Sathra

October 20, 2011

Copying this over, since its one of those odd questions that don't get asked much.

As you progress through the game, you begin to consider just shooting down a few UFO's rather than go through the hassle of the battlescape phase. This then becomes a burden of send plane up, nuke UFO, land, etc. Perhaps consider adding a mechanism to shoot down UFO's with missle tech from bases? (especially given how little utility there was with most defense systems anyway - far better to leave a small squad there and earn some cash from the attack)
There is a concern that you may shoot down UFO's you may not wish to but you could manage this through clicking on the UFO and being able to set a flag (shoot down or not shoot down). Adds some interesting things to the tech as you can have a whole tree of missiles (strength and range) as upgrades that are meaningful.

Had a quick search and couldn't find this already mentiond but if it's a repeat please disregard. My biggest complaint with UFO was always that the end game had far too many frustrations due to constant hassles with UFO's.

If you shoot down a UFO and don't want to go recover it, you can right click (I believe) the crash site and a cruise missile gets sent over there to blow it up. No need to do ground missions if you don't want to!

cheers for the response. Yeh what I was getting at here was using the base to shoot the UFO down in the first place. During the end game, micro management no longer becomes a priority (in some instances) as you can trade game time for your own time
(ie. choose to play every mission to micro manage skill increases or just extend the game and do it for say supply missions only)

However, you may wish to shoot down other missions being conducted. Once you've got a few bases on the map, it would be nice to just automate the entire shoot down/intercept phase completely. Hyperwave decoder spots UFO, you select the 'hastalavista baby' button, and that UFO is targeted by any base in range until it's dead. Here investing in longer term/higher power missile defenses allows you to improve the performance of bases.

(this needs to be tuned with a UFO attacking an X-COM base but that would be doable by increasing the armor of battleships perhaps?)

Just a hair brained idea but I always found x-com was so much more fun in the early to mid game, and succumbed to the 'civilisation' micro-management downfall in the end-game. At least in civ you can choose to automate a lot of things if you're happy to sacrifice some efficiency - something similar would may work well nice in xeno for a minimal dev cost.

There is also auto-resolve for air combat if you easily outclass the opposition craft, if that helps appease you?

I'm sure it was brought up at least twice. Hmm.
Ah! Found it. Chris said no.

Chris wrote:

Bases will have missile defence modules as in the original X-com, but they won't be represented on the Geoscape. They'll only be involved in repelling base attacks. I can see what you're suggesting, but we've already got interceptors in the game to shoot down the UFOs so I don't see a need to make it more complex.

I'm guessing its because basically cause it either detracts from making best use of your interceptors (since the alien ships come in waves, making best use of the craft you have is important), or it doesn't add enough to be worthwhile (if the range is pretty short, it'll be such a minor thing that you might as well not have it).

As for the defences themselves, each one is actually a 'defense module' that you can upgrade as your tech increases. So you don't have to dismantle and rebuild to get the best effectiveness. They can also reduce the numbers of actual aliens that invade your base if they fail to destroy the UFO.

As a result, its kind of worthwhile to build even basic missile defences, since they can still have an effect, and you can upgrade them when you can plasma cannon batteries without having to build a completely new building. It'll still take some time and cash to upgrade them though.

October 20, 2011

I: What was it like?

A: The crash site?

I: Yes.

A: It was...it was a wreck. A big one. There was this big ripped up gouge with dirt and rocks thrown around. Lots of ice too. The wreck looked huge. Wasn’t no B-52, that’s for sure. It was like some Navy ship had been thrown across the ground and smashed up. Lots of steam and fire too. I remember thinking that was strange.

I: How so?

A: Well, we’d been down for about 3 hours. It’d crashed well before then. Why would there still be steam? It was really cold and windy. Some of the para guys had these...things they were waving around too. Made all these crackling noises.

I: Geiger counters?

A: Yeah. Didn’t know what they were at the time. Wouldn’t have been pretty scared about it if I did. Guess they were checking for radiation. We got really worried around then though. Big weird ship-plane thing. Fire. Crackling sticks-wand-things. It was all pretty surreal. Made the aliens talk sound alot more believable though.

I: So you moved in?

A: Yeah. Slowly like. All around. We all spread out in the perimeter and moved in. It was pretty barren. You could see the guys on the other side of the ship-thing in the distance sometimes. We got a report of something moving in the wreck.

Then we started getting shot at.

I: From the wreck?

