Abduction Mission

Abduction is a mission type the alien side can run to progress their technology. As opposed to the human side, aliens do not research by having scientists sit around and passively work on a project. Instead, the alien side has to send UFOs on abductions so they can learn how their technology works on Earth. Since abductions are the only way for the aliens to progress their technology, it is one of the most important mission types available.

The most effective UFO for running abduction missions is predictably, the Abductor class ship. However, in the early game you will have to send smaller UFOs that are less effective at abducting. It should be noted that Small Scouts have an abduction rating of 0, and as such they cannot contribute any progress towards your research. In the early game Medium and Large Scouts will be your primary abduction ships until you can get the Abductor researched.