Specialized Soldiers Builds V1.2

This guide is about maximizing skills eficiency and character builds with the apropiate items to break havok in the battlefield.

Introduction

Hello Commanders

Here you will find some soldier builds that have worked for me in wonderfull ways. Each build will have skill distribution, equipment and a little explanation of how it works.

NOTE: This guide is updated to the latest version of the game and includes all DLC and War of the Chosen content.

Grenadier Builds

This class can go either all AoE or focus in single targets with deadly effects. The grenade launcher adds range and ratius to all grenades, not just offensive ones. Here go two builds.

War of the Chosen notes: with the new expansion you can buy skills from the other trees, so get Blast Paddings in both builds, depending on your Combat Intelligence you should try to get something from the random pool.

Bomberman

Armour:	Heavy
PCS:	Speed
HW:	Blaster Launcher or Shredstorm
Weapon add ons:	Auto Loader + Scope + <Hair Trigger>
Inventory:	Flashbang or Plasma Grenade + Acid Bomb (grenade slot)

Squaddy:	Launch Grenade: The Grenadier uses a grenade launcher to fire grenades rather than throwing them.
Corporal:	Shredder: Your cannon attacks shred armor.
Seargent:	Suppression: Fire a barrage that pins down a target, granting reaction fire against it if it moves, and imposing a -50 penalty to the target's aim.
Lieutenant:	Heavy Ordnance: The grenade in your grenade-only slot gains a bonus use.
Captain:	Volatile Mix: Your grenades deal +2 damage.
Major:	Salvo: Launching or throwing grenades, or using heavy weapons with your first action, will not end your turn.
Colonel:	Saturation Fire: Fire a cone shaped barrage of bullets at every enemy in an area. In addition, the cover of those enemies can be damaged or destroyed.

Some skills are self explanatory, but the idea is maximum AoE and armor Shredding. Acid Bombs dont destroy cover and have to be carefully launched since cover blocks the explosion, but 4 armour shredding is beautifull, specially if you can combine it with another grenade, HW or cannon attack, you can shred all of the Gatekeeper armour with just one soldier.

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Cannoneer

Armour:	Medium
PCS:	Perception
Weapon add ons:	Expanded Magazine + Laser Sight + <Hair Trigger>
Inventory:	Venom or Bluescreen Round + Flashbang + Incendiary or EMP Bomb (grenade slot)

Squaddy:	Launch Grenade: The Grenadier uses a grenade launcher to fire grenades rather than throwing them.
Corporal:	Shredder: Your cannon attacks shred armor.
Seargent:	Suppression: Fire a barrage that pins down a target, granting reaction fire against it if it moves, and imposing a -50 penalty to the target's aim.
Lieutenant:	Holo Targeting:Any directed cannon shot, hit or miss, will mark the target, increasing your squad's aim by +15 against this target. Applies to standard attacks and single-target abilities, including suppression.
Captain:	Chain Shot: Take a shot with an aim penalty of -15. If you hit the target, you take another shot on the target automatically.
Major:	Hail of Bullets: Unleash a hail of bullets that is guaranteed to hit your target, but uses a lot of ammunition.
Colonel:	Rupture: A Rupture shot deals critical damage and ensures that the target takes an additional +3 damage from all attacks in the future.

This build maximizes the cannon, each shot you take will apply holo targeting and the ammo effect, the PCS will counteract the aim penalty of chain shot and the expanded mag will save you from a lot of weapon reloads and insuficient ammo for a lot of skills.

Ranger Builds

Rangers are right in the face of danger, this class is al about mobility, so lets start with two builds

Shotgunner

Armour:	medium
PCS:	Speed
Weapon:	Shotgun
Add ons:	Laser Sight + Expanded Mag + <Stock>
Inventory:	Proximity Mine + AP Rounds (Refraction Field in WotC)

Squaddy:	Slash: Attack any enemy within movement range with your sword.
Corporal:	Phantom: When the squad is revealed, this soldier remains concealed.
Seargent:	Shadowstrike: When concealed, gain +25 bonus Aim and +25 bonus critical hit chance.
Lieutenant:	Gun n Run: Take an action after dashing.
Captain:	Implacable: If you score one or more kills on your turn, you are granted a single bonus move.
Major:	Untouchable: If you score a kill during your turn, the next attack against you during the enemy turn will miss.
Colonel:	Rapid Fire: Fire twice in a row at an enemy. Each shot suffers an Aim penalty of -15.