A: Yes from the wreck! Sorry. Yeah, didn’t know what it was at first. Some blue flash and this shrieking noise? Like an eagle? But wrong. I heard guys screaming. I looked over, and one of the Pattons had this big glowing crater on the front, with steam coming off it. There were guys screaming on the ground around it, clawing at their faces and clothes and stuff.

I: What had happened?

A: Splash. The shrieker bolts? The blue ones. It hit the tank and sprayed all this molten metal around. We were moving pretty close to the tanks, guys got hit by it. They didn’t last too long though.

I: How so?

A: Well, the...aliens? I guess? Had some kind of ray-gun. Like a proper raygun. Big red beam thing. It was really loud, but not. Like those big church bells. Really deep loud sound. Slammed into the tank right after and shot out the other side. Hit some guys, and burnt them all up. Then the tank exploded. I guess it was the engine. Still had gas engines in those Pattons, so they really went up. Ripped the screaming guys apart. Everything went to hell after that.

I: Oh?

*PFC Smith snorts*

A: Yes. All to hell. Everyone was screaming, shooting. All the tanks were firing. Machineguns, rocket grenades, everything. I swear I saw some guy firing a pistol. The aliens kept shooting at us though. Lots of guys died. Big charred holes, cut in half. Shrapnel. It was crazy. Kept it up for hours, felt like. Had guys running back and forth, throwing out ammo. Hiding behind wrecked tanks, dead bodies, rocks. Whatever we could find.

I still can’t eat bacon. I always thought it was some nasty joke. But it really does smell the same.

I: But you kept advancing.

A: Yeah. Eventually. Slowly though. Crawling up, all these blue and red lights flashing around. Started to see who we were shooting at too from the tank cannons blowing stuff up.

I: Hmm? *leans forward*

A: Uh..yeah. These big lizard guys. With some kind of armour. Like a vest or something. And robots. Saw a couple skinny ones with big white heads too, but they were dead already. The lizards and robots took alot of killing. Tank shell went off right next to one of those robot guys, took its arm off. Kept firing like it didn’t even notice. Rifle bullets just pinging off ‘em. Lizards ones were bad too. Covered in blood or something, and still going. One of the guys said they saw a dead one get back up, grab a gun and start shooting again.

That’s scary. Thinking back, it was like a comic book. Rayguns and shit. But not any comic book I’d like. Too much blood, too much screaming. I...

*Silence for several minutes*

I: James, are you okay?

A: Uh, yeah. It’s just...it was bad. Really bad. Got hit in the face with something. I thought it was splash at first, really scared me. I panicked, scratching at my face, and it fell off.

It was some guys finger, all half-burnt and stuff. Even had his wedding ring or something on it. I remember looking over and seeing some dead guy a couple yards away. A bolt had hit his gun and gone through it. Blew his hand apart, and carved off the side of his head.

...that was one of the worst things. Getting stabbed in the face with some dead guy’s ring finger.

I: But you weren’t at the crash-site at 5pm?

A: Uh, no. Command had been rotating troops as the counter-fire dropped. Mostly for ammo runs. Me and a couple other guys got pulled back, PFC’s West and..uh..I think its Harris now. West got hit on the way back. Me and...Harris...we kept going. Too much stuff happened to care much. We were the last guys of our squad. Maybe our whole platoon. Never know I guess.

We got pulled all the way back though. Apparently some of the brass wanted to talk to us? I dunno. We were on the way back when there was this huge flash of light behind us and the truck got thrown through the air.

I: But you survived.

A: Yeah. Broken bones, concussion. Survived. Driver was dead though. Truck landed front first, he got mashed.

I: That’s a pretty cold sentiment.

A: I’d seen worse by then. Yeah, survived. We got picked up when they went back to look what happened I guess. Officially, we died too. Too...useful.

Knew useful stuff.

I: You’re one of the few people that have seen combat with the aliens. They might come back.

A: Do...do you really think that?

I: It’s possible. But we’ll be ready next time. Thanks to people like you.

A: Maybe...but I don’t think so. We’ll never be ready.

---------------

So, reading the old sitreps and the background story, I always wondered how they knew anything about the aliens. Sebillians and Androns. This is kind of to explain that. Smith would be one of the instructors for the Xenonauts troopers (he'd be too old to be one of the actual troopers, since they all seem to be about late 20's, mid 30's according to their fluff bios.)

