Faction Mechanics: The Chosen
The War of the Chosen expansion introduces three formidable new enemy factions: the Skirmishers, the Templars, and the Reapers. Each faction has unique mechanics that can significantly impact your campaign, offering both challenges and opportunities.
The Skirmishers
Skirmishers are former ADVENT soldiers who have defected and now operate as mercenaries. They are characterized by their aggressive, flanking tactics and their ability to grapple onto your soldiers, pulling them out of cover. Their sature ability, the Grapple, can disrupt your carefully laid plans and expose vulnerable units. In combat, prioritize eliminating Skirmisher units that have grappled your soldiers to prevent further damage and loss of action points. Their faction bonus often involves increased intel or recruitment bonuses, making them a valuable, albeit dangerous, ally if you manage to recruit them.
The Templars
Templars are psionically gifted warriors who wield energy blades and possess powerful psychic abilities. They excel in close-quarters combat, capable of closing distances rapidly and dealing devastating melee damage. Their abilities often involve teleportation and shields, making them difficult to pin down. When facing Templars, maintain distance and utilize area-of-effect abilities to damage them through their shields. If you manage to recruit Templars, their psionic prowess can be a game-changer, especially against ADVENT's psionic units.
The Reapers
Reapers are stealthy assassins who specialize in long-range engagements and hit-and-run tactics. They can enter a "Remote Explosives" state, allowing them to deploy powerful explosives from a distance without breaking stealth. Their ability to remain hidden makes them excellent scouts and flankers. When encountering Reapers, be aware of their potential for ambushes. Use abilities that reveal hidden enemies or area-of-effect attacks to flush them out. A recruited Reaper can provide invaluable reconnaissance and high-damage output from a safe distance.
Managing these factions is crucial. Each faction has a "Chosen" leader who will actively hunt your forces throughout the campaign, developing new abilities and becoming increasingly dangerous. Successfully completing missions against these factions can yield powerful rewards, including unique weapons, armor, and even the ability to recruit faction soldiers. Conversely, failing to counter their advances can lead to significant setbacks, such as lost soldiers, damaged facilities, and increased ADVENT strength.