Soldiers (EU2012)

Soldiers are your most important and valuable unit in Enemy Unknown 2012 and their death on the battlefield is permanent. Soldiers have distinct classes and their status can be checked at XCOM HQ's Barracks facility, where you can also hire new soldiers. They can be equipped with armor, weapons and other equipment as required and available at the Armory. Soldiers may also be assigned to the Officer Training School in order to progress in rank and gain specific squad abilities.

Classes

All soldiers start as rookies and their class is only revealed after being promoted to Squaddie. Each class has unique abilities, passive bonuses, as well as restrictions on weapons/equipment they can carry. Generally, each promotion will require you to choose from one of two perks available to the class at that rank.

Class	Primary Weapon	Description	Class Unique Abilities
Rookie	Assault Rifle	Your basic recruit. Abilities are (generally) available to all classes.	Fire - Shoot the enemy Overwatch - Takes a shot at the next enemy that moves into sight range. Reload - Spend a full action to reload weapon. Hunker - Provides a defensive bonus.
Assault	Shotgun Scatter Laser Alloy Cannon	Close combat unit	Run & Gun - Unit can fire after dashing Combat Stim - Increases stats and reduce damage taken
Sniper	Sniper Rifle Laser Sniper Rifle Plasma Sniper Rifle	Long-range accurate fire	Squad Sight - Fire at enemy seen by any squad member In The Zone - Additional shot after a critical hit Snap Shot - Quick shot after movement Double Tap - Both actions can be used for Standard/Precision/Disabling Shot Improved Overwatch - Unit continues firing as long as it hits the target
Heavy	SMG Heavy Laser Heavy Plasma	High-caliber firepower	Supression - Reduce target Aim by 30% and free shot if the target moves Focused Suppression - Reduce target Aim by 65% and free shot if the target moves Tracer Beam Rounds - If hit alien takes extra damage from entire squad
Support	Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle	Medic / Grenadier Jack of all trades	Smoke Grenade - Smoke Cover Rifle Suppression - Reduce target aim by 15% and take free shot if target moves ???????? - Increases movement range
Psionic	Plasma Light Rifle	Mental powers	Mind Control - Control of enemy for 5 turns Panic Rift - Creates a devastating psionic storm

It has been hinted that the Psionic class is not so much a full class as a sub-class so there is the potential for Psionic Snipers, Psionic Assaults, etc. Jake Soloman and the Firaxis development team have been very tight lipped about Psionics so all we know is that they will be in the game in some form.

Ranks

Each soldier also has a rank. High-ranked soldiers provide leadership abilities, allowing for additional squad perks and to maintain squad morale. Known ranks are:

• Rookie
• Squaddie
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Colonel

Abilities/Perks

Perks are special abilities given to specific classes or the entire squad. They can be acquired through the following:

• Soldier can choose between two abilities on level up (exclusively)
• Presence of high rank officers
• Equipment research and upgrades
  • Damn Good Ground - Grapple Hook
  • Heal Wound - Use the Medi-Kit to heal up to 8 HP
  • Improved Heal

Stats

The soldier's abilities (moving, firing, etc.) during tactical combat are defined by its stats.

• Health Points
• Will
• Defense
• Aim

Soldier Customization

All of the following can be changed by the player.

• First and Last Name
• Nickname (earned at Sergeant rank)
• Race, Voice, Head, Skin Color, Hair, Hair Color and Facial Hair