Suppression (EU2012)

Suppression is a combat ability shared by the Heavy and Support classes as well as most of the Aliens.

Its purpose is to degrade the enemy's ability to fire and maneuver. The target's Aim suffers a 30 point penalty, and your soldier gets an Overwatch shot on the target if it tries to get away. It uses up two ammo, and cannot be activated if you have less. Suppressing an enemy prevents them making Overwatch shots, too. If your Heavy have Danger Zone and suppresses multiple targets, he'll get Overwatch shots to all of them if they move.

Suppression allows you to pin down a target that you can't immediately kill, reducing its ability to hurt your soldiers. You can then get your people to cover, or attempt to flank the alien. Suppressive fire sometimes destroys the enemy's cover, which may allow another soldier better line of fire on the alien.

Since it affects the enemy's Aim, Suppression is not so effective when used against an enemy that relies on hand to hand (melee) combat such as Chryssalids or Berserkers. However, the free shot still applies (and is more likely to be applied against these aliens, as they are much more prone to moving).

Dealing with Suppression

Suppression can be dealt with in a number of ways. Firstly you can take out the suppressing unit before moving or using the suppressed soldier. Some abilities will not trigger a reaction shot, so you may still use these freely while under suppression instead of a low percentage shot:

• Grenades
• Rocket Launchers
• Psionic Abilities

The Assault class ability Lightning Reflexes will counter any reaction shot, so moving an Assault soldier with this ability should be safe.