Reaction Fire (UFOAI)

Introduction

Units can fire on enemy units when they wander into their field of view during the enemy's turn. Soldiers will execute a reaction shot when an enemy unit spends more TU in their field of view than the cost of their reaction fire.

When Reaction Fire won't fire

• Out of range
• Target enters/exits view

Common misconceptions

Because Reaction Fire works differently in UFO:AI than it does in other X-Com games, it is often the source of many misconceptions.

• Reaction Fire is always fair. Aliens are not better than soldiers at it and soldiers can not become more proficient at it. Reaction Fire can not be trained like in the original X-Com. Reaction Fire will always depend on TU costs for soldiers and aliens, and it can always be predicted by paying close attention to TUs spent and observed.
• Reaction Fire is not a free shot. Soldiers who have activated Reaction Fire will not automatically get to fire first when an enemy appears. Reaction Fire is not Overwatch like in the new XCOM.
• Reaction Fire is not overwatch. Reaction Fire is not effective in a real-world role of "overwatch". Snipers are terrible at Reaction Fire because of their high TU costs.
• Reaction Fire is not automatic. Players need to click to activate Reaction Fire, or a soldier will not fire even if they see an enemy and it is within range.