XCOM: Chimera Squad

XCOM: Chimera Squad

196 ratings
Path to Victory
By LordLancelot
Everything you need to know about XCOM: Chimera Squad
XCOM: Chimera Squad videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwr-x61kVSM5UMSUdWofIfg/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=6
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STRATEGY
Armory


ARMORY BUGS
Do not use Make Items Available, or your items have a chance to go missing.
Assembly and Assembly List


After an Assembly is started, a bar shows with spaces equal to the days it takes without an Agent assigned. 1 space on the bar fills per day until the bar is full and the Assembly is finished. If an Agent is assigned, 2 spaces are filled per day. Thus the time is halved, rounded up.



Squad Assembly List



City 31 Map
City anarchy and Unrest


Dark events
Field teams and Field Team Abilities




The Situation "Field Team Assault". If it's not addressed, the District's Field Team gets reduced in level by 1. This is one that can't be overlooked.


Field Team Abilities
Vigilance
Cool down 4 turns


Quarantine
Cool down 6 turns (the in game pop up 4 turn info is wrong)









Quarantine can be used on districts with level 5 unrest (Critical Unrest), this district will not add +1 City Anarchy for its duration (2 days).

Dragnet
Cool down 4 turns
40% of the reward (the in game pop up 50% info is wrong)

Major Crimes Task force
Cool down 5 turns
Investigation


The Progeny
A loose network of human psions.
Their Vision for City 31's future is entirely psionic, whether the city wants it or not.


Sacred Coil
An underground religious movement for hybrids.
They preach salvation, but only to those who once fought XCOM.


Gray Phoenix
An organization of alien scavengers.
They have quietly amassed the kind of weaponry Reclamation is mandated to recover.

Mission types
Promotions
Resources
Scavenger market


You need to a special mission on the city map to gain access.

Once you gain access, the Scavenger Market will open every 4 days.
Spec Ops and Spec Ops List


Supply (XCOM)
Training


Training List

Unlocking Agent Assignments Slots
Weapon and armor mods
TACTICAL
Agents
Androids
Axiom
Blueblood
Claymore
Cherub
Godmother
Patchwork
Shelter
Terminal
Torque



Torque has a permanent +20 aim bonus.
Verge


Mindflay UI visual bug
Mind fray shows damage preview on Verge rather than on enemies.
Do not worry, you will not take any damage.
Zephyr
Breaching






FIRST SLOT
SECURITY DOOR : Auto key card, Terminal or Patchwork Hack door,
VENT : Infiltrator Weave or Torque
WALL : Breaching Charge or Claymore Concussive Charge

DOOR : Axiom Battering Ram (Panic)

Breach items are only usable from the 2nd slot.
SECOND SLOT
Cease Fire Bomb
Flash Bomb
Smoke Bomb
MediPatch
Holo Scanner
Target Analyzer


Character breach abilities like:
  • Patchwork's gremlin holo target
  • Terminal gremlin refresh
Work from any slot other than the first.



Visual bug
If you put one character in the second slot use a breach item (or ability) then swap with another character, the game UI will show breaching items to be unavailable.
Emptying the second slot will fix it.



Encounter end healing


The above is the default but in reality in depends on your selected game difficulty.







Preparation


Preparation end your turn and remove burning status.
Reinforcements
Reinforcements wave may seem infinite in some mission, but they are not.
They depends on the game difficulty.

[Reinforcements]
RNF_MaxWaves_Story=4
RNF_MaxWaves_Normal=6
RNF_MaxWaves_Expert=8
RNF_MaxWaves_Impossible=10

RNF_MinEnemies_Story=2
RNF_MinEnemies_Normal=3
RNF_MinEnemies_Expert=4
RNF_MinEnemies_Impossible=5

You can edit those value in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM-Chimera-Squad\XComGame\Config\DefaultMissions.ini

Or use a very balanced and well mode that will do it for you.
I recommend using the mod.
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2078435104&searchtext=
The mode will change it to:

[Reinforcements]
RNF_MaxWaves_Story=2
RNF_MaxWaves_Normal=3
RNF_MaxWaves_Expert=4
RNF_MaxWaves_Impossible=5
Restart Mission / Encounter


From the pause menu you can

Restart Mission
Start at the very beginning of the mission.
If you are currently at Encounter 3/3
You will be back at 1/3

Restart Encounter
You will restart your current part of the mission.
If you are currently at Encounter 3/3
You will start again at 3/3

See Also
Console Command List
For restarting using the console.
Stats: Aim, Dodge, Defense, Crit
AIM
Chance to hit target.
Aim - Defense = chance to hit target.

