As the primary reconnaissance and close-combat soldier class inXCOM 2, Rangers (and their specializations, the Scout and Assault sub-classes) are some of the most powerful units for taking out foes. They are perfect for stealthy tactics and are ideal for ambushing and flanking enemies.
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Equipped with either a rifle or shotgun as their main weapon, and a sword for a secondary weapon, Rangers have high damage output and are always ready to spill enemy blood. It’s often best forXCOM 2players to level up a Ranger along either the Scout route or the Assault avenue, for each has great potential.
Updated on Jun 30, 2025, by Reyadh Rahaman:However, Ranger class units cannot win battles on their own, despite sometimes doing the heavy lifting in conflicts with alien adversaries. It is important to support one’s frontline troops with heals and buffs so that they can perform their best and survive the battle.
As such, players intending to use their Rangers a lot should invest some time and resources into upgrading a few particular other kinds of units that will benefit them in combat. Think of it as if the Rangers are the tip of one’s squad spear, with other units being the shaft driving the point forward.
Basic Ranger
To start off, the Ranger class will only have a single ability that makes them noteworthy, though this will change as they level up and specialize. consider stick to one or the other specialization paths, as mixing and matching decreases their respective effectiveness.
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Scout Ranger Analysis
From the abilities listed above, it becomes obvious how one should implement a Scout Ranger class soldier. These units are made for deadly ambush tactics and make great use of the concealment mechanic for devastating surprise attacks that enemies never see coming.
Players can use the Implacable passive ability to thin out enemy ranks by chaining Slash attacks after taking down a foe, however, if a kill cannot be accomplished this turn, one’s Scout can hunker down automatically to become immensely safer if one is positioned behind some cover. The Rapid Fire active skill seems a bit out of place for this class, but it can be handy when one needs a bit more firepower and is not quite in range for a sword strike.
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Assault Ranger Analysis
This Ranger specialization is all about rushing in and dealing as much damage to foes at close range as possible. The passives for an Assault Ranger allow soldiers in this class to deal the most melee damage out of any player unit in the game with great efficiency and the ability to negate enemy counterattacks.
Active skills geared towards heightened mobility and devastating chain attacks are the stand-out traits for Assault Rangers and can let them infiltrate enemy ranks to take out specific targets that can buff or heal their allies, in addition to laying waste to other adversaries along the way.
When To Use A Ranger
Due to the highly offensive nature of this class, Rangers are best for hitting the enemy hard and fast from unexpected angles. They are the best units to open up a conflict with by starting things off via a devastating sneak attack or a juggernaut-like charge.
Scouts are ideal for ambushing foes, so sending them around the enemy’s main forces while unseen can let them get in position to take down high-priority targets immediately and alleviate the headache of having to deal with them buffing and healing other enemies. Be sure to make use of cover when possible to allow a Scout to become a one-person hit squad that the opposing side can do little to stop or even hinder while they also have to deal with the rest of the player’s forces.
Assault Rangers should be sent forth as the vanguard of one’s attack due to their close-range potential and ability to shrug off and evade enemy counterattacks. They can shred through weaker hostile units and greatly harm stronger ones with their unrelenting might. Backing them up with support from allied soldiers can even increase their potency on the battlefield as well as help them out if foes land a lucky blow or two on one’s Assault Ranger.
Best Units To Use With Rangers
Psi Operatives
These telekinetic warriors are able to aggressively assault the minds of foes, however, they can also aid and buff allies with a few of their skills.
These skills can allow Rangers to take additional actions or protect them from harm, meaning that a Psi Operative can push one’s Rangers beyond their limits as a powerhouse unit.
Specialists
Easily the best support class out of the base game units, Specialists can heal and buff allies better than anyone due to many skills geared towards helping others.
Since Rangers will be one of the more likely units to be assaulted by enemies, Specialists naturally make a good ally to back them up. The defensive and healing skills can make any Ranger virtually unkillable; a serious problem for the player’s enemies.
XCOM 2is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices.
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