You might be wondering "why no conceal?", it might be very useful, but you can use it only once, with Gun n Run you can dash, flank and shot an enemy, remember the ranger GTS training that gives +3 damage (1 in WotC) when flanking.
A shotgun with AP rounds is effective in a wide array of enemies, and the laser sight adds a really good chance to crit. The proximity mine is the only explosive that doesnt break concealment when is used, this way you can plan for really interesting ambushes.

War of the Chosen notes: Get Conceal through Action Points, also switch the AP Rounds for a Refraction Field to maximize the concealment mechanic

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Blademaster

Armour:	Light
PCS:	Agility
Weapon:	Rifle
Add ons:	at your own criteria
Inventory:	Hazmat Vest

Squaddy:	Slash: Attack an enemy within movement range of your sword.
Corporal:	Blademaster: Deal +2 damage and +10 aim on all sword attacks.
Seargent:	Shadowstep: This soldier does not trigger overwatch or reaction fire.
Lieutenant:	Gun n Run: Take an extra action after dashing.
Captain:	Implacable: If you score one or more kills on your turn, you are granted a single bonus move.
Major:	Untouchable: If you score a kill during your turn, the next attack against you during the enemy turn will miss.
Colonel:	Reaper: A devastating chain melee attack where the first melee attack cannot miss. Each melee kill in Reaper mode grants an extra action, but further melee attacks deal reduced damage.

This build is about mobility and survival, since you will use mostly the sword the light suit will give you dodge and mobility, paired with the PCS you will reach 50 Dodge. If that is not enough Implacable and Untouchable will make you even harder to kill. Last but not least, the Hazmat vest will protect you against a lot of status effects that not only do damage, but also hinder your mobility and skill usage.

War of the Chosen notes: Get Bladestorm and Deep Cover with AP.

Sharpshooter Builds

Long range or close range, this unit is a versatile damage dealer. Two builds ahead.

Sniper

Armour:	Light
PCS:	Perception
Weapon Add ons:	Expanded Mag + Repeater + <Auto Loader>
Inventory:	Talon Rounds

Squaddy:	Squadsight: You can target enemies within squadmates' sight, provided there is line of sight to the target.
Corporal:	Long Watch: Allow Overwatch to trigger with Squadsight.
Seargent:	Deadeye: Take a shot with a small aim penalty for a significant damage boost. 2 turn cooldown.
Lieutenant:	Quickdraw: Firing your pistol with your first action no longer ends your turn.
Captain:	Kill Zone: Take a reaction shot against any enemy that moves or attacks within a cone of fire.
Major:	Steady Hands: If you didn't move last turn, gain +10 aim and +10 critical chance.
Colonel:	Serial: Each kill made with your sniper rifle completely restores your actions. With each consecutive kill you get a critical chance penalty.

The idea is simple, you position yourself using the grapple and fun starts right away. The expanded mag and the repeater sinergize really well with Kill zone and Serial, you will be able to take up to six overwatch or serial shots. Talon rounds will give you some preety nice critical chance.

War of the Chosen notes: Get Shredder and Holo Targeting with AP if you can.

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Pistolero

Armour:	Medium
PCS:	Perception
Weapon Add ons:	Unimportant
Inventory:	Venom or Bluescreen Rounds + Grenade

Squaddy:	Squadsight: You can target enemies within squadmates' sight, provided there is line of sight to the target.
Corporal:	Return Fire: When targeted by enemy fire, automatically fire back with your pistol once per turn.
Seargent:	Lightning Hands: Fire your pistol at a target. This attack does not cost an action.
Lieutenant:	Quickdraw: Firing your pistol with your first action no longer ends your turn.
Captain:	Faceoff: Fire once at every visible enemy with your pistol.
Major:	Steady Hands: If you didn't move last turn, gain +10 aim and +10 critical chance.
Colonel:	Fan Fire: Fire the pistol 3 consecutive times at a single target.