ARMOR
Yellow pips to the right the Health bar represent Armor points, available on select suits of armor and certain abilities. Any incoming damage, except for Armor Piercing (armor-ignoring) damage, will be reduced by this amount, applied before the Armor is shredded. Armor is only depleted when shredded and will otherwise continue to offer full protection.

ARMOR SHREDDING
Shredding is the ability to permanently destroy a target's Armor, mitigating or eliminating its damage reduction capabilities.

ARMOR PIERCING
Piercing damage is armor-ignoring damage, also referred to as nullification, and is frequently featured on Psionic abilities vs Organics and those of the Specialist which target Robotic units. Any such ability will ignore a specified amount or even completely nullify the target's Armor for a single attack.

CRIT
Has a chance to add +1 damage to a normal hit.

DEFENSE
Reduce enemy aim chance.
Aim - Defense = chance to hit target.

DODGE
Has a chance to reduce a hit to a graze which deals half damage. Very high dodge values can also reduce a crit to a graze

Dodge works in the opposite direction of a CRIT

HEALTH
Health is a statistic in XCOM Chimera Squad that determines how much damage a unit can take before Bleeding Out; when a unit's health reaches 0, it dies and can no longer be used.
Both Agents and Enemies have health, health can be improved in a number of ways.

MOBILITY
Influence how far you can move.

WILL
Resistance to psionics and panic.









Is there any benefit of having more than 100 dodge?

Yes, the rating is not a percentage it is a comparative power that is then translated into a percentage via a formula that takes all the shooters relevant bonuses (aim/height/gear/etc) and compares it to your defensive bonuses (dodge/cover/gear/etc) and comes up with the chance to hit..

So the higher each of those bonuses are for you the better. Especially since it is possible to have over 100 aim given the right circumstances.


More info
https://www.reddit.com/r/XCOM2/comments/5sketx/how_much_dodge_do_you_need_to_balance_a_negative/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Xcom/comments/464wvc/dr_feelgood_or_how_i_learned_to_stop_worrying_and/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Xcom/comments/45279h/heres_how_weapon_accuracy_and_damage_works/czv6v4r/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Xcom/comments/47tvvi/a_comprehensive_and_hopefully_accessible_guide_to/
Status Effects, Bleeding out and Scars










Team Up
Turns and moving
Weapons
Epic Weapons benefit from the Enhanced and Mastercraft Weapon researched in the Assembly.
Epic Weapons provide special abilities.


Assault Rifle
Damage: 3 - 5
Clip size: 4
Agents: Verge, Patchwork

Submachine Gun
Damage: 3 - 5
Clip size: 4
Agents: Torque, Terminal, Shelter

Shotgun
Damage: 4 - 6
Clip size: 3
Agents: Godmother, Claymore, Axiom

Pistol
Damage: 3 - 4
Clip size: 5
Agents: Cherub, Blueblood
XP / Level up
[XComGame.X2ExperienceConfig]
RequiredXp[0]=0
RequiredXp[1]=11
RequiredXp[2]=26
RequiredXp[3]=50
RequiredXp[4]=86
RequiredXp[5]=140
ActMissionXp[0]=6
ActMissionXp[1]=6
ActMissionXp[2]=7
ActMissionXp[3]=8
ActKillXp[0]=0.25
ActKillXp[1]=0.25
ActKillXp[2]=0.25
ActKillXp[3]=0.4
ActMaxKillXp[0]=4
ActMaxKillXp[1]=4
ActMaxKillXp[2]=4
ActMaxKillXp[3]=6

By default you get the most XP by doing mission, and a small amount for kills.
You get more XP per mission the further you are in the game (Act).

If you want to have XP on capture and kill, instead of only on kill.

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2095997048&searchtext=
Walkthrough
Investigation tips

The Progeny
A loose network of human psions.
Their Vision for City 31's future is entirely psionic, whether the city wants it or not.

Very easy last mission.

Probably a good idea to choose this investigation first if your new to the game.

Sacred Coil
An underground religious movement for hybrids.
They preach salvation, but only to those who once fought XCOM.

Challenging last mission.

Probably a good idea to choose this has your second or third investigation.

Patchwork, AP round or blue screen round will help you. The usual Motile Inducer and Reflex Grip will make anything easier.

Gray Phoenix
An organization of alien scavengers.
They have quietly amassed the kind of weaponry Reclamation is mandated to recover.

Very diverse enemies.

