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Alien Hunters introduces new “Ruler” enemies, a set of specialized weapons and armor, and cosmetic armor sets. The weapons themselves pack a serious punch outside of Ruler fights, making them valuable additions to your arsenal. However, by the time you unlock the armor, it’s largely outclassed by other upgrades—except for the Icarus Armor, which remains fantastic for any mission type. While this all sounds great on paper, the DLC ultimately disrupts the game’s balance, making it feel more punishing than rewarding—especially for those who prefer a challenging, strategic experience without resorting to save-scumming.
The biggest issue is how Rulers interact with XCOM 2’s turn-based combat system. Unlike standard enemies that act on their own turn, Rulers react to almost every single move your squad makes—except, for free reloads from weapon attachments. This mechanic fundamentally breaks the game’s action economy, punishing tactical play and reducing Ruler encounters to brute force and sheer luck. And “luck” is an understatement.
For players who enjoy the hardcore challenge of Legend Ironman, this DLC is a nightmare—but not the fun kind, where you wake up sweating yet still revel in the thrill of the experience. No, this is the kind of nightmare where you’re locked in a bad engagement with no meaningful way to prepare or counter-play the situation, watching helplessly as your best soldiers get wrecked. Losing an entire campaign due to one unavoidable Ruler encounter is enough to make even the most dedicated players consider save-scumming, not for convenience, but for sanity.
Yes, Rulers are totally beatable on Legend Ironman, but at what cost? Fun? That’s the real issue here. Their ability to act multiple times per turn without solid early-game counter-play (aside from praying for low-percentage RNG rolls) turns them into unrealistic obstacles rather than engaging adversaries. Instead of integrating smoothly into the game's challenge curve, they blindside you, feeling more like a brutal difficulty mod designed by someone who enjoys throwing players headfirst through a brick wall—just so they can see the Kool-Aid Man on the other side, offering a drink they never asked for.
Yes, I recommended this DLC because I love this game and believe everyone should enjoy how miserable this DLC is to play. It's a way to experience XCOM 2 the way the devs sought for us to experience, before the moding community did a better job.