Pistols are a real beauty, not only they dont have to reload, but also they are the only sidearm that can use special rounds. If you play your cards right you can poison all enemies in your sight ratius or deal a ton of damage shooting up to five times to a robotic unit (+25 bonus damage with Bluescreen rounds if they all hit). In War of the Chosen this unit does wonders against the Lost, as long as you have the "Between the Eyes" Resistance Order.

Specialist Builds

Either a Battle medic or a fully offensive soldier, specialist are the most maleable class. Two builds for now.

Battle Medic

Armour:	Medium
PCS:	Focus
Add ons:	Hair Trigger + Laser Sight + <Repeater>
Inventory:	Nanomedikit + Flashbang or Mimic Beacon

Squaddy:	Aid Protocol: Command your GREMLIN to move to a friendly target. It grants that target a bonus to Defense until the start of the next player turn.
Corporal:	Medical Protocol: The GREMLIN can perform healing actions remotely: GREMLIN Heal and GREMLIN Stabilize. The GREMLIN has a single charge. If a medkit is equipped, the GREMLIN will gain an additional charge.
Seargent:	Revival Protocol: Send the GREMLIN to an ally to remove any negative mental status effects. Disoriented, Stunned, Panicked, or Unconscious.
Lieutenant:	Field Medic: Equipped medikits have 2 extra charges.
Captain:	Threat Assessment: Aid Protocol now grants the target a Covering Fire Overwatch shot, but the Aid Protocol cooldown is increased by 1 turn.
Major:	Ever Vigilant: If you spend all of your actions on moves, you are granted an automatic overwatch shot at the end of the turn.
Colonel:	Restoration: The GREMLIN flies to each squad member, healing or reviving them as needed. Once per mission.

Under no circunstance EVER you should go to battle without one of these. This is the ultimate support unit, remote healing, status removal, reviving, can give a defense + overwatch buff, and automatic overwatch if you dash. The PCS will make mind controling and panicking this unit a lot harder (very important for your main medic), also it will recieve less psionic damage.

War of the Chosen notes: Get Covering Fire and Capacitor discharge with AP, the first will boost your overwatch and the second is a Free EMP grenade.

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Combat specialist

Armour:	Medium
PCS:	Perception
Add ons:	Expanded Magazine + Scope + <Repeater>
Inventory:	Venom or Incendiary Rounds + Skulljack

Squaddy:	Aid Protocol: Command your GREMLIN to move to a friendly target. It grants that target a bonus to Defense until the start of the next player turn.
Corporal:	Combat Protocol: Send the GREMLIN to an enemy to jolt them, dealing guaranteed damage, which is increased against robotic enemies.
Seargent:	Haywire Protocol : You may target robotic and mechanical enemies with your GREMLIN, attempting to hack them and seize control.
Lieutenant:	Scanning Protocol: The GREMLIN can trigger an instant scan of the area, increasing the Specialist's sight radius substantially for one turn and revealing any hidden enemies.
Captain:	Covering Fire: Overwatch shots can now be triggered by enemy actions, not just movement.
Major:	Guardian: Grants 50% chance during Overwatch to perform an additional shot if the previous Overwatch shot hits. There's no limit as to how many times Guardian can trigger.
Colonel:	Capacitor Discharge: Send the GREMLIN to a location where it emits a substantial electric discharge, damaging and potentially stunning all nearby units. Robotic units take more damage.

Sayonara Mr. Roboto. This unit is basically a robot killer, Capacitor discharge is an EMP Bomb that also affects organic enemies in a minor degree. Combining Covering Fire, Guardian, the Preception PCS, the GTS specialized training and both weapon add ons this soldier becomes an Overwatch God.

War of the Chosen notes: Get Ever Vigilant with AP, also try to buy Shredder and Holo Targeting.

Psi Operative Build

Psi Operatives are a lot different from regular soldiers. First and most important, they can train ALL their skills, so it is useless to post a build since there is only one. Second there is no natural way to get a Psi operative, you have to train one, and keep training all of their skills. The good side of that is that you can deploy a Magi without risking his life leveling up, the bad side is that it takes a lot of in game time.

War of the Chosen notes: Use ONLY rookies with standard Combat Intelligence, as Psi Ops dont benefit from the Action Points system.