October 20, 2011

Wild boredom + reading WH 40K fiction = oh, I should try writing a fic about the iceland incident!

So...yeah. Enjoy.

-------------------

Transcript of interview with PFC James Smith, 15th August 1958.

Transcript comment: For this transcript, [REDACTED] will be referred to as 'I' and PFC Smith will be referred to as 'A'

I: Your name?

A: Uh, my official-

I: Yes, your current name.

A: Oh, um. Private James..uh..Smith. First Class. That is, uh, Private First Class James Smith.

I: Okay PFC Smith, is it alright if I call you James?

A: Yeah, okay I guess. Sure.

I: Okay James, why don't you start?

A: From the beginning?

I: From the beginning.

A: Uhm, so. Uh. Well, about 6 or 7 in the morning we were told to get kitted up. Some kind of alert. We weren’t told anything, just “get ready right now!” Some of the guys thought it was a drill.

I: What did you think it was?

A: Dunno. Drill sounded about right. Or maybe the Russians were invading or something. I didn’t really care. It was cold.

I: What happened next?

A: Well...about a hour or so later, we got some orders about some plane crashing. Or a nuke. Aliens. Lots of rumours. Official orders said it was a B-52. Search and Rescue op. Either way, we were all rushing about. Getting gear loaded on the transports, cold-weather gear. I don’t think anyone on the ground knew what was really going on. They’d even gotten some of the Cav guys with their tanks readying themselves. It was crazy. Why bring tanks to a search and rescue?

I: So the orders didn’t really make sense?

A: Not really. But it is, well...was, the Army. You hear about crazy stuff all the time. Russian spy bears in the forests photographing stuff, things like that.

I: I...don’t believe I’ve ever heard that one. But continue with your report.

A: Uh, yeah. So...we were getting on the transports. Sergeant said we were going to Iceland, so we were all in cold weather kit. It was kind of uncomfortable after a while. Better than getting your nuts frozen though. Some of the guys were talking, apparently someone said nukes got used. I didn’t believe them. I mean, if something did get nuked, why would we be going there? Wouldn’t be much left.

I: Hmm. That’s understandable. Continue.

A: Uhm. Yeah. So...we were on the transports for a long time. Everyone went quiet after a while. It happens, y’know? Long trip, run out of stuff to talk about. We eventually arrived. Lots of trees and snow and stuff.

I: So you couldn’t see the crash site?

A: Uh..kinda. In the distance, some big plume of smoke or something. Everyone was crashing around though. Snow and shit everywhere. All running around, setting up tents and those...tent things without walls?

I: Pavilions?

A: Yeah, something like that. For the brass. So, normal army stuff. Hurry up, hurry up. Then wait. Set up a perimeter, to keep the locals out. Weren’t many locals though. Or much else. Brass kept looking over at the smoke plume thing though, they looked worried.

I: Worried?

A: Yeah...like...it was something bad. Scared maybe. I remember thinking, maybe there were nukes on board, and that’s why we weren’t moving in.

I: Nukes?

A: Well, orders said it was a crashed bomber or something. And we were just hanging around a couple miles away. Not much of a search and rescue. Made sense, nukes and all. Classified, didn’t want no-one to know too much. Then the Russians arrived after midday or so.

I: Russians?

A: Yeah. Big guys, with the red star on their uniforms? Some of them weren’t wearing jackets. Hard-asses. Like you see in the comic books.

I: Comic books?

A: Heh, yeah. Some of the guys in the barracks tease me about it. Well, used to. Reading comic books. But I like the stories. Super-powers, aliens, all the sciency stuff. Robots. Russians are always these big, tough guys. Gruff and serious.

I: So, the Russian soldiers looked like professionals?

A: Like veterans. I mean, we had some on our side too. Paratroopers. These guys looked like them. I was pretty nervous, some of the other guys too. The Russian guys, I don’t think they cared.

I: So what did you think was going on?

A: By that point? I had no idea. If it were nukes, why would the Russkies be there? Without us fighting them I mean. They brought tanks too. Little ones, compared to ours. Shorter too. Bigger guns though.

I: Ah, T-54’s?

A: I dunno. I’m not Cav. All tanks to me. Anyways, we all got on trucks. Well, not the tank guys of course. The Russians went with us, in our trucks. That was...really strange. They didn’t talk to us, not sure if any of them spoke English really. I was sitting across from one of them. He looked over at me, and he kind of...shrugged or something. With his eyes. Kept fiddling with his rifle too. I guess he was nervous?

