Weapon Fragments (artifact)

Weapon Fragments are alien artifacts recovered from destroyed alien weaponry in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

In-Game Description

“	Based on our experience in the field, it seems the alien weaponry is designed to self-destruct when the operator dies. These fragments are all that we've managed to recover from the remains.	”
– Gray Market description

Acquisition

Weapon Fragments can be obtained from any alien that carries a weapon. Each weapon produces two fragments when the alien is killed, therefore aliens that are equipped with both a grenade and a firearm, such as Mutons, can yield up to four fragments apiece.

Gray Market Value

§1

Projects

• Info
• Foundry
• Research

Weapon Fragments are used for a total of twenty-eight research projects and equipment upgrades. Click the tabs (above) for complete lists of XCOM projects that require Weapon Fragments.

Foundry Projects
Advanced Construction	20		Alien Grenades	20		Ammo Conservation	20
Drone Capture	20		Improved Arc Thrower	20		Improved Medikit	20
Improved Pistol I	5		Improved Pistol II	25		Improved Pistol III	50
S.C.O.P.E. Upgrade	15		S.H.I.V. Laser	15		S.H.I.V. Plasma	30

Research Projects
Alien Materials	5		Alloy Cannon	40		Arc Thrower	10
Beam Weapons	10		Fusion Lance	10		Guided Fusion Launcher	20
Heavy Lasers	5		Heavy Plasma	40		Light Plasma Rifle	40
New Fighter Craft	75		Plasma Cannon	30		Plasma Pistol	40
Plasma Rifle	40		Plasma Sniper	50		Precision Lasers	5
Weapon Fragments	5

Notes

• Aliens captured alive via the Arc Thrower do not provide any fragments. Their weapons remain intact.
• Weapon Fragments are obliterated when dealing killing blows to enemies by explosive weapons such as grenades and rockets, which can result in a research bottleneck if used excessively during missions, especially in the early game. It may be advisable to carefully manage fragment expenditure to ensure that prioritized projects get them first.
• Research and upgrades that a player can optionally skip or postpone to conserve fragments include: laser weaponry, S.H.I.V., and pistol-improving projects.