Enemy Within ((hot)): Console Commands Xcom

XCOM: Enemy Within , there is no single "piece" command. However, you can use the

command to add various "pieces" of equipment or resources, such as Weapon Fragments Alien Alloys Steam Community Enabling the Console

Unlike XCOM 2, XCOM: Enemy Within requires more than a simple launch option to enable the developer console. Direct Binding Method : You must edit your DefaultInput.ini file located in XEW\XcomGame\Config Add Commands : Search for the section [XComGame.XComTacticalInput] (for battle) or [Engine.PlayerInput] (for the base) and add a line like:

.Bindings=(Name="U", Command="GiveItem WeaponFragment 100", Alt=True) Third-Party Tool : Alternatively, download a modified Engine.upk file (often from the Nexus page) to enable the standard tilde key access. Resource & Item "Piece" Commands

If you have the console enabled, use these commands to add specific items or resources: Command Example Add Weapon Fragments GiveItem WeaponFragment [amount] Add Alien Alloys GiveItem AlienAlloys [amount] GiveItem Meld [amount] Add Elerium GiveItem Elerium115 [amount] GiveCash [amount] Steam Community Common Gameplay Commands GivePerk [PerkID]

: Adds a specific ability to the soldier currently under your cursor. RestartLevel : Restarts the current mission from the beginning. LevelUpBarracks [number]

: Levels up all soldiers in your barracks by the specified number of ranks. Steam Community or help finding the exact file path for your version of the game?

Mastering XCOM: Enemy Within console commands can transform a grueling campaign into a sandbox of tactical possibilities. Whether you're stuck on a buggy mission, looking to experiment with late-game gear early, or simply want to bypass the resource grind, this guide covers everything from enabling the console to the most powerful commands available. How to Enable the Console in XCOM: Enemy Within

Unlike its sequel, XCOM: Enemy Within does not have a simple "enable console" toggle in the menus. There are two primary ways to gain access: Method 1: The Config Bind (Simplest)

This method allows you to bind specific commands to keys without needing external mods.

Locate your DefaultInput.ini file. It is typically found at:...\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XcomGame\Config

Open the file and find the headers [XComGame.XComTacticalInput] (for battle commands) or [Engine.PlayerInput] (for base management). console commands xcom enemy within

Add your desired bind. For example, to bind a mission restart to Alt+U, paste:.Bindings=(Name="U", Command="restartlevel", Alt=True) Method 2: The Dev Console Mod

To use a real-time typing console (typically opened with the backslash (\) or tilde (~) key), many players download a modified Engine.upk file from sources like Nexus Mods. This is the standard for the Long War mod and provides the most flexibility. Essential Tactical Console Commands

These commands are used during active missions (the "Battlescape").

restartlevel: Restarts the current mission from the beginning, useful for fixing broken triggers or undoing a disastrous turn.

GivePerk [ID]: Grants a specific ability to the currently selected soldier. For example, GivePerk 117 might grant "Low Profile." Use a negative sign (e.g., GivePerk -117) to remove it.

GivePsiPerks: Instantly grants all psionic abilities to the selected soldier. TakeNoDamage: Makes all units on your squad invincible.

ToggleFOW: Toggles the "Fog of War," revealing the entire map and all enemy locations. PowerUp: Combines invincibility with unlimited ammunition. Essential Strategy Console Commands

These commands are used while at XCOM HQ (the "Geoscape") to manage your resources and base. Console Commands on Enemy Within - Steam Community

Take Control of the Invasion: A Guide to XCOM: Enemy Within Console Commands

Whether you're looking to recover a campaign gone sideways or simply want to experiment with the game's mechanics, console commands provide powerful tools for any XCOM commander. However, unlike its sequel, accessing these commands in Enemy Within (EW) requires a bit of behind-the-scenes work. How to Enable Console Commands

The traditional "tilde" key method typically used in PC gaming doesn't work by default in Enemy Within due to updates that patched out old developer console access. Instead, you must manually bind commands to specific keys within the game's configuration files. XCOM: Enemy Within , there is no single "piece" command

Locate the Configuration File: Navigate to your XCOM: Enemy Unknown installation folder, typically found at:C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XcomGame\Config.

Edit DefaultInput.ini: Open this file with a text editor like Notepad. Always create a backup before making changes.

Add Key Bindings: You must place your bindings under the correct section depending on where you want them to work:

Tactical (In-Mission): Look for [XComGame.XComTacticalInput]. Base (Geoscape): Look for [Engine.PlayerInput].

