Part 17

Master XCOM: Enemy Within interceptor armaments like the Fusion Lance and learn vital combat tactics including cover bonuses and Exalt strategies.

Interceptor Armaments:

• Avalanche missile: Long range, low effectiveness.
• Phoenix Cannon: Short range, low effectiveness.
• Laser cannon: Short range, medium effectiveness.
• Plasma Cannon: Long range, high effectiveness.
• EMP cannon: Short range, High effectiveness (disables craft intact).
• Fusion lance: Long range, Very high effectiveness (overkill), craftable only from alien battleship components and can only be equipped on the new fighter craft.

Plasma Cannon or EMP cannons can handle any UFO threat. Interceptors with laser cannons are good, and those with plasma cannons are really good.

Combat Tactics Summary:

• Always keep your troops in cover (High cover gives 40 defense, Half cover gives 20 defense). Elevation gives an aim bonus of 20. Close range bonus ranges from 0 to 52. Snipers get a negative close range bonus. Units in flight receive 20 defense. Hunkering doubles the defense bonus the cover gives.
• Use overwatch liberally or move soldiers one at a time, reserving an action point for them to shoot if they spot enemies.
• Overwatch fire has a -20 aim penalty for normal movement and a -40 aim penalty when the target is dashing.
• Suppression confers a -30 aim penalty. Use only when attempting to capture a unit or if you are sure you won't kill it. Suppression uses a lot of ammo.
• Dashing should be done sparingly and never for exploration or recon.
• Thin Men are dangerous; face them one squad at a time. Seekers generally do not attack on the turn after they activated.
• Fight the enemy one squad at a time and avoid battles with even numbers.
• Accept council missions that aren't bomb disposal, as they are easy. Ignore bomb disposal missions. Never ignore missions called gangplank, friends in low places, or progeny, as they will never come back.
• Take your time on all missions. Advance only when your squad has ample ammo, no enemies in sight, and can move in the same general direction. This slow advance should allow you to get Meld containers on time.
• Usable items like grenades and rockets are replenished after missions and have no ammo expenses.
• Later enemies will drop meld upon death.
• MEC kinetic strike is powerful enough to kill most enemies in one hit and never misses. Upgrading it allows the MEC punch to kill some advanced enemies.
• Alien terror missions only require rescuing one civilian for a positive result. Do not change tactics to save useless people.
• After researching weapons and armor to tier 2, research xenobiology, capture an alien with a plasma rifle, research the plasma rifle, and complete the plasma research tree to get the second-best interceptor armament.

Dealing with Exalt:

Exalt are first referenced during the DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch) mission progeny. When Exalt become active, you gain access to the covert operations section. Use the 'intel scan' option in the situation room, which costs money, to scan for Exalt cells worldwide. Exalt can cause a country to leave from panic and are a good source of money.

How to Win XCOM: Enemy Within:

1. Capture the energy boss alien (Outsider) from landed or crashed UFOs.
2. Research the Outsider and build the key.
3. Assault the Alien base, win, and wait 2-3 weeks for your own base to be assaulted.
4. Build the Hyperwave Relay building. Shoot down an Overseer UFO (requires the Firestorm fighter craft).
5. Finish the tactical mission on the Overseer UFO, research the psi-link, build the Gollop Chamber and psi-labs. Get a psionic soldier with psi armor.
6. Commence the final battle by selecting the Gollop Chamber and the appropriate option.
7. Kill the final boss, the Uber Ethereal.