Floater (EU2012)

Floater Interrogation

Floater As far as we can tell, the specimen known as the Floater is barely sentient, at least in any discernible fashion that would imply intelligence. Perhaps this was an intentional move on the part of the aliens, but in any case, the floater was extremely aggressive throughout the interrogation process. The most interesting aspect of its bizarre physique is the propulsion module integrated into the remaining portion of its upper torso. During controlled flight testing within the labs, we were able to observe how the Floater is capable of controlling and modulating the flow of power into the propulsion system itself. This was a significant discovery, one that will surely benefit our ongoing research into the alien technology as we attempt to adapt these concepts for our own purposes.

Source: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) Research Archives

Floater Autopsy

Floater Autopsy As frightening and vicious as this species is on the battlefield, it is hard not to feel some sympathy for them on the dissection table. The specimen has been subjected to extensive biomedical modifications, some of which were undoubtedly quite painful and intrusive. The combination of living tissue and mechanical components gives the creature the look of a cruel, half-finished experiment. Most of the subject's internal organs have been replaced with a mechanical life support system that mimics their original functionality. A rather conventional propulsion system has been grafted onto the subject's torso, although the power cells supplying the necessary thrust are extremely advanced by our own standards. I have removed a number of neural implants from the subject that appear to aid in the evasion of incoming projectile fire. The engineering team has already suggested several ways in which this technology might benefit our soldiers. You may find additional information about the combat capabilities of this species by targeting one in the field using the Unit Analysis View.

Source: XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) Research Archives

A twisted ball of airborne agony, the Floater provides close air support for the Alien forces. Unlike their older cousins from the the original, these Floaters fly with powerful jet powered packs integrated into their bodies.

They take advantage of their superior mobility and evasiveness to outflank even the strongest defensive positions. They can also use their launch ability to drop down anywhere they wish on the battlefield. They cannot fire after launching though, leaving them defenseless if they drop into the middle of your squad. Be wary of your snipers though, they can be caught unable to fire if a Floater launches down to them.

Floater groups may be easy to dispatch by themselves but in the middle of a heated firefight they can drop in unexpectedly, catching your soldiers off guard and leaving them flanked. Their flanking maneuvers can sometimes leading to disastrous situations for your operatives.

Stats

1st Appearance	{{{appears}}}
HP	4/4/4/6
Aim	50
Defense	0
Will	10
Movement	12
Easy/Normal/Classic/Impossible

These standard flying soldiers are the mainstay of the Floater forces. They are usually the forth or fifth aliens you will encounter. (After Thin Men or Outsiders.) They have pretty weak armour but they are very fast and agile. They're mobility makes them ideal for flanking. Accuracy is average but they gain bonuses because of their height advantage. As mentioned above keep your snipers safe and watch out for their surprise flank attacks. You may want to keep a stock of their corpses on hand, as they are used for the useful one-use-each Dodge Boost module for your Interceptors.

Floater Armaments

Weapon	Damage	Critical Chance	Abilities
Floater Plasma Light Rifle	6	10	Suppression 20%

Abilities:

• Launch: The Floater can launch to any point on the map (ends its turn).
• Floaters are always considered to have at least half cover even in the open or when flying, unless in proper cover and flanked. This bonus does not stack with existing cover bonuses - they only receive the best cover.

Tactical Advice

If there are Floaters you know to be lurking around, consider a few turns of overwatch from your entire squad. Floaters of all kinds are very rash and will fly recklessly into ambushes. They are quite hard to hit because of their evasion ability but of an entire XCOM squad firing at them some shots are bound to hit. (Unless you get terribly unlucky.)

If a Floater or a group of Floaters decide to drop in behind you during a battle with other alien ground troops, move your soldiers to deal with the Floaters first instead as their flanking positions will give them better aim than any other aliens you may be fighting.

They carry Light Plasma Rifles early on, and may change to Plasma Rifles, changing the +10 Aim for more damage. Depending on your luck of getting hit at all, this may be good or bad for you. Even once Heavy Floaters appear, they will still make regular appearances, though less and less as time goes on. The interrogation of the normal Floater reduces research time for Carapace Armor and the Skeleton Suit. While less of a priority on easier difficulties, this may be an early neccessity on Impossible difficulty, as the penalties to you and the bonuses to the aliens make it a certainty that you will not kill all aliens in the first round of engagement, and your soldiers will be hit in return.

Notes

• These Floaters use jet packs to travel around, unlike the gravball units used by the Floaters of the original.
• Floaters may be back, but the same cannot be said for their signature terror units from the original, the Reapers.