The recent expansion to XCOM, XCOM:Enemy within, has received a balancing update to the multiplayer component of the game. The update changes the pricing of units, making many cheaper and some more overpowered units more expensive to compensate. The full table of changes can be found below.
Overpowered Lurkers have been made more expensive, while Sectoid Commanders and Psi Guardians have been made cheaper, so I can imagine Sectoid squads are going to be a big play in this new update, especially with an accompanying Psi Guardian. Rookies and most basic units have seen a point decrease, as well as AoE weapons like the Needle Grenades and Rockets. MEC units have increased in price which is a really good thing considering their tank-like resilience. Although the decrease in the drone price is still an incentive to use a Drone/MEC squad, so that combination remains unchanged, which may still cause trouble for those trying to counter that particular squad build. More concerning is the lack of Berserker and Chryssalid price adjustments, which are considered far too expensive and are rarely used in builds because of this reason.
Overall, the changes are a great step forward for XCOM multiplayer. It’s awesome to see 2K and Firaxis Games actually giving a damn about multiplayer and the balancing issues that normally plague online. While the changes are minor and certainly not perfect, as someone who dabbled in XCOM multiplayer for a while, I share the general consensus with players that these changes are welcome and needed.
Last Updated: January 9, 2014
RinceThis2014
January 9, 2014 at 13:39
I wonder whether the people responsible for the new balancing will be receiving death threats. You know, like the knobs over on mount CoD are of a want to do… Love this game, think I’ll challenge OVG this weekend, Of course I’ll let him win, it’s his birthday after all!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 9, 2014 at 14:32
He just lets you win because he’s being nice to his baby bro.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 14:33
Being nice to the ginger is like giving to charity
Tarisma
January 9, 2014 at 14:34
Its not charity, its for your safety. Remember 1 freckle = 1 soul we have eaten.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 9, 2014 at 14:35
lol
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 14:38
By Rince’s GingerBeard! ANOTHER ONE?
😉
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 9, 2014 at 14:39
First the neutrinos mutated, now the gingers are multiplying… THE SKY IS FALLING!
RinceThis2014
January 9, 2014 at 14:40
YES
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 14:48
The only time I fear a ginger is if they want to touch me 😉
RinceThis2014
January 9, 2014 at 14:40
Rubbish. I win fair and square. Usually I just ask him his opinion of the new Captain America movie and suddenly I just WIN all the damn time!
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 13:42
Man, I REALLY want this game.
Gareth L (That Guy)
January 9, 2014 at 13:42
Steam Sale let me down last month. I was waiting for this one to hit the 66%-off bracket. 😛
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 13:42
Same here man, EVERY 8 hours I was HOPING for even a 50%
Kromas
January 9, 2014 at 14:08
I was patiently waiting but then I crafted a badge and got a discount voucher. 😛
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 14:17
Bastard. lucky
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 9, 2014 at 14:32
There was a 50% off a few times. I was waiting for it to drop to $10 though, didn’t want to pay $15 for the expansion when the original game is going for $10.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 9, 2014 at 14:32
You are correct, in hindsight, should have bought it.
CURSES FOILED AGAIN!!!
Lardus-Resident Perve
January 9, 2014 at 13:46
Only ever had 2 MP battles on the original. Won the first one, lost the second against the same guy because he changed the turn limit to the minimum and I did not realise that until half my squad had done nothing and the turn ended 🙁 I did see the potential in the MP though.
Ocelotty1
January 10, 2014 at 05:57
Much as I love XCom, I just got my Project Spark Beta Access – Big Smile