I: About being in the truck with you?

A: *Laughing* Nah. I don’t think so. Maybe their brass told them more? I’d be nervous too if I knew what was coming up. I didn’t though, so I’m watching this big hard Russkie paratrooper fiddling with his gun and thinking “What’s he so nervous about?”

*Serious*

Didn’t see him again after we got to the site.

October 20, 2011

The pre-orders will now be serviced through Desura, so the forum is no longer segregated into normal people and pre-orderers. Anyone can read the bug reports and pre-order discussions, although they obviously can’t take part until they pre-order!

Looks like there will be, but it won't be private like it was on the old forums. It'll help make the forums seem more active (since we went through about a month with apparently no activity since it was all in the pre-order forums) and let non-pre-orderers get a better idea of what's going on.

October 20, 2011

Going to be strange not seeing Shouting Man anymore.

October 20, 2011

Yeah, it is meant to be 180 days. Thought it was best to bring it up to clarify.

October 20, 2011

Specifically, there's an image limit of 4 per post. But I'm pretty sure that can be changed.

What I'm more worried about is the character limit. Its 10,000 or so, and when I was trying to copy over Chapter 3, it turns out that just the chapter alone, with no extra quotes, is over 10k. And its about average size. At least half of them are as long, if not longer. Including the 2 part updates!

If it can't be fixed....could always start a new one?

October 19, 2011

Yay! Now just to not go mad with power...

But yeah, if the general behaviour is the same as the old forums, there won't be much change.

@AD: Well...we've got an enormous desert! Ha!

October 19, 2011

Oh come on! The forum really hates this LP.

Picture limit, and apparently some of the updates are 'too long'.

October 19, 2011

Chapter 2A: They're like children!

Pre-mission Roster:

Sathra: Mr Waffles?

Waffles: Yes?

Sathra:

Waffles: *sigh*

-----------Mission Start----------------

Akinori: Tank's out-Holy crap!

Danielle: High Commander gave orders about this.

- Waffles: Did you really order that sir?

- Sathra: Thought it'd be funny.

Lucy Fer: Shut your holes and get out there!

Danielle and Akinori: Yes, sir, Sergeant Scarfa- er, Fer! Sir!

Lucy Fer: *snarls*

Danielle: Found the UFO!

Lucy: Dammit pilot!

Pilot: Shutup! The commander set up the tracklist for the cockpit, and I can't turn it off!

Lucy: What does that even mean!?

Pilot: You don't want to know.

Animal: It's *penetratingly* dark out here!

Kirmu: I'll light it up!

Animal: That works.

- Sathra: I see you didn't fix the censor.

- Waffles: I turned off 3! How many does this thing even have?

- Sathra: It'll do. For now.

Jean-Luc II: I am not taking point again.

Jean-Luc II: Last time I did, I-

Jean-Luc II: Aaah!

Jean-Luc II: *fornication*! My eyes! (hit the fence. Lucky!)

- Waffles: See! He just referred to how he died last time!

- Sathra: Character acting. Stop overreacting.

- Waffles: How the hell could that be character acting!

- Sathra: Magic probably.

Animal: Sniper! Grenades out!

Kirmu: I'll cut him off!

Assonasitis: My precious eyebrows!

(whoops. He's fine though)

Marren: Tank's under fire again!

Animal: Yeah, you *incestuous individual*, I put my grenade on a timer.

HunterHavoc: That's impossible!

Kirmu: Eat fire!

Kirmu: Its invincible! We're doomed!

Dix II: Shut it pyro. I'll get him.

Dix II: High explosive bolts. Always a winner.

(not shown, the 45 degree off angle shots)

Around the UFO:

Marren: Right, you two with the peashooters. You go in first.

Danielle: Fine, whatever. Stop poking me with that goddamn cannon.

Danielle: Crap. *fires and slams the door again* I am not going back in there again.

Marren: I heard a scream, you probably got one. Go in again or you're getting a 40mm enema.

Danielle: *pales* In again I guess.

Assoonasitis: You'll be fine rook. Lucy got out of it fine.

Danielle: Who?

Assoonasitis: Scarface.

Lucy: I heard that!

Danielle: *mic feedback* *Rapid pistol fire* Holy crap!

(hit the doorframe, soo close)

- *muffled*Sathra: Exciting, isn't it!

- Waffles: The popcorn is deeply inappropriate sir

- Sathra: Want some?

