XCOM 2: 5 Best Tips For Beginners

Starting a game like XCOM 2 can be a bit like jumping into the deep end of a pool. The game is full of intense action and complex choices. It’s fun but can also be really challenging for new players. You’ll be fighting off aliens and making big decisions that affect the whole world. If you’re not careful, a wrong move can cost you a lot. So, how do you avoid making mistakes when you’re new? A few tips can go a long way. Knowing what to do at the right time can make your game much more enjoyable. Let’s get right to it—here are the five best tips for beginners in XCOM 2. These tips will help you get started on the right foot.

5. Diversify Your Squad

Prvi na našem seznamu najboljših nasvetov za začetnike v XCOM 2 is to mix up your team. The game gives you different types of soldiers like Grenadiers who are good with heavy weapons, Rangers for close combat, Specialists for hacking, and Sharpshooters for long-range shots. You might want to pick just your favorites, but that’s not a good idea. But why should you have different types of soldiers? Each mission you go on will need different skills. Maybe you’ll need to hack a computer; that’s a job for a Specialist. Or maybe you have lots of weak enemies close by; a Ranger can take them out with a shotgun. If you only have one type of soldier, some missions will be really hard or even impossible.

So, how do you make a good team? Think about what each soldier can do besides their main job. For example, a Grenadier can also use their gun to keep enemies from moving. A Specialist can heal your team, which is super helpful. By knowing all the skills your team has, you can make better plans. A good rule is to have at least one of each type of soldier in your team. Then add in whatever else you think you’ll need for the mission. This way, you’ll be ready for anything the game throws at you. Different missions will have surprises, and a mixed team can handle them better.

4. Don’t Ignore the Strategic Layer

Not paying attention to the strategic part of XCOM 2 is a big mistake that new players often make. The game has two main parts: the action-packed battles and the planning that happens between those battles. If you only focus on the fighting and forget about the planning, you’ll find yourself in trouble. For example, you’ll run out of important resources or won’t be able to research new gear for your team. In the planning part of the game, you can look at a world map and decide where to go next. This is really important because the choices you make can help you gain more resources or allies.

Another important thing to think about is researching new stuff and building it. For example, you can make better guns and armor for your soldiers. This is crucial because as you go through the game, the enemies get tougher. If you don’t improve your equipment, you’re going to have a hard time beating them. Also, there are special training and development areas in your base where you can make your team stronger and even create powerful new equipment. So, when you play XCOM 2, don’t forget about the planning and strategy part of the game. It’s not just a game about fighting; it’s also a game about making smart choices between the fights.

3. Always Be Prepared with the Right Gear

Following up on the idea of having a good strategy and a mix of soldier types, another best tip for beginners in XCOM 2 is to always use the right gear for your team. Before you start a mission, you’ll get some information about what you’re going to face. Use this info to pick the best weapons and items for your team. For example, if you’re in a city with lots of buildings, short-range guns like shotguns might be better than sniper rifles. Items like smoke grenades can also be really helpful in certain situations by making it harder for enemies to hit you.

That said, don’t neglect the medkits and other healing gear. It’s easy to only think about attacking, but remember that keeping your team healthy is just as important. A medkit can save a soldier’s life and keep them fighting. As you play more, you’ll be able to research better gear, including improved medkits. The better prepared you are, the more likely you’ll win and keep your team safe.

2. Focus on Cover and Flanking

In XCOM 2, hiding behind covers like walls or cars can save your soldiers from getting hit by enemy fire. This is one of the best tips for beginners in XCOM 2, and when you move your soldiers, look for shield icons that appear on the ground. A full shield is better than a half shield, making it harder for enemies to hit you. So always try to put your soldiers behind these shields, especially the full ones.

But it’s not just about hiding; you also need to think about how to attack the enemy effectively. This is where flanking comes in. Flanking means moving your soldier to a spot where they can shoot the enemy from the side or back. This makes it easier for you to hit the enemy and do more damage. So, while one of your soldiers is drawing enemy fire from a covered position, another soldier can move to the side to get a better shot.

1. Never Dash into the Unknown

And now, we get to the most crucial tip for newcomers in XCOM 2: don’t run blindly into areas you haven’t explored. You might think it’s a good idea to move your soldiers as far as they can go in one turn. It’s not. Doing this is a quick way to bump into a group of hidden enemies. If that happens when you’re almost done with your turn, you’re in trouble. Your soldiers won’t have time to fight back or take cover, making them easy targets for the enemy.

This tip is super important for beginners because one bad move can mess up everything. Use what’s called a blue move first. This uses up only half of your turn, leaving you the option to shoot or defend yourself if you run into trouble. If everything looks clear after that first move, then you can decide your next step. It’s better to be slow and careful than to rush in and get caught in a trap. Taking it slow may feel like it’s dragging on, but in a game where every move counts, it’s often the better choice.