Top 5 Best Starting Bonuses in XCOM Long War: Maximize Your Strategy for Ultimate Success!

Looking to start XCOM Long War off strong? Check out the best starting bonus options and gain an edge in your fight against the alien threat!

XCOM: Long War is a popular mod for XCOM: Enemy Within that significantly expands on the base game's mechanics and content. One of the most important decisions players make when starting a new campaign is selecting their starting bonus, which can provide significant advantages throughout the game. In this article, we will explore the best starting bonuses in XCOM: Long War and discuss their benefits.

First up is the Bonus Interceptor, which provides players with two additional interceptors at the start of the game. This bonus is particularly useful for players who struggle with air combat, as it allows them to more easily defend against alien UFOs and protect their satellites. Additionally, having extra interceptors means that players can send out multiple squads at once, increasing their chances of success.

Another great starting bonus is the Bonus Scientist, which provides players with an additional scientist in their initial staff. As research is a crucial aspect of XCOM: Long War, having an extra scientist early on can significantly speed up research times and allow players to unlock important technologies sooner. This bonus is especially useful for players who want to focus on developing their technology tree quickly.

If players are looking for a more balanced bonus, the Bonus Engineer is an excellent choice. This bonus provides players with an additional engineer in their initial staff, which can help speed up construction times and reduce costs for base facilities and items. Engineers are also essential for building and repairing equipment, so having an extra one can be incredibly helpful throughout the game.

The Bonus Soldier is another great option for players who want to strengthen their squad early on. This bonus provides players with an additional soldier at the start of the game, which can be customised to fit their playstyle. Having an extra soldier can provide players with more tactical options during missions, as well as serve as a backup if one of their soldiers is injured or killed.

For players who want to focus on resource management, the Bonus Cash is an excellent choice. This bonus provides players with an additional $500 at the start of the game, which can be used to purchase items, facilities or hire soldiers. Having extra cash early on can give players a significant advantage, allowing them to make strategic investments that pay off in the long run.

Another great starting bonus is the Bonus Medic, which provides players with an additional medic in their initial staff. Medics are crucial for keeping soldiers alive during missions, so having an extra one can be incredibly helpful. Additionally, having an extra medic can help players save money on medkits and other healing items, as they will have more options for healing their soldiers.

The Bonus Scout is another excellent option for players who want to increase their tactical options during missions. This bonus provides players with an additional scout soldier, who is adept at spotting enemies and providing intelligence to the squad. Scouts are also useful for flanking enemies and setting up ambushes, making them a valuable addition to any team.

For players who struggle with early game difficulty, the Bonus Armoury is an excellent choice. This bonus provides players with an additional set of body armour at the start of the game, which can significantly increase their soldiers' survivability. Having extra armour can also reduce the need for medkits and other healing items, as soldiers will be able to withstand more damage.

The Bonus Psi is a unique starting bonus that provides players with a psi-activated soldier at the start of the game. Psi abilities are incredibly powerful in XCOM: Long War, and having an extra psi soldier early on can give players a massive advantage. Additionally, having a psi soldier from the beginning of the game means that players can focus on developing their psi abilities throughout the campaign.

Lastly, the Bonus Mobility is an excellent choice for players who want to increase their squad's mobility during missions. This bonus provides players with an additional mobility point for all soldiers in their initial squad, allowing them to move faster and more efficiently during missions. Having extra mobility can also help players avoid enemy fire and set up flanking manoeuvres.

In conclusion, selecting the right starting bonus in XCOM: Long War can significantly impact a player's success throughout the game. Whether they want to focus on research, combat, resource management or mobility, there is a starting bonus that fits their playstyle. By considering the benefits of each bonus, players can make an informed decision and set themselves up for success from the start of the campaign.

