XCOM:EU Perks

This page is in creation/undergoing construction. It is based on the work done in the "Probably found a way to edit ability tree's of your troops..."[1] and "Custom Soldier Ability Trees"[2] threads in the XCOM Mod Talk forum. Hereunder is a list of the perks found in XComGame.upk/XComPerkManager and their uses & effects, to be completed as testing advances.

Perk Tree Layout for UI Choices

Choice Table Layout:

01
03	02
05	04
07	06
09	08
10
12	11

Here the choices are simply "Choice 1", Choice 2", etc. as displayed on the UI, rather than specific Perk codes. In each Class specific Perk Tree that follows, the numbers are the significant HEX code values assigned to each Perk which need to be replaced or replacing in the existing code pattern. They are presented in the order they appear in the vanilla UI table as choices (i.e. first perk will be in choice position 01, second perk will be in choice position 01, etc.

Assault Class Perks Tree

Hex	Perk	Description
06	Run & Gun:	Allows firing or Overwatch after Dashing on the turn Run & Gun is activated. 2 turn cooldown.
21	Tactical Sense:	Confers +5 Defense per enemy in sight (max 20).
20	Aggression:	Confers +10% critical chance per enemy in sight (max +30%).
23	Lightning Reflexes:	Forces the first reaction shot against this unit each turn to miss.
22	Close and Personal:	Confers +30% critical chance against adjacent targets. The bonus declines with distance from the target.
25	Flush:	Fire a shot that causes enemies to run out of cover. The shot is easy to hit with, but does reduced damage.
24	Rapid Fire:	Take two shots against a single target in quick succession. Each shot carries a -15 penalty to Aim.
28	Close Combat Specialist:	Confers a reaction shot against any enemy who closes to within 4 tiles. Does not require Overwatch.
27	Bring 'Em On:	Adds 1 damage on critical hits for each enemy the squad can see (up to 5).
1B	Extra Conditioning:	Confers bonus health based on which type of armor is equipped. Heavier armor increases the bonus.
2B	Resilience:	Confers immunity to critical hits.
29	Killer Instinct:	Activating Run & Gun now also grants +50% critical damage for the rest of the turn.

Here is the hex code for the vanilla tree, with { comments } identifying specific perk codes:

{ ASSAULT }
04 2C

{ Rank 1 Private }
06 { Run & Gun }

06 4A 01 07 4F 00 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 02 16 07 3A 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 2 Corporal }
20 { Aggression }

06 4C 00 07 4C 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

21 { Tactical Sense }

06 4A 01 07 89 00 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 03 16 07 74 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 3 Sergeant }
22 { Close & Personal }

06 86 00 07 86 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

23 { Lightning Reflexes }

06 4A 01 07 C3 00 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 04 16 07 AE 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 4 Lieutenant }
24 { Rapid Fire }

06 C0 00 07 C0 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

25 { Flush }

06 4A 01 07 FD 00 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 05 16 07 E8 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 5 Captain }
27 { Bring em On }

06 FA 00 07 FA 00 9A 00 36 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

28 { Close Combat Specialist }

06 4A 01 07 13 01 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 06 16 04 2C

{ Rank 6 Major }
1B { Extra Conditioning }

06 4A 01 07 4A 01 9A 00 37 66 00 00 2C 07 16 07 38 01 9A 00 36 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 7 Colonel }
29 { Killer Instinct }

06 4A 01 07 4A 01 9A 00 36 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

2B { Resilience }

04 25 04 3A 35 66 00 00 53 00 00 00 02 00 02 00 FE 33 00 00 00 00 00 00 4A 66 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 80 05 00 00 00 00 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 4B 66 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 39 66 00 00 01 00 00 00 80 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 4C 66 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 3A 66 00 00 01 00 00 00 80 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 4D 66 00 00 50 55 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 66 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 3B 66 00 00 00 00 00 00 C5 01 00 00 A2 41 00 00 57 01 00 00 0F 01 00 00 07 15 00 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

