Sectoid

''This is an article about the alien race from the X-COM universe. If you're looking for similar real-world rumor aliens, see Grey.''

Sectoids is one of the master races that fight against X-COM during the First Alien War. It is a physically fragile race, with skinny-hairless body, large head and oversize eyes, not unlike the Grey. Although the brain and eyes are very well developed, its small mouth and nose appear to have little function It also lacking reproductive organ, this is because the aliens are genetic altered and rely completely on the cloning method.

They're the vanguard of the alien force, a low-ranking sectoid is the weakest alien encountered by X-COM. They're weak, walk slowly, not good with weapons and even mundane pistol can kill a sectoid in one shot. Web between its fingers and flat feet are sign that they are descendants of the Aquatoid which Humanity would later encounter in the Second Alien War.

Although sectoid soldiers are weak, the sectoid hierarchy is define by psionic ability. A high-ranking sectoid can use its psychic powers to demoralise soldiers in combat, or even take control of their minds.

They tend to indulge in human abductions and cattle mutilation. The abduction is used to extract genetic material for cross breeding and developing clones for infiltrating human society. The cattle provide both nutrition and genetic material. Apparently, sectoids want to develop superior genetic hybrids to increase the efficiency of their hive-like society. The crossbreed between humans and sectoids are genetically almost identical to humans but retain some alien facial characteristics and high psionic ability. These hybrids have survived in human society, but often distrust by humans.

Sectoids also use mechanical robot known as Cyberdisc. No one knows why Sectoids are always naked, but its speculated to be that sectoids don't like clothing, which is irrelevant to its size. Despite this, many Sectoids started to wear clothing after becoming new citizens of the Earth after XCOM dismembered ADVENT.

After Earth is subjugated by the Ethereals and the ADVENT administration, Sectoids became biologically augmented through the use of Human DNA spliced into their genome. As a result, these Sectoids have become taller, stronger and with greater psionic power. They also seemed to have elevated in authority during this time, becoming something akin to field officers as opposed to cannon fodder.

When XCOM overthrew the Ethereals and reclaimed Earth for Humankind, Sectoids were among the many aliens left stranded on Earth. Without the Ethereals' psionic network to control them, the Sectoids were accepted as citizens on Earth and were able to live in relatively peaceful co-existence with Humans, Vipers, Mutons and Hybrids among others. One Sectoid known as Verge even enlisted into XCOM, joining the ranks of Chimera Squad.

Variants
There are a couple variants of the Sectoid species, while the majority of Sectoids are weak physically and psionically, there does exist a stronger kind known as the Sectoid Commander. These Commanders have incredible psionic powers, including the ability to take control of minds, turning your own troops against you. There are also standard Sectoids that use a mechanized suit, known simply as the Mechtoid. While they are very strong in both offense and defense, the plating of their suits seem to disrupt the psionic powers Sectoids are known for. Another variant of the Sectoid appeared when they were infused with human dna during ADVENT's control of earth, these are stronger in every sense of the word, they have more psionic power then ever, allowing them to not only take over the minds of the living, but the dead as well. This kind is still encountered on Earth today, but most have become peaceful and now live a life more similar to that of Humans.