Getting Started
Welcome to the Colonial Marines, soldier. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 drops you into the heart of the Alien universe as part of a four-person fireteam. Your mission: infiltrate infested colonies, eliminate Xenomorph threats, and uncover the secrets behind the latest outbreak.
Before you deploy, take a moment to configure your settings. We recommend the following for new players:
- Camera Sensitivity: Start at default (5/10) and adjust after your first mission
- Aim Assist: Keep enabled on console; PC players may prefer raw input
- Subtitles: Enable — enemy callouts and mission dialogue contain critical intel
- Motion Tracker Audio: Keep at default volume — the beep is your best friend
Play your first 2-3 missions on Recruit or Standard difficulty. These modes let you learn enemy patterns, weapon handling, and class abilities without the pressure of permadeath-style consequences.
Controls & Movement
Mastering movement is just as important as accurate shooting in Fireteam Elite 2. Xenomorphs are fast, agile, and attack from all directions — including ceilings and vents.
Core Movement Mechanics
| Action | PC (Default) | Controller | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprint | Shift | L3 | Repositioning between waves, reaching downed teammates |
| Dodge Roll | Space (directional) | Circle/B | Escaping pounces, avoiding acid splashes |
| Take Cover | C / Ctrl | L1 near wall | Against humanoid enemies and ranged attackers |
| Melee | V / Right Click | R3 | Breaking grapples, clearing nearby drones |
| Interact | E | Square/X | Reviving, ammo crates, objective items |
| Class Ability | Q / 1 | L1 | Your class-specific skill (varies by class) |
| Ultimate | F / 2 | R1 + L1 | Powerful team-wide ability (charge-based) |
Never stop moving. Standing still in Fireteam Elite 2 is a death sentence. Xenomorph drones will swarm and grapple stationary players. Keep strafing, use dodge rolls to reposition, and always have an escape route planned.
Squad Composition
A balanced fireteam is the difference between a successful extraction and a total wipe. While any combination of classes can complete the campaign on lower difficulties, higher tiers and Horde Mode demand proper role coverage.
Recommended Squad Setup
| Role | Best Class | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Damage Dealer | Gunner / Expert (DPS) | Primary damage output, focusing high-value targets |
| Tank / Crowd Control | Demolisher | Area denial, drawing aggro, breaking enemy formations |
| Support / Healer | Technician / Doc | Healing, team buffs, sentry placement, reviving |
| Flex / Specialist | Recon / Expert (Hybrid) | Scouting, precision damage, filling gaps as needed |
For solo players, the AI squad will automatically fill missing roles, but you can customize their loadouts in the Barracks before deployment. We recommend running a Technician or Doc as your solo class to offset the AI's slower reaction times.
Difficulty Tiers
Fireteam Elite 2 features five difficulty tiers, each offering different challenges and rewards. Choose based on your squad's experience and desired challenge level.
| Difficulty | Enemy HP | Enemy Damage | Reward Multiplier | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit | ×0.7 | ×0.6 | ×1.0 | Absolute beginners, learning mechanics |
| Standard | ×1.0 | ×1.0 | ×1.2 | Casual play, first playthrough |
| Hardened | ×1.4 | ×1.5 | ×1.5 | Experienced squads, seeking challenge |
| Insane | ×1.8 | ×2.0 | ×2.0 | Veterans, coordinated teams |
| Nightmare | ×2.5 | ×3.0 | ×3.0 | Elite players, maximum rewards |
New players should start on Standard difficulty. Recruit is too easy to learn proper positioning and resource management, while Hardened and above will punish mistakes that new players haven't learned to avoid yet. Move up to Hardened after completing the campaign once.
Weapon Basics
Your primary weapon is your most important tool. Fireteam Elite 2 features a wide arsenal of firearms, each with distinct handling characteristics, recoil patterns, and effective ranges.
Weapon Categories
- Assault Rifles: Versatile all-rounders. Good at medium range, manageable recoil. Recommended for beginners.
- SMGs / PDWs: High fire rate, low per-shot damage. Best for close-quarters and horde clearing.
- Shotguns: Devastating at point-blank range. Essential for tight corridors and Horde Mode.
- Heavy Weapons: LMGs, rocket launchers, flamethrowers. High damage but slow handling. Demolisher specialty.
- Precision Rifles: Semi-auto and bolt-action. High damage per shot, best for weak points and elite enemies. Recon specialty.
Weapon Stats Explained
| Stat | What It Means | Beginner Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | Base damage per bullet | High — more damage = fewer bullets needed |
| Fire Rate | Rounds per minute | Medium — higher rate helps with fast enemies |
| Accuracy | Bullet spread when firing | High — accuracy matters more than raw damage |
| Stability | Recoil control | High — easier to stay on target |
| Magazine Size | Rounds per magazine | Medium — larger mags mean fewer reloads |
| Reload Speed | Time to reload | Medium — fast reloads save lives |
Survival Tips
These are the lessons that separate marines who come home from those who become Xenomorph incubators. Memorize them.
1. Watch Your Motion Tracker
The motion tracker is your most valuable tool. It detects moving enemies through walls and floors. Check it constantly — especially before entering new rooms. A full screen of red blips means you're about to be swarmed.
2. Aim for Weak Points
Xenomorphs have distinct weak points: the head for standard drones, the chest for warriors, and the underbelly for larger creatures. Precision hits deal 2-3× damage and can stagger enemies.
3. Manage Your Resources
Ammo crates are limited per mission. Don't waste entire magazines on single drones. Use melee for isolated enemies, switch to your sidearm when the primary is low, and always communicate with your squad about ammo availability.
4. Stick Together
Splitting up is the #1 cause of team wipes. Xenomorphs will isolate and overwhelm lone marines. Maintain visual contact with at least one teammate, and use the "regroup" ping to call your squad back together.
5. Use the Environment
Explosive barrels, steam vents, electrical panels, and collapsing ceilings can all be used against enemies. Learn which environmental hazards are available in each area and trigger them during large waves for massive area damage.
First Missions Walkthrough
Your first deployment takes you to the LV-895 colony, a recently lost settlement on the outer rim. Here's what to expect:
Mission 1: "Distress Signal"
This tutorial mission introduces core mechanics: movement, shooting, squad commands, and the motion tracker. Enemies are sparse and predictable. Focus on learning weapon recoil patterns and dodge timing. The mission ends with a scripted Xenomorph encounter that teaches you about grapple breaks (rapidly tap the melee button).
Mission 2: "Colony Sweep"
The first real combat mission. You'll encounter standard drones, runners, and your first Warrior class Xenomorph. Warriors are tougher, deal more damage, and can charge. Focus fire on their chest weak point and use dodge rolls to avoid their charge attacks.
Mission 3: "Power Core"
This mission introduces environmental hazards and a defense sequence. You'll need to hold a position against multiple waves while a teammate restores power. This is where squad composition matters — have one player focus on crowd control while others defend the objective.