Soldiers (EU2012)

Soldiers are your most important and valuable unit in Enemy Unknown 2012 and their death on the battlefield is permanent. Soldiers have distinct classes and their status can be checked at XCOM HQ's Barracks facility, where you can also hire new soldiers. They can be equipped with armor, weapons and other equipment as required and available at the Armory. Soldiers may also be assigned to the Officer Training School in order to progress in rank and gain specific squad abilities.

Soldier Attributes

All of the following can be edited by the player:

• First and Last Name
• Nickname (earned at Sergeant rank)
• Race, Voice, Head, Skin Color, Hair, Hair Color and Facial Hair

Non-editable attributes

• Gender
• Rank
  • Rookie
  • Squaddie
  • Corporal
  • Sergeant
  • Lieutenant
  • Captain
  • Major
  • Colonel
• Country
• Class
  • Heavy
  • Assault
  • Sniper
  • Support
  • Psionic (late game class)

Stats

The soldier's abilities (moving, firing, etc.) during tactical combat are defined by its stats. A soldier's stats can be improved through experience gained in missions.

• Health Points
• Will
• Defense
• Aim

Classes

All soldiers start as rookies and their class is only revealed after being promoted to Squaddie. Each class has unique abilities, passive bonuses, as well as restrictions on weapons/equipment they can carry. Generally, each promotion will require you to choose from one of two perks available to the class at that rank.

Class	Primary Weapon	Description	Secondary Weapon
Rookie	Assault Rifle	Your basic recruit. Abilities are (generally) available to all classes.	Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol
Assault	Shotgun Scatter Laser Alloy Cannon	Close combat unit	Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol
Sniper	Sniper Rifle Laser Sniper Rifle Plasma Sniper Rifle	Long-range accurate fire	Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol
Heavy	SMG Heavy Laser Heavy Plasma	High-caliber firepower	Rocket Launcher
Support	Assault Rifle Laser Rifle Plasma Rifle	Medic / Grenadier Jack of all trades	Pistol Laser Pistol Plasma Pistol
Psionic	Plasma Light Rifle	Mental powers

It has been hinted that the Psionic class is not so much a full class as a sub-class so there is the potential for Psionic Snipers, Psionic Assaults, etc.

Ranks

Each soldier also has a rank. As he/she progresses through the ranks it will gain additional combat abilities or provide leadership skills purchased through the Officer Training School, from Captain upwards. The known ranks are:

• Rookie
• Squaddie
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Major
• Colonel

Abilities/Perks

Perks are special abilities given to specific classes or the entire squad. They can be acquired through the following:

• Soldier can choose between two abilities on level up (exclusively)
• Presence of high rank officers
• Equipment research and upgrades
  • Damn Good Ground - Grapple Hook
  • Heal Wound - Use the Medi-Kit to heal up to 8 HP
  • Improved Heal