I'm nearing the end of my Classic Ironman game, but a pair of Sectopod encounters combined with terrifically bad luck have wiped out all my high ranking units.

I've got the GOLLOP CHAMBER built and ready to use, but I'm tempted to just pick off scout UFOs and do council missions until I have more high ranking units. In particular, I'd like to get a Support up to Colonel for those sweet +10hp medkits.

Is there any reason not to sit around defending the earth without progressing the plot? It's not like in a few months the alien wizards get replaced with super wizards, right?