Classes (EU2012)

Soldiers in EU are divided into Classes, where each class has specialized stats and weapons, whilst also possessing unique abilities (a.k.a. 'perks'). When a Rookie is first promoted it will be assigned randomly to one class and be given its initial ability. As the soldier level up more, the player gets to choose one of two abilities at each level, with the exception of Major where only one perk is available. Classes follow a 'Rock, Paper, Scissor' logic, where the different classes complement one another on the battlefield. Each is focused on a role and it is crucial to design squads with the right combination of classes according to each mission, terrain, type of hostiles and other factors.

Assault

A mobile soldier with short range power. A good choice for close quarter combat in maps with constricting spaces and limited vision. The Run & Gun ability make Assault soldiers particularly useful for outflanking your opponent.

Abilities

Assault Perks Tree

Ability	Rank	Actions	Attack	Defense	Notes
Run & Gun	Squaddie	Unit can Dash + Fire			Allows to Dash and Fire, but not Dash and use equipment; 3 turn cooldown
Aggression	Corporal		+30 (max) Critical Chance		+10 points per enemy in sight
Tactical Sense	Corporal			+20 (max) Defense	5 extra Defense points per enemy in sight
Close & Personal	Sergeant		+30 (max) Critical Chance		Against adjacent targets; bonus declines with distance
Lightning Reflexes	Sergeant			Forces reaction miss	1st shot fired at this unit on Overwatch is a miss
Flush	Lieutenant		Flushes enemy from cover		Easy shot but low Damage to target
Rapid Fire	Lieutenant	Can fire 2 shots			-20 Aim penalty
Killer Instinct	Captain		+??? on Critical Damage
Close Combat Specialist	Captain	Always on Overwatch			Will only fire at enemies moving within 4 tiles or less distance
Will to Survive	Major			Reduces damage	Reduces Damage taken if not exposed or flanked
Bring 'Em On	Colonel		+??? Critical Damage		Per each enemy spotted by the XCOM squad; maximum of ???
Resilience	Colonel			No Critical Hits	Unit is immune to Critical Hits

Notes

• Home Run / Blitzkrieg: Focuses on big damage. For example, combining high crit perks like Aggression and Close & Personal would suit a combat style involving multiple Assault units moving fast and aggressively using Run & Gun continuously. A Sniper with Squad Sight could be a good supporting unit for this style to facilitate taking out enemy units that you miss or extra units you encounter along the way, but also may not work well in limited-sight close-quarters maps. In those cases, take care to Run & Gun into cover against potential remaining units or have Support units with smoke grenades ready to help after Assault units have moved & fired. This Assault soldier may be particularly useful in time-sensitive missions like Terror Missions and Bomb Disposals.

Heavy

Carries high-damage weapons including a Rocket Launcher and heavy-caliber weapons. They are essential to support attacks and for the demolition of terrain obstacles. The main disadvantages are the low progression on Aiming and the limited ammunition (1 round) for the launcher.

Abilities

Heavy Perks Tree

Ability	Rank	Actions	Attack	Defense	Notes
Fire Rocket	Squaddie		1 rocket per mission		Requires both Actions to fire
Bullet Swarm	Corporal	Fire/Fire Fire/Move			Unit can now fire twice or fire before moving on the same turn
Holo-Targeting	Corporal		+10 Aim		Bonus also benefits team members that fire at the same alien
Shredder Rocket	Sergeant		+ 33% Damage for 4 turns		Bonus also benefits team members that fire at the same alien. Lesser damage on initial impact. Additional rocket
Suppression	Sergeant	Suppress ability			-30 Aim to enemy, allows reaction shot if the target moves
HEAT Ammo	Lieutenant		+100% Damage robotic enemies		For use against Cyberdiscs and Sectopods
Rapid Reaction	Lieutenant	2 shots on Overwatch			Unit gets another shot if reaction fire hits
Grenadier	Captain		2 grenades		Each item slot can now carry 2 grenades
Danger Zone	Captain		Increase hit area		Increases area of engagement of rockets and suppression by 2 spaces
Extra Conditioning	Major			Health Bonus	Bonus value dependent on armor level
Rocketeer	Colonel		2 rockets		Also gives a 2nd Shredder rocket?
Mayhem	Colonel		Additional damage		Damage from Suppression and area-effect weapons is increased based on tech level