Format Your Commands: Add a line using this syntax:.Bindings=(Name="K", Command="[CommandName]", Alt=True).

Note: Using Alt=True is highly recommended so you don't trigger cheats accidentally during normal gameplay. Essential Tactical Commands

These commands are best bound under the [XComGame.XComTacticalInput] header for use during active missions.

Restart Level: restartlevel — Restarts the current mission from the beginning, including a fresh randomization of alien and Meld locations.

Teleport to Cursor: TeleportToCursor — Instantly moves the currently selected soldier to where your mouse is pointing.

Toggle Fog of War: ToggleFOW — Reveals the entire map, though enemies may still stay hidden until actually spotted.

Invincibility: TakeNoDamage — Makes all your units immune to damage. Back up your saves

Unlimited Ammo/No Reload: PowerUp — Combines invincibility with infinite ammunition. Strategic Base Commands

For boosting your resources at HQ, bind these under the [Engine.PlayerInput] section. Command Name Description Example Binding Give Engineers Instantly adds a set number of engineers.

.Bindings=(Name="E", Command="GiveResource Engineers 50", Alt=True) Give Scientists Instantly adds a set number of scientists.

.Bindings=(Name="S", Command="GiveResource Scientists 50", Alt=True) Give Cash Boosts your monthly funding. .Bindings=(Name="C", Command="GiveCash 1000", Alt=True) Level Up Barracks Increases the rank of all soldiers. .Bindings=(Name="L", Command="Levelupbarracks 7", Alt=True) Add Items Adds specific resources like Meld or Elerium. .Bindings=(Name="M", Command="GiveItem Meld 500", Alt=True) Pro Tip: The "Long War" Shortcut

If editing .ini files feels too tedious, many players choose to install the Long War mod or use its standalone Developer Console patch available on Nexus Mods. These modifications often re-enable the standard backslash (\) or tilde (~) key to open a live console window, removing the need for manual key bindings. Console Commands on Enemy Within - Steam Community

Resources & Base Management

| Command | Effect | |--------|--------| | GiveResource money X | Adds X credits (e.g., GiveResource money 500) | | GiveResource alloys X | Adds X alloys | | GiveResource elerium X | Adds X elerium | | GiveResource meld X | Adds X meld | | GiveEngineer X | Adds X engineers | | GiveScientist X | Adds X scientists | | GiveItem MELD X | Same as above for meld |

Pro Tips & Warnings

Back up your saves. A single typo (e.g., GiveActionPoint instead of GiveActionPoints) can lock the game.
Achievements are disabled the moment you use most commands, unless you re-enable them via a mod (like the "Enable Achievements" mod on Nexus Mods).
Don’t spawn story-critical items (like the Hyperwave Relay) mid-mission. It can break scripted sequences.
PowerUp is hilarious but dangerous – it applies to all current squad members, but bugs can persist into the next mission. Use sparingly.

Step 4: Launch the Game

Start XCOM: Enemy Within. On the main menu or during a tactical mission, press the tilde key (~) (usually below the Esc key and left of the 1 key).

If you did it correctly, a semi-transparent white text box will slide down from the top of the screen. Congratulations, you’ve unlocked the developer’s toolkit.

Top Commands Every Commander Should Know

Part 6: Ethical Cheating – When to Use the Console (And When Not To)

XCOM is famous for its emergent storytelling, born from loss. A soldier dying to a 5% crit chance is a core memory. The console can rob you of that.

✅ Good reasons to use the console:

Game-breaking bugs: An alien gets stuck inside a wall, making the mission unwinnable. (KillAliens)
Mod testing: You want to test a weird MEC build without grinding 30 hours.
Cinematic recording: You need ToggleHUD and GiveActionPoints for a video.
Recovering from a corrupted save: You lost a legendary soldier to a save glitch. (LevelUpBarracks to restore them).

❌ Bad reasons to use the console:

Every single mission: It will kill the tension faster than a plasma bolt.
Multiplayer: (It doesn't work in MP anyway, but just don't).
Ironman mode: Console commands are disabled in true Ironman. If you force them, you will corrupt the save.

The Basics of Console Commands

For the uninitiated, console commands are a series of codes that can be entered into a game's developer console to manipulate various aspects of the game. In XCOM: Enemy Within, enabling the console involves a simple tweak in the game's configuration file or pressing a designated key (often ~ or ctrl + shift + ~ on PC) during gameplay. Once the console is accessible, players can input a range of commands to affect everything from the game's difficulty to individual soldier stats and enemy spawn rates.