Highlights

• XCOM 2 is a challenging turn-based RPG with a cult following, offering tactical top-down action and a compelling story of alien invasion and resistance.
• The game has a large amount of content, including DLCs and mods created by the dedicated modding community, which add new maps, customization options, and quality-of-life improvements.
• XCOM 2's extensive replayability and the content provided by mods have contributed to its success and have even influenced the release of other games, such as Marvel's Midnight Suns.

XCOM 2 has gained a cult following of players attracted to the challenge of tactical top-down RPG action that the game provides. Players take on an alien menace that has established itself within the earth's government and made themselves out to be humanity-saving heroes. However, behind the scenes, the aliens seek to begin taking over the entire planet by means of a secret project that will enslave the human race. Players must beat the clock to sabotage and dismantle the alien threat before it is too late in guerilla warfare.

XCOM comes with a large amount of content, with several DLCs available that add much-requested features and a continuation to the campaign. However, the faithful modding community has also created a large amount of content for the game, such as new maps, new customization, and general quality-of-life changes available for download through various sources. Here are some of the best mods for XCOM 2.

Updated on October 2, 2023, by C.M Edwards: XCOM 2 continues to be one of the best-crafted turn-based RPGs on the market that blends sci-fi action with high-strategy gameplay. As players take on an alien infection that has spread across the world and into some of the most powerful positions on the planet, it is up to the remnants of the resistance to put a stop to the simulation of the human race and wipe the alien overlords and bring their true intentions to light. XCOM 2's extensive shelf life is fueled by its high replayability and the content provided by the modding community. The success of XCOM 2 pushed forward the release of one of Marvel's newest games, Midnight Suns, which has received high praise and is set to receive continuous support. There are dozens of mods available for XCOM 2 that change the way the game is played and insert new abilities, weapons, and even enemy types. Here are more of some of the best mods available for XCOM 2: The Chosen.

16 Necromancer Class

Taking a soldier into the field multiple times is the fastest way to increase their experience and unlock their subclass in order to make them more effective in the field. During enough playthroughs of XCOM 2, players may find the base classes available in the base game and the expansions lacking in excitement.

The Necromancer Class mod from Ekscom brings a breath of fresh air with a new class with a string of new abilities that mixes the psi-ops with the mystic arts. Players can be their own sorcerer supreme, raise the dead, and become the herald of ruin against the alien menace.

15 Long War Perk Pack

For players seeking more content than a single class, the Long War Perk pack from Johnny Lump grants a wide array of new improved abilities and options for a fresh playthrough and a new take on the game's squad synergy.

This mod introduces over three dozen new perks along with a series of reworked perk options. At the same time, the mod tweaks the class system in the game expands the number of classes available, and increases the viability of soldiers in the field. Perks are a vital part of the combat in XCOM 2 and can really give players an edge in the game. Players should give this mod a shot if they are seeking to really change the way the game is played.

14 Long War Alien Pack

For players seeking a new challenge and stronger threats to really put the resistance to the test and have the mystery of the game restored, the Long War Alien pack by Johnny Lump is the way to go. This mod introduces a large batch of new cryptids and creatures to the game that can make each encounter a different experience.

Players will have their hands full with new droids, stronger Mutons, and exceptionally lethal new mechs. This mod is a perfect fit for other mods that expand on the game's story while minimizing the breaking of immersion that veteran players seeking some thrill will highly enjoy.

13 More Squad Space Upgrades

Many times during a tough playthrough of XCOM 2, when soldiers are dropping like flies, or the ace recruits find themselves pinned down, just a few extra numbers would make a massive difference. The More Squad Space Upgrades mod by BlueRaja is a great mod from arriving on a mission with a small battalion of soldiers ready to crush some alien skulls.

This mod allows for two additional squad size upgrades, raising the maximum number of soldiers available on a mission to up to eight. This increase can make a huge difference when encountering powerful forces backed by large mechs or even some of the new aliens available in some of the mods mentioned on this list.

12 Long War Leader Pack

The Long War Leader Pack is a mod created by Pavonis Interactive and is available on Steam. This mod adds a new progression path to the game for soldiers, basically giving players a new class to use in-game.

To obtain the leader training option, it must be purchased after upgrading Guerilla Tactics training via raising one soldier to the rank of sergeant. The leader progression adds several perks that enhance the soldier and their gameplay, giving it more presence during a mission. Long War Leader Pack is a stand-alone mod that doesn't require other mods to work.

11 Stop Wasting My Time

Stop Wasting My Time is a mod that removes needless pauses and shortens certain cinematics in the game to speed up combat and continue the pace of combat in the game. This mod was created by BlueRaja and has over 150,000 downloads on Nexus Mods.

This mod is a welcomed edition as it allows players to immerse themselves in the game thoroughly and minimizes interruptions that break concentration and tactical thinking when facing an ambush or planning out an assault. Stop Wasting My Time has no issues with other mods and does not require other mods to function.

10 Evac All

Evac All is a much-requested feature that can be applied to the game via a mod on Nexus Mods created by Tracktwo. Evac All modifies XCOM 2’s interface when on a mission and allows for multiple characters to be evacuated when standing in the specialized zone. This allows players to bypass having to individually evacuate every character separately.

