In XCOM: Enemy Within , enabling the developer console requires more than just a single key press, as the expansion removed the original shell access found in the base game. You must either manually bind commands to specific keys or use a third-party mod to restore the full command line . Method 1: Manual Key Bindings (No Mods) This is the most common way to "use" commands without altering core game files. Locate the Config File: Navigate to your installation folder: ...\Steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XComGame\Config\ . Edit DefaultInput.ini : Open the file in a text editor (e.g., Notepad). Add Bindings: Find the relevant section and paste your desired command. For Base/Strategy Screen: Find [Engine.PlayerInput] . For Tactical/Mission Screen: Find [XComGame.XComTacticalInput] . Example Syntax: .Bindings=(Name="F10", Command="GiveResource Money 5000") . Essential Console Commands If you have the Developer Console mod (often found via Nexus Mods ) installed, you can hit the tilde key ( ~ or \ ) to type these directly. Keybind commands - Enemy Unknown - Nexus Mods Forums
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
Important Prerequisites Before you can use console commands, you must enable the Developer Console .
Locate the Config File:
Steam: Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XEW\XComGame\Config Non-Steam: Navigate to your installation folder, then \XEW\XComGame\Config .
Edit the File: Find the file named DefaultInput.ini . Open it with a text editor like Notepad. Add the Binding: Scroll to the bottom of the file. Copy and paste the following line exactly: .Bindings=(Name="F12",Command="toggleui | showlog")
(You can change "F12" to any key you prefer, like "F1" or "Tilde"). Save and Play: Save the file and launch the game. Press the key you assigned during gameplay to open the console. console commands xcom enemy within
Useful Console Commands To use these, open the console and type the command. Press Enter to execute. Press Tab while typing to auto-complete commands. Combat & Soldier Cheats | Command | Effect | | :--- | :--- | | god | Toggles God Mode. Your soldiers will not take damage. | | takeNoDamage | Alternative God Mode command. | | powerup | God Mode + Infinite Ammo. | | UnlimitedMG | Unlimited Mech Gear/Items. | | togglefow | Toggles Fog of War (reveal the whole map). | | forcecrit | All shots your soldiers make will be critical hits. | | givetech | Instantly researches all technologies currently available. | | givealltech | Instantly researches all technologies in the game. | | giveallitems | Adds one of every item to your inventory. | | giveresource [ID] [Amount] | Adds specific resources (see ID list below). | | levelup [SoldierID] | Instantly promotes the selected soldier. | | cheatclass [Class] | Changes the selected soldier's class (e.g., cheatclass sniper ). | | setname [Name] | Changes the selected soldier's name. | Base Management & Resources Resource IDs: Use these with the giveresource command. Example: giveresource Elerium 1000 .
Elerium (Elerium Crystals) Alloys (Alien Alloys) WeaponFragment (Weapon Fragments) EleriumCore (Elerium Cores) EleriumJet (Flight Computers) EleriumPower (Power Sources) AlienFood (Alien Food) AlienStasisTank (Stasis Tanks)
Game Flow & Debug | Command | Effect | | :--- | :--- | | win | Instantly wins the current mission. | | lose | Instantly loses the current mission. | | demoteforce | Resets soldier rank to Squaddie. | | evac | Spawns the Skyranger extraction point nearby. | | slomo [Speed] | Changes game speed. slomo 1 is normal, slomo 5 is fast. | | ghost | Toggles invisibility (enemies won't react to you). | | fly | Enables a free camera mode to fly around the map. | Advanced: Item IDs (GiveItem) The syntax for giving items is GiveItem [ItemID] [Amount] . Example: GiveItem AssaultRifle_CV 1 Here is a list of common item prefixes. You usually append the tier code to the end of the weapon name. In XCOM: Enemy Within , enabling the developer
Tier Codes: _CV (Conventional), _MG (Magnetic/Laser), _BM (Beam/Plasma).
Weapons: