Specialists are one of the most versatile and impactful classes in XCOM 2. When built as battle medics, they become essential support units—capable of saving teammates, countering dangerous effects, and still contributing meaningfully in combat. This guide focuses on creating a resilient, team-centered Specialist with healing, utility, and tactical flexibility.
Core Abilities: The Battle Medic Path
1. Medical Protocol (Tier 1)
Your foundation as a healer. Allows remote healing via the Gremlin, eliminating the need to move adjacent to injured allies. Essential on timed missions and to minimize risk exposure.
2. Revival Protocol (Tier 2)
Removes debilitating status effects—such as panic, unconsciousness, or disorientation—with a single command. Especially critical against alien rulers, Vipers, and other crowd-control enemies.
3. Field Medic (Passive Upgrade)
Increases the number of medkit charges. Combined with Medical Protocol, this gives your Specialist tremendous endurance in prolonged fights. Always bring a medkit to activate this perk.
4. Threat Assessment (Tier 3)
Provides an Overwatch shot to any soldier receiving Aid Protocol. Ideal for defending exposed allies or setting up cover fire. More universally useful than Covering Fire.
5. Ever Vigilant (Tier 4)
Triggers automatic Overwatch after dashing. This ability turns your medic into a pseudo-sentry, increasing battlefield control while maintaining freedom of movement.
6. Restoration (Tier 5 — Final Ability)
Your panic button. Sends the Gremlin to heal or revive all wounded allies in one action. Extremely powerful during drawn-out missions or after multiple squadmates take damage.
Best Weapon Mods for Specialists
- Scope – Boosts aim for more consistent hit chances during Overwatch or direct shots.
- Repeater – Provides a small chance for instant kills. Situational, but excellent for removing late-game threats with luck.
- Hair Trigger – Chance for a free action after shooting. Adds flexibility and can allow for surprise follow-ups or quick repositioning.
Best PCS (Personal Combat Sims)
- Top Pick: Perception (Aim Bonus) – Enhances shot accuracy for both offensive and support actions.
- Alternatives:
- Speed – Increases mobility, useful for repositioning and flanking to provide better support.
- Agility – Boosts dodge, helping keep your Specialist alive in high-risk missions.
Loadout Recommendations
Required Items
- Medkit – Activates healing abilities. Bring this every mission—it’s non-negotiable.
- Skulljack / Skullmine – Offers additional tactical options, especially for hacking ADVENT officers and robotic units. Skullmine also provides strong melee damage and increases hacking ability once upgraded.
Gremlin Upgrades
- Gremlin Mark II – Unlock by researching MEC Breakdown. Significantly increases healing and hacking effectiveness.
- Gremlin Mark III – Unlock by researching Sectopod Breakdown. Maximizes your Specialist’s potential—especially useful in endgame scenarios.
Specialist Playstyle Tips
- Stay Behind the Frontline – Your Specialist’s primary job is to keep the squad alive, not absorb damage. Position them in safe zones with line of sight to the team.
- Prioritize Utility – Use Aid Protocol, Threat Assessment, and Revival Protocol reactively and preemptively to save squadmates before situations spiral.
- Be Adaptive – If your team already has strong healing or is running high-damage tactics, consider hybridizing into the combat-hacker role with abilities like Haywire Protocol and Combat Protocol.
Conclusion
A well-built battle medic Specialist is the silent hero of any XCOM squad—keeping everyone alive, suppressing chaos, and ensuring you survive even the most punishing missions. Their ability to stabilize your squad under pressure is unmatched. With the right setup and smart tactical use, your Specialist will quickly become the MVP of every campaign.
If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with other Commanders or check out our other XCOM 2 build guides. Good luck out there—and watch those flanks!
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