Alien Life Forms (Long War)

This page may be outdated. It is up-to-date for version b13. The latest version is 1.0.

A Chryssalid squad leader compared to its smaller brethren.

Much like in vanilla, Aliens deploy in "pods", which are "activated" by seeing them. Unlike in vanilla, alien pods are frequently made up of several different types of aliens, such as a Thin Man leading some Sectoids, or some Mutons with Floater scout.

Each "pod" will be led by one Squad Leader alien, possessing both improved stats and new abilities. Each leader has a chance to be accompanied by a Navigator alien in addition to its other pod-mates which usually acts as a scouting unit of sorts, often possessing perks suitable for this role. Squad leaders can easily be identified by their larger health pool and increased physical size.

All pods now make noise when they move, but some pods will choose to lurk rather than patrol. The percentage of pods that hide out in this fashion is different per mission - on Abductions, it is 50%, on Large UFO's, 40%, and on small UFO's, 10%.

The aliens will continually improve their technology as the war goes on, which will grant them extra stats, HP regen and in some cases unlock new abilities. Squad leader and navigator perks are unlocked in the order in which they have been recorded here. Please note that the maximum stats for each species listed below can only apply to squad leaders of that species with all possible upgrades. Abilities tagged with an asterisk(*) are only unlocked on regular aliens during later stages of the war.

Disclaimer: The "Appears" Month listed for each Alien is the month it would appear it normally with a time-only based Alien Research progression. Bonus Research from outside sources (e.g. Alien Bases, XCOM Soldiers left behind on failed missions, etc.) may cause some of these Aliens to appear during a month ahead of their schedule. In addition, Landed UFOs present the possibility of Aliens one (1) month ahead of their standard schedule during that mission.

Legend for Stat/Perk Progression Tables
Yellow	Navigator upgrades. These are available to all aliens of this type, including leaders. They have a certain chance of appearing, indicated in the "navigator chance" column, which is rolled per alien. The number of navigators in a pod is not limited.
Red	Leader upgrades. These are only available to leader aliens of that type. The alien leader's level is rolled randomly based on alien research, from level 1 up to level 7. All leader upgrades are cumulative, meaning a level 3 leader will have the level 3 upgrades as well as the level 1 and 2 upgrades. Level 8 leaders are temple ship only, and level 9 leaders are boss/monster aliens only.

Easy Aliens

Sectoid

Appears
Normal	March
Terror	-
Damage	4 - 9
HP	3 - 14
Defense	0 - 28
Aim	65 - 89
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12 - 13
Will	5 - 120

Sectoids behave in much the same way as you'd expect from vanilla, with low Mobility, HP and Aim, and mediocre Will. Basic Sectoids have access to a few more psionic powers than before, being able to Mind Merge, Mind Fray and Psi Panic. The good news is that Mind Fray has been altered to only do 1 damage. Be aware that Mind Merge has been altered so it does some damage to the merged target if the merger dies, but doesn't kill outright. Sectoid squad leaders get the Low Profile perk. All Sectoids technically have the Gunslinger perk to cancel their offset from using pistols, but do not gain extra damage.

Unlike most alien types, Sectoid pod leaders do +1 damage over regular Sectoids at the start of the game without requiring extra research.

Rewards: Sectoids carry Alien Pistols (which explode into weapon fragments/alloys if not captured alive) and leave corpses. After Xenobiology is researched, the Council will request Sectoid Corpses from time to time. Typical requests exchange 6 Sectoids for 1 or 2 scientists, plus a very slight boost to the requesting nations defense against panic.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	4	3	65	0	0	12	5
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Gunslinger	-	-
15	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
30	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
30	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20%	-
75	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
120	+1	-	+4	-	-	+4	-	+10	-	-	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	20%	-
240	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-
270	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Low Profile	-	-
300	-	-	+4	-	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
300	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+15	-	-	15%	-
300	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	20%	-
360	-	-	-	-	-	+4	+1	+5	-	-	-	-
420	+1	+1	+4	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-
510	-	-	-	-	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
600	+1	+1	+4	-	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
690	-	-	-	-	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
720	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
800	-	+1	-	-	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+3	+4	-	-	-	-	+15	-	-	-	-
1200	+1	+3	+4	-	-	-	-	+15	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	+1	+1	-	+5	Low Profile	1	-
0	-	-	+4	+5	-	2	-
0	+1	-	-	+5	-	3	-
0	-	+1	+4	+5	Executioner	4	Sectoid Leader
0	-	-	-	+5	Rapid Reaction	5	-
0	-	+1	+4	+5	-	6	-
0	+1	-	+4	+5	Tactical Sense	7	Sectoid Master
0	+1	+5	+4	+5	Adaptive Bone Marrow	8	-
0	+1	+2	+4	+5	Combined Arms	9	Reticulan

Drone

Appears
Normal	March
Terror	-
Damage	3 - 7
HP	3 - 10
Defense	0 - 12
Aim	60 - 80
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12
Flight Fuel	32
Will	0

Drones will be encountered right from the beginning of the game, even in the first mission. They can come in groups of their own or attached to Sectoid squads, and later they will accompany more powerful mechanized units like Cyberdiscs and Sectopods. Drones behave similarly to vanilla, but, like most mechanized units, have some damage reduction. Their constant light cover from flying with damage reduction and ability to mutually repair can make them extremely frustrating to kill. Drones have Holo-Targeting, making them a bit more dangerous when supporting other aliens.

