----------------- Pistol:

The standard issue X-COM pistol is a one-handed handgun that is light, compact and has a high single-shot rate of fire. It features a 12-round magazine. It is the cheapest weapon in the arsenal and also does the lowest damage - though each round is nearly as powerful as standard issue Rifle round.

----------------- Rifle:

The Rifle is not a very powerful weapon, with only a slight increase in stopping power over the standard Pistol. Despite this it is a well balanced weapon that can be adapted to a variety of roles and works well at all ranges. Additionally, it benefits greatly from having a large 20-round ammunition clip and a low cost.

-----------------Heavy Cannon:

While the regulation pistols and rifles provide adequate firepower against most soft targets, they lack the strength to punch through thick armor; Enter the Heavy Cannon.

The Heavy Cannon is bulky and lacks the speed of the smaller firearms. It makes up for this by being very powerful, Firing large explosive rounds.

-----------------Auto Cannon:

Part Heavy Cannon, part gatling gun, The Auto Cannon might be hard to aim and fires smaller shells, but it is no less devastating.

-----------------Rocket Launcher:

The rocket launcher is slow, heavy, and has limited ammunition. It is also one of the most reliable ways to kill Whatever you’re aiming at.

-----------------Laser pistol:

The Laser Pistol is the first weapon in X-COM's laser weapon series. Like all lasers, the Laser Pistol features an efficient miniature power plant built into the gun that provides limitless firepower for the duration of any ground skirmish.
Despite being a considerable step up over ballistic firearms, the laser pistol is unfortunately highly inadequate for precision attacks. Even crack marksmen have trouble hitting their mark with Laser Pistols.

-----------------Laser Rifle:

The Laser Rifle is the next step up from the Laser Pistol.
Good accuracy, long range, and fully automatic firing makes this the most cost efficely devastating weapon in the X-COM arsenal.

-----------------Heavy Laser:

The next step up from the Laser Rifle, the Heavy Laser generally fails to impress due to its weight and lack of an auto-shot feature.
As with any weapon, in the hands of the right soldiers, the heavy laser can be a very effective weapon. If you really need to make something dead, look no farther the the Heavy laser.

note, images are old, faces now look like this


-----------------Rookie:

All rookies come pre-equipped with standard armor of plates of kevlar slipped into a set of coveralls. It is unlikely to help against much, but it may stop a stray pistol or rifle bullet.


-----------------Squaddie:

These men have seen action, though not too much, in order to stay alive longer they come equipped with Personal Armor derived from alien alloys that make it more resistant to small arms.

-----------------Captain:

The Captain is equipped with Power Armor Consisting of heavy plates with Elerium-powered muscle assist and air-filtering system, this will make your soldiers into veritable walking tanks, although still not invulnerable.