Part 26

Ethereal: This boss alien appears during the base defense mission or in place of other boss alien squads after raiding an Overseer UFO. It can be accompanied by Mutons or Muton Elites. Ethereals have a shield that reflects missed attacks and can use potent psionic abilities, including mind control. They also explode when killed, dealing damage to nearby units (unless killed by a MEC's kinetic strike).

Sectopod: This large alien fires artillery that deals 6 damage per hit in a targeted area. Its Reinforced Armor halves all incoming damage, effectively doubling its HP. Keep troops moving to avoid artillery barrages.

Muton Elite: These aliens carry heavy plasma weapons and have high defense and aim. They have low will, making them susceptible to mind control and psionic attacks. They often appear in packs of two.

Cyberdisk: A flying disk that can transform. In its closed mode, it cannot be critically hit. It is often accompanied by a drone escort and uses a cyberdisk cannon for 8 damage or throws alien grenades for 5 damage. It also has a rare area-of-effect attack called Death Blossom.

Heavy Floater: A flying alien that carries a plasma rifle and gains defense bonuses while airborne. It has low will and can be targeted with psionic attacks. It can use its Launch ability to instantly move across the map, ending its turn.

Thin Man: A dangerous early to mid-game unit that can spit poison gas, dealing 1 damage for 3 turns and reducing aim by 20. They also explode into poison gas when killed. They can use Suppression to penalize enemy aim and grant reaction shots.

Muton: A large alien that starts with light plasma rifles.