History Characters / XCOM2

* SuperPrototype: SPARK-001 far outclasses any of the mass-produced ADVENT [=MECs=] based on it. Shen Sr. also states explicitly that the model wasn't yet ready for production when he was forced to shut it down during the initial invasion, and that he rushed the completion of the one existing prototype for the sole purpose of protecting his daughter, so it only makes sense that he beefed it up as much as he could. XCOM can make more [=SPARKs=] just like the 001 prototype, but they come at a hefty cost.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: His greatest desire ever since [[spoiler:he backstabbed ADVENT]] was to [[spoiler:use Raymond's SPARK robot as a physical body]]. After [[spoiler:XCOM escapes from his factory, you can let him do just that, after making sure to [[RestrainingBolt edit his systems so that he is utterly loyal to XCOM]] first. He gets his [[spoiler:body, and it can indeed be exactly the body he asked for, just not the freedom he thought would come with it]].

* AccidentalInnuendo: Their line "My lance pierces all!", occasionally shouted in all its hammy glory when they use their Null Lance ability, may elicit a chuckle or two if the [=PsiOp=] in question happens to be male.

* EleventhHourSuperpower: Although not game-breaking, the top-tier Alien Psi Amp provides a significant boost to their psi strength stat. However, unlocking it requires autopsying a Gatekeeper, an endgame enemy that won't show up until the campaign is almost over, and once you've unlocked the tech, you must defeat yet another Gatekeeper in a mission that allows for salvaging its corpse (read: nothing that involves extracting your team at the end) in order to commission the actual upgrade in Engineering. It's entirely possible to only unlock Alien Psi Amps right before the final mission, or even not at all, depending on your luck with the RNG.

* MechanicallyUnusualClass: The Psi Operative can only acquire abilities by training in the Psionic Lab, unlike their counterparts who can earn XP in battle. Additionally, the abilities they can access come in [[RuleOfThree random batches of three]], so it is possible for your operative to acquire a powerful ability early in training. Furthermore, in ''War of the Chosen'', Psi Operatives cannot make use of the Ability Point-based advanced training facilities and are purely reliant on their training, exchanging ease of learning skills immediately for the potential to unlock all the psychic powers over time.

* EmergencyWeapon: Once they've learned most or all of their abilities, [=PsiOps=] will only use their rifles when their powers are either on cooldown or unsuited to the situation, the latter of which tends to be rare indeed. There's almost always something useful a [=PsiOp=] can do that doesn't involve pulling a trigger.

* AlwaysAccurateAttack: Her katana sword, which can be used after her defeat by a Ranger. It's hard-coded to never miss. Her Arashi shotgun, with its Superior Stock attachment, guarantees a minimum 4 points of damage on whoever she shoots with it and also never misses.

* AlwaysAccurateAttack: Her katana sword, which can be used after her defeat by a Ranger. It's hard-coded to never miss.

* AlwaysAccurateAttack: Like the Specialist's Combat Protocol, Soulfire deals damage that always hits regardless of Armour or cover. Unlike Combat Protocol, it can't hit mechanical targets, but it's stronger against the organics it can be used against. ALso, as detailed below, their other offensive powers, especially the heavy hitters Null Lance and Void Rift, will never miss as long as your own aim is true.

* AlwaysAccurateAttack: Like the Specialist's Combat Protocol, Soulfire deals damage that always hits regardless of Armour or cover. Unlike Combat Protocol, it can't hit mechanical targets, but it's stronger against the organics it can be used against.

* LockedIntoStrangeness: In addition to their eyes turning purple, all psi operatives' hair turn white after the initial training. It can be changed back to its original color in the options, though.

** Unlike other classes, they are capable of learning every ability as a Psi-Op, but this requires a significant amount of time invested in training.

** The aforementioned abilities aren't mutually exclusive, meaning a [=PsiOp=] with both is a ridiculously versatile offensive powerhouse that's also immune to everything but direct physical damage. No wonder ADVENT troops have a noticeable habit of [[ShootTheMageFirst prioritizing shooting XCOM PsiOps over almost anything else on the battlefield]].