Moderately challenging last mission.
But very fun on diverse new map.

Probably a good idea to choose this has your first or second investigation.











Easiest to hardest
Progeny -> Gray Phoenix -> Sacred Coil

You shoot yourself in the foot big times, if you skip a day without doing a mission.
No reward, no xp, and increased unrest in skipped locactions.

Building your city economy
Early in the game you should use most if not all your intel to build Field Team in every parts of the city.

You want one Security, Technology and one Finance at rank 3, all other parts should have Security they generate intel (so you can make and upgrade field team faster) and reduce unrest.

I keep city unrest and anarchy low at all times in my current impossible run.

Run 2 Spec OPS at the same times:
Legwork and Recruitment drive.
Use the intel to raise your (security) field team.
Use field team ability.

Later one you can use Intel to buy items in the Scavenger Market.



Unlock your 2nd slots early in the game, Training first than Spec Ops and Assembly last.

With 8 agents I mostly run 2 training and 2 Spec Ops.
When no Training is needed you want 2 space in Assembly.




Avoid Purple mission that give +2 days towards operation reveal !
This reduce the amount of time before your next boss fight, use the time to do more mission and research.


Wait until purple mission become CRITICAL, before doing them.


Items Loadout
Mach Weave
+50 dodge on everybody (you need 4, swap them when changing APC agents)
You will get more Grazed shot (reduced damage and more miss)

See the section : Stats: Aim, Dodge, Defense, Crit
for more details

Stock on everybody (you need 4, swap them when changing APC agents)
When you miss you will still do 1 damage, great for finishing enemy at any range.
You will also do 1 damage on enemies with ANY amount of armour.

Motile Inducer is a very OP item, use it if you are having trouble, but skip it if you do not want the game to become too easy.

Reflex Grip Allow you to fire 2 times. or fire than do an ability.
Videos Walkthroughs
Video for last mission of each Inspection.

The Progeny
A loose network of human psions.
Their Vision for City 31's future is entirely psionic, whether the city wants it or not.

Operation Furious Burden
Take Down The Progeny
https://youtu.be/3oXvxYcA330

https://youtu.be/fOH7CGhoovE

Gray Phoenix
An organization of alien scavengers.
They have quietly amassed the kind of weaponry Reclamation is mandated to recover.

Take Down Gray Phoenix
https://youtu.be/ahlpiKn-WhQ

Sacred Coil
An underground religious movement for hybrids.
They preach salvation, but only to those who once fought XCOM.

Take Down Sacred Coil
https://youtu.be/AVmKX-ARTVU
https://youtu.be/Wt1Pd7lkKvc

https://youtu.be/ZSLOLzTxYes
Be careful if you kill the Gatekeeper (via overwatch) in the first round of the first (1/3) or second (2/3) encounter, you will not be able to complete the last part of the mission (3/3).


Last 2 missions
Once you finish all 3 investigation it will unlock those 2 final missions.
I went blind and recorded my first paythrough.

Operation Glass Dusk
Protect City Hall in Downtown.
https://youtu.be/RUPvJ_OiZCM

Operation River Monster
Take Down Atlas in Downtown
https://youtu.be/OMu78JVJbXw
How to avoid BUGS
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2080261187

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2099827558

The best way to not lose items is: Unequip weapon mods (stock, auto-loader and so on) and equip a basic weapon (not an epic one) when you are sending an agent into mission others than in the APC.

Also remove armour mods (like Mach weave), Breach item, and utility item.



Missing Equipment

Some users have reported equipment disappearing, including basic equipment like the standard guns. This may or may not be related to "Magical Multiplying Medkits" below; many people reporting either report both.

Reports suggest this is triggered by moving a more advanced weapon from one character to another, or possibly removing it from a character.

A workaround that costs in-game resources has been reported.

Buy an android
The basic equipment returns (for SMG, shotgun and assault rifle - sorry to pistol users).

It has also been reported that this is somehow related to moving epic weapons between characters leading to duplication of other weapons.

Some users have also linked this to characters unlocking additional utility slots.

You can also add the missing item via Console commands, check Console command list of my guide.
You can add ANY missing weapon (including pistol) and armor.

Waiting for reinforcements bug
You can restart the whole mission (unless on ironman). But there are some console commands to save the day!

RestartLevel
RestartEncounter


But that only helps if it doesn't keep happening again. In that case, use this:

EndBattle XcomWins True

Failure to Start the game

Sometimes the game just won't launch after pressing play in the launcher. This can be for a number of reasons, because the launcher doesn't show you the errors.

