Cherub (Chimera)

"I'm just glad to be here." -Cherub

Cherub is a hybrid clone and a playable agent in XCOM: Chimera Squad.

As part of the clone batch dubbed the "Empty Cohort", Cherub had received ADVENT training but never received ADVENT indoctrination when he was "born" at the end of the war. After befriending the X-COM agents who discovered his clone creche and having been found to possess no ADVENT sympathies despite being part of a clone line derived from the infamous ADVENT general Bellus Mar, he was recommended as a test case for the use of the Empty Cohort's skill set. He was subsequently transferred to Reclamation and placed in Chimera Squad at his request.

Cherub wields a pistol and energy shield, and has several abilities to protect himself and others. Though his offensive ability is lacking, he can force enemies to focus their attacks on him to give his allies the opportunities they need to strike.

Rank	Ability
Cadet	Kinetic Shield Cherub places an energy shield on self or ally. Cherub gains a kinetic charge when the shield is destroyed. Does not end turn when used.
	Kinetic Charge Cherub can store up to 2 kinetic charges by shielding allies. These are consumed by various abilities.
	Charged Bash Cherub bashes an enemy with the energy shield, consuming all charge. If charge is consumed, deal damage in a cone behind the enemy. Damage increases with charge. Replaces Subdue.
Deputy Agent	Phalanx Enemies focus their fire on Cherub, ignoring other XCOM units at this breach point. Block all damage and gain 1 charge for each attack.
Field Agent	Generator Cherub gains one charge at the end of each encounter.	Guard At the end of the turn gain +1 Armor, a half cover bonus even if flanked, and become half cover for friendlies. Guard breaks after being attacked.
Special Agent	Overload Cherub can now store 3 charges and gains bonus mobility when fully charged.
Senior Agent	Recharge Using Charged Bash to render an enemy unconscious refills 1 charge.	Resonance Field Allies with kinetic shield gain +15 aim.
Principal Agent	Supercharge Expends all charges to increase the squad's weapon damage, and also applies Holo-Target effects to all enemies to improve aim. One use per mission.
Training (Special Agent)	Unlock Potential +2 mobility.
Training (Principal Agent)	Return Fire When fired upon, Cherub will automatically shoot back at the enemy that attacked him.

Tactical Analysis

• Supercharge's duration is dependent on the number of charges expended for it to activate; when three charges are used, it will last three rounds after Cherub's turn. Additionally, it only affects attacks that use a primary weapon, so abilities like Zephyr's Crowd Control will not benefit from its use.
• Kinetic Shield only protects against direct damage; debuffs that only require the target to be hit (e.g. Disarmed or Rooted) will still be applied even if the attack that applies them does no damage.
• Return Fire only triggers once per enemy (even if they attack twice) and will not work if Cherub is out of ammo. An Expanded Magazine is advised to counteract the latter drawback.