finesse.

• Testing for Psionics: Soldiers with high will are more likely to be psionic. Testing is required to determine psionic potential.
• Operation Progeny: Completing the DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch) missions yields 3 gifted soldiers who can become psionic upon testing.
• Psionic Ranks: Psionic abilities are leveled up by using them.
  • Rank 1: Mind fray - Deals 5 damage and applies a -25 aim and will penalty for 2 turns, with a 1-turn cooldown.
  • Rank 2: Psi inspiration or Psi Panic
    • Psi inspiration: Removes panic and Mind fray debuffs on allies and grants +30 will to all in range for 2 turns, with a 4-turn cooldown.
• Psi Armor: Psionic soldiers are the only class capable of wearing psi armor.