Find the xcom.exe file in the game files (binaries\Win64\xcom.exe). If it's not there, check your antivirus log to see if it killed it. If it is, run it, and see what errors you get. If there's an issue with libraries, try running the VisualC redist that comes with the game, (Launcher\vc_redist.x64.exe). If there's other problems, then hopefully someone can chip in with advice for those.

ARMORY BUGS
Do not use Make Items Available, or your items will go missing.
Mods
Using mods will not disable achievements.

Recommended Mods
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2096047664

Fix Missing Equipment
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2080261187
A Better AI: Blood Dragon
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2072252331&searchtext=
[CS] Shield: Bonus Armor
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2072657234&searchtext=
Show Health Values
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2074013605&searchtext=
No Conflicting Breaching Modifiers
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2074088369&searchtext=
Enemy Capture Counter
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2075871180&searchtext=
Lockdown Inconsistency Fix
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2078758545&searchtext=
Less Reinforcements!
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2078435104&searchtext=
Respec My Autorities
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2080129129
Gain Intel Per Capture
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2079893636



Show Health Values recommended changes
C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\882100\2074013605\Config\XComGame.ini

[ShowHealthOnName.UIUnitFlagWithHealth]
+OnlyShowInBreach=false
+OnlyShowEnemies=false

MODS Directory
882100 XCOM: Chimera Squad
2072252331 ABetterAI
2072657234 CherubShieldArmor
2074013605 ShowHealthOnName
2074088369 NoConflictingBreachMods
2074443850 DraftAgents
2075871180 EnemyCounter
2075965666 NonLethalBind
2076336995 CoverBonus
2076608170 ReworkedMedikits
2076612852 BaseAgentsGainXP
2076740133 MeleeBuffs
2078435104 RealisticReinforcements
2078758545 LockdownInconsistentFIx
2079893636 GainIntelPerCapture
2080129129 RespecMyAuthorities
2080261187 FixMissingEquipment



How to play offline
Accessing the console commands doesn’t lock you out of Steam achievements,

1 Right click XCOM Chimera Squad in Steam, hover over manage files, and left click browse local files.
2 Open the “Binaries” folder, then “Win64”.
3 Right click “xcom.exe” and click “create shortcut”.
4 Right click the shortcut and click properties
5 At the end of the “target” field, add the following:
-crashdumpwatcher -allowconsole -noRedScreens -noStartupMovies -review
6 Click apply.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM-Chimera-Squad\Binaries\Win64\xcom.exe" -crashdumpwatcher -allowconsole -noRedScreens -noStartupMovies -review



Setting launch options in Steam does work. See my section in this guide

For those outside of the US, you will need to do an additional step as your keyboard settings do not allow for the tilde key to be pressed. To do this in Windows 10, you will need to do the following:

1 Search “language” in the search bar and click language settings.
2 Add “English US” as a preferred language
3 Click “Choose an input method to always use as a default”
4 Select “English US” in the top dropdown.
Steam Launcher Set Launch Options
This will enable the console, remove error red screens and skip intro movies via normal steam launcher. No need to create a shortcut.

https://youtu.be/1vVcZKW-PSA




-game-50546="-crashdumpwatcher -allowconsole -noRedScreens -noStartupMovies -review"




Console commands
Accessing the console commands doesn’t lock you out of Steam achievements,

1 Right click XCOM Chimera Squad in Steam, hover over manage files, and left click browse local files.
2 Open the “Binaries” folder, then “Win64”.
3 Right click “xcom.exe” and click “create shortcut”.
4 Right click the shortcut and click properties
5 At the end of the “target” field, add the following:
-crashdumpwatcher -allowconsole -noRedScreens -noStartupMovies -review
6 Click apply.

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM-Chimera-Squad\Binaries\Win64\xcom.exe" -crashdumpwatcher -allowconsole -noRedScreens -noStartupMovies -review



Setting launch options in Steam does work. See my section in this guide

For those outside of the US, you will need to do an additional step as your keyboard settings do not allow for the tilde key to be pressed. To do this in Windows 10, you will need to do the following:

1 Search “language” in the search bar and click language settings.
2 Add “English US” as a preferred language
3 Click “Choose an input method to always use as a default”
4 Select “English US” in the top dropdown.
Console Command List
Make sure you have enabled Console Command.
Once you’ve enabled XCOM Chimer’a Squad’s console commands, head into a game and press the tilde (˜) key. You can then enter one of the following cheats to gain an effect. Note that these are just some examples of the console commands, as there are a ton more that have positive and negative effects, but these are the ones we reckon you’d be most interested in:

Press ~ on your keyboard
City Anarchy
SetCityUnrest <X>

UIUnlockCharacter , to force open the recruitment window. The maximum number of agents shown in the armory (minus the androids) is 11.

