[Orgun]

"One, two, three...five! We're screwed!" My scout plane just came across three small alien ships and two large ships all around the UK.

This should be interesting! :)

edit: Uh oh, three Very large ships all on the ground around Europe. Not good!

[McNum]

"One, two, three...five! We're screwed!" My scout plane just came across three small alien ships and two large ships all around the UK. This should be interesting! :) edit: Uh oh, three Very large ships all on the ground around Europe. Not good!

Well that can be one of two things, as far as I know. One good, the other bad. They could be establishing a base, which is good-ish. Or they could be signing a pact with one of the countires, which is bad, as that one will stop funding you. (And the aliens signing pacts with every nation is a failure condition, so you can't linger too much in the game.)

[HP_Wuvcraft]

I caved and bought it.

This game is freaking hard.

Those knee-high grey aliens - the Sectoids - are all like "'Sup?".

[Rentahamster]

Oh my god, I tried to do the Ironman Challenge but failed miserably. I'm now back to "shoot and if I miss, reload game" status. I don't remember too many things. Sorry guys.

Do lp headbutt. It has projectile invulnerability!

[Orgun]

Well that can be one of two things, as far as I know. One good, the other bad. They could be establishing a base, which is good-ish. Or they could be signing a pact with one of the countires, which is bad, as that one will stop funding you. (And the aliens signing pacts with every nation is a failure condition, so you can't linger too much in the game.)

Crap, I think it might have been them signing a pact. Just did a fly by with an interceptor and the ships were no longer on the ground.

[McNum]

Crap, I think it might have been them signing a pact. Just did a fly by with an interceptor and the ships were no longer on the ground.

You'll know at the end of the month. It's not something you can stop, really. The aliens will slowly, but surely, take over the world unless you stop them completely first.

[robin2]

I caved and bought it. This game is freaking hard. Those knee-high grey aliens - the Sectoids - are all like "'Sup?".

Soon you'll see it's not that hard after all.

I think the "omg its hard!" is mostly due to the "shock" for the initial high amount of casualties, while in similar games you're more used to bring back all your units alive every time. But the fact is that in UFO, deaths are part of the "normal" (at least at the beginning when aliens greatly overpower you) outcome of the mission: if a lot of units (let's say half of them) die in a very early difficult mission (for example the first terror mission), it is still fine.

In some peculiar cases, even aborting a too hard mission, after making sure you've picked up some new alien tech and brought it back to the aircraft together with your remaining troops, can still somewhat be considered a "win".

[platypotamus]

I can't wait to move on from UFO Defense to the other two good ones. I remember so little of them comparatively that it'll almost be like playing them for the first time.

[Spirit of Jazz]

Is there any way to mute the game so I can podcast while playing when using ufo loader? I can manage it when it's running in DOSBox but then I loose the amazing ability to open doors without running directly into 6 sectoids.

[McNum]

Is there any way to mute the game so I can podcast while playing when using ufo loader? I can manage it when it's running in DOSBox but then I loose the amazing ability to open doors without running directly into 6 sectoids.

Can't you just use the Windows Mixer to turn off sound in the X-Com application specifically?

Although, you might want to try only turning off music. Knowing if an alien is dead or not can be... important.

[Spirit of Jazz]

Can't you just use the Windows Mixer to turn off sound in the X-Com application specifically? Although, you might want to try only turning off music. Knowing if an alien is dead or not can be... important.

Good idea, I'll need to switch from my ancient desktop (runs on xp) to my laptop but that's no big problem. Thanks for the help.

[Orgun]

Yep, the UK just signed a pact with some aliens.

[McNum]

And that makes March. So far, so good. Story writeup incoming later. I think I should run one more mission for the story, even though it's technically April now. I got my Hyper Wave Decoder up and running. Spotted a Snakeman scout ship scouting out Alien Terror in North America. Fun. I really should get my Heavy Plasma -> Plasma Cannon researched so I can take the fight to the large ships.

By the way, you know a game does horror well when you get the thought "Oh, fuck. That door is OPEN!" Especially since it was closed last turn and I saw no alien.