This mod saves players a lot of time and protects them from any last-minute casualties from spontaneous enemy attacks. Evac All also imports a new map into the game, but players should be prepared when paring this mod with TWOC as it may cause some issues.

9 More Maps Pack

The More Maps Pack created by TdDaz adds more variety to the game in the form of additional maps. One thing that works against the XCOM franchise is the mission maps that repeat quite often, with little sense of being unique or immersive. After seeing the same burning city or encampment, the game can seem dry.

This mod changes things by installing a slue of new environments mixed with existing assets players can learn and battle the alien menace in. The More Maps Pack has two versions for the base game and War of the Chosen DLC.

8 All Soldiers Gain XP

All Soldiers Gain XP is a beneficial mod to keep character ranks full as players progress in the game. It can be a severe detriment when a prime soldier falls in combat, making players level a replacement from the ground up. This mod allows soldiers in the barracks to also gain reasonable amounts of XP after players finish a mission.

This is a remarkably helpful mod that benefits from having more resources after a total party wipe during XCOM 2’s late-game content. All Soldiers Gain XP is available on Steam and was created by BlueRaja. It does not clash with any known mods and does not need any mods to function.

7 Mod Config Menu

A necessity for new players and veterans, if players seek to install any mod for XCOM 2, Mod Config Menu is a much-needed download. Available via Steam Workshop and created by Guby, Mod Config Menu or MCM gives players the ability to localize and keep track of the mods they have installed.

This mod also creates a tool to select which mods are activated and which are not. This mod is very low risk, and while it doesn't work with all mods in the game, there are very few that should cause any issues.

6 Extra Weapon Upgrade Slots

Players should rush to download this mod that upgrades and modifies the way weapon mods work in XCOM 2. Weapons are usually limited to the number of modifications that are allowed to be equipped in the game. Extra Weapon Upgrade Slots allow this to be increased, so players can make their loadouts more unique and substantial.

With the ability to stack more bonus stats on top of weapons, this mod stands on its own and improves gameplay for all players. Extra Weapon Upgrades Slots doesn't need other mods to work. However, excessively raising the number of upgrade slots a weapon has may cause errors.

5 Long War 2

Long War 2 is another mod that focuses on a complete retouch of the XCOM 2 gaming experience. This mod focuses on enhancing game UI, combat, accessibility, gameplay options, and character progression.

In addition, a massive amount of new weapons, new armor, enemies, and missions have been added not only to increase the game length but also to enrich the player experience by providing more options and challenges around every corner. New weapon tiers arrive in the form of laser and rail gun weaponry, alongside new mission types that require two squads to work simultaneously on different maps and locations.

4 Katana Pack By Vblanco

Weapons are a big part of XCOM 2, and with the Katana Pack from vblanco, players can slice through alien scum with ease. This mod adds several different sword styles into the game with three tiers to match in-game assets with energy and plasma models also available.

Each weapon is expertly crafted and fits into the game seamlessly, having stunning glow effects and highly detailed handlework. In addition, the Katana Pack is a low-risk mod that doesn't need other mods to work and is easily applied to the game; players can download the Katana Pack from Nexus Mods and start cutting aliens down to size in no time.

3 Commander's Choice By Sqparadox

Many times in XCOM 2, when a squad member hits the point of earning a class, players wish they could decide what direction the character takes. That is now possible with the Commander's Choice mod by sqparadox. The Commanders Choice mod overrides the promotion button both at the after-action screen and within the barracks to provide a new option to personally choose which class a rookie receives that can allow players to plan their squads and progression as they get further into the game.

The commander's choice mod doesn't conflict with any known mods; however, there are a few lag issues within menus. Players can download the Commander's Choice mod on Nexus Mods, which is compatible with Long War 2 and War of the Chosen.

2 Perfect Information By Tjnome

One of the most unforgiving systems in XCOM 2 is its combat modifier system; players have torn their hair out when a shot does less damage than expected or when an enemy still hits their best character while they are in cover. The Perfect Information mod by Tjnome adds several extra details to the UI to provide more accurate details during combat. This mod installs a critical chance, doge bonus, and hit percentage stat for squad mates and aliens, giving the player the ability to assess threats more accurately.

The Perfect Information mod is entirely configurable, so players fearing the loss of immersion can pick and choose what not to see on their screen; Perfect Information is available on Nexus Mods and does not conflict with any known mods.

1 Rogue Class Mod By Isms

Sometimes a fresh piece of content can breathe life back into a game, providing new enjoyment and a refreshing playthrough. The Rogue Class mod gives players a new way to play with a completely customized squad class with new abilities and unique options in combat that bring new tactics to the game. The Rogue class is based on the Scout class from Long War but gains access to the assassin tree, providing more movement and concealment bonuses.

The Rogue can infiltrate behind enemy lines, cut aliens down with its SMG, and remain unnoticed. Compatible with most mods, players will want to try this mod out and give thanks to its creator, isms. The Rogue Class mod is available on Nexus Mods and Steam Workshop.