Specialist | XCOM-2 Wiki

Specialist
Starting Weapons	Assault Rifle, Gremlin

Specialist is a Class or Specialization in XCOM 2. You can train a Soldier to be a Specialist in the Guerrilla Tactics School in 10 Days. Specialists are your technical experts in the field. They employ advanced robotic drones that can hack systems or heal players.


"Operating some of our most advanced equipment. Specialists deploy robotic drones on the battlefield that can be outfitted for combat or field medic duty."

Specialist Information

Specialist are perhaps the most versatile of all the Soldier Classes. Because they can specialized in healing or offense, it is highly recommended that you take 2 on every mission after you've acquired at least one more squad member space per mission. It is recommended that you make a couple Battle Medics and a couple Combat Hackers, so that you can deploy one of each for every mission, and have backups in case one or both of them get wounded.

Suggested Strategies

Battle Medics

• If possible position your Battle Medics in the center of your field of vision, meaning, don't put them on your right or left flanks, but try to keep them towards the center if you can.
• Make sure your Battle Medics always have a Medkit. The Field Medic ability will allow them to get 3 uses per Mission, making them the most efficient Soldiers to carry them.

Combat Hackers

• Combat Hackers generally shine later on in the game then they do at the beginning, as enemies tend to get more and more Armor. Their Combat Protocol ability bypasses this Armor and it deals DOUBLE damage to Robots, MECs and Turrets (which usually have the most Armor of all units).
• Target enemies with Combat Protocol that you know you can kill, or that other squadmates most likely won't be able to hit because the hit chance is too low. This abilitiy is a gauranteed hit and has extremely long range.

General Strategy

• Use Aid Protocol LIBERALLY. This is one of the best defensive skills in the game (if not the best) and it will help keep your front-line troops from being killed when they are being attacked by several enemies. The cooldown on it is relatively short, so use it whenever you think someone might be under attack, and especially if they aren't in Full Cover.
• Avoid hacking if the chances of failing are above 50% because failing Hacks can often make situations DRASTICALLY worse for your squad. The exception being if the reward is a permanent +20 Hacking increase for your Specialist. ALWAYS attemp those.
• Some Missions require you to hack a terminal as part of the objective. Your Specialists can do this from afar with their Gremlins if they have line of site. It's a good way to Hack them without endangering a squadmate needlessly. You can also be rewarded with other goodies if your Hack skill is high enough (including +20 Hack permanently), so when possible always use your Specialist to do this.
• For Personal Combat Sims, just about any will do. This Class will probably benefit the least from any, so make sure to slot your other Classes with them first.
• For Upgrades, just about any will do. It's always a good idea to get one that increases Mag size or gives you a free reload or two, however; it can make all the difference.

Specialist Abilities

Squaddie

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.

Hack
Attempt to breach security on a network access point with your GREMLIN.

Battle Medic

Medical Protocol
Rank: Corporal
The GREMLIN can perform healing actions remotely: GREMLIN Heal and GREMLIN Stabilize. The GREMLIN has a single charge. If a medikit is equipped, the GREMLIN will gain an additional charge.

Revival Protocol
Rank: Sergeant
Send the GREMLIN to an ally to remove any negative mental status effects. Disoriented, Stunned, Panicked, or Unconscious.

Field Medic
Rank: Lieutenant
Equipped medikits have 2 extra charges.

Covering Fire
Rank: Captain
Overwatch shots can now be triggered by enemy actions, not just movement.

Ever Vigilant
Rank: Major
If you spend all of your actions on moves, you are granted an automatic overwatch shot at the end of the turn.

Restoration
Rank: Colonel
The GREMLIN flies to each squad member, healing or reviving them as needed. Once per mission.

Combat Hacker

Combat Protocol
Rank: Corporal
Send the GREMLIN to an enemy to jolt them, dealing guaranteed damage, which is increased against robotic enemies.

Haywire Protocol
Rank: Sergeant
You may target robotic and mechanical enemies with your GREMLIN, attempting to hack them and seize control.

Scanning Protocol
Rank: Lieutenant
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.

Threat Assessment
Rank: Captain
Aid Protocol now grants the target a Covering Fire Overwatch shot, but the Aid Protocol cooldown is increased by 1 turn.

Guardian
Rank: Major
Grants 50% chance during Overwatch to perform an additional shot if the previous Overwatch shot hits.

Capacitor Discharge
Rank: Colonel
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. Once per mission.