The Hyper Wave Decoders will pay for themselves when I start seeing every alien supply ship going for the alien base, though.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

Yep, the UK just signed a pact with some aliens.

Foolish brits.

[fresquito]

I think I'm going to start a new game in Experienced. Up until now combat has been quite easy. I've lost some soldiers here and there, but that's it. My main problem is that I messed up my bases big time and it will take me too much time to reestructure them. Much more than if I started anew. Now I know a little bit of what I'm doing and what will happen when I do this or that.

Instead of talking about what I did, I will be questioning things here a lot more. And it will be Ironman too.

[McNum]

Chapter 8: "Hyper Wave Transmissions are Decoded"
Mar 20th to Apr 1st 1999

First Hyper Wave record captured from a UFO:
"Large, Very High, West, 4800, Terror Ship, Floater, Alien Terror, North Africa"

We never did see that UFO again, we assumed that we might have caused it to abort or delay its mission, but we had no way of even knowing what its mission was. However, three days later, we did have another visitor, which was shot down as usual.


The recovery went smooth, and a couple of rookies got their first kills. Unfortunately, the UFO was badly damaged, so we didn't recover its power source.


However, we did finally figure out what the the aliens were powering their ships with: Elerium-115. A strange element to say the least, and not one found on Earth, so we could only use what we captured from the aliens. That could be trouble.


We decided that now was a good time to find out how those plasma weapons of the aliens worked, and so I ordered the science team to take apart a Heavy Plasma and see what made it work.


Then we got word that the Hyper Wave Decoder at Vanguard was up and running. As it performs all the functions of a normal radar, we had the old Large Radar taken out of commission and a Lab scheduled to be installed there to be able to employ a whopping 150 scientists eventually.

(Game Concept - Hyper Wave Decoder: The ultimate detection system. It will spot all UFOs in its range, making old radars completely redundant. So dismantle them and use the space wisely. And THIS is why you want a live Navigator as soon as possible.)

The skies were unusually quiet until the final day of March when an encoded message came though over Hyper Wave.


We were happy, but at the same time... Terror Ship? Alien Terror? That didn't sound good, and we had the Skyranger get ready for launch, just in case. We soon got our answer, Casablanca was under attack.


On one hand, this was terrible news. We'd have to rescue the people of Casablanca, but on the other hand, the Hyper Wave Decoder worked flawlessly. All the information we would get from the UFOs themselves would prove priceless. We prepped the Skyranger to launch at very first light the following day.
(Notes: A Terror Site usually lasts about 12 hours, UNLESS it is targeted by an X-Com craft, then it stays alive for as long as the craft is targeting it. So you can almost always wait until dawn to fly to the rescue, although it can be difficult to time it right with missions that are really far away.)

But before Skyranger-1 took off, a second UFO registered on Hyper Wave. "Snakeman"? An interceptor was scrambled to catch it, but the UFO got away.


However, the question "What is a Snakeman?" was on everyone's mind as Skyranger-1 flew towards its destination.


Notes: Yay, Hyper Wave Decoder. Not too shabby in three months. First Snakeman sighting, too, kind of. Scouting out for a terror mission in North America? Oh, boy. This won't be pretty. But next up is the end of month report for March, and a few questions and opinions to gather. That and I might need some more names, not from losses, though, but I need garrisons on each base. Bases that don't send out Interceptors and Skyrangers are less likely to get attacked, but it's not impossible...

Not a lot of shooting action in this chapter either, but the aliens just wouldn't cough up a good mission for it. Well, next chapter is a Terror Mission, so let's hope that gets fun.

Next up, the stats of March. Where you'll see how utterly I failed the Ironman challenge. Well, wasn't going for it anyway, but that supply ship was evil.

[archnemesis]

The X-Com: Apocalypse ironman thread is currently scheduled for the beginning of April. However, it might be a good idea to not have it too close to the release of all the new 2012 X-Com games (XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM, and Xenonauts). What's your opinion about it?

[robin2]

The X-Com: Apocalypse ironman thread is currently scheduled for the beginning of April. However, it might be a good idea to not have it too close to the release of all the new 2012 X-Com games (XCOM: Enemy Unknown, XCOM, and Xenonauts). What's your opinion about it?

There is also UFO2:Extraterrestrials; I really didin't like the first but I'm somewhat more positive about this sequel.

And about your question: I think if you begin the ironman playthrough on april, the only concomitant game will be the aforementioned UFO2:Extraterrestrial (if it doesn't get delayed again), because the ones you cite are sheduled for a later date (Xenonaut actually doesn't have a date but I don't think it'll be out this spring).

[McNum]

I think the important part with the Apocalypse challenge is to have it finish before XCOM: EU is released, but that's a late 2012 game. The other X-Com-likes can overlap, of course, but the important one to avoid is the actual X-Com sequel.

[Tunesmith]

If you need a name for one of the future rookies, I'm volunteering. :)

[archnemesis]

First time I've heard of UFO2:Extraterrestrials. Now I'll have to make sure I finish the first game.

[fresquito]

So, what is better? Going for plasma weapons or laser weapons?

[robin2]

the actual X-Com sequel.

But XCOM:EU is not a sequel, it is modern re-imagination of the first game.

[Jintor]

But XCOM:EU is not a sequel, it is modern re-imagination of the first game.

You know what he means

[PKrockin]

So, what is better? Going for plasma weapons or laser weapons?

Both. Laser weapons are researched quickly, powerful enough for early alien races, and lead to the extremely profitable Laser Cannons. Later on Heavy Plasmas become abundant and they're pretty much the best weapon in the game besides the Blaster Bomb.

[McNum]

X-Com Monthly Report - March 1999


Funding:


Bases:




Research:


Production:


Active Soldiers:

1. Captain Rentahamster - 13 missions, 5 kills
2. Sergeant Brashnir - 7 missions, 4 kills
3. Sergeant Narag - 13 missions, 3 kill
4. Sergeant Thnikkaman: - 12 missions, 12 kills
5. Squaddie Bufbaf - 2 missions, 1 kill
6. Squaddie CappyFish - 12 missions - 3 kills
7. Squaddie Deraldin - 6 missions, 4 kills
8. Squaddie Myke Greywolf - 9 missions, 3 kills
9. Squaddie PKrockin - 4 missions, 4 kills
10. Squaddie Rhomega - 7 missions, 6 kills
11. Rookie Belgorim
12. Rookie Boogalogist - 4 missions
13. Rookie fanboi - 1 mission
14. Rookie fresquito
15. Rookie Keikaku - 1 mission
16. Rookie Orgun
17. Rookie Raphier O'Niel
18. Rookie ruttyboy

Soldiers Wounded:

1. Sergeant perfect free - 5 missions, 4 kills, 24 days to recovery
2. Squaddie Adnor - 6 mission, 3 kills, 9 days to recovery

Soldiers KIA:

1. Rookie TheJollyCorner
2. Rookie Sinatar
3. Rookie frontieruk
4. Squaddie LuffyZoro
5. Rookie ThoseDeafMutes
6. Squaddie NinajHeartless

Goals for March:

• Found second base - COMPLETE
• Expand science capabilities in Vanguard - ONGOING
• Research Hyper Wave Decoders - COMPLETE
• Research Personal Armor - COMPLETE
• Research Med-Kit - COMPLETE
• Research Alien Origins - COMPLETE
• Research Small Launcher - COMPLETE
• Research Heavy Plasma - ONGOING
• Interrogate captives - COMPLETE

Goals for April:

• Get global Hyper Wave Network running
• Raid alien Supply Ships for loot
• Research Plasma Cannon
• Research Power Armor
• Research Laser Cannon
• Get Manufacturing capabilities up in Forge
• Establish garrisons in Forge and Twilight
• Prepare for Alien Base assault in May
• Optional: Don't get eaten by Chryssalids

Reloads:

• Times reloaded: 14
• Total reloads: 19

Notes: Weird month. Everything happened in the first 6 days, and the rest was just book keeping and standard crash recoveries. And, of course, the mighty Hyper Wave Decoder getting built. Not going to complain too much about a 2000+ point month, though.

