Xcom 2 Long War Guide Jun 2026

For players looking to tackle the complex XCOM 2 Long War mods (both Long War 2 Long War of the Chosen ), community reviews and veteran players highlight several essential guides and strategic approaches to survive the "slog" of the campaign. Recommended Resources & Guides Ufopaedia (Long War 2) : Widely considered the "best place to start" for organized data on classes, tech, and mechanics. XCOM Commander’s Journal (Substack) : Features highly-rated, deep-dive strategy guides for both early-game mid/late-game DerAva’s YouTube Channel : Frequently cited as an essential visual resource for learning mission-critical mechanics like Infiltration Haven Management Steam Community: LW2 Class Breakdown : A comprehensive review of soldier specializations, though some reviewers note that specific class power levels (like Gunners) shifted across patches. Key Strategic Highlights from Reviews

This report outlines the core mechanics and strategic shifts introduced in the Long War 2 Long War of the Chosen (LWOTC) mods for . These overhauls transform the game from a linear series of missions into a complex simulation of global guerrilla warfare. Steam Community 1. The Strategic Layer: Infiltration and Havens Unlike the base game, you do not immediately launch missions. Success depends on managing the Resistance Layer Infiltration : When a mission is discovered, you must assign a squad to "infiltrate" the site. The longer they stay hidden, the lower the enemy presence becomes. Launching at 0% infiltration is often a suicide mission; aiming for 100% to 200% is standard. Haven Management : Each region has a Haven where you assign Resistance personnel to one of three jobs: : Generates monthly income. : Essential for discovering missions before they expire. : Finds new soldiers and personnel. Faceless Spies : Traitors can hide in your Havens, stealing income. Assigning a Soldier as Liaison is the only way to root them out. Steam Community 2. Squad Management and Fatigue LW2/LWOTC requires a much larger roster (often 40+ soldiers) because squads are tied up in multi-day infiltrations. Squad Persistence : You are encouraged to build permanent squads to develop synergy. : Soldiers need time to recover mentally after missions, even if they aren't wounded. Pushing fatigued soldiers into combat leads to long-term injuries or "shaken" statuses. 3. Combat Changes Tactical combat is deadlier and emphasizes crowd control over "alpha striking" (killing everything in one turn). 8 Soldier Classes : Includes specialized roles like the (stealth/scouting), (flamethrower/rocket), and (area suppression). : ADVENT forces are more numerous and utilize advanced tactics like "Yellow Alert," where they may take defensive actions or shots immediately upon being revealed during their turn. 4. Progressing the Campaign The "Golden Path" (story missions) remains, but the focus shifts to liberating regions Find a "Lead" : Run Intel in a region to find a mission with a "lead" reward. Chain Missions : Complete a series of increasingly difficult missions (liberation 1 through 5). Regional HQ : The final step is a massive assault on the Regional HQ. Success "liberates" the region, significantly increasing resource gains and halting ADVENT activity there. 5. Recommended Build Order (Early Game) To keep pace with the Avatar Project and enemy scaling: Guerrilla Training School (GTS) : To train rookies into specific classes immediately. Resistance Ring (LWOTC only) : Essential for Hero classes and slowing the Avatar Project. Proving Grounds : For specialized grenades and ammo needed to bypass high enemy armor. For detailed technical setup and version-specific changes, the Long War 2 Wiki LWOTC GitHub Documentation are the primary community authorities. Are you playing the original Long War 2 on base XCOM 2, or the Long War of the Chosen Steam Workshop::Long War 2