{ End of vanilla Skill default assignments }

Support Class Perks Tree

Hex	Perk	Description
2c	Smoke Grenade:	Deploy a smoke grenade once per mission. The smoke confers +20 defense to all units, not just allies, and lasts during the enemy turn.
1F	Sprinter:	Allows the support to move 3 additional tiles.
2F	Covering Fire:	Allows reaction shot to trigger on enemy attacks, not just movement.
30	Field Medic:	Allows medikits to be used 3 times per battle instead of once.
5C	Smoke and Mirrors:	Allows 1 additional use of Smoke Grenade each mission.
38	Revive:	Allows Medikits to revive critically wounded Soldiers at 33% of maximum health instead of just stabilizing them.
31	Rifle Suppression:	Fires a barrage that pins down a target, granting reaction fire against it and imposing a 30 penalty to aim.
34	Dense Smoke:	Smoke Grenades have increased area of effect and further increase units' Defense by 20.
33	Combat Drugs:	Smoke Grenades now contain powerful stimulants that grant +20 Will and +10% critical chance for all units in the cloud.
35	Deep Pockets:	Confers an additional item slot in inventory.
37	Savior:	Medikits restore 4 more health per use.
36	Sentinel:	Allows two reaction shots during Overwatch, instead of only one.

Here is the hex code for the vanilla tree, with { comments } identifying specific perk codes:

{SUPPORT }
04 2C

{ Rank 1 Private }
2C { Smoke Grenade }

06 4A 01 07 4F 00 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 02 16 07 3A 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 2 Corporal }
2F { Covering Fire }

06 4C 00 07 4C 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

1F { Sprinter }

06 4A 01 07 89 00 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 03 16 07 74 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 3 Sergeant }
5C { Smoke and Mirrors }

06 86 00 07 86 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

30 { Field Medic }

06 4A 01 07 C3 00 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 04 16 07 AE 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C


{ Rank 4 Lieutenant }
31 { Rifle Suppression }

06 C0 00 07 C0 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

38 { Revive }

06 4A 01 07 FD 00 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 05 16 07 E8 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 5 Captain }
33 { Combat Drugs }

06 FA 00 07 FA 00 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

34 { Dense Smoke }

06 4A 01 07 13 01 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 06 16 04 2C

{ Rank 6 Major }
35 { Deep Pockets }

06 4A 01 07 4A 01 9A 00 3B 66 00 00 2C 07 16 07 38 01 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 25 16 04 2C

{ Rank 7 Colonel }
36 { Sentinel }

06 4A 01 07 4A 01 9A 00 3A 66 00 00 26 16 04 2C

37 { Savior }

{ End of vanilla Skill default assignments }

Heavy Class Perks Tree

Reserved space for future editing

Sniper Class Perks Tree

Reserved space for future editing

Psi Class Perks Tree

Reserved space for future editing

"Legacy" Perks

These are perks that are believed to have been in the game at some point but do not appear in any of the classes' perk trees in the final game.

TooCloseForComfort

enum value 4 = 0x04

No BuildPerk() call, but is defined in enum EPerkType as ePerk_TooCloseForComfort

INT Localisation file gives additional information:

m_strPassiveTxt[ePerk_TooCloseForComfort]="Aim penalty for close proximity is halved."

Presumably a discarded Sniper Class perk

Button Up

BuildPerk(12, 0, "ButtonUp");

If added to ability tree, appears with a "?" icon and no description. Does not seems to activate a particular ability.

HEAT Rockets

BuildPerk(20, 0, "HEATRockets");

Appears to be early version of Perk 'Heat Ammo'

Blitz

enum value 28 = 0x1C

No BuildPerk() call, but is defined in enum EPerkType as ePerk_Blitz

First Blood

BuildPerk(29, 0, "FirstBlood");

does not appear in any tree. Testing needed.

From localisation files

m_strPassiveTitle[ePerk_FirstBlood]="Rocketeer"

m_strPassiveTxt[ePerk_FirstBlood]="Allows a second use of Fire Rocket in each mission."

Ready For Anything

BuildPerk(30, 0, "ReadyForAnything");

Does not appear in any tree.

