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Not to be confused with the XCOM 2 Ranger class ability.

Rapid Fire is an ability of the Assault Class in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

Take two shots against a single target in quick succession. Each shot carries a -15 penalty to Aim.

– In-Game Description, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Description[]

Rapid Fire is perhaps the best double shot ability in game, because it can be used after using one move or after Run & Gun (unlike Bullet Swarm or Overdrive EW) and has no cooldown (unlike Double Tap). While the shots incur the Aim penalty, taking two shots tends to average out to higher chances to hit as long as the normal shot hit chance is above 34% and below 96%. In terms of damage, Rapid fire averages out to dealing more damage so long as the normal shot hit chance is above 30%. If the first shot results in a lethal hit, the second shot doesn't trigger, which conserves ammo.

Notes[]

  • Using Ghost Armor along with Rapid Fire will confer 100% (reduced to +30% in XCOM: Enemy Within, in which Mimetic Skin also counts) crit chance for both shots.
  • Rapid Fire can be used with pistols, making it a useful ability for Covert Operatives, or to finish off a weakened enemy when the primary weapon is out of ammo.
  • If Training Roulette is enabled and the Assault can get the Bullet Swarm skill, s/he can fire up to four times in a single turn: once with Close and Personal (free action), once with Bullet Swarm (one time unit), and finally twice with Rapid Fire.

Bugs[]

  • Soldiers will sometimes fire the second shot even if the first shot kills the enemy. It is not known what causes this.
  • If Action Cam is enabled and triggers on a kill with Rapid Fire, it will always focus on the first shot, even if the second shot is the one that kills the target.
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