- Waffles: ...Yes.

Marren: Out of the way, I'll take it from here!

Marren: Mmm, splashy.

Akinori: Hahaha, its gun's jammed. Hey, its like some mutant kid.

Akinori: I hate kids. *vicious beating*

Jean-Luc II: Not to alarm anyone, but the tank's going postal on that barn for some reason.

HunterHavoc: Hey, tango just fell from the upper floor! I got him in my sights.

Dix II: Autocannon's don't have sights...

Hunterhavoc: Says you.

Dix II: *bovine excrement*

(seriously, crazy good shot. The other 2 passed within about a tile of the alien)

Akinori: Hey, this one just woke up! C'mere limpy!

*bang*

Akinori: Goodnight Suzie.

Marren: He's funny.

Danielle and Assoonasitis: ... ...

Lucy Fer: That's 7 right?

Animal: Yeah, same as the last ship. We're done here.

- Sathra: Victory Music!

- Waffles: Will you do this every time?

- Sathra: As often as possible Mr Waffles

Animal: What the hell happened to this thing!?

Akinori: No idea boss.

Sathra: So, no prisoner?

Waffles: Sorry sir, it died due to injuries. Most of its bones were broken and it was partially cooked.

Sathra: Send it to the kitchens.

Waffles: *incredulous* Sir!

Sathra: Oh, sorry. Scientists first, then the kitchens. Can't be poisoning the troops can we?

Waffles: That's...not what I meant. We can't just eat them.

Sathra: Why not? You said it was already half-cooked. Might as well finish the job.

Waffles: It...uh...it smells terrible! Worse than what we've got now.

Sathra: Oh. Well, never mind then. Selling time!

Mmm, profit.

-----------Mission Wrap-up-------------

That went a bit better.

So much fun
Had the battlemusic playing all the time, while going through the report... quite... entertaining?

Also. I love how you opened the UFO. saw 4 aliens, 2 looking at you. Killed one and closed the door.

Opened the door again. Saw 5 aliens and 4 looking at you...

About the immortal. Usually, grenades don't do that much damage. Not that I recall anyway. Also, you should realise, that unless you hit the alien directly, they don't take much damage from incindeary shots. it's more of a "time passes while they burn" damage. Of course, I don't know how many rounds the sectoid spent standing in that inferno... Wich reminds me!!!

I had Totally Forgot the Awesome Skull on those explosions. Verry nice picture!

With the first song I was going to ask... but now with the victory music, I'll have to rephrase the question to a "Please... Don't tell us where you get the music. Don't... Please?"

On a side note

HA!!!!! It's CAPTAIN ANIMAL NOW!!!!

I'm curious Sathra. Is it entertaining to play like this as well?

Well, I don't usually use incendiaries at all, but that sectoid did get hit by one of them. It was only in there for 1 turn though. They're much more useful in Apoc, due to the whole "near instant panic" effect they have.
Fire damage is really...weird in X-com 1. I think it does ignore armour though, but it does less than 10 points of damage a turn or something. They do take impact damage apparently every time an IN shell/rocket explodes though. Regardless of where it actually lands. That's been fixed with the loader I'm using though, but might still have the bug where hits with IN weapons don't count for XP purposes though. Kinda nerfs them, I'll have to turn it off, since currently impact damage is only checked once (when they get set on fire) I think.

Looks hilarious though. Lone sectoid in a field of fire, smoke and scorched earth.

Its pretty fun. Barring the AC's, its pretty much how I normally play. A bit sloppy, but no laser rifles so not much point.

I have very, very broad taste in music. Heh, coconuts.

RofL, that's a good read right there. Sathra, your leadership skills here remind me of Captain Murphy from Sealab 2021 big_smile

rofl - very nicely done, Sathra - that motto suits your leadership perfectly smile. I'm grateful for the whole re-incarnation thing, I really am, but... have you ever tried to explain to your wife of many years how you came home from the office half a foot shorter and 32c? (my portrait looks androgynous as hell, so I'm either in denial or else death has made me a goth).
I'm think I'm going to go slightly postal with my auto-canon on the next alien I see big_smile

(Also: how did i never notice that the explosions in X-Com are giant skulls of fire?? Was I the only one here to miss something so awesome?)

October 19, 2011

Boo Ya! Man was that exciting! I was so worried what was gonna happen to Lucy, especially when I saw she got a plasma to the face! It's alright, the scars will add to her general menacing countenance (I imagine her getting power armour and putting a skull on it like Emile in HALO Reach or something)
That was one hell of a replay Sathra, this is turning out to be awesome!

