Find the file named XComInput.ini and open it with a text editor (Notepad or Notepad++ works fine).
In the brutal, unforgiving world of XCOM: Enemy Within, one wrong move can cost you a veteran soldier or, worse, an entire campaign. While the tension is part of the charm, sometimes you want to test a strategy, recover from a game-breaking bug, or simply experience the power of a fully maxed-out squad. That’s where console commands come in.
Here’s everything you need to know to unlock the developer console and bend the rules of war.
Would you like a cheat table of specific item IDs or tech names for Enemy Within?
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.
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.
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. console commands xcom enemy within
.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
Enabling console commands in XCOM: Enemy Within (EW) is notably more difficult than in the base game or XCOM 2 because the developer shell was intentionally patched out by the developers. To access these commands, you must either manually bind specific keys in your configuration files or use a third-party mod to re-enable the full interface. Steam Community 1. How to Enable the Console There are two primary methods for PC players: The Key-Binding Method (No Mods Required) DefaultInput.ini in your game files, typically at:
Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XComGame\Config\ Open the file and find the sections for [Engine.PlayerInput] (for the base/strategy layer) or [XcomGame.XcomTacticalInput] (for combat). Add a line following this format: .Bindings=(Name="K", Command="KillClosestEnemy", Alt=True) In-game, press to execute the command. The Modding Method (Full Console Interface) Download the Developer Console mod (often found on the XCOM Nexus ) or use the console enabler included with the
Once installed, you can typically open the full console with the Backslash () 2. Essential Console Commands
Once enabled, use these commands to manage your squad and resources: Strategy Layer (Base/Geoscape) lowerpanic : Reduces panic across all countries. Levelupbarracks [Number]
: Sets all soldiers in your barracks to the specified level (e.g., for Colonel). GiveResource [Type] [Amount] : Adds resources. Replace Scientists Steam Community Tactical Layer (Combat/Missions) Console Commands on Enemy Within - XCOM
XCOM: Enemy Within (EW) doesn't make it easy to access the developer console. Unlike its successor, XCOM 2, which allows you to simply add a launch parameter, EW requires a bit more legwork—either through manual .ini file editing or third-party patches. How to Enable the Console in XCOM: Enemy Within
There are two primary ways to gain "god-like" powers over your campaign. Method 1: The Keybind Method (No Mods Required)
This is the safest method and involves binding specific commands to keys in your game configuration files.
Navigate to your game’s config folder: ...Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XcomGame\Config. Open DefaultInput.ini with a text editor like Notepad.
For Tactical Commands (during missions): Find the line [XComGame.XComTacticalInput].
For Base Commands (at HQ): Find the line [Engine.PlayerInput]. Add your custom binding below the header using this format: .Bindings=(Name="U", Command="restartlevel", Alt=True)
Note: Using Alt=True ensures you don't accidentally trigger a cheat by hitting the key during normal play. Method 2: The PatcherGUI Method (Full Console Access)
If you want a live console where you can type commands as you go, you’ll need the Developer Console Activation for EW from Nexus Mods. Download and run PatcherGUI.
Apply the .txt patch file included with the mod to your XComGame.exe.
