XCOM 2: Long War 2 (LW2) and its successor, Long War of the Chosen (LWOTC), transform XCOM 2 into a grueling, multi-layered strategic marathon. This guide covers the essential systems you must master to survive the resistance. 1. Master the Strategy Layer: Haven Management
Assign a soldier as a Haven Advisor to root out Faceless infiltrators who steal your supplies. High-ranking soldiers (especially Officers) are more effective at this.
Aim for at least 100% infiltration on every mission. Launching at 0% will result in "Swarming" enemy activity, making victory nearly impossible.
In the early game, assign almost all rebels to Intel . This is the only way to detect missions early enough to have sufficient time for infiltration.
Infiltration is the most critical addition to LW2. When you launch a mission, your squad "waits" at the site to prepare.
LW2 combat is a game of "Alpha Striking"—killing or controlling the enemy before they can act.
Your main goal is to liberate a region. Look for missions with "Find a Lead" as a reward; these are the first steps toward capturing a region and securing a massive monthly supply boost. 2. The Infiltration Mechanic
Unlike the base game, your primary "economy" is managed through Resistance Havens.
Larger squads take much longer to infiltrate. For most early missions, a squad of 4–6 soldiers is the "sweet spot" for hitting 100% infiltration within typical 5-to-8-day mission windows.