Next step, squad command! =P

Great job Sathra, I've been wondering where you'd been hiding that sense of humor. smile Kudos on managing to get the genders right.
By a weird coincidence I was the only one with two characters and both ended up..."boned". tongue Perhaps dead soldiers could be referred to as incapacitated or heavily wounded to help continuity. Exp loss could be attributed to head trauma, ptsd or amnesia.

@ Kirmu: Bravery isn't that important. No-one panicked at all. Also, you didn't have any incendiary ammo. First mission was literally about 2 hours in game-time. Nothing had arrived yet.
@ Assoonasitis: Yeah, he's pretty good. Missed heaps though, funnily enough. HunterHavoc hit more than he did.

@LB: Yep, Animal has superb stats for a front-line grunt. Reactions are a bit low, but not too bad. Would have liked the heavies (Hunter, Dix and Kirmu) to have more STR. Dix is the only one with even remotely enough for a heavy. Other than that they're all pretty good.

@anotherdevil: Thanks, thinking of having Doc Martin as another one of the talking heads on the base if that's okay with you.

@Jean-Luc: Yeah, that was bizzare. They might have died to the same alien too, but can't be sure. The genders were mostly pure luck that there were enough. I don't think how exactly soldiers get re-birthed is a problem. High Commander Sathra isn't the most 'aware' or 'sane' person around, so having guys arrive in new trooper shipments with the same name and personality (or even facial features) as the dead isn't going to cause much concern. He never even asked what his adjutant's name was, and broadcast his Commander's log over the base's intercom.

Chapter 2: Housekeeping

Sathra: Mr Waffles, anything new to report?

Waffles: Yes sir, the scientists report they've completed their research.

Sathra: Yes! Death rays for everyone! Begin production now!

Waffles: We can't yet sir, it was research in applicable laser weapon theory. They still have to design an actual field weapon. A test concept has been forwarded.

Sathra: I will shave you like a marmoset, Mr Waffles.

Waffles: How does that even make sense?

Sathra: Enough your babbling Waffles, the new coffin stuffers have arrived!

Waffles: Sir! You can't say that over the base intercom! What about morale?!

Sathra: Fine fine. *clears throat* Welcome, welcome to Area 01. You have chosen, or been chosen to relocate to this fine establishment, famed for the poor quality of its rations. I thought so much of this cesspool, I elected to take ownership at the behest of our Benefactors. As your Lord Tyrant- *Waffles grabs the mic*

Waffles: Just a joke, hehe, follow the arrows to the barracks and get settled in!

...Wait a second, Jean-luc and Dix? They died last mission!

Sathra: Those are obviously call-signs Waffles.

Waffles: No, they're not. I've got their dossiers here.

Sathra: Fine, fine, I'll fix it.

Jean-Luc II

Dix II

Marren Ridth

Sathra: Happy now?

Waffles: Putting a 2 after their names doesn't help!

Sathra: Well, now we can tell how many times they've died. Besides, Dix is a woman now, stop complaining and enjoy the view.

Waffles: *sigh* Oh, the weapons shipment has also arrived sir.

Sathra: Very good. *louder* Maybe now you plebes might stop complaining!

Waffles: *moans* Why did I let go of the mic?

--------------------------

(2 days later)

Sathra: So very, very bored. Waffles! Remove all the lightbulbs in the staircases and paint the stairs black!

Waffles: That was done yesterday sir. A scientist was injured.

Sathra: Fatally?

Waffles: No sir, just a broken nose.

Sathra: Serves him right for not watching where he was going.

Waffles: ...of course sir. In related news, the first laser weapon design has been completed.

Sathra: Its not very...death ray-ish. Have the scientists executed.

Waffles: You're not allowed to do that sir.

Sathra: What kind of dictatorship is this?!

Waffles: Its not a dic-...Never mind. Anyways, they've forwarded a new proposal for a more powerful version.

Sathra: Hmm, it does sound more death-ray-like. Demand they start at once. Shower privileges revoked till its done!

Waffles: I'll...I'll inform them sir. Should we start production of the pistols?

Sathra: Sure, whatever. Make a three-quarter-dozen or so.

Waffles: What?

Sathra: So where are these aliens anyways? Its boring. Maybe they're invading Brazil.

Waffles: Not according to these reports sir.

