Skulljack (Item)

Skulljack
Specifications
Production Time	... (20) Days
Damage	Instant kill if the attack hits (even if the hack is unsuccessful). 2 if the attack misses.
Effect	+25 Hacking stat (after completing the Skullmining project)
Effective Range	Melee
Prerequisite	Skulljack project
Cost	... (§75)

The Skulljack is a utility item in XCOM 2. The Skulljack is required twice to progress in the campaign: In the first the Skulljack is used on an ADVENT Officer after the Skulljack project, and later, on a Codex after Encrypted Codex Data.

The Skullmining upgrade at the Proving Ground improves the Hack stat of any soldier carrying a Skulljack by 25. This makes them an ideal item for Specialists.

In-Game Description

“

Access to the alien communications network is highly restricted, requiring several complex biomedical augments before admittance can be granted. The Skulljack allows us to "hack" into the network by temporarily wresting control of a being's augments, though any access gained is sure to be short-lived.

”

Abilities

Skulljack (after the Skulljack project). The Skulljack can grant access to the neural chips in certain enemies, but requires melee range to activate.

Applicable targets: ADVENT Officer (after Skulljack project), Codex (after Ecrypted Codex Data project).

Skullmine (after the Skullmining project). Attempt to hack the neural network of ADVENT Soldiers at melee range and gain access to enemy intel.

Applicable targets: ADVENT Trooper, ADVENT Officer, ADVENT Stun Lancer, ADVENT Shieldbearer, and all their respective higher tier variants. WoTC adds ADVENT Priest, ADVENT Purifier, ADVENT General, and all their respective higher tier variants.

The abilities Skulljack or Skullmine will be enabled if the soldier is within dashing distance of an applicable target (that your squad can see). It works like the Ranger's Slash, and has similar risks in terms of discovering other pods of enemies. The exception is that the soldier chooses one space adjacent to the target from which to Skullmine; you can't choose a different space with the hover-and-right-click method.

When the ability is activated, your soldier runs to a space adjacent to the target, and uses the Skulljack to attack the target. This has a 70% hit chance. If the attack misses, it deals 2 damage to the target and gives back an action point if you didn't dash, or if playing War of the Chosen.

If the attack hits, then you are granted access to the ADVENT Psionic network. Your soldier gets the hacking interface with the three results:

• Feedback effect: Neural Feedback - the enemy is still killed, but your soldier takes 3-4 damage on the spot, and every time they use a hacking skill
• Intel cache: Gain a small amount of intel (and kill the enemy). (20 Intel)
• Facility Lead: Gain a research project that will reveal the location of an AVATAR Project Facility on the Geoscape once researched.

Tactical Info

“

The Skulljack is a melee item requiring the user to be adjacent to their target. Though the Skulljack places its target in temporary stasis while network access is granted, once the skulljacking is complete, the target will be automatically terminated. If the skulljack misses the target and the unit using it has not dashed or performed another action yet, they will still be able to move or shoot after failing for an easy close range flanking shot or to find cover.

”