XCOM 2 Item Codes: Your Ultimate Cheat Sheet for All Weapons, Gear, and Resources

Mastering the item economy is essential for any commander looking to push through the mid and late-game of XCOM 2. While the base game provided a solid framework, the War of the Chosen expansion introduced a complex web of Legendary Items and class-specific gear, turning your inventory management into a high-stakes strategic puzzle. Understanding how the system works, from raw ADVENT to the coveted Phoenix artifacts, is the key to fielding a truly optimized squad.

The Core Mechanics of ADVENT and Phoenix Credits

At the heart of XCOM 2’s item coding is the currency system, which is split into two distinct types: ADVENT and Phoenix Credits (PC). ADVENT serves as the primary currency for the early to mid-game, sourced directly from dismantling standard ADVENT weaponry and armor. These credits are used to purchase gear from ADVENT vendors found on the global mission map, providing a crucial supply line before you crack open the alien caches. Conversely, Phoenix Credits are the premium currency, awarded for completing Story missions, eliminating high-tier threats, and dismantling high-tier equipment. While ADVENT gets you through the initial grind, accumulating enough PC to access the legendary wares of the Research Center is the true endgame financial goal.

Item Rarity and the Loot Table

Every piece of equipment in the game, whether it’s a simple Pistol or the game-breaking Psionic Hammer, is assigned a specific item code that dictates its rarity tier and visual appearance. The standard rarity scale moves from Gray (common) to Green (uncommon) and Blue (craftable), with the pinnacle of gear being the orange "Legendary" label. These high-tier drops are not randomly generated; they are pulled from a tightly controlled loot table that is often modifiable. Veteran players often tweak these tables to ensure that the powerful gear they need actually appears, bypassing the frustrating RNG that usually locks legendary drops behind sheer repetition.

Deciphering the Legendary Item Codes

When diving into the files or using mod tools, you will encounter specific strings that define the legendary gear. For the Support class, items like the "PSI_BLADE_ARMOR" or "PSI_BLADE_HELM" represent the high-tier Psi armor sets, while "PSI_BLADE_LW" signifies the legendary Psi Blade melee weapon. For the Gunslinger, look for entries like "GSP_LWPISTOL" for the high-damage Pistol or "GSP_LWRIFLE" for the formidable Sniper Rifle. These codes are the building blocks for the "God Gun" or "God Armor" builds, allowing players to min-max their loadouts for specific missions or personal playstyles without the usual lag of crafting materials.

Class-Specific Loadout Codes

• Gunslinger: GSP_LWPISTOL, GSP_LWRIFLE, GSP_SMG, GSP_LAUNCHER
• Specialist: SPE_LWPISTOL, SPE_LAUNCHER, SPE_SHOTGUN, SPE_LAMGUN
• Support: PSI_LWPISTOL, PSI_LWRIFLE, PSI_HEALER, PSI_BLADE
• Sharpshooter: SHR_LWPISTOL, SHR_LWRIFLE, SHR_SMG, SHR_HEAVY
• Assassin: ASS_LWPISTOL, ASS_LWRIFLE, ASS_SHOTGUN, ASS_MG
• Reaper: REP_LWPISTOL, REP_LWRIFLE, REP_HEAVY, REP_LAMG

Acquisition Strategies and Vendor Codes

Knowing the item codes is only half the battle; you must also know where to spend your hard-earned credits. The Research Center is the primary destination for top-tier gear, and its internal code is often referenced as "RESEARCHCENTER." Specific vendors within this menu, such as the "ADVENTRESEARCH" or "PHOENIXRESEARCH" slots, rotate high-tier weapons and armor. Additionally, ADVENT vendors found on the Geoscape, coded often as simple "ADVENT_VENDOR," provide the necessary stepping stone to acquire lower-tier materials. Understanding the flow from ADVENT vendor to Research Center unlock is the fastest route to a consistent supply of Biotic Hammer or Plasma Lance MK2.

Modding the Economy

For those looking to take control of their experience, the item codes become the currency of modification. Using a text editor or a dedicated mod manager, players can directly alter the "LootTables" XML files. By increasing the "ItemListWeights" for specific gear, you can force the game to drop that exact item far more frequently. This is how modders create "God Mode" starting campaigns or ensure that specific legendary sets drop on the very first mission. It transforms the game from a dice roll simulator into a precise toolkit for narrative customization.

The Endgame Grind and Resource Management

Even with the knowledge of the codes, the grind remains a significant part of the XCOM 2 experience. Farming ADVENT for the early game requires efficient suppression missions, while hunting Seekers and Mutons is vital for unlocking the mid-tier gear pool. The real test of skill, however, lies in the "Legendary" tier hunt. You will need to track specific enemy types that drop the rare materials required to craft the endgame sets. Efficient resource management means not hoarding every piece of gear, but rather dismantling the excess to feed the vault machine, ensuring that your best soldiers are always walking out of a mission with the exact rifle or armor skin they need to survive the next onslaught.