Rewards: Drones primarily drop Drone Wrecks, the autopsy of which (10 required) grants access to the SHIV Repair Foundry project and the Holo-Targeter. Later-game, Drone Wrecks are required for several Foundry projects including Drone Capture and Improved Arc Thrower.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	3	3	60	0	0	12	0
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-5	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
15	-	-	-	-	+0.2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
30	-	-	-	-	+0.2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
45	-	-	-	-	+0.2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
60	-	-	-	-	+0.4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
120	-	+3	+4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
120	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Holo-Targeting	90%	Tracker Drone
270	+1	+1	+4	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
360	+1	+1	+4	-	-	+4	+1	-	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+1	+4	-	-	+4	+1	-	-	-	-	-
1200	+1	+1	+4	-	-	+4	+1	-	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	Holo-Targeting	1	Tracker Drone
0	+2	+2	-	-	-	3	-
0	+3	+15	+15	-	-	7	-
0	-	-	-	-	Absorption Fields	8	Battle Drone
0	+3	+30	+10	-	Light 'Em Up	9	Atlas Drone

Outsider

Appears
Normal	March
Terror	-
Damage	6 - 10
HP	10 - 23
Defense	0 - 15
Aim	75 - 105
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12 - 16
Will	100 - 140

Long War Outsiders are enormously more dangerous than vanilla Outsiders. They start with 10 HP and 3 HP regeneration per turn, meaning it will take a concerted effort from the whole squad to take them down early game. Like vanilla, Outsiders are mostly found in charge of UFOs, usually holed up on the bridge, but not always. In Long War, they will occasionally patrol. You should be careful not to activate a UFO's Outsider until you're ready for it, since their HP regen means they can easily take on 1 or 2 XCOM soldiers without even taking damage. On larger UFOs Outsiders spawn in larger groups than in vanilla. On larger ships and later encounters, Outsiders spawn in pods of 3 to 5.

When you first meet them, fighting Outsiders in a war of attrition across cover is a bad idea, since their HP regen and relatively high damage and accuracy with their Alien Carbines means they may well win. Neutralizing the Outsider with flashbangs and suppression while you move your troops up to set up for a one turn kill is more effective. Note that their regenerative abilities will increase over the course of your game.

Rewards: Outsiders captured alive grant Outsider Shards, which can be fashioned into Skeleton Keys. These are essential for initiating Base Assault missions, a requirement for ending the game. They also carry Alien Carbines.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	6	10	75	4	0	12	100
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	-	+10	-	-	-	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Muscle-fiber Density	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+5	+1	-	-	-
120	+1	+2	+4	-	-	+5	+1	+5	+1	-	-	-
240	-	+3	+4	+4	+1	+2	-	+5	+1	-	-	-
360	+1	+3	+4	-	+1	+2	+1	+5	+1	-	-	-
480	-	-	+4	+4	-	+2	+1	+5	-	-	-	-
600	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Neural Damping	-	-
600	-	+1	+4	-	-	+2	-	+5	-	-	-	-
750	+1	+1	-	-	-	+2	-	+5	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+3	+10	+10	+1	-	+1	+5	+1	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	-	+5	-	-	1	-
0	-	-	-	+10	Opportunist	2	Outsider Engineer
0	-	-	+5	+10	Lightning Reflexes	3	Outsider Navigator
0	-	-	+5	+10	Ready for Anything	4	-
0	-	+10	+5	+10	Close Combat Specialist	5	Outsider Captain
0	-	-	+5	+10	Sentinel	6	Outsider Commander
0	-	-	-	+10	Intimidate	7	-
0	-	+20	-	+10	Combined Arms	9	Outsider Overlord

Thin Man

Appears
Normal	March
Terror	-
Damage	5 - 7
HP	5 - 22
Defense	0 - 35
Aim	70 - 110
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	14 - 19
Will	25 - 55

Thin Men are quite similar to vanilla, with high mobility, mediocre aim and low will. The main change is that their poison has been replaced with acid, which lowers aim (flat -20%) and mobility (25%) as poison does, and affected units take slightly more damage from attacks, but acid no longer causes damage directly. Instead, acid inflicts damage to a victim as they take actions, so moving, reloading, firing, overwatch, etc will all cause an affected unit to take 1 damage. A unit that goes on overwatch will take the damage when they go on overwatch, not when they fire. Hunkering down is safe and a unit that simply remains still and hunkered for the duration of acid will take no damage at all. Acid clouds dissipate within 2 turns and the acid debuff lasts 2-5 turns. Robotic units and soldiers with Medikits or sealed armor are immune to the mobility effects of acid and won't take damage from actions, but will still take more damage from attacks and have reduced aim while affected by acid.