Armour:	Medium
PCS:	Conditioning
Add ons:	Hair Trigger + Scope
Inventory:	Plated Vest + EMP Bomb

SPARK Builds (SLG)

Introduced with the Shen´s Last Gift DLC, this mechaniced units are some sort of Jack of all trades (master of none). To get this unit you will have to complete a special mission and then manufacture them. Unlike other soldiers the SPARK can´t equip PCS or items, it doesnt heal automatically so you have to assign them to Engineering Bay to repair them (but you can send them to battle damaged).

In War of the Chosen, SPARKS are the only unit not affected by the fatigue system and Chosen Daze, they also had a stat buff and are now able to equip weapon mods.

JOHNNY 5

HW:	Blaster Launcher or Shredstorm
Weapon add ons (WotC):	Magazine + Scope

Squire:	Overdrive: Take three actions this turn, and no action is turn-ending. Multiple Standard Shots incur a small recoil penalty. Shredder: Your cannon attacks shred armor. Mechanical Chassis: This unit is immune to fire and poison effects. Hack: Attempt to remotely breach security on a network access point with your SPARK BIT.
Aspirant:	Bulwark: Gain a point of armor and always provide high cover to all adjacent squadmates.
Knight:	Rainmaker: Equipped Heavy Weapons deal +2 damage and have increased AoE.
Cavalier:	Wrecking Ball: While Overdrive is active, break through walls and cover while moving.
Vanguard:	Repair: Send the BIT to a damaged robotic ally and repair it. Advanced BITs can repair slightly more. (this is the only way to heal a SPARK in battle)
Paladin:	Channeling Field: Every time you are targeted, part of the energy is channeled into your heavy autocannon. This energy is unleashed with your next Standard Shot.
Champion:	Sacrifice: Generate a protective field which redirects any attacks against allies inside it towards you. Gain bonus defense and armor while active. The SPARK gains +20 defense and +2 armor while Sacrifice is active.

This build will act more a a defensive bullet sponge, the good side is that each shot targeted against the SPARK will increase his damage output by one in the next shot, that´s why Bulwark, Channeling Field work so well toghether. Also Bulwark and Sacrifice with tier 3 armor will grant you 6 armor points.

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T-800

HW:	Blaster Launcher or Shredstorm
Weapon add ons (WotC):	Magazine + Scope

Squire:	Overdrive: Take three actions this turn, and no action is turn-ending. Multiple Standard Shots incur a small recoil penalty. Shredder: Your cannon attacks shred armor. Mechanical Chassis: This unit is immune to fire and poison effects. Hack: Attempt to remotely breach security on a network access point with your SPARK BIT.
Aspirant:	Adaptive Aim: When Overdrive is active, Standard Shots do not incur recoil penalties.
Knight:	Rainmaker: Equipped Heavy Weapons deal +2 damage and have increased AoE.
Cavalier:	Wrecking Ball: While Overdrive is active, break through walls and cover while moving.
Vanguard:	Repair: Send the BIT to a damaged robotic ally and repair it. Advanced BITs can repair slightly more. (this is the only way to heal a SPARK in battle)
Paladin:	Hunter Protocol: When an enemy is revealed, there is a 33% chance to take a free Overwatch shot.
Champion:	Nova: Release a blast of energy, damaging all nearby enemies. This attack has no cost or cooldown, but consecutive Novas will damage the SPARK.

The offensive variant of the SPARK is all about Overdrive and heavy weapons (Blaster Launcher recomended). This killer robot from the future is excelent in the front lines when an enemy gets revealed and also in the back with a steroid pumped HW.

Reaper Builds (WotC)

Reapers are an excelent scouting unit, as they use Shadow concealment, a special form of concealment that makes all enemies have 1 tile of detection radius, each shot they take has a 50% chance of breaking Shadow, so you can remain concealed after shooting, also their Claymore doesnt break concealment.
Regretably this class is strictly situational, as most of their skills have only one or two charges, except for Remote Start, his rifle is weaker than the standard assault rifle and their armour has no equipment slot*, except they get Tactical Rigging in the random skill pool.