And yes, it was 14 reloads. 10 of those from retrying that Supply Ship mission. Suddenly, Floaters, and then death. Stupid things. The armor should be a big help next time.

Anyway, I'm trying to figure out my next step. With the Hyper Wave and its delightful 100% detection rate, that Floater Base is going to feel mighty starved now. Basically, I'm thinking of using April to build up cash, while researching towards Plasma Cannons so I can shoot down Terror Ships and Power Armor so I can take on the alien base. Because without Power Armor, a Blaster Bomb is 100% fatal. With Power Armor, it's still really dangerous, but survivable. Plus, I haven't gotten The Martian Solution done yet, so I don't need the Commander yet. I'll be moving some of the inactive soldiers to the new bases and getting some HWPs there to help defend in case the aliens get angry, and Forge is getting set up to pump out Laser Cannons eventually. Figuring I might use those on one of my craft, too, so I don't completely destroy scout UFOs. I mean, if I'm going to make and sell those by the dozens, then why not use a few myself?

I'm also thinking that while this isn't an Ironman, I'll finish it so it can be an example of a way to win the game on Beginner. Since a lot of people find the game hard, it might be nice to have. And there's the whole deal that I have never won the game either.

As usual, any opinion on what to do next is welcome.

[Songbird]

As usual, any opinion on what to do next is welcome.

snakemen

A payrise perhaps?

[Belgorim]

I have been dying for some action and would not mind going after one of those damn psy-aliens.

[McNum]

I have been dying for some action and would not mind going after one of those damn psy-aliens.

Noted. But I haven't seen anything Sectoid bigger than a Large Scout yet. Could also just wait for Etherals, but those are a few months away.

I'm still wondering what to do about that eventual Snakeman Terror Mission... First thought is "Shoot the Terror Ship down!" which is why I want Plasma Cannons. Second thought is being extremely careful. But the problem isn't so much MY men getting Chryssalided, it's all the civilians. On Beginner there'll be 2-3 'lids. That's managable. But if there's also 10 civilians? That's a possible 13 'lids. That is a problem. Although seeing everyone scramble to the Skyranger to get out of there would be interesting...

[Orgun]

Ironman game - over. GAF Prime was just wiped out without even a chance to defend! Forgot to build defences :(

Gonna reload and continue though.

[McNum]

Ironman game - over. GAF Prime was just wiped out without even a chance to defend! Forgot to build defences :( Gonna reload and continue though.

Got hit when the Skyranger was out? That's rough. Not much to do except having reserves at the base, but that might not be enough against a Battleship's worth of aliens.

I'm lucky I haven't gotten a visit from the alien-scout-cookie salescreatues in my game yet.

Also, just got Plasma Cannons researched. But those darn Supply Ships keep evading me, but I see their pattern, I'll get the next one... They land at the base at midnight between Friday and Saturday. Next Saturday, there'll be a Skyranger hovering there. Mwahahaha.

[Orgun]

Got hit when the Skyranger was out? That's rough. Not much to do except having reserves at the base, but that might not be enough against a Battleship's worth of aliens. I'm lucky I haven't gotten a visit from the alien-scout-cookie salescreatues in my game yet. Also, just got Plasma Cannons researched. But those darn Supply Ships keep evading me, but I see their pattern, I'll get the next one... They land at the base at midnight between Friday and Saturday. Next Saturday, there'll be a Skyranger hovering there. Mwahahaha.

Yeah, i'd just discovered an alien base in France and had literally sent out the Skyranger about 2 minutes before the base was wiped off the face of the earth.

[Alextended]

Game's too hard for me... I don't care about losing troops but I'd like a few of them to last enough to make a mission completable, lol... I restarted on beginner after failing in experienced and the very second battle is a city terrorising with a bunch of flying saucers @ night... Meh. Btw do those things have weak points? Sometimes they take a rocket, grenades, and bullets to get downed, other times just one rocket is enough... And yeah it does hit. Or do grenades do nothing and it was just the rocket and some bullets that did it?