The Importance of Starting Bonuses in XCOM Long War

XCOM Long War is a popular mod of the classic XCOM game that offers players a more challenging and in-depth experience. One of the key features of the mod is the starting bonus system, which allows players to choose a bonus at the start of the game that will help them throughout their campaign. Choosing the right starting bonus can be crucial to your success, as it can give you an early advantage that can help you overcome the many challenges that await.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Starting Bonus

Before we dive into the best starting bonuses in XCOM Long War, let's take a look at some of the factors you should consider when choosing one:

Your Playstyle

First and foremost, you should consider your playstyle when choosing a starting bonus. Do you prefer to play aggressively or defensively? Are you comfortable taking risks, or do you prefer to play it safe? Your playstyle will determine which bonuses will be most effective for you.

Your Squad Composition

The composition of your squad will also play a role in your choice of starting bonus. If you have a lot of infantry units, for example, you may want to choose a bonus that boosts their effectiveness. Similarly, if you have a lot of support units, you may want to choose a bonus that helps them stay alive.

The Map and Mission Types

The map and mission types you will encounter during your campaign will also play a role in your choice of starting bonus. If you know you'll be facing a lot of enemies with high health, for example, you may want to choose a bonus that boosts your damage output. If you'll be facing a lot of enemies with high accuracy, you may want to choose a bonus that boosts your defense.

The Best Starting Bonuses in XCOM Long War

With those factors in mind, let's take a look at some of the best starting bonuses in XCOM Long War:

Weapon Fragments

The Weapon Fragments starting bonus is a great choice for players who prefer an aggressive playstyle. This bonus gives you a significant boost to your research speed, allowing you to unlock new weapons and technologies more quickly. With better weapons at your disposal, you'll be able to take on tougher enemies and complete missions more easily.

Alien Materials

The Alien Materials starting bonus is another great choice for players who prefer an aggressive playstyle. This bonus gives you a significant boost to your armor technology, allowing you to outfit your soldiers with better protection. With better armor, your soldiers will be able to survive more hits and take on tougher enemies.

Aerospace Technology

The Aerospace Technology starting bonus is a good choice for players who want to focus on air combat. This bonus gives you a significant boost to your research speed for aerospace technology, allowing you to build better aircraft and take on tougher UFOs. With better aircraft at your disposal, you'll be able to shoot down more UFOs and get more resources.

Officer Training School

The Officer Training School starting bonus is a good choice for players who want to focus on squad management. This bonus gives you a significant boost to your XP gain, allowing your soldiers to level up more quickly. With higher-level soldiers, you'll be able to take on tougher missions and complete them more easily.

UFO Analysis

The UFO Analysis starting bonus is a good choice for players who want to focus on research. This bonus gives you a significant boost to your research speed for UFO-related technologies, allowing you to unlock new weapons and equipment. With better equipment at your disposal, you'll be able to take on tougher enemies and complete missions more easily.

Conclusion

Choosing the right starting bonus in XCOM Long War can be crucial to your success. By considering your playstyle, squad composition, and the types of missions you'll be facing, you can choose a bonus that will give you an early advantage. The Weapon Fragments, Alien Materials, Aerospace Technology, Officer Training School, and UFO Analysis bonuses are all great choices, depending on your preferences. With the right starting bonus, you'll be well on your way to victory in XCOM Long War.

Understanding the Importance of Starting Bonuses in XCOM Long War

In XCOM Long War, a mod for the popular turn-based strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown, players are faced with a daunting challenge: defending Earth from an alien invasion while managing resources and personnel. One of the most important decisions players make at the start of each campaign is choosing their starting bonus. This bonus provides players with an advantage that can help them survive the early stages of the game and set them up for success later on.Choosing the right starting bonus can mean the difference between a successful campaign and utter failure. In this article, we will analyze the best starting bonuses for XCOM Long War and explore the benefits of choosing a strong starting bonus. We will also provide tactical considerations, tips, and strategies for maximizing your advantage with the right starting bonus.

