Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Will Let Squads Build Deep Custom Loadouts Across Every Class

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is set to give players far more freedom over how they build their four-person squads, with extensive class customization, new elemental damage types, and stronger incentives to coordinate loadouts before entering dangerous missions.

The sequel is expanding on the co-op structure of the first game by allowing players to shape every class around different weapons, abilities, and damage effects. Even squads made entirely of the same class should be able to play in very different ways.

That flexibility is especially important now that Fireteam Elite 2 supports four-player co-op. Rather than forcing every group to bring one medic, one tank, and one damage-focused character, the game appears to let players experiment with unusual team compositions built around shared synergies.

The Specialist class can work like a hybrid build

One of the biggest additions is the new Specialist class, which has its own progression system and is designed to be highly flexible.

The class can be customized in ways that make it resemble a hybrid of other roles. Players may be able to create builds that combine elements associated with combat-focused classes, allowing a Specialist to fill several purposes within the same fireteam.

This should give groups more options than simply choosing from fixed archetypes. A player may build a Specialist around mobility and ranged damage, while another could focus on support effects, elemental attacks, or defensive abilities.

Customization area	What it could change
Weapons	Damage output, range, and combat role
Attachments	Precision, recoil, elemental effects, and utility
Abilities	Support, crowd control, or offensive options
Damage types	Better performance against specific enemies
Class progression	More ways to shape individual builds
Team synergy	Coordinated effects across four players

The goal appears to be making every player’s setup feel distinct, even when multiple people choose the same class.

Four medics will not have to play the same way

Fireteam Elite 2 will reportedly allow groups to take four versions of the same class into missions. That could sound limiting at first, but the customization system is intended to make each player’s build feel different.

For example, one medic could focus on healing and survival, while another might use poison effects and damage-oriented abilities. A support station that spreads poison could become a powerful tool when paired with teammates using weapons or perks designed to take advantage of affected enemies.

This kind of setup could lead to unconventional strategies. Instead of building a traditional balanced party, players may create fireteams built around one damage type, one ability chain, or one shared combat plan.

The system should reward communication, especially in tougher missions where players need to think about which tools they bring before leaving the loadout screen.

New elemental damage types add more tactical choices

The sequel introduces four elemental damage categories: fire, cryo, electric, and piercing.

Each enemy faction will have different strengths and weaknesses against these damage types. That means players may need to change weapons, attachments, and abilities depending on whether they are fighting Xenomorphs, Pathogen enemies, or Security Synths.

The expanded faction design could make mission preparation more important than in the first game. A weapon that performs well against one enemy type may not always be the best choice against another.

Players will likely need to consider enemy weaknesses alongside their own squad composition. A team built around fire damage may be strong in one mission but less effective in another where electric or piercing effects are more useful.

Friendly fire will matter more at higher difficulties

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 will also make teamwork more important by enabling friendly fire at higher difficulty levels.

That change means players will have to pay more attention to positioning, weapon choice, and movement. Firing into a crowded hallway without thinking could hurt teammates as much as the enemy.

Even crouching may become an important part of high-level play. In a narrow corridor, one player kneeling can give teammates behind them a safer angle to shoot without accidentally hitting friendly targets.

This should make difficult missions feel more coordinated and tense. Players will not be able to rely only on high damage weapons or explosive abilities if those tools also create risks for the squad.

Horde mode is returning with changes

The game will also feature a reworked Horde mode, although many details are still being kept secret.

The original Fireteam Elite already had a strong focus on waves of Xenomorphs and survival under pressure, so an updated Horde mode could be a major part of the sequel’s long-term replay value.

With deeper customization, four-player co-op, and more varied enemy weaknesses, Horde mode may give players a place to test unusual builds and team strategies after completing the campaign.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.