[robin2]

Game's too hard for me... I don't care about losing troops but I'd like a few of them to last enough to make a mission completable, lol... I restarted on beginner after failing in experienced and the very second battle is a city terrorising with a bunch of flying saucers @ night... Meh. Btw do those things have weak points? Sometimes they take a rocket, grenades, and bullets to get downed, other times just one rocket is enough... And yeah it does hit. Or do grenades do nothing and it was just the rocket and some bullets that did it?

At Beginner difficulty enemies have 50% of their standard armor and accuracy; at any other difficulty they already have at least 100%.
See: http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Difficulty_Levels


The high randomization you see is due to how the damage works.
http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Damage_Formula
A weapon do 0-200% of its listed damage; for example a weapon which has "damage 70", will do 0~140 damage (and then there's armor). That is why, sometimes, even and unarmored soldier (which still has an armor value of 8, if I remember correctly) can take no damage from a shot.

[archnemesis]

I always avoid doing night missions. You can often wait a few hours for daylight. Your line of sight is severely reduced while the aliens have no disadvantage. Most enemies have a strong defense against certain types of weapons. Research their corpses to find out the details.

[ruttyboy]

Yeah, i'd just discovered an alien base in France and had literally sent out the Skyranger about 2 minutes before the base was wiped off the face of the earth.

You'd think the engineers and scientists could offer a token resistance until the Skyranger got back, bloody civilians.

[Alextended]

0% damage, really?! I guess it's awesome when it happens to you but having to deal both with crappy accuracy % and then potential for no damage before even calculating armor is a bit much...

[robin2]

0% damage, really?! I guess it's awesome when it happens to you but having to deal both with crappy accuracy % and then potential for no damage before even calculating armor is a bit much...

The game gives you few options (shoot, move, crouch, throw) and flexibility (time units), with those you have to adapt to the the circumstances which present each turn: to keep these circumstances from becoming too expected, especially in the long run (you have crappy accuracy at the beginning, but it will improve), they did that.

[fresquito]

Yeah, being new to the game myself, I wouldn't say it's that hard. I mean, the game is not easy, and fights in the begining are total carnages, but once you develop laser weapons and armor, it's more bearable. Besides, smoke grenades are your friend, so is patience.

I'm playing in Experience now and my first terror mission finished with 6 dead soldiers (one of them killing the last alien before he killed them all, because they were out of ammo) and a blown up tank. The second saw three men die and a tank was blown up. It's a progress. (which leads me to the question: can't you reload the tank).

Edit: Okay, I'be found my first Alien base. Now I don't know what I should do :-/

[McNum]

Yeah, being new to the game myself, I wouldn't say it's that hard. I mean, the game is not easy, and fights in the begining are total carnages, but once you develop laser weapons and armor, it's more bearable. Besides, smoke grenades are your friend, so is patience. I'm playing in Experience now and my first terror mission finished with 6 dead soldiers (one of them killing the last alien before he killed them all, because they were out of ammo) and a blown up tank. The second saw three men die and a tank was blown up. It's a progress. (which leads me to the question: can't you reload the tank). Edit: Okay, I'be found my first Alien base. Now I don't know what I should do :-/

Observe it, find out what time of week it gets supplies, steal them. Repeat until you have so much Elerium and money that you don't know what to do with it all.

Note, if that's a Sectoid base, you want to catch the Sectoid Leader in the Supply Ship and unlock Psionics. Oh, and watch out for its psionic attacks.

[Phanatic8390]

Does Steam need to be running in order to play Xcom if it's been purchased on Steam?

I ask because I have a 2005 Macbook hand me down that I would love to play this on. I'm wondering if I can copy the files from my pc and use the OSX version of DOSBox

[fresquito]

Observe it, find out what time of week it gets supplies, steal them. Repeat until you have so much Elerium and money that you don't know what to do with it all. Note, if that's a Sectoid base, you want to catch the Sectoid Leader in the Supply Ship and unlock Psionics. Oh, and watch out for its psionic attacks.

