Commander (Alien Rank)

Commanders hold the loftiest rank in the alien hierarchy. They can only be found in Alien Bases (Alien Colonies for TFTD), on Battleships (Dreadnoughts for TFTD), on an X-COM Base Defence mission, or Cydonia (T'leth for TFTD). Capturing a commander is crucial in order to complete the game: only commanders are privy to the location of the Brain's stronghold on Cydonia.

Commanders have higher intelligence, armour, and other stats compared to other members of their race (although this is somewhat race dependent), although their "aggression" score is typically lower. Commanders often carry a Blaster Launcher (other ranks may carry them as well). They are probably the toughest opponents you will encounter on any given mission -- especially Sectoid Commanders, which can use Psionics to attack your men from their hiding place on the bridge.

Deployment

UFO Type	Beg./Exp.	Vet./Gen.	Super.
Small Scout	0	0	0
Medium Scout	0	0	0
Large Scout	0	0	0
Abductor	0	0	0
Harvester	0	0	0
Supply Ship	0	0	0
Terror Ship	0	0	0
Battleship	1	1	1
Alien Base	1	1	1

Captured Commanders

Interrogating a captured commander will allow research of The Martian Solution and then Cydonia or Bust. If the commander is a Sectoid or Ethereal it will also allow research of Psionics.

Terror From the Deep

Commanders in TFTD have similar roles and equipment to their EU equivalents. Bear in mind, however, that Alien Colonies are always manned by the same species of Aliens. The Synomium Device at the heart of an Alien Colony will always be guarded by a several unarmed (save for their claws) Lobster Man Commanders and Navigators.

Furthermore, you can unlock research of T'leth, the Alien's City only by interrogating a Lobster Man Commander. Gill Man Commanders are only good for unlocking The Ultimate Threat. Aquatoid Commanders are worthless for X-Com's research, as they only unlock Alien Origins (TFTD), like any other live alien.

Tasoths shouldn't have Commanders, though there are reports of them appearing in the unpatched version of the game. See also: The Tasoth Commander Trap.

TFTD Deployment

Alien Sub Type	Beg./Exp.	Vet./Gen.	Super.
Survey Ship	0	0	0
Escort	0	0	0
Cruiser	0	0	0
Hunter	0	0	0
Heavy Cruiser	0	0	0
Fleet Supply Cruiser	0	0	0
Battleship	0	0	0
Dreadnought	1	1	1
Alien Colony part 1	0	0	0
Alien Colony part 2	2	3	4
Artefact Site	0	0	0

See Also

• Alien Ranks
• Alien Stats
• Alien Stats (TFTD)