Horde Mode Overview
Horde Mode is a new game mode introduced in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2. You and up to three teammates defend a fixed location against increasingly difficult waves of Xenomorphs. Between waves, you have a short preparation period to reload, revive downed teammates, and reposition.
The mode features endless waves — the game continues until your entire squad is wiped. Each 5th wave is a boss wave featuring a powerful elite Xenomorph. Every 10th wave introduces new enemy types and increases the overall difficulty multiplier.
Core Mechanics
- Wave Timer: 30-second preparation period between waves
- Ammo Crates: Respawn at the start of each preparation period (limited uses)
- Health Stations: One per map, 3 uses total before needing replacements
- Downed State: Downed players can be revived; 3 revives per player before permanent death
- Score Multiplier: Increases with consecutive kills without taking damage; resets on hit
- Supply Drops: Every 5 waves, may contain bonus ammo, health, or temporary power-ups
Wave Breakdown
| Wave Range | Enemy Types | Difficulty | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Drones, Runners | Easy | Learning the map, basic enemy patterns |
| 5 (Boss) | Warrior (Elite) | Medium | First boss — charge attacks, high HP |
| 6-10 | + Spitters, Bursters | Medium | Ranged enemies appear, watch for acid |
| 10 (Boss) | Crusher (Elite) | Hard | Heavy armor — aim for weak points |
| 11-15 | + Prowlers, Praetorians | Hard | Stealth enemies, multiple spawn points |
| 15 (Boss) | Queen Guard (Elite) | Very Hard | Summons minions, area attacks |
| 16-20 | All types + Pathogen variants | Very Hard | Pathogen enemies with new attack patterns |
| 20+ (Boss) | Xenomorph Queen (Mini-boss) | Extreme | Massive HP, tail attacks, egg laying |
| 25+ | All types, increased spawn rate | Extreme | Endless scaling — survival is the only goal |
| 50+ | All types, boss every 3 waves | Nightmare | Maximum challenge — elite squads only |
Enemy Types
Standard Enemies
| Enemy | Threat | Weak Point | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drone | Low | Head | Melee or single shot; comes in swarms |
| Runner | Low-Med | Head/Chest | Fast, leaps — dodge roll then shoot |
| Warrior | Medium | Chest | Charges — strafe and fire at chest |
| Spitter | Medium | Head | Ranged acid — prioritize, take cover |
| Burster | Medium-High | Abdomen | Explodes on death — keep distance, don't melee |
| Prowler | High | Head | Stealth pounce — watch motion tracker, listen for cues |
| Praetorian | Very High | Underbelly | Heavy armor front — flank or use explosives |
Boss Enemies
| Boss | Waves | Key Attack | Weak Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Warrior | 5, 15, 25... | Charge + tail swipe | Chest (glows when charging) |
| Crusher | 10, 20, 30... | Ground pound + armor slam | Back of head (exposed after slam) |
| Queen Guard | 15, 30, 45... | Summon minions + acid spray | Head (only when not shielding) |
| Xenomorph Queen | 20, 40, 60... | Tail sweep + egg laying + roar | Underbelly + mouth (when roaring) |
Best Classes for Horde Mode
| Rank | Class | Role | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demolisher | Area Damage / Crowd Control | Micro Missiles and Impact Grenades clear swarms instantly; Orbital Strike devastates boss waves |
| 2 | Technician | Sentry Support / Defense | Sentry Turrets provide consistent damage between ability cooldowns; Fire Support ultimate is game-changing |
| 3 | Expert: Horde Master | Hybrid Damage | Micro Missiles + Sentry Turret + Fire Support = maximum area coverage and sustained damage |
| 4 | Doc | Healing / Survival | Essential on wave 20+; Healing Pulse and Combat Stim prevent wipes during intense boss waves |
| 5 | Gunner | Steady Damage / Buffs | Overclock and Bullet Storm boost team damage; reliable but less area control than Demolisher |
| 6 | Recon | Precision / Boss Damage | Excellent for boss weak point damage but struggles with swarms; best as a 4th squad member |
RECOMMENDED SQUAD COMPOSITION
For wave 25+ survival: 1 Demolisher + 1 Technician + 1 Doc + 1 Gunner/Recon. This covers area damage, sustained fire, healing, and precision. For maximum score runs: 2 Demolishers + 1 Technician + 1 Gunner (damage over survivability).