Rewards: Thin Men carry Alien Carbines (with the standard dead-man switch) and leave corpses. These can be spent on the Improved Medikit Foundry project (10x) after completing an autopsy (10x). The Thin Man interrogation gives a 25% research credit towards laser weaponry.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	5	5	70	4	0	14	25
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	-	+5	-	-	-	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
90	-	+1	+5	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
90	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Sprinter	15%	-
90	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+2	-	Damn Good Ground	25%	-
90	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+2	-	Executioner	25%	-
120	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Lightning Reflexes	15%	Sidewinder
210	-	+1	-	+5	-	-	+1	+3	-	-	-	-
240	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
360	-	-	+5	+5	-	+3	+1	+3	+2	-	-	-
400	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Low Profile	-	-
450	-	+1	-	-	-	+3	-	+3	-	-	-	-
550	-	-4	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	10%	Thin Man Sniper
600	-	+1	+5	+5	-	+3	+1	+3	-	-	-	-
700	-	-	+5	+5	-	+3	-	+3	-	-	-	-
800	-	+1	-	-	-	+3	-	+3	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+6	+5	+5	-	+10	+1	+3	+2	-	-	-
1200	+1	+6	+5	+5	-	+10	+1	+3	+2	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+1	-	+4	Executioner	1	-
0	-	+1	+5	+4	Sharpshooter	2	-
0	-	+1	-	+4	Bombard	3	-
0	-	+1	-	-	Squadsight	4	Thin Man Sniper
0	+1	+1	-	+5	Rapid Reaction	5	-
0	-	+1	+5	+5	Sprinter	6	-
0	+1	+1	+10	+6	Lightning Reflexes	7	Sidewinder
0	+1	+5	+5	+7	Aggression	8	-
0	+1	-	+5	-	Tactical Sense	8	-
0	+1	+5	+5	+5	Combined Arms	9	Typhon

Floater

Appears
Normal	April
Terror	-
Damage	5 - 8
HP	5 - 16
Defense	0 - 16
Aim	65 - 90
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	13 - 21
Flight Fuel	32
Will	20 - 44

Floaters behave identically to vanilla Floaters. Floater squad leaders often gain the Damn Good Ground ability, which, given their ability to fly, makes them significantly more dangerous than regular Floaters.

Rewards:: Floaters leave corpses and carry Alien Carbines. Floater interrogation provides aerospace research credit.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	5	5	65	4	0	13	20
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-5	-1	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-5	-	-
Brutal	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	-	+1	-	-	-	-	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
60	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Covering Fire	15%	Floater Sentry
60	-	+1	+4	-	-	-	-	-	-	Danger Zone	15%	-
75	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
90	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	20%	-
120	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	15%	-
210	-	-	+4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20%	-
240	-	+1	+5	-	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
240	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	15%	-
330	+1	-	-	-	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-
420	-	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
570	-	-	-	-	-	+4	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
690	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
780	-	-	+5	+5	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+3	+5	-	-	+4	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
1200	+1	+3	+5	-	-	+4	+1	+2	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+1	+4	+2	Covering Fire	1	Floater Sentry
0	-	+1	+4	+2	Close Combat Specialist	2	-
0	-	+1	-	+2	Danger Zone	3	-
0	-	+1	+2	+2	Sprinter	4	Floater Raider
0	-	+1	-	+2	Damn Good Ground	5	-
0	-	+1	+4	+2	Mayhem	6	-
0	+1	+5	+8	+2	Ready for Anything	7	Floater Reaver
0	+1	-	+5	+2	Aggression	8	-
0	+1	+5	+5	+2	Repair Servos	8	-
0	+1	-	+5	+2	Tactical Sense	8	Great Reaver
0	+1	+5	+5	+2	Combined Arms	9	Reaver Lord

Seeker

Appears
Normal	April
Terror	-
Damage	2 - 5
HP	4 - 15
Defense	0 - 20
Aim	65 - 81
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	16 - 25
Flight Fuel	32
Will	0

Seekers can be found both in pods made up entirely of Seekers, and accompanying squads of other aliens. This indirectly makes them more dangerous than vanilla, since a Seeker itself isn't much threat, but a Seeker supporting other aliens can be a deadly distraction. Seekers have had the shackles taken off their AI, and will happily decloak and strangle 4 of your soldiers at once. As mechanized units they have some damage reduction, which makes them difficult to damage with low power weapons like pistols and carbines. Seekers only cause 1 initial damage when strangling, but this damage doubles every turn they remain attached, so quickly knocking a Seeker off will result in minimal damage, but if left it will cause massive damage in 3-4 turns.

Battle Scanners are available to any soldier as carried items in Long War, giving an early counter to Seekers. They have a habit of going into overwatch while in stealth, so if you're waiting out Seekers without a Battle Scanner, try moving a soldier, one might reveal itself to take a pot shot at you. Ground-hugging Seekers can also be 'detected' by scanning for seemingly empty tiles that cannot be moved into; any explosive/area effect attacks (bar the MEC Flamethrower; Seekers are fireproof - though an 'IMMUNE' popup will still appear) that catch an invisible Seeker in their area will force them to decloak.

If Seekers have no valid targets for their strangulation attack (as MECs and SHIVs are immune, and several armors and items grant immunity also), they will most often go into overwatch (which will not decloak them until they have fired), or attempt to flank soldiers in cover and try to score a critical hit with their plasma gun. A Seeker who does not cloak on pod activation will usually try for this approach. Like Sectoids, Seekers possess the Gunslinger perk and suffer no range penalties for their plasma shots, but do not deal extra damage from base. In terror missions, they prefer to hunt down any remaining civilians if all XCOM units are immune; if a Seeker is the last enemy active on a Terror mission, focus on rescuing the civilians. Once the Seeker has no civilian targets remaining, its AI will switch to focusing on the squad instead.

