XCOM: Enemy Unknown aka the one where Haphazard dies repeatedly

[uberfish]

Yeah the idea behind Shredder rocket over suppression is instead of suppressing the alien hiding behind cover, you blow the cover up and kill it. On Classic, thin men and floaters are insta kills too.

Armour is always a tough choice and often I find myself building full carapace and feeling it's not worth it to upgrade to skeleton after that and just wait for Titan. I don't know if this is a correct evaluation.

[haphazard1]

Yeah the idea behind Shredder rocket over suppression is instead of suppressing the alien hiding behind cover, you blow the cover up and kill it. On Classic, thin men and floaters are insta kills too.

And lose all those precious, precious weapons fragments Dr. Vahlen is always babbling about?

Armour is always a tough choice and often I find myself building full carapace and feeling it's not worth it to upgrade to skeleton after that and just wait for Titan. I don't know if this is a correct evaluation.

I often do the same. I have not really experimented much with the advanced armors other than Titan. Of course, I have only completed one game and have another just past the alien base stage. So compared to many I am still inexperienced with much of the later game stuff.

For the SG, we are only barely past middle of the second month. So we are probably safe to delay armor a little bit longer if the team really wants to go for skeleton. Doing so will delay further weapons improvements, and I would like to be heading towards something that would boost our interceptors such as heavy lasers. One interceptor per continent with avalanche missiles is not guaranteed even to take down small UFOs, much less anything larger. I don't know if we can spare 2 sats for Canada and Mexico to get the NA bonus, though, as NA has our best overall panic levels right now. We may just have to find the cash somewhere for additional interceptors or better craft weapons -- missing a UFO shootdown has big panic penalties, not to mention losing the chance to grab more alloys, elerium, and components.

[uberfish]

If we skip Laser cannon the Large UFOs will be hard to shoot down. I did manage to take one down with 2 interceptors with Phoenix cannon (losing one) but it was way too close for comfort. However, the penalty for missing out on some UFOs that may or may not show up is less than failing an abduction or terror mission. Not sure what the optimal amount of resources to devote to air combat is.

[dazedroyalty]

Yeah only Heavy troops can get rocket launchers in this game.

Sorry about the low (nonexistent) death toll. Suicide missions can be arranged once we have arc throwers

After the base mission I suggest we bump up to impossible. Since that is when the game starts to become a cake walk anyways. That way it'll maintain more of a challenge and well see more deaths.

Also, I've got the save. It's been a crazy 24 hours but I should get to play before bed tonight.

[Ug the Barbarian]

Yeah only Heavy troops can get rocket launchers in this game.

Sorry about the low (nonexistent) death toll. Suicide missions can be arranged once we have arc throwers

After the base mission I suggest we bump up to impossible. Since that is when the game starts to become a cake walk anyways. That way it'll maintain more of a challenge and well see more deaths.

Also, I've got the save. It's been a crazy 24 hours but I should get to play before bed tonight.

I'm Ok with that but it changes the discussions around armour on Impossible depending on when we do the Base Assault - we'd basically be one shot killed against Mutons and above with basic armour.

Don't rush with your play - I've a long day at work tomorrow and won't get to play until well into the evening.

[Brackard]

And Brackard lives through one mission. I think that is one more than all the previous x-com games (combined).

Thanks!

[spellman]

Late to the party. Looks like you guys are breezing right along this run.

[dazedroyalty]

Sorry! Something came up in real life and I need a quick skip! I'd love to play this one but I don't want to hold I as long as it'll probably take (another few days probably).

[Ug the Barbarian]

Sorry! Something came up in real life and I need a quick skip! I'd love to play this one but I don't want to hold I as long as it'll probably take (another few days probably).

Ok sorry to hear that. Should be able to take the turn today

[Ug the Barbarian]

Progress

Ok first thing – let’s sort some promotions out

Uberfish takes Danger Zone as requested
Haphazard takes Rifle Suppression
DazedRoyalty takes Rapid Fire. Had to laugh at his ‘Septic’ nickname
Sareln takes Lightning Reflexes as requested

Purchase the Squad Size II immediately from OTS leaving us with 32 credits

Start scanning for activity and we soon get Satellite uplink complete. The 3 new Sats complete 3 days later and I’m left pondering who needs coverage first



Japan is in obvious need of one as we’ll lose them at month end otherwise.
Of the other four countries on panic lvl 4, Egypt is least important as we’ll get their continent bonus even if they leave (& income only $70). South America’s continent bonus is generally least useful so I rule out Brazil.
That leaves China and Australia which would take us most of the way towards the Future Combat bonus which would seem the way to go. Makes air coverage easier as well in the short term.
I did consider going for higher income (Russia) rather than Australia but this runs the risk of losing multiple continent bonuses.

So I go with Japan, China and Australia provisionally but leave it a couple of days to see if any missions come in before I need to launch 4 days before month end which might change the situation.

Only a day later, I get a landed UFO detection which is good news (loot and plunder)



As it’s only a small scout (albeit not shot down), it’s time to blood some more troops

I didn’t want to overkill the number of supports along & only had three laser rifles to play with, so we go as shown below



For reference, I’ve updated the rookies to include Xenin, Tasunke and Brian Shanahan from the original list (just leaves Kagami and Catwalk I believe). Brian I’m afraid you get blue beard as well as hair – as you’ve got to have both the same colour.

Ok our mission