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Dive into the intense world of XCOM: Enemy Within, a challenging expansion to the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown. This article will equip you with the knowledge and tactics needed to repel the alien invasion and protect humanity. From in-depth explanations of core mechanics to expert strategies, consider this guide your essential resource for victory in XCOM.

Information: Decoding the Battlefield

What is XCOM: Enemy Within?

XCOM: Enemy Within is not merely a DLC; it’s a full-fledged expansion to XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It drastically expands the gameplay experience by adding new enemies, missions, maps, soldier abilities, and even a new resource: Meld. It builds on what made Enemy Unknown excellent but enhances its replayability; it is considered by many fans to be an expansion that elevates the title to a higher level.

Key Differences That Transform the Game

Here’s where Enemy Within differs from Enemy Unknown:

• Meld: This is a new substance that’s scattered across the battlefield in canisters. Collecting it grants you access to powerful genetic augmentations (Gene Mods) and robotic soldiers (MEC Troopers). Meld can only be collected in the first few turns, increasing the risk/reward factors in each mission.
• Gene Mods: These are upgrades that permanently alter your soldier’s abilities by enhancing their physical capabilities depending on the selected choice. These include improved stealth, increased speed, and psionic based powers.
• MEC Troopers: Exosuit-wearing soldiers are a formidable fighting force. They can be customized into different combat roles with upgrades. However, their increased fighting power comes at the cost of a higher financial investment to research and equip.
• New Enemies: The alien threat is expanded by the addition of new creatures such as the Drone and the dreaded Mechtoids, challenging your tactics as it will force you to reasses your game plan. There’s also the new EXALT faction, a human organization working against XCOM.
• New Missions: Engage in covert operations to stop EXALT from undermining XCOM or face more challenging alien abduction missions. The additional mission types add more variety to the gameplay, presenting the player with many diverse scenarios.

The Complexity Adds Depth

These additions make Enemy Within a deeper, more complex experience than its predecessor. You must manage new resources, learn to use new tactical options, and adapt to even greater threats. The game forces you to constantly adapt and improve.

How to Write 5 Game-Winning Paragraphs

Your success is not just about information but about how you execute it. Here’s a 5 paragraph plan for excelling in XCOM: Enemy Within:

1. Prioritize Meld Acquisition: Meld is crucial for unlocking the new capabilities within your squad. Start by placing one soldier at the start of most battles who can reach meld canisters during the early turns. Develop a dedicated strategy early that prioritizes this collection and ensures that you get this resource. However, do not overextend your squad for meld only. Adapt your strategy depending on the risk/reward situation.
2. Strategically Enhance Your Soldiers: Be selective about which soldiers you genetically modify using Gene Mods. For example, a Sniper with enhanced aim may be a smarter investment than a heavy, slow moving soldier. A fast scout can be more important in early to mid stage scenarios, due to the meld collection objective. The MEC Troopers can serve as heavily armored heavy assault soldiers, but require a more costly investment than Gene Mods.
3. Diversify Your Team: A diverse squad can handle any situation thanks to their specialized role. Avoid having a team consisting mostly of snipers, who require line of sight and are ineffective in close quarters scenarios. This will help you respond to different enemy types and battle maps. Also, be sure to switch up roles in your squad in between missions, or to adjust your team to new tactical situations with unique compositions.
4. Manage Resources Wisely: Money, scientists, engineers, troops, and meld are always in limited supply. Do not spend on research or gear that is not going to pay off. Carefully consider which weapon and armor upgrades are essential, in addition to which base facilities should take priority. Do not waste funds by researching everything at the same time as this leads to slower progression.
5. Anticipate Enemy Movements: Use cover and high ground to your advantage. Do not leave your soldiers exposed due to poor decision making. A tactical position can make all of the difference in the fight. Use overwatch to prepare for hidden enemy ambushes. Pay attention to enemy behaviors, as this will allow you use their weaknesses. Do not underestimate the tactical importance of explosives and area of effect abilities.

Special Tips and Tricks for a Tactical Edge

These are a few additional tips to give you an edge in XCOM: Enemy Within:

• Early Game Meld Focus: In the early game (days 1-30) focus entirely on getting all meld if possible. At this point, you’ll be up against weak enemies and meld will allow you to get an accelerated advantage in the battles ahead. You should also put a high priority in researching and constructing a genetics lab to unlock Gene Mods as soon as possible.
• MEC Class Specialization: Do not be afraid to specialize in a specific MEC class build and gear your MEC soldier to a specific role. For example, the grenade MEC build is highly effective in taking down enemy cover even if it damages the ground with its splash damage effect.
• Use Cover To Your Advantage: Cover is your best friend in XCOM: Enemy Within. Utilize it thoroughly. Half cover reduces your chances of being hit, whereas full cover provides maximum protection. Always be mindful of your soldiers exposure in every fight, as this makes the difference between success and failure.
• Know Enemy Behaviour: Many enemies follow a specific AI behavioural pattern. Knowing the range of certain threats and their weak points will drastically improve your strategic advantage.
• Save Scumming: This is not encouraged in the purist community, but save scumming is an effective way to learn the game due to being able to restart battles that go wrong. Use this tool sparingly and as a learning tool if you use it at all.
• EXALT Strategy: It is very important to deal with the EXALT threat quickly, as they will slow down your resources and funds. One of the most useful tactics is to use the covert operative to find the EXALT base location, enabling the player to take them out by force.

Key Facts

Here’s are core elements of XCOM: Enemy Within summarized:

• Strategic Depth: The game is very tactical. Every move matters; as wrong decision making can cost you the entire playthrough.
• Resource Management: Meld is crucial. Soldiers and equipment cost funds and these resources are limited.
• Customization: Gene Mods and MEC builds create unique soldier abilities, allowing the player to respond to any potential threat.
• Challenging Gameplay: Enemy Within is more difficult than Enemy Unknown due to the new threats it introduces.
• Replayability: The level of customization that is possible and the random map generation gives the game high replayability.

FAQs

What is Meld in XCOM: Enemy Within?

Meld is a resource that can be collected in each mission

Meld is a vital resource, found in canisters on the battlefield, used to develop MEC Troopers and Gene Mods. It’s collectable in the first few turns, and not after that.

How do I unlock Gene Mods?

Unlocking Gene Mods requires a genetics lab constructed in your base

Unlock Gene Mods by constructing a Genetics Lab in your base and researching the specific upgrades. You will also need meld resources to unlock new upgrades.

How do MEC Troopers work?

MEC soldiers are powerful, exosuit-wearing units.

MEC Troopers are units who have been augmented with a powerful military exosuit. They use different weapon and suit attachments and can be altered to a class of your choice.

What is the EXALT faction?

EXALT are a human group that opposes XCOM.

EXALT is a new enemy faction in Enemy Within, consisting of humans who use advanced weaponry, making them a different threat from other enemy types.

Is XCOM: Enemy Within worth playing if I already played XCOM: Enemy Unknown?

Yes, XCOM: Enemy Within is an essential upgrade

XCOM: Enemy Within is widely considered an upgrade over the original, due to its expanded gameplay and content options. This makes it an essential experience for the XCOM fan.

Conclusion

Mastering XCOM: Enemy Within requires patience, tactical thinking, and adaptation. By understanding the new mechanics, prioritizing essential resources, and using the right strategies, you will enhance your fighting capability and lead humanity to victory against the alien invasion. The challenges in this expansion are very high compared to the original but also very rewarding. It is essential to use the tools and tactics mentioned in this guide. Good luck, commander, the fate of Earth is in your hands!