XCOM: Chimera Squad, the turn-based tactical spin-off from Firaxis' alien invasion series, is set after the events ofXCOM 2: War of the Chosen. The game takes place in City 31, a model metropolis where humans, aliens, and hybrids live side by side. The fragile peace is guarded by a group of elite peacekeepers born from the oldXCOMresistance.
Unlike its predecessors, the soldiers ofXCOM: Chimera Squadaren’t randomly generated, instead having unique backstories, personalities, and ability trees. One of the most important resources in making sure these warriors can fight at their full effectiveness is Intel, which is gained through a variety of sources, and required for many of the game’s mechanics.
Intel Rewards
Intel is gained passively through established Security Field Teams, which give +5 each Friday, and +30 when the player completes a mission in aCity 31 districtcontaining one. Additionally, some of these missions give Intel as a fixed reward, while the Spec Ops project “Legwork” provides a whopping +65 within three turns.
As well as starting new Security Field Teams, Intel can also be used in the Scavenger Market, a vendor which appears in the HQ every few days. The items that the market offers are often rarer and more powerful than those available elsewhere in the game, and are almost always worth the Intel investment. Given that there are so many things to spend Intel on in the game, earning more than the standard rewards for missions andSecurity Field Teams. Fortunately, there are also opportunities for a commander to earn bonus Intel based on their squad’s performance.
Earning Bonuses
The most reliable way to earn bonus Intel on top of Security Teams and missions is throughnon-lethal attacks. These can be done during any mission, and give a chance of bonus Intel at the debriefing based on how many enemies were non-lethally captured. While knocking out a handful of enemies will give a 20-50% chance of gaining the +20 Intel on offer, knocking out a larger number will guarantee it.
At the beginning ofXCOM: Chimera Squad’s campaign the only way to non-lethally take-down enemies is through the Subdue command, which can be performed by any soldier. After some research, the squad will get access to tranquilizer rounds, allowing them to make non-lethal attacks with their equipped weaponry. These rounds also scale with the damage of the weapon, so are most effective with high-damage weapons like the shotgun, particularly in the hands of aclose-range expert like Godmother.
