XCOM 2
XCOM 2

Mission Objectives

Objectives for 'The Forge' mission in XCOM 2, detailing tech acquisition, extraction, and intense enemy resistance.

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Alien Technology Recovery Missions: Acquire Alien Technology

XCOM 2's "Acquire Alien Technology" missions are critical operations designed to cripple ADVENT's research efforts and bolster XCOM's arsenal. These missions are characterized by high-stakes infiltration, intense combat, and often, a looming turn timer. Success hinges on precise tactical execution, optimal squad composition, and a clear understanding of the mission's flow.

Mission Overview and Objectives

The primary objective is to Acquire Alien Technology. This involves infiltrating a heavily fortified ADVENT research facility, locating a specific alien artifact or data core, securing it, and then extracting your squad. These facilities are typically multi-level structures, often featuring tight corridors, open laboratories, and numerous chokepoints.

  • Infiltration: Your squad will typically deploy near the perimeter of the ADVENT facility. Initial resistance might be light, but expect patrols and stationary guards.
  • Locate the Objective: A specific marker on your HUD will guide you to the alien technology. This could be a glowing alien device, a data terminal, or a containment unit. It's usually located deep within the facility, often in a central research lab or a secure vault.
  • Secure the Technology: Once located, a soldier must interact with the objective to secure it. This action often triggers reinforcements, activates a turn timer for extraction, or both.
  • Extraction: After securing the technology, an extraction zone will appear, usually at a different location from your insertion point, or sometimes back at the insertion point but with increased enemy presence. You must move all surviving squad members to this zone before the turn timer expires.

Strategic Considerations and Tactical Advice

These missions are among the most challenging in XCOM 2 due to the combination of elite enemy forces, confined spaces, and the pressure of a turn timer. Preparation is key.

Squad Composition Recommendations

A balanced squad is crucial. Consider the following:

  • Ranger (Blademaster/Phantom): Essential for scouting ahead (Phantom) and dealing high damage in close quarters (Blademaster). A well-placed Bladestorm can clear multiple enemies.
  • Specialist (Medic/Hacker): Vital for healing wounded soldiers and hacking ADVENT turrets or objectives. Combat Protocol is excellent for guaranteed damage against robotic units.
  • Sharpshooter (Gunslinger/Sniper): A Gunslinger with Fan Fire and Faceoff can clear multiple low-health targets or deal significant damage to a single elite. A Sniper can provide overwatch support from a distance, but their effectiveness can be limited in tight indoor environments.
  • Grenadier (Demolitions/Heavy Gunner): Indispensable for destroying cover, dealing area-of-effect damage, and shredding armor. Bring multiple grenades!
  • Psi Operative: Their mental abilities (Soulfire, Null Lance, Stasis, Domination) are incredibly powerful for crowd control, guaranteed damage, and disabling high-threat targets.
  • Templar/Reaper/Skirmisher (Chosen Classes): These bring unique advantages. A Templar's mobility and melee attacks are excellent for hit-and-run tactics. A Reaper's stealth and remote detonation capabilities are invaluable for scouting and setting up ambushes. A Skirmisher's grappling hook and free actions offer unparalleled flexibility.
Gear and Consumables
  • Flashbangs: Crucial for disorienting organic enemies, preventing abilities, and breaking mind control. Bring several.
  • Smoke Grenades: Provide defensive cover in open areas or during extraction.
  • Medikits: Always bring at least one per Specialist, preferably two.
  • Armor Piercing Rounds/Talon Rounds: Equip these on your primary damage dealers. AP rounds are excellent against armored targets, while Talon Rounds increase critical hit chance.
  • Mimic Beacons: These are game-changers. They draw enemy fire, buying precious turns for your squad to reposition, heal, or deal damage. Bring at least one, ideally two.
  • Bluescreen Rounds: Absolutely essential for dealing with robotic enemies (Sectopods, Gatekeepers, MECs, Turrets). Equip on your Grenadier or Ranger.

Tactical Walkthrough and Strategy

Initial Infiltration (Concealment Phase)
  1. Scout Aggressively (but Safely): Use your Phantom Ranger or Reaper to scout ahead. Identify enemy patrols, pods, and the general layout of the facility. Avoid breaking concealment prematurely.
  2. Plan Your Engagements: Try to engage one enemy pod at a time. Use overwatch traps and grenades to maximize damage on the first turn of engagement.
  3. Prioritize High-Threat Targets: Focus fire on enemies like Sectoids (for mind control), Priests (for Stasis/Mind Merge), and Mutons (for grenades/suppression).
Locating and Securing the Objective
  1. Maintain Overwatch Discipline: As you approach the objective, assume there will be enemy pods guarding it or patrolling nearby. Move cautiously, ending turns in high cover with soldiers on overwatch.
  2. Clear the Area: Before interacting with the objective, try to clear all visible enemy pods in the immediate vicinity. This reduces the number of enemies you'll face when the timer starts or reinforcements arrive.
  3. Designate the Securing Soldier: Choose a soldier with remaining actions or high mobility to interact with the objective. This soldier will often be exposed, so ensure they can move to cover or be protected immediately after.
  4. Prepare for Reinforcements/Timer: As soon as the objective is secured, expect a significant increase in enemy activity. Position your squad defensively, ideally near the planned extraction route.
Extraction Under Pressure

This is often the most challenging part of the mission. The turn timer will be relentless, and ADVENT will throw everything they have at you.

  1. Immediate Movement Towards Extraction: As soon as the timer starts, begin moving your squad towards the extraction zone. Do not linger unless absolutely necessary to clear a path.
  2. Utilize Dash Moves: For soldiers who have already acted, use the Dash move to cover maximum ground.
  3. Prioritize Mobility: Grappling hooks, Skirmisher's Ripjack, and Templar's momentum abilities are invaluable for rapid movement.
  4. Crowd Control and Disabling:
    • Flashbangs: Use them liberally to disorient groups of enemies blocking your path.
    • Stasis (Psi Operative): Temporarily remove a high-threat enemy (e.g., Gatekeeper, Sectopod) from the fight, buying a crucial turn.
    • Domination (Psi Operative): If successful, turn an enemy against its allies, creating a powerful distraction.
    • Mimic Beacons: Deploy these to draw fire away from your squad, especially when crossing open ground or when enemies are clustered.
  5. Destroying Cover: If enemies are dug in, use Grenadiers to destroy their cover, making them vulnerable.
  6. Overwatch Traps: Set up overwatch traps in chokepoints or along the extraction route to catch enemies as they advance.
  7. Don't Be Afraid to Leave Wounded Behind (Last Resort): If a soldier is critically wounded and cannot make it to extraction, sometimes the mission dictates you leave them behind to save the rest of the squad. This is a tough choice but sometimes necessary for overall campaign success.
  8. Final Turn Scramble: On the last turn, use every available action to get soldiers into the extraction zone. Even if it means taking an overwatch shot or leaving a soldier exposed for a turn, the objective is to get out.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

  • Activating Multiple Pods Simultaneously: This is the quickest way to get overwhelmed. Always advance cautiously, using scouting tools.
  • Ignoring the Turn Timer: Don't get bogged down in prolonged firefights far from the extraction zone. Keep an eye on the timer and prioritize movement.
  • Underestimating Reinforcements: The game will often throw elite units at you during extraction. Be prepared with Mimic Beacons, Bluescreen Rounds, and powerful abilities.
  • Lack of Area-of-Effect (AoE) Damage: Without Grenadiers or Psi Operatives, dealing with clustered enemies or destroying cover becomes much harder.
  • Forgetting Defensive Utilities: Flashbangs, Smoke Grenades, and Medikits are not just for emergencies; use them proactively to prevent damage.

By following these guidelines, commanders can significantly increase their chances of successfully acquiring alien technology and returning to base with valuable intel and resources, pushing XCOM closer to victory against ADVENT.