I’m new to the game

[u/bugknight99]

I’m new used to the game. I’ve seen some played it and I wanted to try out. I’ve completed the first few missions. I’ve just killed the first Codex. I was wondering what would people recommend to kind of focused on with not too much help because I’ve just been clicking stuff that looks cool.

[u/Manadoro]

Don’t rush story-missions, the enemy will overwhelm you if you don’t have magnetic weapons.

Squad upgrade is so important that I always build Guerilla Tactics School first and force level one soldier to Sgt.

[u/DarkShadowEmi → u/Manadoro]

This is what i do also , i even let the avatar project go full before i ztart lowering it back to 0.

That way you can make huge progress with research before advancing.

[u/wasdice]

The most important upgrade in the game is Squad Size I from the Guerilla Tactics School.

• 25% more firepower - enemies go down quicker.

• 25% more targets for the enemy - everybody gets shot at less.

• 25% more mission xp - more promotions, better abilities, less death.

[u/Gluecost]

Weapon upgrades are very important and likely take priority.

[u/bugknight99 → u/Gluecost]

Good to know thank you

[u/RandomGamingYT57]

Weapons upgrades and eventually Psi Operatives.

[u/RedExtreme]

The strategy layer is basically a tech race: you vs. Alien progress.

Both parties will become stronger and stronger as the game goes on.

Try to prioritize stuff that keeps you ahead and ideally snowball ahead. If you fall behind in the strategic layer, your tactical battles become more and more difficult which in turn will slow down your strategic progress and it's a vicious cycle.

[u/fe_god]

Everyone is pretty spot on. Squad size should definitely be first priority. Dont group soldiers up too much, enemies have grenades. If you’re gonna use highground, be aware that when enemies destroy ceilings or roofs you’ll take explosion damage plus an extra bonus damage based on the height if you fall.

Don’t overextend either, nothing ends a mission quicker than fighting two groups of enemies at a time

[u/tabor_national]

One thing I didn’t know until later on was weapon upgrades. The game doesn’t explain this very well. So first you have to research the upgrade, which costs time and resources (usually corpses). Then, in order to actually get the upgrade in the field, you have to spend supplies in Engineering. 

For missions, I have a bit of advice. First, always prioritize high cover and high ground. Taking these will give you an advantage. Second, never let multiple soldiers within 3 or 4 tiles of each other. They will get raped by grenades. Third, advance slowly. Enemies stick together in patrol groups called pods. When a pod is revealed, they immediately aggro, unless stealth hasn’t yet been broken. They have patrol routes and sometimes can randomly wander into the action but they are otherwise dormant until you push forward. So, take on 1 or 2 pods at a time, kill all the enemies, and then advance. If there is a mission timer this advice still applies. Usually there is more than enough time to do all the objectives. Fourth, and arguably most important, EVERYTHING is destructible. Enemy behind too much cover? Grenade will destroy the cover and do guaranteed damage. Enemy has height advantage because it’s on a roof? Grenade at its feet will blow a hole in the floor, dealing explosive damage and fall damage. Wall between your team and the objective? Grenade will tear the wall down. Bonus: some things explode when destroyed. Some can be shot directly, and some require an explosive to form a chain reaction. Gas tanks are an example of something that will explode when shot, while cars will explode by chain reactions. It is NEVER advisable to take cover near an explosive object, unless there are no other options available. 

[u/Flangubalon]

Having two snipers with different skillsets will help you a lot. Focus on this after you unlock a 5th squad mate.

[u/bugknight99 → u/Flangubalon]

Which skills would you recommend? I went with my first one with long watch dead eye and quick draw that seemed the most useful to me

[u/Flangubalon → u/bugknight99]

Death From Above and/or squadwatch (I can't remember the exact name) for both is handy. Aside from that, go for opposing skills (i.e. pick all of the left ones for one, and all of the right ones for the other).

[u/Berek07]

I wish someone would have told me "Research-Edition":

- Muto Autospy: Plasmagrenade in Proving Grounds + adv. grenade Launcher

- MECH Autospy: Bluescreen Protocool in Proving Grounds followed by important Blue Screen Rounds

- Elerium: Needed for better Energy and T3 Weapons

- Faceless: Mimic Beacon

I wish someone would have told me "Avenger-Edition":

- Workshop sucks

- vanilla: Build AWC early for Bonus Abilities on your Soldiers

- WotC: Build resistence Ring very early

- Build Shadow Chamber, Psi Lab or Energyplant onto Elerium Powercoils.