Alien Life Forms (TFTD)

There exist many alien races. Some are cretaceous creatures... some are aliens, here you will find the most basic info on races from the Second Alien War.

For a more comprehensive overview, see Overviews of Aliens (TFTD). For an overview of their stats, see Alien Stats (TFTD).

Weapon-Carrying Aliens

Also known as Armed Combatants, these are the mainstay of the alien invasion. In every mission, X-COM will face one of these alien races. They are almost always armed with manufactured weapons, though some also have innate melee or Molecular Control attacks.

• Aquatoid

Technically the most vulnerable aliens, can be easily killed even with harpoons. Usually the first race to be encountered. Some are M.C. capable, which can lead to a nasty surprise.

• Gillman

Overall, probably the easiest opponents. Slightly tougher than Aquatoids, but still vulnerable. Only their Commanders have M.C. capability.

• Lobsterman

Extremely tough shock troops, resistant to most ranged attacks and damage types, though very vulnerable to a few others. Usually first appear a few months into the game and soon account for most alien subs. All possess an innate melee attack, but none are M.C. capable.

• Tasoth

Best described as alien special forces or super-soldiers. Their leaders are M.C. capable. Arguably the most dangerous aliens in the game, but by the time they show up one should be able to handle them.

• Mixed Crew

A crew composed of mostly Tasoths and some Aquatoids, accompanied by an unusual mix of Terror Units: Tentaculats and Hallucinoids underwater, and Triscenes, Bio-Drones, Calcinites and Xarquids on land. They do only Terror and Floating Base Attack (Retaliation) missions, and can also be found guarding Alien Colonies and Artefact Sites.

Terror Units

Terror Units are more specialized and use innate attacks. As their name implies, they accompany the Weapon-Carrying Aliens on Terror Missions and when assaulting X-COM bases, but can also be found defending important alien sites and their largest subs. None are M.C. capable, but most are extremely resistant to such attacks.

• Bio-Drone

Basically a hover-tank. Can take a few hits and still return fire with high accuracy, will go down in a huge explosion like the Cyberdisc. Very dangerous. Accompanies Tasoths and Lobster Men on land.

• Calcinite

Melee attack only. Looks like a diver. Comes with Aquatoids and Mixed Crews on land missions.

• Deep One

Has a built-in arcing ranged attack, but is easily killed. Follows Gillmen on land missions. Make sure to catch a live specimen.

• Hallucinoid

While lacking a ranged attack, these large Jellyfish are deadly in melee, and can take a surprising amount of damage. Can "hover". Only on submerged missions with Aquatoids and Mixed Crews.

• Tentaculat

Have a deadly melee attack that zombifies their victims. Armor offers no protection in the original game (though it does in OpenXCom). They're incredibly fast and can "hover". Don't play games, shoot on sight. They associate with Tasoths, Lobster Men, and Mixed Crews underwater.

• Triscene

A baby dinosaur with metallic teeth and guns on their back. Associated with Mixed Crews on land missions, and therefore rarely seen. Just like their masters, you'd better be ready for them by the time they show up.

• Xarquid

Xarquids are actually giant Nautilus with a weapon shoved up the tentacles. Their shell provides some protection, but it's nowhere as good as the Lobstermen's. Xarquids associate with Gillmen on submerged missions and with Mixed Crews on land (likely a bug).

• Zombie

That's what becomes of your troops if they're bitten by a Tentaculat.

See Also

• Overviews of Aliens (TFTD)