Ugh, I am meant to be retired. Let's just call this CC_2.0 and be done with it.

I had to reinstall the SDK to fix an issue with Chimera Heroes, then I had an inspiration with Voice Barks in CPP, before you know it I've spent over a week on updates.

~ Sanity pass on each class for allowed Global AWC skills.
~ Some new icons for existing abilities via CPP.

~ Voice Bark upgrades via CPP Framework! Please see the Framework Patch Notes.

PSA: Perk Path changes affect newly promoted rookies only!

If you wish to update an existing operative following this update, please see this blog post.

~ Personal Shield: Fixed missing sound FX on activation.

- Removed perk: Reflex
+ New perk: Shredder



- Removed perk: Hex Hunter
+ New perk: Bring 'Em On



~ Now starts with a Shotgun by default. (Rifle/Pistol/Chem still available)
~ Can now access the Bullpup.

~ Minor shuffle of skills across paths.

- Removed perks: Return Fire, Saturation Fire, Magma Slug (broken FX)
+ New perks: Incendiary Shot, Detonation Shot, Half Life



- Removed perk: Soul Harvest
+ New perk: Saturation Fire



~ The 3 skill paths are now called: Blitz, Resolute & Ashes

- Removed Perk: Lightning Reflexes
+ New Perk: Light Ordnance



~ Vampire: Fixed being unable to fire from concealment.

- Removed perk: Thirsting Shadows (misfiring)
+ New perk: Spectral Shift

Quite a few people reported Thirsting Shadows never activating, so I've replaced it with a dedicated blood sacrifice concealment skill.

I consider this mod complete and will be retiring from XCOM modding - there will be no further development work for Chimera Classes, barring a major issue arising.


~ Hotfix

Fixed broken reference strings in XComStrategyTuning.ini

No longer will you be able to buy Class GTS tactics at a steep discount on Legendary difficulty.

This is a minor balance pass.

All perk changes & bugfix issues were deployed in a separate CPP Framework update.

Added (WOTC) UI Mod for Defense/Mobility/Psi as a required item. It is however, entirely optional, just very useful when applying Hack or Psi PCS loot.

PSA: Perk Path changes affect newly promoted rookies only!

If you wish to update an existing operative following this update, please see this blog post.

Black Ops path:

- Removed MJR perk: Full Throttle
- Removed COL perk: Straight Silver
~ Moved to COL: Float Like A Butterfly

+ New MJR perk: Hexhunter
+ New BRG perk: Diablo

This balance swap makes the center path a little less knifey, with less reliance on enemies already being adjacent.

- Removed the Cannon, Vektor Rifle & Sniper Rifle as available options.

Balance issue, they were just too strong, rendering the other weapon choices obsolete.

Shogun Path:

- Removed CPT perk: Death Mark (bugged)
+ New CPT perk: Whirlwind


Kirisute Gomen AWC Deck:

- Removed perk: Commissar
- Removed perk: Kubikuri
- Removed perk: Reflex
- Removed perk: Ghostwalker
- Removed perk: Flashpoint
- Removed perk: Untouchable
- Removed perk: Jackal Shot
- Removed perk: Fortitude
~ Moved to Shogun: Whirlwind

+ New perk: Deep Cover
+ New perk: Lone Wolf
+ New perk: Multi Hook
+ New perk: Athletic
+ New perk: Evasive
+ New perk: Return Fire
+ New perk: Personal Defence Field

Balancing the custom AWC deck, with an emphasis on agility & survivability. Untouchable was just too OP with the Shinobi's crit game, plus it detracted from Impossible Parry and the Shinobi's Dodge playstyle.

All perk changes & bugfix issues were deployed in a separate CPP Framework update.

Poison abilities will now tint green on the mission toolbar.
Lifedrain abilities will now tint red on the mission toolbar.

PSA: Perk Path changes affect newly promoted rookies only!

