Mind Control

Mind Control is the deadliest use of Psionics by Ethereals or higher-ranking Sectoids. After Psi-Lab training, your soldiers can attempt mind control themselves using the Psi-Amp.

A successful Mind Control attack by an alien immediately converts the soldier to the alien's side for the duration of the turn and gives them a full complement of TU's to do actions with - such as shooting teammates in the back. The soldier will continue to be on the alien's side for your next turn, will use reaction fire on your own troops, and will even be represented on the map as an alien red dot when spotted. At the start of the alien's next turn, unless they perform another successful Mind Control attack, the soldier will revert back to your side.

The same applies in reverse when you control an alien.

The alien robotic ground support weapons (Cyberdiscs and Sectopods) have psi receiver circuits which allow them to be directed psionically by their squads, much as our own HWP's use a radio link.

However, these units are even more difficult to control than Ethereals themselves. Furthermore, studies have shown that all "large" alien species in fact have 4 brains/ control modules implanted in each of their 4 quarters. Each successful mind control attempt will only affect one quarter, leading to... strange things. Such as being able to attack, or be attacked by, the other quarters.

Psionic control is so taxing, it only lasts for a limited period of time. (that turn) It has to be re-established every turn. During this round, control is absolute, and even outright killing of the controller isn't going to snap the victim out of it, much less mere distractions. Even if no orders are given, and the controlling unit dies, the victim will still obligingly take potshots (reaction fire) at former team mates.

If a soldier is under alien control when the last alien is shot to end the mission, that soldier will become MIA.

--JellyfishGreen 06:11, 26 Aug 2005 (PDT) & notes from Jasonred