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. There are soldiers of rank and class that you can recruit through missions. You get to select how they skill up. Finally there are also 'hero' soldiers you can recruit through missions. It is unknown if they have unique abilities, or are already skilled up.
Soldier Attributes
Player editable
- First and Last Name
- Nickname (earned at Sergeant rank)
- Race, Voice, Head, Skin Color, Hair, Hair Color and Facial Hair
Non-editable
Stats
The soldier's abilities (moving, firing, etc.) during tactical combat are defined by its stats. A soldier's stats can be improved through experience gained in missions.
- Health Points
- Will
- Defense
- Aim
XCOM units also have the following stats, which all start at zero and seemed to be only modified through each Soldier's individual perks, armor and equipment.
Hidden Stats
- Mobility
- Sight Radius
- Psionics
- Critical Hit Chance
- Critical Damage Chance
- Reaction
Classes
All soldiers start as rookies with their class being only revealed after he/she is promoted to Squaddie and have their stats upgraded according to their class. Each class has unique abilities, and will receive specific stat bonuses upon promotion but will also have specific stat limitations and/or 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 | Description | Primary Weapon | Alternate Weapon | Secondary Weapon | Primary Stats | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rookie | Your basic recruit | Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle | Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol | ||||||
Assault | Close combat unit | Shotgun Laser Scatter Alloy Cannon | Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle | Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol | |||||
Heavy | High-caliber and explosive firepower | LMG Heavy Laser Heavy Plasma | Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle | Rocket Launcher | |||||
Sniper | Long-range accurate fire | Sniper Rifle Laser Sniper Rifle Plasma Sniper Rifle | Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle | Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol | |||||
Support | Medic / Grenadier Jack of all trades | Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle | Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol | ||||||
Psionic | Mental powers | Plasma Light Rifle |
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.
Ranks
Each soldier also has a rank. As he/she progresses through the ranks it will gain additional combat abilities or provide leadership skills purchased through the Officer Training School, from Captain upwards. The 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)
- Purchased through the Officer Training School (require presence of high rank officer(s))
- Equipment research and upgrades
- Skeleton Suit - Grapple Hook
- Medikit