Combat Engineers

> *Combat Engineers are bred for heavy frontline labour and base-building, and can carry more than the usual soldier.* - Cryovat description.
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**Combat Engineers** are the riflemen and front-line troops of the UN2, capable of filling a variety of direct combat and combat-oriented support roles. They are one of the 5 Divisions available at the player's HQ, Outpost 826, from the start of the game. Unlike the Blue Berets, Patrol Team, and Technicians, however, Combat Engineers require Reward Points to unlock, and may be considerably expensive for players just starting out.

The Combat Engineer Division's primary benefit is their unique carrying capacity - every Combat Engineer class features at least one XL carry slot. These XL slots make Combat Engineers the perfect units for hauling heavy weapons and large support items, such as barricades and the bodies of downed squad-mates.

Overall, Combat Engineers possess general flexibility in combat, relatively simple traits, and a large carrying capacity. These characteristics make Engineers viable squad-mates for new players in early game while remaining considerably effective even in later levels.

 Traits

### ***Endure!***

*They will stand their ground and engage enemies, resisting 50% of all damage.*

While ***Endure!*** is active, Combat Engineers will not back away from incoming hostiles. Combined with their damage resistance buff, this trait makes melee combat considerably easier for the duration of the trait.

### ***Retreat!***

*Engineers will abandon their post when things get too rough.*

While the Combat Engineer can be selected and issued orders while ***Retreat!*** is active, they will constantly attempt to override any move orders to run in a random direction.

## Tactics

Combat Engineers can be considered the jack-of-all-trades Division. They can be utilized in a large variety of scenarios without especially excelling or failing in any particular area. Their success in a mission largely depends on the equipment they're given, the makeup of their squad, and how effectively the player adapts to the situation at hand.

Given that Combat Engineers are likely one of the first units the player will use, here are some general tips for utilizing Combat Engineers effectively (that can also apply to other Divisions):

* Combat Engineers are generally effective with every weapon type. Having a squad full of Assault Rifles allows them to engage at all but the most extreme long ranges. Alternatively, having a squad equipped with a variety of weapons can offer more specialized approaches to combat.
	+ Note that not all Combat Engineer classes have an XL or even Large primary slot. The Recon and Assault classes only have a Medium primary slot.
* Their positive trait, ***Endure!***, makes the Combat Engineer an effective defender given they'll hold their ground, take more damage, and even engage in effective melee combat. Thus a commander who effectively maintains the Engineers' morale can have a line of Combat Engineers hold a chokepoint at a variety of ranges.
	+ The player can further fortify their position if they utilize the Engineers' XL slots to bring along Sandbag barricades and deployable mines.
	+ Equipping a Combat Engineer with a melee weapon (even in a non-primary slot) will increase their melee damage output.
* While slow moving immediately after purchasing thanks to their heavy starting equipment, Combat Engineers have a moderate max speed when carrying lightweight or no items.
	+ The Recon class moves the fastest at two bars max speed. This can make them viable for quick snatch-and-grabs in cases where the player needs to grab a single item and retreat immediately - such as retrieving a bodybag mid-combat.
* Combat Engineers work best as a team since they are not particularly high damage-dealers or tanks. Experiment with formations that take advantage of the Engineer's currently equipped weapons.
	+ For example, a Wedge formation where short-range weapons spearhead the front and longer range weapons form up at the back.
	+ Spreading Combat Engineers out in loose formations allows larger room to shoot between their squad mates, lessening the chance of friendly fire.
	+ Forming a firing line of Combat Engineers can prove deadly to any type of Strain - especially tankier units like Colonies.
* Since Combat Engineers are susceptible to becoming infected, it is often best to either pair them with at least one Decon unit or equip them with decontamination items.

## Trivia

* Combat Engineers are the first units that the player is given control over, receiving "JAKAL" (standard) and "VINE" (defender) as part of the tutorial's first mission.
* The Recon class Combat Engineer has the most XL inventory slots (3) of all Engineer classes, but can only equip a Medium weapon in their primary slot.
* VINE is the only unit in the game to have a Heavy Battle Rifle and sandbags in his default loadout. Additionally, this is the only way for a player to obtain both items without visiting the SpecWar Center.