Xcom 2 Reaper Lieutenant

In XCOM 2: War of the Chosen, the Reapers stand out as one of the most useful and iconic factions, known for their unmatched stealth, long-range combat capabilities, and sabotage expertise. As your Reaper operative gains experience in battle, they rank up and unlock powerful skills that make them even more deadly. Reaching the rank of Lieutenant opens new strategic options and presents a key turning point in the development of your Reaper soldier. Understanding what the Reaper Lieutenant can do, and how to best utilize them, is essential for maximizing their contribution to your campaign against ADVENT.

Reaper Class Overview

Stealth and Precision

Reapers are masters of concealment and reconnaissance. Thanks to their Shadow ability, they begin every mission concealed and have a much lower chance of breaking concealment than other soldiers. This makes them ideal for scouting ahead, marking enemy pods, and even executing enemies silently with their signature Vektor Rifle and Claymore explosives.

Unlike traditional classes in XCOM 2, the Reaper doesn’t follow a strict class tree with two branches. Instead, they have a mix-and-match perk system that combines utility, stealth, and damage-dealing capabilities. Each rank, including Lieutenant, offers a choice between three powerful abilities, allowing you to tailor your Reaper for the battlefield role you prefer.

Unlocking Reaper Lieutenant Rank

Promotion Requirements

To promote your Reaper to Lieutenant, they must gain enough experience points through missions, kills, scouting, and contributing to objectives. Because Reapers are often used in stealth and support roles, it’s important to be active with them. Use your Reaper for ambushes, overwatch traps, or Claymore detonations that catch multiple enemies to ensure steady experience growth.

Abilities Available at Lieutenant

At Lieutenant rank, your Reaper gets to choose from the following abilities:

• Silent Killer– Kills with the Vektor Rifle do not increase the chance of breaking Shadow.
• Needle– Your Claymore grenades shred armor and pierce through it, dealing more reliable damage to armored targets.
• Target Definition– Any enemy your Reaper spots remains visible to the squad for two turns, even if the Reaper goes back into concealment.

Choosing the Right Skill

Each of these skills fits a specific playstyle. Understanding what each one offers can help you make the right decision based on your strategy and squad composition.

Detailed Analysis of Lieutenant Abilities

Silent Killer

Silent Killer is often a top choice for aggressive Reaper builds. This ability allows you to kill enemies without raising your Shadow detection meter. In practical terms, this means your Reaper can take multiple out-of-sight kills in a mission while staying in concealment. It’s perfect for taking out isolated enemies and thinning out enemy patrols before engaging the main force.

Needle

Needle boosts your Claymore’s effectiveness by making it ignore armor, which is extremely valuable in mid-to-late game encounters. Enemies like MECs, Sectopods, and Gatekeepers rely on armor to survive initial damage, but a Claymore combined with another explosive or bullet can bypass this, making Needle a great synergy option with Grenadiers or Specialists who can trigger chain reactions.

Target Definition

This skill supports a more intel-based or defensive playstyle. When the Reaper spots an enemy pod, the entire squad retains visibility of them for two turns, even after the Reaper moves away or re-enters concealment. This is particularly useful for positioning snipers, preparing ambushes, and avoiding unwanted detection. It’s ideal for players who prioritize information and coordination over raw damage output.

Best Uses for a Reaper Lieutenant

Solo Recon Missions

Reapers are unmatched at solo reconnaissance. A Lieutenant Reaper with either Silent Killer or Target Definition can sneak into enemy lines, relay pod positions, and even assassinate vulnerable targets without exposing the squad. This makes them especially valuable in missions with timers or difficult extraction objectives.

Claymore Ambushes

With Needle, your Reaper can use Claymore in conjunction with an ally’s grenade to trigger massive chain reactions. Throw the Claymore into the middle of a tightly packed pod, then use a Grenadier’s frag grenade or a Specialist’s Combat Protocol to detonate it. The additional armor shredding makes this combo lethal, even against heavily defended enemies.

Combining With Snipers

A Reaper with Target Definition is a perfect partner for Sharpshooters. Keeping enemies visible even when out of line-of-sight means your sniper can fire from extreme ranges or high ground with full confidence. This is especially effective when running squads with multiple long-range characters or in missions where enemy patrol patterns are unpredictable.

Lieutenant Rank and Bond Mechanics

Forming Soldier Bonds

Once a Reaper reaches Lieutenant, they become eligible for soldier bonds, if they meet compatibility with another soldier. This adds a layer of synergy to your squad tactics. A bonded pair gains benefits such as shared actions, improved coordination, and powerful cooperative abilities that enhance mission outcomes.

Bonded Pair Tactics

Pair your Reaper with a Specialist or Ranger to maximize utility. A Specialist can hack or heal in sync with the Reaper’s scouting, while a Ranger can rush in and finish off enemies weakened by the Reaper’s ambush. Shared turns and coordinated actions turn the tide of battle, especially during timed objectives or complex enemy layouts.

Mid-Game Strategies With a Reaper Lieutenant

Expanding Map Control

Use your Lieutenant Reaper to explore the fog of war and mark enemy strongholds. With their increased mobility and concealment efficiency, they are ideal for navigating unfamiliar terrain and triggering mission objectives without drawing too much attention.

Sabotage and Disruption

The Claymore continues to scale well throughout the game. Using it to sabotage supply convoys or disrupt enemy formations becomes more effective with Needle, especially when paired with upgraded explosives and weapons. This level of disruption is perfect for challenging dark events and late-game missions that are otherwise overwhelming.

Mission Examples Where Reaper Lieutenants Shine

• Rescue VIP – They can move ahead and safely locate the VIP’s position and escort route.
• Retaliation Strike – They can mark enemy pods before the rest of the squad engages.
• Facility Sabotage – Reapers can scout the facility’s layout, and set up explosive ambushes from a distance.

Promoting your Reaper to Lieutenant in XCOM 2: War of the Chosen unlocks powerful skills that can significantly enhance your tactical options. Whether you choose Silent Killer for stealth assassinations, Needle for explosive power, or Target Definition for superior battlefield awareness, your decision will shape how the Reaper contributes to each mission. Understanding how to utilize a Reaper Lieutenant’s full potential can dramatically increase your campaign’s success and give you a strategic edge in every combat situation. Train them carefully, pick the right missions, and watch them become one of your deadliest assets against the ADVENT occupation.