Springing onto the market like a Facehugger on an unsuspecting victim,Aliens: Dark Descentis a new title in the global phenomenonAlienfranchise. This real-time strategy action game is quickly establishing itself as the strongest console installment in the franchise’s history, with a brand-new storyline for eager fans to sink their teeth into.
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Commanding a unit of marinesthrough the treacherous, Xenomorph-invested planet of Lethe, players are tasked with ensuring their squad remains physically and mentally healthy as they fight for their survival and to repair their damaged ship. With 5 different marine classes available, each with its own specific roles and abilities, there is a wealth of options to suit any strategy. With so much choice when it comes to picking the right unit structure,which classes will give players the best chance of survival inAliens: Dark Descent?
5Tecker
An expert in all things technology and systems, the Tecker class of marine is the go-to comrade for getting through otherwise impenetrable passages.Touted as the most intelligent member of the squad, the Tecker can manipulate hackable technology as well as bend machinery to their will.
The Tecker has a number of skills to suit its purpose. They can use Sentry Gun Overcharge to improve the damage rating of Sentries; the Hacker attribute to allow them passage through encrypted doors; and the Robotic Expert enables them to repair Synthetics during a deployment.
The Tecker includes an array of advancements to give their team an edge on the field. They can wield a Recon Drone and a Battle Drone, with the capability of ordering them to do specific tasks and fire at hostiles. With the Drone Welder perk, they can also enable the machines to weld or breach doors. For a variety of strategic purposes, the Tecker is a great addition to any marine unit.
4Gunner
As expected from a class of its name, marines assigned as Gunnersare the firearms expertsof the squad. Providing the team with some heavy artillery and the ability to secure crucial cover for protection during hostile situations, they are the most efficient line of defense in the fight for survival.
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The Gunner takes the Rookie marine to the next level in weaponry and alien butt-kicking with an assortment of options to deal with the various Xeno threats. Their primary weapon, the M56 Smart Gun, is exclusive to their class and is a significant improvement over the standard pulse rifle. With an extra 50 ammo in its clip and a longer firing duration,their primary offensive toolis more than a handful for any hostiles in the marine’s way.
Given the Gunner’s emphasis on attacking prowess, marine upgrades that focus on ammunition stock, damage, and accuracy are recommended. For those looking to train a Rookie into a Gunner, it is recommended to select upgrades such as the Ammo Bag, Wider Clip, or the Aiming Sight.
3Recon
Marines assigned to the Recon class are trusted with providing the best possible strategy to ensure the survival of the unit. By finding safe passages and keeping the team hidden, Recon Marines work to guarantee that combat is dictated on their terms. As the experts in stealth, these marines are capable of dispatching threats one by one without alerting the enemy.
The Recon class is the only one that can make use of the M42A3 Rifle, which is a sniper rifle that can be assigned as their special weapon. In addition tothis lethal long-range weapon, the Recon class can equip the Fast Deployment attribute, which increases squad movement, and the Infiltration Tactics skill, which increases the time it takes for the squad to be spotted by hostiles by 50%.
As part of its efforts to strategize and maintain the tactical advantage, the Recon class has a number of invaluable upgrades available for use. With the M11 Battle Scanner, the position of all moving parties is revealed for 60 seconds, the Silencer allows precision shooting not to generate noise, and the Infrared Goggles improve the visibility of threats. The Recon marine is equipped with everything the squad could need to gather Intel and return to base safely.
2Sergeant
In the absence of Sergeant Harper, who commands the squad via their earpiece, marines assigned to the Sergeant class are the physical embodiment of leadership at ground level. The leader of the team provides much-needed confidence in their comrades when the going gets tough.
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The Sergeant has a number of perks to assist with keeping their squad alive and motivated. Their abilities include Charismatic, which gives all marines get a boost in their Bravery levels to delay stress effects; Reprimand, which prevents Stress increases for 30 seconds; and Encouraging Speech, which doubles Stress reduction when in Rest situations.
The Sergeant classalso includes a few upgradesto give their squad a tactical advantage. They can equip a Radio Backpack and Advanced Radio backpack to boost the potential of Command Points, as well as Honor Ribbons to increase Bravery. Combined with the Medic, the Sergeant can improve the squad’s overall Stress management.
1Medic
It falls on the shoulders of a squad’s Medic to ensure that the unit is in the best possible condition to be able to push forward in the face of adversity. With an array of tools to support this, the Medic will assist their comrades with injuries of both a physical and psychological nature. This class is one of the most important, as physical injuries can have dire long-term consequences on marines, andstress is a highly volatile featureinAliens: Dark Descent.
The Medic class features several attributes specific to their primary purpose to help them fulfill their duties. These include the First Aid Instructor, which halves the duration of First Aid; the Medical Assistant, which recovers 1 health point during Rest in a Shelter; and the Emergency Surgeon, which reduces the recovery duration on the Otago by 30% for all returning Marines.
Equipped with the ability to reanimate comrades in a coma, reduce stress and increase health points, no squad should ever be deployed without a Medic supporting the team.
Aliens: Dark Descentis available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC
