Introduction
The air crackles with unseen energy. A Gatekeeper, the hulking psionic construct of the alien Advent, is about to unleash a devastating attack upon your squad. But then, a ripple in the fabric of reality. Your Psionic Soldier, eyes glowing with potent power, seizes control of the Gatekeeper’s mind. The alien behemoth turns, and unleashes its energy barrage upon its former allies. This is just a taste of the godlike potential unlocked by XCOM 2’s Psionic Soldiers.
XCOM 2 is a brutal and unforgiving game, a strategic ballet of resource management, tactical combat, and relentless pressure from a technologically superior alien force. Victory hinges not only on superior firepower, but also on adaptability, innovation, and the willingness to embrace unconventional warfare. Within this desperate struggle, a unique and devastating class emerges: the Psionic Soldier. These individuals, gifted with extraordinary mental abilities, represent a paradigm shift in XCOM tactics, offering unparalleled control over the battlefield and unleashing devastating offensive power. This guide will explore every aspect of the XCOM 2 Psionic Soldier, from their initial recruitment and arduous training to the mastery of their incredible abilities and the strategies that will turn them into the ultimate weapon against the alien oppressors. The power of XCOM 2 psionics soldiers can truly turn the tide in your favor.
Unlocking Psionic Potential: Recruitment and the Psi Lab
The path to harnessing the power of XCOM 2 psionics soldiers is not easy. It begins with the construction of the Psionic Chamber, a specialized facility that allows your scientists to tap into the latent mental abilities of your soldiers. This requires time, resources, and a dedicated engineering team to build. You will also need to have researched psionics which is accessible by autopsying a Sectoid. Keep an eye out for engineers to staff this facility.
Unlike other classes, there is no direct way to guarantee a soldier will become a Psionic. Instead, after the Psi Chamber is built, soldiers must be sent to it. The opportunity to unlock psionic potential is randomly assigned. Soldiers with high Will stats have a better chance, but any soldier can be sent to the Psi Chamber for training.
The training process itself is a significant investment of time and resources. Soldiers will spend several days, or even weeks, within the Psionic Chamber, undergoing intense mental exercises and learning to control their newfound abilities. The speed at which they progress varies considerably. You’ll get a sense if the soldier is a good psionic candidate or not.
Managing Expectations: The Randomness of the Gift
It’s crucial to understand that not all soldiers are created equal when it comes to Psionic potential. Some trainees will rapidly master new abilities, showcasing a natural aptitude for harnessing their mental powers. Others will struggle, progressing slowly and requiring significantly more time to reach their full potential. This inherent randomness adds an element of risk to the Psionic program.
Identifying promising candidates early on is key to maximizing your investment. Keep a close eye on how quickly soldiers learn new abilities during their initial training. Those who demonstrate rapid progress are more likely to become exceptionally powerful Psionic Soldiers. Be prepared to cut your losses on those who show little progress, freeing up valuable training time for more promising recruits. While any soldier can potentially become a powerful Psionic, the time commitment is so significant that investing in those with clear aptitude is generally the most efficient strategy.
The Arsenal of the Mind: A Detailed Look at Psionic Abilities
The true strength of the Psionic Soldier lies in their diverse arsenal of mental abilities. These abilities can be broadly categorized into control, offense, support, and utility, each offering unique tactical advantages on the battlefield. Understanding these categories and the specific abilities within them is crucial to effectively utilizing your Psionic Soldiers.
Control Abilities
Let’s examine some key abilities:
Mind Control: Perhaps the most iconic Psionic ability, Mind Control allows you to temporarily seize control of an enemy unit. This is a game-changer, allowing you to turn powerful foes against their own allies. The controlled unit can then be directed to attack, move, or use their own abilities against their former comrades. However, be warned: Mind Control is not foolproof. Enemies with high Will stats are more resistant, and the effect is temporary, lasting only a few turns. Use Mind Control strategically, targeting the most dangerous enemies at critical moments.
Domination: A more potent form of Mind Control, Domination allows you to permanently convert an enemy to your side. The controlled unit joins your ranks, fighting alongside XCOM for the remainder of the campaign. Domination is significantly more difficult to achieve than Mind Control, requiring more training and a higher Will stat. But the rewards are immense. Imagine permanently adding a Gatekeeper or Andromedon to your squad!