Can be granted to soldiers via Perk Tree

Has no icon or descriptive text

If soldier does not move, then after firing a shot the soldier can enter overwatch

Abilities do not correctly update after firing - pressing fire again will cause the ability HUD to refresh

Using Overwatch after firing shows text "Soldier is Ready for Anything"

Using a grenade ends turn as usual -- overwatch cannot be entered

Related script :

simulated function bool ReadyForAnythingPerkActive()


{

return GetCharacter().HasUpgrade(30) && (m_iFireActionsPerformed == 1) && (m_iMovesActionsPerformed == 0) && (m_arrVisibleEnemies.Length > 0);

}

Flame On

BuildPerk(38, 0, "FlameOn");

Does not appear in any tree. Testing needed.

Possibly a legacy perk linked to the canceled flamer weapon ?

Vengeance

BuildPerk(42, 0, "Vengeance");

Does not appear in any tree. Testing needed

Appears to cause unit to use 'Fire' ability on any unit that damages it

The Blue Wire

enum value 45 = 0x2D

No BuildPerk() call, but is defined in enum EPerkType as ePerk_TheBlueWire

Modern Foxhole

enum value 50 = 0x32

No BuildPerk() call, but is defined in enum EPerkType as ePerk_ModernFoxhole

Heat Wave

BuildPerk(96, 1, "HeatWave");

Does not appear in any tree or alien. Placement suggests it is intended as an Alien perk. "1" indicates an active perk.

If added to ability tree, appears with a "?" icon and no description. When combined with the eAbility_HeatWave (does not appear anywhere in Vanilla), it adds an active ability which has a randomly changing icon and no desciption. Trying to activate it brings up a targeting interface, but I was not able to target anything even with enemies in sight. This ability may be only partially implemented, or be tied to a specific weapon.

"State" Perks

Some of the states soldiers and aliens can be in during tactical combat are described with perks.

BuildPerk(57, 0, "HeightAdvantage");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strBonusTxt[57]="All units receive offensive bonuses against enemies on lower ground."

m_strPenaltyTxt[57]="An enemy unit has elevated position and can see this unit."

m_strPassiveTxt[57]="Elevated Ground"

BuildPerk(59, 0, "ImmuneToDisabled");

no other references found

BuildPerk(60, 0, "SuppressedActive");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strBonusTxt[60]="Suppressed ERROR" (probably should not show bonus txt for this state, hence the ERROR)

m_strPenaltyTxt[60]="Suppressed units suffer a penalty to Aim and, if they move, will be shot at by the suppressing unit."

BuildPerk(61, 0, "CriticallyWounded");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strBonusTxt[61]="Critically Wounded ERROR" (probably should not show bonus txt for this state, hence the ERROR)

m_strPenaltyTxt[61]="Critically wounded units will bleed out after a short time unless Stabilized or Revived by a Medikit."

BuildPerk(62, 0, "Flying");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strBonusTxt[62]="Flying units can bypass ground obstacles. They can remain in flight if they have sufficient fuel."

m_strPenaltyTxt[62]="Airborne ERROR" (probably should not show penalty txt for this state, hence the ERROR)

BuildPerk(63, 0, "Stealth");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strBonusTxt[63]="Stealthed units are much harder for enemies to see, and receive a bonus to their critical chance."

Could not be used successfully as a perk ; needs eAbility_Ghost in soldier definition, which works even without the perk.

BuildPerk(65, 0, "ChitinPlating");

Perk activated when wearing Chiting Plating.

m_strBonusTxt[65]="Units with Chitin Plating suffer <XGAbility:ChitinPlatingDamageReduction/>% less melee damage and receive +<XGAbility:ChitinPlatingHealthBonus/> bonus health."

BuildPerk(66, 0, "CombatStimsActive");

Perk activated after activating Combat Stims or while inside the radius of a smoke grenade put out by a Support soldier with the relevant perk[TBC].

m_strBonusTxt[66]="Units under the influence of Combat Stims are less likely to panic, move faster, and take <XGAbility:CombatStimsDamageReduction/>% less damage from all sources."

BuildPerk(68, 0, "Panicked");

self-explanatory, descriptions as follows :

m_strPenaltyTxt[68]="Panicked units have a chance to move or act unpredictably."