Rewards: As robotic units, Seekers cannot be captured. Upon destruction, they leave wrecks, which are needed for autopsy (5) and UFO Countermeasures Foundry project (10).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	2	4	65	0	0	16	0
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Gunslinger	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Unlimited Cloak	67%	Stalker
75	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
150	-	+1	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-
210	-	-	+2	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
240	-	-	+2	-	+1	+5	+1	-	-	-	-	-
300	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
420	+1	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-
540	-	-	+2	-	+1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
700	-	-	+2	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
800	-	+3	+2	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+5	+6	-	+1	+5	+3	-	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	Unlimited Cloak	1	Stalker
0	-	+3	+2	-	Holo-Targeting	2	-
0	-	+3	+2	-	Rapid Reaction	3	-
0	+1	+5	+2	-	-	4	-
0	-	+5	+2	-	Platform Stability	5	-
0	-	+5	+2	-	Damage Control	6	-
0	+1	+10	+2	-	Close Encounters	7	Wraith
0	+1	+10	+2	-	Combined Arms	9	Hydra

Chryssalid

Appears
Normal	April
Terror	-
Damage	8 - 12
HP	8 - 20
Defense	10 - 35
Aim	0
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	20 - 27
Will	50 - 70

Chryssalids are similar to vanilla Chryssalids. A big difference is that Chryssalid squad leaders have Lightning Reflexes, which can seriously reduce the amount of damage a charging Chryssalid squad will take from overwatch fire since the squad leader moves first, and is thus the most likely to trigger overwatch fire depending on positioning. Like Thin Men, the Chryssalid's claw poison has been replaced with acid.

AP/HE grenades are an effective early counter to Chryssalids, since they'll frequently charge in a tightly packed group on first sight, and the grenades will do full damage since Chryssalids don't benefit from cover. Similarly, flashbangs can debilitate a whole group of Chryssalids by reducing their move by 40%, which brings it considerably under the range a flashbang can be thrown. Chryssalids are immune to acid, so Chem Grenades won't reduce their mobility. Taking out the Chryssalid leader will make reaction fire effective against them; a Close Combat Specialist Assault can frequently finish off leaderless Chryssalids. The MEC Flamethrower is also quite effective; aside from the damage (especially with the Jellied Elerium upgrade) it can cause the Chryssalids to panic, and they may then run away from your soldiers instead of towards them.

Chryssalids on a terror mission will always spawn Zombies from civilians they kill off-screen - normally, this only occurred on higher difficulties in vanilla. As such, expect to have to deal with many additional Zombies during terror missions that focus on the deployment of Chryssalids. Additionally, Chryssalid pods may occasionally contain a number of Zombie units regardless of the mission type.

Some Chryssalid squad leaders may be particularly large. Beware, as these monsters often have upwards of 40-50 health on top of the fact they are escorted by several more Chryssalids and have augmented damage.

Rewards: 5 Chryssalid Carcasses are needed for autopsy, 10 for Chitin Plating.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	8	8	-	25	10	20	50
Normal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15%	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	20%	-
0	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25%	-
150	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	+1	-	-	-
180	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
180	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
270	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
300	-	+2	-	-	-	+5	+1	+2	+1	-	-	-
420	-	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
550	-	+1	-	-	-	+5	+1	+2	-	-	-	-
650	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	+2	+1	-	-	-
725	-	+1	-	-	-	+5	-	+2	-	-	-	-
800	-	+1	-	-	-	+5	-	+2	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+2	-	-	-	+5	+2	+2	+2	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	+1	+2	-	+5	-	1	-
0	+1	+1	-	+5	Lightning Reflexes	2	Chryssalid Warrior
0	+1	+2	-	+5	Adaptive Bone Marrow	3	-
0	+1	+1	-	+5	Sprinter	4	Chryssalid Charger
0	+1	+2	-	+5	-	5	-
0	+1	+1	-	+5	Shock-Absorbent Armor	6	Hive Queen
0	+1	+5	-	+5	-	7	-
0	+1	+10	-	+5	-	8	-
0	+1	+20	-	+5	Resilience	9	Greater Hive Queen

Zombie

Appears
Normal	April
Terror	-
Damage	7 - 15
HP	12 - 37
Defense	0 - 10
Aim	0
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	9 - 15
Will	120 - 150

Not even Zombies are immune to getting tweaked in Long War - At first, they become faster, and later tougher, whilst their melee damage steadily ramps up over time. They can occasionally spawn as a member of Chryssalid pods on any mission, and it is also be possible to encounter them as a special pod spawn during Terror missions, in which four to five identical zombies will spawn in a group. Unlike regular Zombies, the members of this Zombie 'pack' do not seem to spawn Chryssalids if left to their own devices for too long.

Zombies that have been spawned through a victim implanted by a Chryssalid will spawn a "baby" Chryssalid after two turns, easily recognized by their slightly pink skin color. This Chryssalid variant will have the same stats as an adult Chryssalid and can both move and attack during the turn it emerges. It will furthermore always emerge at full health regardless of how much damage the Zombie has taken.

Rewards: None.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	7	12	-	0	0	9	120
Normal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	+3	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	+3	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk
210	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-
360	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
420	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
450	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow
480	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
600	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
700	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
800	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
900	+1	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Muton

Appears
Normal	May
Terror	-
Damage	8 - 10
HP	8 - 22
Defense	10 - 33
Aim	70 - 92
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12
Will	30 - 60

Mutons are similar to vanilla Mutons, and will start with Alien Carbines and later upgrade to Alien Rifles. Muton squad leaders have significantly more HP than regular Mutons, as well as a number of overwatch enhancing perks. Before 105 days of alien research, Mutons use Alien Carbines, which modifies their base damage and aim to be 6 and 76 respectively. The stats in the table are for when Mutons use Alien Rifles.

