The sections explain how to maximize civilian rescue by removing them from harm's way and disrupting enemy attacks on them!

Note: A new challenge presents itself in this mission as the Faceless enemy has high HP and instantly destroys covers.

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The guide is for everyone, but much friendlier to new players. Everything will be explained to be on the same level as those who are the most experienced. The writing will be easy to follow with plenty of screenshots for those who are too lazy to read everything!

The first Retaliation mission will present its own unique challenges but manageable.

Resuming from the third vanilla mission guide:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3274595427

The first retaliation mission will give a projected reward of additional 15-20 monthly supply income, regardless of additional rescued civilians.

Hence, the soldiers can take their time when advancing while meeting the minimum 6 civilian rescue.

Note: There is no Advent Security Tower or any other object that will provide additional rewards.

No research needs to be switched as there will be no opportunity for any other reward.
If a soldier has reached Sergeant rank, the Squad Size I will be available but the supplies need to be spent on hiring another Scientist and Engineer first.

The event occurs approximately in 24 hours or less after the supply drop.
The enemy Viper has an uncommon chance to make its first debut here and is armed with a plasma rifle!

Time: 8 am March 22

Or


Or

The squad has no concealment and loses first strike ability to conduct any brutal ambush.

The concealed Ranger will need to rescue as much civilians out of harm's way, as each pod needs to be quickly engaged with or without setting up any ambush.

The enemy will shoot a nearby civilian at the end of every turn and has a chance to miss.

The execution can be paused when either rescuing the civilians that are close to the active enemy pods or engaging the very last one.

Note: The general location of the remaining enemy pod(s) is briefly revealed every time.

The Ranger needs to actively scout first as the rest of squad have no concealment.
Civilians can be safely rescued on the way without triggering any enemy pods while providing squadsight for the Sniper to shoot first.

The Sniper can be obstructed at times from normal battle initiation.
The Grenadier can move up while hiding behind the enemy's blind spot.
The long-range grenade can be used instead to fire into the center of the enemy formation.

The Faceless disguises self as a civilian and transforms when injured or being rescued.
The first debut is an exception and can randomly change into its true form when a soldier is within its vision range versus its rescue blue circle.

Note: This unusual phenomenon is severely adverse as it will also attack on the same Alien's turn.

Battle scanners can be used to detect the Faceless but are limited by 2 uses that cannot screen all the 10+ civilians. Save-scumming will be much more effective in identifying them but also not waste valuable resources in the early game.

To bypass Ironman restrictions, copy both the profile and save files to redo any turn. It is best to have only one single active campaign to avoid confusion.

Their location is: C:\Users\<userid>\Documents\My Games\XCOM2\XComGame\SaveData

A nearby soldier should move to higher ground for a chance to lure in the next pod.
The next soldier can set up Overwatch to take an opportunistic shot at the enemy.
The Grenadier should attack first with the grenade to kill the enemy and destroy covers.
The exposed enemies can be finished off and the Ranger can get involved if the last target has high HP.

The first Faceless enemy can be dealt with during a short break between enemy engagements.
A grenade is the best initiating attack when traveling to its rescue circle is too far.
The soldier who needs the promotion should deliver the final Coup de Grâce!

Note: The Ranger's sword is the most damaging Tier 1 weapon that can soften up any high HP enemy beforehand.

The last pod will most likely be fought head-on without being ambushed or any first strikes.
Overwatches can still be set up near their last known location when a civilian was attacked.
The last remaining grenades should be used to engage them.

Any remaining Faceless enemies will automatically spawn and charge at the soldiers.
The squad should move to higher ground for safety and setup multiple Overwatches.
Any Faceless enemy will be severely weakened and can be taken out on the next active turn!

After returning, finish scanning the Supply Drop to recruit the Engineer from Resist HQ.
The next territory that has the Advent Black Site should be scanned unless there is a high value rumor like Scientist/Engineer or an extra mission.

The same early goal remains to keep soldiers healthy to achieve rapid promotion for more abilities and earlier squad size increase.

In a few days, the Magnetic Weapons research will be completed but after the Counter Dark Event mission.


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