InXCOM 2, surviving the escalating threats posed by ADVENT and alien forces requires strategic use of every mechanic at your disposal. One of the most vital combat mechanics is armor shredding, often overlooked by newer players but absolutely essential when facing heavily-armored enemies. Armor in XCOM 2 reduces incoming damage, often making even your strongest weapons feel ineffective. This is where Shred Armor abilities come into play. Understanding how to shred armor effectively can turn the tide of battle, especially during late-game missions or when dealing with heavily armored enemies like Sectopods or Andromedons.
What Is Shred Armor in XCOM 2?
Shred Armor refers to the ability to remove enemy armor plating, reducing the amount of damage resistance an enemy has. In XCOM 2, armor works as a flat damage reduction. For example, if an enemy has 3 armor and you deal 6 damage, the result is only 3 damage. Shredding armor removes that damage mitigation layer, allowing your squad’s attacks to hit with full force.
How Armor Works
Each point of armor negates 1 point of damage. Armor stacks with other defensive bonuses, making armored enemies much harder to kill. This mechanic scales as the game progresses, with late-game enemies having multiple layers of armor. Without shredding, even your best attacks can feel underwhelming.
Why Shred Armor Is Important
Armor-shredding becomes critical as soon as enemies with plating appear. It helps eliminate damage resistance and opens enemies up to maximum weapon potential. If your squad lacks shred capabilities, missions will become significantly more difficult, especially on higher difficulties like Commander or Legend.
Key Advantages of Shred Armor
- Negates enemy damage resistance
- Improves efficiency of squad attacks
- Essential for dealing with robotic or elite enemies
- Enables one-turn kills on high-value targets
For players looking to maximize their efficiency, shredding is not optional it’s mandatory for optimal damage output.
How to Shred Armor in XCOM 2
Weapon Types That Shred Armor
Not all weapons have innate shredding capabilities. You’ll need to use specific classes or weapon types to apply shred effectively. These include:
- Cannons (Grenadier Class): Standard cannon fire from Grenadiers has a shred value once the Shredder ability is unlocked.
- Explosives: Grenades and rockets can shred multiple armor points across multiple enemies at once.
- Heavy Weapons: The Shredder Gun (from EXO or WAR suits) also provides reliable shredding across an area.
- Special Ammo: AP Rounds ignore armor (though they don’t shred), while others like Dragon Rounds cause burn but don’t interact with armor.
Grenadier: The Ultimate Shredder
The Grenadier class, specifically when outfitted with theShredderability at Sergeant rank, is the go-to armor shredder for most players. Every cannon shot will remove armor before dealing damage. With upgrades to cannons, their shred capability increases further, especially with late-game weapons.
Other Sources of Shred
In addition to Grenadiers, there are other ways to shred armor:
- Ranger (with Talon Rounds + AP Rounds): While not shredding, they ignore armor entirely, which is helpful.
- EXO Suit Weapons: Use the Shredder Gun or Rocket Launcher to destroy armor in clusters.
- Psi Operatives: Although they don’t shred armor directly, Psi units can bypass armor with certain abilities.
Best Units and Loadouts for Shred Armor
Grenadier Loadout
To maximize armor shred with a Grenadier, equip the following:
- Cannon with Advanced Scope and Hair Trigger
- EXO or WAR Suit for additional heavy weapon support
- Shredder + Holo Targeting shred and improve accuracy for the team
- Ammo Type: AP Rounds or Bluescreen Rounds for versatility
Heavy Weapon Suit
Using EXO or WAR suits grants access to special weapons like:
- Rocket Launcher wide area explosion and moderate armor shred
- Shredder Gun cone-shaped blast that shreds and damages all targets
Heavy weapons are especially helpful when dealing with grouped enemies or to begin a fight with a bang.
Enemies That Require Armor Shredding
As you progress through XCOM 2, several enemy types become increasingly difficult to handle without armor-shredding tools. These include:
- Andromedons: High HP and heavy armor; comes back in robotic form after death
- Sectopods: Late-game robots with some of the highest armor in the game
- Heavy MECs: Common in mid to late game, highly mobile and armored
- Gatekeepers: Powerful psionic enemies with thick plating
Using shred early in encounters with these enemies makes them significantly easier to eliminate.
Strategic Shredding: Tips and Tricks
Target Priority
Always shred armor before committing to your heavy-hitting units. This maximizes the damage dealt per shot. Leading with a Grenadier or explosive can open the path for Sharpshooters or Rangers to finish off enemies with full-damage attacks.
Spread Your Shred Capabilities
While having one shred-focused unit is good, two is better. Consider equipping two Grenadiers or a secondary soldier with heavy weapons to ensure you’re covered in every mission.
Use High Ground and Holo Targeting
If using cannon fire for shredding, aim for high ground bonuses and pair with Holo Targeting to set up kills for the rest of your team. This approach also ensures your shredder contributes even after their main action is spent.
Shred vs. Armor-Piercing Ammo
Players sometimes confuse shredding with armor-piercing. Here’s a clear distinction:
- Shred: Permanently removes armor from a target for all future attacks
- Armor-Piercing: Ignores armor for the soldier using it, but leaves armor intact for others
In group fights, shredding is superior as it benefits the entire squad. However, AP rounds are still valuable for damage-focused classes like Sharpshooters or Rangers.
Late-Game Considerations
In the final missions, nearly every enemy you face will have some form of armor. Running missions without a shred-capable unit is a major risk. Be sure to upgrade your cannons, suits, and heavy weapons accordingly. Also, consider assigning PCS upgrades or weapon mods that complement your shredders’ aim and survivability.
Shred Armor is one of the most powerful and necessary mechanics inXCOM 2, particularly when facing elite or robotic enemies. From cannon shots to heavy weapons, shredding armor opens up your team’s full damage potential and ensures that enemies fall faster, especially when every action counts. Whether you’re trying to beat the game on Legend difficulty or just improve your tactical efficiency, incorporating at least one or two shredding options in your squad loadout will make every mission smoother. Plan your squad accordingly, use the right tools, and make every shot count by removing the armor that stands between your soldiers and victory.