Rewards: Either Alien Carbine or Alien Rifle when Captured, and also Alien Grenade if Alien Grenades Foundry project isn't completed. Muton Corpses are required for autopsy (10) and Ammo conservation Foundry project (20).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	8*	8	70*	4	10	12	30
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
90	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	Covering Fire	15%	Muton Sentry
90	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15%	-
90	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	15%	-
120	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Hyper-Reactive Pupils	25%	-
150	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Depth Perception	25%	-
210	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
270	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
330	-	+1	+2	-	-	+2	-	+3	-	-	-	-
420	-	+1	+2	-	-	+2	-	+3	-	-	-	-
450	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	10%	Muton Sniper
510	-	+1	+2	-	-	+2	-	+3	-	-	-	-
600	-	+1	+2	+2	-	+2	-	+3	-	-	-	-
650	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Tandem Warheads	50%	-
700	-	+1	+2	-	-	+2	-	+3	-	-	-	-
800	-	+1	+2	-	-	+3	-	+3	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+3	+5	-	-	+5	-	+3	-	-	-	-
1200	+1	+3	+5	-	-	+5	-	+3	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+2	+2	+3	Covering Fire	1	Muton Sentry
0	-	+1	+2	+3	Opportunist	2	-
0	+1	+1	+2	+3	HEAT Warheads	3	-
0	-	+1	+2	+3	Bombard	4	Muton Grenadier
0	-	-	-	-	Fortiores Una	5	-
0	-	+2	+2	+4	Will to Survive	5	-
0	-	+1	+2	+4	Sentinel	6	Muton Sentinel
0	+1	+5	+2	+4	Light 'Em Up	7	Muton Centurion
0	+1	+5	+2	+4	Tandem Warheads	7	-
0	+1	+5	+5	+5	Aggression	8	-
0	+1	-	+5	+5	Tactical Sense	8	-
0	+1	+5	+5	+5	Combined Arms	9	Sargon

Hard Aliens

Cyberdisc

Appears
Normal	June
Terror	-
Damage	9 - 14
HP	18 - 32
Defense	0
Aim	70 - 84
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	18 - 22
Flight Fuel	32
Will	0

Cyberdiscs are similar to vanilla Cyberdiscs; even their deployment behavior is largely unchanged. They get the Automated Threat Assessment perk, which given their habit of immediately going on overwatch when seen will often give them extra defense at least for the first turn. Cyberdiscs are usually accompanied by two to three Drones, and usually prefer to throw their grenade if an eligible soldier is in range rather than shooting.

Cyberdiscs pose a significant threat throughout the game. Early on their high health pool makes them difficult to kill unless you have more than one soldier with HEAT ammo/warheads, or a soldier with Shredder ammo/rockets. Their movement range can take you off guard as it's close to that of a Chryssalid; if they're not dealt with quickly or retreated from, they are very likely to flank and hit you with raw firepower, move up next to you and use their powerful Death Blossom attack, or simply fire long-range explosives at you. In the later months Cyberdiscs gain the Reactive Targeting Sensors perk, allowing them to return fire.

The Drones escorting a Cyberdisc are of course more dangerous as well (see the main Drone entry), primarily because they can tag a target with Holo-Targeting, making it easier for the parent Cyberdisc (and any other enemies, for that matter) to hit the victim. Drones can be distracted by damaging the Cyberdisc (in which case they will fly back to repair it) but this is hardly an ideal strategy.

One important note about the Cyberdisc is that they only have the Hardened trait as long as they're closed. A Cyberdisc must open up in order to attack with its cannons or grenade, and will immediately return to closed form if hit by an incoming attack. A Cyberdisc that overwatches can often be hit when open twice, by shooting it, then drawing out its overwatch with a Scout, causing it to reopen for a second shot.

In close range, Cyberdiscs explode for damage upon death, a trait that can be used against the aliens in tight packed groups. The Long War mod has also made efforts to better calculate the discs "Death Blossom", so be cautious not to engage too closely.

Rewards: Cyberdisc Wrecks are needed for autopsy (3), several Foundry projects (10), and Defensive Matrix (Dodge) (2).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	9	18	70	8	0	18	0
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+1	+3	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
270	-	+2	-	-	+1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
360	+1	+1	+4	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
420	+1	+1	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
480	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
600	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
720	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
900	-	+3	+5	+5	+1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-
1200	-	+3	+5	+5	+1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+1	-	-	-	1	-
0	-	+1	-	-	Bombard	2	Cyberdisc Bomber
0	-	+1	-	-	Damage Control	3	-
0	-	-	-	-	HEAT Ammo	4	Cyberdisc Destroyer
0	-	+1	+2	-	Repair Servos	4	-
0	+1	+1	+2	-	Aggression	5	-
300	-	+2	+2	-	Rapid Reaction	6	-
0	-	+3	+2	-	Light 'Em Up	7	Gunstar
0	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	8	-
0	-	+15	+5	-	Combined Arms	9	Dreadnought
0	-	-	-	-	HEAT Warheads	9	-
0	-	-	-	-	Tandem Warheads	9	-

Mechtoid

Appears
Normal	August
Terror	-
Damage	8 - 11
HP	25 - 39
Shield HP	6 - 13
Defense	0 - 8
Aim	75 - 95
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	14 - 16
Will	40 - 64

Mechtoids behave identically to vanilla Mechtoids. Like vanilla, they will appear with Sectoid escorts, and later with Sectoid Commanders.

