XCOM 2 has been on the market for a while now, and it’s still one of the best strategy games out there, complete with a great story and a huge variety of new gameplay features. But what if you’re a newcomer to the series that’s just starting out? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know before you dive in.

The sequel to critically acclaimed strategy game, X-Com: Enemy Unknown, and to a lesser extent the original, is the direct sequel to X-Com: Terror from the Deep. From its inception, X-Com was a game that focused on strategy rather than action. In order for you to win, you had to carefully choose where to send your soldier, assault the aliens and defend your base.

From the very beginning, I was a fan of the XCOM series, and I’m still pretty in love with the franchise. To me, it’s a top-tier strategy game that challenges you to think strategically while fending off terrible alien invaders. It’s not too complicated, but it does require some forethought and a strategic approach to overcome the odds against you.

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XCOM 2 is the ultimate strategic game. This turn-based shooter is a force to be reckoned with. With that in mind, if you’re new to the XCOM series, there’s a lot to keep track of.

Knowing when to invest and when to save resources, as well as how to better your chances against alien troops and which targets to assault first, are all crucial skills to learn. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of five key recommendations that every novice XCOM 2 player should be aware of.

1. Only sell to the black market when absolutely necessary.

In XCOM 2, the Black Market has been revamped. You may now both purchase and sell on the market. However, if you want to get the most out of this unscrupulous merchant, you’ll have to sell your valuable Intel.

The problem is that Intel is a scarce resource. Aside from that, you’ll need a slew of components and crafting materials to maintain everything in working order. As a result, you should only sell to the Black Market when absolutely necessary.

While your resources may seem plenty at first, you will most certainly run out of supplies later on.

2. Obtain Resistance Contacts as soon as possible

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In XCOM 2, gaining resistance contacts is a crucial strategy. You will get a variety of benefits as a result of your actions. Money, region-specific upgrade unlocks, and new objectives will all be available to you. As you acquire more resistant contacts, your chances will grow.

Simply take the time to establish up contact with your friends, and the aliens will be dispatched in no time.

3. Eliminate Sectoids as quickly as possible

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The Sectoids have returned in XCOM 2. They are, however, distinct from their original XCOM counterparts.

The sectoids are capable of unleashing deadly psychic assaults to your squad this time around. The problem with these opponents isn’t that they can’t do harm. It’s more about their capacity to command the battlefield.

Sectoids may create complete havoc on the battlefield, whether by stunning or mind manipulating one of your friends. Worse, they have the ability to resurrect fallen troops and transform them into mind-controlled zombies.

Take out any sectoids you find on the battlefield first. Otherwise, you may come to regret your decision.

4. First, construct, then attack

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When you see the Avatar Project’s red meter start to fill up, you’ll probably feel compelled to act quickly. It’s not a good idea.

As soon as the game starts, you must build a solid foundation for your base. You’ll need a consistent source of money as well as substantial improvements all around.

Allow the red bar to gradually fill while you work on improving your foundation. Take the battle to the opponent after you’ve established a solid structural base.

5. Make a mess first, then ask questions afterwards

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In XCOM 2, armor is still a factor. This time, though, things operate a bit differently.

Armor serves as a constant damage reduction in XCOM 2. As a result, you won’t be able to fully harm an opponent until you “shred” their armor.

To shred an enemy’s armor, all you have to do is inflict explosive damage. At the start of each battle, fire an explosive blast at the biggest gathering of opponents to reduce their armor advantage.

This game is awesome. I love the original XCOM, so I was super excited to see what Firaxis had done with the second game in the series. So far, I haven’t been disappointed. I’ve played through both the campaign and the multiplayer. I’ve also played a ton of XCOM on PC, so I’ve been able to compare and contrast the two versions. I’ll admit that I do not like the new UI for the PC version, but that’s a small complaint. XCOM 2 in my opinion, is a better game than the original.. Read more about xcom 2 advanced tips and let us know what you think.

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You should build a soldier before you build anything else.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the best way to play XCOM 2?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
The best way to play XCOM 2 is by using the strategy guide.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why is XCOM 2 so difficult?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
XCOM 2 is difficult because its a turn-based strategy game.”}}]}

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I build first in XCOM 2?

You should build a soldier before you build anything else.

What is the best way to play XCOM 2?

The best way to play XCOM 2 is by using the strategy guide.

Why is XCOM 2 so difficult?

XCOM 2 is difficult because its a turn-based strategy game.

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Holly is the smartest person you will ever know (Or so she tells us lol). She's a gamer by heart, and an author by soul. Writing for the website g15tools is a dream come true for her - she loves being able to share her thoughts and insights with others who love gaming as much as she does. When she's not writing or gaming, Holly can be found spending time with her friends and family.