XCOM SG Signup and Rule discussion?

[antisocialmunky]

Yeah, I usually always get the psi-lab and research everything but I don't actually ever use psi attacks. We might have to include a special case for base assault because there is almost no way to nab a commander safely. He has a blaster launcher afterall.

[dazedroyalty]

Ok, what details do we need to decide now and what can we decide once we're up and running?

Difficulty setting is important, what variant rules we want to use, and turn management seem important.

I'd vote for a straightforward and simple set of rules since this is a first for us. What difficulty do we usually play on? then we could just average those?

I'd vote for limited variant rules. I like no Psi except on base missions (maybe terror too).

For turns, would something as informal as "play until you feel a good stopping point" be sufficient or problematic.

Last thought, I've never shared an XCom save before. It's a whole folder isn't it?

[antisocialmunky]

I think the 'play until stopping point' would be good or at least 'play until something you don't want to be responsible for might happen.'

I usually play on superhuman, but I don't really care. Average wouldn't be bad for a SG.

[Ug the Barbarian]

If you want to see some active hotseat games of both Xcom and Terror, then look on the Strategycore forums.

http://www.strategycore.co.uk/forums/The...t8397.html
http://www.strategycore.co.uk/forums/Aqu...t8698.html

The Terror one is a lot more active right now.
They play on Hotseat Superhuman 'ironman' and pass the game right after a mission is complete.

I'm still up for this if we can get one started soon - should only need 4-5 players to rotate.

Edit : I use the Xcom steam version packaged with Xcom Util - not that I choose most of the options but the bug fixes are nice. Been playing a superhuman game on and off for the last 6 weeks. Was going well (although with high body count) until I tried my first alien base. Three blast bombs out of the dark from in one turn killed me off.

[Ug the Barbarian]

Ok some quick further thoughts :

1. We'd need two forum threads - one for gameplay reports and the other for discussion / tactical decisions.

2. Need to agree version & level - personally I'd prefer using Xcom Util although we'd have to agree the options; Superhuman would be good if we've all played before.

3. Agree playing order, preferred start location, initial strategy.

I'd suggest Europe (near the Alps) and Laser research to rifles for this.

[Ug the Barbarian]

Ok here are the XcomUtil details I usually use :

XcomUtil 9.7 Beta (build 442)

Graphics Issue special loader N
Difficulty bug fix Automatic
Game fixes (bugs) Y
Original sound effects Y
Original tactical sound effects Y
Fighters / transport N
Skyranger hardpoint N
Defensive starting base layout Y
Improved starting base N
Disjointed base bug Y
Improved HWP N
Improved weapons : pistol N
Improved Heavy laser N
Improved High Explosive N
Improved Weapons - Alternate Laser tech N
Help from captured aliens N
Messages after combat Y
Soldier Name stat strings N
Soldier Name rank N
Soldier Name kills N
Pre combat sort Y
Re equip before combat Y
- reset saved equipment Y
Eliminate psionics N
Psionics screening N
Daylight only N
Night only N
Battlefield & Terrain mod N
Random Alien craft floorplan N

[Ug the Barbarian]

Some of the previous comments discussed what to do about psionics. I suggest using them but have house rule not to use them offensively. It tends to weaken the later aliens if they're eliminated.

[dazedroyalty]

I'm willing to give superhuman a go, but I will tell you I've never completed a game on Superhuman so you may need to teach me as we go.

I've never used XcomUtil but if it fixes bugs, I'm for it!

Turn order: I'm US Central and usually would be able to play in the evenings.

Strategy, I like Europe as well. There are more countries there that we can hopefully get to increase funding if we play well. Laser up to Rifle is good with me. We can discuss strategy more once we've settled details.

[uberfish]

Oh hey this got resurrected

prefer:

Superhuman/ironman
No offensive psionics
1 player/1 mission unless we get a trivial mission which happens sometimes in which case go ahead and do another if you like
1 thread

I think ironman is actually easier to play in a SG because you don't get as attached to the soldiers.

turn order doesn't matter too much, I don't think we really want or need to play multiple turns per day

[antisocialmunky]

Superhuman/Ironman
No offensive psionics

I like XCom Util because there are useful options like saving the previous load assigned loadouts.

I think that's enough. We can do the superhuman antarctic challenge sometime later