* GameplayAndStorySegregation: The ''Tactical Legacy Pack'' paints Peter as the reckless LeeroyJenkins type and Ana as the calm, tactical-minded one. It's the complete opposite of how they're acting in the tutorial mission. Also, there's no real explanation why both downgrade their high-ranked ''TLP'' classes (Grenadier and Sharpshooter, respectively) to basic Rookie for the Gatecrasher mission. Even if they ditched the big guns to sneak into the city center, the loss of all their skills and resilience is purely for the tutorial's sake.

* RealityEnsues: If you start a campaign with the tutorial mission enabled, your first mission after that is to secure a massive ADVENT power converter for her to get the Avenger up and running. She positively {{squee}}s when she sees it and immediately tries to push the trolley to her workshop on her own, but the thing barely moves at all. As fit as she may be, one person alone simply can't move something that heavy without help.

* CryogenicallyFrozen: Vahlen discovered the trio as embyros perserved within an intact and functioning cryostasis unit in the abandoned Alien genetics lab that she made her hideout at.

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: ADVENT Troopers are known to [[JustShootHim simply aim and shoot at a soldier]], although in the beginning their aim is [[ATeamFiring 'abysmal']]. If you hit them with a flashbang, it doesn't look like they're even 'trying'. Their aim gets 'slightly' better if an [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Officer Marks a target]], but even higher-level troopers have [[UnderStatement poor aim]].

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: ADVENT Troopers are known to [[JustShootHim simply aim and shoot at a soldier]], although in the beginning their aim is [[ATeamFiring 'abysmal']]. If you hit them with a flashbang, it doesn't look like they're even 'trying'. Their aim gets 'slightly' better if an [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Officer Marks a target]], but even higher-level troopers have [[Understatement poor aim]].

* ArtificialStupidity: [[EveryCarIsAPinto Taking cover behind cars that are about to explode]], [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny charging forwards to hit the Mimic Beacon despite the soldier 'standing right next to them'... the list goes on.

* MagneticWeapons: They wield magnetic weapons, in contrast to the actual aliens, who all use {{Plasma|Cannon}} like in the initial invasion.

* DevelopersForesight: If you have ''War of the Chosen'', don't worry about having to face a Ruler and a Chosen in the same mission, as they will never under any circumstance spawn together.

* AchillesHeel: Armoured foes for Gunslingers, as pistols don't have any armour piercing or shredding. If you don't have AP Rounds equipped, better have fellow troopers able to shred their armour first, or all he's going to do is ScratchDamage. The Hunter's Darkclaw mitigates the problem. Movement is this for those who stick with using the Sniper Rifle; Codex bombs are especially infuriating for these soldiers.

* AssassinOutclassin: Not only is she always vulnerable to the stealthy, almost-impossible-to-find Reapers, she's also really bad at fighting them, having no way besides sheer luck to find them before they shoot her.

* ShotgunsAreJustBetter: Her Arashi shotgun is her backup weapon and hits harder than an XCOM-built Storm Gun. It also comes included with more mods than you can fit on a weapon. Luckily for players, she doesn't use it often. Specifically, Arashi is fitted with superior versions of:
** Hair Trigger, granting a 15% chance that any shot taken is a free action;
** Expanded Magazine, increasing ammo capacity by 3 (for a total of 7 shots);
** Laser Sight, increasing base critical chance by 15% and granting a further bonus when close to enemies;
** Stock, ensuring that even misses deal 3 damage.

** UselessUsefulStealth: However, if she gets Watchful, it's mostly rendered moot, since the Overwatch card will pop up exactly where she comes to a stop after moving.

* VillainRespect: Initially she think XCOM is just a worthless rabble, but after defeated several times, she praises XCOM for their skill and determination against stronger opponents. Once her sarcophagus is destroyed, she is grateful for the final battle to feel how it's like to be in XCOM's shoes.

* WasOnceAMan: Ambiguous. While the Other Chosen are definitively former humans, the Assassin may either be a former human or a clone.

--->'''Warlock:''' In your hands, the weapon of a Chosen warrior is nothing more than slag and spoil.

* WeCanRuleTogether: Alone of the Chosen, he tries to talk you into returning to the Elders' side.

* FlamingSword: Of sorts. The Plasma-tier melee weapon is the [[EnergyBlade Fusion Blade]], which has a chance to set whatever it hits on fire, assuming that the target survives the sword slash.