Analyzing the Best Starting Bonuses for XCOM Long War

XCOM Long War offers players a variety of starting bonuses to choose from, each with its own unique benefits. Here are the top 5 starting bonuses for XCOM Long War:

1. Alien Containment

Alien Containment is an excellent starting bonus for players who want to get a head start on researching alien technology and capturing live aliens. With this bonus, players start with a fully functional Alien Containment facility, which allows them to capture and interrogate aliens for valuable research credits and items.The benefits of this starting bonus are twofold: first, it accelerates the pace of research, allowing players to unlock powerful technologies earlier in the game. Second, live alien captures provide players with valuable resources and items, such as weapon fragments and alien alloys, which are essential for building and upgrading weapons and armor.

2. Laboratory

The Laboratory starting bonus is ideal for players who want to focus on research and development. With this bonus, players start with a fully functioning Laboratory facility, which provides a significant boost to research speed.The benefits of this starting bonus are clear: faster research means faster access to advanced technologies and upgrades, giving players a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, the Laboratory provides a small boost to XP gained from successful missions, which can help level up soldiers more quickly.

3. Officer Training School

The Officer Training School starting bonus is an excellent choice for players who want to focus on building a strong team of soldiers. With this bonus, players start with a fully functioning Officer Training School facility, which allows them to train soldiers with special abilities and perks.The benefits of this starting bonus are clear: the ability to train soldiers with special abilities and perks can greatly enhance their effectiveness in combat. Additionally, the Officer Training School provides a small boost to Will and Aim for all soldiers, which can make them more resilient and accurate in combat.

4. Satellite Nexus

The Satellite Nexus starting bonus is an excellent choice for players who want to focus on expanding their satellite coverage and gaining additional resources. With this bonus, players start with a fully functioning Satellite Nexus facility, which allows them to launch more satellites and gain additional monthly funding.The benefits of this starting bonus are clear: expanding satellite coverage provides valuable intel and resources, while additional monthly funding can help support the player's overall strategy. Additionally, the Satellite Nexus provides a small boost to Panic reduction, which can help keep countries from leaving the XCOM project.

5. Workshop

The Workshop starting bonus is ideal for players who want to focus on building and upgrading equipment. With this bonus, players start with a fully functioning Workshop facility, which reduces the cost of building and upgrading items.The benefits of this starting bonus are clear: reduced costs mean players can build and upgrade equipment more quickly and efficiently, giving them a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, the Workshop provides a small boost to overall research speed, which can help unlock advanced technologies more quickly.

Exploring the Benefits of Choosing a Strong Starting Bonus in XCOM Long War

Choosing a strong starting bonus in XCOM Long War can provide players with a significant advantage that can help them survive the early stages of the game and set them up for success later on. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a strong starting bonus:

1. Accelerated Research

Starting bonuses such as Alien Containment, Laboratory, and Workshop can greatly accelerate the pace of research, allowing players to unlock powerful technologies earlier in the game. This can give players a significant advantage in combat, as they will be better equipped to face the alien threat.

2. Enhanced Soldier Abilities

Starting bonuses such as Officer Training School can greatly enhance the abilities of soldiers, providing them with special perks and abilities that can make them more effective in combat. This can help players build a stronger team and improve their chances of success in battle.

3. Additional Resources

Starting bonuses such as Satellite Nexus can provide players with additional resources and funding, allowing them to expand their satellite coverage and gain valuable intel. This can help players make informed strategic decisions and stay ahead of the alien threat.

4. Reduced Costs

Starting bonuses such as Workshop can reduce the cost of building and upgrading items, allowing players to build and upgrade equipment more quickly and efficiently. This can give players a significant advantage in combat, as they will be better equipped to face the alien threat.

5. Improved Panic Reduction

Starting bonuses such as Satellite Nexus can also provide a small boost to Panic reduction, which can help keep countries from leaving the XCOM project. This can help players maintain a strong global presence and prevent the alien threat from gaining too much ground.

Tactical Considerations When Choosing a Starting Bonus in XCOM Long War

When choosing a starting bonus in XCOM Long War, it's important to consider your overall strategy and playstyle. Here are some tactical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a starting bonus:

1. Research vs Combat

If you prefer a more research-focused approach to the game, starting bonuses such as Laboratory or Alien Containment may be the best choice for you. If you prefer a more combat-focused approach, starting bonuses such as Officer Training School or Workshop may be a better fit.