BuildPerk(107, 0, "BattleFatigue");

Permanent will malus after a critical wound has been suffered

m_strPenaltyTxt[107]="This unit has suffered combat wounds, weakening its Will."

BuildPerk(108, 0, "MindShield");

Perk activated when wearing a Mind Shield.

m_strPassiveTxt[108]="A device that protects the wearer's mind, increasing their Will."

BuildPerk(76, 1, "MindMerge");

Based on ePerk_MindMerger

Benefits of the MindMerge ability (receiving end)

m_strBonusTxt[ePerk_MindMerger]="Psionically assisting an ally, granting the ally an array of stat bonuses."

BuildPerk(79, 1, "MindMerge2");

Based on ePerk_GreaterMindMerger

Provide the benefits (receiving end) of the Greater Mind Merge ability

From Localisation File:

 ; For Greater Mind Merge Caster.

m_strBonusTitle[ePerk_GreaterMindMerger]="Greater Mind Merge"

m_strBonusTxt[ePerk_GreaterMindMerger]="Psionically assisting any nearby Sectoids, granting them +<XGAbility:MindMergeCritBonus/>% critical chance and +<XGAbility:MindMergeHealthBonus/> health."

"Alien" Perks

These are perks that are believed to be be giving aliens their abilities, possibly in conjunction with eAbility properties found in Defaultgamecore.ini [3] like eAbility_MindMerge or eAbility_Launch.

BuildPerk(46, 0, "Stun");

Stun resist perk found on the cyberdisk and chrysalid

m_strPassiveTxt[46]="This unit cannot be stunned with the Arc Thrower; taking a live specimen is not possible."

BuildPerk(81, 1, "Launch");

Gives Floaters and Heavy Floaters the ability to "teleport" anywhere on the map.

m_strPassiveTxt[81]="Move anywhere on the battlefield in a single turn. Launch cannot be used indoors."

Related ability : eAbility_Launch

If both perk and ability are given to a soldier, it can then use this ability succesfully.

BuildPerk(80, 1, "Evasion");

Floater and Drone perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[80]="Enemies targeting this unit when it is airborne suffer a -<XGAbility:EvasionDefenseBonus/> Aim penalty."

Related ability : eCP_AirEvade

BuildPerk(79, 1, "MindMerge2");

Give Sectoid Commanders the Greater Mind Merge ability

m_strBonusTxt[79]="Psionically assisting any nearby Sectoids, granting them +<XGAbility:MindMergeCritBonus/>% critical chance and +<XGAbility:MindMergeHealthBonus/> health."

Related ability : eAbility_GreaterMindMerge

BuildPerk(82, 1, "Bombard");

Floater, Heavy Floater, Muton, Muton Elite and Cyberdisk perk.

Can be granted to soldiers, but will not work without an additional patch to XcomGame.upk. For hex change, see: [4]

m_strPassiveTxt[82]="Throw or launch grenades over exceptionally long distances."

BuildPerk(83, 1, "Leap");

Thin Man and chrysalid perk

m_strPassiveTxt[83]="Allows vertical leaps onto elevated surfaces during movement."

Related ability : eCP_Climb

BuildPerk(84, 1, "PoisonSpit");

Thin Man perk

m_strPassiveTxt[84]="Spit poison at long range, causing a noxious cloud to remain briefly on the battlefield."

Related Ability : eAbility_Plague

BuildPerk(85, 1, "PoisonSpit");

Chrysalid Perk (name should read "Poisonous" or the like)

m_strPassiveTxt[85]="Poison enemies wounded with melee attacks."

Related Character Property : eCP_Poisonous

BuildPerk(86, 1, "Bloodcall");

Muton-type aliens perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[86]="Unleash a bestial roar that inspires nearby allies of the same species to greater speed, focus, and resolve for <XGAbility:BloodCallDuration/> turns. <XGAbility:BloodCallCooldown/> turn cooldown."

Related Ability : eAbility_BloodCall

BuildPerk(87, 1, "Intimidate");

Muton-type aliens perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[87]="Reacts unpredictably when wounded, provoking panic in enemies."