Mechtoids are very vulnerable to psionics - Mind Fray will restrict their movement and prevent them from charging to flank as well as reducing their accuracy. Psi Panic will completely disable a Mechtoid. Chem Grenades will hurt their accuracy a bit. Like the Cyberdisc, the Mechtoid will eventually gain access to Reactive Targeting Sensors.

The Psi Shield granted to Mechtoids by Mind Merge also grants a significant amount of extra Damage Reduction on top of the added temporary health. As a result, it is absolutely essential that you find and kill the Sectoid that set up the link (helpfully indicated by the purple streams) and eliminate them.

While Mechtoids do not explode for damage, a Mechtoid that falls backwards in a fight it will crush cover it lands on. Be careful not to destroy your own cover in close quarters combat.

Rewards: Mechtoid Cores are required for autopsy (3), Advanced Servomotors Foundry project (8), and Psi Screen device (1).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Shield HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	8	25	6	75	8	0	14	40
Normal	-	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+3	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Shield HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Combined Arms	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Light 'Em Up	-	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
270	-	+2	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
360	-	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
420	+1	+2	+1	+4	-	+1	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
500	-	+3	-	+4	+4	-	+4	+1	+3	-	-	-	-
600	-	+3	+1	+4	-	-	-	+1	+3	-	-	-	-
700	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+4	-	+3	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+3	+3	+8	-	+1	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+1	+2	+3	Executioner	1	-
0	-	+1	+2	+3	Platform Stability	2	-
0	+1	+1	+2	+3	Advanced Fire Control	3	-
0	-	+2	+2	+3	Shock-Absorbent Armor	4	Vulcan Mechtoid
0	+1	+1	+2	+3	Repair Servos	5	-
0	+1	+2	+2	+3	Rapid Reaction	6	-
0	-	-	-	-	Absorption Fields	7	-
0	+2	+10	+2	+3	Reactive Targeting Sensors	7	Leviathan Mechtoid
0	-	-	-	-	HEAT Ammo	9	Colossus
0	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	9	-

Berserker

Appears
Normal	August
Terror	-
Damage	10 - 20
HP	20 - 44
Defense	20 - 30
Aim	60
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	17 - 23
Will	80 - 110

Berserkers can also be Squad Leaders, meaning the first Berserkers you see could have terrifying amounts of health.

Like Chryssalids, anything you can do to slow down a Berserker will greatly reduce its threat. Flashbanging a Berserker will reduce its half-movement range to well below flashbang throw range, so is a good way to neutralize a Berserker you're not ready to kill. It will also reduce its movement from Bloodlust, so you can also shoot a couple of times after flashbanging (but don't go overboard). Another good piece of equipment to use against them are Chem Grenades, not only does it reduce their damage reduction and limit their movement, but it also deals damage to them each time they move after being shot.

Since it's possible to have multiple soldiers with Rift outside of the Temple Ship, using their aggression against them to make them wander in and out of the Psionic Storm will make quick work of them, if you can set up the situation. With a few other AoE attacks, a cluster of them becomes a comedic slaughter: excellent payback for all the times they will crush your soldiers under their fists.

Two well placed Close Combat Specialist Assaults (optionally with Shredder Ammo) can also quickly make short work of even a group of Berserkers while a grenade or rocket makes them to run all at once towards the CCS trap. Beware of low ammunition shotguns.

Rewards: Berserkers don't carry a weapon. Their corpses are needed for autopsy (5), MEC Close Combat (8), and Combat Stims (1).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	10	20	-	33	20	17	80
Normal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+2	+5	-	-	-	-	+5
Base Abilities/Perks
Bloodlust	Bull Rush	Intimidate	Hardened

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Muscle-fiber Density	-	-
0	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	15%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	20%	-
0	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25%	-
270	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
300	-	+1	-	-	-	+5	-	+3	-	-	-	-
330	-	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
420	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	+2	+3	+1	-	-	-
500	+1	+2	-	-	-	+5	-	+3	-	-	-	-
600	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
700	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
800	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-
900	+2	+5	-	-	-	-	+2	+3	+3	-	-	-
1200	+2	+5	-	-	-	-	+2	+3	+3	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+2	-	+3	-	1	-
0	-	+2	-	+3	Shock-Absorbent Armor	2	Behemoth
0	+1	+2	-	+3	Adaptive Bone Marrow	3	-
0	-	+2	-	+3	-	4	-
0	+1	+2	-	+3	-	5	-
0	-	+2	-	+3	Sprinter	6	Juggernaut
0	+1	+5	-	+3	-	7	-
0	+1	+5	-	+3	-	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Lightning Reflexes	9	Mongo
0	+1	+15	-	+3	Tactical Sense	9	-

Sectoid Commander

Appears
Normal	September
Terror	-
Damage	4 - 9
HP	15 - 36
Defense	20 - 39
Aim	65
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12 - 14
Will	90

Sectoid Commanders represent a substantial step up from their first-month brethren, and carry new psionic abilities as well as better statistics. Sectoid Commanders can use Mind Control.

Rewards: Just like basic Sectoids, Sectoid Commanders carry Alien Pistols. Besides the autopsy (5), five of their corpses is needed for Mind Shield.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	4	15	65	0	20	12	90
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	+20
Impossible	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+25

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Ranger	-	-
0	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	25%	-
0	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	50%	-
0	+1	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	50%	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-
270	+1	+3	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
360	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
400	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	-	-	-
420	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
480	-	+2	-	-	-	+3	-	+10	+1	-	-	-
660	+1	+3	-	-	-	+4	-	+10	-	-	-	-
780	-	+3	-	-	-	+3	-	+10	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+5	-	-	-	+4	+1	+10	+1	-	-	-
1200	+1	+5	-	-	-	+5	+1	+10	+1	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	+1	+1	-	+4	Distortion Field	1	-
0	-	+1	-	+4	Low Profile	2	-
0	-	+2	-	+4	-	3	-
0	+1	+2	-	+4	-	4	-
300	-	+1	-	+4	Aggression	5	-
330	+1	+1	-	+4	Close Combat Specialist	6	-
360	+1	+1	-	+4	Regen Biofield	7	-
0	-	+5	+5	+10	Combined Arms	9	Great Reticulan

Heavy Floater

Appears
Normal	October
Terror	-
Damage	8 - 10
HP	15 - 29
Defense	10 - 30
Aim	74 - 90
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12 - 14
Will	25 - 41

The Heavy Floater is improvement over the original Floater.

Rewards: Heavy Floaters carry Alien Rifles. The corpse is needed for autopsy (5), Advanced Flight (5), and Advanced Repair (4).

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	8	15	70	8	10	12	25
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-5	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+2	-	-	-	-	+1	+5

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	+3	-	-	-	-	-	-	Covering Fire	25%	Heavy Floater Sentry
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Sapper	15%	-
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25%	-
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25%	-
270	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	Danger Zone	20%	-
300	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Shredder Ammo	10%	-
300	-	+1	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-	Mayhem	20%	-
300	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+1	-	Depth Perception	50%	-
360	-	+1	+3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	25%	-
360	-	+3	-	-	+1	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
420	-	+2	+4	-	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-
500	-	+2	+4	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
600	-	+1	-	-	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-
700	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	-	-	-
800	-	+2	-	-	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+2	+4	+4	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-
1200	+1	+2	+4	-	-	+4	-	+2	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	+2	+2	+2	Repair Servos	1	-
0	-	+1	+2	+2	HEAT Ammo	2	Heavy Floater Destroyer
0	-	+1	+2	+2	Close Encounters	3	-
0	-	+1	+2	+2	Bombard	4	-
0	+1	+1	+2	+2	Tactical Sense	5	Aircobra
360	+1	+1	+2	+2	Damn Good Ground	6	Warmaster
420	+1	+2	+2	+2	Will to Survive	7
0	+1	+3	+3	+5	Mayhem	8	-
0	-	-	+5	-	Combined Arms	9	Archon
0	+1	+3	+3	+5	Danger Zone	9	-
0	+1	-	-	-	Tandem Warheads	9	-

Muton Elite

Appears
Normal	November
Terror	-
Damage	{{{damage}}}
HP	20-23
Defense	20
Aim	75-80
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	12
Will	40-49

Muton Elites are looking similar to Mutons, but with a red armor and a helmet.

They appear as Pod Leaders first, usually in pairs like normal Mutons, in the late game they entirely replace Mutons on missions. Care must be taken, because they have a lot of innate defense and Tactical Sense, as well as a lot of firepower at their disposal. Their Heavy Plasma Weapons are both destructive and highly damaging, and even though they lost Initimidate, they still benefit from Bloodlust. As they appear as pod leaders, a lot of their good perks trigger earlier than they actually appear in hordes, making Muton pods very dangerous.

Their overwatch becomes lethal with Oppurtunist, Covering Fire and Sentinel, they can fire twice with Light' Em Up and further with Squadsight, crit with Aggression and Bring 'Em On and respond to fire with RTS. Watch out for Bombard-Grenades, HEAT and Tandem Warheads as well. A encounter with them can only be done without losses by using advanced Technology like MECS or Psionics or very good tactics, forcing the player to focus and speed up their research.

One using Psionics to attack them should take care too, as they gain high will and Neural Damping.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	10	20	80	0	20	12	40
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+3	-	-	-	-	-	+5
Base Abilities/Perks
Alien Grenade	Suppression

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Grenadier	15%	-
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Bombard	33%	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	Covering Fire	33%	Muton Elite Sentry
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	HEAT Warheads	33%	-
1	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	33%	-
1	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	33%	-
360	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+2	-	Hyper-Reactive Pupils	-	-
420	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Tandem Warheads	-	-
450	-	+3	-	-	-	-	-	+5	-	-	-	-
450	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	10%	Muton Elite Sniper
500	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	+5	-	-	-	-
500	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+20	-	-	10%	-
600	-	+2	+4	-	-	-	+1	+5	+1	-	-	-
600	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Neural Damping	15%	-
600	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	33%	-
700	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Lock N' Load	-	-
700	-	-	-	-	-	+3	-	+5	-	-	-	-
800	-	-	+4	+4	-	+4	-	+5	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+5	+4	-	-	+5	+1	+10	+1	-	-	-
1200	+1	+10	+4	-	-	+5	+1	+10	+1	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
0	-	-	-	+3	Bombard	1	-
0	-	-	-	-	Fortiores Una	1	-
0	-	+2	+2	+3	Light 'Em Up	1	Muton Elite Legionary
0	-	+1	+1	+3	Opportunist	2	-
0	-	+2	+2	+3	Tactical Sense	3	-
0	+1	+1	+1	+4	Bring 'Em On	4	-
0	-	-	-	-	Combined Arms	4	Muton Elite Commando
0	-	+2	+2	+4	Sentinel	5	-
0	-	+1	+1	+4	Will to Survive	6	-
0	-	-	-	-	Covering Fire	7	-
0	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	7	-
450	+1	+2	+2	+4	Reactive Targeting Sensors	7	-
0	+1	+10	+5	+30	Aggression	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	8	-
660	-	-	-	-	Neural Damping	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Neural Damping	9	-
0	-	-	-	-	Shredder Ammo	9	Muton Elite Praetorian

Sectopod

Appears
Normal	December
Terror	-
Damage	{{{damage}}}
HP	-
Defense	-
Aim	-
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	-
Will	-

Massive mechanical war machines, Sectopods are similar to their original incarnation - only more deadly, of course. Approach with extreme caution. As with all aliens, their strength and power progresses with time, making them significantly more dangerous as the war drags on.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	11	35	80	8	0	12	0
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Impossible	+2	-	-	-	-	-	-

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
1	-	-	-	-	+4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
450	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
600	-	-	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
700	+4	+5	+5	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
800	+3	+5	+5	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
900	+3	+5	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1200	+3	+5	-	-	+1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
360	-	+5	-	-	Repair Servos	3	-
420	-	+5	-	-	HEAT Ammo	4	Sectopod Destroyer
660	-	+5	-	-	Sentinel	5	-
720	-	+5	-	-	Reactive Targeting Sensors	6	Reaper
999	-	-	-	-	Light 'Em Up	7	-
0	-	-	-	-	Absorption Fields	8	-
0	-	+35	+30	-	Light 'Em Up	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Reactive Targeting Sensors	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Repair Servos	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Sentinel	8	-
0	-	-	-	-	Combined Arms	9	Titan
0	-	-	-	-	HEAT Ammo	9	-

Ethereal

Appears
Normal	January, Year 2
Terror	-
Damage	{{{damage}}}
HP	-
Defense	-
Aim	-
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	-
Will	-

The floating psionic leaders of the alien race are substantially more deadly and no longer trade frailty for their power. Using a Psionic Lance attack that is based on will as well as the feared Mind Control and Rift abilities, Ethereals represent the pinnacle of psionic deadliness. Ethereals regenerate health, and an Ethereal who recieves damage from conventional weapons has a chance to reflect the attack, dealing 33% damage to the attacker. The Ethereal's Psionic Lance is a cross between psionic power and weapon. It has no cooldown, and its effectiveness is reduced by Suppression, but it can't be disabled with Disabling Shot.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	10	20	100	0	40	12	120
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	-	-	+20
Impossible	+2	-	-	-	-	-	+25

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
1	+3	-	-	-	-	-	-	+15	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+4	-	-	-
420	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	+15	-	-	-	-
540	-	+5	-	-	-	-	-	+15	+2	-	-	-
700	+1	-	-	-	-	+5	-	+5	-	-	-	-
900	+1	+5	-	-	-	-	-	+10	+2	-	-	-
1200	+1	+5	-	-	-	-	-	+10	+2	-	-	-

Leader Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Will	Perk	Leader Level	Special Name
360	-	+2	-	+3	Distortion Field	1	-
390	-	+2	-	+4	Shock-Absorbent Armor	2	-
420	-	+2	-	+4	-	3	-
450	-	+2	-	+4	Sprinter	4	-
480	-	+2	-	+5	Executioner	5	-
510	+3	+5	-	+5	-	6	-
540	+3	+5	-	+15	Squadsight	7	-
0	+3	+5	-	+15	-	8	-
0	+3	+5	-	+15	Combined Arms	9	Ethereal Overmind

Uber Ethereal

Appears
Normal	Temple Ship Only
Terror	-
Damage	{{{damage}}}
HP	-
Defense	-
Aim	-
Crit Chance	{{{crit}}}
Movement	-
Will	-

The ultimate Ethereal.

Base Stats and Difficulty Modifiers
Difficulty	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	Defense	Mobility	Will
Base Stats	10	60	120	0	50	12	200
Normal	-	-	-10	-	-	-	-
Classic	-	-	-5	-	-	-	-
Brutal	-	-	-	-	+5	-	+20
Impossible	+2	-	-	-	+10	-	+25

Research Progression
Alien Research	Base Damage	HP	Aim	Crit. Chance	DR	Defense	Mobility	Will	Bonus Regen	Perk	Navigator Chance	Special Name
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Absorption Fields	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Close Encounters	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Distortion Field	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Lightning Reflexes	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Opportunist	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Adaptive Bone Marrow	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Shock-Absorbent Armor	-	-
0	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Squadsight	-	-
1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	+15	-	-	-
540	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	+10	-	-	-	-
700	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	+10	-	-	-	-
900	-	-	-	-	-	+10	-	+10	-	-	-	-