Stasis: A powerful crowd control ability, Stasis completely freezes an enemy in place, rendering them unable to act for one turn. This is invaluable for disrupting enemy attacks, buying time to reposition your troops, or focusing fire on other targets. Stasis is particularly effective against high-threat enemies, such as Sectopods or Gatekeepers, allowing you to neutralize them temporarily while you deal with other threats.
Offensive Abilities
Mind Blast: A reliable offensive ability, Mind Blast delivers a direct psychic attack to a single target, dealing significant damage. Mind Blast is particularly effective against enemies with low Will stats, making it a valuable tool against early-game foes like Sectoids and Vipers.
Null Lance: A devastating area-of-effect attack, Null Lance unleashes a wave of psychic energy that pierces through cover and damages all enemies in its path. Null Lance is ideal for clearing out clusters of enemies or damaging heavily armored targets. However, it has a relatively long cooldown, so use it judiciously.
Soulfire: A guaranteed damage ability, Soulfire bypasses armor and deals a set amount of damage to a single target. This is particularly useful against enemies with high armor values, such as Andromedons and Sectopods, ensuring that your Psionic Soldier can always contribute to the fight.
Support Abilities
Inspiration: A support ability, Inspiration buffs an ally, increasing their Will stat and removing any negative mental states, such as panic or mind control. Inspiration is invaluable for keeping your soldiers focused and resilient in the face of enemy psionic attacks.
Sustain: A self-healing ability, Sustain allows your Psionic Soldier to recover health in the middle of combat. This is crucial for keeping them alive, especially in situations where they are taking heavy fire.
Void Rift: A powerful area denial ability, Void Rift creates a zone of psychic energy that damages enemies each turn they remain within it. This is an excellent way to control enemy movement, forcing them to take alternate routes or suffer continuous damage.
Utility Abilities
Soul Steal: Steals health from enemies
Fortress: Prevents damage from melee attacks
Schism: Amplifies damage dealt to the target by other sources
Effective psionic soldiers make use of their diverse arsenal of abilities to maintain battlefield control and put their squad in the best possible situation.
Crafting the Perfect Mind: Building the Ultimate Psionic Soldier
The path to creating a truly dominant Psionic Soldier requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. The random nature of the training system means you won’t always get the exact abilities you want, but you can guide your soldier’s development by focusing on certain skill trees.
Consider building a Psionic Soldier that is balanced between control, offense, and support abilities, allowing them to adapt to different combat situations. Alternatively, you could create a specialist, focusing on either control or offense, depending on your preferred playstyle. The skill selection strategy is very important for mastering the powers of the XCOM 2 psionics soldiers.
On the Field of Battle: Strategies and Tactics
Psionic Soldiers are powerful assets, but they are also relatively fragile, especially early in their training. Proper positioning is crucial to keeping them alive and allowing them to effectively utilize their abilities. Keep them in cover, preferably at a distance from the front lines.
Target prioritization is also key. Identify the most dangerous enemies on the battlefield and use your Psionic abilities to control or eliminate them. Gatekeepers, Andromedons, and other psionic units should be your primary targets.
Psionic Soldiers work best in conjunction with other classes, complementing their strengths and weaknesses. Rangers can scout ahead and provide flanking opportunities, while Sharpshooters can provide long-range support. A well-balanced squad with a Psionic Soldier at its core is a force to be reckoned with.
The Power and the Price: Weighing the Pros and Cons
Psionic Soldiers offer unparalleled power and control, but they also come with certain limitations. Their reliance on Will stat makes them vulnerable to mental attacks. The long and unpredictable training time can be frustrating.
However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Psionic Soldiers can turn the tide of battle with a single well-placed ability. Their versatility allows them to adapt to different combat situations. They are truly the ultimate game-changers.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of the Mind
XCOM 2’s Psionic Soldiers represent a unique and devastating class that can completely transform your strategic approach to the game. While their training can be unpredictable, the rewards of mastering these mental warriors are immense. They offer unmatched control over the battlefield, the potential to inflict devastating damage, and the versatility to adapt to any combat situation. Their presence can dramatically increase your chances of success against the alien oppressors. So, embrace the power of the mind, invest in the Psionic program, and prepare to dominate the battlefield with your godlike mental abilities. Now go out there and dominate the battlefield with your mind! The power of XCOM 2 psionics soldiers is waiting to be unlocked!