Notes

• Heavy Ordinance: Focuses on high, AoE damage. Suggested perks include Shredder Rocket and Grenadier/Danger Zone. This build would be good for encounters with high volumes of aliens or in slow, time insensitive missions where you can take the time to not take your first movement for rocket shots. This build could be particularly effective combined with Squad Sight Snipers in a combined effort to destroy cover and then take out remaining damaged units with the Snipers.
• Heavy Buffer (needs a better name): Focuses on perks that improve the rest of your squad like Holo-Targeting, Suppression, and Rapid Reaction. Combined with Rifle Suppression Support units, the player can pin down the enemy and freely move around Run & Gun Assault units to systematically eliminate the enemy. This would be good for scenarios that are not time sensitive so you establish position and plan out movements to minimize Overwatch consequences.

Sniper

The sniper's main role is to inflict long-range critical damage on enemy units by using its Headshot ability but it can be also used for reconnaissance duties. Its main drawbacks is the starting inability to Move and Fire its sniper rifle on the same turn, forcing it to use pistols on close quarters fights unless it receives advanced training.

Abilities

Sniper Perks Tree

Ability	Rank	Actions	Attack	Defense	Notes
Headshot	Squaddie		+ 30% Critical		Extra damage on critical hits. 2 turn cool down
Squad Sight	Corporal		Can fire on any sighted enemy		Sniper can target any hostiles seen by the squad; requires clear line of fire
Snap Shot	Corporal	Unit can Move/Fire			-20 Aim penalty
Damn Good Ground	Sergeant		+10 Aim	+10 Defense	Aim bonus given in addition to existing one for height
Gunslinger	Sergeant		+2 damage to pistols
Disabling Shot	Lieutenant		Shot to disable a target's weapon		If successful target may try to repair using reload; no critical hits; ??? turn cool down
Battle Scanner	Lieutenant		+ Vision	+ Vision	Unit can deploy a scanner that creates a source of vision for 2 turns; can be used twice
Opportunist	Captain		No Aim penalty on overwatch		In addition, reaction fire can now cause critical hits
Executioner	Captain		+10 Aim on injured targets		With targets at less that 50% health
Low Profile	Major			Partial cover counts as full
Double Tap	Colonel	Unit can Fire/Fire			2 turn cool down
In The Zone	Colonel	Extra Action after a kill			Kills made against flanked or exposed enemies with the sniper rifle don't cost an action

Notes

• Equipping the Sniper with armor that has a grappling hook is particularly helpful to establish a safe shooting position with wide field coverage and to use the Damn Good Ground perk.
• A Sniper can only fire pistols after moving, unless it chooses the Snap Shot ability that allows it to fire its sniper rifle after moving.

Support

Multipropose units intended to either stay behind the front lines in order to heal damaged units, provide cover for forward units. Supports can also be used in combat, push the offensive by helping to outflank opponents, if Assaults are pinned down or have been lost, or to provide overwatch. Its main drawback is the low damage from its primary weapon when compared with the other classes.

Weapons

1. Smoke grenade, (throw a grenade that provides half cover in a radius, lasts 2 turns, one use).
2. Sprinter, (increases movement by 3 squares per action point).
   Covering Fire, (Allows reaction fire against opponents who try to shoot).
3. Field Medic (gives 3 healing)
4. Revive (Restores critically wounded operative to 33% health).
   Rifle Suppression, (-30 to target's Aim, gives reaction fire if moves).

Psionic

A Psionic is a late game class that appears once you tested your soldiers for psionic ability. They can use their mental powers on the battlefield to panic/control enemy units or to create physical attacks.

Weapons

• Mind Control, (Converts an enemy unit to your control for 5 turns. Take care, as the death of the controlling Psi unit also results in the death of the controlled enemy.)
• Panic, (Panics the targeted unit causing it to behave erratically including hunkering down, firing wildly, and running away. A Panic'd unit does not take orders from the player.)
• Rift, (Psionic storm attack. It is free aim with limited range.)

See Also

Soldiers

Equipment

Soldier Abilities