If you wish to update an existing operative following this update, please see this blog post.

Note: There are no changes to the Assault, Marksman or Shinobi.


Infantry Path:

- Removed SGT Perk: Bring Em' On!
+ New SGT Perk: Throw Claymore

Black Ops Path:

- Removed CPT Perk: Phantom
- Removed MJR Perk: Muffled Shot
~ Moved Serrated Knife to CPT
~ Moved Full Throttle to MJR (from Veteran)

+ New SGT Perk: Executioner

Veteran Path:

- Removed MJR Perk: Grazing Fire

+ New SGT Perk: Covering Fire
+ New MJR Perk: Rapid Reaction

It was pointed out that Phantom rarely benefits the Commando, which is an aggressive class, whereas the Support would greatly benefit from it. This required quite the rebalancing. Claymore gives interesting tag-team options alongside with a Reaper.

~ Can now access Rifles and Pistols.
~ This allows the Bolt Caster to be taken if Alien Hunters DLC is installed.
~ Starts with a Rifle by default.

~ New icons for Blast Padding, Return Fire & Bombardier.
~ Enthusiast now grants +2 bonus items

War Dog Path:

- Removed LT Perk: Grapeshot
+ New LT Perk: Flush

The Demo is no longer locked to using just the shotgun, a design choice made in Beta for an aggressive, AoE role. With the Inferno introduced in 0.9 filling that niche, it felt ok to allow a more generic, static rifleman grenadier back into play.

~ Resilience now grants immunity to critical damage.

Behemoth Path:

~ Resilience moved to COL
~ Will To Survive moved to CPT

Heavy Rain Path:

- Removed CPL Perk: Covering Fire
+ New CPL Perk: Lockdown




~ Starts with a Primary Pistol by default - (all weapons still available)
~ Mandalorian has a new icon.

~ Activist Path renamed to: Genius

Genius Path:

- Removed MJR Perk: Deadshot
- Removed BRG Perk: Combat Vigilance
~ Mandalorian moved to MJR

+ New COL Perk: Manual Override
+ New BRG Perk: Red Faction

Manual Override works on the custom Gremlin abilities! Red Faction provides a portable wrist-mounted electrical Railgun...

Shock Path:

- Removed CPL Perk: Trench Gun
- Removed SGT Perk: Concussion Rocket
~ Fire In The Hole moved to SGT

+ New CPL Perk: Grapeshot
+ New MJR Perk: Salvo

Grapeshot can be used with both Shotguns & Bullpups, unlike Trench Gun. It may also set targets alight. Salvo is a pretty intense upgrade for the Inferno.

~ Can now access the Shotgun.
~ New icons for Curseball & Mind Control
~ Curseball now only consumes 3 HP.


Psyker Path:

- Removed CPL Perk: Mind Merge
- Removed LT Perk: Psi Panic
- Removed BRG Perk: Aurora Wave

~ Soothe moved to CPL
~ Psi Scream moved to LT
+ New BRG Perk: Machina Puppeteer

Dark Gift Path: (now entirely Blood magic)

- Removed CPT Perk: Through The Abyss
- Removed BRG Perk: Dark Potency
~ Curseball moved to CPT

+ New CPL Perk: Abyssal Pillar
+ New COL Perk: Embrace The Dark
+ New BRG Perk: Death Wish

Anomaly Random Deck:

- Removed Perk: Ignis
- Removed Perk: Kinetic Lance (bugged)

+ New Perk: Abyss Exchange
+ New Perk: Cremation
+ New Perk: Blink

The Psionic's unique playstyle of aggressive utility role has been further refined. Less exciting abilities have been cut in favour of more interesting ones (some with better animations). Blink onto rooftops, cremate hoards of Lost or abyss exchange into ADVENT and hit them with a shotgun Death Wish.

~ Can now access the Vektor Rifle. (Crossbow medics are back!)
~ Can now self-heal!

