In XCOM 2, managing and recruiting soldiers is a critical component of your strategy as you lead your forces against alien threats. Here’s an in-depth look at the processes involved in soldier recruitment, class specialization, and effective roster management throughout your campaign.

Recruiting Soldiers

1. Armory Recruitment:
– You can recruit new soldiers at any time from the Armory for a cost of 25 Supplies each. These recruits begin as Rookies, basic units without a specialized class, which makes them versatile but limited in initial combat effectiveness.

2. Mission Rewards:
– Apart from direct recruitment, soldiers can be earned as rewards from completing various missions. Engaging in side missions and objectives can bolster your roster without the cost of Supplies.

3. Character Pool Customization:
– To personalize your squad, you can customize soldiers’ appearances and add them to the character pool. This feature allows for the creation of unique characters who can be recruited later in the game, enhancing immersion and connection to your squad.

Converting Rookies into Classes

1. Training and Promotion:
– Rookies can be promoted to specialized classes—such as Ranger, Sharpshooter, Grenadier, Specialist, or S operative—once they gain combat experience through missions. Alternatively, you can have them train at the Guerrilla Tactics School to earn their class designation.

2. Pre-Defined Classes:
– When using recruits from the character pool, it’s possible to set their classes ahead of time. However, the majority of new recruits will typically start as Rookies, requiring development through experience or training.

Recruiting Special Faction Soldiers (War of the Chosen Expansion)

1. Faction Soldiers:
– Special faction soldiers, including Reapers, Skirmishers, and Templars, cannot be recruited through standard means in the Armory. Instead, you must engage in Covert Actions aimed at recruiting these characters.

2. Increasing Faction Influence:
– To unlock Covert Action missions like “Recruit Reaper,” “Recruit Skirmisher,” or “Recruit Templar,” you must first increase the faction’s influence by completing “Hunt the Chosen” missions that relate to the faction’s representatives. This adds an extra layer of depth to your strategy.

Managing Your Roster

1. Character Development:
– Soldiers become more powerful and gain unique stats and skills through their participation in missions. Equipping them with customized weapons and armor allows you to tailor their abilities to fit your tactical needs.

2. Wounded and Fallen Soldiers:
– Soldiers who are wounded during missions can be healed at the Advanced Warfare Center, allowing them to return to the fight after a recovery period. However, it’s vital to note that fallen soldiers are lost permanently, emphasizing the need for careful planning in combat encounters as these characters will be memorialized if they do not survive.

3. Squad Management:
– You typically deploy around 4-5 soldiers per mission. With the game’s demands for multiple squads, especially in the late game, it’s crucial to manage squad size effectively and ensure a steady rotation to conserve your troops while maintaining combat readiness.

Summary

In XCOM 2, your success revolves around effectively recruiting soldiers and developing them through training and combat experience. Regularly engaging in missions will not only help you recruit new units but also enhance your existing roster’s capabilities. Special factions add an additional layer to recruitment, demanding strategic action to integrate them into your team. A well-managed roster encompassing customization, healing, and precise deployment strategies will enable you to sustain a powerful fighting force throughout your campaign against the alien invasion.