Advanced Warfare Center unlocks off-class skills by retraining.

[Jin]

So I was in the situation of building the AWC pretty late, so I already had some Colonels, I was pretty disappointed that I wouldn't get any of the off-class skills when I built it. I thought it would unlock them retroactive. So when I trained a Colonel (because I was unhappy with the skills) it unlocked his secret skill.

This is a tip for those that also have higher soldiers but no unlock, you have to retrain them. Didn't find any information on that on wiki so I thought I would share this.

You also might have to retrain people that already surpassed Lieutanant, from the wiki it says:

"When the AWC is built, it rolls for each soldier an ability and a rank between Lieutenant and Colonel. When a player reaches this rank the predetermined ability unlocks. The bonus ability is identified on each soldier at the bottom of their ability summary."

That means retraining is the only sure method of getting the skill. Annoying but workable.

[mtilsted]

Only one skill in total? That does not match the in game building description.

The in game description says that they may unlock a skill each time they get a level. No requirements for a specific level, or any mention of it only working once.

[slxpress]

That's VERY helpful, Jin! I haven't seen this anywhere else. I'm going to retrain someone right now. Wish I had known this before, but it's good to know now. Thank you for sharing!

mtllsted,

That was my understanding from reading the ingame description, but it makes a lot more sense that it's one hidden ability. On my first playthrough I kept getting frustrated because the hidden ability never seemed to proc. That one hidden ability if it's the right one, can mean a HUGE difference in a soldier. If it was more than one, I think it would be too OP.

[ebonyknight]

Originally posted by Jin:

So I was in the situation of building the AWC pretty late, so I already had some Colonels, I was pretty disappointed that I wouldn't get any of the off-class skills when I built it. I thought it would unlock them retroactive. So when I trained a Colonel (because I was unhappy with the skills) it unlocked his secret skill.

Ah, that's good to know. I thought retraining meant changing class, as I would randomly reveal a hidden talent in a soldier without doing anything, every so often. I will need to start doing that.

[PHJF]

This doesn't work 100%. I retrained two colonels and neither got an AWC bonus.

[Bayta]

Does this work with a soldier who got a bonus skill, to give him a chance at different one? Most of my bonus skills have been reasonable, but I just had a sniper get a bonus skill that increases the radius of effect of grenades. This sniper will never carry a grenade, so that skill is wasted. It would be nice if I could retrain him to get a different bonus skill.

[Lilkinsly]

Originally posted by PHJF:

This doesn't work 100%. I retrained two colonels and neither got an AWC bonus.

Not everybody gets a hidden skill.

[Jestunhi]

I just gotthe mod to make it retroactive.

[Anelyn]

It's random if you get it, when you get it and what you get. A sniper with blast padding isn't as attractive as a gunslinger with blast padding :)

[Jin]

Originally posted by PHJF:

This doesn't work 100%. I retrained two colonels and neither got an AWC bonus.

Like someone said, it's random if a Soldier has "hidden" potential. But if he does you will unlock it through the retrain.

[Giant Space Hamster]

Originally posted by Anelyn:

It's random if you get it, when you get it and what you get. A sniper with blast padding isn't as attractive as a gunslinger with blast padding :)

Let's be honest...no one with Blast Padding is more attractive because of it. I'd be very disappointed that I didn't get literally any other skill.

[jamesc70]

Originally posted by Bayta:

Does this work with a soldier who got a bonus skill, to give him a chance at different one? Most of my bonus skills have been reasonable, but I just had a sniper get a bonus skill that increases the radius of effect of grenades. This sniper will never carry a grenade, so that skill is wasted. It would be nice if I could retrain him to get a different bonus skill.

Same question, anyone know?

[✚ Mariel ✚]

I got a sniper with with rapid fire. It only works with his sniper rifle though, and doesnt work with squadsight

[Jin]

Originally posted by jamesc70:

Originally posted by Bayta:

Does this work with a soldier who got a bonus skill, to give him a chance at different one? Most of my bonus skills have been reasonable, but I just had a sniper get a bonus skill that increases the radius of effect of grenades. This sniper will never carry a grenade, so that skill is wasted. It would be nice if I could retrain him to get a different bonus skill.

Same question, anyone know?

Not yet tested. Maybe just make a save and test it (don't go on missions, just fast forward)? :D

[Anelyn]

Originally posted by Giant Space Hamster:

Originally posted by Anelyn:

It's random if you get it, when you get it and what you get. A sniper with blast padding isn't as attractive as a gunslinger with blast padding :)

Let's be honest...no one with Blast Padding is more attractive because of it. I'd be very disappointed that I didn't get literally any other skill.

Let's not fool eachother now, extra point of armor is great for free. That means in wraith suit or power armor you have 2 armor. That can be the difference between having to sitout next mission in AWC or just keep going.

Are there other skills that could be more desirable? Depends on class and said skill, as well as your group composition and tactics. I have a sniper with untouchable. I can proc it reliable every engagement but the chances for enemies to actually get a shot at my sniper are slim at best. It's just like blast padding, good to be there, but it doesn't really actively contribute to your success, more of a small ensurance policy if things go south.

Personally am very happy with the core skills, if someone gets a hidden one, good for them, but I don't change my gameplay / progression / skill selection based on that factor. It's just that, an extra, another option that may or may not see usage in the field (ie: had a sniper with rupture - wow free auto crit sounds amazing, for 3 ammo cost - could cope with that, but... should I just kill that one target and waste 3 ammo for it, or have a shot at 6 enemies with killing zone from ambush?).

[Shadowhand]

Question about the AWC.

The skills it unlocks, on a New rookie to get the extra skill do you:

A) Have to unlock and choose the skill on a previous soilder?
B) Have a soilder at the Rank of the possible skill (regardless of what you picked)
C) It doesnt matter I will pick a skill regardless of what ranks/selections have been made on other soilders.