~ Medishot ability has been completely rebuilt
~ Sting Grenades nerfed to 15% stun chance
~ Misdirection (formerly 'Swirling Fog') - boosted to 40% dodge chance.

Medic Path:

- Removed CPT Perk: Athletic
- Removed MJR Perk: Paramedic

+ New CPT Perk: Stay With Me!
+ New MJR Perk: Extra Supplies

Cobra Path:

- Removed LT Perk: Hit & Slither
- Removed MJR Perk: Rapid Reaction
- Removed COL Perk: Marauder

+ New LT Perk: Phantom
+ New MJR Perk: Discretion
+ New COL Perk: Deadshot

Tactics Path:

~ Sting Grenades moved to CPL
~ Rapid Targeting moved to SGT

An update to Primary Secondaries mod broke several Support abilities when using a Pistol. The affected perks have now been removed. The Support is now stealthier, letting them slither about dealing death or healing. Stay With Me! allows you to shadowstep Run N' Gun for medical abilities.

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~ A few minor perk & balance issues corrected in a separate CPP Framework update.

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NOTE: Perk Path changes affect newly promoted rookies only!

If you wish to update an existing operative's skill set following this update, please see this blog post.


~ Allowed Stick & Move + Cool Under Pressure AWC spawns for this class.

Veteran Path:

- Removed LT Perk: Stick & Move
- Removed MJR perk: Full Auto

+ New LT perk: Full Throttle
+ New MJR perk: Grazing Fire

The golden era of the Commando dishing out 7 overwatch shots every turn via Full Auto (rendering Killzone useless) is now over. Thanks to GargakOfTheEast for pointing out this imbalance.

Full Throttle is a Skirmisher perk (although if you use my Chimera Heroes add-on, it's not in use) which synergises nicely with the Commando - you can knife plunge in with Charge! then safely get out again with the extra mobility. Or perhaps daisy chain your way to that objective which was previously just out of reach...

If you are lucky enough to reach Brigadier rank and take Float Like A Butterfly + Full Throttle... well, let me know in the comments your personal best stabbing spree in one turn.

Heavy Rain Path: (minor reshuffle)

+ Terrifying Suppression is now available at SGT
- Area Suppression now comes later at CPT
- Mayhem now comes later at MJR

Area Suppression depends on the Gunner having an expanded magazine in order to properly shine. I often found myself selecting it early, then realising in-mission that I only had enough ammo to shoot one of my area suppressed targets. Terrifying Suppression has been nerfed to a 30% proc chance, it's selection should actually encourage early game suppression use.

~ Added Weapon Restriction guidance notes to XComClassData.ini
~ Improved general formatting within XComClassData.ini

~ Prevented the Psionic from being granted extra Psi stats & skills from Psi Overhaul mod.
~ Removed vanilla BRG XP Unlocker config - moved to CPP Framework.

~ Dramatically reduced end-game XP kill requirements for final ranks on Legendary difficulty.

Now based on Commander +33%, rather than +80%. The sheer number of classes meant it was nearly impossible to rack up 250 kills with a single operative for BRG rank (especially when it was only 120 kills required on Commander!)

~ This release accompanies a large CPP update to perk descriptions and cooldowns. Thanks to MrMister and CanadianFrog for assisting in this quality pass.


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Change Log Guide: + Boost, - Nerf, ~ Misc

NOTE: Perk Path changes affect newly promoted rookies only!

If you wish to update an existing operative's skill set following this update, please see this blog post.



- Personal Shield now only lasts 3 turns, with a cooldown of 6.