Motile Inducer
GiveItem AidBeacon 1

Reflex Grip
GiveItem ReflexGripUpgrade 1

Item Commands
  • press ~ on your keyboard
GiveItem [ItemName] [Quantity]
e.g. GiveItem WPN_XcomShotgun 1 would give 1 Shotgun
Weapons/Armor should upgrade automatically the correct level (e.g. Enhanced/Masterwork)



Standard Weapons & Armor
KevlarArmor
WPN_XcomShotgun
WPN_XcomSMG
WPN_XcomAR
WPN_XComWardenPistol (Cherub's Pistol, unsure of difference)
WPN_XComGunslingerPistol (Blueblood's Pistol, unsure of difference)
WPN_BreakerShotgun (Axiom's Shotgun, larger model)

If any of your character is missing armor.
  • press ~ on your keyboard
  • GiveItem KevlarArmor 4
This will give you 4 armors automatically the correct level (e.g. Enhanced/Masterwork)

Gremlin
Try GiveWeapon instead of Giveitem
WPN_XComMedicGremlin
WPN_XComOperatorGremlin

The abilities will function, but the Gremlin will be invisible.

Epic Weapons
WPN_EpicAR_1
WPN_EpicAR_2
WPN_EpicShotgun_1
WPN_EpicShotgun_2
WPN_EpicPistol_1
WPN_EpicPistol_2
WPN_EpicSMG_1
WPN_EpicSMG_2

After adding the items to your save, save in a new slot, quit and reopen the game.

Waiting for reinforcements bug
You can restart the whole mission (unless on ironman). But there are some console commands to save the day!

RestartLevel
RestartEncounter


But that only helps if it doesn't keep happening again. In that case, use this:

EndBattle XcomWins True

All the items name can be found in this file
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCOM-Chimera-Squad\XComGame\Config
DefaultGameData.ini

ReloadUpgrade_Bsc
ClipSizeUpgrade_Bsc
CritUpgrade_Bsc
AimUpgrade_Bsc
MissDamageUpgrade_Bsc
APRounds
TargetingSystemUpgrade
BreachCeasefirebomb
BreachSmokebomb
BreachFlashbomb
MediPatch
MiniScanner
TargetAnalyzer
AimUpgrade_Adv
AidBeacon
ReflexGripUpgrade
FragGrenade
PlatedVest
ReloadUpgrade_Adv
ClipSizeUpgrade_Adv
FreeFireUpgrade_Bsc
CritUpgrade_Adv
ExtraPadding
ImpactFrameDamageUpgrade_Bsc

XCom 2 Console Commands
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ENKGPkqFztt83iNmKQNmPNyMyjcd3aXjF6xnFQD2BKA/edit#heading=h.k7ac418lqdf
Borderless Gaming
If you have trouble with borderless window.
This can be used with any games.

https://github.com/Codeusa/Borderless-Gaming/releases
End
If you like the guide a thumbs-up would be cool.

Thank you for the awards!

Have fun!
131 Comments
SharkLazerBoy 15 Aug, 2022 @ 5:44am 
I managed to get Torque to 100 dodge somehow, and during breaching, when points give her 50% dodge, and i make her do cover fire, jesus, she is doing the matrix
Merchant of menace 27 May, 2022 @ 3:56pm 
You are a lifesaver!
Tamage 4 Nov, 2021 @ 11:25am 
Nice
LordLancelot  [author] 23 Apr, 2021 @ 2:13am 
Thank you for the Awards!
LordLancelot  [author] 10 Oct, 2020 @ 2:30pm 
Added mods in my list in the section MODS.
LordLancelot  [author] 4 Jun, 2020 @ 8:44am 
Added
UIUnlockCharacter, to force open the recruitment window. The maximum number of agents shown in the armory (minus the androids) is 11.

in Console Command List
sengir_vampire 31 May, 2020 @ 1:37pm 
Thanks. The console commands saved my Ironman Playthrough
LordLancelot  [author] 23 May, 2020 @ 3:18pm 
LordLancelot  [author] 22 May, 2020 @ 11:55am 
Impossible
Taking DownSacred Coil after patch
https://youtu.be/Wt1Pd7lkKvc
No blue rounds, no AP rounds
Patchwork increased cooldown.