Sathra: Then where the hell are- *alarms go off*

Waffles: New contact!

Sathra: Finally! Where is it!

Waffles: Its...its...on the other side of Budapest.

Sathra: How the hell did the radar not pick that up!? Minions! On your sky-chariot! Don't return without corpses! Waffles, to the operations room! Bring the boombox!

October 19, 2011

Wicked. I actually have pretty good accuracy. Not much in the way of a spine, but I can certainly shoot things.

I'm waiting for the first screen shots featuring the Skyranger on fire due to my combination of 10 bravery and incendiary ammo.

An accountant eh? So money won't be a problem... but might have to suffer a tight schedual.
Also heard Budapest is nice this time of year.

All things considered, I believe you picked the right soldier for Animal.

High stamina, top bravery, deacent Fire acc. Reactions not the top, but then he does look through every single opening. Ok strength as well, for a rookie.

Most of them look pretty good actually.

Honestly, makes me feal like some government official waiting for the report in one of the countries. To hear about how his son did on his first mission tongue

Looking foreward to the report.

Looks pretty nice all in all Sathra. Nice setup.

And why isn't Gazz joining?

Edit:

PS: Sorry for exceptionally bad spelling (I think) just really really... sleepy...

Chapter 1A: Boned

Pre-mission Roster:

Sathra: Alarms off! Flashing lights on!

Joseph: They've landed.

Sathra:

Joseph: What...What is this?

Sathra: The magic of friendship of course!

--------------Mission Start---------

Animal: *profanities*

Kirmu: What? Oh, smoke grenades.

Animal: Tango sighted! Kill the *vulgar slight on parentage*!

- Sathra: Why does it do that?

- Joseph: Something to do with political correctness, I suppose. I see if i can get it fixed.

*hail of gunfire later*(seriously, something like 8 auto-shots. It took 6 rifle rounds to the gut and didn't die.)

Hunterhavoc: Out of the way you *offensive term towards mentally impaired*!

Hunterhavoc: Target down!

Lucy Fer: New target! Its flying!

Dix: Got it!

(Dix and Lucy killed this one, took 3 rifle rounds)

Animal: They're in the building!

Dix: And the roof! Taking the shot!

Assoonasitis: Aim first! Like this!

(3 rifle and an AC round)

Animal: There's a bunch in here!

Lenina: Moving in to support you Animal. I think I heard one in her-

Animal: Huxley? Oh hell.

- Sathra: Why didn't it bleep that?! It bleeped moron!

- Joseph: *shrug*

Jean-Luc: *fecal reference*

Dix: Throwing grenade! (only blew up Jean-luc's body. Forgot to take a screenshot)

Animal: Found you! This is for Jean and Huxley!

Dix: Covering you from the window Animal.

*blargh*

Animal: Dix? Not again!

Animal: Take that you *35 second interval of anatomically improbable profanity*

On the other side of the LZ:

Lucy Fer: Found the ship. Tango 2 was guarding it. Going in!

(Floater facing away from Lucy, took 2 shots to the back, then turned around and shot her in the face.)

Lucy Fer: The light of my soul defies you! Take this cape-monkey! *floater dies to snap-shot*

(seriously, completely unharmed)

(pulled her back, brought up HunterHavoc and Kirmu, just in case)

Kirmu: Go go go!

Lucy Fer: Going in again! New target!

Lucy Fer: Target down! UFO is clear!

(only took 2 hits this time)

Animal: Clear over here too! All targets eliminated!

Sathra: Mmm, delicious victory. Time for a

Joseph: We lost nearly half the team, and this music isn't really appropriate.

Sathra: Victory is victory, Mr. Waffles.

Joseph: Mr. Waffles?

Sathra: Its your new official title.

Joseph: Sir, I...That's...*sighs* At least the scientists will be happy.

Sathra: We'll have to sell some of it first though.

Mr Waffles: Is that even legal? And are we even allowed to sell corpses?

Sathra: Its legal till we're told its not.

---------------------------------

Mission Wrap-up:

What a rough start. Taking on superhuman floaters, at night, with starting rifles is NOT FUN. They've got alot of armour (for that period) and tend to snipe and camp buildings. Didn't help that all of them were within about 20-30 tiles of the LZ. Jean and Dix will be re-birthed in the next wave of recruits, and Marren Ridth will be joining as well.

