Muton (XCOM: Enemy Unknown)

For the enemy in The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, see Muton (The Bureau: XCOM Declassified).

The Muton is an enemy in XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

Description

Standing over 2 meters, this humanoid creature is physically powerful and aggressive, but mentally weak. They appear to be the least intelligent and very vulnerable to psi-attacks. However, studies showed that their memory is imprinted with high amount of knowledge in combat tactics and weaponry. Furthermore, based on autopsies, it is clearly evident that the Muton is genetically designed and modified for combat. As such, one must take great care not to underestimate the capabilities of the Mutons.

Due to these attributes, the Mutons are highly suited as the invaders' front-line combatant and can withstand high amounts of damage and have increased tolerance to pain due to their genetically enhanced physiology.

Deployment

Mutons first appear during the third month (May) equipped with Light Plasma Rifles, or June if the "Marathon" Second Wave option is enabled. They are upgraded to standard Plasma Rifles the following month on Classic and Impossible difficulties, or two months later on Easy and Normal. Their chance of being deployed declines in August (Marathon: December). Certain missions, such as Slingshot's Friends In Low Places, may temporarily introduce this enemy before it is deployed regularly.

Abilities

Ability	Description
Suppression	Can fire a special shot that grants reaction fire at a single target. The target also suffers a -30 Aim penalty.
Blood Call	Unleash a bestial roar that inspires nearby allies of the same species to greater speed, focus, and resolve for 2 turns. 4 turn cooldown.
Intimidate	Reacts unpredictably when wounded, provoking panic in enemies.

Capturing

Light Plasma Rifle (initially): Precise and costly to produce, Light Plasma Rifles deal the same damage as Laser rifles but have +10 Aim.
Plasma Rifle (later): Powerful and costly to produce, Plasma Rifles are among the best weapons in the game. Mutons should be captured alive whenever a chance to safely do so presents itself.
Alien Grenade: Mutons are upgraded with Alien Grenades at the same time they get Plasma Rifles.

Research

Muton Autopsy - Unlocks Ammo Conservation Foundry project
Interrogate Muton - Grants Plasma Weaponry research credit

Tactics

Mutons will try to strike fear into enemies by seeming to dismiss near-fatal blows. They also have the "Blood Call" ability that motivates surrounding Mutons. Never try to fight one hand-to-hand.

Mutons will frequently use their Alien Grenades against grouped soldiers, or to clear a soldier's cover on higher difficulties.
Safely break a Muton's Suppression fire by wounding it or moving an Assault with Lightning Reflexes through its line of sight.
Due to their low Will they are highly vulnerable to psi attacks and easily Mind Controlled.

Multiplayer

Mutons are a medium cost unit at 2850. The Muton's job is to support other Mutons and disable the enemy via Intimidate, Suppression, and grenades.

Having more Mutons of any species is always a good thing because of Blood Call. Blood Call can make Berserker even more dangerous due to the increased movement. Each Muton has the Easy difficulty stats.

Good against : low health units , low tier humans (costless customization)

Counter : Sectoid Commanders, Psionic Soldiers, Ethereals

Trivia

Mutons take their name from a 1970s toy by Denys Fisher.
In the original UFO: Enemy Unknown (1994), the Muton autopsy report states that they have multiple cybernetic implants to enhance their senses and cardiovascular system, and their reproductive organs are surgically removed.
In the Muton Autopsy project report, Floaters are implied to have once been Mutons before being "repurposed" into the aerial unit they are now.

Gallery

XCOM: Enemy Unknown Enemies
Aliens	Berserker • Chryssalid • Cyberdisc • Drone • Ethereal (Uber) • Floater (Heavy) • Mechtoid Muton (Elite) • Outsider • Sectoid (Commander) • Sectopod • Seeker • Thin Man • Zombie
EXALT	EXALT Heavy (Elite) • EXALT Medic (Elite) • EXALT Operative (Elite) • EXALT Sniper (Elite)