XCOM: Enemy Unknown classes: Assault, Heavy, Sniper and Support
Compare the four soldier classes and build a squad with complementary jobs.
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.
Give the squad different jobs
Assault, Heavy, Sniper and Support soldiers answer different tactical problems. A varied squad can handle close threats, cover destruction, long sightlines and recovery without asking every soldier to do everything.
| Class | Typical equipment | Useful job |
|---|---|---|
| Assault | Shotgun or assault rifle | Close-range attack and Run & Gun |
| Heavy | Machine gun and rocket launcher | Explosives and cover removal |
| Sniper | Sniper rifle and pistol | Long-range precision |
| Support | Assault rifle and support abilities | Smoke and team utility |
| Rookie | Assault rifle | Develops into a class after promotion |
Choose abilities for the soldier's role
Promotion branches contain alternatives. Read each choice alongside the equipped weapon and the movement pattern you expect to use.
| Missing capability | Consider | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Close-range damage | Assault | Finish an exposed threat |
| Cover destruction | Heavy or grenades | Create cleaner firing angles |
| Long-range attack | Sniper | Punish visible targets from safety |
| Recovery | Medikit and suitable carrier | Help the squad survive |
Keep secondary equipment useful
A pistol can preserve ammunition or answer a target outside the primary weapon's ideal situation. Utility items should support a plan such as healing, explosive damage or capture.
Train reserves before the crisis
Rotating one developing soldier into a strong squad is easier than replacing several veterans at once. Inspect the roster before scanning ahead to another deployment.
Rotating one developing soldier into a strong squad is easier than replacing several veterans at once. Inspect the roster before scanning ahead to another deployment.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| XCOM: Enemy Unknown publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Enemy Unknown manual | store.steampowered.com |