Axis is a unique enemy in The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. Axis is a Zudjari commander encountered by William Carter during the mission Not of This Earth.
Description[]
Axis is a high-ranking Zudjari who is first heard over a loudspeaker in the mission Signal from Beyond, where he talks directly to Carter and makes cryptic statements about the Zudjari invasion of Earth.
Axis is soon declared by Myron Faulke to be a high-priority target for capture and interrogation by XCOM in its efforts to understand the alien threat. In the mission Not of this Earth, it is Carter's objective to capture Axis alive. Matters are complicated, however, as agent Angela Weaver has gone after Axis herself against Faulke's orders. Axis is encountered as a boss enemy at the end of this mission.
Tactics[]
Axis is fought in a large cave featuring a central platform that is connected by four short bridges to a series of narrow, interconnected walkways. These walkways form a ring around the central platform, and along them may be found three structures that overlook the centre. Two of the structures are single-levelled, while the one between these has a second floor where agents can fire from high ground.
Axis is protected by a shield that will need to be deactivated via three switches before he can be damaged. Each of the three structures along the outer walkways contains one of these switches.
Axis has armor, a strong shield and is capable of teleporting. He is very accurate with his Plasma Assault Cannon and also has a powerful area attack that can deal huge damage to the whole squad. For most of the battle, Axis will attempt to teleport short distances to avoid fire, though he will generally stay in the middle platform unless an explosive (say, a Blaster Launcher salvo) flushes him out to the side halls. As cover is plenty to be found, and high ground is readily available in the two-level structure, one can win this battle quite quickly if they command their agents to remain in cover and take potshots while occasionally dodging any grenades tossed their way. Agent Angela Weaver will also be providing sniper support during the fight, which can be spammed for great effect as it ignores cover and deals high damage.
The true threats in this arena comes in the form of the Gun Turret near Axis's original location and the many Mutons who will deploy in when the player nears the switches. The Phantoms dotting the area can be picked off with ease, especially so if the player's team has a Recon, spams Weaver sniper support constantly, or has a sniper rifle.
Trivia[]
- Although he never speaks through XCOM comms channels, preferring to communicate with his enemies by loudspeaker, Axis nonetheless has a comms portrait that appears onscreen whenever he is talking.
- Axis is voiced by Jean-Benoît Blanc.
Gallery[]
| Enemies of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified | |
|---|---|
| Zudjari | Axis • Commander (Minion • Psion • Shield • Tech) • Infiltrator • Outsider (Elite • Scout) • Phantom (Elite) • Rocket Sniper (Elite) |
| Servants | Drone (Advanced) • Gunship • Turret • Muton (Elite) • Sectoid • Sectopod (Heavy) • Silacoid • Titan |