Xcom 2 Long War Guide -

Long War 2 Long War of the Chosen (LWOTC) mods for transform the game from a linear series of tactical encounters into a complex simulation of global insurgency 1. The Infiltration System The defining feature of Long War is the Infiltration

mechanic, which replaces the "drop in and shoot" style of the base game.

: When you detect a mission, you must send a squad to "infiltrate" the site before the mission starts. Scaling Difficulty

: Your infiltration percentage directly affects enemy numbers. 0% Infiltration : Can add up to 12 Strength (approx. 18 extra enemies) to the mission. 100% Infiltration : The baseline difficulty. 200% Infiltration

: Further reduces enemy presence and lowers their reaction readiness. Time Management xcom 2 long war guide

: You must balance squad size against the mission timer. Larger squads take longer to infiltrate, while smaller squads (even solo Reapers) can reach 100% much faster. XCOM Commander's Journal 2. Haven Management & The Intel Game

You no longer just receive monthly supplies; you must manage Resistance Havens in each contacted region. The Scientific Gamer Rebel Jobs : Assign your 1-13 rebels to specific tasks:

: Essential for detecting missions early. If you have no one on Intel, you will miss most missions entirely. : Generates monthly income but increases regional , drawing ADVENT reinforcements. : Finds new rebels and occasionally new soldiers. : Reduces the chance of ADVENT Retaliation missions. Haven Advisors

: You can station a soldier, scientist, or engineer as an advisor to boost job efficiency and detect faceless spies. 3. Overhauled Soldier Progression The mod expands your tactical options with 8 primary classes and a redesigned officer system. Long War 2 - Quick Start Guide - XCOM Commander's Journal Long War 2 Long War of the Chosen

Part 5: Tech Progression & Build Order

Introduction

XCOM 2 Long War (LW2) is a total-conversion-style overhaul that expands tactics, strategy, soldier progression, and campaign length, demanding deeper resource management and long-term planning than vanilla XCOM 2. This guide covers core strategic principles, base and research priorities, squad composition and soldier progression, mission tactics, supply and economy, dealing with exhaustion and fatigue, late-game goals, and common pitfalls to avoid.

1.1 The Infiltration Mechanic

In vanilla, you clicked "Launch Mission" immediately. In LW2, doing so is a death sentence. Infiltration is the time your squad spends hiding before a mission.

• How it works: When a mission spawns, you have a window (e.g., 7 days). You assign a squad and hit "Infiltration." The longer they wait, the lower the enemy "Activity Level" (see table below).
• The Risk: If you launch at 0% infiltration, you face "Swarming" (max enemies + reinforcements). If you hit 100%, you face "Light" or "Very Light" activity. Going over 100% (e.g., 150%) reduces enemies further, allowing for "Extremely Light" resistance.
• The Rule of Thumb: Never launch below 100% unless it is a critical retaliation or a facility mission. Never.

Enemy Activity Levels (Simplified): | Infiltration % | Activity Level | Approx Enemies | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 0-50% | Swarming / Very Heavy | 25-40+ | | 51-75% | Heavy | 15-25 | | 76-100% | Moderate | 9-14 | | 100-125% | Light | 6-8 | | 125%+ | Extremely Light | 3-5 |

Part 4: The Tactical Layer – Fighting the "Long War" Way

Chapter 4: The Mind Games

"And the psionics?" Miller whispered. "The Sectoids, the Codices... they panic my men." Part 5: Tech Progression & Build Order Introduction

"They attack the mind because the mind is weak," the Commander said. "But we can strengthen it. You need to build the Psi Lab early. You need to start training Operatives immediately. A high-level Psi Operate can dominate an enemy's mind, turning their strength into our strength.

"But never rely on it. Psionics are a wild card. Your rifle is your rock. Your psionics are the flowers growing on the rock. Nice to have, but the rock holds the line."

Infiltration & Mission Timing

• Infiltration % determines enemy count and detection radius.
• Golden rule: Never launch with <100% infiltration unless desperate.
• Squad composition per infiltration window:
  • 0–3 days: small stealth/sniper teams (3–4 soldiers).
  • 4–7 days: balanced squads (6–8 soldiers).
  • 8+ days: full assault teams (10–12 soldiers + heavy weapons).

The Endgame (August+)

• Research: Powered Armor (WAR suits for Technicals) -> Plasma.
• Weapons: Coilguns (the hidden tier between Mag and Plasma) are the best value in the game.
• The Avatar Race: At this point, you should have 25 Colonels. Do the Forge/Codex coordinates/Waterworld back-to-back. Do not stop to smell the roses.

Part 2: The Geoscape – Playing 4D Chess with Advent

The strategy layer in LWotC is a game of "Whack-a-Mole" with dire consequences. You will manage Intel, Supply, Recruitment, and Influence across multiple havens.