Related ability : eAbility_Intimidate

BuildPerk(89, 1, "Bloodlust");

Muton Berserker perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[89]="Allows the Berserker to charge an enemy that wounds it."

Related ability : eAbility_Bloodlust

BuildPerk(90, 1, "Bullrush");

Muton Berserker perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[90]="Charge in a straight line through cover to unleash a devastating melee attack."

Related ability : eAbility_BullRush

BuildPerk(75, 1, "MindMerge");

Sectoid perk (giving end)

m_strPassiveTxt[75]="Merge minds with the target, granting the target +<XGAbility:MindMergeCritBonus/>% critical chance and +<XGAbility:MindMergeHealthBonus/> health."

Related ability : eAbility_MindMerge

BuildPerk(97, 1, "ClusterBomb");

Sectopod "artillery" perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[97]="Mark a large area, and after one turn, saturate it with a barrage of explosive mini-bombs."

Related ability : eAbility_ClusterBomb (on eItem_SectopodClusterBomb weapon)

BuildPerk(98, 1, "PsiLance");

Ethereal's psi attack perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[98]="Project a bolt of pure psi force at an enemy."

Related ability : eAbility_PsiLance (on eItem_ElderWeapon weapon)

BuildPerk(99, 1, "DeathBlossom");

Cyberdisk perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[99]="Project an intense energy field from Closed position, damaging all nearby enemies. <XGAbility:DeathBlossomCooldown/> turn cooldown."

Related ability : eAbility_DeathBlossom (found on eItem_CyberdiscWeapon weapon)

BuildPerk(100, 1, "Overload");

Drone perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[100]="Overload the unit's own power source, destroying the unit but causing explosive damage similar to a grenade's."

Related ability : eAbility_ShotOverload

BuildPerk(77, 0, "Harden");

Sectopod, Chryssalid and Berserker perk.

m_strBonusTxt[77]="Hardened units receive extra protection against critical hits."

Related Character property : eCP_Hardened.

BuildPerk(101, 1, "PsiMindControl");

Sectoid Commander and Ethereal perk. Separate from the psi-soldier Mind Control perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[101]="Very difficult psi technique that, if successful, grants control of the target for 3 turns. Does not work on robotic enemies."

Related ability : eAbility_PsiControl

BuildPerk(102, 1, "PsiDrain");

Ethereal perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[102]="Drain health from an ally."

Related ability : eAbility_PsiDrain

BuildPerk(103, 1, "Repair");

Drone perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[103]="Repairs robotic units."

Related ability : eAbility_Repair (found on eItem_DroneBeam weapon)

Can be granted to XCOM soldiers via Perk Tree, but has no effect

May require an item with eAbility_Repair

BuildPerk(104, 1, "CannonFire");

Sectopod's main attack perk.

m_strPassiveTxt[104]="Beam attack that causes high damage and grants free Overwatch. If the Sectopod does not move, Cannon Fire can be used twice (against different enemies)."

Related ability : eAbility_CannonFire (found on eItem_SectopodChestCannon weapon)

BuildPerk(106, 0, "Implant");

The "implant" title is an artifact, it should read "Chryssalid Spawn".

Zombie perk.

m_strPassiveTitle[106]="Chryssalid Spawn"

m_strPassiveTxt[106]="Implanted Chryssalid eggs hatch into Chryssalids after 3 turns if the Zombie host is not killed."

Other Perks

These are the remaining perks, the use and effect of has not been discovered yet.

BuildPerk(105, 0, "Implant");

Needs more info. Possibly the Chryssalid's ability to lay eggs in their victims.

BuildPerk(7, 0, "AutopsyRequired");

Is displayed on the info panel of aliens not yet autopsied instead of their actual info.

m_strPassiveTitle[7]="Autopsy Required"

BuildPerk(88, 0, "FallenComrades");

Needs more info.

m_strPenaltyTxt[88]="An ally has fallen, weakening this unit's Will."

BuildPerk(109, 0, "DONT_USE_ItemRangeBonus");

Needs more info.

BuildPerk(110, 0, "DONT_USE_ItemRangePenalty");

Needs more info.