Maverick Path:

- Removed SGT perk: Shotgun Wedding - bugs out if firing with not enough ammo.
- Removed COL perk: Chainshot
- Removed BRG perk: Uranium Slug
+ New SGT perk: Acid Round
+ New LT perk: Corrosion
+ New COL perk: Rapidfire (recently fixed in CPP)
- Rapid Slash: moved to CPT
- Hunters Instinct: moved to BRG


+ Can now knife targets within 3 tiles as a single action. (LW2 Secondaries mod update)


BFG Division Path:

+ Pour It On: Crit chance malus removed.
~ Removed CPT perk: Gatling Fire - multi-shot animations were not firing
~ New CPT perk: Chainshot

If you subscribe to WOTC Cinematic Rapid Fire then you get cinematic camera back for Rapidfire and Chainshot.

~ Cauterize: Now bypasses armor as Gremlin electrical damage. (caution!)


- Removed Holotargeter & Arcthrower from loadout to prevent pistol perk abuse.

Sorry, no more armor-bypassing, clutch shot arcthrower stuns for 6 damage.

Anomaly Path:

+ Ignis & Malaise: Doubled the effective ability target range to 24 tiles.


+ Conceal is a free action once again / no longer consumes AP.

- Removed AWC perk: Implacable
+ New AWC perk: Kubikuri

Akame Path:

+ Impossible Parry will now reflect 100% of all Tenebrous deflects.


Medic Path:

+ Medishot: Slight increase to target range.

~ Reworked GTS Tactics scripting to use custom template ref's, improving compatibility with other class mods and allowing me greater customisation.

~ New GTS Icon artwork for the Tactics Menu.

NOTE: Any previous GTS purchases are probably now void and must be repurchased.

If you want a lore reason for why this happened, Bradford took the crew on a 3 week booze crawl in the Caribbean which has dulled their edge.

- GTS Skill: Dodge upgrade reduced to +20


Chaos Tree:

- Removed skill: Needle Grenades
+ New LT Skill: Enthusiast (Any non-damaging grenade in your grenade-only slot gains +1 bonus use.)

Enthusiast let's you retool your Demo towards Support, if so desired. An Enthusiast Demo with Salvo could unleash two Frost Grenades in a single turn.

~ Haywire Protocol is now a pre-requisite for Trojan.
+ GTS Skill: Upgraded to provided +35 Hack.


~ Bugfix: The Business no longer preview's destructable items which it can't hit.

- Removed GTS Skill: Shadowfire
+ New GTS Skill: Unforgiven - grants Lightning Hands

Conceptually I really liked Shadowfire, but the reality was it was dependant on a Phantom build, long-range Marksman and was of little use Rush Shot or pistol builds of Beta_9 series. Lightning Hands is a simple solution which benefits all types of Marksman.

~ Prevented Medishot via AWC for most classes.


Chaos Tree:

- Removed CPT perk: Fogwall
+ New CPT perk: Heavy Fog

Fogwall perk script has been mis-firing for months, granting additional low cover bonuses to flanked ADVENT units if you had a smoke grenade equipped, regardless of whether you had Fogwall or not. I've now entirely disabled the script as a last resort.

This means any existing Demo will now have an empty perk slot where Fogwall used to be... sorry about that. Please use the Rebuild Soldier Class script if it really bugs you.

~ Singe Perk: Fixed a config issue where the perk never actually fired.


+ New AWC perk: Lightning Fang (Free stab attack)

Added a config file for users of 'Psi Overhaul' mod which identifies the Psionic as an existing Psi class. Thanks to user MrMister for providing.

Also, please note the following Chimera Perk Pack update:

~ Anomaly now runs the risk of summoning the Chosen.
~ Warning Shot now only costs 1 ammo.
~ Bugfix: Reinvigorate healing triggers. Added 16 healing abilities, including psionic.

Immolator Mod Patch:

~ Fixed Demo not being able to equip Immolator Canisters
~ Fixed Inferno not being able to equip Immolator Canisters
~ Prevented Shinobi from spawning Immolator added AWC perks.

Note: Whilst the Hactivist & Psionic can still equip Immolators, they will never equip a canister.


- Nerfed lifetime Aim gain from +17 down to +5.
+ Increased lifetime dodge gain from +5 to +10.