Once patched, you can usually press the Tilde (~) key in-game to open the command line. Essential Console Commands for XCOM: EW
Once your console or keybinds are active, use these commands to manipulate the game. restartlevel Restarts the current mission from the beginning. TeleportToCursor Instantly moves the selected unit to your mouse pointer. ToggleFOW Turns the Fog of War on or off to see the whole map. GivePerk [ID] Grants a specific ability to the selected soldier. Levelupbarracks 7 Sets all soldiers in your barracks to the maximum rank. GiveItem [Name] [Qty] Adds specific items or resources to your inventory. Console Commands on Enemy Within - Steam Community
To use console commands in XCOM: Enemy Within , you must first enable the Developer Console, as it is disabled by default in the expansion. Steam Community How to Enable the Console , simply adding a launch argument often does not work for Enemy Within because the game's internal IsConsoleAllowed
function is hardcoded to "false". You have two primary options: Steam Community Option 1: Use a Mod (Recommended) : Download a pre-patched Engine.upk file or use PatcherGUI Find the file named XComInput
to apply a "Dev Console" patch. Many players use the "Activate Dev Console" file from the Long War mod page on Nexus Mods , which works for the base Enemy Within game as well. Option 2: Keybinding Method : Edit your DefaultInput.ini file (found in XEW\XcomGame\Config
) to bind specific commands to keys. For example, add this line under [Engine.PlayerInput] .Bindings=(Name="U", Command="restartlevel", Alt=True) This allows you to execute the command by pressing without opening a console window. Steam Community Useful Console Commands Once the console is active (usually by pressing the key), you can use these common commands: Tactical (In-Mission)
Enabling the console in XCOM: Enemy Within is more complex than in its successor, XCOM 2, because the developers patched out standard access. You cannot simply use a launch parameter like -allowconsole in the base game. Method 1: Key Binding (No Mods)
The most reliable way to "use" commands without heavy modding is to bind specific commands to keys in the game's configuration files.
Locate File: Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XcomGame\Config\ (or your specific install path).
Open DefaultInput.ini: Use a text editor like Notepad. Back up this file first. Add Bindings:
Tactical Commands (In-mission): Find the [XComGame.XComTacticalInput] section and add your line below it.
Base Commands (Geoscape): Find the [Engine.PlayerInput] section and add your line below it.
Format: Use this syntax: .Bindings=(Name="K", Command="[COMMAND]", Alt=True).
Example: .Bindings=(Name="U", Command="restartlevel", Alt=True) will restart the mission when you press Alt + U. Method 2: Using the "Long War" Dev Console Mod
If you want a live, typeable console, you must download a modified Engine.upk file, typically found on the Long War Nexus Mods page. This works for both the Long War mod and the base Enemy Within game. Once installed, pressing \ (backslash) usually opens the console. Essential Console Commands Most commands from Enemy Unknown also work in Enemy Within.
A great topic for XCOM fans!
Here are some useful console commands for XCOM: Enemy Within:
General Commands
Gameplay Commands
Soldier Commands
Debug Commands
Enemy Commands
Other Commands
To use these console commands:
Keep in mind that some commands might not work in certain situations or may have unintended consequences. Use them at your own risk!
Note that these commands are based on the PC version of XCOM: Enemy Within. Console versions may have different commands or methods to access the console.
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).
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
Enabling the developer console in XCOM: Enemy Within is primarily achieved by editing the DefaultInput.ini file to create keybindings, or by using the PatcherGUI tool to re-enable the tilde key. Essential commands for managing campaigns include resource generation, fog-of-war toggling, and soldier promotions. For more details, visit Steam Community. Console Commands on Enemy Within - XCOM - Steam Community
To use console commands in XCOM: Enemy Within , you must first enable the developer console, as it is disabled by default. Unlike later titles, enabling it usually requires either manual configuration file editing or a small mod. How to Enable the Console
There are two primary ways to access commands in Enemy Within: Console Commands on Enemy Within - Steam Community
Unlocking the Secrets of XCOM: Enemy Within with Console Commands
XCOM: Enemy Within, the critically acclaimed expansion to the original XCOM: Enemy Unknown, is a game that prides itself on its challenging gameplay and deep strategy. However, for those who crave more control over their gaming experience or wish to experiment with the game's mechanics, console commands offer a fascinating avenue. In this review, we'll explore the utility and excitement of using console commands in XCOM: Enemy Within, highlighting how they can enhance, or in some cases, completely transform your playthrough. Would you like a cheat table of specific
You will know it worked if a grey, semi-transparent text box appears at the top of your screen.
Important: The console does not have a visible cursor that blinks. Just start typing. You won't see feedback until you hit Enter.