Field Report: XCOM 2 Long War 2 Strategic Guide This report outlines the core mechanical shifts and strategic priorities for Long War 2 (LW2) , a comprehensive overhaul for XCOM 2 that transforms the campaign into a high-stakes global guerrilla war. A standard campaign is significantly more demanding than the base game, often exceeding 150 hours of gameplay . 1. The Global Resistance Strategy Unlike the vanilla game, LW2 focuses on managing a "Resistance" rather than just a strike team. Haven Management: You must assign Rebels to specific tasks: Supply (income), Intel (finding missions), or Recruit (growing the cell). Infiltration Mechanics: Success depends on the Infiltration Percentage . Launching missions with a larger squad or less time increases the "Alertness" of the region, leading to more enemies and harder Reinforcements. Regional Liberation: Your primary goal is to fully "Liberate" regions to significantly boost your resource income and eventually unlock the final assault. 2. Squad Composition and Tactical Shifts Tactical combat in LW2 is deadlier and requires specialized roles. Expanded Classes: LW2 introduces 8 distinct classes (Sharpshooter, Shinobi, Ranger, Assault, Gunner, Grenadier, Specialist, Technical), each with three branching perk trees. Stealth vs. Combat: Many missions (like Jailbreaks or Hack operations) are designed for small, 2-3 person "stealth squads." Engaging the enemy is often optional and sometimes detrimental to the mission's timer. Technical Gear: Utilizing the Technical class for early-game crowd control with flamethrowers and rockets is vital for managing larger "pod" sizes. 3. Base Construction & Research Priority Resources are scarce; your build order must maximize efficiency and survivability. Guerrilla Training School (GTS): Crucial for training your initial rookies into specific classes to avoid "bad" RNG rolls. Resistance Communications: Essential for expanding your reach to find more missions and increase your monthly funding. Proving Grounds: Vital for specialized ammo and grenades, which are necessary to pierce the higher armor values of ADVENT units. 4. Key Expansion Considerations If playing with the War of the Chosen expansion, ensure you are using Long War of the Chosen (LWOTC) . This version integrates the Chosen, Hero classes (Reaper, Skirmisher, Templar), and the fatigue system into the LW2 framework. Base XCOM 2 Long War 2 Campaign Length 100 - 150+ Hours Squad Size 4 - 6 Units Up to 10 Units Primary Goal Follow Story Missions Liberate Regions Mission Entry Immediate Deployment Timed Infiltration Steam Workshop::Long War 2

XCOM 2: Long War Guide XCOM 2's Long War mod is a comprehensive overhaul of the base game, adding new mechanics, units, and challenges. This guide will help you navigate the mod's complexities and provide tips for success. Understanding Long War's Changes Long War introduces several key changes to the XCOM 2 experience: xcom 2 long war guide

Increased Squad Size : Squads now consist of 6 soldiers, up from 4 in the base game. New Soldier Roles : Additional roles, such as the Ranger and the Heavy, offer more flexibility in squad composition. Officer System : Officers provide unique abilities and bonuses to your squad. New Enemies : Long War introduces new enemy types, including the massive, multi-part Advent Brute . Improved Base Defense : The mod adds new defensive systems and structures to your base.

Early Game Strategy (First 5-10 Missions)

Focus on Survival : Prioritize keeping your squad alive over taking risks. Scout and Ambush : Use your Ranger's Recon ability to spot enemies, then ambush them with your squad. Manage Resources : Keep a close eye on supplies, credits, and soldier health. Build Essential Facilities : Focus on constructing the Sniper Range , Armory , and Medical Bay . For players looking to tackle the complex XCOM

Mid-Game Strategy (Missions 10-20)

Develop Your Squad : Focus on leveling up your soldiers and unlocking new abilities. Experiment with Officer Abilities : Find the right combination of officer abilities to complement your squad. Expand Your Base : Construct new facilities, such as the Workshop and Laboratory . Take on More Challenging Missions : As your squad improves, take on more difficult missions to earn better rewards.

Late Game Strategy (Missions 20+)

Optimize Your Squad : Fine-tune your squad composition and officer abilities for maximum effectiveness. Prepare for High-Difficulty Missions : The final missions are extremely challenging; make sure your squad is well-equipped and well-trained. Manage Advent Activity : Keep an eye on the Advent's global activity level and plan your missions accordingly.

Additional Tips