Kill counts:

Assoonasitis - 1

HunterHavoc - 1

Animal - 2

Lucy Fer - 2

Kirmu - 0, but he did get a few hits in.

The rest made squaddie.

Trooper of the match is split between Animal and Lucy Fer. Lucy cleared the UFO by herself and took a plasma bolt to the face without a scratch. Animal spent 4 turns in the house of horrors and avenged his dead team-mates and somehow avoided being spotted at all.

Post Mission Roster:

Edit: *Profanities* Finally got the links working.

October 19, 2011

First update

I will throw my hat in for Jolly Old... Europe. I usually start somewhere around England, for some reason. Also, we could name the base Morgenstern, because it MEANS "morning star" but is less English, and thus sounds better. Also, it is a type of mace. So there's that.
Also:

Benjamin "Assoonasitis" Glatt:

From his earliest days of recruitment, Assoonasitis has earned his nickname: first to move, first to shoot, and always itching for action, his squad mates gave him the moniker for his seeming "inflammation of 'As soon as it is possible.' " That said, he's still got a keen mind, is fast, efficient, and ready to pull the trigger at any moment, but he almost always remembers to stop and steady his aim before taking the shot.

Traits: -First to move whenever possible.

-First to shoot whenever possible.

-Fires at first alien in LoS in every mission, no matter how infeasible the shot, unless teammates are at risk of friendly fire.

-Always has TUs reserved for Auto Shot.

-Always kneels before shooting, TUs permitting.

-Always maintains his free hand. EXCEPTION: will take from his belt and throw any object, so long as it is done in one turn.

-Maintains cover and the Buddy System whenever possible.

The first three traits are negotiable (especially the moving first), but I'd appreciate maintaining the last four, please. If you'd like, please amend my load-out to have three extra clips, one electro-flare and a smoke grenade on his BELT.

I vote going for lasers first, so he can get a laser rifle ASAP. Preferred equipment is Personal or Flying Armour and Laser or Plasma Rifle. That is all.

Europe +1
Name: Europa? I always name the bases after where they are, so if Germany you could always give it a german name etc.

I like laser rifles, a lot, but my char also wants a med kit and scanner... So yeah. Laser rifles to kill dem aliens, then med kits to save our characters, then motion scanners to kill them aliens a bit more (then armour!)

I think I see a pattern...

Chapter 1: First Blood

Motto of the day: "Terra enim! Victoriae enim! Sapidum carnem Enim!"

Sathra: I...am Sathra. Newly joined to the Upper Echelons of this brand new unit known as X-com. The...something or other.

Joseph: The Extra-terrestrial combat unit. Sir.

Sathra: Really? I thought it involved the culinary arts.

Joseph: No, sir. Planetary defence. The rations are quite foul.

Sathra: Anyways, I am Sathra, the accountant of this unit.

Joseph: Sir...You're the High Commander.

Sathra: ....How?

Joseph: You're the only one who applied. Must filled out the wrong form if you wanted to be the accountant.

Sathra: Then who are you?

Joseph: Your adjutant.

Sathra: Oh...well, on with the log! This is High Commander Sathra, reporting from sunny Hungary, 60 metres below ground.

Our current base is Area 01, and we're apparently meant to defend against aliens and their culinary depravity.

*Joseph sighs*

Its still undergoing construction, as you can see.

Our current personnel are a lively group of what are apparently elite special forces soldiers. This obviously means they are the cheese-dongs of their respective units, since they're with this crack-pot initiative. Well paid though.

Joseph: Sir...you're broadcasting this is over the base comm system

Sathra: Quiet you!

Lucy Fer

Lenina Huxley

Kirmu

Jean-Luc

HunterHavoc

Dix

Assoonasitis

And Animal

Joseph: Memo from the science labs, they want to know what to look at first:

Sathra: Lasers! Now!

Joseph: On it now sir.

Sathra: Hmm, where was I?

We've got almost nothing in the way of equipment, and it'll take a day or so for any more to arrive. Hopefully we don't have to do anythi-

Sathra: Crap.

NB: Fun fact, Kirmu's original name was Patrick Stewart.

I also miss-spelt Joseph 10 times.

October 19, 2011

Well, lets get this show on the road. I'll be playing this with Seb76's UfoLoader with heavier Heavy Plasma, stackable grenades and 200 power HE packs. Edit: Heavy Plasma and Plasma Pistols have also been modified, Heavy Plasma extensively so.

It'll be on Superhuman, since every other setting makes me paranoid for some reason.

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