Sounds complicated, but I will try my best. Too bad It's set in Madagascar (my only base is set in Spain), so it's a bit far away.

[Lactose_Intolerant]

Sounds complicated, but I will try my best. Too bad It's set in Madagascar (my only base is set in Spain), so it's a bit far away.

close the ports

[Almighty]

Does Steam need to be running in order to play Xcom if it's been purchased on Steam?

If I remember correctly no. Some one correct me if i am wrong, but I think you launch it straight from either dosbox or its own exe no problem. At least in Windows.

[McNum]

Sounds complicated, but I will try my best. Too bad It's set in Madagascar (my only base is set in Spain), so it's a bit far away.

A Hyper Wave Decoder is a big help for this. Actually, 4-5 Hyper Wave Decoders spread across the world is, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Madagascar is pretty good, though, you want a location east of Germany, but west of China for optimal placement. That way, the Supply Ship will arrive in the day.

But I played some more yesterday, and my next chapter is going to show how to pull this stunt off. Because Skyranger-1 is flying the Jolly Roger.

[Wrayfield]

A Hyper Wave Decoder is a big help for this. Actually, 4-5 Hyper Wave Decoders spread across the world is, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Madagascar is pretty good, though, you want a location east of Germany, but west of China for optimal placement. That way, the Supply Ship will arrive in the day. But I played some more yesterday, and my next chapter is going to show how to pull this stunt off. Because Skyranger-1 is flying the Jolly Roger.

Man, I never waited until supply ships came, I just raided that base b/c I thought if I don't quickly, alien influence will spread and cut off funding.

[fresquito]

A Hyper Wave Decoder is a big help for this. Actually, 4-5 Hyper Wave Decoders spread across the world is, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Madagascar is pretty good, though, you want a location east of Germany, but west of China for optimal placement. That way, the Supply Ship will arrive in the day. But I played some more yesterday, and my next chapter is going to show how to pull this stunt off. Because Skyranger-1 is flying the Jolly Roger.

Thanks. I'm eager to read it. But how do I create a Hyper Wave Decoder?

[BentMyWookiee]

I just started playing X-Com and I'm still a total rookie at this game. I'm only in March at the moment, but I'm just curious how this game progresses. Are there certain events in game that happen which move the game/"story" along? For instance, are the terror missions a sign of progression, or they just random events? If I just keep shooting down UFOs and completing terror missions, will the game eventually get to a point where it ends? Or does it just keep going forever?

[archnemesis]

I just started playing X-Com and I'm still a total rookie at this game. I'm only in March at the moment, but I'm just curious how this game progresses. Are there certain events in game that happen which move the game/"story" along? For instance, are the terror missions a sign of progression, or they just random events? If I just keep shooting down UFOs and completing terror missions, will the game eventually get to a point where it ends? Or does it just keep going forever?

Eventually you will research something that will take you to a final mission.

[McNum]

Thanks. I'm eager to read it. But how do I create a Hyper Wave Decoder?

Capture an alien Navigator alive. They're usually found near the controls of the UFO. Yes, in the early game that means charging it with Stun Rods. Teh research it and you'll unlock the Hyper Wave Decoder research topic. research that and you can build one at your base for a whopping 1.4 million and 28 days of construction. You can see me doing just that in my game. It's the reason I capture that Navigator in Chapter 4.

It's the difference between getting this reading (which you only have a low chance of detecting in the first pace):


And this reading which is much more useful, and has a 100% detection rate:


You see why I'm so very happy to have that running by end of March in my game?

To win the game, you need to at least do this: (Spoilers, obviously)
1. Capture any alien and interrogate it to get the Alien Origins topic
2. Research Alien Origins
3. Capture any alien Leader to get The Martian Solution topic
4. Research The Martian Solution
5. Capture any alien Commander to get Cydonia or Bust
6. Research Cydonia or Bust
7. Build an Avenger Craft
8. Launch the Avenger to Cydonia and complete the final mission there.

I'm at step 4 of that, in case you were counting.