Alloy S.H.I.V.

The Alloy S.H.I.V. is a weapon platform in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It is an upgraded model of the standard S.H.I.V., with superior armor and the potential to serve as mobile cover for soldiers.

In-Game Description[]

“	Integration of the alien alloy into the basic S.H.I.V. design results in a weapons platform that is both lighter and stronger than the original. The reinforced chassis allows for this S.H.I.V. to be used as a mobile cover position in the field.	”
– Engineering description, XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Prerequisites: Heavy Weapons Platform (Foundry), Carapace Armor (Research)
Production Time: 7 days / 4 days ^EW
Barracks Capacity: 1
Engineers: 10

Production Cost:

Ability / Trait	Description
Armored Shell	Provides partial cover (+20 Defense) for XCOM soldiers who move adjacent to it.
Hardened	Hardened units receive 60% extra protection against critical hits.
Robotic	Immune to stun, fire, poison, and several Psionic abilities.
Suppression	Reduces a target's Aim by 30 and takes a reaction shot if the target moves (requires S.H.I.V. Suppression).

Upgrade	Description
Advanced Construction	Decreases construction time. (S.H.I.V.s, Interceptors, Facilities)
Advanced Repair	Decreases repair time following missions. (S.H.I.V.s, Interceptors)
Advanced Servomotors ^EW	Increases movement by 3. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)
S.H.I.V. Laser	Laser armament. +2 Damage, +15 Aim, +5 Crit chance.
S.H.I.V. Plasma	Plasma armament. +4 Damage, +25 Aim, and +10 Crit chance.
S.H.I.V. Repair	Soldiers can perform repairs with an Arc Thrower. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)
S.H.I.V. Suppression	Allows S.H.I.V.s to fire suppression shots.
Sentinel Drone ^EW	Repairs 2 HP per turn and automatically fires at nearby enemies.
Shaped Armor ^EW	Adds 3 HP to Health. (S.H.I.V.s, MECs)

Particularly well suited for engagements against invaders with superior firepower.
The Alloy S.H.I.V. provides low cover for units hiding behind its frame.
Alloy S.H.I.V.s permit the use of mobile fortress tactics.
The inverse maneuver of positioning the S.H.I.V. in front of a stationary trooper does not provide the cover bonus. (Corrected in XCOM: Enemy Within.)
It is not advisable to use an Alloy S.H.I.V. as cover from an enemy equipped with a grenade, as the blast radius will impact any soldiers taking cover behind the S.H.I.V. as well. It's also not recommended to do this when faced against a Sectopod due to the splash damage of Cannon Fire.
- As the Sectopod's Chest Cannon doesn't cause splash damage in XCOM: Enemy Within, this tactic is viable to try and bait the Sectopod into setting up a Cluster Bomb attack.
S.H.I.V.s are incapable of taking cover.

An Alloy S.H.I.V.'s name is automatically generated as GOLIATH followed by the production number.
S.H.I.V.s are immune to some Psionic abilities, but are highly susceptible to Psi Lance and Rift due to their inherent 0 Will stat.
The weapon loadout can be upgraded to Laser or Plasma at the Foundry.
S.H.I.V.s can be repaired by a soldier with a properly upgraded Arc Thrower or a captured Drone during missions. The Arc Thrower will recover 6 health per use, while the Drone can repair 3.
Alloy S.H.I.V.s are great at taking out Sectoid Commanders. The Alloy S.H.I.V.'s immunity to Mindfray and Mind Control, plus its high health make it difficult for Sectoid Commanders to bring one down with only their Plasma Pistols, and their Alien Grenade can only be used once.
The wreck of a destroyed Alloy S.H.I.V. still provides partial cover, though it's obviously no longer mobile. This is possibly a bug, as if the S.H.I.V. is destroyed while moving by an overwatch reaction shot, the shell is not a valid cover object, and when reloading a save, it may also disappear.
Revealing an enemy pod with the Alloy S.H.I.V. in close proximity may bait them into using the S.H.I.V. as cover. Afterwards, the S.H.I.V. can simply be moved away, leaving the enemy exposed.