Best Weapons for Horde Mode
- AA-12 Auto Shotgun — Best for clearing swarms at close range; high fire rate + wide spread
- M56 Smart Gun — Sustained fire with 200-round magazine; perfect for between ability cooldowns
- M41A Pulse Rifle — Versatile all-rounder; 99-round mag handles most situations
- M240B LMG — Suppression and area control; bipod makes it devastating when entrenched
- Flamethrower — Area denial; creates kill zones and stops charging enemies
- RPG-7 — Boss damage and clustered groups; carry as secondary for boss waves
Map Strategies
Map 1: "The Reactor Room"
A circular room with a central pillar and multiple entry points.
- Best Position: Near the ammo crate with your back to a wall, covering 2-3 entry points
- Chokepoints: The two doorways on the east side — funnel enemies here for area damage
- Avoid: The center pillar — enemies can spawn behind it and flank
Map 2: "Loading Bay"
A long rectangular room with crates and containers providing cover.
- Best Position: One end of the room, using crates as cover — only 2 directions to defend
- Chokepoints: The narrow corridor between container stacks — perfect for sentry placement
- Avoid: The middle — enemies come from all 4 directions including above
Map 3: "Medical Bay"
A multi-level room with stairs and balconies. Enemies spawn on both levels.
- Best Position: Upper balcony near the health station — high ground advantage, one staircase to defend
- Chokepoints: The single staircase — sentries + Demolisher area damage = impenetrable
- Avoid: Ground floor — too many entry points, enemies drop from above
Survival Tips
- Never split up. Stay within 10 meters of at least one teammate.
- Use the preparation period wisely. Reload all weapons, place sentries, reposition, check motion tracker.
- Prioritize Spitters and Prowlers. Eliminate them before focusing on drones and runners.
- Don't waste explosives on trash. Save for boss waves and large clustered groups.
- Manage your revives. Each player gets 3 revives. Protect teammates on their last revive.
- Use the environment. Explosive barrels, steam vents, and electrical panels can clear entire waves for free.
- Rotate positions. If one area gets overrun, fall back to a secondary position. Always have an escape route.
- Communicate. Call out boss spawns, flanking enemies, and when you need healing.
High Score Tactics
- Maintain your combo. The score multiplier increases with consecutive kills without taking damage. Play defensively.
- Go for weak point kills. Headshots and weak point kills award 2x score.
- Kill bosses quickly. Boss kills award massive bonus score.
- Use challenge cards. Some increase score rewards at the cost of increased difficulty.
- Don't die. Each death reduces your final score multiplier. Survival is the most important scoring factor.
FAQ
Is Horde Mode available at launch? +
Yes, Horde Mode is included at launch in Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2. It was one of the most requested features from the first game and is available on all platforms. The mode supports 1-4 players, including solo with AI teammates.
How many waves are there in Horde Mode? +
Horde Mode is endless — there is no final wave. The difficulty scales continuously, with boss waves every 5 waves and new enemy types introduced every 10 waves. The current community record for highest wave survived is over 100 on Standard difficulty.
Can I play Horde Mode solo? +
Yes. Horde Mode supports solo play with AI-controlled teammates. However, the mode is significantly harder solo because AI teammates don't use abilities as effectively and can't revive you as quickly. We recommend at least 2 human players for wave 15+ survival.
What are the rewards for Horde Mode? +
Horde Mode rewards account XP, class XP, weapon unlocks, and exclusive cosmetics. Reaching wave milestones (10, 25, 50) unlocks exclusive weapon skins, character cosmetics, and nameplates. High scores on the leaderboards also award seasonal rewards.