X-Com 2, Midnight Suns & Jagged Alliance 3

[Groundhog]

Well, it's currently 3pm, and I started playing XCom at 10am... whoops.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Well, it's currently 3pm, and I started playing XCom at 10am... whoops.

slacker-come on back when you've gone 48 hours

[Ajaxab]

Stupid question...anyone know what triggers the final alien base assault? I've contacted all the regions, got rid of all the other alien bases and the Chosen, used the Skulljack, and my soldiers seem ready, but apparently there are still some things that need to happen. It seems like it's just grinding for no real reason and I'm not sure what else I can do.

[nilodor]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

Stupid question...anyone know what triggers the final alien base assault? I've contacted all the regions, got rid of all the other alien bases and the Chosen, used the Skulljack, and my soldiers seem ready, but apparently there are still some things that need to happen. It seems like it's just grinding for no real reason and I'm not sure what else I can do.

It comes available when you are done all the shadow chamber missions. So it's blacksite, forge, gateway, network tower and the final mission. I'm guessing you need to skulljack a codex?

[nilodor]

I made a really bad mistake. I sold too many trooper corpses just as they stopped showing up on missions. So the aliens could all one shot my guys for about 10 missions until I got warden armour. Lost a lot of high ranking soldiers. Not sure if I'm going to be able to pull it off in the end. It's pretty exciting!

[kingfc22]

So in my 2nd start-up I tried to go IronMan and it was going good until back to back catastrophic missions led to us getting totally overrun.

Now on to take 3...

[Edward64]

Just finished the second Chosen.

[Groundhog]

I've taken out all the Chosen and I'm now crunching through the late-game missions. I found the missions have started to ramp up to the point where I've almost lost guys again, which is good - I think I went like 5-6 missions without taking a single point of damage. Oh, and on a related topic, the Chosen weapons are pretty good...

[Groundhog]

Boss stage took me two attempts. 2nd run through I got lucky where the Avatars teleported to after I shot them and took out the first two pretty quick, but it got hairy with the 3rd. I mind controlled an Archon which helped soak fire from all the spawned baddies for a turn which really helped, but basically everyone on my team had around 25-50% health left by the end and if I had gone another turn I think I would have been overwhelmed as a Gatekeeper and a bunch of Spectres had just appeared.

Overall, definitely worth the money IMO.

[Edward64]

I've taken out the third Chosen now so progressing nicely.

I know there's a ton of options and different types of missions etc., I'm not exactly sure what it is but the game is getting repetitive for me and ... boring?

[NobodyHere]

Finally beat War of the Chosen

Spoiler

I assume the next X-Com game will be a remake of Terror From the Deep judging by the ending?

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Spoiler

I assume the next X-Com game will be a remake of Terror From the Deep judging by the ending?

Spoiler

Haven't seen/read anything, but I'd say that's a safe bet... Interestingly, Phoenix Point is a new game coming out from the original creator of X-Com which also seems to be in a similar vein....

[Edward64]

I had the final mission waiting on me for a while and finally completed it.

WotC was okay. Ready for the next one.

[AENeuman]

XCOM 1 is probably my all time favorite and most played. Just started 2 on Xbox and I am awful. I could use some advice.

1. What is the strategy with conceal. Should you use it to explore, advance or just ambush the first group?

2. How do you defend against the codex? Their ability to transport seems to always flank me.

3. What is gained from hacking a power scanner, besides possible rewards?

[NobodyHere]

1. I tend to use the team conceal to ambush the first group of aliens. You can usually take 1-2 of them out fairly easy. I try to take a reaper on my missions as a scout.

2. Other than to stay flexible I'm not sure what else to say. Try to hit it with the first character you move each turn so you know where it will transport and still have troops ready.

3. It does reveal any characters in concealment but other than that I don't think there is anything else besides hacking rewards.

[Groundhog]

Yep, conceal I use to try and encircle the first mob of aliens, or position my guys in a good defensive spot for other mission types (rescues, etc).

Codexes are annoying as hell but yeah, agree with NH - nothing you can do outside of having other activations handy.

[bhlloy]

Agree on the conceal, the only time I'll make an exception of that is if the first group I come across is really weak and I know there's much tougher aliens out there somewhere, but even then it's a toss up. Usually if you hold it too long, you'll end up losing it on something dumb once you get further into the map anyway.

As for codexes, fully stocked Grenadiers are your friend. Being able to lob grenades and rockets half way across the map is a must, with a well placed upgraded sniper with squadsight as well.

[nilodor]

Or getting blue screen rounds in the proving ground. That plus rapid fire = pretty quick death

[jeff061]

I generally make heavy use of overwatch with Codexes, if at all possible. Ideally a sniper does most/all the work, but taking a few rounds after they teleport near overwatched soldiers works well.