Stalker

PCS:	Speed
Add ons:	Repeater + Scope + <Expanded Magazine>
Inventory*:	Any ammo

	Squaddy	Corporal	Seargent	Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Colonel
Stealth	Shadow: Grants Shadow concealment. One charge per mission.			Silent Killer: Kills with the Vektor Rifle do not increase the Reaper's chance to break out of Shadow.	Sting: Take a shot in Shadow. Guarenteed to remain in Shadow. 1 charge per mission.
Saboteur	Claymore: Grants usage of the Claymore weapon.	Remote Start: Detonate an environmental explosive, dealing double damage in twice the normal radius. Does not reveal the Reaper.	Shrapnel: Claymore deals +3 damage and has 1+ radius.			Highlands: Soldier can carry an additional Claymore on a mission.	Homing Mine: Attach a Claymore to an enemy (does not alert them). The homing mine will explode upon that enemy taking damage.
Marksman					Soul Harvest: Kill shots increase crit chance by 5, to a maximum of 20.

This build focuses on mantaining the Reaper in shadow mode and using him as a scout. Due to the class limitations it is recomended to leave him for killing blows only. In the random skills pool try to get Tactical Riging and Serial.

Skirmisher Builds (WotC)

Skirmishers are a mobility focused class. Their Bullpup rifle has the particularity that it doesnt finish your turn after shooting it, giving you a lot of flexibility in combat, specialy when you combine it with the grappling hook.

Machine Gunner

PCS:	Speed
Weapon add ons:	Expanded Magazine + Scope + <Stock>
Inventory:	Grenade + Incendiary or Venom rounds*

	Squaddy	Corporal	Seargent	Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Colonel
Hussar	Marauder: Shots are not turn ending, allowing for shooting and moving or shooting twice in a turn.				Combat Presence: Grant an additional action to a squadmate.	Waylay: When entering Overwatch, you can take as many shots as you have remaining actions.
Judge	Justice: Use the Grapple to pull a humanoid unit to you and deliver a ripjack strike.			Whiplash: Attack an enemy with an electrical lash. This attack does not cost an action. 1 charge per mission.
Tactician	Grapple: Deploy a grappling hook to move quickly to an elevated position.	Total Combat: Throwing a grenade or using an item no longer ends the turn.	Zero In: Subsequent shots on the same turn provide +10 critical chance. If against the same target, they also grant +10 hit chance.				Judgement: When targeted by an attack, the enemy has a chance to panic.

This build is about maximizing the use of the Bullpup, specially against organic targets. With the mobility of the Skirmishers you will be able to flank and atack twice (the second time with more presicion and crit chance) aplying a chance to panic and a status effect. If you happen to get Tactical Rigging give this unit a grenade to remove cover and shoot.

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Field Officer

PCS:	Speed
Weapon add ons:	Auto Loader + Stock + <Expanded Magazine>
Inventory:	Mimic Beacon + (Battle Scanner or Ultrasonic Lure)*

	Squaddy	Corporal	Seargent	Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Colonel
Hussar	Marauder: Shots are not turn ending, allowing for shooting and moving or shooting twice in a turn.	Reflex: When fired upon, gain one extra action on the next turn. Triggers once per mission.			Combat Presence: Grant an additional action to a squadmate.	Waylay: When entering Overwatch, you can take as many shots as you have remaining actions.
Judge	Justice: Use the Grapple to pull a humanoid unit to you and deliver a ripjack strike.			Whiplash: Attack an enemy with an electrical lash. This attack does not cost an action. 1 charge per mission.			Battlelord: After each enemy in line of sight takes an action, take an immediate action. 1 charge per mission. Lasts 1 turn.
Tactician	Grapple: Deploy a grappling hook to move quickly to an elevated position.	Total Combat: Throwing a grenade or using an item no longer ends the turn.			Interrupt: A powerful form of Overwatch. Instead of firing automatically, perform any single action. 1 charge per mission.

This build is more of a support unit, whose main goal is maximizing the use of Combat Precense for some really flexible tactics during the enemy turn. You should also try to Bond this unit to a Battle Medic Specialist for healings.

Templar Builds (WotC)

The Templars are a melle focused psyonic warriors. They have a disctintive mechanic calles Focus, wich is built up during the mission to increase Damage, Dodge and Mobility but its consumed when you use certain skills.

Zealot

PCS:	Agility
Weapon add ons:	Can´t use
Inventory:	Hazmat Vest or Mindshield

	Squaddy	Corporal	Seargent	Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Colonel
Psyblade	Rend: Melee attack with a chance to disorient or stun the target. Cannot miss. Triggers Momentum, and generates Focus on kills.	Parry: After attacking with Rend, prevent all damage from the next attack instead of moving.	Overcharge: Rend attacks have a 33% chance to generate Focus.	Deflect: When the Templar has Focus, there is a chance to deflect incoming shots, completely avoiding the damage.	Reflect: When the Templar has two or more Focus, there is a chance to reflect incoming shots back at the attacker, completely avoiding the damage. Requires Deflect.	Arc Wave: Rend generates a wave of Psionic energy in the direction of the attack. Damage increases with Focus level.
Dinamo	Volt: Psionic attack that deals low damage, but jumps to nearby units at higher Focus levels. Costs 1 Focus .
Sage	Focus: Gain Focus during missions, increasing stats, damage, and ability effectiveness.				Deep Focus: The maximum Focus level is increased to 3.

This build is all about melee and retaining focus. Use your melee attacks for guarenteed AoE psyonic damage, with parry, deflect/reflect and the PCS+Focus dodge bonus this unit is really hard to hit. For the common tree skills you should aim for Bladestorm, Reaper and Fortress to change the Hazmat Vest for a Mindshield as a Disoriented status make you lose all Focus.

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Sorcerer

PCS:	Agility
Weapon add ons:	Can´t use
Inventory:	Mindshield

	Squaddy	Corporal	Seargent	Lieutenant	Captain	Major	Colonel
Psyblade	Rend: Melee attack with a chance to disorient or stun the target. Cannot miss. Triggers Momentum, and generates Focus on kills.		Overcharge: Rend attacks have a 33% chance to generate Focus.
Dinamo	Volt: Psionic attack that deals low damage, but jumps to nearby units at higher Focus levels. Costs 1 Focus .		Pillar: Summon a pillar of Psionic energy to act as a high cover point. Costs 1 Focus.		Invert: Switch locations with an enemy unit. Costs 1 Focus.	Exchange: Exchange locations with a squadmate. Costs 1 Focus.
Sage	Focus: Gain Focus during missions, increasing stats, damage, and ability effectiveness.	Amplify: Mark a single target with a Psionic lens, causing them to take an additional 33% damage from a number of future single-target attacks. Costs 1 Focus.		Channel: When an enemy dies, it may leave behind Psionic energy the Templar can collect to raise their Focus level.	Deep Focus: The maximum Focus level is increased to 3.		Ghost: Create a duplicate of the Templar from the body of a fallen humanoid. The ghost disappears when it loses all focus. Costs 2 Focus.

This unit is more of a supportive Psy Op, the main goal is to obtain Focus as fast as possible to use his main skills. with the GTS training you will start all missions with one point of Focus, so get it ASAP.

Final Notes

In War of the Chosen two new systems have been introduced that will alter the tactical phase of the game.

The first one is the AP system, wich allows you to pucharse skills from the same rank and from other classes using Action Points, the higher ranking the skill, the more it cost (up to 25 AP for a colonel skill).

The second one is Bonding, wich allows a unit so share his actions with his bondmate, do a combined attack and remove negative mental effects.

Finally, Breakthroughs allow each main weapon type to have an extra slot and +1 damage, the extra add on has been included between < >.

For more information about the items listed here you can check

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=728883189

Thanks for reading.

[Telcontyr]

Thanks again anyway Fester, the advice here is top :) I hadn't played for years myself, but this is one of those games I will always come back to. I always forget how good it is!

[Uncle Fester]

I never thought about it, I havent played the game in years, so I dont think I will include it, but great suggestion anyway.

[Telcontyr]

great guide thank you but I can't believe you didn't include squad composition advice!

[Pako]

the best guide to build the perfect squad. thank you Fester

[Uncle Fester]

Damn, almost seven years since I wrote this

[Uncle Fester]

Yes, my bad, got lost in editing, I will correct it now

[Iceman]

At the bottom of the Sniper Build you recommend to get Deadeye through AP. Though Deadeye is already in the list of Skills to get above that. I'm confused.

[Daohor]

Absolutely one of the best guides for the game out there these days.

[Uncle Fester]

Thanks, but I dont have the time nor the editing skills for that

[XxGlorfindelxX]

I think you would be good at youtube guides if you were interested in doing so