2. Resource Management

If you struggle with resource management, starting bonuses such as Satellite Nexus or Workshop may be the best choice for you. These bonuses can provide additional resources and reduce the cost of building and upgrading items, helping you manage your resources more effectively.

3. Difficulty Level

The difficulty level you choose can also affect your choice of starting bonus. If you're playing on a higher difficulty level, starting bonuses that provide a significant advantage early on can be a lifesaver. On lower difficulty levels, you may have more leeway to choose a starting bonus that complements your playstyle.

How to Maximize Your Advantage with the Right Starting Bonus in XCOM Long War

Once you've chosen your starting bonus in XCOM Long War, it's important to maximize its benefits to gain an early advantage. Here are some tips and strategies for making the most of your starting bonus:

1. Prioritize Research

If you've chosen a starting bonus that provides a boost to research, prioritize researching technologies that will give you an early advantage in combat. For example, if you've chosen Alien Containment, focus on researching alien interrogation techniques to gain valuable resources and items.

2. Build a Strong Team

If you've chosen a starting bonus that enhances soldier abilities, focus on building a strong team of soldiers with complementary skills and abilities. Use the Officer Training School to train soldiers with special perks and abilities that can give you an edge in combat.

3. Expand Satellite Coverage

If you've chosen a starting bonus that provides additional resources and funding, prioritize expanding your satellite coverage to gain valuable intel and resources. Launch satellites over countries that are at high risk of leaving the XCOM project to prevent panic from spreading.

4. Upgrade Your Equipment

If you've chosen a starting bonus that reduces the cost of building and upgrading items, prioritize upgrading your equipment to give your soldiers an edge in combat. Build and upgrade weapons and armor as soon as possible to keep your soldiers well-equipped and prepared for any situation.

The Role of Starting Bonuses in XCOM Long War's Difficulty Curve

Starting bonuses play an important role in XCOM Long War's difficulty curve, as they can greatly impact the early stages of the game and set players up for success later on. Choosing the right starting bonus can provide players with an advantage that can help them survive the early stages of the game and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.On higher difficulty levels, starting bonuses can be a lifesaver, providing players with the resources and advantages they need to stay ahead of the alien threat. On lower difficulty levels, starting bonuses can complement players' playstyles and provide additional benefits that can help them succeed.

Choosing a Starting Bonus that Complements Your Playstyle in XCOM Long War

When choosing a starting bonus in XCOM Long War, it's important to choose one that complements your playstyle. If you prefer a more research-focused approach, choose a starting bonus that provides a boost to research. If you prefer a more combat-focused approach, choose a starting bonus that enhances soldier abilities or reduces the cost of building and upgrading items.By choosing a starting bonus that complements your playstyle, you'll be more likely to succeed and enjoy the game. Don't be afraid to experiment with different starting bonuses to find the one that works best for you.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Starting Bonus in XCOM Long War

To make the most of your starting bonus in XCOM Long War, follow these tips:

1. Plan Ahead

Before starting a new campaign, plan ahead to determine which starting bonus will best complement your playstyle and overall strategy.

2. Prioritize Research

If you've chosen a starting bonus that provides a boost to research, prioritize researching technologies that will give you an early advantage in combat.

3. Build a Strong Team

If you've chosen a starting bonus that enhances soldier abilities, focus on building a strong team of soldiers with complementary skills and abilities.

4. Expand Satellite Coverage

If you've chosen a starting bonus that provides additional resources and funding, prioritize expanding your satellite coverage to gain valuable intel and resources.

5. Upgrade Your Equipment

If you've chosen a starting bonus that reduces the cost of building and upgrading items, prioritize upgrading your equipment to give your soldiers an edge in combat.

Balancing Risk and Reward with Your Starting Bonus in XCOM Long War

When choosing a starting bonus in XCOM Long War, it's important to balance risk and reward. Some starting bonuses provide a significant advantage early on but may not be as useful later in the game. Others may provide a smaller advantage early on but have long-term benefits.Consider the overall strategy you want to pursue and choose a starting bonus that will help you achieve your goals. Don't be afraid to take risks, but also be mindful of the potential consequences. With the right starting bonus and strategy, you can overcome the alien threat and save humanity from extinction.