[Kodos]

Coincidentally, I just fired up X-Com: Enemy Within on my PS3 yesterday. It's my second attempt at X-Com. So far it is going much better than my first attempt at Enemy Unknown. Nobody has died through 4 missions or so!

[MizzouRah]

I've been in a deep run with XCOM - EU, playing a mission or two just about each night.

[Edward64]

Unconfirmed but lots of chatter about a new DLC

XCOM 2 could be getting another DLC expansion | GameWatcher

Fans have spotted that Firaxis seem working on something within XCOM 2, and going by Steam Database they've opened a new DLC entry for the game - suggesting a new expansion for XCOM 2 similar to War of the Chosen may be on the way.

There has been a lot of activity around XCOM 2 within Steam, which suggests that Firaxis are preparing something major for the game.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Unconfirmed but lots of chatter about a new DLC

XCOM 2 could be getting another DLC expansion | GameWatcher

Yes please, I have 600 hours into this game, by far my most played game on steam

[NobodyHere]

More content please. I was really surprised on how engrossing that game was. I didn't they would be able to surpass the first Firaxis X-Com game by as much as they did.

[NobodyHere]

Also I just noticed that article is three months old, maybe we'll get news from E3

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

More content please. I was really surprised on how engrossing that game was. I didn't they would be able to surpass the first Firaxis X-Com game by as much as they did.

The first play through is great but its not that re-playable for me.

I would like different ways of winning - longer & different paths that you can follow besides just killing the Chosen e.g. civilian uprising, killing enough of the bad guy's captains, some sort of economic war etc.

[Thomkal]

X-Com2 on sale at GreenManGaming.com at 75% off probably just through the weekend.

[dubb93]

Free with PS+ this month.

[mckerney]

New expansion seems to be in the works, may be revealed at the PC Gaming Conference Monday.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Coincidentally, I just fired up X-Com: Enemy Within on my PS3 yesterday. It's my second attempt at X-Com. So far it is going much better than my first attempt at Enemy Unknown. Nobody has died through 4 missions or so!

I'm terrible at this game. I was doing okay until I had a few missions where I lost a lot of high-experience guys. Once that happened, the aliens got the advantage on the battlefield, and the last few battles were basically one-sided slaughters. My son says I should try playing on "Easy". I guess he doesn't like a challenge.

I think I'll try to spread experience around more in my next game.

[jeff061]

Semi related note, kickstarter for Xenonauts 2 launched a few days ago, surpassing it's modest goal in 12 hours. I did not realize the first one was kickstarted as well. In any case, I played the hell out of that game and the sequel is now the first and only Kickstarter I've backed.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ence-simulator

I love me some XCom, those looking for even more depth of gameplay, highly recommend Xenonauts as well. Just make sure you enable the community edition.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I'm terrible at this game. I was doing okay until I had a few missions where I lost a lot of high-experience guys. Once that happened, the aliens got the advantage on the battlefield, and the last few battles were basically one-sided slaughters. My son says I should try playing on "Easy". I guess he doesn't like a challenge.

I was about to say that I enjoy XCom 2 but don't have much trouble winning the game.

But then I realized that I do reloads if a mission goes sour and I lose a bunch of folks.

[MizzouRah]

I'm still playing Xcom Enemy Within.. about 50 hours so far. I only get maybe a half hour here and there but I think I'm getting close to the end.


Haven't even fired up Xcom 2 yet. :P

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I was about to say that I enjoy XCom 2 but don't have much trouble winning the game.

But then I realized that I do reloads if a mission goes sour and I lose a bunch of folks.

Well, yes, that would make it easier. But I stay true to the old X-Com dynasties. I name my guys after FOFC handles from Godzilla Blitz's threads, and when things go wrong, I don't reload.

[jeff061]

Yeah, Iron Man is way to go.

[Edward64]

Alright, I promise to try ironman in my next go at it.

[Edward64]

So I started a new WOTC a couple days ago - Veteran, Ironman mode.

Been doing pretty well but had a mission disaster and now regrouping.

It went south fast when a team member unconcealed us before we were ready. I really screwed up though when I accidentally shot/killed a mind-controlled teammate (I was meaning to shoot the alien beside him instead).

Ultimately mission failed. Only extracted 2 of the team before the counter expired. My most experienced (a Major specialist) was captured. This is one that I would have reloaded right after my dumb mistake.

I kinda do like the Ironman mode. It does make you focus more on your movement choices and shot placements.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

So I started a new WOTC a couple days ago - Veteran, Ironman mode.

Been doing pretty well but had a mission disaster and now regrouping.

It went south fast when a team member unconcealed us before we were ready. I really screwed up though when I accidentally shot/killed a mind-controlled teammate (I was meaning to shoot the alien beside him instead).

Ultimately mission failed. Only extracted 2 of the team before the counter expired. My most experienced (a Major specialist) was captured. This is one that I would have reloaded right after my dumb mistake.

