Even though XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based strategy game at its core, there are a lot of features that make it stand out from other entries in the genre, from unforgiving intense squad combat to managing an entire command center. Moreover, every decision players make throughout their playthrough will determine if a player wins against the alien invaders.
And Firaxis Games took a step further when they released XCOM 2, which placed players in command of the Avenger Command Ship and forced them to take back Earth by using guerilla-like combat. But, with limited resources, players will need to know which facilities they should prioritize to carry out their mission to save Earth successfully. Here are the ones that should be at the front of the line.
7 Proving Ground
Prerequisites:
- ADVENT Officer Autopsy
Even a fully promoted soldier is no match to some alien invaders in XCOM 2 unless players use specialized equipment that they can research in the Proving Ground facility. Players can research Experimental Projects, Specialized Suits, and Misc Projects within this facility, giving them an edge against certain enemies.
The downside of this facility is that it uses Elerium Cores, one of the rarest resources in XCOM 2. So, players will need to carefully decide which project to research since Elerium Cores are limited.
6 Laboratory
Prerequisites:
- None
The Proving Ground gives players access to some of the best armors in XCOM 2, but the time required to research each one can be overwhelming, some of them taking over 45 in-game days. That's why the Laboratory is an essential facility to build and upgrade since it cuts research time significantly.
Players can assign two Scientists to the Laboratory to decrease research time by 20%. Unfortunately, players can only build one Laboratory per Command Center, not to mention this facility uses 3 Power to keep powered.
5 Resistance Comms
Prerequisites:
- Resistance Communications
Completing Contacts is one of the main ways players can increase their monthly income, which is crucial to build and upgrade facilities or soldiers. And one of the best ways to increase contacts is to build the Resistance Comms facility since it adds +1 Contact (+4 at max level).
But, the Resistance Comms provide more than mere Contacts since it also allows players to sabotage enemy facilities and prolong the AVATAR Project. Players should make sure they build and upgrade this facility during the first turns since it'll help them manage better there Command Center.
4 Psi Lab
Prerequisites:
- Psionics
Sometimes fighting alien invaders by conventional means is not enough to defeat them, so players should train Rookies to have Psi abilities. These abilities can tear away an enemy's armor or even mind-control them to turn on their allies, and the Psi Lab is the go-to facility for any Psi-related skills.
The only issue with the Psi Lab is that players can only train Rookies, so soldiers that have been promoted higher will be unavailable for training. Nonetheless, these Rookies will prove valuable throughout the campaign, so players should make sure they don't lose them.
3 Guerrilla Tactics School
Prerequisites:
- None
Even though players can train their soldiers by sending them out on the field, there is a chance that they will be killed or seriously injured. Fortunately, XCOM 2 gives a player a safer option to train soldiers without needing to risk their lives by using the Guerrilla Tactics School.
But, there are some limits to using the Guerrilla Tactics School since only one soldier can be trained at a time, at least until players upgrade it. Nonetheless, players can use this facility to keep a steady flow of trained soldiers in the case another one dies or is injured.
2 Shadow Chamber
Prerequisites:
- Alien Encryption
Information is power in XCOM 2 since that information can help players learn the strength and weaknesses of the alien invaders. And the Shadow Chamber facility can help players dissect (literally) their enemies to learn what type of ammunition or weapons are most effective against them.
With that knowledge, players can create powerful squads that'll be able to gun down any enemy. But, learning these weaknesses comes at a price since normal research is halted while a Shadow Chamber project is being worked on.
1 Advanced Warfare Center
Prerequisites:
- Alien Biotech
One core aspect of the XCOM franchise that makes it stand out from other games is that every soldier a player sends out to the field runs the risk of being killed by an alien invader, no matter the soldier's rank or experience. That's why building and upgrading the Advanced Warfare Center should be a player's top priority since it grants a chance for a soldier to survive a fatal hit.
On top of that, it allows for soldiers to rapidly recover from injuries, which is crucial to keep up with the alien invaders. And as a bonus, any soldier that recovers within this facility has a slight chance of gaining bonus abilities.
XCOM 2 is available for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, OS X, iOS, and Android.