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 20 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

From what I can tell, firing on a unit that is suppressing third unit will cancel suppression. I haven't been able to discern whether or not a hit is required. Also, the Lightning Reflexes ability from the Assault class still works fine against suppression reaction shots.--Lordofhyphens 20:31, 17 October 2012 (EDT)