Mission Objectives

Mission Objectives: Disable the Psi Gate

Your primary objective in this critical mission is to Disable the Psi Gate. This involves navigating through a heavily fortified ADVENT facility, locating the central Psi Gate control console, and initiating its shutdown sequence. Once the gate is disabled, your final task will be to extract your squad from the mission zone.

Tactical Overview and Expected Resistance

Expect fierce resistance throughout this operation. ADVENT will deploy several units, with a particular emphasis on psionically-gifted adversaries and overwhelming numbers. The facility itself is often a multi-level structure with tight corridors and open areas, demanding careful positioning and tactical awareness.

• Initial Engagement: The approach to the Psi Gate will be guarded by standard ADVENT forces, including Troopers, Sectoids, and often a few MECs or Turrets. use overwatch traps and careful advancement to thin their ranks.
• Psionic Threats: As you near the Psi Gate, you will encounter more powerful psionic units. These frequently include Gatekeepers, which can reanimate corpses and unleash devastating psionic attacks, and Andromedons, whose heavy armor and acid attacks pose a significant threat. Be prepared for their mind control abilities and area-of-effect attacks.
• Reinforcements: A critical aspect of this mission is the inevitable arrival of reinforcements. Once the Psi Gate is disabled, ADVENT will scramble additional units to prevent your extraction. These often include multiple pods of Troopers, Lancers, and even more advanced units like Mutons or Archons, depending on your campaign progression. Plan your extraction route carefully and be ready for a fighting retreat.

Recommended Squad Composition and Loadout

Success in disabling the Psi Gate hinges on a balanced squad capable of dealing with both armored threats and psionic enemies, while also maintaining mobility for extraction. Consider the following:

• Specialists (2 recommended): Essential for hacking the Psi Gate console. Equip them with Gremlin upgrades for increased hack success chance and combat protocols for reliable damage against robotic units or for finishing off organic threats. Their medical protocol is also invaluable for healing mind-controlled or wounded soldiers.
• Rangers (1-2 recommended): Their high mobility and close-range damage are excellent for flanking and dealing with high-priority targets. Equip them with Fusion Blades for melee attacks against armored units or for silent takedowns. The "Run and Gun" ability is crucial for repositioning or making a quick dash to the objective.
• Sharpshooters (1 recommended): A well-placed Sharpshooter, especially a Gunslinger, can clear out multiple low-health enemies or provide critical overwatch support from a distance. Equip them with advanced scopes for accuracy and expanded magazines.
• Grenadiers (1-2 recommended): Indispensable for shredding armor, destroying cover, and dealing area-of-effect damage. Equip them with Plasma Grenades and Acid Grenades to strip armor from Gatekeepers and Andromedons. The "Volatile Mix" ability significantly boosts their explosive power.

General Loadout Tips:

• Flashbangs: Crucial for disorienting Sectoids, Gatekeepers, and other psionic units, breaking mind control, and reducing their accuracy. Bring at least two per mission.
• Mimic Beacons: These are lifesavers, drawing enemy fire and buying your squad precious turns to reposition, heal, or deal damage.
• Medkits: Always have at least two, preferably carried by Specialists.
• Armor Piercing Rounds: Equip these on your primary damage dealers to punch through heavy ADVENT armor.

Tactical Approach to Disabling the Psi Gate

1. Slow and Steady Advance: Do not rush. Use your first turn to spread out and establish overwatch. Clear each enemy pod methodically before advancing.
2. Prioritize Psionic Threats: When engaging a pod with Sectoids or Gatekeepers, prioritize eliminating them first to prevent mind control or reanimation. Flashbangs are your best friend here.
3. use High Ground: If available, secure high ground for accuracy bonuses and better line of sight.
4. Hacking the Gate: Once you reach the Psi Gate console, use your Specialist to attempt the hack. Be aware that a failed hack can trigger negative consequences, such as additional reinforcements or activating nearby turrets. Save your Gremlin's Combat Protocol for a guaranteed hack if the odds are unfavorable.
5. Prepare for Extraction: As soon as the Psi Gate is disabled, the reinforcement timer will often accelerate, and new enemy pods will spawn. Position your squad near the extraction zone in anticipation. Use any remaining actions to set up overwatch traps along the expected enemy approach paths.
6. Fighting Retreat: The extraction phase is often a race against time. Use smoke grenades, mimic beacons, and dash moves to get your soldiers to the extraction point while minimizing damage. Don't be afraid to leave behind loot if it means saving a soldier.

Environmental Hazards and Specific Enemy Weaknesses

• ADVENT Turrets: Often found guarding the Psi Gate. These have high armor but can be hacked by Specialists or shredded by Grenadiers.
• Explosive Barrels/Containers: Use these to your advantage. A well-placed shot or grenade can detonate them, dealing significant area damage to nearby enemies.
• Gatekeepers: Vulnerable to acid, which shreds their armor. Flashbangs prevent their psionic attacks and reanimation.
• Andromedons: Their heavy armor makes them tough. Use shredding effects (Grenadiers, Shredder ammo) to expose their health. Once their armor is gone, they are susceptible to critical hits. Their acid attack can be avoided by maintaining distance.
• Sectoids: Extremely vulnerable to flashbangs, which break mind control and disorient them. Prioritize them to prevent them from turning your own soldiers against you.