Hover S.H.I.V.

The Hover S.H.I.V. is a weapon platform in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It is an upgraded version of the Alloy S.H.I.V. that has the ability to fly.

In-Game Description[]

“	Our latest modification to the S.H.I.V. vehicle involves the integration of a small pulse engine, allowing the entire platform to fly over rough terrain.	”
– Engineering description, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Prerequisites: Heavy Weapons Platform (Foundry), New Fighter Craft (Research)
Production Time: 7 days / 4 days ^EW
Barracks Capacity: 1
Engineers: 20

Production Cost:

Ability / Bonus / Trait	Description
Airborne	Flying units can bypass ground obstacles. Subject to fuel limitations (12 units per mission, or 24 with Advanced Flight).
Elevated Ground	Offensive bonus against enemies on lower ground. +20 Aim Bonus.
Hardened	Hardened units receive 60% extra protection against critical hits.
Robotic	Immune to stun, fire, poison, and several Psionic abilities.
Suppression	Reduces a target's Aim by 30 and takes a reaction shot if the target moves (requires S.H.I.V. Suppression).

Upgrade	Description
Advanced Construction	Decreases construction time. (S.H.I.V.s, Interceptors, Facilities)
Advanced Flight	Doubles the amount of fuel brought along on a mission.
Advanced Repair	Decreases repair time following missions. (S.H.I.V.s, Interceptors)
Advanced Servomotors ^EW	Increases movement by 3. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)
S.H.I.V. Laser	Laser armament. +2 Damage, +15 Aim, +5 Crit chance.
S.H.I.V. Plasma	Plasma armament. +4 Damage, +25 Aim, and +10 Crit chance.
S.H.I.V. Repair	Soldiers can perform repairs with an Arc Thrower. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)
S.H.I.V. Suppression	Allows S.H.I.V.s to fire suppression shots.
Sentinel Drone ^EW	Repairs 2 HP per turn and automatically fires at nearby enemies.
Shaped Armor ^EW	Adds 3 HP to Health. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)

Capable of limited flight in combat situations.
Superb for high-risk recon and reaching objectives quickly.
The Hover S.H.I.V. can get elevation bonus at will by flying above the target. As S.H.I.V.s are incapable of taking cover, there is no drawback to using its flight ability aside from the fuel consumption.
Cannot act as cover for troops, therefore not as good as the Alloy S.H.I.V. in "mobile fortress" tactics (see also Squad Tactics).

A Hover S.H.I.V.'s name is automatically generated as LIGHTNING followed by the production number.
While the Hover S.H.I.V. may be superior in some situations due to its ability to claim an elevation advantage, some players may prefer Alloy S.H.I.V.s with mobile fortress tactics.
With greater movement and double the fuel capacity, the Hover S.H.I.V. allows for more generous use of its flight ability compared to Archangel Armor, even without Advanced Flight.
S.H.I.V.s are immune to some Psionic abilities, but are highly susceptible to Psi Lance and Rift due to their inherent 0 Will stat.
The weapon loadout can be upgraded to Laser or Plasma at the Foundry.
S.H.I.V.s can be repaired by a soldier with a properly upgraded Arc Thrower or a captured Drone during missions. The Arc Thrower will recover 6 health per use, while the Drone can repair 3.
The Hover S.H.I.V.'s innate 40 defense makes it less likely to be targeted than a soldier in any cover if they have no defense bonuses from armor. This is especially noticeable with the Aiming Angles Second Wave option enabled.
There is a bug that can cause a flying unit to get stuck in buildings or ship structure, also can occur if the unit runs out of fuel over an obstacle that normally cannot be walked on. Prevents the unit from moving, including ceasing to fly, but can still shoot and/or take damage.

S.H.I.V.s are called "Heavy Weapon Platforms" in the original UFO: Enemy Unknown (1994). Flying models are referred to as Hovertanks, and are available with Plasma or Fusion Launcher armaments.