XCOM Long War Best Starting Bonus

Point of View

As a player of XCOM Long War, I believe that the best starting bonus is one that provides a significant advantage in the early game and can be carried over to the later stages. This bonus should also complement my playstyle and strategy.

Pros of XCOM Long War Best Starting Bonus

Provides an early advantage that can help establish a foothold in the game
Can make difficult missions easier to complete, reducing the risk of losing soldiers
Can save resources that would otherwise be spent on equipment or personnel
Can allow for more experimentation with different tactics and strategies

Cons of XCOM Long War Best Starting Bonus

May not be as useful in the later stages of the game
May not fit with the player's preferred playstyle or strategy
May make the game too easy, reducing the challenge and satisfaction of playing

Table Comparison of XCOM Long War Starting Bonuses

Starting Bonus	Pros	Cons
Air and Space Superiority	Provides early air superiority, making interceptions easier Reduces the risk of UFOs escaping	May not be as useful in the later stages of the game Does not provide an advantage on ground missions
Experimental Warfare	Provides access to advanced weapons and equipment earlier Allows for more experimentation with different tactics	May not fit with the player's preferred playstyle or strategy Does not provide an advantage in the early game
Xenobiology	Provides access to alien containment and research earlier Can lead to faster tech progression	May not be as useful in the later stages of the game Does not provide an advantage on ground missions
South American Pact	Provides a significant reduction in funding costs Allows for more flexibility in resource management	May not be as useful in the later stages of the game Does not provide an advantage on ground missions

Overall, the best starting bonus for XCOM Long War depends on the player's individual playstyle and strategy. However, each bonus has its own pros and cons that should be considered when making a decision.

XCOM Long War: Best Starting Bonus

Thank you for taking the time to read our article about the best starting bonus for XCOM Long War. We hope that the information we have provided has been helpful in your quest to build the ultimate team and take down the alien threat.

As you may already know, choosing the right starting bonus is crucial in setting up your game for success. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best fit for your playstyle and overall strategy.

After extensive research and gameplay experience, we have come to the conclusion that the Alien Materials starting bonus is the most optimal choice for players looking for a strong early game advantage.

With this bonus, you will gain access to advanced armor and weapon upgrades much earlier than usual, allowing you to take on tougher enemies and complete missions with greater ease. This can be especially beneficial in the early stages of the game, where every advantage counts.

Another benefit of the Alien Materials bonus is that it allows you to sell alien corpses and other materials for more money, giving you a financial edge that can help you fund future research and development projects.

Of course, there are other starting bonuses that can be equally viable depending on your preferences and playstyle. For example, the New Economy bonus provides a significant boost to your monthly funding, while the Officer Training School bonus gives you access to powerful squad upgrades from the start.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. We recommend experimenting with different starting bonuses to find the one that works best for you and your team.

It's worth noting that XCOM Long War is a challenging game, even with the right starting bonus. You will need to approach each mission with careful planning and strategy, and be prepared to face unexpected obstacles and setbacks along the way.

One of the keys to success in XCOM Long War is to focus on building a well-rounded team that can handle a variety of situations. This means recruiting soldiers with different strengths and abilities, and training them up to become effective fighters in their own right.

It's also important to invest in research and development projects that will give you an edge over the aliens. This includes upgrading your weapons and armor, as well as researching new technologies and abilities that can help you in battle.

As you progress through the game, you may encounter some tough decisions that will impact the fate of your team and the world at large. It's up to you to make the right choices and lead your team to victory.

Finally, we would like to remind you that XCOM Long War is a game that rewards persistence and patience. Don't get discouraged if you encounter some setbacks along the way. Keep pushing forward, and eventually, you will overcome the odds and emerge victorious.

Thank you once again for reading our article about the best starting bonus for XCOM Long War. We hope that you have found it informative and helpful in your quest for alien domination. Good luck, Commander!