XCOM: Enemy Unknown combat guide: cover, movement and Overwatch
Understand blue moves, dashing, cover direction and the actions available to your squad.
Edition covered
The 2012 Enemy Unknown campaign. Enemy Within adds Meld, MEC troops, gene modifications and other systems outside these guides. Publisher screenshots are from Enemy Unknown; Long War and XCOM 2 use different rules.
Scout with options left
A blue move normally leaves one action available. Dashing spends the movement allowance and is risky when unexplored ground may reveal another enemy group.
| Action | Purpose | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Blue move | Reposition with an action remaining | Can still reveal enemies |
| Dash | Travel farther | Few options after arrival |
| Overwatch | Reaction fire on movement | Not a guaranteed hit |
| Hunker Down | Defense in cover | Gives up attacking |
| Reload | Refill the weapon | Uses an action |
Cover works from a direction
The shield shows the protection offered by a position. High cover is preferable to low cover, but an enemy reaching the side can flank it. Recheck the angles when opponents move.
| Situation | Response | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Better cover nearby | Consider the higher shield | Improves directional protection |
| Enemy moves sideways | Check flank indicators | Old cover may no longer help |
| Last soldier still has actions | Avoid scouting farther | Others cannot respond to a new group |
| Vehicle is burning | Leave the nearby tiles | An explosion can remove cover |
Choose actions after inspecting the fight
A low-percentage shot is not the only option. Overwatch threatens enemy movement, while Hunker Down improves a covered soldier's defense at the cost of offensive action.
Stop expanding the fight unnecessarily
Revealing another group while the first remains active can multiply enemy attacks. Regroup, reload and heal after the visible threats are controlled.
Revealing another group while the first remains active can multiply enemy attacks. Regroup, reload and heal after the visible threats are controlled.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Enemy Unknown manual | store.steampowered.com |