I kinda do like the Ironman mode. It does make you focus more on your movement choices and shot placements.

Definitely the best way to play the game, makes things much more intense.

[Edward64]

Arrrgh. Another failed mission with the "viper king" last night with my most experienced folks that were left.

I think I was rushing things because my countdown had started and hit the site before I was ready. My team was not built up enough.

I think I'll restart.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Arrrgh. Another failed mission with the "viper king" last night with my most experienced folks that were left.

I think I was rushing things because my countdown had started and hit the site before I was ready. My team was not built up enough.

I think I'll restart.

What mods are you using?

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

What mods are you using?

No mods, just vanilla WOTC w/ironman.

I thought with WOTC I saw there was a way to slow down the timer but I did not see it with ironman model? But I do need to get a way to slow it down which will allow me to rebuild up my squad if I have a bad mission.

What mods do you play with?

[NobodyHere]

I know there's an option to reduce Avatar progress speed, but I think you have to beat the game in order to enable it.

[NobodyHere]

dola

Yeah there's the option I mentioned above and an option to double mission timers to give you the chance to approach missions more methodically. I just checked and I was able to start a new game with those options and Ironman enabled.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

No mods, just vanilla WOTC w/ironman.

I thought with WOTC I saw there was a way to slow down the timer but I did not see it with ironman model? But I do need to get a way to slow it down which will allow me to rebuild up my squad if I have a bad mission.

What mods do you play with?

Haha, I'm a mod whore, all of the below except the New Vegas gear which screws up the art. Some are just cosmetic, like Tats and accessories, but highly recommend all the game play mods. Especially soldier customization and a better advent.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

I know there's an option to reduce Avatar progress speed, but I think you have to beat the game in order to enable it.

Thanks, that explains it. I've had WOTC for a while and did beat it but had to reinstall Windows 10 about 3-4 months ago because one of their auto updates did not take. Would have thought that would be stored in the Steam cloud.

Okay, I guess this gives me an excuse to play non-ironman until I beat it one more time or I have to find a mod to slow down the timer.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Haha, I'm a mod whore, all of the below except the New Vegas gear which screws up the art. Some are just cosmetic, like Tats and accessories, but highly recommend all the game play mods. Especially soldier customization and a better advent.

Thanks.

I will try out "A Better Advent" for sure.

[Edward64]

I played WoTC with "A Better Advent". I'm not exactly sure which missions were vanilla or new but I noticed an uptick on zombie related missions which is great.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Edward64

I played WoTC with "A Better Advent". I'm not exactly sure which missions were vanilla or new but I noticed an uptick on zombie related missions which is great.

Oh just wait

[AENeuman]

On my second go through, some thoughts and questions.

1. What is your usual team make up, particularly last half? I find snipers are so powerful I never really developed psi folks.

2. Don’t quite understand experimental ammo and armor. Which ones are essential?

3. How often do use/ choose suppression?

4. Ranger swords seem mostly useless. Seems like every time I could use it my gun is always more powerful, especially since that close I’m often flanking

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by AENeuman

On my second go through, some thoughts and questions.

1. What is your usual team make up, particularly last half? I find snipers are so powerful I never really developed psi folks.

2. Don’t quite understand experimental ammo and armor. Which ones are essential?

3. How often do use/ choose suppression?

4. Ranger swords seem mostly useless. Seems like every time I could use it my gun is always more powerful, especially since that close I’m often flanking

1. Not sure if you're playing with WoTC DLC or not. But, I like to keep a balance for each of my teams. A sniper, a specialist (essential for med support and/or mech support), a grenadier, a ranger, and then a mix and match depending on the mission. I do like Psi operatives. I tend to have two of them, but only ever bring one on any mission.

2. I would say the only ones I find essential are blue screen rounds. I like to give them to my snipers so that they can take out the large, heavily armored mechs. I also like to give talon rounds to my shooty rangers to increase the odds of a critical hit with shotguns. I may also arm a guy with tracer rounds to increase accuracy and have played around with dragon rounds on occasion. I don't use the armors all that often, but will do so occasionally.

3. Not that often really. I do it sometimes when I can't kill a unit and what to just neutralize it for a round while I deal with other threats. In my most current WoTC play through, I barely ever used it. I used it a ton in the Long War mod, which is a very different game.

4. The benefit of the ranger sword is the almost guaranteed hit and the range. Because you can use the slash ability once each turn - moving your full movement and attacking - it's a pretty effective way of removing pieces from the board and staying mobile. If you play the WoTC DLC and get the katana, the sword attack becomes incredibly deadly. And the special ability to attack any unit that comes within range also comes in handy. Overall, the gun is probably better, but the mobility that comes with the sword can be really sweet. I tend to make rangers either stealthy or combat oriented. The stealthy ones rarely get kills and ideally stay in stealth for the majority of as mission. The combat rangers use a mix of guns and sword depending on the situation.